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CONTENTS
Many, Many Thanks!
New Year's Eve Taizé Service
garageMany, Many Thanks!
A big, big thank-you to our many December volunteers, who helped during this vibrant and busy time of the year--from the volunteers who sleeved 5,000 Christmas Eve candles to Cookies-and-Cocoa Reception bakers and servers; from those who filled Christmas Wishes to the volunteers who wrapped hundreds of gifts; from those who ushered at the many concerts and worship services to those who served Christmas dinner, helped with the Christmas pageant, sang in the choirs, and did so many other behind-the-scenes things!
 
We thank you all for helping make Advent and Christmas such a special and blessed time at Fourth Church! 
 
oneNew Year's Eve Taizé Service
Reflect and Look Ahead This Saturday
A time to reflect on the year past. A time to look ahead to the year to come. Both will be our focus this Saturday, December 31 at 7:30 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel when we gather for our annual ecumenical New Year's Eve Taizé service.
 
Held in a candlelit setting, this beautiful service offers a time of contemplative prayer, meditative singing, and silent reflection at the close of the year.
 
There will also be opportunity to walk the labyrinth in Anderson Hall between 6:00 and 7:30 p.m., prior to the service. Walkers should allow approximately twenty minutes to take part in this spiritual practice of prayer and meditation.

Time:
     Saturday, December 31
     Labyrinth Walk: 6:00-7:30 p.m.
     Taizé Service: 7:30 p.m.
 
Place:
     Anderson Hall (labyrinth)
     Buchanan Chapel (Taizé) 
 
twoOne Service on New Year's Day
Worship at 11:00 a.m.
This Sunday, New Year's Day, there will be just one worship service at Fourth Church. Nanette Sawyer, Minister for Congregational Life, will preach at 11:00 a.m. that day.

Since there will be no Nursery, Sunday School, or youth gatherings this Sunday, families are encouraged to worship together, using the family version of the bulletin, which is available from the ushers each week.

Time:
     Sunday, January 1 
     11:00 a.m. 
 
Place:
     Sanctuary
threeYear-End Gifts and 2016 Pledges
The Fourth Church online giving page makes it easy to fulfill 2016 Annual Appeal pledges and to give additional year-end gifts.

This can also be done through the Sunday offering or by mailing a check to the attention of Resource Development at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut Street, Chicago, IL 60611.2014.
 
You can also make Light Up a Life gifts online here, to thank those who hosted Christmas or were a special part of your life in 2016.
 
Please note that for those wanting to make gifts or year-end contributions by credit card, charges must be made to the card by 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, December 31 in order for those gifts to be listed on 2016 giving statements.
 
For those wanting to make a year-end gift or pledge fulfillment by check and have the gift listed on 2016 giving statements, please be sure the envelope is postmarked December 31.
 
four"January Series" Begins January 4
Live Video Streaming at 11:30 a.m. Weekdays
"500 Years Later: Why the Reformation Still Matters." "Poverty and Profit in the American City." "How Did We Get Here? A Historical Perspective on Our Wild 2016 Election."
 
All these and more are topics that will be discussed by fifteen speakers as part of the January Series at Calvin College. Opportunity to experience the "fifteen days of free liberal arts education" will be offered through a live video feed presented at Fourth Church on January 4-24 at 11:30 a.m. each weekday (except Monday, January 16) in the Page Smith Room.
 
A complete schedule of speakers--which includes Doris Kearns Goodwin and N. T. Wright--is available online here.

We hope you'll join us for some--or all--of these enriching conversations! 
 
Time:
     Weekdays, January 4-24
     11:30 a.m.
 
Place:
     Page Smith Room
 
fiveMake a Meditation Resolution
Opportunities through the Replogle Center
Are you adding "practice meditation" to your list of new year's resolutions? It's a great way to set aside time for yourself, come to a deep and healthy understanding of who you are, and realize well-documented health benefits.
 
And it's a resolution we can help you achieve!
 
Come join us on Tuesdays for the meditation opportunities offered through our Replogle Center for Counseling and Well-Being.
 
"Sacred Pause" takes place each Tuesday morning at 7:45 a.m. in Stone Chapel (enter at 123 E. Delaware). Hosted by Tom Schemper, Vicky Curtiss, and Nanette Sawyer, this weekly meditative time offers space for twenty minutes of silence. No previous meditation experience is necessary, and participants are free to use the silence of Sacred Pause in any way they'd like. There is no charge for these morning meditation sessions.
 
"Tuesdays at Replogle" provides a weekly evening meditation experience at 7:00 p.m. in Boyle Conference Room. First-time meditators are invited to attend a 6:30 p.m. introductory session before the Open Meditation Group on January 3, 17, and 24. Sacred Sound Meditation on January 10 presents time to experience the mystical power of chanting and the powerful vibrations of Tibetan singing bowls. At the end of the month, on January 31, you can tap into your deep consciousness and attend Yoga Nidra (literally, "yoga sleep"). There is a fee associated with each of these evening meditation sessions.
 
If you're interested in learning more about these Tuesday meditation opportunities with the Replogle Center, check out the Replogle Center online or call the Center at 312.787.8425.

Time: 
Tuesdays at 7:45 a.m. for "Sacred Pause" 
Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. for "Tuesdays at Replogle"

Place: 
Stone Chapel ("Sacred Pause") 
Boyle Conference Room ("Tuesdays at Replogle")
sixSign Up for Produce from the Farm
2017 CSA Reservations Available
Have you resolved to eat healthier, local food in 2017? Then consider signing up for a Community-supported Agriculture (CSA) share with the Chicago Lights Urban Farm! It's not too early to get your name on the list, as some years we sell out!
 
CSA, also known as "subscription farming," allows members to purchase subscriptions, or weekly "shares," of fresh produce from a local farmer. The Urban Farm CSA "Salad Shares" allow members to have direct access to high-quality, fresh, organic produce grown on-site. In return, those shares help support the Farm and its many community-oriented programs. Shares are available at the Farm (444 W. Chicago) each Friday or Saturday in June through mid-October.
 
The "Salad Share" is for one to two people and contains mixed gourmet greens along with seasonal produce that may accent salads. The produce varies but may include such vegetables as radishes, peas, arugula, cucumbers, kale, squash, sweet peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, and more!
 
For more information about these shares, which will be available beginning in June, please email Deja Stout with the subject line "CSA member list."
 
sevenWin the Chili Cook-off Golden Ladle!
Join Us for a Delicious Chili Lunch
Test your culinary chops and join us next Sunday, January 8 for the annual Chili Cook-off!
 
We're calling all cooks to bring their four-quart pot of already-cooked chili to Borwell Dining Room by 11:45 a.m. next Sunday. Please bring your own utensils; we'll provide tasting bowls and spoons.
 
Need more incentive to enter? Your $5 entry fee will go toward the summer Fourth Church youth trips to Cuba, Detroit, and Montreat--and the cook with the winning chili gets to take home the famed Golden Ladle!
 
Competition participants are asked to register online here prior to the event.
 
Or maybe you just want to enjoy the delicious chili made by others? Come join us for lunch that day! Lunch tickets will be available for $10 at the door that day and will also support the youth mission trips.
 
Time:
     Sunday, January 8
     12:00 p.m.
     (chefs, please bring your chili to Borwell by 11:45 a.m.)
 
Place:
     Borwell Dining Room
 
nineGala of Hope: February 24
Benefit for Chicago Lights and Replogle Center
Save the date! The annual Chicago Lights Gala of Hope will be held on Friday, February 24 at Hyatt Regency Chicago in 2017.
 
We hope you'll join us for this festive and fun-filled evening that benefits the five outreach programs of Chicago Lights as well as the Replogle Center for Counseling and Well-Being!
 
(Want to see how much fun we had last time? Check out pictures from this year's event, which are posted on the Chicago Lights page on Facebook.)
 
Watch for invitations as well as opportunity to make ticket reservations in the new year!

Date: 
Friday, February 24

Place: 
Hyatt Regency Chicago (151 E. Upper Wacker) 
 
worshipWorship This Week
New Year's Day
Sunday, January 1, 2017
11:00 a.m.
Nanette Sawyer,
Minister for Congregational Life
Worship bulletin
for this coming Sunday is available online 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/2017/010117no.pdf

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

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Concerts at Fourth Church
Friday Noonday concerts are free.  

Friday, January 6, 2017
Leighann Daihl Ragusa, flutist
Anna Steinhoff, violist da gamba
David Walker, theorbist
12:10 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel
Cosponsored by the Musicians Club of Women

Tuesday, January 10, 2017
Chicago Ensemble
7:30 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel
Tickets available through Chicago Ensemble

Friday, January 13, 2017
Jacob Reed, organist
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
 
Nursery attendants on Sunday mornings
 
Sunday School teachers at 9:30 a.m.
 
Tutors for the Chicago Lights Tutoring program, especially on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Tutors volunteer one evening a week--Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays--from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. New volunteers are asked to attend an orientation session. A schedule is available  online here.
 
Communion-bread cutters

To sign up for any of these volunteer opportunities or to learn more about them, stop by Coffee Hour on Sunday morning or email volunteerministry@fourthchurch.org.
 
A complete list of volunteer needs is available online. 
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126 E. Chestnut
Chicago, IL 60611.2014
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