View as Webpage

CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR & COOKIE WALK

Saturday, December 7, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.

in the Gordon Chapel

More than 25 New England artists will vend their creative offerings in pottery, knits, photography, fine art, jewelry, blown glass, beeswax candles, turned wood, and more! Your purchase helps Women's Lunch Place further their mission.

14th ANNUAL ADVENT POETRY FEST

Sunday, December 8, 10 am

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

THIS SUNDAY, December 8, 2024

For links to bulletins and the worship livestream click here.

TRAFFIC AND PARKING ADVISORY

Open Newbury: Holiday Stroll, December 1 & 8, 2024 (Rain Date: December 15)

Newbury St will be pedestrian-only for a holiday market on Sundays 12/1 and 12/8. Arlington Street, Berkeley Street, Clarendon Street, Dartmouth Street & Exeter Street will all remain open, while Fairfield Street, Gloucester Street, and Hereford Street will be closed at Newbury Street. Parking will also be limited on Berkeley, Clarendon, Fairfield, Gloucester and Hereford Streets. 

CHURCH VISION AND STRATEGY GATHERING

December 8, 12:30 pm, Mary Norton Hall

Our Boards and Clergy have been dreaming together about strategic next steps for Old South Church. Please join us for a collaborative session where we’ll share the big picture of this exciting and transformative vision, focused on three key pillars:

1. Growing the Church – Expanding our reach and impact.
2. Deepening Relationships – Strengthening our community and connections.
3. Doing Justice – Acting with compassion and advocating for change.

This is the first of many opportunities to hear about our strategic plans and provide your feedback. Everyone is welcome to help us shape the next chapter at OSC.

VESPERS HEALING WORSHIP

Next Service Sunday, December 8, 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. 

CHRISTMAS AT OLD SOUTH

CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PAGEANT

Sunday, December 15, 9am, First Worship 

The kids of Old South have been hard at work rehearsing for the annual Christmas Pageant, and you don't want to miss it! This year's script is an homage to former OSC Sr. Minister Frederick M. Meek and his 1972 book "The Bethlehem Inn, and other Christmas Stories". Join us in the Gordon Chapel for this spectacular, funny, heartwarming event.

BLUE CHRISTMAS: THURSDAY NIGHT CHURCH EDITION

Thursday, December 19th at 6pm in the Chapel and via live stream

While we’re bombarded with words lauding the wonders of the season, many people find the holidays anything but joyful. Blue Christmas provides an opportunity to step away & let go into music and readings that acknowledge your feelings without trying to talk you out of them. Even if you love the holidays, you may find comfort in this special service.

CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES

Tuesday, December 24th at 5pm, 8pm and 11pm

We offer three unique candlelit services on Christmas Eve, the first two of which will also be viewable via live stream. We hope you can join us!

5pm Candlelight Family Service

Children are invited to participate in an impromptu Christmas pageant, with simple costumes provided. We sing carols to tell the Christmas story together

.

8pm Candlelight Service of Lessons & Carols

An elegant telling of the Christmas story in carols and readings with music for choir and organ, culminating in the singing of “Silent Night” in our candle-lit sanctuary. Childcare provided upon request - email children@oldsouth.org. 

11pm Candlelight Communion

A warmly traditional service with festive carol singing, traditional lessons, and communion in our garland-bedecked chapel. We greet the birth of Christ by singing "Silent Night" outdoors by candlelight just after midnight.

GROWING AND LIVING IN COMMUNITY

THE TRUE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS: OPPORTUNITIES TO GIVE

LAST WEEK - Give your gifts ASAP

As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, Old South has several opportunities to give to the wider community. A Christmas tree is near the reception desk decorated with ornaments. Each ornament will have instructions for a particular gift for one of the gift drives listed below. You can select an ornament from the tree or you can participate online by clicking here.

OLD SOUTH VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION EVENT

Sunday, December 15, 12:15pm, Mary Norton Hall

As a small token of gratitude to our wonderful volunteers at Old South, we will be hosting a small Christmas volunteer appreciation event on December 15th after festival worship in Mary Norton Hall. Come for a hot chocolate bar, goodies, and connection with other community members! Stay and play a game! Stuff an envelope for a Christmas mailing if you want to do something with your hands! Or just come to chat and be in community with other volunteers. Amelia Gerrard (Director of Admin) will be leading the event and would love to see you and thank you. Email amelia@oldsouth.org with any questions.

JOIN OUR USHER TEAM

Click here to sign up

Whether you're looking to meet more people at Old South or wondering how you can contribute to our wide open door, this may be just the thing! Serving as an usher, welcomer, or coffee hour host is an easy way to get more involved at Old South. Everyone is welcome, training is provided, and you only need to be friendly and willing to help. New sign ups are now available through February. Questions? Email hospitality@oldsouth.org for info.

CHRISTMAS EVE USHERS AND WELCOMERS STILL NEEDED

Click here to sign up, scrolling down to 12/24

Mary and Joseph needed lots of help along the way to that Inn in Bethlehem. Likewise, we need your help to welcome our neighbors to Old South on Christmas Eve. You can sign up to usher at the 5pm, 8pm, or 11pm. Questions? Email hospitality@oldsouth.org for info. 

VOLUNTEER FOR common cathedral LUNCH 

Sunday, December 8, Join us for any part of the day. 

All are welcome, including families.

There are many ways to participate!

• Make bag lunches in OSC Mary Norton kitchen. 9:00-10:30am
• Meet at Boston Common (near Park St station) to unload and hand out lunches to the common cathedral congregation. Join for lunch from 12:00-1:00pm.
• Attend outdoor Common Cathedral service. 1:00-2:00 PM

Contact Carolyn Clark at carolyneclark@comcast.net if you would like to participate in any of these activities. See commoncathedral.org for more about this organization’s important work. Old South Church provides funds to Common Cathedral each year.

GODLY PLAY FOR FAMILIES

December 22, 10am

This year we're going to practice Godly Play in a new way -- offering a gathering for families of preschoolers, infants, and toddlers once a month during the 10am hour on Sundays. Families will gather in the regular childcare room on the 3rd floor to hear a 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 4 and under. In addition -- parents are not required to attend, but we suspect most will want to.

YOGA & MEDITATION - RETURNS DECEMBER 15

Sundays at 10am in the basement Club Room

Old South is a gentle space to nourish our spiritual body, but sometimes it's the physical body crying out or subtly seeking our attention. You are invited to join a weekly yoga and meditation small group during the 10 o’clock hour (between the 9 and 11am services) in the Club Room. Please bring a journal and a mat (or just let us know if you need either or both provided) to this time for breath, movement, and fellowship. We look forward to welcoming you. Questions? Email Amy Coe.

GREEN TIP: Think Before You Click

Whoops! With one click, you’ve just bought something, and the process barely required thought. But as with any skill or habit, you can train your brain to ask questions before you buy: Do I already have it? Does a family member or friend need it for a present? Can it be fixed if it breaks? Buy gifts for friends and family that can be reused or are green already when you buy them. Learn more from the Sierra Club.

OTHER WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

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.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Click on the video to watch a sermon preached at Festival Worship by our Senior Minister John Edgerton titled The Everywhere Covenant.

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, to attend to handwashing, and to refrain from entering the building if you have so much as a sniffle.

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.