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CONTENTS
Shop Fair Trade This Weekend!
Gift Bags Needed for Supper Guests
  ----------------------------
Worship This Week
Upcoming Music Events
Volunteer
garage Shop Fair Trade This Weekend!
Support Global Artisans
Do you still have holiday shopping to do? Stop by the Fair Trade Gift Bazaar this Saturday, December 3 between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. or Sunday, December 4 between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. in Anderson Hall and Borwell Dining Room.
 
This annual bazaar features handcrafted merchandise, ranging from folk art to ceramics, textiles, baskets, jewelry, and more, and a variety of vendors, including Ten Thousand Villages, will be on hand.
 
Groups in more than forty countries benefit from the proceeds of this bazaar, making it possible for them to earn a fair wage for their labors and provide food, shelter, education, and health care for their families.
 
Come shop for a difference! 
 
Time:
     Saturday, December 3, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
     Sunday, December 4, 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
 
Place:
     Anderson Hall and Borwell Dining Room
 
one Gift Bags Needed for Supper Guests
Donations Collected through Next Sunday
Fourth Church Meals Ministry is still in need of toiletries and other small items for the 100 special holiday gift bags left to distribute to guests of Sunday and Monday Night Supper.
 
Instructions and a list of needed items are available at the Meals Ministry cart at Coffee Hour following morning worship services on Sundays. Donations, which will be collected through Sunday, December 11, can also be dropped off at the Meals Ministry cart.
 
Help brighten Christmas for guests of our Meals Ministry programs this year!
 
two Holiday Music Is in the Air
The weather is growing colder and the smell of pine is in the air, which means it's time for our special holiday concerts, all of which will take place in the Sanctuary!
 
The season will kick off with a medley of "Candlelight Carols" from the St. Charles Singers tomorrow at 7:30 p.m.
 
If you have time during the week, kindle your holiday spirit with the renowned music of "A Chanticleer Christmas" on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 6 and 7, at 7:30 p.m.
 
Why not round out your week by attending "Holidays a cappella," Chicago a cappella's annual concert of holiday tunes, Renaissance carols, Chanukah songs, and Christmas spirituals, at 8:00 p.m.
 
Ticket information for these events is available online here. We hope you'll join us in celebrating the holidays in song and cheer!
  
threeSearch for #adventfpc . . .
. . . to see what people are posting for their Advent Photo-a-Day reflections!
 
If you haven't yet joined in reflecting on a word of the season each day this Advent, we invite you to take and post to Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter a photo that captures or conveys what each day's word means to you in the context of the season.
 
A list of each day's words and more information is available online here.
 
fourGive Gifts that Light Up a Life
Support Programs of Fourth Church and Chicago Lights
This holiday season, please consider honoring or remembering those on your Christmas list with "Light Up a Life" gifts--which also help neighbors whose needs are great this holiday season.
 
Gifts provide important year-end support for the programs of Fourth Church and Chicago Lights and are easy to make online at www.bit.ly/FPCgifts.

Help "light up a life" this Christmas with gifts that make a difference in the lives of those we serve!
 
fiveAn Advent Dinner for Young Adults
This Thursday Evening in Anderson Hall
Join Young Adults and the Chicago Lights Associate Board in celebrating Advent with dinner and a gingerbread-house-decorating contest!
 
You can show off your Christmas craft skills and enjoy a good meal this Thursday, December 8 starting at 7:00 p.m. in Anderson Hall. RSVPs (required) can be made online here. Drinks and a couple of main courses will be provided, but attendees are asked to bring sides and desserts to share with the group; please indicate what you'll bring on this form as well.
 
Don't miss this evening of holiday cheer!
 
Time:
   Thursday, December 8
   7:00-10:00 p.m.
 
Place:
   Anderson Hall

sixFestival of Advent Lessons and Music Next Sunday
Cookies-and-Cocoa Reception to Follow
Join us for one of our beloved traditions at Fourth Church, the Festival of Advent Lessons and Music, next Sunday, December 11 at 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary.
 
Pastors and members of Fourth Church will read the scripture lessons of Advent, and Fourth Church's Children's, Youth, Chancel, and Morning Choirs will perform anthems of the season. Together we'll sing Advent hymns and anticipate the birth of Jesus Christ. 
 
A reception hosted by Women at Fourth and featuring homemade cookies and hot cocoa will follow the service.
 
Time:
     Sunday, December 11
     6:30 p.m.
 
Place:
     Sanctuary
     Reception to follow in Anderson Hall 
 
sevenBrunch with ThirtiesForties
Join Us at Lyfe Kitchen This Sunday
The fellowship group ThirtiesForties invites all to "break bread" with them this Sunday, December 4 following the 11:00 a.m. worship service. The group will meet in the Narthex and will then walk to Lyfe Kitchen (831 N. State) together.
 
This informal brunch is a great way to meet others in ThirtiesForties and learn about upcoming fellowship, service, and spiritual enrichment events. Bring a friend, and enjoy a meal with the group!
 
For more information, contact Anne Ellis.
 
Time:   
     Sunday, December 4
     Following 11:00 a.m. worship 
 
Place:   
     Lyfe Kitchen (831 N. State); meet in the Narthex
 
nine #EndGunViolence: A Vigil
December 14 in Buchanan Chapel
All are invited to a candlelit prayer vigil for peace on Wednesday, December 14 at 5:30 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel.
 
On this fourth anniversary of the Sandy Hooks shooting, we will remember those who have been killed in Chicago and in other national tragedies.
 
There will also be opportunity to walk the labyrinth at that time.

worship Worship This Week
Second Sunday of Advent, December 4, 2016
8:00 a.m. with Communion
Shannon J. Kershner, Pastor, preaching
Scripture texts:
   Psalm 72  

9:30 and 11:00 a.m.

Shannon J. Kershner, Pastor, preaching
Scripture texts:
   Psalm 72
   Isaiah 11:1-10
   Matthew 3:1-12   
     
4:00 p.m. Jazz Service with Communion
Nanette Sawyer, Minister for Congregational Life, preaching
Scripture texts:  
   Matthew 3:1-12   
 
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/2016/120416no.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.  
 
Saturday, December 3, 2016
St. Charles Singers: Candlelight Carols
7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary
Tickets available through
St. Charles Singers

Tuesday, December 6 and Wednesday, December 7, 2016
A Chanticleer Christmas
7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary
Tickets available through
Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Friday, December 9, 2016 
Christopher O'Hara, pianist
12:10 p.m. in the Sanctuary

Saturday, December 10, 2016
Chicago a cappella presents
   Holidays a cappella: Tales and Legends
8:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary
Tickets available through
Chicago a cappella   

A complete concert schedule is available online.
 
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volunteer Volunteer 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

Servers for the Fourth Church Christmas Dinner on December 25, 9:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. 
 
Sunday School teachers for 9:30 a.m. Sunday School classes

Cooks and servers
for Monday Night Supper on January 2

Tutors
for the Chicago Lights Tutoring program, especially on Tuesdays and Thursdays


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