Seventh Sunday of Easter

June 1

Tom Are Jr. preaching

Worship bulletin

10:00 a.m.

in person and online

with Communion

This Sunday Morning’s Sermon 

Early in Jesus’ ministry, a man was brought to him carried by his friends. The friends made all the difference.

When it comes to friendship, sometimes we do the carrying; sometimes we need to be carried. Both are human, and both are holy.

The Lord’s Supper

This Sunday we celebrate the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. Those who are worshiping with us from home are encouraged to have bread and juice on hand so we might share in this meal together, wherever we are.

Children in Worship

Children are always welcome in worship! During the service nursery care is also available, and Summer Sunday School meets at 10:00 a.m. as well.

Baccalaureate Sunday

This Sunday is Baccalaureate Sunday at Fourth Church, a day when we recognize and congratulate Fourth Church members and Chicago Lights Tutoring students who are graduating in 2025.

Thank you to all who responded to our churchwide Long-Range Plan Progress Pulse Survey in spring.

The Long-Range Plan Progress Task Force was humbled and gratified by the number of responses and your honest, helpful feedback. You were heard!

This Sunday morning all are invited to hear the high-level themes and initial hypotheses emerging from the survey. There will also be time to ask questions and to learn about next steps for additional reporting.

Sunday, June 1

11:15 a.m.

Borwell Dining Room and via Zoom

Zoom: bit.ly/lrpsurveyreport2025

Our Online Coffee Hour takes place each Sunday at 11:00 a.m., immediately following the 10:00 a.m. service.

If you will be worshiping with us via livestream, we would be delighted to welcome you into this time of fellowship and connection with one another and a member of the pastoral staff.

Sundays

11:00 a.m.

via Zoom at bit.ly/coffeehourfpc

(passcode 676359)

Celebrating Pride

Throughout June the Pride flag flying in our Michigan Avenue courtyard, along with the Pride signs, banners, and ribbons outside the church, bear public witness to the inclusive and intentional hospitality we extend to all and to our welcome of all of God’s children.

This Sunday our in-person Coffee Hour will be hosted by our LGBTQ Widen Our Welcome (WOW) group as part of our celebration of Pride Month.

Be sure to stop by the Pride table there for resources and information.

LGBTQ Pride: Why We March

In many ways the LGBTQ Rights Movement began in June 1969, when the police raided the Stonewall Inn gay bar in New York City. After years of such raids, the customers had had enough and fought back.

Then, in June 1970, the LGBTQ community held the first Gay Rights Marches, which have evolved into the LGBTQ Pride parades we celebrate each June.

Later this month representatives of Fourth Church will walk in the Chicago Pride Parade. Watch for details in the coming weeks.

The Gospel of Mark with Tom Are

There is one more opportunity to participate in a Bible study led by Tom Are, who retires on June 15.

We’ll gather in person this Tuesday evening to explore “The Literary Design of Mark’s Gospel.”

Tuesday, June 3

6:30 p.m.

Anderson Hall (in person only)

Register at bit.ly/markstudy2025

Jesus’ Parables with Matt Helms

Beginning next Sunday morning, Matt Helms will be teaching a three-session class on Jesus’ parables.

Each week we will look at some of Jesus’ most beloved parables — from unpacking the historical context behind them, to exploring various interpretations of these texts and why they still resonate with us today.

Each class will be a stand-alone session covering three unique parables: we hope you’ll join us for as many as you are able! 

Sundays, June 8, 22, and 29

11:15 a.m.

Borwell Dining Room and Zoom

Register at bit.ly/parables2025

Women’s Summer Bible Studies

Our Women’s Summer Bible Studies meet via Zoom, making it easy for you to participate even if you might be traveling over the summer. They are also offered at two different times — 12:00 and 6:30 p.m. — to accommodate various schedules.

The Noon group will be studying the Horizons Bible Study “Dispatches to God’s Household: The General Epistles.” This study of 1 and 2 Peter, 1–3 John, and Jude was written by our own Nancy Benson-Nicol, who will take part in the discussion on June 11.

The Evening group will be studying the Sunday texts from the Lectionary, the collection of appointed readings for the entire year. There will be readings from the Old Testament, Psalms, a non-Gospel New Testament book, and a Gospel.  

Second and Fourth Wednesdays

Beginning June 11

12:00 and 6:30 p.m.

via Zoom

For Zoom details, contact Katie Patterson

Men’s Bible Study

Men’s Bible Study is also easy to participate in during the summer, as it too meets via Zoom.

The study takes place each Tuesday morning at 7:30 a.m. and focuses on scripture readings from the pulpit, with passages drawn from either the immediate past week’s worship service or the upcoming Sunday.

Tuesday mornings

7:30 a.m.

via Zoom

For Zoom details, contact Katie Patterson

Peace Walks in Auburn Gresham

The Mission and Justice Committee invites you to join them in letting your feet do the praying this summer: come be part of the Peace Walks of the St. Sabina Parish in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood.

We’ll be taking part in these weekly walks on the following Fridays, beginning with June 13.

Fridays at 7:00 p.m.

June 13

July 11

August 1

August 15

Sign up at bit.ly/peacewalks2025

For more information, sign up or contact Nancy Davis.

Celebrating Juneteenth

Stop by the Racial Equity table during Coffee Hour this month for information and resources for celebrating Juneteenth.

Bus Tour of North Lawndale

The Fourth Church Racial Equity Council invites you to join them for a special Sunday afternoon bus tour of Chicago’s historic North Lawndale neighborhood led by Dilla Thomas on June 22.

Home to a thriving Jewish community in the 1800s, North Lawndale later became a central hub for the 1960s civil rights movement. Come see the block where Martin Luther King Jr. lived during the Chicago Freedom Movement and hear the historic significance of the Stone Temple Baptist Church and the original “Sears Tower.” 

Our tour leader and Mahogany Tour’s historian and storyteller Shermann “Dilla” Thomas is a social media sensation whose Chicago history videos have amassed more than 20 million views and 210,000 social media followers. As Chicago’s 2022 Tourism Ambassador of the Year, he is reshaping Chicago’s historical significance through his neighborhood storytelling.

We will board the wheelchair accessible bus on June 22 at 1:45 p.m. outside the Delaware entrance for an on-time departure of 2:00 p.m. and expect to return by 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, June 22

1:45–6:00 p.m.

Register at bit.ly/bustour622

After forty-nine years of healing, care, and connection, the Replogle Center for Counseling and Well-Being at Fourth Church will be closing on June 30, 2025.

This coming Friday, June 6 we will gather in Anderson Hall for a Legacy Celebration. All are invited, especially those who have been part of this journey over the years as supporters, clients, trainees, or staff. This gathering will be a special time to reconnect, share memories, and honor the nearly five decades of compassionate care that have defined the Center and its lasting impact.

Friday, June 6

5:00–7:00 p.m.

Anderson Hall

Cornerstones

Cornerstones, a group for those fifty and over, will enjoy dinner and the program “There’s No Age Limit to Being a Debut Author!” on Friday evening, June 6.

Are you an aspiring author? Do you have an unfinished novel in your laptop? How do you establish good writing habits? Do you need an agent? What are the pros and cons of self-publishing?  

Authors Nancy Stevenson and Shawn Wilson will be with us to describe their experiences and answer questions.  

Friday, June 6

5:30 p.m.

Borwell Dining Room

Register (required) at bit.ly/cornerstones2506

Women at Fourth “Paint-n-Sip”

Women are invited to an evening of fun and fellowship when Women at Fourth hosts the always popular “Paint-n-Sip” on Thursday evening, June 12.

There will be refreshments and professional instruction as we each paint a one-of-a-kind “masterpiece.”

Space is limited, so register soon at bit.ly/waf20256

Thursday, June 12

5:30 p.m.

Borwell Dining Room

Register (required) at bit.ly/waf20256

We have installed a new art exhibition in the Loggia Gallery for the summer.

It features works by Charlene Moy, a Chicago-based Chinese American artist who assembles and weaves artificial materials with artist media to draw attention to the impact plastics have on our environment.

Come hear her speak about the art at the exhibition’s opening reception and artist talk this Thursday evening.

Thursday, June 5

5:30–7:00 p.m.

Anderson Hall and Loggia

After joining us as Interim Pastor in October 2023, Tom Are Jr. will be retiring on Sunday, June 15.

Please plan to be with us for a festive Coffee Hour reception that day, when we will thank Tom for his leadership during this interim season. There will also be opportunity to celebrate the ministry of Tom and Carol and wish them well as they embrace a season of retirement.

Sunday, June 15

11:00 a.m.

Anderson Hall

Summer Worship at 10:00 a.m.

Through August 31 — Labor Day weekend — we will gather for one worship service each summer Sunday, at 10:00 a.m. (both in person and livestreamed).

Coffee Hour, both in person and via Zoom, takes place at 11:00 a.m.

Summer Picnics!

Mark your calendar and plan to join us for our two summer picnics!

On Sundays July 13 and August 10 come enjoy lunch and a time to connect with others.

Sunday, July 13

Sunday, August 10

11:00 a.m.

in the courtyard (weather permitting) and Anderson Hall

Children three years old through fifth grade are invited to join us for this year’s Vacation Bible School adventure as we spend time learning about Paul and his travels. As always our VBS fun will include Bible stories, singing, crafts, and games.

This year VBS will be held June 16–18 and 20 (no session on Juneteenth) from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; a half-day option will also be available for preschoolers.

We are also looking for youth and adult volunteers for VBS. If you can help or would like to learn more, contact Matt Helms.

Monday–Wednesday and Friday June 16–18 and 20 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Register at bit.ly/fpcvbs2025

Oboist Laura Perkett and Interim Organist and Director of Music Doug Cleveland acknowledge the enthusiastic applause after their performance at today’s free Friday Noonday Concert.

You can watch the performance here.

Next Friday’s concert will feature pianist Derek Wang and violinist Sophia Stoyanovich presenting “Nostalgia of the Moderns,” a program of works by Charles Ives, Leoš Janáček, and Sophia’s father, composer Patrick Stoyanovich.

High above the north aisle in the Sanctuary, the restoration specialists continue their work on the 1914 murals by Frederic C. Bartlett.

To close out the academic year, the Chicago Lights Tutoring program held two nights of celebrations, honoring graduating eighth-graders, graduating seniors, and tutors (including three tutors who have been with the program for more than sixteen years each!).

New members who have joined Fourth Church in the past six months gathered for a reception in Anderson Hall recently, getting acquainted with each other and with longtime members of the congregation.

The Sanctuary was filled with the joyous harmonies of the Sounds Good Choir, Chicagoland’s largest no-audition choral program for adults fifty-five and over, as the group presented its spring finale, “Broadway,” including hits from Oklahoma!, Porgy and Bess, West Side Story, and Hamilton. 

As you look for ways to connect with the Fourth Church community and one another, be sure to check the church calendar, where you will find many opportunities to do so. Included among them are

• Online Coffee Hour via Zoom on Sundays (passcode 676359)
• Inquirers’ Class for prospective new members, in person, on Sunday morning, June 1
• Long-Range Plan Progress Survey Report on Sunday morning, June 1, in person and via Zoom
• Men’s Bible Study via Zoom on Tuesday mornings
• Knitting and Crocheting in person on Tuesday morning, June 3
• Bible Study with Tom Are, in person, on Tuesday evening, June 3
• Benevolent Guild in person on Wednesday mornings
• Art Exhibition Opening on Thursday evening, June 5, in person
• Celebration of the Replogle Center on Friday, June 6, in person
• Cornerstones on Friday, June 6, in person
• Jesus’ Parables class beginning Sunday morning, June 8
• Books by Women discussing, in person, Tom Lake by Ann Patchett on Tuesday evening, June 10
• Women’s Summer Bible Studies, via Zoom, beginning Wednesday, June 11 at noon and in the evening
• Women at Fourth “Paint-n-Sip” in person on Thursday, June 12
• Peace Walk in Auburn Gresham in person on Friday, June 13
• Celebrating the Ministry of Tom Are, during Coffee Hour, on Sunday, June 15

You can also find the day’s events on the bottom of our website home page

Conversation and Presence

If you would like to talk to a pastor, please call the church (312.787.4570) and your request will be forwarded to someone on the pastoral staff.

If you would like to alert pastoral staff to emerging pastoral care needs, illnesses, hospitalizations, or deaths, please email Gloria Fleming, Assistant for Caring Ministries and Spiritual Formation; however, if the situation is an emergency or requires immediate attention, please call the church at 312.787.4570 to be connected to the Minister on Call.

For one-to-one spiritual and emotional support through life challenges, we encourage you to consider being paired with a Stephen Minister. To learn more about this resource, contact Nancy Benson-Nicol, Associate Pastor for Caring Ministries and Spiritual Formation, or to request support from a Stephen Minister, please leave a confidential message at 312.573.3365.