View as Webpage

BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS

Sunday, October 5, 9am in the Chapel

Join us for a special Blessing of the Animals service in the Chapel, where we’ll celebrate and bless our beloved pets. Bring your furry friend, your scaley sidekick, a fetching photo, or even a stuffed animal - all are welcome! For those animals that may not do well inside with others, we’ll offer a blessing outside following the service. 

THIS SUNDAY, October 5, 2025

CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER

Every First Sunday of the Month, starting October 5, 10am, in the Columbarium

Need some space to breathe? Time to rest in the spacious silence of God's presence? Please join us for Contemplative Prayer. Together, we'll engage in practices of contemplative prayer, share from our hearts, and find strength and solace in God's abiding love. Questions? Email Rev. Ashley. 

GODLY PLAY FOR FAMILIES

Sundays, 10am, October 5, November 9, December 7, in the Green Room

Families are invited to gather in the regular childcare room on the 3rd floor to hear a Godly Play story together, to wonder a bit about the story, and then to have some work time to play around with the ideas and stories we heard. This is a great way for families who have not yet become regulars at church school to begin hearing the stories and practicing together. Families of any age are welcome - though this is geared towards preschool age 3 and under.

SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY

Sundays,10am, Crawford Library,

click here to join Zoom, password: 477100

Delve into the day’s scripture passage heard in worship. This no-homework Bible study delights in taking a scholarly look at ancient texts. Don’t leave your questions at the door; we need them. For more information contact Justin Tyler Dickenson.

MEETING THE MOMENT SERMON SERIES

This fall we delve into a sermon series about "Meeting the Moment". Together we'll find the spiritual strength and virtues we need to face the challenges of our world today. Through love, truth, wisdom, courage, and faith, we’re invited to draw from the deep well of scripture and community. Throughout the season we will explore how ancient words speak powerfully into our present moment.

October 5 at First Worship Ashley Popperson

Blessing of the Animals | Psalm 148

October 5 at Festival Worship John Edgerton

Give us This Day our Daily Bread | Matthew 6:9-13 

October 9 at Thursday Night Church Kat Woodard

Keeping Watch Together | Job Job 2:1-13



October 12 at First and Festival Worship Ashley Popperson

Dream that Hardens into Deed | Nehemiah 4:1-6

Click here to learn more

GBIO DELEGATE ASSEMBLY

Sunday, October 5, 7pm at Union Combined Parish

Across Greater Boston, people of faith are organizing to make a difference in the things that matter the most to us. What is keeping you up at night? What issues are impacting your neighbors, your friends, your own family? The Greater Boston Interfaith Organization is launching hundreds of house-meetings to help organize people to make our community better. Come to the kick-off event for this exciting project on October 5th, where we’ll learn organizing skills, build relationships with one another, and grow more powerful. Register at tinyurl.com/GBIOAssembly.

ONLINE SMALL GROUP

First Sundays starting October 5, 7:30pm EST, Click for the Zoom Link

Gather with other online members and Rev. Ashley for a time of fellowship, communion, and deepening our relationships with one another. Please bring something to eat (bread, cracker, cookie) and something to drink (juice, water, coffee) as your communion elements. 

OLD SOUTH COMMUNITY HOUR, Sundays at 10am, Mary Norton Hall

Deepening Community at Old South Church:

Small Groups 101 | October 5

Like walking, cooking, reading, crafting or community? Join us for a peek into our growing Small Groups program. Come hear more about why we're investing in Small Groups as part of our strategic planning work, and learn more about the Small Groups you can join this fall! 

Old South Pushes Back | October 12

Phil Dearing (chair of Christian Service and Outreach Committee) will share the story and impact behind Old South’s Weekly Pushback, donating $1000 every week to a local organization.

Homelessness 101: Beyond the Label | October 19

Homelessness 202: Humanizing Homelessness | October 26

How does our faith guide us to respond to homelessness? Join Rev. June Cooper and invited guests to learn about Boston's homelessness situation, sharing valuable information, challenging stereotypes, and fostering empathy. In what ways can we respond to Boston's homeless community with dignity and compassion? Join us for both or either session! Questions: Paul Brouillette.

MUSIC AT OLD SOUTH CHURCH

PIANO DEDICATION

TONIGHT, October 3, 7pm, Gordon Chapel

Join us as pianist D.J. Cleavinger dedicates Old South’s new Mason and Hamlin Model BB piano with repertoire including the stunning Études, Op. 10, of Frédéric Chopin. A native of Cincinnati, D.J. recently completed the Master of Music degree from Boston University, where he studied with Pavel Nersessian. He has appeared in recitals and festivals across the eastern United States, Austria, Puerto Rico, and Spain. For more information or to get in touch, visit djcleavinger.com

JOIN GOSPEL CHOIR FOR A WEEK   

First Worship:                  Sunday, October 19,

8:30am rehearsal 

Thursday Night Church:  Thursday, November 6,

7:00-7:30pm rehearsal

                                        Thursday, November 13,

6pm worship

Contact Tim Harbold for details and music in advance You deserve a week of joyful singing. Please join us!

CHRISTIAN SERVICE AND OUTREACH

THE WEEKLY PUSHBACK: REACH 

With toxic masculinity surging again in our society, there has never been a more important time to support the work to support survivors of domestic violence. REACH is a local nonprofit that supports survivors on every step of their journey to wellbeing while working with community members to both better support survivors in their lives and change social conditions under which domestic violence thrives. The goal is to end domestic violence, so organizations like REACH no longer need to exist. In the meantime, REACH serves 6,000 people each year through community based advocacy with survivors living in their own homes, an emergency shelter for those who need it, hotline as a resource for anyone experiencing abuse, and a prevention program that helps create systemic change and eliminate abuse through public education, skill building, and engagement. Each year the Christian Service and Outreach Committee awards a special grant in honor of former minister Duane Day to an organization that helps people help themselves. This year, we are delighted to give that $3,000 award to REACH. To learn more or get involved email Lauren Nackel or go to reachma.org/

COMMUNITY AT OLD SOUTH CHURCH

JOIN A SMALL GROUP AT OLD SOUTH CHURCH

Wanting to deepen your relationships at OSC? If you enjoy movies, walking, eating, reading, crafting, studying the Bible or just being in community with others, you're invited to join our growing Small Groups program. We have all kinds of groups doing all kinds of things this fall at Old South Church, and you're invited to join in! Click here to get more details and to sign up. Questions? Contact Rachel Barton.

BOOK STUDY 7-8 PM MONDAY NIGHTS AT OLD SOUTH

Reading the Bible Again For the First Time: 
Taking the Bible Seriously But Not Literally by Marcus J. Borg

One of the vital challenges facing thoughtful people today is how to read the Bible faithfully without abandoning our sense of truth and history. Reading the Bible Again for the First Time provides a much-needed solution to the problem of how to have a fully authentic yet contemporary understanding of the scriptures. Acclaimed author Marcus Borg reveals how it is possible to reconcile the Bible with both a scientific and critical way of thinking and our deepest spiritual needs, leading to a contemporary yet grounded experience of the sacred texts. Discussions and explorations await!

CELEBRATING 150 YEARS AT BOYLSTON STREET

Save the date—Saturday, December 6, 7pm

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 details to follow.

SOLIDARITY AT MASS AND CASS

Thursday Mornings from 8:45 am -11:00 am

Beloved, if you feel called to embody the presence of God’s love, you are invited to join faith leaders from across the city on Thursday mornings from 8:45 to 11:00 am at Mass and Cass. The ministry focuses on praying and if you wish - working alongside people to care for and clean the stress of the neighborhood. Contact June Cooper for information about orientation and getting involved or check out their website.

THROUGH THE BIBLE

Thursdays, 7pm, Click here for Zoom Link, password: psalter

Through the Bible meets weekly for a slow & steady study of scripture from Genesis all the way through to Revelation. This Fall, we start the New Testament and it’s a great time to join. If you are interested in building a community with folks from all over the US and taking a closer look at the Bible, join us! 

OTHER WORSHIP SERVICES

VESPERS HEALING WORSHIP

Next Service Sunday, October , 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. 

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.

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.

SANCTUARY AUDIO SURVEY

Click here to take part

Do you sometimes struggle to hear portions of our in-person worship service? With the help of our Director of Audio, Ava Welling, the Operations Committee is hoping to better understand what the barriers are for all of our congregation to be able to hear the entire worship service without issues. Please take a minute to fill out this survey so we can work on improving the overall audio experience of our worship services.

GREEN TIP: Getting Your Garden Ready for Winter

Clean and Store Your Garden Tools

Before winter sets in, it’s a good idea to clean and store your gardening tools properly. Make sure they are free of dirt and moisture to prevent rust. This will ensure they’re ready to go when spring comes around. But if winter does get the best of your tools, you can find the tools to meet your needs here.  Go to tinyurl.com/FallGardenTips for more info.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Click on the video to hear Taylor Fellow Kat Woodard preach a sermon at Festival Worship titled The Flattening of Time.

BEWARE OF EMAIL AND INTERNET SCAMS

Every day spammers and scammers get better at spoofing emails to make them appear as if they are legitimately from someone else. It has come to our attention that emails have gone out that appear to be from Old South Ministers and Staff asking for money and gift cards. When in doubt remember:

• Never open a link in an email when you haven't verified the sender.
• Old South ministers and staff will never email anyone asking for help with gift cards or other financial issues.
• Check the sender and if it doesn't match the ministers and staff emails here, it isn't from us.
• Call the church and ask to speak to the person the email seems to have come from to see if they really sent it.

OTHER INFORMATION

COVID PRECAUTIONS 

• Masking is optional.
• Masks are available at the front desk for those who choose to wear one.
• We strongly encourage everyone to be fully vaxxed and boosted.

MASKED SECTIONS OF THE SANCTUARY AND CHAPEL

Did you know that we have masked sections in the Sanctuary and Chapel?

We do! It's in the left transept (under the balcony) of the Sanctuary. In the Gordon Chapel, the Columbarium is the designated section. In both sections, masks are required. If you still aren't sure how to get to either section, ask an usher!

SANCTUARY IN THE CITY

Our Sanctuary in this City is open to visitors for prayer and reflection.

Monday-Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.; Fridays 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.;

and Weekends, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.