Fourth Presbyterian Church: A Light in the City

June 30–July 6, 2024

YOU BELONG HERE!

This may be your first time in worship at Fourth Presbyterian Church, or perhaps you worship here so often you call Fourth Church “home”; in either case, we are grateful for your presence today. Inspired by the radical hospitality of Jesus Christ, we welcome everyone —without exception—into the life of this congregation. No matter where you may be in your faith journey, no matter what questions or burdens you may bring to this place, we take seriously that God loves everyone, so you belong here.

Every Sunday we read the old biblical stories and sing hymns (some of which our grandparents sang), while also engaging the world we live in this minute through liturgy, prayers, and sermons. By connecting the story of our lives to the story of Christ’s life, we discover hope and even joy, and are inspired to reflect the light of Christ to the city.

If you are new to us, stick around after worship. Join us for Coffee Hour or speak to one of our pastors. We have many programs to expand your spirit and enrich your life. We would love to tell you more. Give us a try; soon you too might be calling Fourth Church “home.”

LET US KNOW YOU’RE WORSHIPING WITH US

Please let us know you are here by filling out an information form.

NEWS AND UPDATES

Summer Sunday worship schedule
Through September 1, we are gathering for two worship services: at 10:00 a.m. and at 2:00 p.m.

SUNDAY OPPORTUNITIES

Sunday school
Summer Sunday School runs through July at 10:00 a.m. in Room 4D.

CELEBRATING PRIDE MONTH

The Pride flag and rainbow ribbons along Michigan Avenue bear public witness to the inclusive hospitality we extend to all and to our welcome of all of God’s children into the life of the church. As further witness, this morning a group from Fourth Church is walking in the Pride Parade along with fellow members of the Chicago Coalition of Welcoming Churches.

WALKING OUR FAITH

Our World Mission and Social Justice Council invites you to join them for this summer’s Friday night Peace Walks at Saint Sabina Church in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood. We will be walking on Fridays, July 12, August 2, and August 16. To learn more, email Nancy Davis.

CIVIL RIGHTS TRAIL PILGRIMAGE

Tomorrow (Monday, July 1) is the deadline for registering for the October 18–27 Civil Rights Trail Pilgrimage to New Orleans, Jackson, Montgomery, and Birmingham.

Trip information

ART EXHIBITION

Currently on exhibition in our Loggia Gallery (through August 15) is “Perceptions of Nature,” featuring realistic and abstract depictions of the natural, and showcasing the work of artists Helen Dannelly and Yolanda Fernandez-Shebeko.

VOLUNTEER WITH US

If you would be interested in becoming a Fourth Church Ambassador to welcome visitors to our church, provide them with insightful tours, share compelling stories, help them navigate our facility, and invite them into moments of spiritual solace and wonder, please email Nancy Davis.

GROCERY BAGS NEEDED

Reuseable and paper grocery bags are needed by the Chicago Lights Social Service Center for use by guests visiting the Food Pantry and Share Shop. Bags can be dropped off at the church reception desk (enter at 126 E. Chestnut) between 8:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

The Social Service Center is also in need of men’s clothing, of all types and all sizes.

GET CONNECTED

BIBLE STUDIES
Two Bible studies meet via Zoom: Men’s Bible Study at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Horizons Women’s Bible Study, which meets on the second Wednesday of each month during the summer. During the summer, the Women’s Bible Study will focus on Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Life Together. For details, email Simon Crow.

KNITTING AND CROCHETING
Knitting and Crocheting meets on Tuesday, July 2 at 10:00 a.m. in Room 5B.
Music by the Fountain

MUSIC BY THE FOUNTAIN
Our free Friday Noonday concert series moves outside during July and August! The Music by the Fountain concerts begin this Friday, July 5 at 12:10 p.m. in the Michigan Avenue courtyard.

SERMON DISCUSSION
Next Sunday, July 7, join us at 11:10 a.m. in Borwell Dining Room for a discussion of the day’s sermon. This time of table conversation provides opportunity to deepen our understanding of the text and sermon topic by listening to what others have heard. It is also an occasion to build fellowship with one another.

CLL SUMMER SESSION
The summer session of Center for Life and Learning programming for adults sixty and over begins on Monday, July 8. Learn more and register on the CLL web pages.

CHURCH PICNIC
You’re invited to a church picnic! Join us for food and fellowship on Sunday, July 14 in our Michigan Avenue courtyard following the morning service.

RESOURCES FOR YOUR PERSONAL REFLECTION

We invite you to use our daily devotions for your personal reflection.

Weekly “Rhythm and Word” videos—released on Wednesday evenings—are also available via email. Sign up here or subscribe to our YouTube channel: www.bit.ly/fpcvideos.

STAY CONNECTED

You can find details about additional ways to connect with one another and this congregation, whether in person or online, on our website: www.fourthchurch.org, where you will also discover various resources and opportunities.

To see all that is going on at Fourth Church, we encourage you to bookmark our online church calendar, which is accessible from our website’s home page and at fourthchurch.org/calendar

What’s the best place to hear about everything that’s happening at Fourth Church?

Right here in the “You Are Invited!” pages of our weekly worship bulletin and in our weekly email newsletter, “News at Fourth Church.”

In them you will find information about upcoming events and how to get involved. In “News at Fourth Church” you will also discover snapshots and reflections of what has been happening in our life together and in the wider community.

Want to learn more? Check out our news archive.

PASTORAL CARE AND A LISTENING PRESENCE

To submit a prayer request to our Morning Prayer or Deacon Prayer Ministries, please email Gloria Fleming or Nancy Benson-Nicol.

Also email Gloria if you would like to talk to a pastor or notify pastoral staff of personal concerns, illnesses, hospitalizations, or deaths; if the situation requires immediate attention, please call the church at 312.787.4570 to be connected to the Minister on Call.

For those facing life’s challenges, Stephen Ministers provide a listening presence. To talk with a Stephen Minister, please leave a confidential message at 312.573.3365.

To explore options for counseling, call our Replogle Center for Counseling and Well-Being at 312.787.2729, ext. 2260 or visit reploglecenter.org

PRAYER, MEDITATION, AND SERMONS

You can read online Prayers of the People lifted up during previous Sunday morning services.

Each Wednesday we gather at 9:30 a.m. for Morning Prayer via Zoom. For Zoom details, email Nancy Benson-Nicol.

If you would like to walk the labyrinth, Buchanan Chapel is open for that purpose between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

You are also invited to a Sacred Pause time of meditation offered virtually by our Replogle Center for Counseling and Well-Being on Tuesdays (7:45 a.m.) and Saturdays (8:30 a.m.) on their Facebook page.

During the week the Sunday morning service and sermon is available via podcast on multiple platforms and at fourthchurch.org/podcasts

You can also receive the previous Sunday morning’s sermon text by email by subscribing at www.bit.ly/fpcsermons.

JOINING US ONLINE

Each Sunday our worshiping body is a wonderful mix of those online, on the phone, and in the pews. We livestream our 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. services on our YouTube channel, where they can be viewed any time after the services begin.

Links to make an online offering gift, view or print the worship bulletin, and more can be found in the descriptive text below the video as well as on our website.

Those without Internet access are invited to listen via phone by calling 888.916.9166 at 10:00 a.m.

JOINING US IN PERSON

If you like to join us for in-person worship, we gather on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Sunday parking is available at 900 N. Michigan (access from Rush or Walton) at the rate of $9 for 6 hours (and $18 for up to 12 hours) and at the Hancock garage (875 N. Michigan, enter from Delaware or Chestnut) at the rate of $10 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Validation tickets for the garages must be picked up from ushers.

Three fully accessible entrances, without steps, lead to the Sanctuary: on Michigan Avenue (through the glass Loggia doors between the courtyard and the main Sanctuary doors); at 126 E. Chestnut; and at 115 E. Delaware, and open for worship a half hour prior to each service.

Children are always welcome in worship. If you need to step out to comfort your child, the Hospitality Suite, on the second floor of the Gratz Center, is a quiet space for families where worship is livestreamed. During the morning services nursery care is available on the fourth floor of the Gratz Center for infants through two-year-olds.

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