CONTENTS
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Memorialize or Honor Loved Ones
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It's not too late to memorialize or honor loved ones through the donation of gifts for Christmas flowers and garlands! Today is the last day to make a contribution, giving thanks for those people who are important in our life, and have their names appear in the Christmas worship bulletin.
Contributions, which will help decorate the Sanctuary and Gratz Center this holiday season, can be made online or by completing the Christmas flowers form available in the literature racks.
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Cookies-and-Hot-Cocoa Reception to Follow
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Join us this Sunday for one of our beloved traditions at Fourth Church, the Festival of Advent Lessons and Music, held at 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary.
Pastors and members of Fourth Church will read the scripture lessons of Advent, and Fourth Church's Children's, Youth, Chancel, and Morning Choirs will perform anthems of the season. Together we'll sing Advent hymns and anticipate the birth of Jesus Christ.
A reception hosted by Presbyterian Women and featuring homemade cookies and hot cocoa will follow the service.
Time:
Sunday, December 13, 6:30 p.m.
Place:
Sanctuary
Reception to follow in Anderson Hall
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Support Programs of Fourth Church and Chicago Lights
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If you haven't done so already, please consider honoring or remembering those on your Christmas list with "Light Up a Life" gifts--which also help neighbors whose needs are great this holiday season.
Gifts provide important year-end support for the programs of Fourth Church and Chicago Lights and are easy to make online.
Help "light up a life" this Christmas with gifts that make a difference in the lives of those we serve! |
Last Friday, Shannon Kershner was the keynote speaker at the 52nd Annual Chicago Leadership Prayer Breakfast.
Organized by the Sunday Evening Club, the annual prayer breakfast invites Chicago's civic and faith leaders to gather as an interfaith community in thanksgiving and hope to pray for our city and its leadership.
This year's breakfast included prayers offered by representatives of various faiths as well as comments from Governor Bruce Rauner and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.
Shannon's keynote address --which was followed by a standing ovation--called upon those gathered to take up the work of consensus building for the sake of creating a healthy communal life in our city, and in so doing to understand that "we will first have to transform our speaking, resisting language that demonizes the other, and using language that honors the image of God in every person, not just those with whose politics or religion we are most aligned."
You can read Shannon's complete remarks here.
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Worship Opportunity for Those Experiencing Grief
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Feelings of grief, loss, loneliness, sadness, and anxiety can become more pronounced during the holidays. The "Longest Night" service--also known as the "Blue Christmas" service--on Tuesday, December 22 provides a Christmas worship opportunity for those who may find it difficult to share in the traditional joy-filled celebrations on December 24 and 25.
This service will be held at 6:30 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel.
Time:
Tuesday, December 22, 6:30 p.m.
Place:
Buchanan Chapel
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 Christmas Eve Worship
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Again this year, four candlelight services will be held at Fourth Church on Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24. We hope you will join us as we anticipate the birth of Christ!
4:00 p.m. Children's Pageant in the Sanctuary
6:00 p.m. Family Service in the Sanctuary
8:30 p.m. Service of Lessons and Carols in the Sanctuary
11:00 p.m. Service of Lessons and Carols in the Sanctuary
Shannon Kershner will preach during the 6:00, 8:30, and 11:00 p.m. worship.
Christmas Eve child care for infants and toddlers will be provided in the Nursery, which is located on the first floor of the Gratz Center, from 3:00 to 7:15 p.m. (Child care is not available during the 8:30 or 11:00 p.m. services). Please note that there is no reserved seating at any of the Christmas Eve services, including the Children's Pageant.
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Christmas Day at Fourth Church
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Worship and a Traditional Dinner
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Join Fourth Church on Friday, December 25 as we gather for worship at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary to celebrate the birth of Jesus! Pastoral Resident Layton Williams will lead this service of Christmas readings and hymns.
A traditional Christmas dinner will be held at 12:15 p.m. in Anderson Hall following the Christmas Day service. Tickets (required) for the dinner are available at the church reception desk. Seating is limited, so be sure to get your tickets now!
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La Posada for Families
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Looking for Room in the Inn
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Again this year families are invited to participate in La Posada Family Night, a unique tradition from Latin America, held next Friday, December 18 at 5:30 p.m. in the Gratz Center.
Together families will journey throughout the church, knocking on doors in the Gratz Center as they look for "room at the inn" just like Mary and Joseph did more than 2,000 years ago. After visiting several "inns," families will arrive at the final door to Borwell Dining Room, where they'll enjoy a shared dinner.
After dinner, all will be invited into Anderson Hall to play games, break piñatas, and sing Christmas carols.
Time:
Friday, December 18, 5:30 p.m.
Place:
Gratz Center
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Worship This Week
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Third Sunday of Advent
December 13, 2015
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Passages
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DeathWe give thanks to God for the gift of eternal life.
Beverly Fryer, December 4, 2015
Wedding
We give thanks to God for the gift of life together.
Shelly Marie Hennig and Mark David Keller, December 5, 2015
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Concerts at Fourth Church
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Concerts at Fourth ChurchFriday Noonday concerts are free.Sunday, December 13, 2015
Chicago Chamber Orchestra Holiday Pops!
with Beckie Menzie and Tom Michael
2:00 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel
Tickets available through Chicago Chamber Orchestra | 312.857.3094
Friday, December 18, 2015
Bach and Beethoven Ensemble
12:10 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel
Friday, December 18, 2015
Lakeside Singers
Saturday, December 19, 2015
Christmas with Tower Brass 5:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary
Suggested $20 donation at the door A complete concert schedule is available online. Back to top
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Volunteer at Fourth Church
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There are several ways to get involved in the mission and ministry of Fourth Church. See below for details!
Current Volunteer Needs
To sign up for any of these volunteer opportunities or to learn more about them, stop by Coffee Hour on Sunday morning or contact Larry Nicholson, Director of Volunteer Ministry.
A complete list of volunteer needs is available online. |
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