Keeping King's Chapel's members, friends, and subscribed visitors connected each week between Sunday worship services with updates from the Parish House.
From the Minister

One of my earliest memories of Sunday School was of the teacher telling me that God loves me through and through and there is nothing I need to do to earn that love-it is completely free. So imagine my surprise when I came across a section heading in the bible that read "The Cost of Discipleship." The cost? Figures. Nothing in life is free. Everything has strings attached. Well, not really.

You see, the love of God is completely free. The love of God flows freely. But to take on the title of 'Disciple' or to call yourself a Christian? That will cost you! In this week's New Testament reading, Jesus tells the gathered crowd, "those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples." There is a huge cost associated with following Jesus.  On Sunday, we will discover just how steep that cost may be. 

+Shawn
Upcoming Events...

Services Resume in September
Mark your Calendars: our regular worship services resume this week! Join us for Morning Light at 9 AM on Sunday, September 4th and on Wednesday, September 7th for communion at 6 PM.  We welcome everyone back at our Church School opening and Homecoming Luncheon on Sunday September 18th. Young and old, members and friends, all are welcome!  

Choral Evensong | September 11 | 5 PM
King's Chapel, Tremont and School Streets

Join historic King's Chapel on September 11th as we commemorate and observe the fifteen anniversary of the September 11th 2001 terrorist attacks with a service of Choral Evensong. The King's Chapel Choir leads us in this somber poem of liturgy, music, and remembrance. Choral works by Johannes Brahms, Samuel Barber, Carson Cooman, Charles Wood, and David Ashley White. An organ prelude recital performed by Heinrich
Christensen will precede the service at 4:30 PM.

Based on the services held daily in the medieval Church, Choral Evensong as arranged in the Book of Common Prayer of the Church of England has been sung regularly since the sixteenth century. The King's Chapel Choir, seventeen professional singers under the direction of Heinrich Christensen, regularly sing at Morning Prayer on Sundays at 11:00 AM and on major holidays from September through May.

This event is free and open to the public.


Sermon Series on Parables: Stories Jesus Told | September 18 - October 30

This fall, Shawn and Joy will offer a sermon series on the parables, as told in Luke. Has "church" missed what Jesus wanted to convey? What's relevant now? Catch the
series at all worship services, September 18-October 30.  Can't come some day? Sermons also are posted on our web site and on YouTube.
Theology on Tap | September 21 | 7 PM

Believer. Non-believer. Confident. Curious. Join us for a lively discussion of big questions at a local pub. On September 21, at 7 PM, we will discuss Homosexuality and the Christian Tradition. What exactly does the bible say about homosexuality? What has the tradition had to say over the centuries? Can you really be gay or lesbian and Christian? Anyone 21 and over is welcome to join. We will meet at The Kinsale Pub and Restaurant, located across from City Hall Plaza. RSVP to shawn@kings-chapel.org 
News from the Parish House...

Parish House Closed | September 5

The Parish House offices will be closed on Monday September 5th in observance of Labor Day. Regular office hours will resume at 8:30 AM on Tuesday September 6th.
King's Chapel Historic Sermon Series August 2016
Last Sunday, King's Chapel parishioner and vestry member Patricia Bass, shown below, recreated a sermon preached at King's Chapel on the death of the abolitionist Massachusetts senator Charles Sumner, who lived on Beacon Hill and was infamously bludgeoned with a cane in 1856 by Preston Brooks, a congressman from South Carolina, because of his anti-slavery actions.  Sumner recovered only partially from his wounds, and eventually died in 1874, when Rev. Foote gave this sermon.  Pat was an appropriate choice to deliver this sermon.  Her ancestors were enslaved in Mississippi by 'owners' who originally hailed from Arlington, MA.  

During the month of August, the pulpit of King's Chapel was filled with recreations of historic sermons written by its ministers and read by present-day parishioners. We are grateful to all of our members who helped to bring these sermons to life.


 You Can Help: REFUGEE POSTCARD CAMPAIGN

The UUSC (Unitarian Universalist Service Committee) has issued this important request for help. Please get engaged, if you are interested. Many of you indicated support of UUSC last February when their outgoing president came and preached at King's Chapel.

This fall is an important time for refugee rights. The outcomes of two global summits, one convened by the United Nations and the other by President Obama, have the potential to either put our world on a better track to give more refugees opportunities to rebuild their lives, or result in more of the same limited commitments that are driven by fear and xenophobia. 

In the lead up to the two September refugee summits organized by the United Nations General Assembly and President Obama, more than 40 organizations have developed a postcard to be delivered to Congress and President Obama urging the U.S. to lead by example and expand our commitment to refugees.

You can print copies at 
http://connect.uusc.org/e/103112/n-cws-postcard-lead-by-example/d4nnr/47981202.

The postcard can also be signed electronically at 
http://connect.uusc.org/e/103112/ refugeepostcard/d4npp/47981202. 

Both individual cards and packages of cards must be mailed to: 110 Maryland Avenue, NE, Suite 110, Washington, DC, 20002 by September 12th so they can be delivered all together in a DC press event geared towards President Obama on September 15 th . UUSC President and CEO Tom Andrews will be one of the speakers at the press conference!
"We Rejoice with Those Who Rejoice, and Weep with Those Who Weep" (Romans 12:15)
We rejoice with Ray Hardin, home from his spinal surgery for four weeks, and  making progress each day. He's walking with a cane, and beginning to venture out  more. He always enjoys calls and emails.



Betsy Peterson also has good news. She writes: "Many thanks for all the prayers and good wishes you sent my way in connection with my hip surgery last Thursday. The surgery went very smoothly. My recovery is going much more quickly than I had dared hope. It must be the prayers."

Betsy has set up a CaringBridge website, which is the best way to reach her. It's easy to use for us and for Betsy, and at present she prefers this to either email or phone. If interested, go to www.caringbridge.org/visit/betsypeterson and log on.


This week Alicia (Ali) Lavarnway, daughter of Jessica and Christopher Schmidt,  begins her first year at Hampshire College. Danni Sears also has returned to her  college in Florida for her second year. We hold in prayer all of our college students.


We offer new prayers for John McNeil Sr., father of John McNeil, who is receiving
hospice care in Vermont, and for Don, the father of a long-time Wednesday service
worshipper, Kennyn, who suffered a brain hemorrhage recently and is beginning a
long period of recovery in Colorado. Their names have been added to our Sunday
bede list (our prayer list).


Let us know if we can pray for you, or if you have news to share - we want to be a
community that will rejoice with you, and weep with you, so you never feel alone.

-Joy

In This Issue
Sunday Services
Sunday, September 4 | 
11 AM

Morning Prayer
  • Marie Wells, Lay Reader
  • Emily Bieber, Soloist
  • Anne Sexton and             Paul Luca, Head Ushers
  • Cliff Allen, Usher in Charge
  • Anne Sexton and Cathy Price, Ushers
  • Amy Meyer, Verger
The Readings:
  • Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
  • Old Testament:      
    Jeremiah 18:1-11 
  • New Testament:  
    Luke 14:25-33 
The flowers on the Communion table are given by the Chancel Committee for all the departed at King's Chapel.

At the communion rail following the service,
Bill Kuttner will greet those interested in learning more about King's Chapel.
 
After the service, all are invited to Punch on the Bricks,  hosted by Carol Genovese and friends of the Hospitality Committee.
From the Bench:
By Heinrich Christensen
The organ voluntaries this week are based on the beloved Lutheran chorale A  Mighty Fortress is Our God, in settings by Wilhelm Middelschulte and Max Reger. 

Soprano Emily Bieber will sing Missa in Simplicitate by French composer Jean Langlais. 
Tuesday Recital
Tuesday September 6, 
12:15 PM

Très Maresienne:
Lisa Brooke, violin
Carol Lewis, viola da gamba
Chris Olav Henriksen, theorbo
Suites and Sonatas of the German Baroque
Save the Date
Homecoming Services and Lunch | September 18

Our annual Homecoming Sunday marks the beginning of our program year and the beginning  of Church School. Come and celebrate at lunch in the Parish House after our 11 AM Morning Prayer service.
Come to the Cabaret!

Please join us for the 6th annual Alto Extravaganza  Friday, September 23 and Saturday, September 24  at  7:30 pm ! Once again our hostesses with the most, Heather Holland and Mindy Hinkel, take over the Parish House to make you laugh, cry and blush!  This year expect lots of special guests to keep the excitement going. Food and libations provided. So mark your calendars, invite your friends and come join these lovely ladies! All proceeds go to the Kings Chapel Concert Series... now that's got to make you feel good!!!

Friday  and  Saturday  September 23 and 24  at  7:30 pm  
(doors open at 7)
Kings Chapel Parish House, 64 Beacon Street, 2nd floor
Lots of Music in September

The choir makes an early return again this year for Choral Evensong,  September 11th at 4:30 PM . On the fifteenth anniversary of September 11, 2001, the King's Chapel Choir will lead this ancient service of music, prayer, and remembrance. The service begins at  5 PM  and is preceded by an organ prelude recital by Heinrich Christensen at  4:30 PM .  Homecoming is  September 18 , and then on  September 25 , the Concert Series opens its season at  5 PM  with a program entitled "More and More Mozart". Following up on last season's finale of Mozart's sacred vocal music, we offer 6 of his so-called Church Sonatas for organ and strings, as well as his Fantasia in f minor arranged for flute, clarinet, and organ. Choir member Emily Bieber will be the soloist in the famous Exsultate, Jubilate . This event is presented in collaboration with our friends at First Parish UU in Bedford, MA, and will be conducted by their music director Bradford Conner.
From the Freedom Trail Program
Can you believe the summer is already coming to a close? Join me in thanking the historic site education team for their dedication and hard work as we move into the next season. 

This August, King's Chapel welcomed about 48,000 visitors during Freedom Trail hours, bringing the 2016 total so far to 208,000 visitors! That's approximately 13,000 more visitors than King's Chapel had at the end of August last year. 

As we move into the fall, the Freedom Trail Program will remain open seven days a week until  5:00pm  in September, with hours shortening in October. If you are near the church next week on Wednesday September  7 , we will toll the Revere bell at 4:30pm   (or  16:30 , the year of Boston's founding) in celebration of Boston Charter Day. 
September Meetings

* September 6: Nominating 

Committee - 5:30 PM

 

* September 8: Usher Training - 6 PM

 

* September 13: Vestry Meeting - 6 PM

 

* September 15:  Denominational  Affairs

 Committee Meeting - 6 PM

 

* September 20: Buildings and Grounds - 7:30 AM

 

* September 20: ARE Meeting 

 - 7:15 PM

 

* September 27: Joint Vestry/Council Retreat and Dinner - 6 PM

 

Is your committee planning to meet in the next month? Please contact our Parish Administrator, Gretchen Horton, to add to our calendar.    

admin@kings-chapel.org

 
From the Chancel Committee
Have you ever thought you would like to donate flowers for the Sunday Service but are unsure what one needs to do?

Flowers are placed on the chancel table every Sunday of the year with the exception of the 6 week Lenten period.

Flowers can be donated for a variety of reasons. They can be in memory of a loved one who has died, in thanksgiving for a special occurrence, or in celebration of a new birth or anniversary. They may also be donated as living prayers and symbols for peace and hope.

Please confirm with Anne Sexton if you have a regular Sunday that you would like to continue. Anne can be reached at the following email:
Sign up for Hospitality
Interested in Membership?
Contributing to Between Sundays

Want something in Between Sundays? Feel free to email Brad at brad@kings-chapel.org  with a written piece and/or pictures before Tuesday at noon!
Accessibility Assists

Our beautiful Georgian sanctuary designed by Peter Harrison and completed in 1754, has been lovingly maintained by the congregation since its completion. One of the box pews has been made wheel-chair accessible. Ushers are available to assist those who are wheelchair-bound to that pew.

A sound system has been installed in the sanctuary of The Chapel to amplify the sound during worship services. Hearing assistance devices are available for your use. Please see an Usher for assistance.
We welcome all people no matter who you are: believers, doubters, seekers and skeptics are invited to join us as we navigate the journey together...