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Advent Quiet Day: Saturday, December 6th, 9 AM - 1 PM at the Parish House
Want to remember the true meaning of Christmas amidst the clanging culture all around us? Give yourself the gift of a morning to quietly consider the Advent season, using art, music or writing (materials will be provided). Come for as much or as little as your schedule permits. We'll gather for a brief poem or prayer on the half hours in the Little Chapel, led by Rev. Fallon; the rest of the time is yours, to ground yourself amidst this busy season.
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On Sunday, the Introit at 10:55 will the voice of a lone tenor singing our Handel's astonishing words from the Messiah, singing out across our sanctuary our lesson from Isaiah: "Comfort ye, Comfort ye, my people, saith your God!"
Don't you long for comfort sometimes? The comfort of a child being consoled, the hope deep within, whatever our age, that Someone cares enough to gently embrace us and offer comfort. Not ideas to improve us, not a strategy we should employ, just quiet understanding.
That's why it's sometimes jarring to listen to all the tenor sings, so quickly moving to "Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God." We jump up from the lap of comfort into the bulldozer seat, wrestling with the gear shift. Or maybe that's how life always is and how God's presence with us always is: both comfort and challenge, both complete understanding of how we are, beloved as we are, and a call to change, because our lives can be so much better.
Where will God meet you, this Sunday?
--Joy
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ADVENT 2014 HOMELESSNESS MISSION PROJECT:
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In consideration of the recent closing of Boston's Long Island Shelter and bridge--which provides housing and service to 800+ individuals--and in light of all who live on the street, especially during these cold winter months, the King's Chapel Church School, under the leadership of our own Judy Luca, will be collecting items and backpacks for our neighbors in need through December 15. Some examples of items include:
backpacks
socks, hats, gloves, scarves
emergency blankets
personal hygiene items (especially toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, washcloths)
non-perishable individual food items (e.g. fruit cups, crackers, water, peanut butter)
gift cards for restaurants/grocery stores
All of King's Chapel is invited and encouraged to bring backpacks and items to donate by Dec. 15. There will be a special emphasis on this ministry at Advent Crafts on the 14th, where Judy will work with children and families who attend to stuff backpacks with items. We will also bless the backpacks at the Church School worship service at 9:45am on December 21. Items can be dropped off in or outside of Eva Englert's office or the main entrance at the Parish House. If you have any questions, please contact Judy Luca.
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Community Action Committee: Sale of Holiday Cakes for Mass. Coalition for the Homeless
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In 2011, the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless learned that many students in local public schools were not getting a good night's sleep because they did not have their own bed to sleep in at home. A good night's sleep has a major effect on a child's ability to come to school prepared to learn; falling behind in school due to a lack of sleep can have negative long term consequences on a student's education and future. For every $250 raised, a child will receive a complete new bed: a twin mattress, box spring, bed frame and linens. "A Bed for Every Child"has provided new beds to 2,200 children (and counting) across Massachusetts. The number of children waiting for beds is five times as much. Its goal is to distribute 1,500 beds annually.
Again this year, the Community Action Committee (CAC) will sell holiday cakes to support the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless program, "A Bed for Every Child." Many children in Massachusetts who currently share a bed with parent or siblings, or sleep on the floor, would be healthier, happier, and more successful in school, with a bed of their own!
Champion Cliff Allen and CAC elves will be in the vestibule after church in November and early December to take your orders (with payment, please!) for delicious premium baked goods donated by the Dancing Deer bakery. There are several old and new favorites this year, and they are packaged attractively to make great gifts. Your purchase may be picked up at the Parish House on Milk Punch Sunday or by arrangement. Thank you for supporting this important community program! For more information, please contact Cliff Allen.
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Weekdays throughout Advent, Rev. Shawn Fiedler, Heinrich Christensen, and Julina Rundberg have been getting up a bit earlier than usual to open the church and ring the bells for Advent Prayer. With a noble and friendly team of welcoming ushers, we have been opening King's Chapel's doors to the busy commuting public at 8:15 for short services of music and prayer. We have met many new people already this week, and have seen some familiar faces every day so far. Thank you to all the volunteers who have made it such a heartening way to start the workday.
We hope you'll join us one day soon if you are able!
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Caroling at the Holiday Stroll, Thursday December 11th
Heinrich, Gregg, Julina, and Eva will be caroling at this year's Beacon Hill Holiday Stroll on Charles Street. Volunteers are welcome! Contact Heinrich if you would like to join in the merriment. |
Sunday, Dec. 14, 10:00am-12:30pm: Advent Craft Day!
Advent Craft Day at the Parish House: Join us for crafts (with candles, oranges, cards, and more!), fellowship, mission and fun as we prepare for the season of Christmas. Please bring nonperishable food items, warm weather clothing (e.g. scarves, hats, gloves), and/or backpacks for this King Chapel Advent's homelessness mission project. Judy Luca will be leading children and families in stuffing backpacks. For more information, please check Between Sundays and Little Chapel News, and/or email Judy at judyg143@gmail.com. |
Blue Christmas: December 15th 6pm
For some of us, the holiday season isn't merry & bright. For some of us there is grief, pain and sadness around this time of year that joyous carols and bright lights can't seem quell. Held in the beauty of our stone chapel (School & Tremont Streets), we will gather in candlelight for a service of song and word. We gather to kindle the light of hope and hold in prayer our heartaches and sorrows. All are welcome.
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Save the Date: Festive "Milk Punch" Sunday After Church - December 21st, 12:30
In a grand Yuletide tradition of King's Chapel, on the Sunday before Christmas, all are invited to gather after church at the Parish House, 64 Beacon Street, for festive food, good cheer, and the famous Milk Punch, something akin to a deliciously powerful eggnog. If you've had it before, we know you'll be returning. If you haven't tried Milk Punch yet, you won't be sorry you did. Join old friends and meet new ones.
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New Year's Retreat - 4 PM Friday, January 16 - 10 AM Sunday, January 18
Finding Your Spiritual Home
As you start the New Year, come for a quiet, warm retreat at Glastonbury Abbey, in Hingham. Rev. Fallon will lead us in quiet reflection on where you are on your spiritual journey: who or what is your spiritual home? There will be free time to walk in the woods or at the ocean, rest, eat, and join in conversation. Cost: $130 for a room at the retreat house and all meals. Scholarships are available; talk with Rev. Fallon or Betsy Peterson.
Registration forms for the retreat are now available HERE.
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King's Chapel holds in prayer several families who have recently lost loved ones
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We mourn with several of our members beloved family who recently have been received into God's glory.
- Hallie Speight's father, Paul J. White, died last week, on Thanksgiving Day, at the age of 88. Hallie and her family will be holding private remembrances of him in her home of Philadelphia.
- Kimberly Northrup's grandfather, Gil Harlow, died on November 17th. Mr. Harlow's memorial service was held last weekend in Schenectady.
- On Saturday, December 13, at 2 p.m., King's Chapel will hold a funeral service for Richard Wills, an architect on Beacon Hill and longtime Boston resident, who is remembered with love by his daughters Sarah Wills-Viega and Jessica Wills-Lipscomb.
Please join with us in holding all of these families in our prayers.
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 | | Wreaths arrived at the Parish House and Parsonage this week! |
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SUNDAY DECEMBER 7
11:00 a.m. Morning Prayer
Second Sunday in Advent
The Rev. Joy Fallon, preacher
- Anne Sexton, Head Usher
- Richard Weeks, Usher-in-Charge
- Cliff Allen & Cathy Price, Ushers
- Orian and Caroline Welling, Lectors
- Mary Sears, Host for Coffee Hour
The flowers on the communion table will be given by William and Mary Sears in loving memory of Grace Collyer Kocher.
The lessons are:
- Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
- Old Testament: Isaiah 40:1-11
- New Testament:Mark 1:1-8
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 10th
12:15 p.m. Midweek Service
Dean Denniston, guest preacher
- Charles Dimino, Lay Reader
- Judy Thomas, Lector
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On Sunday December 14, all donations not designated for the King's Chapel Annual Appeal will be given to the Greater Boston Food Bank.
The Greater Boston Food Bank is the largest hunger-relief organization in New England and its mission is to end hunger in eastern Massachusetts. Its objective is to distribute enough food to provide at least one meal a day to those in need.
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--By Heinrich Christensen
This Sunday, the prelude will be Bach's famous chorale prelude Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, followed by tenor Eric Ferring singing Comfort Ye from Handel's Messiah, before we all break into song with the hymn of that same title.The choir will sing the familiar Advent carol Adam Lay Ybounden, this year in a setting by John Ireland, who also provides music for communion. And we continue our series of O Antiphons, this week O Emmanuel by Victorian composer John Stainer.
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King's Chapel in the News
Saturday's Boston Globe featured King's Chapel's concert series celebrating the 50th anniversary of our Fisk organ. The article also offered a short biography of C.B. Fisk, who turned his engineering skills to the full-time service of organ-building after first participating in the Manhattan Project in Los Alamos (Julina's hometown).
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As we continue our Advent journey, the Church School will gather for worship, activities, and the telling of part I of the Godly Play Advent/Christmas story. This special lesson includes the story of the annunciation by the angel to Mary, as well as the story of Elizabeth and Zechariah's journey to parenthood. Church school children will also make Advent wreaths to take home and share with loved ones.
Please note the Church School Advent activities and worship services which will be taking place throughout this season.
Grace and Peace,
Eva Englert
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Please join us on Tuesday, December 9th at 12:15
as the Pioneer Singers of Lynnfield perform Holiday Favorites.
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The Visitor's Program will continue to welcome tourists and locals alike to our space this December, on an adjusted schedule! Due to weekday morning advent prayer services, the Chapel will be open 9 am-4:00 pm Monday and Friday, 9 am through the concert/service on Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 am-4:00 pm on Saturday and 1:00 pm-4:00 pm on Sunday, all dependent on weather conditions. We will be closed on Thursday. This year we will be open until December 23, to allow guests to see the beautiful greenery in our sanctuary. If you are in the area, please stop by for some holiday peace and cheer in the midst of a busy season!
--Theresa |
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(more) News from the Parish
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 | | John McIntosh, electrician from EG Sawyer, brought in a hydraulic lift this week to repair fixtures that keep our building illuminated at night. Thanks, John! |
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Wanted: Language Translators for King's Chapel Signs
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180,000 people come to visit us at King's Chapel every year, many from foreign countries. While we do have self-guided tours available in several languages, currently all of our exterior signage is in English. Anyone arriving during hours we are closed or worshipping, if not proficient in English, often does not understand that they are either warmly invited to join us in worship, or encouraged to return at the time tours will begin again.
If you can speak and write Mandarin, Japanese, Spanish, Italian or French, and can help us devise more welcoming, useful signs for our many visitors, please contact Parish Administrator Julina Rundberg,julina@kings-chapel.org
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Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence
7:30 Thursday December 11
First Church in Boston
66 Marlborough Street
Please help us get the word out about this significant event by letting your congregations and social justice committees in on the details. The attached flyer can be posted on bulletin boards or handed out, and the copy below can serve as the text for emails, flyers, announcements and newsletters. Thank you! In commemoration of the second anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy, as well as the 60,000 American victims of gun violence since December 2012, First Church in Boston and the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence are joining the Newtown Foundation, Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence, States United to Prevent Gun Violence and the Washington National Cathedral in a nationwide vigil service of mourning and remembrance for all those who have fallen victim to the ongoing epidemic of gun violence in America. This event will take place at 7:30 pm on Thursday, December 11, at First Church in Boston, 66 Marlborough Street (at Berkeley), Boston MA. An additional 160 concurrent vigils will take place across the US. Our vigil will include reflections by Rev. Liz Walker (senior pastor at Roxbury Presbyterian Church) and Rev. Stephen Kendrick (senior minister at First Church in Boston), music under the direction of Dr. Paul Cienniwa, and a Candlelight Memorial for all victims of gun violence. Participants will have an opportunity to share the names of individuals whose lives they wish to commemorate and to light a candle in their memory.
According to recent statistics, there are more than 30,000 gun fatalities in the US each year. These include homicides, accidental shootings and suicides.
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Lost Item
One of our members lost a gold double circle pin while attending the Sunday service and Narrative Budget Hearing last week. If anyone has come across it, kindly contact the Parish House.
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Chancel Flowers: Donors Needed!
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| There is one last date available for Chancel Flower donations in December! If you would like to offer a dedication in honor or memory of a loved one, please contact the Parish House.
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Accessibility and Hearing Assists
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Our beautiful Georgian sanctuary designed by Peter Harrison and completed in 1754, has been lovingly maintained by the congregation since its completion. Some of the box pews have been made wheel-chair accessible. Ushers are available to assist those who are wheelchair-bound to those pews.
Many of us have trouble hearing in our sanctuary, which does not have amplification. Small hearing devices are available; an usher also will be happy to provide one, and explain how they work.
The Book of Common Prayer According to the Use in King's Chapel is the cornerstone of worship at our 11 am Morning Prayer Services. Printed orders of service including hymns, Psalms, and responsive sections of the Prayer Book liturgy are available to facilitate participation in worship for everyone. |
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