weekly letter

January 30, 2008

 

Greetings to all!

 

This Sunday is the Sunday of the Transfiguration of the Lord, traditionally observed on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday.  In his book, The Soul of Christianity, Huston Smith describes the event as an intense experience of "glory," a sort of uninhibited awareness of the divine presence.

 

     In one dramatic incident recorded in the New Testament, Peter, John, and James saw this glory with their physical eyes.  On Mount Tabor - the Mount of Transfiguration, as it came to be called - they watched Jesus's face change while he was praying, and saw his clothes shine with dazzling brilliance.  What they were privileged to see there, as if through a prism, was a condensation of the glory that shone through Jesus's entire life.

 

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, February 3, The Transfiguration of the Lord, Holy Communion:

     Exodus 24:12-18

     2 Peter 1:16-21

     Matthew 17:1-9

 

Men's Dinner: Dr. William "Beau" Weston will be our guest for the next Walnut Hill Church Men's Dinner on Thursday evening, January 31, 6pm, at Applebee's Restaurant (Nicholasville Rd. at W. Tiverton Way).  Dr. Weston is Associate Professor of Sociology at Centre College and author of the recent book Leading From the Center. Professor Weston will offer informal remarks titled, "Success in the Religion Market," exploring why conservative churches are generally more successful than liberal ones. You may rsvp for the dinner by reply email.

 

Men's Coffee: The regular Men's Coffee gathering will be this Saturday, February 2, 8am, at Paneras (Richmond Road).  Feel free to stop in for as long or short a time as your schedule allows.  No rsvp required.

 

Sunday Conversations around the lessons for the day (see above) continue this Sunday, February 3, 10am, in Trinity Hall. Feel free to join the conversation, enjoy a cup of coffee, or just listen in.

 

Confirmation Class orientation will be held this Sunday, February 3, 10am in Trinity Hall for confirmation candidates, parents, and mentors.  Contact Lauren Fouts for more information.

 

Jesus Today, a book discussion, will be offered on Wednesday evenings in Lent, beginning Wednesday, February 13, 7pm. Copies of the book (Jesus Today, by Albert Nolan) are available at Walnut Hill, or by purchase through Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble.

 

Thanks, news, etc....

     *Thanks to...Cory Sharrard for her work with the children last Sunday; Sherry Warden, Dorothy and Gene Brockopp, Linda and Nelson Barnes for providing our after worship refreshments last Sunday.

     *Barbara Kleine, Director of Kentucky Refugee Ministries Lexington office, visited Walnut Hill Church last Sunday to present information regarding the possible co-sponsorship of a refugee family being settled in central Kentucky.  Please contact Nelson Barnes if you have thoughts or questions regarding congregational or individual participation in this important work.

     *This Sunday is Super Bowl Sunday, and it is also "Souper" Bowl Sunday at Walnut Hill.  You are invited to enjoy a bowl of soup after worship and make a donation to support God's Pantry.

 

Peace,

 

Mike Ward