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Sermon and Bulletin Archive 2002
Audio cassettes of morning worship services are available through Beth Adams at 312.640.5375.
December 31, 2002 • New Years Eve
Preacher: Calum MacLeod, Associate Pastor
> Click here to download the December 31 worship bulletin
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December 29, 2002 • First Sunday after Christmas
Sermon: Setting Out by Joanna M. Adams, Pastor
As we gather ourselves in the stillness of this moment of worship, O God, we ask that you would silence in us any voice other than your own. As we listen to your word, we pray that it may become for us a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our way into a new year, for the sake of Christ. Amen.> Click here to download the December 29 worship bulletin
> Click here for streaming audio or an MP3 of the worship service or the sermon
December 25, 2002 • Christmas Day
> Click here to download the December 25 worship bulletin
December 24, 2002 • Christmas Eve
Sermon: Christmas Eve, by John M. Buchanan, Pastor
Sometime during the week before Christmas it occurs to me that this is the year I may not have enough time to do everything I think I must do before the day, or this moment (8:00 p.m. or 11:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve, to be precise) arrives.
There is simply too much to do, and not enough time to do it: gifts to purchase and wrap. It’s the wrapping, frankly, that puts me over the edge. I’m not only not very good at it, but over the years, I’ve noticed that I’m not improving—I’m getting worse. So, I put it off until the very last minute. In any event, there are gifts to choose, purchase, and wrap, cards to address, notes to write, telephone calls to make, parties to attend, lunches and dinners. Every year I’m reminded of and look up and read W. H. Auden’s wonderful lines near the end of his Christmas Oratorio. There is plenty of food left over, the day after Christmas, Auden writes, not that anybody’s hungry—
> Click here to download the December 24 worship bulletin
> Click here for streaming audio or an MP3 of the 8:00 worship service or the sermon
December 22, 2002 • Fourth Sunday of AdventSermon: Fear Not, by Joanna M. Adams, Pastor
Several weeks have passed since I have preached on Sunday morning, and many wonderful Advent events have taken place at Fourth Presbyterian Church in the meantime: festive cantatas and concerts; happy, joyful parties. On Thursday around the middle of the day, I came in the Chestnut Street entrance and was almost knocked off my feet by the fantastic aroma of ham baking in the church kitchen in preparation for the Center for Older Adults Christmas luncheon. It smelled so good that as I walked upstairs, I found myself singing "Joy to the World" and doing a little dance on the landing.> Click here to download the December 22 worship bulletin
> Click here for streaming audio or an MP3 of the worship service or the sermon
December 15, 2002 • Third Sunday of Advent
Sermon: Born To Set They People Free, by John M. Buchanan, Pastor
One of the great stories to come out of the Second World War was the rescue and liberation in January of 1945 of 513 American and Allied prisoners of war, survivors of the Bataan Death March held in a prison camp in the Philippines. Those prisoners had about given up hope after three years of captivity in the most brutal of conditions. Many others had died during the long forced march. Many died of malnutrition and disease in the camp. Many were summarily executed. The survivors knew the probability of their being rescued and liberated was remote, to say the least. They weren’t even sure anyone knew where they were.> Click here to download the December 15 worship bulletin
> Click here for streaming audio or an MP3 of the worship service or the sermon
December 8, 2002 • Second Sunday of Advent
Sermon: Just Like the One I Used to Know, by John M. Buchanan, Pastor
The most popular song ever written, I learned recently, is "White Christmas." It has been recorded more, sung and played more, listened to more, than any music ever. I’ll bet if I started, we could make our way through it to the end, even without the choir’s help.> Click here to download the December 8 worship bulletin
> Click here for streaming audio or an MP3 of the worship service or the sermon
December 1, 2002 • First Sunday of Advent
Sermon: Hope for the World, by Joanna M. Adams, Pastor
In the Vatican, there is a famous fresco by the Italian Renaissance painter Raphael. At the center of the fresco are two of the great philosophers of the ages: Plato in conversation with his student Aristotle. Plato has his finger pointed to heaven. Aristotle, in contrast, has his finger pointed down toward terra firma, the solid earth. Heavenward, or earthly bound—where is reality to be found in Advent or at any time? Is it wishful thinking to expect something other than what presently exists?> Click here to download the December 1 worship bulletin
> Click here for streaming audio or an MP3 of the worship service or the sermon
November 28, 2002 • Thanksgiving Day
Sermon: The Main Thing, by Joanna M. Adams, Pastor
It is wonderful for Al and me to share our first Thanksgiving in Chicago with all of you this morning. I am remembering a story a friend in Atlanta told me years ago about the time his daughter had graduated from college. He wanted to give her a very special graduation present.> Click Here to download the November 28 worship bulletin
November 24, 2002 • Twenty-seventh Sunday After Pentecost
Sermon: Doxology, by John M. Buchanan, Pastor
For more than a century, week in and week out, the people of this congregation have begun their hour or so together by standing up and singing the Doxology:Praise God from whom all blessing flow.
Praise him all creatures here below.
Praise him above ye heavenly hosts.
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.> Click Here to download the November 24 worship bulletin
November 17, 2002 • Twenty-sixth Sunday After Pentecost
Sermon: High-Risk Venture, by John M. Buchanan, Pastor
I decided to approach this familiar story about the wealthy man who entrusts his property to three servants differently this time. So I called a friend of mine who is an investment manager. "I have a question," I said. "Go ahead," he responded, "but make it quick, I’m busy." He knew, of course, that I was not about to become an important client. So I said, "Say someone gave me a lot of money, several hundred thousand dollars, and say I wanted to double my money. How would I go about that?"> Click Here to download the November 17 worship bulletin
November 10, 2002 • Twenty-fifth Sunday After Pentecost
Sermon: What Happens When the Spirit Says No?, by Joanna M. Adams, Pastor
> Click Here to download the November 10 worship bulletin
November 3, 2002 • Twenty-fourth Sunday After Pentecost
Sermon: What Will Become of Me When I Die?, by Joanna M. Adams, Pastor
> Click Here to download the November 3 worship bulletin
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October 27, 2002 • Reformation Sunday
Sermon: To Make a Life and Not Just a Living, by John M. Buchanan, Pastor
> Click Here to download the October 27 worship bulletin
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October 20, 2002 • Twenty-second Sunday After Pentecost
Sermon: The Needle's Eye, by Joanna M. Adams, Pastor
> Click Here to download the October 20 worship bulletin
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October 13, 2002 • Twenty-first Sunday After PentecostSermon: More, by Joanna M. Adams, Pastor
> Click Here to download the October 13 worship bulletin
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October 6, 2002 • Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost
Sermon: The Gathering, by John M. Buchanan, Pastor
> Click Here to download the October 6 worship bulletin
Requires Adobe Acrobat ReaderEditor's note: Selected sermons of Fourth Presbyterian Church will be available here the Thursday or Friday after they are preached.
September 29, 2002 • Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Sermon: By what Authority– or- Who's in Charge Here? by John M. Buchanan, Pastor
> Click Here to download the September 29 worship bulletin
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September 22, 2002 • Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Sermon: The Complaint Department, by Joanna M. Adams, Pastor
> Click Here to download the September 22 worship bulletin
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September 15, 2002 • Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost
Sermon: On Not Keeping Score, by Joanna M. Adams, Pastor
> Click Here to download the September 15 worship bulletin
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September 11, 2002 • September 11 Observances at Fourth Church
Community Interfaith Service of Remembrance
12:10 p.m. in the Fourth Church Sanctuary
> Sponsored by Chicago Sinai Congregation, Fourth Presbyterian Church, and Holy Name Catholic Cathedral
> Leading the service was Pastors Joanna Adams and John Buchanan, Father Dan Mayall, Rabbi Michael Sternfield, and a Muslim leader.
Brahms’ Requiem
7:30 p.m. in the Fourth Church Sanctuary> Click Here to download the September 11 Bulletin Covers
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September 8, 2002 • Sixteenth Sunday After PentecostSermon: The Rising, by John M. Buchanan, Pastor
> Click Here to download the September 8 worship bulletin
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September 1, 2002 • Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Sermon: Holy Ground, by Calum I. MacLeod, Interim Associate Pastor for Evangelism
Not available in text form
> Click Here to download the September 1 worship bulletin
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August 25, 2002 • Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Sermon: The Potters House, by Joanna M. Adams, Pastor
> Click Here to download the August 25 worship bulletin
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August 18, 2002 • Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Sermon: Crumbs, by Cynthia M. Campbel, President, McCormick Theological Seminary
> Click Here to download the August 18 worship bulletin
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August 11, 2002 • Twelth Sunday After Pentecost
Preacher: Sarah Sarchet Butter, Parish Associate
> Click Here to download the August 11 worship bulletin
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August 4, 2002 • Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost
Sermon: Struggling Toward A Blessing, by John A. Cairns, Dean, Academy for Faith and Life
> Click Here to download the August 4 worship bulletin
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July 28, 2002 • Tenth Sunday After Pentecost
Sermon: A Matter of Time, by Joanna M. Adams, Pastor
> Click Here to download the July 28 worship bulletin
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July 21, 2002 • Ninth Sunday After Pentecost
Sermon: Awesome, by John M. Buchanan, Pastor
> Click Here to download the July 21 worship bulletin
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July 14, 2002 • Eighth Sunday After Pentecost
Sermon: Sowing the Seeds of Love, by Calum I. MacLeod, Interim Associate Pastor for Evangelism
Not available in text form
> Click Here to download the July 14 worship bulletin
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July 7, 2002 • Seventh Sunday After Pentecost
Sermon: The Power of a Dream, by John M. Buchanan, Pastor
> Click Here to download the July 7 worship bulletin
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June 30, 2002 • Sixth Sunday After Pentecost
Sermon: The Predicament of Freedom, by Joanna M. Adams, Pastor
> Click Here to download the June 30 worship bulletin
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June 23, 2002 • Fifth Sunday After Pentecost
Sermon : On Cutting the Fig Tree, by Joanna M. Adams, Pastor
> Click here for streaming audio or an MP3 of the worship service or the sermon
> Click Here to download the June 23 worship bulletin
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June 16, 2002 • Fourth Sunday After Pentecost
Sermon: Parenting Hope, by Dana Ferguson, Associate Pastor for Mission
> Click Here to download the June 16 worship bulletin
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June 9, 2002 • Third Sunday After Pentecost
Sermon: How far are we supposed to follow by John M. Buchanan, Pastor
> Click Here to download the June 9 worship bulletin
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June 2, 2002 • Second Sunday After Pentecost
Sermon: “For The Storms Which Give Toughness To Our Spirits . . .” by John M. Buchanan, Pastor
> Click Here to download the June 2 worship bulletin
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May 26, 2002 • Trinity Sunday
Sermon: Every Blessed Thing, by Calum I. MacLeod, Interim Associate Pastor
> Click Here to download the May 26 worship bulletin
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May 19, 2002 • Pentecost Sunday
Preacher: Joanna M. Adams, Pastor
> Click Here to download the May 19 worship bulletin
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May 12, 2002 • Seventh Sunday of Easter
Sermon: Water and Salt, by Joanna M. Adams, Pastor
> Click Here to download the May 12 worship bulletin
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May 5, 2002 • Sixth Sunday of Easter
Sermon: Is Our Way the Only Way?, by John M. Buchanan, Pastor
> Click Here to download the May 5 worship bulletin
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April 28, 2002 • Fifth Sunday of Easter
Preacher: Frederick Buechner, distinguished author of more than 30 books, Presbyterian minister, teacher, and preacher, has been described by the New York Times Book Review as "an artist . . . in the vineyard of theology, a wit with wisdom." Frederick Buechner’s most recent book is Speak What We Feel (Not What We Ought to Say): Reflections on Literature and Faith.
> Click Here to download the April 28 worship bulletin
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April 21, 2002 • The Installation of Joanna M. Adams
> Click Here to download Joanna M. Adams Installation bulletin
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April 21, 2002 • Fourth Sunday of Easter
Sermon: A Message for Our Time, by Joanna M. Adams, Pastor
> Click Here to download the April 21 worship bulletin
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April 14, 2002 • Third Sunday of Easter
Sermon: Even at the Unlikeliest of Moments, by John M. Buchanan, Pastor
> Click Here to download the April 14 worship bulletin
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April 7, 2002 • Second Sunday of Easter
Sermon: Locked Doors, by Joanna M. Adams, Pastor
Given the shift to Daylight Savings Time today, I am impressed that you and I both are here on time. Al and I set three clocks last night just to be sure I would not be late for the 8 a.m. service.> Click Here to download the April 7 worship bulletin
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March 31, 2002 • Easter Sunday
Sermon: How Are We To Believe This?, by John M. Buchanan, Pastor
> Click Here to download the March 31 Easter worship bulletin
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March 25, 2002 • Holy Week Services
> Click Here to download the Holy Week worship bulletin
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March 24, 2002 • Palm Sunday
Sermon: A Beautiful Mind, by Joanna Adams, Pastor
> Click Here to download the March 24 worship bulletin
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March 17, 2002 • Fifth Sunday in Lent
Sermon: No Story So Divine, by John M. Buchanan, Pastor
> Click Here to download the March 17 worship bulletin
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March 10, 2002 • Fourth Sunday in Lent
Sermon: See, by Carol J. Allen, Associate Pastor
> Click Here to download the March 10 worship bulletin
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March 3, 2002 • Third Sunday in Lent
Sermon: Included, by John M. Buchanan, Pastor
> Click here to download the March 3 worship bulletin
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February 24, 2002 • Second Sunday in Lent
Sermon: What Wonderous Love Is This?, by John M. Buchanan, Pastor
> Click here to download the February 24 worship bulletin
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February 17, 2002 • First Sunday in Lent
Sermon: Wilderness, by John M. Buchanan, Pastor
> Click here to download the February 17 worship bulletin
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February 13, 2002 • Ash Wednesday
Sermon: What It's All About, by Dana Ferguson, Associate Pastor
> Click here to download the Ash Wednesday worship bulletin
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February 10, 2002 • Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time
Preacher: Jack Rogers, Moderator of the General Assembly
Prayers of the People, by John M. Buchanan, Pastor
> Click here to download the February 10 worship bulletin
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February 3, 2002 • Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time
Sermon: Blessed, by John M. Buchanan, Pastor
> Click here to download the February 3 worship bulletin
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January 27, 2002 • Third Sunday of Ordinary Time
Sermon: Called and Collected for Glory, by Sarah Jo Sarchet, Associate Pastor
> Click here to download the January 27 worship bulletin
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January 20, 2002 • Second Sunday of Ordinary Time
Sermon: Is There a Church Around Here? by John M. Buchanan, Pastor
> Click here to download the January 20 worship bulletin
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January 13, 2002 • First Sunday of Ordinary Time
Sermon: The Light, by John M. Buchanan, Pastor
> Click here to download the January 13 worship bulletin
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January 6, 2002 • Second Sunday after Christmas
Sermon: Beyond Bethlehem, by John M. Buchanan, Pastor
> Click here to download the January 6 worship bulletin
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