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CONTENTS
Taizé and Labyrinth Walk Friday
An Evening of Prayer, Singing, and Reflection
Join us this Friday night for our monthly service in the style of Taizé at 7:30 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel.
 
The Taizé service provides an opportunity to gather in a contemplative, prayerful setting at the end of a busy week. Candles; easy-to-learn songs from various countries, traditions, and languages; and a period of silence all contribute to a time to reflect and to open oneself to God. We gather for this service on "fourth Fridays at Fourth Church."  
 
As it is each month, the service will be preceded by opportunity to walk the labyrinth in Anderson Hall between 6:00 and 7:30 p.m. This meditative walk takes approximately twenty minutes, and members of the labyrinth ministry team are present to offer guidance for first-time labyrinth walkers. 
 
Time:
     Friday, January 22
     Between 6:00 and 7:30 p.m., Labyrinth Walk
     7:30 p.m., Taizé Service
 
Place:
     Anderson Hall, Buchanan Chapel
  
This Monday: "The Eyes of All"
The Academy for Faith and Life's two-part Michigan Avenue Forum series on mass incarceration will conclude on Monday evening with "The Eyes of All."
 
This panel discussion will be held at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary on January 25. District attorney John Chisholm, the Presbytery of Chicago's Barbara Wilson, Chicago Theological Seminary's Christophe Ringer, and McCormick Theological Seminary's Reggie Williams will explore the issue of our nation's jail and prison systems and what we might do in response. Author, Cook County defender, and Fourth Church member Jeanne Bishop will moderate the discussion.
 
We hope you will attend this important educational opportunity!
 
Time:
     Monday, January 25
     7:00 p.m.
 
Place:
     Sanctuary
 
three"Claiming Our Faith Stories"
RSVP for the Women's Retreat
There's still time to register for our winter retreat for women!
 
Women of all ages are invited to "Claiming Our Faith Stories" next Saturday, January 30 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Fourth Church. This retreat, led by Layton Williams, Vicky Curtiss, Janice Lewis, Amanda Love, and Risa McDonell, will offer participants opportunities to weave connections between their personal lives, others, and the biblical story.
 
Participants will gather as a large group and in small groups. Many different modalities will be offered, including storytelling, journaling, discussion groups, a personal labyrinth journey, and much more.
 
The fee for the retreat is $15, which includes a light breakfast. Registration can be completed online.
 
Time:
     Saturday, January 30
     8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
 
Place: 
     Anderson Hall
fourA Special Chicago Lights Coffee Hour
Making a Difference. Changing Lives.
One of the ways that we, as a congregation, live out our call to be a light in the city is through the work of Fourth Church's nonprofit community outreach organization, Chicago Lights.

Through supportive relationships and diverse programs, Chicago Lights provides hope and opportunity to Chicago's children, youth, and adults facing the challenges of poverty. It is your support of this Fourth Church mission arm that makes this possible, through the work of the
Chicago Lights Dance Academy, the Elam Davies Social Service Center, Summer Day, Tutoring, and the Urban Farm.
 
This Sunday morning come learn about each of these programs, as Chicago Lights staff will be available during Coffee Hour to talk about what they do.
 
There will also be opportunity to show your support of Chicago Lights by taking advantage of early-bird ticket sales for Gala of Hope!

Make plans now to join us for a fun-filled evening on Friday, March 4, when we'll enjoy a sit-down dinner and dessert, dance to the music of a live orchestra, and take part in live and silent auctions--all while enjoying the fellowship of Fourth Church friends and supporting our commitment to serve our neighbors in need through the work of Chicago Lights and the Replogle Center for Counseling and Well-Being.
 
fiveBooks for February
Two Enrichment Opportunities
Looking for reading recommendations--and conversations about books? Check out our monthly book groups!
 
All women are invited to monthly Books by Women conversations, which are held on the second Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. in the Bumpus Room. The group next meets on Tuesday, February 9 for discussion of Euphoria by Lily King. The novel, which was a finalist for the National Book Critics Award for Fiction in 2014, is based on the life of Margaret Mead and tells the story of a love triangle that takes place in the most remote provinces of New Guinea.
 
If you're sixty and over, the Center for Life and Learning (CLL) monthly book club also meets that Tuesday! They'll be gathering at 11:30 a.m. in Room 4B for a member-facilitated discussion of A Man Called Ove by Frederick Backman.
 
Grab a great read, and stop by one--or both--of these enriching discussions next month!
        
sixWelcome, New Members!
Please join us in welcoming those who were received into Fourth Church membership this month:
 
Octave Babelon 
John Crim 
Christiane DeBauge 
Ashley Jenkins 
Nathalie Jones 
Peter Kliefoth 
Rhonda Koulermos 
Linda Landrum
Malorie Medellin
Nancy Medellin
Micah Mills
Linden Moot
Laura Sudlow
Shanna Wood 
 
worshipWorship This Week
Sunday, January 24, 2016
8:00 a.m. with Communion
Judith L. Watt, Associate Pastor, preaching
Scripture texts:
   Psalm 19
   Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
   Luke 4:14-21

9:30 and 11:00 a.m.
Shannon J. Kershner, Pastor, preaching
Scripture texts:
   Psalm 19
   1 Corinthians 12:12-31a

4:00 p.m. Jazz Service with Communion
Hardy H. Kim, Associate Pastor, preaching
Scripture texts:
   Psalm 19 
   Luke 4:14-21
 
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/2016/012416no.pdf

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

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passagePassages
Death
We give thanks to God for the gift of eternal life.

Alice M. Korthauer, January 14, 2016
A service was held on Tuesday, January 19 at Drake & Sons Funeral Home.
 
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musicConcerts at Fourth Church
Concerts at Fourth Church 
Friday Noonday concerts are free.

Friday, January 29, 2016
John W. W. Sherer, organist
(Organist and Director of Music at Fourth Church)
12:10 p.m. in the Sanctuary

Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Chicago Ensemble
7:30 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel
Tickets available through Chicago Ensemble
| 773.558.3448

Friday, February 5, 2016
Yana Reznik, pianist
12:10 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel
Cosponsored by the Musicians Club of Women
 
Friday, February 12, 2016
Mark Valenti, pianist
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

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.

Helpers to assist with the Identity Arts program and Melting Pot Cooking Club at the Chicago Lights Urban Farm 
Volunteers will help foster creativity and positivity through making art with middle school students or help teach students about the joys of healthy cooking and eating. More information about each opportunity is available online.

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