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Morning Worship | Sundays at 10 a.m.
 Photo by Paul Topalian
December 22nd
Last Sunday of Advent
Special Music by Hancock Carillon
Dana Allen Walsh preaches
Matthew 1:18-25
2:00 pm Hancock Holiday Bells Concert!
December 29th
Nancy Rottman preaches
Psalm 148
January 5th
Cantata Sunday
Communion
Paul Shupe preaches
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Watch Sermons Online or Order DVD
To watch past sermons on our website, click here. You can also order a DVD of any of our services or handbells concerts by filling out a DVD REQUEST FORM (PDF). Enjoy watching!
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Worship @the Well | Sundays 6:15 p.m.
 Worship @the Well takes place every Sunday evening at 6:15 p.m. in Clark Hall.
December 22nd
Celtic Christmas
Special guests Matt and Shannon Heaton
Alex Shea Will preaches
December 29th
No Worship @the Well
January 5th
Jazz Epiphany
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Hancock Children and Youth Blog
Read the latest news about our Children and Youth programs on our BLOG. |
Children's Program in December  December 8th Manger Sunday
All Children and Youth join in worship this second Sunday of Advent. Christmas Fair follows in Clark Hall. Visit the Heifer Table to purchase gifts that
will change lives around the world!
December 15th and 22nd
Children head to the Learning Centers to share the nativity story from the Gospel of Luke.
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Junior Youth Organization
JYO is a Youth Group for middle school aged kids. They meet every Sunday at 10:20 a.m.
December 8th
Stay in worship for Manger Sunday
December 15th
Meet in Upper Room for Advent activities and next steps on the Change for Charlie project
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Wednesday December 18:
1:15 pm Consort in Kathie Stuart 7 pm Hancock Carillon in Bell Room 7 pm Standing Committee in Pearson
Thursday December 19:
6:00 pm Boy Scouts in Clark Hall, Kathie Stuart
7:30 pm HEAT in Pearson
7:30 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal in Chapel
Friday December 20:
9:30 pm Morning Glory Ringers in Bell Room
Saturday December 21:
8 am AA Women's Step Study in Chapel
9 am Bells Rehearsal in Sanctuary
10 am AA Meeting in Clark Hall
12 pm Poinsettia Set-Up
3 pm Plaster Brass Group in Kathie Stuart
Sunday December 22:
8:30 am Pastor's Class in Pearson
8:30 am Chancel Choir Rehearsal in
Sanctuary and Chapel
9 am Jr Handbell Choir in Kathie Stuart
9 am Marting To Glory in Bell Room
9:45 am Hymn Sing
10 am Morning Worship in Sanctuary
10:20 am Cihldren's Chapel
10:20 am JYO in Upper Room
11 am Fellowship Hour in Clark Hall
11:15 am Hancock Choristers in Rm 212
12 pm Bell Rehearsals in Sanctuary
2 pm Holiday Bells Concert!
3 pm Christmas Caroling - Meet in Dining Room
5 pm River Rock Rehearsal in Clark Hall
6:15 pm Celtic Christmas! Worship @the Well in Clark Hall
7:15 pm Rehearsal with Mark Morgan
Monday December 23:
9:30 am Projects with Purpose in Bell Room
1:30 pm Skyloom
Tuesday December 24:
8 am Christmas Eve Worship Prep
5 pm Christmas Service in Sanctuary
8 pm Christmas Service in Sanctuary
11 pm Christmas Service in Sanctuary
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View our online calendar to see more. (We recommend the "agenda" view.)
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Save the Dates
There's always a lot going on during the Holidays, so be sure to put these dates on your calendar!
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Holiday Hancock Bells Concert
Celtic Christmas (Worship @the Well)
Sunday, December 29, 2013
No Worship @the Well tonight
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Christmas Eve Services at 5pm, 8pm, and 11pm
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Cantata Sunday at morning worship
UNhanging of the greens
HYG Auction 2014 Planning Meeting
Epiphany Jazz Worship (Worship @the Well)
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Annual Meeting
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Progressive Dinner
Parish Life Committee
Sunday, March 30th, 2014 HYG Auction in Clark Hall after morning worship |
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Progressive Dinner
Progressive Dinner on February 1st--with a snow date of February 8th, 2014.
We need hosts for the appetizer and main dish portion of the dinner. If you'd like to host 8-10 guests in your home, please contact Loretta Porter at (781) 862-4408 or email lorettaporter@comcast.net.
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Submit a piece for the Hancock Weekly
The Hancock Weekly is distributed every Wednesday morning. All submissions are due the Tuesday prior at 3 p.m. Submissions should include: Title, Copy text, Contact information, Image as an attachment. Please send them to Jane Park: office@hancockchurch.org.
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Church Offices Closed Dec 25-Jan 1
The Church Offices will be closed from December 25th to January 1st. Our offices will reopen at regular hours on January 2nd.
During that time, the Hancock Weekly Email will be delivered on Thursdays, December 26th and January 2nd. The deadlines for those dates will be the Wednesday prior at 3 p.m. Thank you!
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Give a Sign of God's
(and Hancock's) Love in 2014
 Every Sunday, the beautiful flowers that adorn the chancel, pulpit and lectern are given in memory of a person loved by a member of our congregation. After we are blessed with their beauty, one person volunteers to make a few small bouquets for delivery to our members who could use a small sign of love. No special skills or words are required, just an open heart and a small amount of your time. If you'd like to volunteer, please head over to this spreadsheet (google doc) and pick an open date. Alex will be in contact the week prior to your visit to confirm your availability. If your plans change, that's okay too! Feel free to take a chance and sign up. If you have any questions, please let Congregational Care Coordinator Alex Shea Will know. Thank you! In Hope, Alex Shea Will |
December food of the month:
15-16oz cans of hash, chili, stew
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Holiday Handbell Concert Dec 22, 2pm
Hancock's Bell Choirs present "Music of the British Commonwealth" with pieces from England, Ireland, Scotland, the British West Indies, and New Zealand played on 5 octaves of handbells and six octaves of chimes by our four handbell choirs.
Ringers of all ages will present pieces such as Greensleeves, God Rest you Merry Gentlemen, Coventry Carol, Wexford Carol, and more holiday favorites. Join us to experience the magic sound and visual sparkle of the bells which are sure to lift your spirits. Admission is free. This concert will also be cablecast LIVE through LexMedia. Repeat broadcasts can also be seen at the following times: Tuesday, December 24 at 9:30 p.m. (in between our services) Wednesday, December 25 at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, December 28 at 10:00 p.m. |
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Celebrate a Celtic Christmas!
Worship @the Well in Clark Hall, Music Starts at 6 pm
 The sound of Irish flute, pennywhistle, guitar, bouzouki, and great voices will fill the night as Hancock Church celebrates a Celtic Christmas. On December 22nd at 6:00 p.m. in Clark Hall, internationally recognized Celtic musicians Matt and Shannon Heaton will join Worship @the Well's resident ensemble, the River Rock Band, for an evening of traditional carols in true Celtic style.
Boston-based Matt and Shannon Heaton have an inventive approach to traditional tunes and ballads. The Boston Herald lauds them on their "majestic excellence", and they are winners of Live Ireland's "Trad Fusion Album of the Year." To hear a recording of them singing in last year's Celtic Christmas go HERE.
The River Rock Band is led by Hancock's Director of Music, Mark Morgan, and features a rotating ensemble of professional and talented amateur players who play music from around the world and across the centuries in worship each week.
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Christmas Eve Services
Christmas services will take place at 5 pm, 8pm, and 11 pm.
Please note: We expect a large attendance for the 5 pm service, so please be sure to hang your coats and huddle together!
Our Christmas Eve Services will also be LIVE CAST through LexMedia! The full schedule is as follows:
 Tuesday, December 24
LIVE CAST
5 pm Christmas Service
8 pm Christmas Service
9:30 pm Holiday Bells Concert repeat!
11 pm Christmas Service
Wednesday, December 25
9:30 pm Holiday Bells Concert repeat
Saturday, December 28
10 pm Holiday Bells Concert repeat |
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Hancock is Giving with Delight!
Join us in celebration as we bear witness to our congregation's commitment to do God's work here at Hancock Church. We are delighted to report that as of December 15th, $688,366 has been pledged to support church ministries in 2014. The average pledge amount is $4,102 and we thank the 168 individuals and families who have stepped forward to support Worship, Education, Fellowship and Outreach next year.
To view the latest graphs of total giving to date, please visit our website.
Merry Christmas,
The Stewardship Team
Bess Deck, Robin DiGiammarino, Skip Irving, Manuel Navia
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Still Gift Shopping?
Head to the Kathie Stuart Room after Morning Worship
So far we've raised $4,700 for Heifer International, making us very close to our goal of $5,000! If you're still looking for gifts this last Sunday of Advent, look for the Children's Heifer display outside the Kathie Stuart room. They'll be there after morning worship to help you choose a cow, chicken, duck, or other animal!
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Pam Cochrane at pam.cochrane@hancockchurch.org. |
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Come Sing for Christmas Eve!
Singers in all parts are encouraged to join the choir in singing for our 8:00 p.m. Christmas Eve service.
Rehearsals are on Thursday the 12th and 19th from 8:45 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the chapel. All singers middle school age and older are invited. Need not be church members--invite your friends and neighbors! For more information, contact Mark Morgan, Director of Music at mark@hancockchurch.org. |
Last Chance To Tell Us
Your Favorite Hymns!
Our hymn survey is about to close! We've had a great response, but would still like to hear from as many people as possible. Survey is and takes only a few minutes. Help us choose the new hymnal for the next several decades of worship at Hancock!
Just click on this LINK. If you would like to fill out a hard copy, they are available in the church office.
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Pledge Envelopes for 2014
The 2014 pledge envelopes are available for pick-up in the Narthex. There is also a sign-up sheet for anyone who would like envelopes but did not request them. If there are any questions, please contact Kim Gladstone, Financial Administrator at kim@hancockchurch.org. Thank you! |
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Hancock Endowment Matters...
[This is the third in a series of communications about Hancock's Endowment, its uses, and the many ways which gifts can be made.]
DID YOU KNOW? ...
Gifts made to Hancock's Endowment Funds can be specified by the donor to be used either for the general purposes of the church, or to support specified aspects of our program. Hancock's largest endowment fund is our General Endowment, which continues to be augmented by memorial gifts, bequests, and individual gifts.
Other endowment funds target particular needs, like a gift made by the Kraley family that supports the church's music program. Another gift made by the Wadsworth family benefits Hancock's educational and scholarship needs.
Gifts to the General Endowment are made without purpose restrictions, allowing Standing Committee to apply those funds towards critical needs of the church. As such, they afford us the greatest flexibility in allocating our resources. All endowment gifts, whether for general or specified purposes, are highly valued and important to the church's future.
We will profile examples of both types in upcoming articles in this newsletter.
If you are interested in learning more about Hancock's Endowment or are interested in learning more about giving to the Endowment, please contact Brad Crooke of the Endowment Committee at (781) 862-4830 or bcrookie@comcast.net. |
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Paul Shupe vs. Pam Cochrane
Sometimes a little silliness helps the work day go by faster! Here's a short video displaying some healthy competition between Pam Cochrane and Paul Shupe. Paul assembled a "gloat-able" 25 candles in one minute! Can Pam break his record? Click the LINK to find out! (YOUTUBE)
 | | Dan, Paul and Pam prepare for some healthy competition. |
We need to assemble 1,000 candles for the upcoming Christmas Eve services, so if you'd like to help out, we welcome people to come to the library on Friday, between 10am-12pm. Thanks! |
Charitable Contributions and Tax Breaks
A note from Tom Ransohoff
Earlier this year Hancock received a note from Renee Liabraaten regarding IRA transfers that may be of interest for those who are 70-1/2 and over and who are considering donations to Hancock or other charitable organizations in 2013.
The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (the "Act") extended the ability for IRA owners to make qualified charitable distributions (QCDs). The Act extended for 2012 and 2013 the ability for IRA owners age 70-1/2 or older to make tax-free gifts of up to $100,000, including the required minimum distribution (RMD) amount, from their IRAs directly to a qualified charity. Unlike 2012 QCDs, which could still be made in January 2013 under the Act, 2013 QCDs must be made by the end of this calendar year.
Although IRA owners will not receive a tax deduction for the charitable gift, they pay no tax on the amount gifted from the IRA to the charity. This provision has been popular because it can satisfy the IRA's RMD without a tax consequence to the IRA owner. Anyone taking advantage of this opportunity should consult with their tax advisor about tax reporting for the QCDs.
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Hancock Bells Play for Somerville Home
A small group of six ringers took a trip to the Somerville Home last Wednesday for a special performance at the assisted living facility. Says Marilyn Becker, they played to "the best audience of 25-30", and they were "very appreciative."
One of the highlights of the performance was a special rendition of "White Christmas" with Scott Martin as Bing Crosby. Thank you to the Handbell Choir for sharing the gift of music this Advent Season!
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Special Thanks for Poinsettias Set-Up
On behalf of the Congregational Care Committee, please join me (Alex Shea Will) in thanking those who worked so hard to help beautify our sanctuary with lovely poinsettias.
George Whiteside and Carolyn Aitken took time out of their days to unpack the flowers and prepare them for placement, while Shirley Hamblen used her keen eye to decorate.
A special thank you to Mary-Beth Whiteside who coordinated both everything and helped Shirley decorate. If you love how beautiful our sanctuary is this time of year, please be sure to thank them!
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Thank you for Giving to Hancock
Stock Donations and Year-end Logistics
Thank you 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 19th 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. Should you have any questions, Kim Gladstone, Financial Administrator, can be reached at 781-862-4220 or at financial.administyrator@hancockchurch.org. Thank you! |
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A big thank you goes out to Steve Cooper for all his hard work organizing our annual Caroling event. Almost 50 people of all ages came and canvassed all over Lexington (and Bedford, and Woburn!) to visit our members and friends who might enjoy a visit and a song. Thank you, Steve, and everyone who came out for this wonderful gift of congregational care!
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