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

Hancock
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In This Issue
Save the Dates
Notes/Reminders
Concerts
Announcements
Fellowship
Community Service and Activism
In Memorium
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! 
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.

February 2nd
All Age Event in Clark Hall
An Epiphany of Love
Sharing messages of love and peace kids are invited to create valentine cards and care packages for friends and family and our church community.

Feb 9, 16, 23rd
Children will continue their storytelling of Jesus' teachings through parables. Come join the circle!

Junior Youth Organization
Every Sunday at 10:20 a.m.

February 2nd
JYO Sandwich Making for the Outdoor Church & Communion

Feb 9, 15, 23rd
Youth will continue their discussion on the gifts we bring to our community of faith and explore the practice of mindfulness. 
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 31
Hancock Game Night

Feb 2
Annual Meeting

Feb 1
Progressive Dinner
Parish Life Committee

Feb 6
First Thursday Discussion Group

Feb 8
Volunteer at the Food Pantry

Feb 9
Reception of New Members
Lexington Interfaith Choral Festival

Feb 14-24
HYG in Kentucky

Mar 30

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.)

NOTES/REMINDERS  

Bereavement Group in Arlington
 
The Hospice program at the
Visiting Nurse and Community Health will be offering a winter eight week long Bereavement Support Group starting Sunday, Feb 2, 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM. 

The group will run for eight sessions and is open to any adult who has experienced the death of someone significant. The program will close to new participants after the second session.

 

There is no fee for this program and will be held at 37 Broadway, Arlington.

 

The Hospice team also offers a Drop in Bereavement Group that meets the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month from 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM.

For more schedule details, please contact Jane Park at (781) 862-4220 x202. For specific questions about the group sessions please contact Beth Loomis at 781.643.6090 x1344 
Submit a piece for the Hancock Weekly or Sunday Bulletin 
The Hancock Weekly Deadline is the Tuesday prior at 3pm.

The Sunday Bulletin Deadline is Wednesday afternoon.

Please include: Title, Copy text, Contact information, Image as an attachment. Please send them to Jane Park at office@hancockchurch.org.
IN WORSHIP
Morning Worship | Sundays at 10am
This week in morning worship: Scout Sunday and Communion. Our prelude and postlude will be provided by Dana Russian's Trumpet Ensemble, who will also accompany the Chancel Choir on Charpentier's joyful anthem Hymnus dicamus. We'll also introduce our new hymn of the month!

Paul Shupe preaches on MIcah 6:1-8. Eight hundred years before the birth of Jesus, the prophet Micah appeared distilled God's call to three tasks: to love kindness, to do justice, and to walk humbly with God. Read more.

Worship @the Well | Sundays at 6:15pm
This week's Worship @the Well: Do Justice, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly With Your God-Celebrating the Life & Work of Pete Seeger

We will lift up scripture from Micah at this special interactive service celebrating the life and legacy of Pete Seeger. Come join in the singing of his great songs like If I Had a Hammer and Turn Turn Turn while sharing your stories of justice, humility, and kindness. A great alternative to the Super Bowl-a joyous night of singing and sharing. Invite your friends!

The song of the week: "Bound for the Promised Land" an original tune by Mark Morgan!

CONCERTS

9th Annual Lexington Interfaith
Choral Festival
The 9th Annual Lexington Choral Festival will take place at St. Brigid Catholic Church at 2001 Mass. Ave. in Lexington. On February 9 at 3:00 pm, choirs from ten Christian and Jewish congregations will "transcend cultures and religious beliefs in a non-competitive and collaborative musical sharing." For more information, go to the facebook invite!

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

Annual Meeting Feb 2nd

All members are urged to attend the Annual Meeting on Sunday, February 2, at 11:00 AM in the sanctuary immediately following the service. The warrant is in the mail. 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 produced by HYG alumni. Come and see what is taking place behind those plywood partitions.
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!
Lost & Found will be donated January 31st
Have you lost a pair of glasses or your car keys? If so, please give us a call at (781) 862-4220.

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. The Lost & Found is located under the table at the entrance to the Dining Room. Thank you!
Choristers Returns Feb 2nd
All kids in grades 1-5 are invited!
Our children's choir, the Hancock Choristers will begin rehearsals on Sunday, February 2nd at 11:15 in Room 212. This session will run until Sunday April 6th, when they will share their music with us in church. The group is open to all kids in grades 1-5 and is a great place to learn about music, singing, our church music traditions, and to have fun! The choir is directed by Mark Morgan and accompanied by Marilyn Becker. New members are always welcome!
First Thursday Discussion Group
Do you ever wonder if prayer holds power?  Can prayer change circumstances and situations? Read more here.

We will focus on Dr. Marjorie Hewitt Suchocki's book, In God's Presence - Theological Reflections on Prayer. The group will meet February 6, March 6, and April 3 at 10 am in the Pearson Room. If you would like your book ordered for $14.39, please send an email to smithmartin224@verizon.net today.
New Members Join the Church Feb 9th
 
The church will be celebrating new membership for several families on Sunday February 9th. If this is the right time for you to join the church, or you would like more information on membership contact Rev. Paul Shupe in the church office, Membership Committee chair Al Bukys at membership@HancockChurch.org or call the office at 781-862-4220 by Monday February 1st.
Thank you for giving

"Thank you for financially supporting our church, so we can do God's work. To those who wonder if you should submit a pledge: The answer is Yes..."
Read the latest Stewardship Update and view graphs here.
New Student Minister Program at Hancock
 

Paul is pleased to announce the beginning of the Student Minister Program at Hancock... Eventually, all our part-time program staff positions will be filled with Student Ministers. Details can be found here.

 

Paul welcomes your comments, concerns or questions: paul@hancockchurch.org.

We Are Saving You a Seat!
Please Save the Date!

 

Be A Hero and Donate an Item!
The most important component needed for a successful auction is YOU! For more details and a full list of donation suggestions, please go to our website. 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.

In Case You Missed It...
After completing five years of service to Hancock, our Senior Minister Paul Shupe will be taking a sabbatical leave to rest and to prepare for the next period of his ministry with us. Read here to learn more about his plans, and ministry at Hancock while he is away.

FELLOWSHIP

Hancock Game Night

On Friday, January 31, bring your favorite games, bring your family, and bring your friends, because we are having another game night at Hancock! We welcome and encourage everyone to join us. The fun starts at 6 pm in Clark Hall. Contact Scott at isb.scooter@gmail.com or (509) 710-5371 for more information. 
Progressive Dinner
Progressive Dinner is fast approaching. Held on Saturday Feb 1st with a snow date of Saturday Feb 8th.  Read more here. 

Please contact Beth Schutt at Beth.Schutt@gmail.com or (781) 862-8109. 

 COMMUNITY SERVICE AND ACTIVISM  

HEAT: Solarize Your Rooftop

Mark Sandeen, in an email to the Hancock Environmental Action Team, notes that "The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported Tuesday that 2013 was tied with 2003 as the fourth-warmest year since records began in 1880.

I know that we are all concerned about what we can do to minimize our impact on the environment. One of the things that we can do is to rely more on renewable energy such as wind and solar and less on fossil fuels that produce greenhouse gases...
Solar 101
Wednesday, January 29, 2014, 7-9 PM
Cary Memorial Building, Battin Hall
1625 Mass. Ave.   
Solar Energy experts from the Mass Clean Energy Center will present Solar 101, an educational session providing an overview of how solar electric systems work, an explanation on how Federal and State incentives can save you money, and how you can go solar with the new community based "Solarize Lexington-Bedford Program."   
Interfaith Meeting on Jan 29th to Help Homeless Families in Lexington
There will be a meeting on Wednesday, January 29th at 7:00pm at the Church of Our Redeemer, 6 Meriam Street, in the lower level Parish Hall to talk about how our interfaith community can aid the 40 transitional families housed in the Quality Inn in Lexington. Town leaders have asked the faith communities to help with hot meals, food drops, and activities for children. This will be a planning meeting to put these ideas into action. All are welcome to attend! Come join the Hancock team and find out how we can help.
Calling all carpenters and carpenter helpers!
 

There are two events for volunteers to make a big difference in the life of a family by building a home for them with either the Fuller Center for Housing or Habitat for Humanity. Hancock will be sending representatives to both events. Volunteers of all skill levels are welcome and no experience is required. Teens 16 years and older are welcome when accompanied by an adult. This is your chance to experience the joy of working with volunteers from around the country to address the issue of homelessness and substandard housing.

 

The first build is in Louisville, KY 4/5-11, 2014. (www.fullercenter.org/louisvillekentucky)  

The second is in Fort Wayne, IN 6/19-27, 2014.

If you are interested in learning more about the details of the two builds or to hear about the inspirational experiences of Hancock volunteers from previous builds, come to an informational meeting on Tues, 2/4 from 7-8 pm in the bell room. We will be making preliminary trip plans for housing, meals, and transportation. Questions-Cheryl Kraley at cheryl@kraley.com or 781-862-2209.
Help wanted for flower deliveries
Brighten someone's day with a flower delivery! Contact Alex Shea Will (care.coordinator@hancockchurch.org) if you'd like to make a visit after morning worship.
Lexington Food Pantry
February is jars of Peanut Butter
 

The Lexington Food Pantry could really use jars of peanut butter this month. Donation containers are located all around the church. Hancock has a long history of supporting the Pantry with food donations, monetary assistance and the most important: volunteers.  

 

This month we are helping on Saturday, February 8 at 8:45am. If you would like to distribute food at the pantry, please contact Scott Griffith at isb.scooter@gmail.com or 509-710-5371.

IN MEMORIUM 

Bonnie Meek Memorial Service Video
For those of you who were unable to attend Bonnie Meek's Memorial Service, we will show a video of it after morning worship on February 9th in the Pearson Room at 11:30 a.m. 
HANCOCK UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST | 1912 MASS AVE | LEXINGTON, MA 02421
(781) 862-4220 | hancockchurch.org