~ Special Christmas Issue ~ |
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A Christmas Message from Joy |
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Last week, when the snow was falling on Boston but the sun still hadn’t risen, the lights in the trees of the Boston Common shined through into the parish house: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1)
Since then, as I’ve given silent thanks for the lights in the Common, I’ve pictured the city workers who began in November preparing for these days, high overhead in their cherry picker, hanging the thousands of bulbs, moving from one tree to another, lacing each with different colors. These city workers are my angels this year – a host overhead lighting up the sky, giving me an unbidden gift. I’m like one of the shepherds, gawking upwards, just trying to soak in what I’m being given.
Who are your angels this Christmas? Every year we all receive unbidden gifts others have carefully prepared for us: the unknown hosts who rise early to plow our roads, stay up late to tend our sick, and tirelessly bake the grocer’s goodies, deliver late packages, keep the internet humming, and re-stock the food pantries. This year, may these angels receive our profound gratitude.
Because bringing to mind our angels and the unbidden gifts they give us may be the best preparation for Christmas Day. For on that day the most astonishing unbidden gift of all arrives: A Love to live within us. A deep Peace to guide us. A Hope that endures. A Joy to delight our souls.
It is true what the angels sing! A light shines in our darkness, and the darkness has never overcome it!
Rev. Fallon
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Lessons and Carols Christmas Eve Service
Thursday, December 24
Available to watch starting at 9:00 AM
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Christmas Day Live Service on Zoom
Friday, December 25
Join us at 10:00 AM on Zoom
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First and Second Sundays after Christmas Services
On Sunday, December 27 and Sunday, January 3 the Rev. Joy Fallon will lead worship live at 9:00 AM via the Morning Light service on Zoom. The additional Morning Prayer Service video will not be offered while other staff members and our choir are on vacation.
All regular services will resume on January 10, with the Rev. Dr. Fred Small as our special guest preacher.
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Holiday Staff Schedule
The year is (finally) coming to a close, and the staff of King's Chapel is scheduling a much needed, well-deserved break. All staff will be out of office (even those who work from home) beginning Christmas Day, December 25th, until Monday January 4th. Our services will be held via Zoom, as you will read in another section of this newsletter. For any emergencies you can continue to contact Joy, David, or Gretchen.
Merry Christmas to all, and we pray for blessings on the new year.
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Ornament Making
Our King’s Chapel “youth group” gathered via Zoom on Saturday to make Christmas ornaments with Emanuel Genovese, Skip Lewan, our Morning Light musician, and David Waters, our Minister for Education and Membership. There were many stories to share of their journey here at KC: from baptism and various roles in our Children's Christmas Pageant to confirmation and young adulthood! What a blessing to journey with them!
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Decking the Parish House
Thank you to our beloved member John Appleton for the gorgeous wreaths that adorn our Parish House!
While we certainly miss the festive sights and smells of greens inside the Chapel and Parish House this year, these wreaths with a variety of trimmings and ribbons sure get us in the holiday spirit. Ever grateful for our members and friends this Christmas. Thanks again, John!
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Did you know...Christmas songs were not always a part of Christmas services, even at King’s Chapel? As an Anglican church in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, only certain songs were approved for singing during worship. Publishers Nicholas Brady and Nahum Tate wrote a supplement to their New Versions of the Psalms of David in 1700 that included the first Christmas song permitted to be sung in Anglican churches, called “While Shepherds Watch’d Their Flocks.” This hymnal’s first printing in Boston occurred in 1713 and was implemented at King’s Chapel that same year.
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Bible Study
Wednesday, December 23 at 6:15 PM
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Lessons and Carols Christmas Eve Service
Thursday, December 24
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Christmas Day Service, Live on Zoom
Friday, December 25 at 10:00 AM
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Bible Study
Wednesday, December 30 at 6:15 PM
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First Sunday Coffee Hour
Sunday, January 3 at 12:00 PM
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Reading Group: The Literature of Joy Harjo
Monday, January 4 at 5:00 PM
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Bible Study
Wednesday, January 6 at 6:15 PM
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Coffee with Clergy
Thursday, January 7 at 10:00 AM
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Uncovering and Confronting Our History: King's Chapel, Slavery, and the Atlantic World
Thursday, January 7 at Noon & 5:30 AM
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Guest Preacher Fred Small for Morning Prayer and Morning Light Services
Sunday, January 10
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Sunday Services
Morning Light Worship Service, Live on Zoom
December 27 from 9:00-10:00 AM
- The Rev. Joy Fallon, Senior Minister
- David Waters, Minister for Education and Membership
- Hollis Day, Lector
- Skip Lewan, Piano
Scripture:
Luke 2:22-40
Morning Light Worship Service, Live on Zoom
January 3 from 9:00-10:00 AM
- The Rev. Joy Fallon, Senior Minister
- David Waters, Minister for Education and Membership
- Lee Glenn, Lector
- Skip Lewan, Piano
Scripture:
Matthew 2:1-12
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Visit our website to learn how to stay connected with
King's Chapel from Home.
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