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CONTENTS
Christmas Eve Worship
Four Worship Opportunities
Join us tomorrow 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 December 24 don't have to miss Christmas Eve worship at Fourth Church!
 
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: www.bitly.com/FPCXmasEve2015.
 
threeChristmas Day Worship
Worship at 11:00 a.m.
Celebrate the birth of Jesus this 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
fourAn Invitation to Christmas Dinner
Tickets Available at Reception
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
 
fiveParking on Christmas Eve and Day
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.
      
sixJazz Christmas Service on Dec. 27
4:00 p.m. Worship This Sunday
Join us this Sunday, December 27 for a jazz-filled Christmastide worship service! We will gather in the Sanctuary at 4:00 p.m., where Hardy Kim will lead us in worship with Communion.
 
As always, this service will feature the soulful sounds of the Lucy Smith Quartet performing such holiday tunes as "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and "In the Bleak Midwinter."
 
We hope to see you there!
 
Time:
     Sunday, December 27, 4:00 p.m.
 
Place:
     Sanctuary
 
sevenNew Year's Eve Taizé Service
A Year-End Time of Reflection and Prayer
Come reflect on the year past and look ahead to the year to come during the Year's Eve Taizé service next 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.
 
eightNo Sunday School This Weekend
Classes Resume January 10
Sunday School classes will not meet this Sunday, December 27 or next Sunday, January 3. Preschoolers and kindergarteners are welcome in the Nursery on the first floor of the Gratz Center on those days, and older children are encouraged to attend worship with their parents. 
 
Sunday School will resume on Sunday, January 10 during 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. worship services.
 
worshipWorship This Week
Christmas Eve
Thursday, December 24, 2015
4:00 p.m. Children's Pageant
Matt Helms, Associate Pastor, preaching

6:00 p.m. Family Service
Shannon J. Kershner, Pastor, preaching

8:30 and 11:00 p.m. Lessons and Carols
Shannon J. Kershner, Pastor, preaching 
 
Christmas Day
Friday, December 25, 2015
11:00 a.m.
Layton Williams, Pastoral Resident, preaching
 
First Sunday after Christmas
Sunday, December 27, 2015
8:00 a.m. with Communion
Victoria G. Curtiss, Associate Pastor, preaching
   "Our Childhood's Pattern"
Scripture texts:
   Psalm 148
   1 Samuel 2:18-20
   Luke 2:41-52

9:30 and 11:00 a.m.
Judith L. Watt, Associate Pastor, preaching
   "Growing Up"
Scripture texts:
   Colossians 3:12-17
   Luke 2:41-52

4:00 p.m. Jazz Service with Communion
Hardy H. Kim, Associate Pastor, preaching
   "The Christ Child: Hope of the World"
Scripture texts:
   Psalm 148
   Luke 2:39-52
 
Worship bulletins

for this coming Sunday are available online Friday afternoon at www.fourthchurch.org/worship/this-week.html
 
"News and Opportunities"
is the weekly printed newsletter distributed with the Sunday bulletin and is available online Friday afternoon at www.fourthchurch.org/news/2015/122715no.pdf

Sermons
from previous weeks are posted online at www.fourthchurch.org/sermons 

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musicConcerts at Fourth Church
Concerts at Fourth Church

Friday, December 25, 2015
No Noonday concert on Christmas
 
Friday, January 1, 2016
No Noonday concert on New Year's Day
 
Friday, January 8, 2016
Free Friday Noonday Concert 
Grant Street String Quartet
12:10 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel

Cosponsored by the Musicians Club of Women

Friday, January 15, 2016
Free Friday Noonday Concert
Karl Rzasa, bassoonist
12:10 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel

A complete concert schedule is available online. 
 
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volunteerVolunteer at Fourth Church
There are several ways to get involved in the mission and ministry of Fourth Church. See below for details!
 
Current Volunteer Needs
 
Sunday School teachers beginning January 10

Tutors
for Chicago Lights Tutoring
Tutors are needed one evening a week--Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday--from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. New volunteers are asked to attend an orientation session. A schedule is available
here.

Members to assist a child with special needs during 9:30 a.m. Sunday School

Ushers
for the 11:00 a.m. services

Drummers to perform with the Fourth Church Drumming Circle.
The Drumming Circle is open to anyone who enjoys playing percussion instruments; participants of all ages are welcome. During the 2015-2016 season, the group will play in 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. worship on the first Sunday of each month through May and rehearse before each performance.

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