Between Sundays
Keeping the Parish Community Connected
Thursday, December 23, 2021
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A Christmas Message from Joy |
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On that first Christmas Eve, I think Mary and Joseph had similar worries to ours today. We tend to make these two perfect plaster figures, but they also were two humans, about to have their first child, far from home. They’d reassess whether Mary should have travelled, given the circumstances. Were the symptoms Mary felt worrisome or just run-of-the-mill? If a medical emergency arose, could Joseph find help or would every helper already be busy? How long would they need to stay in the confining stable before they could return to their normal lives? And unspoken: would death visit them too soon? Childbirth then was dangerous, like COVID now.
Was God with Mary and Joseph, if they weren’t plaster and perfect?
Biblical writers use every imaginable story device to show us: Yes! God was there! God shows up through music (sung by angels); books (the wisemen’s tomes); odd or unexpected visitors (shepherds and wise ones); nature (the gleaming star); and Mary and Joseph’s memories of God’s presence in times past (Gabriel). For those with eyes to see and ears to hear, in the nativity narratives, God and Love keep showing up throughout. On that first Christmas Eve, Mary and Joseph could have felt utterly invisible to God and plagued by uncertainty, but they had learned to watch attentively for signs of God enfolding them. They pondered in their hearts what they saw and heard, and moved forward, step by uncertain step, convinced of God’s presence alongside them.
Life still had hardship and pain for Mary and Joseph after the babe was delivered, but they chose to live in this reality: nothing could separate them from God’s love. What good news, of great joy, for all people!
Oh God of Love and Light,
give to us, like Mary and Joseph, eyes to see and ears to hear,
that we may ponder in our hearts what is sung and read this season,
the odd and unexpected people gathered with us,
the gleaming stars overhead,
and our glimpses of You in our past.
Then by Your grace, may we move forward,
step by step,
trusting You always near. Amen.
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Christmas Day Services | Friday, December 24
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Family Christmas Eve Service
Friday, December 24 at 5:00 PM
(Preludes begin at 4:45 PM)
In Person and Virtual
The story of Jesus’ birth comes alive through word and carols. In this service, the ministers serve as narrators and tell the story of the birth of Jesus as children in the congregation participate in various ways. With classic Christmas carols and an age old story, this service is rooted in time-honored traditions.
Any child who wants to participate as a shepherd or angel in our nativity pageant will have the opportunity to do so. Please be aware that this service will be live-streamed. Come at 4:30 to get your costume!
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Lessons and Carols Christmas Eve Service
Friday, December 24 at 8:00 PM
(Preludes begin at 7:30 PM)
In Person and Virtual
This traditional service with full choir and candlelight was modeled after the service offered at Truro Cathedral in 1880. The King's Chapel Choir serves as our guide, as we hear again the message of the angels told through scripture and song. The candlelit sanctuary helps us to keep vigil as we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace.
Please note that this service has a new, EARLIER time - at 8:00 PM!
Be sure to arrive early. This is our most popular service of the church year.
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Christmas Day Service | Saturday, December 25
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Christmas Day Worship Service, with Holy Communion
Saturday, December 25 at 10:00 AM
(Prelude begins at 9:50 AM)
In Person Only
Join us for our Christmas Day service! King's Chapel was the first known Christian church to celebrate Christmas Day in New England. In 1686, Boston Anglicans (and curious onlookers) gathered to celebrate Holy Communion. This tradition continues to this day.
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Worship With Us | Sunday, December 26
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Morning Light Worship Service | 9:00 AM
We'll open up Zoom at 8:50 for greetings, start the service promptly at 9:00, and a short "coffee hour" will follow the service. There will be no in-person Morning Light service today.
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Morning Prayer Worship Service | 11:00 AM
In-person at 58 Tremont Street (No live-stream today)
Doors open at 10:30 AM. Masks and proof of vaccination required (for those eligible). Worshippers will be asked to sign in for contact tracing purposes. Prelude starts at 10:50 AM. There will be no virtual, live-streaming of the service today.
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****Reminder: Proof of COVID Vaccination Required for Services***
Please note that starting on December 1, proof of COVID vaccination is required by those eligible for full vaccination to enter any King’s Chapel facilities for worship, concerts, meetings, or rentals. worship services, concerts, meetings or parish house rentals.
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Tuesday Recital: The Nutcracker Suite
Tuesday, December 28 at 12:15 PM
For the final Tuesday recital of the year, Heinrich will offer Tchaikovsky’s beloved Nutcracker Suite, arranged for organ by Jörg Abbing. This has been a long term project, for the last several years he has played a couple of the dances at various holiday concerts, but this marks the first unveiling of the whole Suite. And if you wrote your letter to Santa and you’re good (and all the other holiday prep doesn’t get the better of him), he may throw in an encore Sleigh Ride for your delectation! Watch the livestream here.
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Weekly Bible Study
Wednesdays at 6:15 PM on Zoom
Join members on Wednesday evenings as we gather on Zoom for a discussion on the weekly lectionary readings. Check out the online calendar for details of each week's focus.
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Weekly Thursday Coffee
There will be no Thursday Coffee next week. We hope you can join us next on Zoom on Thursday, January 6!
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Parish House Offices Closed Week After Christmas
The Parish House will be closed the week after Christmas, from December 27 through December 31 to give our staff a much-needed and well-deserved break. Thank you to our staff and clergy for all of your great work this past year!
Between Sundays Issue on Thursday, December 30
The Thursday, December 30 issue of Between Sundays will be a shorter version. If you have any blurbs you'd like to submit to our Communications Coordinator, please send them to Jennifer by Wednesday, January 5 at 4:00PM for our next regular Between Sundays edition on Thursday, January 6. Thank you.
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Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the King’s Chapel History Program!
Ever wondered what King’s Chapel’s first Christmas looked like!?
According to the prolific colonial diarist Samuel Sewall, the church’s first Christmas services were held at Boston’s Towne House in 1686: “Satterday, Decr 25. Governour goes to the Town-House to [Anglican] service forenoon and afternoon, a Red-Coat going on his right hand and Capt. George on the left...Shops open today generally and persons about their occasions.” Edmund Andros, the newly-appointed Governor of the Dominion of New England had only arrived in Boston earlier that week, on December 19, and this first Christmas service was likely his first time worshipping with King’s Chapel’s congregation.
History Program Closed Next Week
Out of an abundance of caution, the History Program will not be open for tours next week. We hope to resume tours on Friday, January 7, 2022.
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From the Community Action Committee |
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As Reverend Joy said in her recent sermon, our neighbor congregation common cathedral specializes in radical welcome—"everyone is welcome, we are so glad you are here." For 25 years they have shown up for our unhoused (and housed) neighbors in their outdoor service on Boston Common, rain or shine.
On January 2nd it will be time to share in that welcome again! We will help common cathedral welcome the New Year by making sandwiches for them to eat and share, and then be welcomed to their outdoor worship with them at their service after lunch.
Due to the increased transmissibility of the omicron variant, we will revert to our earlier practice of participants making the sandwiches at home, rather than in the Parish House kitchen. Please e-mail Amanda to sign up for sandwich making and Tim to sign up for worship.
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From the Chancel Committee |
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Volunteers Needed For Chapel De-Greening
Sunday, January 2, following Morning Prayer
Volunteers are needed to de-green the church following Morning Prayer on January 2, 2022! It’s not as exciting as greening the church but it needs to be done. Please consider staying after Morning Prayer to help out. The more volunteers we have the faster we’ll get it done! Especially needed is someone with the courage to climb a tall ladder to remove the highest wreath in the chancel! There is a de-greening opportunity for teens and adults alike. Thank you in advance!
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From the Hospitality Committee |
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KC loves its traditions, but can adapt! We've served Milk Punch on the last Sunday before Christmas for decades, usually at the Parish House along with an abundant buffet. In Covid times that translated to a smaller but very festive group at the Chapel after Morning Prayer. All vaccinated, all masked (except when ingesting), all delighting in time together. There was of course Milk Punch, delicious with or without liquor, thanks to Anne Sexton, and also hot spiced cider, warmed on a portable eco-friendly induction cooktop. Many thanks to Sylvia Soderberg, Barbara Fay, Amanda Cegielski, and Chris Allen for good things to eat, and to Cathy Price for so much help with setup and cleanup. Betsy Peterson, chair of Hospitality Committee
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Our Stewardship year is coming to an end and we need to be sure that everyone does their part to be sure our beloved King's Chapel has all the funds it needs for the coming year. Our recent letters hopefully reminded you to send in your gift, right away. In this season of giving, let us all remember the gifts we receive every week from King's Chapel and do our part to show our thanks with our gift in return.
Your Stewardship Committee
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The King's Chapel Prayer Circle, led by Cynthia Perkins, stands ready to pray for any who request it, in complete confidence.
To request prayers email Joy (joy@kings-chapel.org) or Cynthia Perkins
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In the love of truth, and the spirit of Jesus Christ,
we unite for the worship of God
and the service of all.
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