weekly letter

February 13, 2008

 

Greetings to all!

 

Perhaps we are still early enough in Lent to benefit from some general thoughts about the season.

 

     In many cultures there is an ancient custom of giving a tenth of each year's income to some holy use.  For Christians, to observe the forty days of Lent is to do the same thing with roughly a tenth of each year's days.  After being baptized by John in the river Jordan, Jesus went off alone into the wilderness where he spent forty days asking himself the question what it meant to be Jesus.  During Lent, Christians are supposed to ask one way or another what it means to be themselves.

     If you had to bet everything you have on whether there is a God or whether there isn't, which side would get your money and why?  When you look at your face in the mirror, what do you see in it that you most like and what do you see in it that you most deplore?...Is there any person in the world, or any cause, that if circumstances called for it, you would be willing to die for? If this were the last day of your life, what would you do with it?

     To hear yourself try to answer questions like these is to begin to hear something not only of who you are but of both what you are becoming and what you are failing to become.  It can be pretty depressing business all in all, but if sackcloth and ashes are at the start of it, something like Easter may be at the end.

(by Frederick Buechner as found in Listening to Your Life)

 

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, February 17, the Second Sunday in Lent:

     Genesis 12:1-4

     Romans 4:1-5, 13-17

     John 3:1-17

 

Jesus Today book discussion will begin on Wednesday, February 13, 7pm, at the Wards', 341 Albany Road.  The focus of discussion for February 13 will be "Part 1 - The Signs of Our Times."  Discussions will continue on Wednesday evenings through March 5.   

 

Saturday Coffee - Men are invited to gather for coffee on Saturday, February 16, 8am, at Paneras on Richmond Road.  Feel free to stop in for as long or short a time as your schedule allows.  No rsvp required.

 

Sunday Conversations resume this Sunday, February 17, 10am in Trinity Hall.  David Sharrard will be leading the conversation this Sunday titled: "Gambling in Kentucky: Issues to Consider".  Feel free to join the conversation, enjoy a cup of coffee, or just listen in.

 

Children's Choir - The Walnut Hill Children's Choir will begin practices again at 10 am on Sunday mornings starting February 24.  This choir is open to all Walnut Hill children and youth who enjoy making a joyful noise!  Through the use of song, sign language and rhythm instruments, Nell Horman leads our children in the celebration of God's good gift of music.  Please talk with Nell if you have questions or would like for your child to participate.

 

Men's Dinner - The next Walnut Hill Men's Dinner is scheduled for Tuesday, March 4, 6pm, at Joseph Beth Booksellers Cafe (private dining room).  Our special guest for the evening will be Grant Phelps who will speak on the topic, Katrina + 2 Years.  Grant will talk about his recent work on the Mississippi Gulf Coast coordinating rebuilding projects for Habitat for Humanity.  Contact Gene Brockopp or use the sign up sheet in the sanctuary to rsvp.

 

Youth - "Just Dinner" is scheduled for Monday, February 18.  Confirmation Class continues this Sunday, February 17.  Contact Lauren Fouts for more information regarding youth activities.

 

Thanks, news, etc...

     *Thanks to...Ron Johnston for his leadership during the 10am hour and his remarks during worship last Sunday; Natalie and Bob Watt for our after worship refreshments last Sunday.

 

Peace to all.

 

Mike Ward