Hancock United Church Of Christ 1912 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA 02421

"Wonderful UCC church community"

"The current head and associate ministers aren't very bright... Wish we could bring back the old staff."

"Hancock United Church of Christ is a progressive Christian church. Their morning service is traditional. The evening service (September to May), is more organic. At evening worship, the music director leads The River Rock Band, and they play widely eclectic variety of music from ancient spirituals, folk, jazz and blues, bluegrass, and some beloved old hymns updated with a folk, jazz or bluegrass feel. Those who are able stand, and we sing the songs from slides on a projector. The projector also guides folks through the elements of the service - typically welcome, opening hymn, passing the peace, the message (which is usually somewhet shorter than a morning sermon there or at most churches), voluntary collection of donations for one of our mission partners, all of whom do wonderful work for those in need. And then we share our joys, concerns, hopes, and grief by lighting candles. (One can come up to light a candle or ask the worship leader to, and speak their prayer aloud, or simply hold it in their heart after the lighting of the candle). Our service ends with communion which is observed every Sunday, and is done by intinction. Folks come up to the alter and receive a piece of bread dipped in juice. (Due to covid concerns, the communion leader tears the bread and dips it, rather than every individual tearing the bread and dipping it. Should their be a spike again, we may go back to individually wrapped communion kits with wafers and cups of juice. But it will always be every week! The morning service is a more "traditional" service with once a week communion (usually bread and a tiny cup of juice), standing to sing from a hymal, and prayers prayed from the pulpit by the ministers or a seminarian. But the content and sermons are as progressive as the church! Hancock has a robust seminarian program, as well many many opportunities for service, from the local food pantry, our community garden, and much much more!"

"The Hancock UCC is a wonderful church great for families with young children. It has music, worship and fellowship and education for all ages."

"Warm, welcoming, supportive, enriching worship community with programs for all ages - children, youth, and adults. Staff are responsive, knowledgeable, innovative and also traditional. A vibrant, exciting place."