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CONTENTS
A Video Cheer from Our Youth
Get Ready for the Souper Bowl!
If you haven't already, be sure to check out the video cheer made by our sixth and seventh graders at their retreat last weekend--and then get ready to help them score that big victory in this Sunday's Souper Bowl!
 
During Coffee Hour on Sunday, the youth will be collecting cans of soup and other nonperishable food items as well as monetary contributions for the Souper Bowl of Caring--a national grassroots, faith-based campaign against hunger.
 
All proceeds collected by our youth will support the food pantry of the Chicago Lights Elam Davies Social Service Center.
 
So come to church Sunday ready to fill the youth's large soup pots with canned goods and contributions that will help us tackle hunger in our community!
  
Confirmation and Senior Highs Leading Worship
Eighth graders in the Confirmation class at Fourth Church have been busy planning and writing the liturgy for this Sunday's 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. worship services!

Senior High youth will lead the service at 9:30 a.m., and those in eighth-grade Confirmation will lead at 11:00 a.m., with youth also sharing their reflections--in place of the sermon--with the congregation. The youth will also be taking part in helping to serve Communion.
 
We hope you will join us Sunday morning as we, as a community, live out the promise we made to these youth in their baptism--to support and nurture them as they, and we, grow in faithful discipleship.
 
The eighth-grade youth will then make their affirmation of faith when they are confirmed on Sunday, April 3.
 
Time:
     Sunday, February 7
     9:30 a.m. Senior Highs leading
     11:00 a.m. Confirmation class leading
 
Place:
     Sanctuary
 
threeAsh Wednesday Services
Beginning the Lenten Season
We begin our Lenten journey this coming Wednesday, February 10.

Ash Wednesday services will be held in the Sanctuary--with Shannon Kershner preaching at 12:10 p.m. and Judy Watt preaching at 7:30 p.m.--and will include Communion as well as opportunity for the imposition of ashes.
 
Preceding the Ash Wednesday 7:30 p.m. service, a hosted labyrinth walk will take place from 6:00 to 7:15 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel.
 
All are invited to these worship opportunities!
 
Time:
     Ash Wednesday, February 10
     12:10 p.m. Worship
     6:00-7:15 p.m. Labyrinth walk
     7:30 p.m. Worship
 
Place:
     Sanctuary for both worship services
     Buchanan Chapel for the labyrinth walk
four"Lent and Luke"
Discussing the Gospel with Shannon Kershner
Join Shannon Kershner this Sunday for a light lunch and conversation about the Gospel of Luke, whose path we will be following as we make our way through Lent to Palm Sunday, Holy Week, the cross, and Easter.
 
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
 
fiveLenten Devotions
Opportunity for Daily Reflection
The season of Lent calls Christians to embrace the faith journey by reflecting upon and deepening their relationship with God and by acting upon their Christian beliefs. During this season, we are invited to thoughtfully take up the gifts of faith--worship, study, prayer, and service--in preparation for Holy Week and Christ's journey to the cross.
 
As a resource for such Lenten reflections and personal prayer, we make available daily Lenten devotions, written by Fourth Church members and staff.

To receive the Lenten devotions by email (if you are not already receiving our devotions), send addresses to [email protected]
.
 
You can also read and share the devotions daily on Facebook and via Twitter (@FourthChicago).
 
Starting this Wednesday, devotions can also be found online as well as in printed booklets in the church literature racks.
          
sixFewer Than 30 Gala Tickets Left!
"Joy Ride" Drawing Continues
As of Friday afternoon, there are fewer than 30 tickets left for the Chicago Lights Gala of Hope, and they're going fast, so check ticket availability now if you're hoping to be with us for the festive gala on Friday, March 4!
 
And whether you'll be joining us at the Gala of Hope or not, the drawing for the "Joy Ride" continues. One lucky winner of the Gala of Hope's drawing will have the opportunity for a one-month convertible rental from Berman's Infinity of Chicago. And with 1,500 miles included, the possibilities of where you'll go are almost infinite.   

The winner need not be present, and we will continue to have drawing tickets available in the weeks ahead, including at Coffee Hour and also online here.

Winner must be twenty-five years or older and hold a valid driver's license and auto insurance.

Tickets
     Gala of Hope 
 
sevenVolunteer with Chicago Lights Tutoring
Tutor . . . and Change a Child's Life
Does one of your Lenten disciplines involve giving back to the community? Why not make a difference in the lives of children from Chicago's under-resourced neighborhoods by joining Chicago Lights Tutoring!
 
Volunteers are needed to be tutors and mentors to the 400 first- through twelfth-grade students who participate in the program.
 
New volunteers are asked to attend an orientation session at 6:00 p.m. in Room 4J on Thursday, February 11. RSVP online here.
 
eightMeet Chicago Artist Sergio Gomez
Next Friday between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. in Anderson Hall, all are invited to an artist reception for Chicago-based visual artist Sergio Gomez. Mr. Gomez, whose exhibition is on display in the Loggia through Monday, February 29, will give a presentation on his work and lead attendees on a gallery walkthrough.
 
Mr. Gomez, who received a master of fine arts degree from Northern Illinois University, has showcased his work in solo exhibitions around the United States, Europe, Korea, and Mexico. His work can also be found in private and public collections at such venues as the National Museum of Mexican Art, Brauer Art Museum, and the Museo Internazionale Italia Arte (MIIT).

Please plan to join us next Friday evening for an opportunity to hear the artist talk about his beautiful and visually arresting works.
 
Time:  
     Friday, February 12
     6:30-8:30 p.m. 
 
Place:  
     Loggia and Anderson Hall 
 
nineAnnual Meeting of the Congregation
Next Sunday, 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.
 
We hope you'll join us for this important activity in the life of Fourth Church!
 
Time:
     Sunday, February 14
     12:15 p.m.
 
Place:
     Sanctuary
 
tenAn Invitation to Lunch
Fellowship and an Italian-themed Menu
Following the Annual Meeting of the Congregation next Sunday, Congregational Life is hosting a luncheon in Borwell Dining Room.

The Italian-themed menu includes meat lasagna, a vegetarian pasta dish, green beans, Caesar salad, buttered garlic bread, and homemade cupcakes. A gluten-free option will also be available.
 
Tickets for this meal are available at the reception desk during the week and on Sundays.
 
We hope you'll join us for this time of fellowship as we enjoy a delicious meal together!
 
Time:
     Sunday, February 14
     1:00 p.m.
 
Place:
     Borwell Dining Room
 
worshipWorship This Week
Transfiguration of the Lord
Sunday, February 7, 2016
8:00 a.m. with Communion
Victoria G. Curtiss, Associate Pastor, preaching
   "Beyond Words"
Scripture texts:
   Psalm 99
   Exodus 24:12-18
   Luke 9:28-36

9:30 and 11:00 a.m.
Youth of Fourth Church leading
Scripture texts:
   Psalm 84
   Malachi 3:1-4

4:00 p.m. Jazz Service with Communion
Hardy H. Kim, Associate Pastor, preaching
Scripture texts:
   Psalm 99
   Luke 9:28-36
 
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/2016/020716no.pdf

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

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

Thomson Michael Pease, January 1, 2016
 
Ava Caroline Bus, January 12, 2016
 
Elsie Rose Ochoa, January 18, 2016
 
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musicConcerts at Fourth Church
Concerts at Fourth Church 
Friday Noonday concerts are free.

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

Friday, February 26, 2016
John W. W. Sherer, organist
(Organist and Director of Music at Fourth Church)
12:10 p.m. in the Sanctuary

Monday, February 29, 2016
Aberdeen University Civic Symphony
7:00 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
 
Nursery caregivers during the 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. worship services

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.

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