Hancock United Church of Christ, Congregational
1912 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington MA 02421 | www.hancockchurch.org

Hancock

Weekly

In This Issue

Service Opportunities

In Memorium

Morning Worship Sundays at 10 a.m.

January 12th
Hymn Sing at 9:45 a.m.
Special Music from LHS Madrigal group

Paul Shupe preaches

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!

Worship @the Well Sundays 6:15 p.m.

in Clark Hall.

Hancock Children and Youth Blog

Read the latest news about our Children and Youth programs on our BLOG.

Children's Program
Every Sunday at 10:20 a.m.

Sunday, January 5th

Cantata Sunday and All Ages Epiphany Event in Clark Hall celebrating the arrival of the three kings.

January 12, 19, & 26th

Children explore Jesus, the Storyteller exploring Jesus' teachings through the parables from the Gospel of Matthew.

Junior Youth Organization

Every Sunday at 10:20 a.m.

January 5th

JYO Sandwich Making for the Outdoor Church in the Kathie Stuart Room

January 12, 19, & 26th

Youth will encounter the Season of Epiphany and celebrate the gifts we each bring to our ministry at Hancock.

Hancock Youth Group

Every Sunday at 7 p.m.

Youth in grade 9 also have the option of taking

confirmation class at 5 pm on Sundays. For youth in grades 7-8, we also offer an

Our Whole Lives sexual health class which meets at 7 pm on Sundays.

Save the dates

Jan 12, 2014
Bells Open Rehearsal
Hymn Sing
20/30/40-somethings Brunch
Newcomer's Dinner

Jan 13, 2014
Dana's Starbucks Hours

Jan 17, 2014
Bells Open Rehearsal

Jan 18, 2014
Bonnie Meek Memorial Service

Jan 19, 2014
Bob Naka Memorial Service

Jan 23, 2014
HYG Kentucky Deadline

Jan 24, 2014
Bells Open Rehearsal

Jan 25, 2014
Bay Colony Brass

Jan 27, 2014
Bells Open Rehearsal
Dana's Starbucks Hours

Feb 2, 2014
Annual Meeting

Feb 1, 2014

Progressive Dinner
Parish Life Committee

Mar 30, 2014

HYG Auction in Clark Hall after morning worship

To see all weekly activities and locations, please view our online calendar.
(We recommend the "agenda" view.)

REMINDERS

Building Update

Here are some great photos of the construction project by Paul Topalian. To see more, click here.

New wires being installed at lower level.

Elevator hoistway.

Lost & Found will be donated January 31st

Please check the lost and found before the end of January. At the end of the month, we will donate all winter items, and throw away items that are not re-usable. Thank you!

Adult CE Meeting

The next meeting of the Adult Christian Education Committee is on Tuesday, January 14 at 7:00 p.m. We will meet at my home, 51 Wachusett Drive, Lexington. -Sandra Shaw

Pick Up Your 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!

Submit a piece for the Hancock Weekly

Submissions should include: Title, Copy text, Contact information, Image as an attachment. Please send them to Jane Park at office@hancockchurch.org.

SPOTLIGHT

Senior Minister Sabbatical Leave

As he nears completion of his first five years of service as our Senior Minister, the dates have been set for Paul's first sabbatical leave. He will be away from April 21-August 17 for rest, study and preparation for the year to come. A full description of his plans can be found here.

Jan 12th: 20/30/40-somethings brunch

Come enjoy some french toast and scrambled eggs on January 12th! After church, we'll head to Vinebrook Tavern in Lexington Center for some brunch and conversation. Bring your kids - there will be a kids table with paid adult supervision. If you are in your 20s, 30s, or 40s, this is a great opportunity to laugh, talk, and get to know one another. All are welcome. RSVP to Dana (dana@hancockchurch.org) if you plan to come.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Stewardship Update!

stewardship2013

As of Sunday, January 5th, 181 Hancock members and friends have pledged $703,686 dollars to support programs and ministries in the coming year, which represents 93% of our stewardship goal for 2014. We thank all of you, especially the 19 individuals and families making a pledge for the first time.

There is still time to add your pledge to financially support Hancock ministries in 2014. Every gift, no matter the size, is gratefully received. We want all Hancock members to feel they are part of the "Delight in Giving" stewardship campaign, regardless of circumstance. Last year we received to 241 pledges compared to 181 as of this writing. We will reach out those families who have yet to pledge this year.

To add your pledge to the "Delight In Giving" annual stewardship campaign, contact Kim Gladstone, Finance Administrator, by phone: 781-862-4220 or by sending Kim a confidential email: financial.administrator@hancockchurch.org.

The 2014 Stewardship Team

Bess Deck, Robin DiGiammarino, Skip Irving, Manuel Navia

Note from Yvette Kirby
Annual Meeting Moved to Sunday, Feb 2nd

The church by-laws specify that Annual Meeting is to be held on the Sunday following the 4th Tuesday of January, which this year falls on Feb. 2, not Jan. 26 as previously announced. The reason for this is to allow adequate time to finalize the budget after the Standing Committee meeting on the 3rd Tuesday, Jan. 21.

I had not read the fine print of the by-laws on this, and apologize for the oversight and the change in schedule. All members are encouraged to attend. In addition to the congregational vote on the 2014 budget, there will be detailed updates on the construction and a behind-the-construction-scenes video.

Yvette Kirby, Moderator

We Are Saving You a Seat!
Please Save the Date!
Support HYG by attending the Auction March 30th

It's time again to support our Hancock Youth Group as they prepare for another mission trip to Kentucky to support H.O.M.E.S. Inc, a non-profit organization dedicated to the ministry of providing affordable housing to low-income families in southeastern Kentucky. Please join us for a fundraiser auction on Sunday, March 30th, immediately following the service, in Clark Hall. All are welcome. Please invite friends, family, and neighbors, too! Be sure to save the date - more details coming soon!

Be A Hero and Donate an Item!

The most important component needed for a successful auction is YOU! We need your help in obtaining items to sell at the auction. Below is a list of suggested donations such as goods and services, gift certificates and new items. In the past, HOT

sellers have been vacation homes and professional sports tickets so donations of these items are greatly appreciated! Be creative! Encourage family members or friends to help out, too!

Donation Suggestions:

Tickets to sporting events

Tickets to theatre events

Vacation homes

Certificate for salon services

Certificate for professional services

Hand-made items

Dining certificates

Themed baskets

One of a kind items

The event will include a silent and live auction, wine raffle, and baked and lunch items for sale.

Do you have great ideas for the auction? Do you have a suggestion for how we could make it better? We want to hear from you!

Please contact Susan Navia, navia@rcn.com or Lori Bliss Tambone at Ltambone@tambone if you have an item to donate or if you have questions or suggestions.

Progressive Dinner

Progressive Dinner is fast approaching. Held on Saturday Feb 1st with a snow date of Saturday Feb 8th. We need people to open their homes to host the appetizer and main course. The guests from the church assigned to you will bring food for appetizer or main course. You choose the menu and what you would like people to bring. Also guests will bring beverages.

For dessert everyone will join together at one house for coffee, tea and dessert supplied by Parish Life Committee. The fun starts at 6:30 p.m. Host offers and reservations to attend can be made with Loretta A. Porter 781-862-4408 lorettaporter@comcast.net

until Sunday January 12th. Loretta is having a knee replaced on the 14th.

After the 12th please contact Beth Schutt at Beth.Schutt@gmail.com or (781) 862-8109. Deadline for reservations is January 26th.

MUSIC & FELLOWSHIP

Lift Your Voice and Sing!

Hymn Sing this Sunday!

We continue our process of finding a new hymnal to use in worship with a Hymn Sing this Sunday! Come early for worship and start the morning with song at 9:45 am. We will have a Hymn Sing every month. There will be time to sing your old favorites and to learn some of the new ones that are out there.

You're Invited to Dinner!
Newcomer's Dinner, Jan 12th at 4:45 pm

On Sunday, January 12th the "Hancock Church Newcomer's Dinner" offers an opportunity to meet others new to the church and also longer-time members. The dinner will be held at the home of Kim Zanin, 72 Waltham St., Lexington from 4:45 to 6pm.

Our minister Paul Shupe will give a brief presentation about the church's history and mission, and membership. This is a casual event, and whether you've been coming to Hancock for weeks, months, or years, we hope you can join us for this dinner. You can ask all the questions you may have about Hancock! We will have childcare help and an activity for the kids. If you attended a previous dinner, we would love to have you back. We will finish in time to attend Worship @the Well service for those who are interested.

RSVP to welcoming@hancockchurch.org, or contact Al Bukys at bukys674@gmail.com or (781) 674-0339. Please RSVP, but if you decide at the last minute to come, it's okay!

Invitation to Join a Bell Choir

The handbell choirs are beginning new music for Lent, Palm Sunday, and Bell Sunday in June. If you saw the bells at Christmas and wished that you were able to ring, come to a rehearsal and try ringing a bell. It is a great way to make friends and music at the same time! You don't have to play in performance if that is too scary. Just come to enjoy the experience. Questions- handbells@hancockchurch.org for Marilyn Becker or Cheryl Kraley

Open Rehearsals for Sundays, January 12 and 26th, 9 a.m.

Junior Handbell Choir is for 3rd and 4th grade ringers and older ringers who don't read music yet.

Marting to Glory is for 5th grade ringers, who ready music, up to and including adults.

Open Rehearsals for Fridays, January 17 and 24th, 9:30 a.m.

Morning Glory Ringers is for adults of all abilities.

Starbucks Office Hours are BACK!

Take a moment to warm up and relax with a fancy coffee at Dana's Starbucks Office Hours! And if you're running errands in Lexington Center, stop by to say hello! Dana will be there on Mondays, January 13 & 27 from 1-3 p.m.

MUSIC CONCERTS

Bay Colony Brass
Saturday, Jan 25th at 7:30 p.m.

The Bay Colony Brass ensemble with new music director Channing Yu present a program of brass music including arrangements of Brahms' Variations on a Theme by Haydn and Gershwin's An American in Paris.

For more information visit www.baycolonybrass.org Free.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

Letter of thanks from Janet Woit

Dear All,

Thank you so much from me and the Congregational Care Team for your help in delivering plants this Christmas. Despite mother nature, over 70 plants were delivered to our seniors and others this year! This may seem like a small gesture, but it means so much to all who receive. Often this is one of the only times during the year some receive a visit from Hancock so you can imagine how they like to know they are remembered. I hope this experience has meant something to you, too.

If you have any stories to share or information about someone you delivered to that the church should be aware of, please email Alex Will so we can follow up as needed.

Thanks, once again,

Janet Woit

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

IN MEMORIUM

Dear Friends,

Bonnie Meek, beloved church member and wife of former Senior Minister Peter Meek died in her sleep as the new year was beginning. Her passing was peaceful. She will long be remembered for her bright spirit, kind ways, and great courage in the face of lingering illness. A memorial service will be held at Hancock on

January 18 at 2 p.m. In the meantime, please join Dana and me in remembering Peter and their daughter Amy in your prayers.

Grace and Peace,

Paul and Dana

If you would like to to send a letter to Peter or Amy, you may mail it here: 31 Potter Pond, Lexington, MA 02421-8233

We extend our sympathy to the family and friends of longtime Hancock member Bob Naka, who died just before Christmas. A memorial service will be held at Hancock on Sunday, January 19th, 2:00 pm.

Fred Shaw, also a longtime Hancock member, passed away on January 1st. Three generations of his family are active here, including two grandchildren in the Confirmation class. We pray for them and especially for Fred's wife Bonnie. A memorial service was held for him on January 7th at Douglass Funeral Home.

HANCOCK UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST | 1912 MASS AVE | LEXINGTON, MA 02421
(781) 862-4220 | hancockchurch.org