View as Webpage

THIS SUNDAY, April 13, 2025, Palm Sunday

We mark Jesus’ triumphal entrance into Jerusalem as our shouts of Hosanna fade to the drama of the coming week. 

THIS WEEK'S FORUM

POEMS FOR THE JOURNEY: A LENTEN/HOLY WEEK GATHERING OF VERSE

Sunday, April 13, 10am, 2nd Floor Mary Norton Hall

& Zoom password community

Join Theologian in Residence, Don Wells, to hear poems and prose selections that reflect our Lenten and Holy Week journey. This is a new event similar to our annual Advent and Christmas Poetry Fest. Come and hear others share their offerings. 

BLESSINGS FOR MARATHON SUNDAY

Coffee Hours through April 13

This year, we will be distributing felt hearts on the weekend of the Boston Marathon as a blessing. We invite you to decorate these hearts by embroidering encouraging words, patterns, or designs. We will have supplies available for decorating on the Sundays leading up to April 20th during coffee hour. Questions? Email ashley@oldsouth.org.

SHELTERING OUR NEIGHBORS: SIX HOMES BY EASTER

As federal and state immigration policies change, refugees and migrants in Mass. remain in need of shelter. The New Neighbors Task Force, along with an ecumenical coalition led by the Massachusetts Council of Churches, has set a goal of six host homes by Easter. Working with trusted social service agencies, Old Southers are stepping forward to host new neighbors (both families with children and individuals) in their homes for stays as short as an overnight and as long as several months. We are forming circles of support around each of these hosts to offer emotional support, transportation, babysitting, and other assistance as needed. If you are interested or want more information, please email ashley@oldsouth.org. 

LAST SUNDAY: ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING

International aid is a hallmark of the Christian faith. As people who believe in a God who transcends all borders, we are called to embrace those in need who are divided from us by human-made boundaries. One Great Hour of Sharing offers an opportunity to contribute to international aid. In partnership with multiple Protestant denominations, this offering makes a life saving difference in the lives of the most vulnerable. You can contribute to this offering in worship during Lent, or through our online portal at tinyurl.com/OSCGiving.

HOLY WEEK, EASTER & MARATHON SUNDAY

HOLY WEEK LOOM: Weaving our Prayers Together 

On the sloping sidewalk

We're all carrying a lot right now. Starting on Palm Sunday, and running throughout Holy Week, take a moment to add your prayers to our Prayer Loom. Write a prayer down on a piece of fabric, and weave it together with the prayers of your friends and neighbors. Then, join us on Easter Sunday at 7:00 am, where we will mark our faith and hope together as part of our sunrise Easter service. Got questions? Email Rachel (rachel@oldsouth.org).

MAUNDY THURSDAY | April 17 | 6PM | in the Gordon Chapel

This year’s Maundy Thursday service will be a fresh experience. In the past, we’ve focused on the failures of the disciples. This year, we will highlight the many gifts Jesus gave them to prepare and sustain them for the challenging days ahead. With music led by Audrey Woodhams, find sustenance and encouragement for the living of these days. 

GOOD FRIDAY | April 18 | 7PM | In the Sanctuary

This Good Friday, the Old South Chamber Chorus and soloists will present a performance of Sir John Stainer’s passion oratorio The Crucifixion, a musical retelling of our redeemer’s final hours. Modeled on the great passion settings of Bach, Stainer’s oratorio is among the most popular English-language works depicting the events surrounding Christ’s death. Premiered in 1887 — roughly contemporaneous with the New Old South Church edifice — the work combines recitatives, solos and masterful choruses that range from graphic shouts of “Crucify!” to the work’s beloved centerpiece, “God So Loved the World.”

EASTER & MARATHON SUNDAY — April 20, 2025

7AM | on the sloping sidewalk

Join us for a brief, informal outdoor service to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and to bless the athletes of the Boston Marathon. With bagpipe and public art, celebrate the joy of the resurrection under the portico. 

9AM, 11AM, & 1pm | in the Sanctuary

The triumph of the Christian story of resurrection informs a service of worship that is characterized by joyous celebration. Our celebration continues with hundreds of marathoners joining us for worship, where we will pause to acknowledge the runners, their families, and volunteers in a special “Blessing of the Athletes.”

For children: Childcare will be available on the 3rd floor from 8:20 - 12:30. Children's Worship meets during 9am and 11am services.

EASTER-THON ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR APRIL 20

Next Sunday, April 20th, is both Easter and the day before the Boston Marathon! Due to the marathon, driving to church will be a little more difficult. Our block of Boylston will be closed, along with Dartmouth from St. James to Boylston. Parking around Copley Square will be very difficult. So - plan a little more time to get to church. Approach the Prudential and Clarendon garages from the other (Huntington) side. Better yet - take the T if you can! Subway stops will be open, with the exception of the Copley Green Line T-Stop. 

Services are at 7am (outside) 9am, 11am, and 1pm (in the sanctuary). Brunch and coffee will be served in Mary Norton Hall at 10am, with regular coffee hour and finger food at 12pm, also in Mary Norton Hall. Please note: If it would be difficult for you to stand in line when waiting to get into the sanctuary, please let us know ahead of time! We would be happy to provide a chair and assistance.

Our final note: the Boston Police Department will finish the barricade in front of our building at 3 PM on Sunday. All church folks must be out of the building and on their way by this time. We appreciate your help with this matter. If you have any questions about Easter-thon or the Boston Marathon, feel free to reach out to 617-536-1970 or amelia@oldsouth.org. Good luck to those who are running on Monday in this wonderful event! 

UPCOMING FORUMS AT OLD SOUTH

ACTING LOCALLY ON CLIMATE CARE

Sunday, April 27, 10am, second floor Mary Norton Hall

or Zoom, tinyurl.com/2025ForumOSC, password community

It’s a challenging time for those of us worried about the health of the natural ecosystem. How do we keep hope alive? How do we bring an abundance mindset to our work? How do we continue to do transformative work? Kannan, Executive Director of Eastie Farm, and President of the Friends of Belle Isle Marsh, will lead a discussion on decisions / actions we can take locally/personally to find harmonize our lives with the rhythms of Mother Earth. Together let’s reach within ourselves and draw out what it takes to meet this moment.

WELCOMING THE STRANGER: The Realities of Immigration Today

Sunday, May 4, 10am, Second Floor Mary Norton Hall

or Zoom, tinyurl.com/2025ForumOSC, password community

The U.S. immigration system is often described as “broken,” but who does it serve, and who does it harm? From asylum backlogs to detention and deportation, our immigration system shapes the lives of millions—yet few understand its full impact. Join us for a conversation on the realities of immigration today, the forces behind these policies, and what can be done to create change. Jonathan Goldman, Executive Director of the Student Clinic for Immigrant Justice (SCIJ), will also share how young leaders are stepping up to provide legal support and organize for immigrant justice.

GROWING AND LIVING IN COMMUNITY

CONCERT BY CHELSEA CHEN, MASTER ORGANIST

Friday, April 25, 7:30pm, Sanctuary, 

free admission for Old SOuth and BAGO members.

Click here to learn more

The Boston Chapter of the American Guild of Organists welcomes Chelsea Chen to Old South. Her concerts offer a unique mix of organ repertoire alongside transcriptions and contemporary music. Emerging Artists (organists 18-30 years) are invited to a free masterclass on Saturday, April 26, 10:00am - 12:00pm.

YOUTH @ SYNOD INFORMATION MEETING

Wednesday April 23rd 7pm, zoom Meeting ID: 814 8308 9275, Passcode: 019033

Are you a Youth Grouper (Grade 8-12) or parent of one who's curious about the wider church? General Synod runs a slate of programming for young people called Youth@Synod, and we have a chance to send some of our young people to join in from July 11-15th in Kansas City. Join us for a meeting where you can learn more, or email Rachel (rachel@oldsouth.org).

GODLY PLAY FOR FAMILIES

Sunday, May 18, once a month; 10am, 3rd floor

Our family-based church school gathering returns! Families of preschoolers, infants, and toddlers are invited to our once a month class during the 10am hour in the regular childcare room on the 3rd floor. We'll hear a Godly Play story together, wonder a bit about the story, and then have work time to play around with the ideas and stories we heard. 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.

GREEN YOUR EASTER: Make a Long Lasting Easter Basket

It’s no wonder those inexpensive Easter baskets are so popular — they’re just a few dollars apiece, bright, colorful, and adorned with adorable designs. But, just like plastic eggs, these cute baskets just aren’t designed to last. The financial and environmental costs of purchasing a new basket every year and throwing it out when it breaks or when Easter is over (even if it is just a few dollars) really add up! Instead, invest in a well-made (or even better, secondhand!) basket that can be decorated and used for years to come. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy (no Martha Stewart efforts needed here); in fact, it’s better if you let kids take control of their own creation. Revisiting their bright baskets year after year will help shift the meaning of the holiday from a disposable smash-and-grab to a treasured tradition.

Click here to learn more.

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.

VESPERS HEALING WORSHIP

Next Service, Sunday, April 13, 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. 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Click on the video to hear Senior Minister John Edgerton preach a sermon at Festival Worship titled He Was a Bad Man.

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.