View as Webpage

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.

September 28 at First and Festival Worship Kat Woodard

Marking our Time | Ecclesiastes 3:1-15

October 2 at Thursday Night Church Audrey Woodhams

Imagination | Acts 17:16-37

Click here to learn more

THIS SUNDAY, September 28, 2025

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.

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

Game Day | September 28

Want to play a game? Bring your favorite games to share, and spend an hour playing with your Old South friends.

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! 

Watch This Space | October 12

Something's brewing... and it's not just church coffee!

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.

CHRISTIAN SERVICE AND OUTREACH

THE WEEKLY PUSHBACK

Help Edgar Hernan Elias Escobar's Family

In the early morning hours of September 17, Edgar Hernan Elias Escobar was violently detained near his Malden home by masked ICE agents. His vehicle was sideswiped by the agent’s car, his window was shattered, and ICE agents threatened Hernan with a taser, despite his peaceful demeanor. Hernan was taken to the ER for his injuries and discharged directly into ICE custody—despite the fact that there was no warrant for his arrest. Though Hernan has no criminal record and has lived in the U.S. for nearly a decade, he is now being held in ICE custody. His detention not only causes daily uncertainty and hardship for his loved ones, but also cuts off much of the income his family relied on. In this difficult season, the funds from Old South’s Weekly Pushback will help Hernan’s family with rent, groceries, & daily essentials, as they prepare for what could be a long, expensive legal struggle ahead.  

MUSIC AT OLD SOUTH CHURCH

PIANO DEDICATION

Friday, October 3 at 7pm in 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

COMMUNITY AT OLD SOUTH CHURCH

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. 

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. 

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. 

RETIRED AND READY

Tuesday, September 30, 11am,

meet at the Massachusetts Historical Society, 1154 Boylston St

Join in a private tour to view the galleries and hear some interesting stories about the history of Boston and the treasures that the MHS now houses and protects. We will begin at 11am, followed by lunch at a nearby restaurant. Contact Lynn Wegner or 617-851-4441 to make a reservation and to let me know if you will be joining for lunch. There is no cost for this tour, but a donation of $5 or so would be appreciated to help the MHS carry on its good work.

NEW AROUND HERE?

Coffee at 10am every 3rd Sunday in Rev. Ashley's office

Join Pastor Ashley and church members for informal conversation and coffee. If you've been coming for one week, or a dozen, or just exploring online, join us to get to know more about the church and to make a friend or two! Meet in the elevator lobby at 10:05am to go to Ashley's office. Questions? Email Rev. Ashley. 

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.

VOLUNTEER TO READ SCRIPTURE

Click here to sign up, October 12,19, & 26 available among other dates

Reading the Bible in community is an essential Christian spiritual practice. Each week at Festival Worship a volunteer reads scripture before the sermon. People of all ages are encouraged to volunteer! Questions? Email Ashley Popperson.

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

Mulch It Up

Mulch is your garden’s best friend in winter. A thick layer of mulch (about 2-4 inches) will help insulate your plants’ roots and protect them from the harsh cold. Use organic mulch such as leaves, straw, or compost. This not only keeps the soil temperature more stable but also enriches it with nutrients for the coming spring.. Go to tinyurl.com/FallGardenTips for more info.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Click on the video to hear guest preacher Jim Antal preach a sermon at Festival Worship titled Celebrating the Truth--About Creation and More.

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.