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COMING ATTRACTIONS!
CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR
Saturday, December 4th, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.,
in the 1st floor Gordon Chapel
Objects of purpose and beauty by local artisans including paintings, soaps, jewelry, textiles, pottery, note cards, paper art, ornaments, and much more. Our own Assistant Organist and Choirmaster George Sargeant plays a noon organ concert. The Boston Conservatory Brass will here too!
OLD SOUTH RINGERS PRESENT:
WE NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMAS
Sunday, December 5th, 6 p.m., in the Sanctuary
Click here to join the concert virtually
Come celebrate the joy and wonder of the Christmas season in music! The Old South Ringers are excited to revive our annual Christmas Concert tradition this year. We hope you and your whole family will join us for fun and festive handbell arrangements of some favorite classics. Free and open to the public, masks required.
THE ORDINATION OF
REAMOGETJE (AMO) NGOEPE
Sunday, December 12th, during All-Church Worship
Amo is a citizen of South Africa with her undergraduate degree from Wits University. She graduated from Union Theological Seminary in New York City in 2019. When she came on board with us she was a Member in Discernment (re ordination) with the New York Conference of the UCC via Middle Collegiate Church where her membership lies. On Sunday, November 21st Amo Ngoepe was called to serve as the pastor of All Souls Bethlehem Church in Brooklyn NY. Amo will begin with them in February or March. She will conclude her time with us at the end of December and take a month off to move and, hopefully, travel. Ordinations don't happen every day. Will you join us in celebrating Amo, in laying hands upon her, in blessing her on her way?
LOOKING FOR HOSPITALITY VOLUNTEERS, CAN YOU HELP?
Please use this online form to sign up by December 5th
It is time to schedule ushers and welcomers for Sunday All-Church Worship and Thursday Jazz services. This is such an important part of our welcoming. Folks who have ushered and greeted in the past tell us they love doing so. Folks coming through our doors for the first time (or second, or third) tell us how much our welcome meant to them. Please fill out the form by Sunday, December 5th so we can distribute the schedule before the first week in January.
IN LIEU OF CHRISTMAS FLOWERS
Donations due by Thursday, December 10th
Instead of our usual Christmas Flower donations, we will be directing the funds to the Allston Brighton Food Pantry. The requested contribution is still $20. Click here and choose "Christmas Memorial" to make your gift. Your message in honor or memory of loved ones, or special occasions, can be entered on the second page of the donation screen or you can give anonymously. The list of messages will be available in the Sunday bulletin and online beginning December 13th. Questions? Contact Helen McCrady
WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS SUNDAY
There are many ways for you to engage with Old South Church on Sundays and you can find all of the information, the program zoom links, and much more by clicking the button below.
BIBLE STUDY
Sundays at 9:00 a.m., Sam Johnson Room on the fourth floor, and Zoom

Delve into the day’s scripture passage heard in worship. Led by our ministerial staff, 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 [email protected].
ALL-CHURCH WORSHIP IN PERSON AND ONLINE
Click here for more information
Join us for the second Sunday of Advent as Senior Minister Nancy S. Taylor preaches a sermon titled Scandalous. We will baptize a child into the family of God and welcome new members to Old South. The Old South Ringers will join in and present a preview of their concert that evening. To learn more about the ringers or other musical groups at Old South, click here.
FOLLOWING ALL-CHURCH WORSHIP

ANNUAL ADVENT AND POETRY FEST
Sunday, December 5th, 2nd Floor Mary Norton Hall, Following Worship
Click here to join online
Do you have a favorite poem or short prose selection that is meaningful to you or have you written a poem, prayer, or brief meditation that sheds light on the Christmas story? Then come and share your humorous, serious, or thought provoking selection that reflects some aspect of the season. To join in, email Don Wells the title of your selection. Click here for more information.

COFFEE HOUR FOR VIRTUAL WORSHIPERS
Sunday, December 5th, 11 a.m., Click here to join
Have you been joining us remotely? Are you regularly tuning into worship online from your living room, car, or kitchen? Brew a pot of coffee and join us for a special coffee hour on zoom. This is a chance to see each other's faces and rekindle the friendships we made during the past many months online. Hosted by Nancy Taylor and Shawn Fiedler.

NEW OSC SMALL GROUP: Cineminklings
Cineminklings (a twist on the J.R.R. Tolkein and C.S. Lewis “Inklings” literary group) is a group for people who are ready to enjoy movies in the theatre once again. The group will meet monthly on Sunday afternoons (times TBD) at AMC Boston Commons 19. After the movie we will head to a restaurant or coffee house close by to discuss the film's story, hero’s journey, and spiritual themes.
  • Sunday: December 5th - “King Richard” starring Will Smith.  “King Richard” is based on the true story of Richard Williams, father of legendary tennis champions Venus and Serena, who overcame tremendous obstacles to forge a path for his daughters to reach the pinnacle of success. If you would like to join us contact Tish Dragonette.
JAZZ WORSHIP
It’s Thursday evening at 6 p.m. and it’s already been a long week. Relax and re-center with soulful jazz music by the Willie Sordillo Ensemble. Speaking and music combine to provide opportunity for reflection and meditation. Join us in person or at oldsouth.org/jazz.
ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS AT OLD SOUTH
LGBTQIA+ & FRIENDS COOKIE DECORATING
Sunday, December 12th, 11 a.m., 4th floor Guild Room
Make the yuletide gay this year by joining LGBTQIA+ and Friends in decorating Christmas cookies. Carols and cookies will be provided, but more cookies are always welcomed. Wear a festive sweater and be prepared for some good old fashioned merriment! Questions? contact Rev. Shawn.
ADVENT FAMILY SERVICE PROJECT
Saturday, December 18th, 9:00 a.m. at the church
Families of the church will gather to assemble, pack, and wrap Christmas gifts that we will then take to the streets to deliver to our unhoused neighbors. We are now collecting the following items:
  • small toiletries
  • hand warmers
  • warm socks, gloves, mittens, hats, and scarves
  • cash donations (to be converted into Dunkin gift cards)
Physical items should be new, and can be brought (or mailed) to the reception desk. Monetary donations can be marked "Gift Boxes" and left for Kate at the front desk. RSVP to Kate if you'd like to come on December 18th!
BLUE CHRISTMAS JAZZ WORSHIP
Thursday, December 23rd, 6 p.m.
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. Click here for more info.
CHRISTMAS EVE AT OLD SOUTH
Click here for a description of each service
  • 5 p.m. Online pageant by the Church School
  • 6 and 8 p.m. Service of Lessons and Carols with candle lighting
  • 11 p.m. Candlelit Chapel Service
Please note that only the 5 p.m. Pageant and 8 p.m. service of Lessons & Carols will be livestreamed this evening.
STEWARDSHIP: AN EPIPHANY
As we look forward to January, Stewardship Month at Old South Church, we ask you to consider what you can pledge of your financial resources to fuel our 2022 ministries of Mercy, Justice & Beauty. Following the journey of the Magi, we will take our turn, bearing our own gifts for the Christ child as we, too, STEP INTO GOD’S FUTURE. Click here to learn more about Old South's Finances.
GROWING AND LIVING IN COMMUNITY
UPCOMING FORUMS
Sundays, following All-Church Worship, 2nd Floor Mary Norton Hall
  • December 12th, Advent 3 - Favorite Festive Foods - Join us for a discussion on the history of traditional holiday dishes and bring your own well-loved recipe to share.
  • December 19th, Advent 4 - Holiday Hymn Sing - Minister of Music, Mitchell Crawford will lead us in a singalong of some Christmas Classics. We'll also learn the history of our best loved holiday tunes.
GREEN TIP
12 GREEN TIPS OF CHRISTMAS
3. Use LED lights for house and tree lighting.
4. Make homemade cards and gifts.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
"Friends, the question still is there: Where is your Bethlehem and are you going there this Advent?"

Watch the video to hear Theologian in Residence Donald A. Wells reflect on Where is your Bethlehem?
VIRTUAL JAZZ WORSHIP
Missed last night's Jazz Worship? Visit the link below to watch the service. Also, check out our SoundCloud to listen to all of the Willie Sordillo Ensemble's Jazz Coffee House music. It's free!
OTHER INFORMATION
SANCTUARY IN THE CITY
The Sanctuary in the 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.
Corey Spence, Weekday Receptionist, Old South Church