Christ Our Liberator
Two timely threads are pulling me to pray to Christ as our Liberator as we approach the dawning of a new year. 

The first thread is inspired by one of the ancient Advent O Antiphons: "O Key of David and sceptre of the House of Israel! You open and no one closes. You close and no one opens: Come and lead out of prison the captive who sits in darkness and the shadow of death."

Perhaps you'd like to pray with me. Come quickly, Lord Jesus, and free us from the many powers that enslave our souls: the violent rush of modern life that propels us into exhausting busyness; the insatiable drive to consume more and more things that clutter our lives but do not satisfy our deepest hungers; the relentless anxieties about things small and large which sap our trust in God, and obscure our hope for the future. Come quickly, Lord Jesus, and free us.    
 
The second thread is a musical one. On the last Sunday of 2017, on New Year's Eve at 2 p.m., Trinity will host a stellar concert that celebrates freedom from oppression. This is the Handel + Haydn Society's annual Jubilee Day Concert, marking the anniversary of President Lincoln's promulgation of the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863.  Shaped around the music of Bach, Handel, and Mendelssohn, as well as stirring hymns such as The Battle Hymn of the Republic and Lift Every Voice and Sing, voices will be raised, calling on God to strengthen our hope and bolster our will to work for change. "Be not afraid....Thy help is near! Be not afraid, saith the Lord" (from Elijah, Mendelssohn).

We certainly need Christ's help in 2018 to work for deeper freedom for all God's children, and most particularly for people of color and for women. The recent series in The Globe has reminded us about the deeply disturbing persistence of racism in Boston. The #MeToo Movement has opened our eyes to the unrelenting ways men in power have used sex to force women to submit to them. We need your help, Lord Jesus, to free those oppressed, and to free ourselves from the patterned ways we use our power to oppress. 

By praying together and lifting our voices in hope, may the Year of Our Lord 2018 be one in which Christ our Liberator frees us from the oppressive forces that hold all of us in bondage. May Christ strengthen us in heart and hand to make this nation - and God's whole world - a home where liberty and justice become a living reality for all.
 
With my prayers for a New Year of  hope and freedom for all,



The Rev. Bill Rich
Interim Rector
Weekly Services
SUNDAY: NEW YEAR'S EVE

Scripture Readings:
Holy Eucharist
10 a.m.

TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY

Noonday Prayer
12:10 p.m.

WEDNESDAY

Choral Evensong
5:45 p.m.

THURSDAY

Holy Eucharist with Prayers for Healing
12:10 p.m.

 Preview this week's bulletins.
NewyearNew Year's Eve
New Year's Eve Worship

Sun., December 31 
10 a.m.

On New Year's Eve there will be a single service at 10 a.m. Classes, etc. will not meet this day.  
More...
First Night Traffic Advisory

Sun., December 31 

Though no road closings have been announced as of press time, First Night festivities in Copley Square may lead to heavy traffic on Sunday morning. You can check for updated traffic announcements on the City of Boston website.
jubilee
Handel & Haydn Jubilee Concert

Sun., December 31 
2 p.m.
Church

On Jan. 1, 1863, Bostonians celebrated the first Jubilee Day, the day on which the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Lincoln. As part of First Night activities, Handel + Haydn Society, in conjunction with the Museum of African American History, will present a concert inspired by that time. Scott Allen Jarrett leads members of the H+H Chorus in joyous music, woven together by National Poetry Slam Champion Regie Gibson, giving power to the Proclamations's words. Free and open to all More...
Looking Ahead
St. Andrew's Singer Series: Love & Madness

Sun., January 7 
2 p.m.
St. Andrew's Hall, Parish House 4th floor

Join us for the second in this new recital series featuring the fabulous staff singers of Trinity. Featuring Alyssa Weathersby, soprano, and Christopher Carbin, bass-baritone, this recital highlights the many intricacies of love: burning passion, ecstasy, heartbreak, and everything in between. Tickets are $20 at the door; those 18 and under are free!  More...
Cabaret & Silent Auction

Fri., January 26
6-9 pm
Commons & Forum

Join the Trinity family in this annual evening of fun and fellowship. The Cabaret features Trinity's talented staff singers, and the Silent Auction will benefit the choir's 2019 England tour where they will serve as choir-in-residence at Salisbury and Wells Cathedrals. More...
Top Stories
Epiphany Brunch
Jubilee Day Concert
Christmas Sermons
We were blessed with an abundance of terrific preaching on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day! Click to listen to the following sermons:

Advent 4 Holy Eucharist, 10 a.m.:

by the Rev. Patrick Ward, Associate Rector

Christmas Eve Pageant, 4:30 p.m.:
Beauty

by the Rev. Patrick Ward, Associate Rector

Christmas Eve Holy Eucharist, 7:30 p.m.:

by the Rev. Bill Rich, Interim Rector

Christmas Eve Holy Eucharist, 11 p.m.:

by the Rev. Rita Powell, Associate Rector

Christmas Day Holy Eucharist, 10 a.m.:

by the Rev. Rainey Dankel, Associate Rector
Stewardship Opportunities
Pledge to Trinity for 2018

Make your commitment to support Trinity in the year to come.


Challenge
TBF Challenge Grant

"There is a great deal of joy that comes from giving....I see every day the difference Trinity Boston Foundation makes." 

-Cathy Thompson, Literacy volunteer, Trinity @ McCormick

When you give to Trinity Boston Foundation by December 31
your impact will double,  thanks to a challenge grant of $100,000  from several members of our board.  Please be as generous as you can to  take advantage of the 1:1 match!
Parish Life
Final Opportunity to Participate in a Circle of Hope

Sunday, January 7 
7 p.m.
Meet in Undercroft

If you haven't participated in a Circle of Hope, the last one will be held on Sunday 1/7 after the 6pm service.  RSVP encouraged but not required:
Epiphany
Epiphanytide Brunch with Children's Ministries

Sun., January 7
10 am
Commons

Join Children's Ministries for our annual potluck Epiphany Brunch, complete with royal visitors. Please bring your favorite side items (e.g., muffins, bagels, Munchkins, sausages), or contact us for an assignment.  More...
Join Compass

Sun., January 21 
10:15 a.m.
Angel Room

 Compass is an opportunity to ask questions about the Parish, meet fellow parishioners, and learn how to get involved in our common life.  More...