 | 10 am Service
Join us this week for inspiring music and quality preaching.
Rev. Paul Shupe preaching: "The Deeper Mysteries."
Music begins at 9:45am: Christmas Cantata, Bach.
Unfortunately, video of last week's sermon is not available due to a recording error. The Text of "A Time to Prepare" by Dana Allen Walsh is available HERE.
6:15 pm Join us @ the Well in Clark Hall for Celtic Christmas!
| |
Programs for Children December 9th, 16th and 23rd - Class activities during the season of Advent will explore Luke's Christmas Story. Come Join the Circle! . Visit the Potter Library after worship to see the new holiday display and check out some of the great books to share during the season of Advent. City Mission Sorting Days at the Christmas Shop in Winchester, are scheduled for Saturday, December 8th and Sunday, December 16, from 1-3pm for Hancock families. It's a great day of service, come help sort and box donations to be distributed to over 30 agencies that serve more than 1500 people in need. Email Pam at pam.cochrane@hancockchurch.org if you'd like to help. We had more than 20 Hancock volunteers, all ages, help each day last year! |
If you have questions our programming for children at Hancock, please contact Pam Cochrane: pam@hancockchurch.org
| |
Junior Youth Organization
Thank you, JYO kids! Manger Sunday was a marvelous celebration for this first Sunday of Advent. Reminder: City Mission Society Sorting Days: Sat. Dec 8th, & Sun. Dec 16th, 1-3pm at the First Congregational Church in Winchester. Sunday, December 9th, the class explore the second Sunday of Advent theme: Peace, and learn to make origami peace cranes.
| |
ANOTHER WAY TO HELP!
JYO kids are invited by the Deacons to help as Greeters and Ushers. We hope all the JYO kids will take a turn in this role on Sunday mornings. It would be awesome to have two kids each week arrive at 9:45 to help.
Email Pam at pam.cochrane@hancockchurch.org to sign up for a Sunday.
| |
Hancock Youth Group
This week:
Come to caroling, come to caroling, come to caroling:)
And just in case you bring a friend who hasn't registered--do it here!:
HYG Registration
|
| |
|
Hancock Weekly and other Communications Deadlines
The deadline for submitting news for this e-mail newsletter each week is Tuesday at 3pm. Submissions should be sent to: office@hancockchurch.org
Kindly send text and images as separate attachments. Thank you!
Click Here for the Communication Deadlines resource sheet.
|
| |
|
|
|
A Season of Unexpected Surprises
We, like Bethlehem, are too tiny to imagine the greatness and potential that lies within us.
"You Bethlehem-Ephrathah, too small to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule my people Israel." (Micah 5:1 -2)
We doubt that God would want to speak and act through our lives. We are too small, too insignificant, too unfaithful for God to care about our tiny life...
Click here to read the rest!The pastoral staff have been writing devotionals-- spiritual reflections for the season-- for all of Advent. Check our website for the daily post, or you can read them, share them, and respond to them on our facebook page. |
Results to date from the 12th Annual Hancock Holiday Fair with Gifts that Care
 What a wonderful sight it was to see people busily shopping, chatting and eating last Sunday at the 12th annual Hancock Holiday Fair! By all accounts, the day was a successful one for the 25 groups represented. To date over $21,800 was made making a difference in the lives of people here and around the world. But that's not all! For those who could not make it or for those who need to do more shopping, there will be an opportunity at coffee hour to support H.O.M.E.S. and The Fuller Center for Housing at coffee hour Sunday. So please stop by, even if just to say "hello"!
 From Deb Holland at the Heifer table:
The Heifer table at the fair was a success. We raised over $4700 for Heifer and money is still coming in. Hancock supports Heifer in a substantial way every year and Lynne Batty and I are grateful. Thanks to all of you who donated catalogs and magazines. We are still collecting for next year, so you can put them in the box by the office. If you need cards and ornaments between now and Christmas, you can call me, Deb Holland, at (781) -863-5364 and I will arrange to get them to you. |
Celebrating the Second Sunday in Advent with Special Music on December 9th
At 10:00 a.m., the Chancel Choir and Cantata Orchestra will perform J.S. Bach's Cantata #61, Nun komm der Heiden Heiland as part of morning worship. They will also perform choruses from Cantata #140 Wachet auf, and music by Praetorious. The orchestra, professional early music specialists playing on period instruments, will also perform Bach's Brandenburg Concerto #3 starting at 9:45 as a prelude for the service.
At 6:15 p.m., Hancock's alternative service The Well will feature a Celtic Christmas with their resident ensemble, The River Rock Band, and special guests Shannon and Matt Heaton. Their playing has been hailed by the Boston Globe as "masterful and inventive." They combine Irish wooden flute, whistles, traditional singing, and guitar to weave a tapestry of Celtic sound that is both traditional and contemporary.
|
Inter-generational Caroling followed by a Pizza and Salad Dinner on December 9th
COME SING WITH US!
Starting at 3:30 pm, Sunday December 9th
For many years, Hancock Members have prepared for Christmas by sharing the melodies of the traditional carols. Similar to last year, we will meet at the family friendly time of 3:30pm in the Church dining room to divide into groups. From 4:00pm until approximately 5:20pm we will spread the joy of Christmas by visiting and singing to those less mobile who enjoy the songs of Christmas.
We will meet back to Hancock at 5:30pm for a pizza & salad dinner hosted by the Music & Arts Committee in the Dining Room. This will end in time to attend the evening worship service @ The Well.
If you would like to participate, please contact Steve Cooper during coffee hour after church or call 781-862-0440.
|
Order Christmas Poinsettias Now! The deadline has been extended through this Sunday, December 9th.
Every year, the sanctuary is filled with beautiful poinsettias in memory or honor of those loved by members of the congregation at Hancock. Dedicate a poinsettia to a loved one in your family by submitting this form no later than Sunday, December 9th. Checks made out to Hancock United Church of Christ can be left in the church office. The suggested donation for each memorial plant is $10. Click HERE to place your order on-line!Order forms are also available in the church office and in the Narthex. 
|
Blue Christmas Service
December 10th, 7pm in the Chapel
Feeling lost in the Christmas frenzy? Not in the mood for joyful celebrations this year? The Blue Christmas worship service lets you hear the Christmas story in the midst of grief, sorrow or loss; come and be comforted.
This year, Hancock will again hold our annual Blue Christmas worship service. Blue Christmas worship is designed to remember the Good News of Christmas without having to pretend that you're feeling jolly. It's designed as an hour for coming to God honestly, and to do so with others who are feeling as you are. Blue Christmas is scheduled this year for December 10th, at 7:00 pm in Memorial Chapel. All are welcome, just as you are.
|
Hancock Christmas with the Jameson Singers--Saturday December 15th, 8pm
 Jameson Marvin, conductor, and Marilyn Becker, organist Saturday, December 15, 8PM
Free will donation $15 to support the Jameson Singers
The Jameson Singers, will offer a delightful Christmas-Holiday concert featuring familiar Christmas texts with settings by composers of the Renaissance, Recent, and Romantic, as well as new arrangements of familiar Christmas Carols. The repertoire is diverse and ranges in moods from joyous to contemplative, with varied compositions by Josquin to Harbison, Schütz to Mendelssohn, Palestrina to Holst, and most importantly the Congregational Singing of Christmas Carols with the Jameson Singers.
The Jameson Singers is the newest of the Boston-area choral ensembles, formed in the fall of 2010, by Jameson Marvin, Emeritus Director of Choral Activities at Harvard University and long-time member of Hancock Church, Lexington. This 50-voice choir is comprised of many of Dr. Marvin's former students as well as excellent singer/ musicians from the greater Boston area, including Hancock Church's own: Marilyn Becker and Ann Behravesh. Please see our website for additional information:
www.jamesonsingers.org |
|
Thank You, from the Boy Scouts
The Scouts, adult leaders and parents of Boy Scout Troop 119 wish to thank the congregation and friends of Hancock Church for their tremendous support of the Troop's 2012 wreath sale fundraiser. The funds raised will help to defray the costs of a busy year of activities, camping and advancement in 2013, providing much-needed equipment, subsidies for trips and campership funds, so all Scouts have the opportunity to participate in the activities. The Troop enjoys a very active calendar, including a weekend camping trip each month from September through June. In April, members of the Troop will take a high adventure trip to sail in the Bahamas. The summer of 2013 will include two weeks of Boy Scout camp. Funds raised from the annual wreath sale help to defray the costs of these trips. Thank you so much for your support!
|
New to Hancock? Let us introduce ...
The Welcoming Committee invites all who would like to learn more about Hancock Church to come to a mini coffee hour Sunday, December 16th following worship in the Wilson Room. The Welcoming Committee and minister Paul Shupe will be available from 11 am to 11:45 to answer questions about the church and what it means to be a member of Hancock, and give tours of the building. This is an opportunity for casual conversation and a chance to learn about activities at Hancock you may be interested in as well. For more information, please contact Welcoming Committee co-chair Julia Potter at welcoming@hancockchurch.org
|
Bagels and Bible every Sunday 9-9:45 am in the Wilson Room:
Join us in the Wilson Room at 9am as we continue our investigation of the parables. We'll explore the cultural context of first century Judea, trace connections between the Old and New Testaments, and examine the rich symbolism of Jesus' most instructive stories. We will provide the resources to start the conversation but we're most interested in hearing your personal interpretations. This discussion-based group is designed for individual adults or families with high school aged children. Childcare is available for younger children. Drop in for a single session, a couple of meetings, or the entire six weeks.
If you would like to learn more about Bagels and Bible, please contact Kerra Fletcher at harold3513@hotmail.com or Jason Troutman at j.e.troutman@hotmail.com.  |
|
Thank you for Giving to Hancock
Stock Donations and Year-End Logistics: Thank you very much for contributing to Hancock Church via a stock donation. With year-end fast approaching, please note that stock contributions need to be transferred into Hancock's Fidelity account by Thursday December 20th in order for the trades to settle by year-end. Please keep that deadline in mind as you consider making a stock contribution during the month of December.
Kim Gladstone, Financial Administrator, can be reached at 781-862-4220 or at financial.administrator@hancockchurch.org should you have any questions. Thank you!
|
Why Pledge?
Every returned pledge informs our lay leadership about potential spending levels for 2013 across the ministries of worship, education, mission, congregational care and community outreach. No pledge amount is too small. Whatever the amount, a pledge becomes a part of your commitment to doing God's work at Hancock. As we continue through this season of Advent, we are filled with hope as pledges are counted and we hear news of your faith filled commitment to financially support Hancock in the New Year. *********************************************************** Pledge Data as of Dec 2nd: 199= Number of pledges received $615,960= Dollars pledged 22= Number of first time pledges & returning pledges (included in 199 count) Peace. Stewardship Task Force: Robin DiGiammarino, Bess Deck, Louise Haldeman, Skip Irving, Manuel Navia, Julia Potter, Dean Rutila  
|
City Mission Society: giving the gift of Time
The best gift you can give is the gift of your time. Give back to a child. City Mission Society needs volunteers to read to the students at Russell Elementary School either during lunch or after school. We are only asking for one hour of your time, once a week. Make it a group thing! Bring a partner or team down to the school. For more information e-mail or call Melanie Sonsteng at 617-742-6830 ext. 208, interncms@gmail.com. Russell Elementary School is located at 750 Columbia Road, Dorchester, MA 02125 -free parking at school -short walk from the red line JFK/UMass stop
|
Lexington Food Pantry - December is Stew, Hash, and Chili.
If you donate in December, please consider stew hash and chili. Donation baskets are in the narthex, as well as outside the office and dining room.Volunteers are needed for January 12 to help distribute the food at the Pantry. The commitment is from 8:45 to about 11:30 am and the learning curve is short!. . For more information, contact Caroline Nijenberg - 781 862-4465 or carolinen@rcn.com
|
Cooking for Rosie's Place:
Hancock will be cooking for Rosie's Place for the weekend of December 8-9. Anybody who is interested in December should contact Linda Kilner Olivier at LAKilner@aol.com. Regular Rosie's Volunteers will receive an email next week.
|
|
Help Rachel prepare candles for Christmas Eve services!
Your help would be appreciated to get the candles ready which are used during worship on Christmas Eve. Please join me on Friday, December 14th from 10am-noon in the conference room. Over a thousand small candles need to have drip protectors put on them. All are welcome! Get in the holiday spirit as we listen to Christmas carols while we work! 
Thanks,
Rachel Kowalik (Administrative Assistant):rachel@hancockchurch.org
|
Drivers Wanted 
Congregational Care knows of people who would like to come worship on Sunday mornings, but are unable to get here on their own. If you'd be willing to drive occasionally, you'd make a big difference. Not only will more people get to church; those of us at church will get to see friends we've been missing!
Call the church office or talk with Joy Fallon if you're interested.
|
Wednesday, December 5th:
1:15p Consort--Kathie Stuart
7p Adult Ed Committee-Potter Library
7p Carillon--Bell Room
Thursday, December 6th:
9:30 First Thursdays Discussion Group--Wilson
6:30p Boy Scouts
7:30p Chancel Choir--Choir Room
Friday, December 7th:
9:30 Morning Glories--Bell Room
Saturday, December 8th:
8 AA Women's Step Study--Chapel
10 AA Meeting--Dining Room
1p City Mission Society Sorting Date--Winchester
2p Brass Group--Choir Room
Sunday, December 9th:
8:30 Pastor's Class--Pearson
8:30 Building Committee--Conference Room
9 Bagels and Bible--Wilson
9 Hancock Junior Handbells--Kathie Stuart
9 Marting to Glory Handbells--Bell Room
10 Morning Worship, Advent Two, Cantata--Sanctuary
10:20 Church School--Children's Chapel and Classrooms
10:20 Junior Youth Org.-Upper Room
11 Fellowship Hour--Dining Room
11:15 Choristers--Room 212
3:30p Christmas Caroling! Meet in the Dining Room
5p Confirmation Class--Upper Room
6:15p Worship @ the Well-Celtic Christmas!-Clark H.
7p OWL--Kathie Stuart
Monday, December 10th:
9:30 Projects with Purpose--Conference
1:30p Skyloom--Kathie Stuart
7p Blue Christmas--Chapel
7p Boy Scout Troop Meeting--Room 208
7:30p Endowment Committee--Potter Library
7:30p Prudential Committee--Conference Room
Schedule is subject to change. Please call the church offices if you have questions about any of the events we have listed here. Link HERE to our calendar on-line!
|
|
|
|
|
