CONTENTS
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This Sunday the Morning Choir will perform John Rutter's Gloria during both the 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. worship services.
Gloria was written by English composer John Rutter in 1974 for brass, percussion, organ, and chorus. It begins with the familiar words of Luke 2:14, which the angels sang at the birth of Jesus.
We hope you'll join us for this seasonal cantata tradition at Fourth Church!
Time:
Sunday, December 20
During 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. worship
Place:
Sanctuary
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Honor or Remember Loved Ones
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Christmas is just one week away, but there's still time to honor or remember loved ones 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 outreach 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!
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Worship This Week 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-- 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 year the "Longest Night" service will be held on Tuesday, December 22 at 6:30 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel.
Time:
Tuesday, December 22, 6:30 p.m.
Place:
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Four Worship Opportunities
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Join us this coming Thursday when, anticipating the birth of Christ, we joyfully gather for four Christmas Eve candlelight services.
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 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.
Reduced-rate parking (with validation) will be available at the 900 North Michigan garage but not the Hancock garage. See below for details.
Those of you who will be unable to join us on Christmas Eve don't have to miss worship! We'll be offering a live stream of the 8:30 p.m. service, viewable online here and from the Fourth Church home page. If you are busy at that time or will be with us but want to enjoy the service again at another time, you will also be able to view the service later at that same link.
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Celebrate the birth of Jesus on Friday, December 25 when we'll worship at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary. Pastoral Resident Layton Williams will lead this service of Christmas readings and hymns.
Reduced rate parking (with validation) will be available at the 900 North Michigan garage but not the Hancock garage. See below for details.
Time:
Friday, December 25, 11:00 a.m.
Place:
Sanctuary
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 An Invitation to Christmas Dinner
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Tickets Available at Reception
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Our Christmas Day celebration will continue with a traditional Christmas dinner at 12:15 p.m. in Anderson Hall. Tickets (required) for the dinner are available at the church reception desk.
Seating is limited, so, if you haven't already, be sure to get your tickets now!
Time:
Friday, December 25, 12:15 p.m.
Place:
Anderson Hall
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Parking on Christmas Eve and Day
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For those entering the 900 garage before 5:00 p.m. on December 24, discounted parking will cost $17, which is the holiday rate.
A $17 parking voucher for that discount will need to be purchased at Fourth Church on Christmas Eve--cash or check only--and will be available before and after the Children's Pageant that day. Those entering the garage after 5:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve will be able to park for the current $8 evening rate with a green voucher available at the church.
Parking on Christmas Day in the 900 garage will cost $17. The voucher for discounted parking on Christmas Day must be purchased, with cash or check, at the church on Christmas morning.
There will be no discounted parking at the Hancock garage on either day.
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New Year's Eve Taizé Service
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A Time to Reflect and Look Ahead
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Opportunity to reflect on the year past and look ahead to the year to come will take place during the Year's Eve Taizé service on Thursday, December 31 at 7:30 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel.
Held in a candlelit setting, this service offers time of contemplative prayer, meditative singing, and silent reflection at the close of the year.
Opportunity to walk the labyrinth in Anderson Hall between 6:00 and 7:30 p.m. will precede the service. This meditative walk takes approximately twenty minutes.
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Cuba Applications Due Dec. 20
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Travel with Matt Helms in April
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It's not too late to submit your applications for the Fourth Church mission trip to Cuba! Participants can register online here through this Sunday, December 20.
On this April 16-23 mission trip, Fourth Church will continue to foster its fifteen-year relationship with First Presbyterian Church of Havana.
Led by Matt Helms--Associate Pastor for Children and Family Ministry at Fourth Church--and Fourth Church member Carol Lobbes, participants will have opportunity to learn about the historical and cultural context for Christian witness in Cuba and share in the ministries of First Church of Havana.
This intergenerational mission trip is open to those twelve years and older. (Those under eighteen must be accompanied by an adult.)
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Welcome, New Members!
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Please join us in welcoming those who were received into Fourth Church membership this month:
Kevin Andreakos
Carolyn Glantz
Spencer Haynes
Erica Heidrich
Billie Irwin
Greg Irwin
Ashley Sharma
Oinghong Zhang
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Thank You for Shopping the Bazaar!
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Thank you to all who shopped at the Fair Trade Bazaar on December 5 and 6 and supported artisans from more than thirty countries by raising more than $45,000! Hundreds of visitors made their way through Anderson Hall and Borwell Dining Room, perusing handcrafted merchandise from such vendors as Ten Thousand Villages, Africa Circle of Hope, Alternative Gifts International, and more.
Shopping at the bazaar helps make it possible for these artisans to earn a fair wage for their labors and provide food, shelter, education and health care for their families. Thank you!
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Worship This Week
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Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 20, 2015
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Passages
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DeathWe give thanks to God for the gift of eternal life.
Lucille Lacy, December 16, 2015 A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, December 23 at 2:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary, with a visitation at 1:00 p.m. Back to top
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Concerts at Fourth Church
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Concerts at Fourth Church
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
Friday, December 25, 2015No concert on Christmas Friday, January 1, 2016 No concert on New Year's Day Friday, January 8, 2016
Free Friday Noonday Concert Grant Street String Quartet
12:10 p.m. in Buchanan ChapelCosponsored by the Musicians Club of Women 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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