 | 10 am Service
Join us this week for inspiring music and quality preaching.
Rev.Paul Shupe preaching: "A Song of Christmas Present"
Did you miss last week's sermon? Catch it on-line here: Community and Connection by Dana Allen Walsh
6:15 pm Join us this week, December 23rd @ the Well in Clark Hall. Please note, there will not be Worship @ the Well on December 30th. The Well will resume on January 6th.
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Building Committee Report
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Programs for Children
December 23rd - Fourth Sunday of Advent --Chapel Time and Class Room Activties, "Luke's Christmas Story" continues.
December 30th - children in worship, no classroom activities.
January 6th - Epiphany Sunday: The Three Wise Men Arrive, special program in Clark Hall.
| If you have questions our programming for children at Hancock, please contact Pam Cochrane: pam@hancockchurch.org
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Junior Youth Organization
December 23rd - Christmas Breakfast in the Upper Room 10:15-11:00am
December 30th - Youth stay in worship, no class
January 6th - Epiphany Sunday, Communion and Sandwich Making for the Outdoor Church
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Hancock Youth Group
Hey HYG-er's--want to sing or play for Christmas Eve? We are looking for anyone who would like to sing s solo, duet, etc or play an instrument with our ensemble for the Christmas Eve 11:00 p.m. service. If interested, I need to know no later than THIS THURSDAY (Dec. 13th). Will work out a rehearsal time with anyone interested. Just e-mail Mark@hancockchurch.org. Thanks!
It's never a bad time to bring a friend to HYG. You can even help them register on-line:)
HYG Registration
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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.
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Christmas Eve: Special Services, Parking, and the Week Ahead
5:00p Watch the Christmas story unfold as our youth lead us in worship, calling us to the manger and the birth of Jesus. Lessons and carols, our Christmas tableau, and festive music by Choirs, brass, and timpani
8:00p Celebrate the birth of Jesus as the fulfillment of human longing in this classic service of lessons and carols. Help us usher in the hope for a world of peace. Lessons and carols with Choir, flute, and strings
11:00p Experience the old, old story in rich music and thoughtful reflection. Led by our young adults. Candelight, communion, and contemporary takes on the songs of the season.
 A Special Request from Facilities Manager Dan dos Santos: Hancock expects many visitors and friends this week for Christmas Eve and other services. We remind all those who drive to church that handicapped parking spaces are intended only for those who need them. If you are driving someone who requires handicapped access, but are yourself able to walk, please drop your passenger off at the handicapped entrance and park elsewhere. All drivers are asked to park only in marked parking spots. Improvised parking (on the grass, too close to the Porte-cochere, etc) blocks access for all and creates a potential risk to safety. Thank you for your cooperation. A Note from Church Administrator Julina Rundberg: There will be no Hancock Weekly next Wednesday. The next issue of the weekly will be on Wednesday, January 2nd. Merry Christmas! |
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Advent Devotional from Becca Lockwood
A Time of Peace
...while we may crave peace it cannot be given, it must be created. It must be created together. This creation of peace is not an easy task; sometimes the work toward peace is violent-a painful, even devastating process. Each of us strives toward it every day. Peace happens among and within nations, states, neighborhoods, and friends- within oneself. Click HERE to read the rest of Friday's Advent Devotional by Becca LockwoodThe 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. Since Friday's tragedy in Newtown, many prayers, reflections, sermons, and litanies have been written on violence and healing. Visit
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Longtime Member of Hancock Jary Yoos has died.
Hancock received the sad new this morning of Jary's death late last night. Jary has been an active member of Hancock since 1960 and was involved in Skyloom Sacred Dance for many years. A memorial service will be held at Hancock this Saturday, December 22nd at 1pm.
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Ring in the New Year at The Well with Special Guests Malcolm Campbell and Ben Powell--January 6th, 2012
 The Well will celebrate Epiphany on Sunday January 6th at 6:15 with special music featuring guests Malcolm Campbell on the piano and jazz violinist Ben Powell. Music will include We Three Kings in a special version that is an homage to jazz legend Dave Brubeck who passed away in December, and Patrice Williamson singing Mary, Did You Know? This will be Malcolm's final appearance at The Well, as he moves to New York the following day. Come say goodbye with us!
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January 26th Progressive Dinner: Make Reservations Now!
This year a Progressive Dinner will take place on Saturday January 26th at 6:30 pm with a Snow date of February 2nd. Participants are assigned to one of several host houses, and all the dinner parties join together later in the evening for dessert and coffee provided by Parish Life. Sign up now to participate. Guests are asked by their hosts to bring an appetizer or an addition to the main meal along with a beverage to share. The deadline to register for this Progressive Dinner will be Sunday January 20th. Contact Loretta A. Porter at 781-862-4408 or by email: lorettaporter@comcast.net |
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Mardi Gras!
The 2nd Annual Hancock Mardi Gras celebration will be Saturday evening , February 2, 2013. This is a spectacular fun time to show your talents of singing, performances, skits readings and "other". There will be a planning meeting after Church, January 6th at 11:15am in the Pearson Room (childcare provided.) Please join the Music & Arts and Childrens CE Committees to plan this fun filled event.
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Pledging: Giving in Proportion to the Blessings We Have Received
What's important is not that we all give the same, but that we all act as good stewards of what God has given us, giving in proportion to the blessings we have received. As you prayerfully consider your pledge commitment for 2013, we hope you will give as a reflection of your faith-your faith in God, your faith in the work of Hancock, your faith in the future of our church as it grows.
Hancock's income comes primarily from the freewill giving of our supportive families. We have the potential to receive pledges from 262 individuals and families, and to date we have received 219 pledge commitments. To allow our ministry and mission to continue to grow, we would like to be able to count on 100% participation of Hancock families in the year ahead. Whatever the amount, we hope you will pledge and make a commitment to give next year.
Make your pledge by mail, email phone, or through our website: Contact: Kim Gladstone at Hancock Church: email: financial.administrator@hancockchurch.org or phone: 781-862-4220.
Wishing you a peace filled Christmas.
The Stewardship Task Force,
Robin DiGiammarino, Bess Deck, Louise Haldeman, Skip Irving, Manuel Navia, Julia Potter and Dean Rutila
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2013 Annual Giving Envelopes
The booklets of annual giving envelopes for next year are available for you to pick up at your convenience. They are located on the table located at the bottom of the stairs in the office hallway. Simply look for your name on the spreadsheet, find the number associated with your name, and choose the booklet with that number on it. You should find your name entered on the front of the booklet that you choose. Please initial the spreadsheet so that I know you've picked up your booklet. Don't hesitate to contact me, Kim Gladstone, at 781-862-4220 or at financial.administrator@hancockchurch.org should you have any questions. Thank you!
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Renewable Energy Announcement from the Hancock Environmental Action Team
Dear Friends,
We have a new opportunity to purchase 100% wind generated electricity and to provide more income for Hancock Church at the same time. Viridian Energy offers an alternative to NStar Green for 100% green electricity. You have a choice of energy providers. In Lexington, NStar delivers our electricity and if you have not made other arrangements, NStar supplies the electricity that it delivers. Viridian Energy is an alternative source for electric power. When you sign up to have Viridian Energy supply your electricity, NStar will continue to be responsible for the delivery.
An added advantage of signing up for Viridian Energy is that Hancock Church will receive $2 a month for each subscriber. This comes as a result of Hancock Church joining the Viridian Energy Fund Raising Program.
In addition, if Hancock Church can sign up 25 new subscribers by the end of December 2012, Viridian Energy will pay Hancock Church $500 as an incentive bonus.
Mark Sandeen has generously set this program up for Hancock Church. He has attended the Viridian Energy Education Course. Please read the note that Mark sent to me describing what is offered and how to sign up. It only takes a few minutes to buy 100% wind electricity. You will be eliminating carbon production for the electricity that you use, you will be helping Hancock Church, and the price is good.
Best Wishes, Andy McClaine |
Bagels and Bible will not be meeting this Sunday, December 23rd or December 30th
The Bagels and Bibles discussion group will not meet on December 23rd or December 30th. Instead we will resume class on January 6th. We will take a few weeks to finish the parables and then we will investigate the history of the Bible. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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.  |
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A Note from the Treasurer
As we near the end of the year, we reflect on how grateful we are for the donations to Hancock Church this year. We are now weeks from closing the books on 2012, and we hope that everyone is able to complete the fulfillment of their pledges before the end of the month. If you've forgotten what you pledged or would like an up-to-date figure on what you've given so far, please contact Kim Gladstone, our financial administrator, at 781-862-4220 or financial.administrator@hancockchurch.org.
Life's circumstances sometimes change folks' ability to meet the pledge they made a year ago. If you are in this situation, we understand. Conversely, if you find yourself in a position to give a little extra, that would be most appreciated.
Your support is vital to the church and all the good work it does as so beautifully shown in the narrative budget, and we very much appreciate it.
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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!
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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
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Lexington Food Pantry - December is stew, hash and chili month/January is spaghetti sauce month
If you donate food in December, please consider stew, hash and chili/in January spaghetti sauce. . 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
As 2012 draws to a close, the Lexington Food Pantry would like to thank the following for volunteering to help distribute the food at the Pantry. We recognize that you have given some of your valuable time to help people in need. It was very much appreciated. Anne Buono, Ed Cox, Sue Foley, Courtney Jones, Evelyn Manley, Suzanne O'Neil Jones, Maureen Grunst ,Maria Kieslich, Julie Pearson, Sandy Shaw, Kathy Stout, Rita Toivonon and Craig Zaehring.
*"There was an omission in the names of the volunteers to be thanked for helping so much last week. Evenly Manly and Rita Toivonon helped many times at the Pantry and should also be recognized.
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Wednesday, December 19th:
1:15p Consort--Kathie Stuart
Thursday, December 20th:
6:30p Boy Scouts & Cub Scouts
7:30p Hancock Environmental Action Team
7:30p Chancel Choir--Choir Room
Friday, December 21st:
9:30 Morning Glories--Bell Room
Saturday, December 22nd:
8 AA Women's Step Study--Chapel
10 AA Meeting--Dining Room
1p Memorial Service for Jary Yoos--Sanctuary
2p Brass Group--Choir Room
Sunday, December 23rd:
10 Morning Worship, Advent Four--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
5p Confirmation Class--Upper Room
6:15p Worship @ the Well--Clark H.
Monday, December 24th:
CHRISTMAS EVE
Church Offices Close at Noon
9:30 Projects with Purpose--Conference
1:30p Skyloom--Kathie Stuart
5p Christmas Eve Family Service--Sanctuary
8p Christmas Eve Lessons and Carols
11p Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion
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Tuesday, December 25th:
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
The Church offices will be closed from Tuesday December 25 through Tuesday, January 1st. Our offices will re-open Wednesday, January 2nd. The regularly-scheduled morning service will be held on Sunday, December 30th. There will be no worship at the Well in the evening on December 30th. Worship at the Well will resume on January 6th.
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