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The world feels as if it is spiraling out of control. Institutions that once seemed sturdy teetering, national commitments abandoned, rights under attack. How is a Christian to understand these days? For Advent, we are exploring the theme of "Precedented Times" through a sermon series, and a daily devotional. You can click here to read the devotional digitally, or grab a physical copy at church.

EMERGENCY FOOD DONATIONS TO BOSTON HEALTHCARE FOR THE HOMELESS 

Please consider donating through this link to support local families affected by SNAP cuts.

THIS SUNDAY, November 30, 2025

CELEBRATING 150 YEARS AT BOYLSTON STREET

Saturday, December 6, 7pm, RSVP using button below

It has been 150 years since Old South Church moved into its historic building at 645 Boylston Street. Join us for a celebration of the church’s storied legacy in the heart of the city with a special concert program If These Walls Could Talk: A Celebration of Sanctuary in the Heart of Boston, to be followed by a festive reception in the Chapel. Registration below.

THE SEASON OF ADVENT

THE OLD SOUTH FORUM

Advent Sermon Conversations: Precedented Times

Sundays at 10am, Mary Norton Hall

November 30, John Edgerton

December 14, Ashley Popperson

December 21, Rachel Barton

The world feels as if it is spiraling out of control. Institutions that were once sturdy teeter, national commitments are abandoned, and rights are under attack. How is a Christian to understand these days? Join our ministers throughout Advent for conversations about their sermons and a chance to reflect together, ask questions, and share insights as we explore this year’s Advent theme as a community.

ANNUAL ADVENT & CHRISTMAS POETRY FEST

Sunday, December 7,10am, Mary Norton Hall

Join as host Don Wells leads a wonderful hour of Advent poetry selected or written by members and friends of Old South. There will be poetry to pull on your heartstrings, engage your mind, and bring laughter to your soul. It is an occasion not to miss

OLD SOUTH RINGERS CONCERT:

WITH ANTHEMS SWEET

Sunday, December 7 at 6:30pm in the Sanctuary and on live stream

Fun for the whole family, the annual Christmas Handbell Concert presented by the Old South Ringers will delight you with arrangements of beloved Christmas carols and songs that are sure to get you in the holiday spirit! Come and hear us in person if you can or join us online. Admission is free.

HELP MAKE AND SERVE LUNCH AT common cathedral

Sunday, December 14,

 contact Carolyn Clark to volunteer

There are many ways to participate!

Join us for any part of the day. All are welcome, including families.

Make bag lunches in OSC Mary Norton kitchen. 9:00-10:30 AM

Meet at Boston Common (near Park St station) to unload and hand out lunches

to the Common Cathedral congregation. Join for lunch. 12-1PM

Attend outdoor Common Cathedral service. 1-2PM

CHRISTMAS MEMORIALS AND CELEBRATIONS

Donations due by Sunday, December 14^th,

Questions? contact Remy Hatfield-Gardner at remy@oldsouth.org

The needs of the Allston Brighton Food Pantry are even greater this year. Your donation of $20 in honor or memory of loved ones or special occasions will help our less fortunate neighbors. Go to oldsouth.org/donate and click on “Christmas Memorials” to make your donation and enter your message on the second page.

GIVING BACK: THE TRUE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS

As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, Old South has several opportunities to give to the wider community. There is a Christmas tree near the reception desk decorated with ornaments. Each ornament will have instructions for a gift for one of the gift drives listed below. You can select an ornament from the tree or you can participate online at oldsouth.org/true-spirit-christmas

CHRISTIAN SERVICE AND OUTREACH - WEEKLY PUSHBACK

LUCE Immigrant Justice Network of Massachusetts

Click here to learn more about their work and how to donate or get involved.

Have other weekly action ideas? Email outreach@oldsouth.org

To get involved or ask questions email Rachel Barton

As this week’s Advent candle calls us toward Hope, we affirm the hopeful work of LUCE, a coalition of immigrant-led, grassroots organizations across Massachusetts working to strengthen immigrant communities through coordinated support and collective action. LUCE operates a daily hotline in multiple languages to report suspected ICE or DHS activity and dispatch community observers. Their vision is for “a People’s immigration justice” rooted in liberation, union, community, and esperanza/esperança/espwa (hope).

In addition to serving as this week’s Weekly Pushback grantee, LUCE has also been selected as this year’s recipient of Old South’s Robert H. Christenson Award. This award honors organizations whose work embodies hope, dignity, and deep concern for all those seeking care, qualities central to the legacy of Old South minister Rev. Robert H. Christenson. This Advent, we give thanks for LUCE’s work and for the enduring legacy of compassionate service that the Christenson Award commemorates.

COMMUNITY LIFE

WELCOMING SARAH ACHESON-FIELD

We are excited to introduce you to a new member of our team, Sarah Acheson-Field (she/her), who is joining us as our new Night Receptionist on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesday evenings. Sarah comes to Old South Church with nearly a decade of reception and administrative experience from working at her family's hotel on the Coast of Maine. Outside of work, she enjoys dancing, spending time near the ocean and lakes, and reading. If you see her, please say hi!

SAVE THE DATE: CHURCH CENTER TRAINING ON DECEMBER 14TH

Our new church software, Church Center, will be launching soon! Starting December 1st, you will be able to access the church directory on the Church Center website and app. In January, we will introduce the giving and church calendar features. Please join Amelia Gerrard, Director of Administration, on December 14th, as they introduce the Church Center app and online directory. The training will be in-person from 12:15-1:00 PM and online from 2-2:45 (Zoom: https://tinyurl.com/OSCChurchCenterTraining). They will also be answering questions at the 10 AM coffee hour on December 7th and 14th. In the meantime, be sure to log in and update your profile information, including your profile photo, or create an account, by isiting https://oldsouthchurch.churchcenter.com/me/profile-and-household. Email Amelia at amelia@oldsouth.org with any questions.

OTHER WORSHIP SERVICES

THURSDAY NIGHT CHURCH

Thursdays, 6pm

Thursday Night Church is a worship service where the music is contemporary, the space is open-hearted and in-the-round, and the preaching is focused on how we can be the church together in the world. 

THURSDAY NIGHT SUPPER CLUB

Thursdays, 7pm

After worship, join us for Thursday Night Supper Club. Each week, folks can gather after worship for dinner and an informal small group hosted by some of our friendly and hospitable lay leaders.

VESPERS HEALING WORSHIP

Next service November 9, 5pm on Zoom,

Click here to join

Please join us to take a moment for rest and renewal in the presence of God and other spiritual companions gathering by Zoom. All are welcome to share this quiet space and lift up our concerns, our losses, our hurts, and our celebrations in the Healing Presence of God and one another. 

WORSHIP SUPPORT

HEARING ASSIST DEVICES

Hearing assist devices are available from Ava Welling, our Director of Audio. Please see Ava for a device and instructions on how to use it. For more information or answers to questions, please contact Ava.

GREEN TIP: 12 Green Tips of Christmas

1. Choose a real tree from a sustainable source and consider a tree with roots that can be replanted later. 2. Instead of tinsel and glitter decorations, use natural foliage and berries.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Click on the video to watch our annual service at the Old South Meeting House.