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

Hancock
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Pastoral Care
In case you are in need of immediate pastoral care, while our offices are closed, please dial: (929) 500-1912. 
Submission Guidelines

The Hancock Weekly is distributed every Wednesday, around noon. The submission deadline is that same Wednesday at 9am. Please send them to Jane Park, jane@hancockchurch.org.


Submissions for the Sunday Bulletin are due the Wednesday prior, as well. Submissions to the Sunday Bulletin should be sent to office.assistant@hancockchurch.org.

Please include: Title, Copy text (if it's over 100 words, the rest will be linked to the website), Contact information, and Image as an attachment. 
Watch From Home

Thanks to our TV Ministry, you can watch our morning services at home, purchase a DVD, or watch all of our sermons on Youtube!
February Children's Program 
Every Sunday at 10:20 a.m.
 
February 1st
All Age Event in Clark Hall
Baptized into Faith & Love
A special program and Valentine making workshop. Parent volunteers are needed! Email Pam Cochrane at pam.cochrane@hancockchurch.org if you'd like to help!

Childcare is provided for children age three and younger in the Infant/Toddler Room. Parents may pick up children after worship in Clark Hall or the Infant/Toddler Room.  Extended care and activities for children will be provided Feb 1st during the Annual meeting that follows worship.


February 8, 15, 22nd
Unit Theme for Chapel Time and Activity Centers: 
Walking With Jesus From the Jordan to Jerusalem


 

Each week we invite adults to join in the children's activities as project leaders and helpers. Look for the sign-up sheets in the CE Commons area or contact: 


 

CE Co-Chairs

Sarah Kuli, sarahkuli@comcast.net

Sarah Felton, sarah@manasas.com

or Pam Cochrane

pam.cochrane@hancockchurch.org


Childcare provided in the Infant/Toddler Room each Sunday morning beginning at 9am.
February JYO Program
Junior Youth Organization
Every Sunday at 10:20 a.m.

February 1st

Youth join in worship and make sandwiches for the Outdoor Church along with messages of care and love for the homeless men and women of Boston.


February 8th
Class activities in the Upper Room.

February 15 & 22nd
Vacation Week
JYO kids are invited to help with the Children's Program, sharing their sock drive for the Outdoor Church of Cambridge, and peace crane project for Dedication Sunday.

Hancock Youth Group (HYG)
Every Sunday at 7 p.m.

Confirmation Class is offered to Youth in 9th grade, 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. 
 
For more information contact Pamela Cochrane, Acting Minister of Faith Formation, pam@hancockchurch.org.

Save the dates  

Feb 18
Ash Wednesday

Feb 19
Thursday Discussion Group

Feb 21
Beverly Hilliard Memorial Service

Feb 23
Theology on Tap

Feb 27
Ruth Nablo Memorial Service

Feb 28
Betty Taylor Memorial Service

Mar 1
Reception of New Members
Forum on Homelessness

Mar 5
Thursday Discussion Group

Mar 8
Building Dedication!

Mar 13-14
Lenten Mini-Retreat

Mar 14
Mental Health Class
Progressive Dinner

Mar 15
A Joyful Noyse Concert

Mar 19
Thursday Discussion Group

Mar 22
Mental Health Class

Mar 28
Sascha - Student Exchange!
To see all weekly activities and locations, please view our online calendar. (We recommend the "agenda" view.)

Year-Round

Pastor's Class 
Sundays, 8:30am in Pearson
Our current focus is Bible Study, led by Paul Shupe. Each week we discuss the scripture to be used in that day's sermon. Participants are especially interested in getting the inside track on the message of each sermon before it happens.  
First and Third Thursday
Discussion Group
Meets at 10am
Next meetings: Feb. 19, Mar 5 & 19
Theology on Tap
Next meeting, Feb 23rd, 7:30pm 
This group is aimed towards adults age 21-35 and meets once per month at Orlean's in Davis Square. Contact Alex Shea Will for more information.
Lexington Food Pantry
If you have any questions, please contact Scott Griffith, isb.scooter@gmail.com or (509) 710-5371.
Visit Rosie's Place
If you are interested n volunteering to cook and serve a meal for the women of Rosie's Place, please contact LaurenBShifflett@gmail.com to help choose a Saturday or Sunday afternoon that will fit your schedule!
IN WORSHIP
Ash Wednesday, Feb 18th
Tonight, 7pm in CE Commons
ash wednesday art

For more than a thousand years, Christians have been setting aside forty days before Easter (not including Sundays) and calling it the season of Lent. It is viewed as a time for reflection on our faith, and for repentance and change from the habits and practices that separate us from God and from others. Embark with us on the journey of remembrance, as we revisit and retell the stories of Jesus' life and teachings. Pam Cochrane leads this service. 
Morning Worship
Sunday, Feb. 22 at 10 am
Paul Shupe preaches on Luke 24:13-49
First Sunday of Lent
Worship @the Well!
Sunday, Feb. 22 at 6:15pm in Clark Hall

You are invited to come at 6pm for light refreshments!

Pam Cochrane preaches on Mark 1:9-15

Out of the Wilderness into the World

 

This week, Worship @the Well welcomes you into the season of Lent with a contemplative service incorporating music, labyrinth walk, prayer and communion. All ages welcome as be begin our walk to Easter. Special music with Mark Morgan, Elke Jahns, flutes, and Jeanne Lucas, vocals. Walking mediation and music begin at 6pm, service begins at 6:15pm.

BUILDING DEDICATION 

Help Needed Mar. 8th
for Dedication Celebration!

On March 8 we will celebrate our renovated spaces with a progressive dedication throughout the building after the morning service and an open house. Food is an essential element!  We will offer "walkabout" soup, sandwiches, and cookies. Many hands are needed. If you can help in any of these ways, please let Carol Puschak know!
  • Make soup and bring to church on Sunday 3/8 (recipes provided)
  • Help assemble sandwiches on Saturday afternoon 3/7 or Sunday morning 3/8
  • Bake cookies or bars and bring to church on 3/8
Thank you!
Building Dedication Schedule of Events!
Our Official Building Dedication is March 8th, starting with morning worship at 10am! Following worship we will have a communal dedication where we'll form groups and walk through the building to bless and dedicate our new spaces! Then from 11:30am - 1:30pm, we'll host public open-house. We hope you'll stay to hear the Bay Colony Brass Concert at 2pm. 


Bay Colony Brass will help us Celebrate on Mar. 8th!

The evening celebration will begin at 5pm with a Congregational Potluck which will end in time for Worship @the Well Dedication Service at 6:15pm. HYG are invited to stay for Dessert Fellowship and Dedication of the Upper Room. 

State of Our Finances
During Annual Meeting, Amy Swanson gave a great Finance Report that was both frank and optimistic about the state of our finances at Hancock Church. If you were not able to attend Annual Meeting on Feb 1st, we encourage you to watch the video HERE, so that you are informed and up-to-date. As always, we are hopeful and excited for the rest of the program year, and for years to come!

EDUCATION AND FELLOWSHIP 

Sign-Up for Lenten Mini-Retreat!
Friday, Mar 13, 7-9pm
Saturday, Mar 14, 8am-2pm

Join Student Minister Nancy Rottman for a mini-retreat during Lent to learn more about the power of lament. During our time together we'll explore the history of lament within Christian spiritual practice, imagine the power of lament in addressing injustice and oppression in the world today, and practice writing, singing, and speaking lament individually and communally.

All are welcome and can be assured of a safe, accepting, and risk-free environment in which to share as little or as much of yourself as you are comfortable with. Friday evening dessert, Saturday morning coffee, and lunch provided.

Progressive Dinner, Mar 14th
Progressive Dinner This year's Progressive Dinner is on Saturday Mar 14 at 6:30 pm! Please consider hosting dinner at your home that evening. Around 8/8:30pm, everyone migrates to the dessert house, provided by Parish Life. This is a Parish Life event. We will be taking reservations soon. Please contact Carol Puschak, (781) 863-8635 or cpuschak@msn.com.
Mental Health First Aid for Youth
Mar 15, 22, 1-5pm at First Parish
Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, teachers, youth leaders, and ministerial staff how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge, or who is in crisis. Both trainings on Mar 15 & 22 are required for certification. To sign up or for more information contact Pam Cochrane, pam.cochrane@hancockchurch.org. 
Year-round Adult Education Classes are in the left-side column!

CHRISTIAN SERVICE

Annual Forum on Family Homelessness
Sunday, March 1, 2:30-4:30pm
First Parish in Bedford, 75 Great Rd/Rt 62
Doors open at 2pm with light refreshments. View exhibits and chat with representatives from 16 participating homelessness prevention and service programs and housing organizations. Contact Nicole Locher or www.endfamilyhomelessness.net for more information.
Seeking Host Families!
Student Exchange 3/28-4/10

Sascha Dornhardt visits with 12 High Schoolers from Bochum, Germany this year! Sascha was a student minister with us during the fall of 2011. We look forward to welcoming his parish's youth group during Holy Week and are seeking Hancock members to be host families for their visit. If you are interested in hosting a youth please contact Andrew Harris or Pam Cochrane for more information. We are working with Sascha, adult mentors and youth to plan an exciting exchange of fellowship and learning. 

andrew.harris@hancockchurch.org
pam.cochrane@hancockchurch.org
Year-round Christian Service Opportunities are in the left-side column!

HANCOCK CONCERT SERIES

SAVE THE DATE!
A Joyful Noyse Concert, Mar 14
Membra Jesu nostri by Buxtehude

Although Buxtehude's organ music is widely performed and recognized as masterful, his vocal/instrumental works are much less known. The cycle of cantatas Membra Jesu Nostri is scored for chorus, soloists, strings, and continuo. Each of the seven cantatas is a musical meditation on a part of Christ's crucified body.

A $10 donation will be accepted to support Hancock Church's Cantata Fund. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Membership at Hancock

What is membership at Hancock UCC? From Rev. Paul Shupe: "To become a member of the church is to choose to join a community that is held together by faith in God and by promises to others. We are a covenant community, which means..."

READ MORE HERE. Hancock Church is a special community and we are glad you are a part of it.

Hancock Church will receive new members into the church family on Sunday March 1st. To learn more about participating in the joining ceremony, contact ministers Paul Shupe or Pam Cochrane in the church office, or Welcoming & Membership Committee chair Al Bukys atbukys674@gmail.com.

Introduction to Committees
Over the next few weeks, the Nominating Committee will be discussing the work performed by the committees of Hancock Church...

Congregational Care: The Congregational Care Committee 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.

Deacons: The Deacons focus on the spiritual life and practice in the church. Their responsibilities include organizing and overseeing communion, greeters, and ushers. 
Second Minister Search Committee Profile now online!
After months of careful listening to you, and a thorough process of gathering information, we were pleased to publish on Feb 1, our congregational profile on the Employment Opportunities site of the national United Church of Christ website! This information is now on our website, too! Please go HERE to read FAQs, Prayer for Our Search for Our New Minister, Hancock Church Profile, and Related Links. 

IN MEMORIAM 


Remembrances
We extend our sympathy to the friends and families of those who have died recently.

Beverly Hilliard died February 9 with a Hancock visitor at her side. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at Hancock on Saturday, February 21, at 1:30pm.

Ruth Nablo died February 16th. A memorial service will be held at Hancock on Friday, February 27 at 2pm.

Betty Taylor died February 10 after a long illness. A memorial service will be held at Hancock on Saturday, February 28, at 2pm. 

Verne Henderson has also passed, after a long illness, also with those dearest to him nearby. We hold his dear wife Kiki in our prayers, as well as their children and their many friends. No plans have yet been made for a memorial service, but we will communicate those as soon as we know
HANCOCK UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST | 1912 MASS AVE | LEXINGTON, MA 02421
(781) 862-4220 | hancockchurch.org