Grow

Our Community

All are welcome in our community of faith. We affirm the full inclusion of all God’s people in the life and ministry of the church. Our congregation also strongly supports the civil right of all free and consenting adults to marry. We celebrate the use of human reason, and regard science and faith as equally essential and highly compatible. Each of us is responsible for growing in our understanding of faith and belief.

At Hancock, we try to provide the spiritual nutrients that will satisfy our hunger.  You don’t need to know what you believe, or what you need, or even what you want.  You just need to come and join in this community of folks.  The nutrients of worship, community, service and prayer will surround you.  In people who are more like you than they are different from you, you’ll find a commonality of experience, and support and challenge for your growth.

We believe that faith is a journey, not a destination… 

This is a place where you can ask questions, learn, discover, and grow.  Whether you are a novice to the church world, or a seasoned Bible expert, there are many opportunities to deepen your understanding of the Christian faith.

What does it mean to grow spiritually? 

With what can it be compared?

Jesus once told a story, a parable, comparing our life with God to seed growing secretly (Mark 4:26-29).  Just as a seed gets planted, buried out of sight, so it often is with our spiritual hunger.  We can’t see it.  We often aren’t aware that it’s even present.  But the seed is not sitting passively underground.  New life is asserting itself as the seed germinates, seeks nutrients around it, and ultimately, desires to break up through the soil into the bright light of the new day.

So it is with the human desire for spiritual growth.  Long before we’re aware of it, before we can even name it, the human passion for God is asserting itself, seeking nourishment, looking to break out into new ways of thinking, feeling and acting.

Spiritual Practices

At Hancock we think there are four essential spiritual practices…

  • Worship

    • To celebrate the power, the presence, and the love of God for the world. Worship can take many forms:
      • Prayer, both private and communal
      • Music, both listening and making music praises God
      • Silence, in a world of constant din, making time for silence opens doorways for God
      • Proclamation, both preaching and testimony are important, saying what you perceive God is doing in your life, and listening to the witness of others
  • Service

    • To give one’s time and resources to those in need is an essential facet of Christian living. It too takes many forms:
      • Contributing financially to the life of the church and to people in need creates generous hearts
      • Mission trips to distant places help us understand new cultures, and challenge the way we live, even as our efforts improve the lives of others
      • Projects close to home give us the opportunity to be merciful, and thus be changed
      • Advocating for the changes needed to improve equality, make peace, and establish justice
  • Learning

    • Enriches our understanding, and widens our perspective; God speaks in many ways to many people. Again, many forms:
      • Formal classes
      • Daily reading of the Bible and/or reflections on faith
      • Conversation with others about what you’re learning
  • Fellowship

    • Simply being with others, sharing the life of faith in a variety of ways:
      • Visiting and otherwise caring for church members in need
      • Going to fellowship events, talking and sharing
      • Sharing your faith with others, in your own way, inviting them to join you at Hancock events

Special Services

At Hancock, we try to provide the spiritual nutrients that will satisfy our hunger. You don’t need to know what you believe, or what you need, or even what you want. You just need to come and join in this community of folks. The nutrients of worship, community, service and prayer will surround you. In people who are more like you than they are different from you, you’ll find a commonality of experience, and support and challenge for your growth.

Inspired by the life of Jesus Christ we believe we are all on a spiritual path leading us to growth in Christian values and faithfulness to God. Hancock Church has a variety of programs that support individuals and families on this journey in all phases of their lives.

Read more about Baptism, Communion, Wedding, Memorial Service & Funeral.

Get Involved

March 17, 2024

Worship @the Well Worship at the Well meets in the chapel at 5:00 PM. Join ...

Worship @the Well

Worship at the Well meets in the chapel at 5:00 PM. Join in for a personal and powerful evening service with a focus on community and connection.  
March 18, 2024

Monday Morning Prayer Zoom Join Pastor David on Zoom each Monday morning of Lent from ...

Monday Morning Prayer Zoom

Join Pastor David on Zoom each Monday morning of Lent from 7:30-7:45am for a time of prayer and centering before the week begins. You are welcome to join with camera and microphone on or off as David shares prayer and a short devotional to start the work week well. This class will meet Monday mornings from 7:30 - 7:45am, Feb. 19 - Mar. 25. Please contact Office@HancockChurch.org to connect with this class.
March 18, 2024

Monday Night Small Group Zoom Barbara and David lead a small group Bible study on ...

Monday Night Small Group Zoom

Barbara and David lead a small group Bible study on the Gospel of Mark using short video teachings from Amy-Jill Levine. Levine is a Jewish scholar of the New Testament, and brings a new and fresh understanding to this book of the Bible. You do not need to be at each meeting. Drop-in when you are able! This class will meet Monday evenings from 7:00 - 8:00pm, Feb. 19 - Mar. 25. Email Office@HancockChurch.org to connect with this class.
March 20, 2024

Pastor's Class Bible Study Every Wednesday, Pastor’s Class reads and discusses the scripture passage for ...

Pastor's Class Bible Study

Every Wednesday, Pastor’s Class reads and discusses the scripture passage for the following Sunday. It is led by the week’s preacher and there’s no homework or extra reading required! Pastor's Class is held weekly on Wednesdays from 1-2:00pm via Zoom. Contact Office@HancockChurch.org for the meeting link or more details.
March 20, 2024

Free Wednesday Noontime Concerts Free noontime classical concerts are back for the season of lent ...

Free Wednesday Noontime Concerts

Free noontime classical concerts are back for the season of lent at Hancock Church 1912 Mass. Ave. in Lexington. The concerts will take place at noon each Wednesday from February 21 - March 27 in the sanctuary of the church. The series will feature a variety of music including solo organ, early music, chamber music, and solo piano. Performers include organist Ian Watson, the Joyful Noyse Early Music ensemble, pianist Shi Chen, and performers from the Handel and Haydn Society. Ian Watson is the new organist at the church, and serves as the Associate Conductor of the Handel And Haydn Society and is the Director of the Connecticut Early Music Festival. Each show is free, about 30 minutes long, informal, and open to all. The church is handicap accessible and hearing assist devices are available. Free parking is available in the rear of the church and on the street. For more information, visit www.hancockchurch.org or call (781) 862-4220. MAR 20 Ian Watson, organ MAR 27 Shi Chen, piano
March 24, 2024

Palm Sunday Process with palms in the sanctuary for an uplifting service with the Handbell ...

Palm Sunday

Process with palms in the sanctuary for an uplifting service with the Handbell and Chancel Choirs. Sunday, March 24 at 10:00 AM.
March 28, 2024

Maundy Thursday Gather in community for this informal, spiritual service with a shared meal in ...

Maundy Thursday

Gather in community for this informal, spiritual service with a shared meal in the Dining Room. The River Rock Band plays acoustic folk music. Thursday, March 28 in the Dining Room at 6:00 PM.
March 29, 2024

Good Friday Embrace the profound solemnity of Good Friday in a deeply contemplative service in ...

Good Friday

Embrace the profound solemnity of Good Friday in a deeply contemplative service in the chapel with renaissance motets sung by a chamber choir. Friday, March 29 at 7:00 PM. A pre-recorded version of this service will also be available at Youtube.com/HancockChurch.
March 31, 2024

Easter! On Easter Day, experience the sun rise during an outdoor Easter Sunrise Service at ...

Easter!

On Easter Day, experience the sun rise during an outdoor Easter Sunrise Service at the Old Belfry at 6:15am. At 10:00am is a joyful Traditional Easter Service in the sanctuary with music by a vibrant ensemble of choir, brass, organ and percussion. Hear music by Vaughan Williams, Handel, and world premiere by our Director of Music Mark Morgan! Stay for a special coffee hour and exciting Easter Egg Hunt for the kids at 11:00am!
April 7, 2024

Worship at the Well Easter Celebration! The River Rock Band is rolling away the stone ...

Worship at the Well Easter Celebration!

The River Rock Band is rolling away the stone with a dynamic Rock ‘n’ Roll evening service! Celebrate the Easter season at Worship at the Well on Sunday, April 7 at 5:00 PM in Clark Hall.
April 7, 2024

Potter Library Committee To Host Open House & Book Donation Day Join us on Sunday, April ...

Potter Library Committee To Host Open House & Book Donation Day

Join us on Sunday, April 7, after worship, to celebrate National Library Week.
Browse Potter’s expanding collection, its latest additions, and learn more about the new user-friendly management system. Want to donate books on this special day? Eligible hardcovers and paperbacks must:
  • Be unmarked, in good condition and published within the past five years, with certain exceptions.
  • Focus on current collection categories, exploring Belief Systems (Christianity, Other Religions), Care of Self and Others, Social Justice, Spiritual Practices, and Hancock Church.
For a list of sup-topics within these categories, stop by the library or email Laurel Cooley, cooley.laurel1@gmail.com.
April 27, 2024

Harmony on the Green Presents: Vance Gilbert “If Joni Mitchell and Richie Havens had a ...

Harmony on the Green Presents: Vance Gilbert

“If Joni Mitchell and Richie Havens had a love child, with Rodney Dangerfield as the midwife, the results might be something close to the great Vance Gilbert,” says Richmond Magazine. Vance’s new album, “The Mother Of Trouble,” features Grammy winner Lori McKenna on background vocals, Juno award recipient and Bonnie Raitt Grammy hit song co-writer Joey Landreth on guitars, and Americana-Roots master mandolinist Joe K. Walsh. Thirty years into his career, the songwriter’s influence can be felt all over the contemporary Folk and Americana realm as he has helped pave the way for many of the BIPOC artists who have followed. Please visit the link to purchase tickets: https://hancockchurch.breezechms.com/form/1755091575843047185257
May 19, 2024

A Joyful Noyse Concert A Joyful Noyse performs Forgotten Treasures: Opera arias from 18th Century Hamburg featuring ...

A Joyful Noyse Concert

A Joyful Noyse performs Forgotten Treasures: Opera arias from 18th Century Hamburg featuring Handel, Telemann, Keiser, and more. Performed on period instruments by A Joyful Noyse at Hancock Church. $15 suggested donation at the door.