Hancock Weekly 
The Official Newsletter of Hancock Church
Worship With Us
Sunday, September 13, 2015

Morning Worship, 10am
Barbara Callaghan preaches her first sermon at Hancock!

Mark 8:27-38
 
Evening Worship @the Well
Worship@the Well will resume September 20, 2015 at 6:15 pm in Clark Hall.
IN THIS ISSUE...
What's New? First Rehearsals for Chancel Choir and Handbell Choirs start this week! Register for Grotonwood, Financial Update by Amy Swanson!

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.
Barbara preaches first sermon at Hancock!

For the first time, Barbara Callaghan will preach in morning worship as our new minister! Join us for morning worship at 10am, then stay for a welcoming coffee hour for both Barbara and Kate Callaghan.

CALL FOR GOODIES
TO WELCOME BARBARA AND KATE
We are looking for edible contributions to the Welcome Coffee Hour being held in Barbara & Kate's honor on Sept. 13th after the church service. If you are willing to provide coffee cake, cookies, cheese/crackers, or fruit (all ready to serve), please contact Chair of Parish Life Beth Schutt, beth.schutt@gmail.com or (781) 862-8109. We could also use volunteers for the set-up and clean-up. Thank you!
Registration for the HYG Grotonwood Retreat is due Monday
Registration for Grotonwood is due Monday! If you're interested in going please fill out the Permission Form or call the church office if you need more information. We have one youth registered, so far (yes, you will get a prize!).

Freshmen and all youth new to HYG need to fill out an HYG Registration Form, too! Medical information is needed on this form.
Fall Worship!


The 2015 Celebration Sunday Brochure is now ONLINE and full of exciting ideas! CLICK HERE to read it now!

Morning Worship at 10am. Come our welcome back worship service, a celebration of open-heartedness and intergenerational faith. Rousing music with the choir and special guests Bay Colony Brass! This will also be Mark Morgan's return from Sabbatical!

Activites Fair at 11am. Meet our vibrant congregation! Find out about Service Opportunities, Music Programs, Programs for Children, and much more.

Opening Night for Worship @the Well at 6:15pm in Clark Hall. This is our opening night for Worship @the Well! We share our joys and concerns, light candles of prayer, and share in communion. Refresh your spirit with the music of the River Rock Band!

September 27, Celebration of Student Ministers
and Congregational Care!
We will have a special morning worship to welcome Student Minister David C. Clark and City Mission Society's new Seminarian in the City Min. David D. Price! We will also celebrate the return of Student Minister Andrew Harris and newly appointed Congregational Care Coordinator Nancy Rottman!

October 4, Blessing of the Animals
Together, we will celebrate the importance of animals in our lives and give thanks for the wonder of God's creations. Come and bring your pet, stuffed animals, or picture of your pet to Evening Worship @the Well at 6:15pm in Clark Hall.
Handbell Ministry

Join a Handbell Group!
Join us at the Activity Fair on September 20th
after morning worship. Ringers there will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Anyone can ring bells just by knowing your right hand from your left, and counting to four! For more information, please email handbells@hancockchurch.org or speak with Marilyn Becker or Cheryl Kraley.

We have a Handbell Group for every level and age! READ MORE HERE.

First Rehearsal Reminders
Read the group descriptions HERE, then attend the rehearsal that interests you! You can also contact Marilyn Becker or Cheryl Kraley if you have any questions.

Tonight, 7-9pm, Hancock Carillon
Friday, Sept. 11, 9:30-10:45am, Morning Glory
Sunday, Sept. 13, 9-9:50am, Marting To Glory
Wednesday, Sept. 23, 4:30-5:30pm, Junior Handbell Choir
Financial Update as of August 31, 2015

As you recall, the 2015 budget forecast a deficit of $49,690. While the financial news has been positive so far this year, we recognize that since a significant part of our pledges are received in 4Q (usually 15% in December alone!) there will not be any certainty about the budget forecast until much later in the year. However, we are starting to be more optimistic that 2015's deficit will be smaller than budgeted, thus hopefully decreasing how much we will need to dip into reserves. To read the entire update, please CLICK HERE.
September Events
September 10, Give Chancel Choir a Try! 
We always need more singers! Rehearsals are Thursday nights from 7:30-9:15pm in the newly refurbished Choir Room. No audition required.

September 13, HYG Parents Meeting and First Meeting

All HYG (Hancock Youth Group) Parents and families are invited to the HYG Parents meeting on  September 13th at 6:00pm in the Dining Room. The first HYG Meeting of the new year will follow immediately after at 7:00pm in the Upper Room. Feel free to bring your kids to the parents meeting to save yourselves a trip.

September 14, Deadline for HYG Registration and Grotonwood Permission Form
Read more below.

September 15, Volunteer for the Interfaith Garden 
Read more below.

September 26, Volunteer for the Interfaith Garden 
Read more below.

September 26, Senior Picnic
For the first time our Annual Senior Picnic will be in our own, fully-accessible Building! So join us on Sept. 26 from 11:30am-1:30pm, for food, fun, and fellowship! Deacons and others will be on-site to help with anyone who needs assistance. Please let us know if you need a ride or can offer a ride to others. RSVP or call the church office with any questions!

September 26-27, HYG Grotonwood Retreat
Read more below.
Come Join the Interfaith Garden!
 
About the Interfaith Garden 
Hancock helps maintain a garden growing produce for the Lexington Food Pantry. From March thru October we work along with members of other faith communities in a backyard garden in Lexington Center. We plant, weed, chat (a lot) and nurture this garden. On Saturdays we harvest and deliver that same morning to the Pantry. Our produce is added to donations from other giving gardens. Here is a thank you from the director of the Food Pantry.
 
Sign-up to Volunteer
Interested?  Bring your family, or a friend which makes for more fun!  These dates don't work? No problem, there are plenty of other times when extra hands are needed. To sign up or get more information contact Amy Swanson, amy.swanson.email@gmail.com. No experience needed! Hancock next sends volunteers to the Garden:
 
Tuesday, Sept. 15, 4:30 - 6pm
Saturday, Sept. 26, 8 - 9:30am
Saturday, Oct. 3, 8 - 9:30am
Saturday, Oct. 24, 8:30 - 10am
Saturday, Oct. 31, 8:30 - 10am

Learn more 
Read the latest Interfaith Garden Report from August 22nd! Many Hancock members volunteered that day, and the total yield was around 156 lbs! Please Click Here.


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