 | 10am Service
Join us this week for inspiring music and quality preaching.
Becca Lockwood preaching: "Embracing Uncertainty"
Did you miss last week's sermon? Catch it on-line here: P{aul Shupe preaching: "Continuous Discontinuity"
6:15pm in Clark Hall
Join us also @ the Well!
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Programs for Children |
April 7th, All Age Event, Celebrating Eastertide, in Clark Hall
April 17th we begin a new unit exploring what we each bring to our community of faith, Fitting the Pieces Together! Kids will share stories of the early church and our own personal faith stories. In the hands on room kids will make mosaic creations, in Games and Brainteasers the kids will play Hancock Trivia and build a church timeline and in Storytelling we will share Paul's stories from the New Testament in Acts I and II. All are invited to come join the circle.
The kids will host coffee hour on April 28th.
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JUNIOR YOUTH ORGANIZATION
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Outdoor Church, Thanks and Wow:)
On April 7th, the kids will be making sandwiches for the Outdoor Church and join in worship.
April 14th, 21st & 28th we'll continue our exploration Help, Thanks and Wow Prayer and
plan the groups spring outreach to the Outdoor Church and City Mission Society.
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Confirmation Class
Confirmation Class meets April 7th & April 28th, upper room 5pm.
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Get Ready for Kentucky!!
April 7th, 7pm Informational meeting in Upper Room for HYGers and parents. Come to learn about the
trip and ask any questions that you may have! April 12th-20th, +++ Kentucky!!+++ April 21: Youth Sunday @ 10am Worship The Youth Group leads worship after a week of service in Neon, Kentucky. April 28th: 7p--Meeting in the Upper Room
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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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Please click the link below to visit our calendar on-line.
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Lexington Food Pantry --April is Quick Oats
If you donate food in April, please consider Quick Oats. Donation baskets are in the narthex, as well as outside the office and dining room. For more information, contact Caroline Nijenberg 781 862-4465 or carolinen@rcn.com If you wish to volunteer, to help distribute food at the pantry, please contact her to see if volunteers are needed.
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Rosie's Place
We will be sending casseroles down to Rosie's Place on April 14th this month. We are still seeking cooks and a driver for that date! Interested volunteers should email Meg Weston: jrw46@aol.com
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Nominating Looking for New Committee Members
Over the next several weeks you may receive a call from the Nominating Committee asking you to consider joining one of our many committees at Hancock. But don't wait to hear from us! If there is a committee that you're interested in serving on, please let us know. Here is a list of the committees that we have at Hancock:
Deacons - focused on the spiritual life and practice in the church. Responsibilities include organizing communion and organizing greeters and ushers.
Music and the Arts - coordinates with the staff and Deacons to oversee musical and artistic programs to enhance our worship, fellowship and outreach to the community.
Parish Life - strengthens community at Hancock Church, by hosting coffee hour and other church events such as Palm Sunday Breakfast, Progressive Dinners and Summer Barbeques.
Membership and Welcoming - reaches out to newcomers to Hancock by hosting information sessions and newcomer dinners and produces new member brochures.
Christian Service - supports and identifies volunteer opportunities for a variety of charities, including Manger Sunday, casseroles for Rosie's Place, and Food Pantry donations.
Finance - creates the church budget working with the Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer and Business Manager and participates in generating the narrative budget.
Stewardship coordinates the annual financial support drive for the missions of Hancock Church, and also celebrates the time and talents that we are called to give to God.
Prudential - oversees the maintenance, safety and upkeep of all church properties, including organizing work projects, overseeing community rentals and organizing multiple work days.
Nominating Committee - matches member's interests with the needs of the church. We are the committee that fills the committees!
Assistant Collectors aids the Collector by accounting for the weekly offerings after the service.
Children's Christian Education - oversees children's education on Sunday mornings using a theme-based curriculum, and organizes activities to foster community for children and families.
Adult Christian Education - coordinates adult education opportunities, such as Bible Study, Pastor's Class, First Thursdays, Lenten series, Beyond the Well and Women's retreats.
Congregational Care - coordinates the volunteers who visit members in their times of need and works to make sure that those who need visits or other assistance get them. They also coordinate floral deliveries, arrange the Senior Picnic and update Hancock Community Prayer.
Endowment - oversees the investment and distribution of endowed funds which have been created for the church.
Greeters and Ushers - teams greet people coming to church on Sunday, pass out bulletins and collect the offering. Commitments are usually once a month.
If you'd like to be part of one of these teams please give us a call and we'll help find the best group for you. Contact Joan Rutila (rutila@rcn.com, 781-862-6627) or chat with any of the members of Nominating Committee (Linda Williams, Harriett Chmela, Chris Groves and Joan Rutila.)
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Kitchen/TV/CE Wing Appeal
The supplemental campaign appeal to help fund the kitchen renovation, TV system overhaul, and improvements to our sanctuary sound system and CE Wing is making steady progress. Through Monday we have received 38 pledges totaling $206,730 towards our $500,000 need. Have we heard from you? We know many are unable to add to their generous pledges last spring, but if you haven't participated in the campaign yet and would like to, or if you're able to add to the pledge you made last spring to help fund these priorities, your pledge will be greatly appreciated. Please fill out and send in the card you received in the mail, or call the church office or pick up a pledge card in church. Follow the details of our progress on the chart in the lobby.
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Women of the Greatest Generation: Stories of Faith, Hope, Love, and Courage--April 10th, 1:30pm in the Pearson Room
We invite all members of our Hancock Community to join us for tea and a program that will give us pause and time to think of the experiences that show the determination and worth of our grandmothers, cousins, or neighbors. One such woman is Rosemarie Sauerman, who will join the authors Rev. Dr. Fran Bogle and Rev. Nancy Reed to share her story. We hope you will join us for a most entertaining and informative afternoon.
The Potter library and Adult Education committees.
To read more about this event, visit our website! |
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Driveway Closure
The main driveway under the stone archway is closed this week as the roof over our Sanctuary undergoes repairs. Please note the two-way entry on the western end of the building (closer to the weekday entrance). Thank you!
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New to Hancock? Let Us Introduce You
The Welcoming Committee invites all who would like to learn more about Hancock Church to come to a small group mini coffee hour Sunday, April 7th following worship in the Wilson Room - the first room at the top of the stairs. The Welcoming Committee 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 ask questions 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
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Patriot's Day Concert--Monday April 15th!
The Handbell Program at Hancock Church presents their 11th Annual Patriot's Day Handbell Concert of American Music in the sanctuary at 1912 Mass Ave, Lexington, MA (the stone church across from the Battle Green) on Monday April 15 at 11:15- 12noon. The music is rung on English handbells in a program that is light-hearted and family-friendly. You'll find yourself swaying to upbeat music of America, including patriotic favorites, spirituals, ragtime, marches, Disney tunes, and music of Irving Berlin and George Cohan. Admission is $3 per person to benefit the Handbell Scholarship Fund that enables ringers to attend workshops to help develop their ringing skills and supports our community outreach concerts at nursing homes, senior centers, and schools. The sanctuary is handicapped accessible. Invite your friends, relatives, and neighbors to this fun concert carefully timed to follow the morning Road Race and before Paul Revere arrives at the Minuteman statue. Questions- Cheryl Kraley 781-862-2209 or handbells@hancockchurch.org.
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A Joyful Noyse Spring Concert, Saturday April 27th, 7:30pm
May will come with flowers Songs of Love and Spring from 16th century Germany 
During the 16th century a distinctive art song form, the tenorlied, gained prominence and popularity in Germany. The tenorlied was a delightful mixture of styles and elements, combining the German heritage of folk song, the song forms and tradition of the troubadours and Meistersingers, the cantus firmus principle of sacred music, and the contrapuntal trappings and canonic devices derived from the Netherlands. Although the tenorlied manifested itself in a variety of ways, from simple note against note compositions to contrapuntally intricate settings, its vitality and charm lay in its narrative quality. The tenorlied was a reflection and intrinsic part of the social life of the age, becoming a vehicle to express every facet of emotion and a mirror of the everyday life of a prospering middle class. It was music that resounded in courts, as well as in taverns and private homes. The joy of singing is expressed in this quote from a German book of 1509: When two or three come together, they have to sing, and they all sing at work, in the house and field, at prayer and devotion, in joy and sorrow, mourning and feasting. Join A Joyful Noyse, on Saturday, April 27th at 7:30pm in the Sanctuary of Hancock Church as we draw from this rich heritage songs that focus on love and spring. With voices and period instruments, including recorders, crumhorns, viole da gamba, rackett and renaissance fiddle, we welcome the lovely and amorous month of May! A donation of $10 will be accepted to help maintain the diverse and vibrant music programs at Hancock Church. |
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Hancock Church Remembrances
 On Sunday, April 28, we will give thanks and celebrate the lives of Hancock members who have recently passed and are being commemorated with plaques in our Remembrance Hall. During the service, we will remember their generous and meaningful contributions to building our foundations of faith and service. Paul will lead a short prayer service in the Memorial Garden immediately following the regular Sunday service.
We invite you to add the name of a family member or special friend who shared a deep connection to our Hancock community, so that all can celebrate their faith journeys, their many contributions to Hancock Church and our affection for one another. Please contact Rosemarie Sauermann (rosemarie@sauermann.com) or Bill Erickson (berickson@bfearc.com), co-chairs of the Memorial Garden Committee, before April 9 if you wish to include someone special in the April 28 remembrances.
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Contemplative Practice within our Christian Tradition with Becca Lockwood
Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m., starting April 23rd.
Will meet 4/23 in the Wilson Room, and 4/30, 5/2, 5/9, 5/16 in the Pearson Room
Join others as we focus on contemplative practices within our Christian tradition. We will explore the meanings and experience of three specific practices: centering prayer/meditation, lectio divina, and finding our inner spiritual artist. This group will seek to discover which contemplative practice we as individuals gravitate towards. In doing this we can foster the beginnings of what may grow into a deep spiritual practice that will better inform us into being the Christians we hope to be. We will be drawing from various religious leaders and resources - readings will be available weekly. Come and explore contemplative practices and how they enrich our spirituality and our community. Should you have questions or want more information, please contact Seminarian Becca Lockwood.
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Carrying the Light: Sharing the Good News with Alex Shea
Sunday evenings at 7:15 p.m. starting April 28th
Will meet April 28, May 5, May 12, and May 19 in the Pearson Room
How often do we talk about our faith? How would you answer that question if asked not to consider time in Hancock or with Hancock friends? Have you ever invited someone to worship with us, or shared with them the Good News of our faith? Do you have an idea of what you would say if you had to? Might it scare you, just a bit, to consider all this?
Whether this scares or excites you, join others to explore what it means to name and share our faith as a progressive, Christian community during the season of Eastertide. We won't meet to draft Bible tracts or role play logic games to battle non-believers, nor will there be tests or correct answers. Rather, we'll spend time together, as a diverse group, exploring what sharing the good news means for each of us. Just maybe, we'll even try to reclaim that difficult "e" word: Evangelism.
Our time together will be guided by the book Unbinding the Gospel by Martha Grace Reese (2 copies will be available in the Hancock Church library). Should you have questions or want more information, please contact Seminarian Alex Shea Will.
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Hancock Poetry Group meets second Wednesdays of each month--Join us!
The Hancock Poetry group meets on the second Wednesday of each month, in the Pearson room. We gather to share the poetry of others, or our own, whatever has inspired us lately. Long time poetry lovers, and those just discovering the joys of poetry are all welcome! |
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Pastor's Class resumes this Sunday!
Join others Sunday mornings for a lively, contemplative discussion of the worship theme for the day. The class will be led by members of the group through May, based on the framework Senior Minister Paul Shupe has provided us.
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Join us for First Wednesdays!
The First Wednesday Discussion Group (formerly held on Thursdays) will meet March 6, 2013 AT A NEW TIME 10 am in the Wilson Room. Seminarian Becca Lockwood will be leading the group. All are invited to join in on a lively discussion of "Amazing Grace: A Vocabulary of Faith" by Kathleen Norris. Contact: Lois Smith Martin smithmartin224@verizon.net 781-270-0304.
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Women's Retreat: Rock Paper Scissors
Interested in getting to know other women in the congregation? Desiring a space to relax and have fun? Seeking an opportunity to go deeper on your spiritual journey?
Come and give it a try!
The 7th Annual Women's Retreat
Friday, May 3rd - Saturday, May 4th 2013
Essex Conference & Retreat Center in Essex, MA
All women, all ages, are invited to an overnight retreat at the Essex Conference & Retreat Center. This natural oasis is nestled in the shade of the north shore and offers structured and unstructured time to the important work of tending to your soul. Whatever nourishes you whether solitary walks, deep conversations, the company of nature, a dip in the hot tub, reading, or writing, this is the space to learn and grow and try something new.
Visit our website for more information!
To learn more and receive registration information email Pam Cochrane at pam.cochrane@hancockchurch.org or stop in the church office. Seminarians Pam Cochrane and Becca Lockwood will be leading this year's retreat.
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Interfaith Garden
ready to open for 4th Season! Want to be part of this rewarding project?
The Interfaith Garden is set to open in the next week, starting with clearing the debris of winter and prepping the soil so fresh produce can be grown and donated to the Lexington Food Pantry. Last year 1,637 pounds of vegetables and herbs were delivered, all accomplished with volunteer labor from 13 supporting congregations of faith and friends from the local community. Hancock regularly sends a few people over to work at the garden with other volunteers, located in the back yard of a home on the Lexington Green. We are scheduled for:
Sat 4/6/13 9 to 10:30am Sat 4/27/13 9 to 10:30am Sat 5/25/13 8:30 to 10am If you or anyone you know are interested in more information or want to sign up to work any of those days, contact Amy Swanson amy.swanson@rcn.com . More information available at http://interfaithgarden.org/ Read the first Garden Report from Opening day on March 30th Here |
Hurricane Sandy Relief Effort
Eleven Hancock members will travel to Atlantic City, NJ to rehab houses damaged by Hurricane Sandy for 20 families, primarily seniors on fixed incomes and disabled residents, with the Fuller Center for Housing's Covenant Partner in Tabernacle, NJ. FCH has been working hard this last 5 months to remediate the homes by removing everything that was touched by salt water or sand that could become moldy. Their FCH Legacy Build beginning April 29 will bring hundreds of volunteers from around the country, including us, to renovate these homes so their families can finally move back in.
Neil Brown, president of the FCH NJ Pines, estimates that each house will require on average $12-15 thousand dollars in construction materials to bring them back to livable condition. That doesn't count any labor costs. Volunteers can do much of the work, but pros will be needed to do the electrical and plumbing work. FEMA and/or insurance covers only a very small percentage, if any, of this for most home owners.
The Fuller Center has been raising funds for this Legacy Build since November, but much more money is still needed. They have faith that the money will be found. The Hancock contingent would like to help by raising $30,000 to rehab the two houses on which we will be working. Your Easter donation of any size will bring warmth and comfort to these displaced families and will be a tangible reminder that the Risen Christ is still at work in our world today.
How can you give?
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Make a check out to Hancock Church and put FCH-NJPines on the memo line. Put it in the offering plate, drop it by the church office, or mail it to the church.
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Go to hancockchurch.org and click on GIVE to make an online donation to the Fuller Center for Housing, NJ Pines.
For questions, contact Cheryl Kraley at cheryl@kraley.com or Paul DiGiammarino at paul.digiammarino@gmail.com .
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LAST CHANCE TO SIGN UP FOR PANAMA TRIP!!
THE TRIP: Travel to Tranquilla, Panama - a rural community in the highlands - to work with local families on sustainable farming and reforestation projects. Local farmers will be our teachers, and together, we'll work, reflect, relax, and build deep and lasting bonds. Participants will stay with host families while in the community, and the trip will end with a relaxing stay at on the coast of Panama. OPEN TO ALL AGES: It is scheduled for the first week of July so that students and families with students will be able to participate. WHEN: July 2 -10, 2013. There is some flexibility in the dates, which can be modified slightly to meet the needs of trip participants. PURPOSE: To support Sustainable Harvest International in its mission to provide farming families in Central America with training and tools to overcome poverty while restoring our planet's tropical forests. WORK PROJECTS: Planting vegetable gardens, building tree nurseries, building wood-conserving stoves, planting trees, implementing erosion control measures, building rice patty and fish pond systems. COST: Trip fee is $1500 (excluding air fare). A deposit of $500 is due on April 1, 2013. REGISTER: The trip is organized by Smaller World Trips, a program of Sustainable Harvest International. To register or get more information about the trip, please contact one of the following Hancock Church coordinators: Charlotte Dougherty, charlottepdougherty@gmail.com, 781.863.8018
Alex Will, alex@hancockchurch.org, 781.862.4200 |
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