Hancock Weekly 
The Official Newsletter of Hancock Church
Worship With Us
Sunday, September 20, 2015

Morning Worship, 10am
Celebration Sunday!

Special Music by the Chancel Choir and the River Rock Band

Stay for the Activities Fair after worship!
 
Evening Worship @the Well
Opening Night @the Well! Join us at 6:15pm in Clark Hall for the first Evening Worship @the Well of the season!
IN THIS ISSUE...
What's New? There will be a light supper before Worship @the Well, Pastor's Class starts 9/27, Ordination of Alex Shea Will, October Events.

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.
Sept. 20: Celebration Sunday!

Read the full Celebration Sunday Brochure online! CLICK HERE.

Morning Worship at 10am.
 Come our welcome back worship service, a celebration of open-heartedness and intergenerational faith. Rousing music with the choir and our own River Rock Band! This will also be Mark Morgan's return from Sabbatical!
 
Activites Fair at 11am. Meet our vibrant congregation! There will be tables for all of the exciting programs at Hancock, including Mission Trips, Adult Education Classes, Environmental and Social Justice, Music Programs, Programs for Children, and more! Be sure to head to the Bell Room for the Bells Open House!


This week worship at The Well begins again, and this time with SOUP! This fall we will serve a simple meal of soup and bread in the kitchen at 5:30 before The Well begins at 6:15 in Clark Hall. All are welcome to come, eat and fellowship together each week as you are able. Donations of $2.00 per person are appreciated if you are coming to dinner. We hope to see you on Sunday afternoon!
Fall Worship!

A few hardcopies of the Celebration Sunday Brochure will be available this Sunday. If you'd like to read an electronic copy CLICK HERE. If you'd like to request a hardcopy by mail, please email jane@hancockchurch.org or call the church office (781) 862-4220.

Pick Up a Hancock Music CD!
We have a assembled a beautiful CD of music from many of the music groups here at Hancock, and it is now available! It includes music from the Choir, Carillon, Choristers, River Rock Band, and A Joyful Noyse. Wonderfully varied with music from classical to jazz and renaissance to contemporary, this is a great listen and a great way to share the wonderful music we have here at Hancock! Copies are free for visitors and sharing. We ask for a $10 donation from members if they would like a personal copy (and we hope you do!) Copies can be found in the narthex.

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.
Wheelchairs Needed
Hancock is in need of 2 wheelchairs to help persons with mobility difficulty move within our building. If you have one you could donate to the church, please call for Jane Park at (781) 862-4220. Thank you!
Sing at Hancock!
Chancel Choir is Back! Seeking Singers in all Parts!
Our Chancel Choir is back fro another great year and we're looking for more singers in each section--especially SOPRANOS AND ALTOS! Choral singing is great for both the soul and the body (the latter clinically proven!) Even if you haven't sung in years, give us a try! No audition required--just show up on Thursday night at 7:30 in the choir room on the lower level. High school students are also welcome to join us! Singers need not be members of the church or even from our tradition--they just need to have a love of singing and be willing to be part of our friendly community! For more information, contact Mark Morgan at mark@hancockchurch.org or 781-862-4220 ext 212.

Choristers Children's Choir Returns Next Week
Our children's choir, the Hancock Choristers, starts rehearsals on Sunday, September 27th at 11:15 in room 212. All kids grades 2-5 are invited to come and sing! Choristers is a fun place to learn about music, singing, and the church. They sing in church 3-4 times per year and children do NOT need to commit to the entire year to sing. Choristers is led by Mark Morgan and Marilyn Becker. New this year will be a JYO choir for grades 6-8 that will begin rehearsals on Oct. 18th!
21 Registered for HYG Grotonwood!
Thank you to everyone who has registered for the Hancock Youth Group Grotonwood Retreat! So far we have 21 participants, which matches last year's count! Please mail your checks to Hancock, memo "HYG Grotonwood." If anyone is in need of a scholarship, please contact Andrew Harris.

If you're unsure but interested in going, please contact Jane Park in the church office (781) 862-4220 by tomorrow, Sept. 17th.

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

September Events
September 26, Volunteer for the Interfaith Garden 
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:
 
Saturday, Sept. 26, 8 - 9:30am
Saturday, Oct. 3, 8 - 9:30am
Saturday, Oct. 24, 8:30 - 10am
Saturday, Oct. 31, 8:30 - 10am

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.

September 27, Pastor's Class - First Meeting! 
Pastor's Class is a Bible Study led by Paul Shupe, every Sunday morning from 8:30-9:30am. Meet us in the Pearson Room to discuss the thelological issues of the day and how they impact the Hancock Community. This class runs until May. 

September 27, Ordination of Alex Shea Will 
See below. 
October Events
October 5, Monday Book Group
Every first and third Monday at 10 am, Barbara Callaghan will lead this Book Group. This fall we will read Learning to Walk in the Dark by Barbara Brown Taylor. This group will take the place of Thursday Discussion Group.

October 18, Caregiver's Dinner
Anyone who is a caregiver for a loved one is welcome to come and find rest, renewal, and support among fellow caregivers. This group meets every third Sunday, 7-8:30pm in the Pearson Room.
Handbell Ministry

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.
Alex Shea Will Ordination, Sept. 27


Congratulations to Alex Shea Will who is now the Associate Minister at South Church in Andover. Alex has served in many roles at Hancock Church, first as a seminarian, Congregational Care Coordination, then as Acting Minister of Congregational Care! His ordination will be Sunday, September 27th at 5:30 pm at Hope Central in Jamaica  Plain.



Everyone is Welcome!

The Ordination of
Alex Shea Will
at
Hope Central Church

September 27, 2015 at 5:30pm

Hope Central Church
85 Seaverns Avenue
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130


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