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CONTENTS
"Belhar Confession"
A Class Taught by Jeff Doane
Fourth Church Parish Associate for Older Adults Jeff Doane will lead an Academy for Faith and Life class on the Belhar Confession, the newest Presbyterian confession, scheduled to be formally approved in June 2016 at the 222nd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in Portland, Oregon.
 
This four-week discussion will begin with two contextual matters: the Presbyterian confessional heritage, which dates back to the Nicene and the Apostles' Creeds, and then the period of apartheid in South Africa, out of which this confession emerged. Participants will then discuss the three themes of the Belhar Confession--unity, reconciliation, and justice--as well as how the Confession addresses our lives as individuals and as a church.
 
Please join us for a class that will push more deeply into our individual faith lives, our church, and our denomination's beliefs and structures.
 
Time:
     Sundays, January 31-February 21
     9:30 a.m.
 
Place:
     Borwell Dining Room
  
An Adult Education Opportunity
Also this Sunday, scholar, activist, and teacher Carolyn Roncolato returns to the Academy for Faith and Life--after teaching "Thinking Theologically" this past fall--to lead "Theology, Racism, and White Supremacy," a three-week course that explores the roots of racism and its particular history in the United States.
 
In a continued examination of our year-long theme of social justice in and through our own church's theology and faith, participants will unpack the complexity of race in the U.S., will practice talking about and responding to racism, and will learn the tools and tactics for anti-racist resistance. In particular, they will examine the role that Christian theology has played in both perpetuating and resisting white supremacy.
 
We hope you will join us this Sunday for one or both of these adult education opportunities!
 
Time:
     Sundays, January 31-February 14
     11:00 a.m.
 
Place:
     Borwell Dining Room
 
threeSouper Bowl on February 7
Support the Social Service Center
Next Sunday morning Fourth Church sixth and seventh graders will be collecting monetary contributions and nonperishable food items for the Souper Bowl of Caring--a national grassroots, faith-based campaign against hunger.
 
This year our Junior High youth are again joining other churches, schools, organizations, and individuals across the country in this fight against hunger and poverty, with proceeds from the Fourth Church collection supporting the Food Pantry of the Chicago Lights Elam Davies Social Service Center.
 
So when you're out grocery shopping in the week ahead, why not add some extra canned goods to your cart and bring them to church on Souper Bowl Sunday as we work to help alleviate hunger in our community!
fourGala Tickets Are Going Fast
Support Chicago Lights and the Replogle Center
Have you reserved your tickets to Gala of Hope, the fun-filled evening benefiting Chicago Lights, the local mission arm of Fourth Church, and the Replogle Center for Counseling and Well-Being?

Tickets are selling fast and seating is limited, so if you haven't done so already, make your reservations now!
Early-bird pricing ends Friday, February 5--and you'll want to get your tickets before they sell out!
 
This year's Gala of Hope will again be held at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel. Festivities will include dinner, dessert, and complimentary beverages; live music courtesy of the gala-favorite Ken Arlen Orchestra; silent and live auctions; a Mystery Wine Sale; a Spring Splendor Drawing; and more.
 
For more information about the Gala of Hope, stop by Coffee Hour this Sunday morning or contact Andrea Miller.

Time:
     Friday, March 4
     5:30 p.m.
 
Place: 
     Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel (221 N. Columbus Dr.)
 
fiveWelcome, Rocky Supinger!
A New Associate Pastor for Youth Ministry
This Monday Rocky Supinger will join us in ministry as Associate Pastor for Youth Ministry!
 
Rocky comes to us from Claremont Presbyterian Church in California, where he was Associate Pastor for the past eight years. You can learn more about our newest Associate Pastor online here.
 
Please join us in welcoming Rocky and his family--who will join him after the school year ends--to Chicago and Fourth Church!
         
six"Lent and Luke"
A Discussion with Shannon Kershner
This Lent--which begins on Ash Wednesday, February 10--we will be following the Gospel of Luke as we make our way to Palm Sunday, Holy Week, the cross, and Easter.
 
As we prepare for that journey, join Shannon Kershner next Sunday, February 7 for a light lunch and conversation regarding this path of Luke.
 
Shannon will guide participants through such questions as What makes Luke a Gospel ripe for the season of Lent? How can we prepare ourselves to journey through the Gospel of Luke this Lent?
 
To register for this one-session Academy for Faith and Life class, click here. For more information about adult education opportunities at Fourth Church, contact Mark Eldred.
 
Time:
     Sunday, February 7
     12:15-1:45 p.m.
 
Place:
     Borwell Dining Room
 
sevenWater for Flint, Michigan
A Special Offering to Help Those in Need
This Sunday a special offering will be received to help purchase bottled water for residents of Flint, Michigan, who have been affected by the lead poisoning of the water there.
 
Gifts to this offering can be made on Sunday by using one of the offering envelopes in the pew racks--and writing "Flint" on the envelope so your gift may be directed to the appropriate fund--or by making a check payable to Fourth Presbyterian Church and writing "Flint" on the memo line. These checks can also be mailed to Fourth Church, 126 E. Chestnut, Chicago, IL 60611.2014.
 
eightAnnual Meeting on February 14
The Annual Meeting of the Congregation will be held on Sunday, February 14 following the 11:00 a.m. service. As part of the meeting, the congregation will elect new officers.
 
All members are encouraged to attend the annual meeting. Childcare will be provided.
 
Following the meeting, all are invited to a luncheon with an Italian-themed menu and delicious desserts. Tickets for this meal are available at the reception desk.
 
We hope you'll join us for this important time in the life of Fourth Church!
 
worshipWorship This Week
Sunday, January 31, 2016
8:00 a.m. with Communion
Matt Helms, Associate Pastor, preaching
   "Now Is the Winter of Our Content"
Scripture texts:
   Psalm 71:1-6
   Jeremiah 1:4-10
   Luke 4:21-28 

9:30 and 11:00 a.m.
Shannon J. Kershner, Pastor, preaching
Scripture texts:
   Psalm 71:1-6
   1 Corinthians 13:1-13

4:00 p.m. Jazz Service with Communion
Layton Williams, Pastoral Resident, preaching
Scripture texts:
   Psalm 25:1-10
   Luke 4:21-30
 
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/2016/013116no.pdf

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

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passagePassages
Birth
We give thanks to God for the gift of new life.

Dylan Reed Jurgens, January 14, 2016
 
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musicConcerts at Fourth Church
Concerts at Fourth Church 
Friday Noonday concerts are free.

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

Friday, February 19, 2016
Thomas E. Gouwens, organist
(Associate Organist at Fourth Church)
12:10 p.m. in the Sanctuary

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
 
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.

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.

Share Shop volunteers to organize donated clothing items and help Chicago Lights Elam Davies Social Service Center guests select clothing.
An orientation session for both new and current volunteers will be offered on Monday, February 22 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in Room 4D and Thursday, February 25 from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. in Room 4G. Opportunity to tour the Social Service Center will take place following orientation. RSVP for one of these sessions online here.

Ushers
for the 11:00 a.m. services

Sunday School teachers during the 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. worship services 

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