OSC > First Night!

FIRST NIGHT CONCERTS

King of Instruments Demonstration

Saturday, December 31^st, 3pm

Experience the "Sensurround" magnificence of Old South Church's mighty 1921 E. M. Skinner pipe organ — affectionately dubbed the “Copley Philharmonic Organ.” In repertoire designed to showcase its myriad colors, Minister of Music Mitchell Crawford offers a diverse program the whole family is sure to enjoy. Free and open to the public.

First Night Pipes and Pops Concerts

Saturday, December 31^st, 6:30pm and 8pm

The best of Boston’s brass and percussion artists join Minister of Music Mitchell Crawford in a supersonic program, presenting fun and engaging arrangements of popular classics, as well as a seasonal sing of “Auld Lang Syne.” Free and open to the public. The 6:30pm concert will be live streamed—visit livestream.com/oldsouth

THIS SUNDAY, JANUARY 1^st, 2023

NEW YEAR'S DAY ALL-CHURCH WORSHIP AT 10:00am

Come start the new year off right with a festive worship service! Childcare will be provided.

WORSHIP ON YOUTUBE LIVE

Not a fan of Vimeo? We have a way for you to tune in to worship! Simply go to youtube.com/OldSouthChurch to visit our YouTube page once we go live and the service will be the first video on your screen. You can also subscribe to us to receive notifications of when we're live.

JAZZ WORSHIP

Thursdays, 6pm, in the Gordon Chapel or at oldsouth.org/jazz

Join us on in Gordon Chapel on Thursday evening for Jazz Worship! You don’t have to be a jazz aficionado to feel at home - just someone who wants to immerse yourself in soulful music, inspiring words, and creative liturgy. It’s intimate and it’s welcoming. We start preludes shortly before 6:00 pm. Click here for a hard copy of the song titles, credits, and hymns to print in advance.

PASTORAL TRANSITION DECEMBER UPDATE

Click here to read the full December update

The Old South Church Senior Minister Search Committee has had a productive month and we are right on schedule with our anticipated timeline for welcoming a new Senior Minister to our pulpit. As you will recall, we convened as a committee in June and spent the summer planning. We released our church profile and “posted” our job description with the UCC in late September. For the last two months, we have been receiving and prayerfully reviewing “applications” from potential candidates. We have selected a pool of candidates that we will be inviting for virtual initial interviews during a 4-6 week period starting in the second week of January.

STEWARDSHIP: AN EPIPHANY

January is Stewardship month at Old South Church: the season when we all pledge our financial resources to fuel the work of Mercy, Justice & Beauty for 2023 - a threshold year for a new season of our ministry! We think of it as following in the footsteps of the Magi, bearing our own gifts for the Christ child as we explore what Faithful Belonging means - to God, and to each other. Watch the stars for more info.

OLD SOUTH BY TH3 NUMB3RS

As we approach our annual Stewardship Campaign, it is helpful to learn a bit about our budget and the congregational ANNUAL GIVING upon which it depends. This year we are trying a whimsical way of passing along some information about our "ways and means." Each week through to the end of the Stewardship campaign in January we will give you a number (see below) that represents something special about Old South Church and how congregational support is used. See if you can figure out what the number is!

783 is this week's number.

What do you think it represents?

Click here for the answer.

GROWING AND LIVING IN COMMUNITY

Click here or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) for an appointment

HEARD IT AT COUNCIL

Click here to read Church Historian Kate Silfen's article about the discussion and decisions made at the December Council meeting.

DONATE FLOWERS FOR SUNDAY WORSHIP

Click here to sign up for a Sunday, dates are filling quickly

The church is open for worship on Sunday mornings and we have beautiful flowers in front of the pulpit again! Would you like to give the flowers one Sunday - in memory or in honor of a special person or event? I find it quite meaningful every Sunday to read the flower message. The price is $100. Please send you message along with your payment. You can drop it off, send a check, or click here and make your gift online.

ONLINE COMMUNITY COFFEE HOUR

Sunday, January 8th at 12:30p via zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85319815357?pwd=UkhHSTZ2dVJHSzltOVZuTy80cm9NZz09)

Our Old South Community extends well beyond our walls. If you call Old South home, but join us from a distance (down the street or around the world) we invite you to "drop in" for fellowship and connection during this winter's Online Community Coffee Hour.

UPCOMING FORUMS

Sundays, 10 a.m., 2^nd Floor Mary Norton Hall and on Zoom, password: Community

This casual, no-commitment, come-when-you-can forum hosts series on a variety of topics. Clergy, congregation members, and special guests share in leading sessions.

My Favorite Theologian: John Cobb Jr. - with Katherine Schofield

January 8th

This Winter we'll hear from our clergy leaders about their favorite theologians, how the study of theology shapes their ministry work, and what growing edges they're exploring in these areas. Katherine will kick us off with an exploration of Process Theology and the contemporary theologian - John Cobb, Jr.

CONGRETIONAL CARE AND SUPPORT

With the aid of many hands, the Congregational Care and Support Team reaches out with a pastoral ministry of prayers, love and support for members and friends of Old South Church in times of need. If you, or someone you know, could use a card, a meal, a ride, a prayer or a listening ear, don't hesitate to reach out to [email protected].

SMALL GROUP SIGN UPS

Fill out the interest form here

Do you seek to deepen your experience of community at Old South Church, cultivate spiritual friendships, and grow in your faith? We are currently forming groups for the spring season (Jan through May). Some groups are meeting online while others meet in person (or a mix of both).

SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY

Sundays at 10am in the Phillis Wheatley Room and via zoom

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 Katherine Schofield.

THROUGH THE BIBLE

Thursdays, 7pm, 4th Floor Phillis Wheatley Room and on Zoom

Join us as we journey at a reflective and thorough pace through the Hebrew Bible. We are excited to welcome a new Bible Study Instructor to lead this group. Andrew Vosburgh, a student at Harvard Divinity School, has a deep appreciation of biblical hermeneutics and is well versed in ancient languages so will bring many gifts to the group.

GREEN TIP

GO ORGANIC WHEN YOU POP THE CORK

Whether you're celebrating the New Year with champagne or sparkling cider, look for organic wines, champagnes and juices. Organic wines/juices bear the USDA organic seal, and are made from grapes that are not grown with pesticides or additionally preserved with sulfites. Many organic cultivators also respect biodiversity on their vineyards and grow vines in healthy soil with cover crops planted between rows of vines. Check out this list of organic sparklers and champagnes or the Whole Foods top 10 organic wines for the holidays. As with any alcoholic drinks, moderation is encouraged, and remember to recycle empty bottles.