Hancock Weekly 
The Official Newsletter of Hancock Church
WORSHIP WITH US!

HOLY WEEK

April 2

Maundy Thursday 

The Maundy Thursday Service celebrates Jesus' Last Supper with his disciples. Communion, reflection, and prayer at 7pm in Clark Hall.

 

(Artwork by by Jyoti Sahi.)  

 

April 3

Good Friday 

Using scripture and candlelight, we face the difficult story of Jesus' death on Good Friday. This moving service includes readings by Confirmation Class and music from the River Rock Band at 7pm in the sanctuary.

IN THIS ISSUE...
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.

Prepping for Palm Sunday Brunch in our new kitchen!
Tomorrow! Special Thursday Discussion Group!
This Holy Week on Thursday morning, April 2, during our usual Thursday Morning Discussion Group at 10am, you are invited for fellowship and conversation with our visiting German Youth and Leaders.  Come share Hancock stories with this marvelous group of teens along with Sascha Dornhardt and fellow leaders. They are eager to hear of our history and mission. Hope you can join us in the Pearson Room.

Regular Thursday Morning Discussions will resume on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays beginning on April 9th with the book Common Word: Muslims and Christians on Loving God and Neighbor. Offered by the Adult Christian Education Committee with Acting Minister, Pam Cochrane.
Choral Festival, Apr 12!

 

Lexington's 10th Annual Choral Festival will be hosted by Hancock Church, 1912 Massachusetts Avenue, on Sunday, April 12 at 3:00 p.m. The Festival is an afternoon of choral music, sung by ten Lexington choirs.
 
Each choir will sing two numbers of their own choosing then, as the Festival Finale, the combined choirs will sing the "Sanctus" from Gabriel Faure's "Requiem Mass."

Admission is free and all are invited to the Festival music and a reception afterwards. Hancock Church is fully handicap accessible. Further information at www.hancockchurch.org or 781-862-4220.
 

 
WORSHIP WITH US!

Easter
April 5

   

6am Sunrise Service

 

It has become a tradition to gather atop the hill at the Old Belfry (behind Hancock Church) for a simple Easter Sunrise worship service of singing, scripture, communion, and sharing the names of loved ones who have died. Park in the Cary Library lot, and ascend the hill from the Clarke St. side free of snow and ice. Dress warmly for the spring sunrise. 

 

   


9am & 11am Morning Worship  

 

Two full worship services are held in the sanctuary for Easter Sunday! Our Chancel Choir is joined by brass quartet and timpani for a festive morning of music, including our annual singing of the

Hallelujah Chorus! Children worship with their families. Paul Shupe preaches on Mark 16:1-8. Childcare provided for infants and toddlers. Coffee in the CE Commons will be held at 10am between services. 

 

No Worship @the Well tonight  

 

 April 12 

SPECIAL EASTER CELEBRATION

Please join us the Second Sunday of Easter on April 12 for a special Gospel Night at Worship @the Well, 6:15 in Clark Hall. The New England Gospel Ensemble provides a night of rousing music to celebrate the resurrection! 

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. 

 
April
Paul Shupe Sabbatical
Paul's long-delayed sabbatical leave will begin on April 6, and last until the end of June.  Alex Shea Will and Pam Cochrane will continue to serve as our Acting Ministers during that time. You can read a letter from Paul HERE.

Volunteers Needed for Choral Festival! 
The Lexington Choral Festival was cancelled in February due to one of the storms, but is back on for Sunday, April 12th! This will be the biggest community event we do this year, and is a great time to show off our new building! We need volunteers to help as greeters/guides for the choirs, ushers for the concert, and to help serve and clean up for the reception. Please contact Mark Morgan at 781-862-4220 ext 212 or mark@hancockchurch.org if you are able to help.

Keep the Interfaith Garden Growing!
Year 6 is underway!  Come join volunteers from Hancock and other faith communities at the garden on Tuesday, April 14, 4:30-6 pm. Located next door to First Parish Church, Interfaith Garden raises and delivers fresh, organic vegetables, fruit and herbs during the spring, summer and fall to the Lexington Food Pantry. All ages are welcome, and no prior experience is required.  
To sign up or find out more, contact Laurel Cooley, cooley.laurel1@gmail.com. 
May
SAVE THE DATE! Hancock's 9th Annual Woman's Retreat will be May 1-2 at Friendly Crossways in Harvard, MA. All women, all ages, are invited! Friendly Crossways offers a country setting where the apple blossoms will be in bloom and the evening will be perfect for an outdoor bonfire. Pam Cochrane will lead the retreat. To learn more contact pam.cochrane@hancockchurch.org or READ MORE HERE.

Music at the court of Ferrara
A Joyful Noyse Concert on May 9th!
On Saturday, May 9 at 7:30pm, A Joyful Noyse will perform a survey of music heard at the court of Ferrara, Italy from Dufay and Josquin to the emergence of the extraordinary trio of women musicians known as the Concerto delle Donne. With background and commentary by musicologist Dr. Teresa Neff. $10 Suggested donation to support the Hancock Cantata Fund.
Committee Updates

Note from the Nominating Committee   

At Hancock Church, the work of the church is overseen and organized by our committees. Membership in a committee is a way to get to know the other members of our church and it is an important part of our participation in the life of the church. This is the time of year when the nominating committee seeks to replace outgoing members of the committees with new members ready to learn about the needs of the church and to help implement the plans of the committees.


For more information please READ MORE HERE, or contact Nominating Committee Members Linda Williams, Daryl Battin, Linda Nason, and Andy McClaine. 
HANCOCK YOUTH GROUP
APRIL

Apr 2
5:30pm, Dinner
7pm, Maundy Thursday with Andrew and Alex

Apr 3
11am, Brunch at Hancock, followed by games and hang!
5pm, Dinner
7pm, Good Friday Worship

Apr 5
Easter Sunday!
9am & 11am Worship


INFANTS AND TODDLERS

Childcare is provided for children
age 3 and younger in the Infant/Toddler Room with Eliza Duncan and teen helpers each Sunday beginning at 9am. Parents may pick up children after worship in the Infant/Toddler Room.  
 

JUNIOR YOUTH ORGANIZATION
APRIL

Apr 5 EASTER
All youth stay in worship. Sandwich Making for the Outdoor Church will take place in Room 205 between services for those available to help.

Apr 12
Youth meet in Upper Room for class activities.
Easter 2: Rebirth Sunday - An Easter Story. Sharing stories about rebirth and discovery of personal faith in God's extravagant love to overcome adversity.
 
Apr 19
No JYO Class
Youth are invited to stay in worship or help with the Children's Program in the CE Commons.

Apr 26
Youth Sunday!
Youth are invited to stay in worship for this special service led by the Hancock Youth Group returning from Neon, KY.

Our JYO Leaders are Bess Deck and Wendy Tanahashi-Works.
CHILDREN'S PROGRAM
APRIL

Apr 5 EASTER
Children stay in worship.

Apr 12
Chapel Time in the CE Commons and activity centers. Our theme is Easter Discoveries: Seeking New Life All Around!

Apr 19
All Age Event in CE Commons
Children are invited to Chapel time and activities rooms to explore the Easter story.

Two Parent Volunteers are needed! Email Pam Cochrane if you'd like to help.

Apr 26
Youth Sunday!
Hancock Youth Group leads worship and share their experiences in Neon, KY.
All Children and Youth are invited to stay in worship.

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.

CONTACT US!

 

Church Offices

(781) 862-4220

office@hancockchurch.org


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

(929) 500-1912


WORSHIP STAFF

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

  

Director of Music

Mark Morgan

mark@hancockchurch.org

  

Assistant Director of Music

Marilyn Becker

marilyn@hancockchurch.org 

 

CHURCH CONTACTS

 

Welcoming & Membership Committee Chair Al Bukys

albukys674@gmail.com

 

Children's Education 

Co-chairs

Sarah Felton

sarah@manasas.com

&

Sarah Kuli

sarahkuli@comcast.net

 

Nominating Committee

 Linda Williams

lbwilliams@comcast.net

& 

Daryl Battin

darylbattin@gmail.com

& 

Linda Nason

linason21@gmail.com

& 

Andy McClaine

awmcclaine@rcn.com 

 

 


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