In Christianity, a litany is a collection of short prayers, woven together with common responses and pleas. In the ancient church, litanies were often sung or chanted while the choir and congregation was in procession. Seems beautiful, right? Not quite. Processions in the early church were often outside of the church building. Christians would process throughout the city whenever it was possible. In the hot blazing sun or in the cool desert evening. Christians processed for hours. They would process on festival days (Christmas, Easter, Saints Days). They would process during funerals. They would process
on Sunday
for the sake of
Sunday
. Processions were not simply prayerful parades or regal displays of Christian beauty.
Those in the processional would lift high a makeshift cross. They would raise above their heads parchment containing the Gospel accounts. They would carry the bones of martyrs. They recited their litanies. These processions were public displays of power, protest, lament. This was no simple ritual.
This Sunday we will read the Great Litany. We will pray and plead with God. We will lift our voices in common prayer. We will follow in the footsteps of the people of God who for centuries have processed, sang, chanted, prayed. Join us.
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Historic Sermons Series
Delivered each Sunday in August, 2016
Our history will be made alive as King's Chapel reads aloud past sermons preached from our historic pulpit!
Come hear how British Boston mourned the death of King George II and how we struggled to live into our new fledgling democracy when the nation was in its infancy. Listen as we explore how the nation tried to make sense of the assassination of President Lincoln or how each of us could follow the good example of Boston native Charles Sumner.
These are sermons that captured and reflected upon key moments in our nation's history. Join us as we step back in time and hear again the sermons that defined a nation!
August 7
Holy Communion
(1662 Liturgy) 11 AM
"A Sermon upon the Occassion of the Death of Our
Late Most Gracious Sovereign King George II"
The Reverend Henry Caner
January 1, 1761
Read by Rev. Shawn Fielder, with Carol Kemp assisting
August 14
Morning Prayer 11 AM
"A Sermon on American Independence, Political Discourse and Unity"
The Reverend James Freeman
July 4, 1796
Read by Marie Wells, with Miguel Gomez-Ibanez assisting
August 21
Morning Prayer 11 AM
"A Sermon on the Death of President Abraham Lincoln"
The Reverend Henry Foote
April 19, 1865
Read by Todd Lee, with Karen Dalton assisting
August 28
Morning Prayer 11 AM
"A Sermon in Memory of Charles Sumner"
The Reverend Henry Foote
March 22, 1874
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Summer Barbecue |
August 16 |
6 PM
Following our tradition, please plan to join us for an informal barbecue in the beautiful garden behind the Parsonage and Parish House. This is a time of fun and fellowship, a chance to connect with old friends and meet new ones. Our final summer barbeque will be held Tuesday, August 16.
The main course and drinks will be provided, but we'd love you to bring a side dish or dessert. If it rains, we'll eat indoors.
To RSVP, contact Gretchen Horton,
Parish Administrator,
[email protected], 617-227- 2155 x 108. We hope you can join us!
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News from the Parish House....
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No Wednesday Evening Services or Morning Light in August
During the month of August, we will give our worship spaces time to rest and recover from a wonderful year of worship and music together. There will be no Wednesday 6PM or Sunday 9AM
(Morning Light) services throughout the month of August.
All are invited to Morning Prayer on Sundays at
11 A.M.
Our regular worship schedule will resume in September.
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From the Freedom Trail Visitors Program:
Taylor Hughes represented King's Chapel "historically" last week at a networking event of Greater Boston's historical institutions and organizations at the Massachusetts Historical Society. More than 100 representatives from Boston's many historical groups attended and Taylor did a magnificent job of reminding the segment leaders of the role and significance of this national treasure along The Freedom Trail. Each institution had two minutes to update the large crowd on its news and programs. Taylor did a wonderful job--with a beautiful visual on the screen to support her.
Thank you Taylor for opening the church's doors to the leaders of Boston's public history community.
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"We Rejoice with Those Who Rejoice, and Weep with Those Who Weep"
(Romans 12:15)
We rejoice that Alden Everett Cook (a boy!) was born to Sara Gomez-Ibanez and
Douglas Cook on June 10 at Concord New Hampshire Hospital. Sara is the daughter
of Nina Danforth and Miguel Gomez-Ibanez, both King's Chapel members; Sara was
christened at King's Chapel and started going to children's services with her brother
Daniel when the family lived in Charlestown.
Sara and her husband Doug were married December 21, 2013 by the Rev Joy Fallon before heading to work for 2 years for the International Humane Society in
Ometepe, Nicaragua. They now live and work on a small farm in East Washington,
New Hampshire. We rejoice with Sara and her extended King's Chapel family.
Sara and Alden right after his birth:
Leo Johnson shares the good news that his recent heart catheterization procedure went smoothly, and he is soon anticipating the insertion of a heart valve clip, a new
procedure for those who previously would have required open heart surgery. We
continue to hold Leo and his wife Dorothy in our prayers as they prepare for this
next step.
We give thanks that Ray Hardin is home after a very long spinal surgery last week. We offer love to Ray as he continues to recover from this major surgery, which we
hope will alleviate the back pain from which he has been suffering.
Louise Perkins shares that her mother, Anne, who suffered a stroke earlier this month, has been moved into the Fairlawn Rehabilitation home in Worcester; Louise a
nd Anne are grateful for the many prayers offered by our congregation. Keep them
coming!
We mourn with Maureen Bitler, whose father-in- law Robert Bitler died recently. Maureen is a regular worshipper with us at the Wednesday evening service, and on
Sunday the Rev. Fiedler gave thanks for his life, newly received into God's glory.
Please hold Maureen in your prayers.
We also offered prayers on Sunday for the life of Janet Baker-Carr, who died peacefully in Sudbury on July 16 th , at age 81. Janet is the mother of Kate Baker-Carr,
our member. Blessings to Kate during this time of grief.
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Wednesday, July 27 |
6 PM
The Rev. Shawn Fiedler, Preacher
- ______, Hospitality
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Emily Bieber, Soloist
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Gretchen Horton, Verger
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Sunday, July 31 | 11 AM
Morning Prayer
The Rev. Shawn Fiedler, Preacher
The Readings:
- Psalm 29
- Old Testament:
Ecclesiastes 1: 2, 12-14; 2: 18-23
New Testament:
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The flowers on the communion table are given by the Chancel Committee.
At the communion rail following the service, Bill Kuttner
will greet those interested in learning more about King's Chapel.
After the service, all are invited to Punch on the Bricks,
hosted by Betsy Peterson and friends of the Hospitality Committee.
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From the Bench
By Heinrich Christensen
Guest organist Lee Ridgway will play voluntaries by Buxtehude and Scheidemann, while soloist Denise Konicek will offer A Prayer for Light
set to music by
next Sunday's
guest organist Carson Cooman, as well as a setting of the beloved prayer God Be In My Head
by Elizabeth Vercoe, and Sweet Rivers
by Charles Turner.
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Tuesday August 2,
12:15 PM
Handel and Haydn Society
Chorus Members
Scott Allen Jarrett, director
Works by Claudio Monteverdi
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From the Chancel Committee
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Have you ever thought you would like to donate flowers for the Sunday Service but are unsure what one needs to do?
Flowers are placed on the chancel table every Sunday of the year with the exception of the 6 week Lenten period.
Flowers can be donated for a variety of reasons. They can be in memory of a loved one who has died, in thanksgiving for a special occurrence, or in celebration of a new birth or anniversary. They may also be donated as living prayers and symbols for peace an hope.
Please confirm with Anne Sexton if you have a regular Sunday that you would like to continue. Anne can be reached at the following email:
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We Need Summer Hosts for Hospitality!
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Enter your email and select a spot to fill. New volunteers may choose to co-host with a buddy. Questions? Email
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Stewardship Campaign
Our Stewardship Drive continues strong. As our Senior Warden so eloquently stated, "Pledging enables us to grow in faith and generosity. It is a response to God's call and the abundance in our own lives. Your pledge enables our church to continue to provide thought-provoking sermons, beautiful liturgy and music, and intellectually challenging adult religious programs." Please consider making a pledge today.
Need a pledge form? Contact
for a form! Thank you!
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Interested in Membership?
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Contributing to Between Sundays
Want something in Between Sundays? Feel free to email Brad at
[email protected] with a written piece and/or pictures before Tuesday at noon!
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Accessibility Assists
Our beautiful Georgian sanctuary designed by Peter Harrison and completed in 1754, has been lovingly maintained by the congregation since its completion. One of the box pews has been made wheel-chair accessible. Ushers are available to assist those who are wheelchair-bound to that pew.
A sound system has been installed in the sanctuary of The Chapel to amplify the sound during worship services. Hearing assistance devices are available for your use. Please see an Usher for assistance.
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