Hancock Weekly 
The Official Newsletter of Hancock Church
Worship With Us
Sunday, March 1
Second Sunday of Lent

Morning Worship, 10am
Alex Shea Will preaches on Galatians 5:1 and 300 years of Hancock history.

Reception of New Members
Hancock will receive new members into the church family!

Evening Worship @the Well
6:15pm in Clark Hall
We'll continue our Lenten journey as Nancy shares a message on Mark 8:31-38.
IN THIS ISSUE...
Welcome to the new Hancock Weekly! Times are changing, our building is changing, and the Hancock Weekly was in need of change, as well. We hope the minimalist layout will be easier to navigate and more pleasant to read! We've tried to consolidate contact information for announcements in one place at the bottom of the newsletter, and links to our website are much more prominent in the header.

If you are new to Hancock, please read our welcome message and general information HERE.

The Hancock Weekly is a newsletter distributed every Wednesday afternoon. The submission deadline is that same Wednesday at 9am. Read submission guidelines HERE.
Photo courtesy of Paul Topalian.
Rededication Day!
Building Rededication starts with Congregational Clean Up on March 7th!

Activities for our Building Rededication starts Saturday, March 7, 1-3pm for a congregation-wide, all-ages Clean Up Day! Come to Hancock in your jeans and work clothes for some dusting, sweeping, and general tidying. Through this simple cleaning ministry, we can all lay down the welcome!

 

Our Official Building Rededication starts with morning worship on March 8th! Following worship we will have a communal dedication, form groups, and walk through the building to bless and dedicate our new spaces! From 11:30-2pm, we'll host a public open-house, and you can stay to hear the Bay Colony Brass Concert at 2pm. The evening celebration will begin at 5pm with a Congregational Potluck--ALL ARE WELCOME--which will end in time for Worship @the Well Dedication Service at 6:15pm. HYG and high school-aged youth are invited to stay for Dessert Fellowship and Dedication of the Upper Room. Read more HERE!

Help Needed!
Food is an essential element and many hands are needed!  We will offer "walkabout" soup, sandwiches, and cookies. If you can help in any of these ways, please let Carol Puschak know! 
  • Make soup and bring to church on Mar. 8 (recipes provided)
  • Help assemble sandwiches on Saturday afternoon Mar. 7 or Sunday morning Mar. 8
  • Bake cookies or bars and bring to church on Mar. 8
cpuschak@msn.com, (home) (781) 863-8635, (cell) (781) 248-4023
Lenten Offerings
Getting Real With God: Reclaiming the Christian Spiritual Practice of Lament
Saturday, March 14, 8am-2pm in Pearson

Please note, this class is offered on Saturday, March 14, only. Join Student Minister Nancy Rottman for a mini-retreat during Lent to learn more about the power of lament to deepen our relationship with God and one another.  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. Sign up HERE. 

 

Centering Prayer & Meditation

Begins Tonight, 7-8pm

Meets Wednesday Evenings during Lent in the CE Commons


The first half hour will be silent centering prayer time, and the second half hour will be open to quiet meditation and reflection time. Pam Cochrane, Acting Minister of Faith Formation, will facilitate the sessions. This is an opportunity to learn and hone your personal centering prayer practice. All are welcome to one or all sessions.   

 

To see our full Lenten, Holy Week, and Activities Schedule, please go HERE.
 

Special Collection: One Great Hour of Sharing

One Great Hour of Sharing is a special collection that the UCC collects for Global Ministries and disaster recovery. The OGHS offering reaches those near and far, sometimes changing the life of someone in distress in your own community, while other times impacting the lives of those we may never meet. Hancock will take part in this collection from now until March 15th. Look for more information in the Sunday Bulletins.  

 

 

Children also take part in OGHS with  

a coin box offering. 

March Activities and Cancellations
This Sunday we celebrate the Reception of New Members! Later that day at 2:30pm is the Annual Forum on Family Homelessness at First Parish in Bedford. First and Third Thursday Discussion Group will continue discussing God Is Not One on March 5 & 19 at 10am in the Pearson Room. Pastor's Class is still meeting every Sunday at 8:30am, but will not meet on March 8th.

A special training certificate for Youth Mental Health is being offered for free! Both sessions on March 15 & 22, 1-5pm at First Parish, are required for certification. 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. Please contact Pam Cochrane to sign up.

Year-round, Hancock Church supports the ministries and women of Rosie's Place in Boston. If you are interested in volunteering to cook and serve a meal, please contact LaurenBShifflett@gmail.com. We also collect and deliver pantry items to the Lexington Food Pantry every week. Once a month we help distribute food. For more information, please contact Scott Griffith, isb.scooter@gmail.com or (509) 710-5371.

Please note that the March 14 Progressive Dinner is cancelled due to the large amounts of snow and unpleasant travel conditions. Please look forward to food and fellowship on March 8 for the Building Rededication and March 29's Palm Sunday Brunch! Also due to snow storms interrupting their rehearsal schedule, the March 14th A Joyful Noyse Concert: Membra nostri by Buxtehude is also cancelled. 
Hymnal Dedication

Our new hymnal is at the printer and will be in our pews later this spring! You have the opportunity to dedicate a hymnal in honor/in memory of someone you love.This dedicatory bookplate will be placed in the inside cover of the hymnal as a reminder of your gift for all those who will use that hymnal in worship each week. In addition, your gift will help with the purchase of all of the hymnals for the sanctuary. For an additional fee, you can also purchase a personal copy of the hymnal for your use at home. Just fill out THIS FORM. Hard copy forms will be available during coffee hour. Please fill out one form per hymnal. 

 
Wanted!
Seeking Host Families for Student Exchange from Mar 28 - Apr 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.

Seeking Sopranos and Altos for Easter and Cantata Sundays!

The choir is seeking sopranos and altos to sing with the choir for Easter, our Cantata Sunday (Bernstein's Chichester Psalms on May 3rd) or to sing with us regularly! Rehearsals are on Thursday evenings at 7:30 in the Chapel. Our singers range from very experienced to those who haven't sung in years--there's a place for everyone! No auditions, no pressure, and great fun! Everyone grade 9-adult is invited. If interested, contact Mark Morgan, Director of Music, at mark@hancockchurch.org or 781-862-4220 ext 212.
In Memoriam
We extend our sympathy to the friends and families of those who have died recently.

Ruth Nablo Memorial Service Hancock Church on Friday, February 27 at 2pm

Betty Taylor Memorial Service Hancock Church 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 YOUTH GROUP
MARCH EVENTS

Mar 1
Welcome back from vacation! Upper Room, 7pm

Mar 8
Rededication Ceremony! All Youth are encouraged to attend morning worship and the Potluck dinner at 5pm, followed by Worship @the Well and Ice Cream Sundae Sunday in the Upper Room at 7pm.

Mar 15, 22
Upper Room, 7pm

Mar 29
Upper Room, 7pm
We will be joined by our friends from Germany, who will be staying with us for Holy Week. If you would like to host a German student for a week, email Andrew Harris, danke-bitte. 

JUNIOR YOUTH ORGANIZATION
MARCH EVENTS

Mar 1
Youth join in worship and make sandwiches for the Outdoor Church of Cambridge, along with messages of care and love for the homeless men and women of Boston.

Mar 8
All Youth in Worship

Mar 15, 22
Lenten Program - Stories of Jesus' life, ministry. Walk through Holy Week while exploring symbols and practices of Lent, including the Labyrinth.

Mar 29
Palm Sunday
All youth stay in worship

Palm Sunday Brunch

CHILDREN'S PROGRAM
MARCH EVENTS

Mar 1
All Age Event in Clark Hall: One Great Hour of Sharing Feast

A special program celebrating our One Great Hour of Sharing offering to be collected Mar 15. We'll share stories, create a feast, and sing "God's Counting on Me, God's Counting on You." Parent volunteers are needed!
Email Pam Cochrane if you'd like to help!
 
Parents may pick up children after worship in Clark.

Mar 8
Rededication Celebration
All Children & Youth stay in Worship. Childcare provided.

Mar 15, 22
Chapel Time and Activity Centers: Walking With Jesus From the Jordan to Jerusalem

Mar 29
Palm Sunday
All Children and Youth stay in Worship!

Palm Sunday Brunch

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 and Sara Felton.
 
Infants and Toddlers
Childcare is provided for children age 3 and younger in the Infant/Toddler Room each Sunday beginning at 9am.
CONTACT US!
Church Offices
(781) 862-4220
office@hancockchurch.org

Sr. Minister Paul Shupe
paul@hancockchurch.org

Acting Minister of 
 Faith Formation 
 Pam Cochrane
pam@hancockchurch.org

Acting Minister of Congregational Care 
 Alex Shea Will
alex@hancockchurch.org

Student Ministers
Andrew Harris
andrew@hancockchurch.org
&
Nancy Rottman
nancy@hancockchurch.org

Welcoming & Membership Committee Chair Al Bukys
albukys674@gmail.com

Children's Education 
Co-chairs
Sarah Felton
sarah@manasas.com
&
Sarah Kuli
sarahkuli@comcast.net

If our offices are closed, and you are in need of immediate pastoral assistance, please dial our pastoral care number 

(929) 500-1912.

 

 

The Labyrinth will be a part of Youth Activities for Lent.


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