Church of the Finish Line Gears Up for Easterthon

This Sunday, April 17th is one big day for the historic Old South Church in Boston. In addition to the first in-person Easter services since before the pandemic, the church will welcome hundreds of Boston Marathon runners and bless them before their run.

All are invited to Old South Church in Boston’s exuberant ‘Easterthon’ services, held at 9am, 11am and 1pm. The triumph of the Christian story of resurrection informs a service of worship that is characterized by thunderous celebration. Trumpet and organ, voice and timpani combine to bring us to the empty tomb, to peer inside, to see it is empty, and to give God wild thanksgiving for the hope of everlasting life. 

Simultaneously, as the “Church of the Finish Line,” Old South salutes one of the oldest and greatest races in the world. Each year hundreds of marathoners join for worship, where we pause to acknowledge the runners, their families, and volunteers. 

The Sanctuary will be filled with a sea of colorful Marathon jackets, and the stage filled with blooming white Easter flowers. This not-to-be-missed service will also feature bagpiper David Methven playing Highland Cathedral. 

Senior Minister Nancy Taylor, in her final Easter and Marathon Sunday service before retirement, will lead the congregation in the Blessing of the Athletes, asking God to bless them, to keep them safe from injury and harm, to give them perseverance, to instill in them a respect for each other, and to pray, in the words of the prophet Isaiah, that they “may run and not grow weary, walk and not faint.”

An ASL interpreter will be present at all three services, and the 11am service will be livestreamed at youtube.com/OldSouthChurch