weekly letter

January 29, 2009

 

Greetings to all!

 

SNOW REPORT -

     As of this morning (Thursday), the church has electric service.  While there has been significant tree damage around the church and cemetery grounds, the driveway area is relatively clear.  We anticipate having the driveway plowed and being ready for services on Sunday. 

     We keep in our thoughts and prayers those for whom these storm events are more than inconvenience, particularly communities like Burgin and Danville.  We are grateful for emergency service personnel and utility workers laboring under extremely difficult conditions to keep people safe and restore essential services.  Let us be mindful of our neighbors, especially the elderly living alone.  Please feel free to contact the church office (263-5304), or contact Mike Ward at his home, if there are any particular pastoral needs of which you are aware in these days.

    

And for some reflection:

     Winter weather can be tough not only on the body, but also on the spirit.  That said, sometimes the heart can be warmed on even the coldest day and most difficult conditions.  Consider an occasion remembered by author Frederick Buechner.

 

    The next winter I sat in Army fatigues somewhere near Anniston, Alabama, eating my supper out of a mess kit.  The infantry training battalion that I had been assigned to was on bivouac.  There was a cold drizzle of rain, and everything was mud.  The sun had gone down.  I was still hungry when I finished and noticed that a man nearby had something left over that he was not going to eat.  It was a turnip, and when I asked him if I could have it, he tossed it over to me.  I missed the catch, the turnip fell to the ground, but I wanted it so badly that I picked it up and started eating it anyway, mud and all.  And then, as I ate it, time deepened and slowed down again.  With a lurch of the heart that is real to me still, I saw suddenly, almost as if from beyond time altogether, that not only was the turnip good, but the mud was good too, even the drizzle and cold were good, even the Army that I had dreaded for months.  Sitting there in the Alabama winter with my mouth full of cold turnip and mud, I could see at least for a moment how if you ever took truly to heart the ultimate goodness and joy of things, even at their bleakest, the need to praise someone or something for it would be so great that you might even have to go out and speak of it to the birds of the air.

(as found in Listening to Your Life)

 

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, February 1, the Sacrament of Holy Communion

     Deuteronomy 18:15-22

     1 Corinthians 8:1-13

     Mark 1:21-28

 

Men's Coffee - Walnut Hill men are invited to gather for coffee this Saturday morning, January 31, 8am, at Paneras (Richmond Rd).  Feel free to stop in for as long or short a time as your schedule allows.  No rsvp required.

 

Saving Jesus, a video discussion series exploring Jesus Christ for the third millennium, continues this Sunday, February 1, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  This Sunday's session, "Jesus' Program: The Kingdom of God," explores Jesus' understanding of God's intentions for this world in which we live.  Feel free to join the conversation, enjoy a cup of coffee, or just listen in. (Childcare is available upon request.  Simply use reply email or call the church office to request child care.)  

 

SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY - Well it's finally here, Souper Bowl Sunday, February 1.  Immediately after worship, everyone is invited to Trinity Hall to sample and enjoy a variety of delicious soups prepared by several hometown "chefs."  You will also have opportunity to make a donation (in any amount) to support the work of hunger relief in central and eastern Kentucky as carried out by God's Pantry.  Walnut Hill's Souper Bowl Sunday is part of a nationwide program that raises millions of dollars annually for hunger relief.  Come, enjoy the soup and help make it possible for others to enjoy their soup as well.

 

Women's Dinner - The next Walnut Hill Women's Dinner is scheduled for Wednesday, February 11, 6:30pm, at Buddy's (corner of Euclid Ave. and High St.).  Dr. Emily Askew, Professor of Theology at Lexington Seminary, will be the speaker.  Contact Natalie Watt or Dorothy Brockopp, or use the sign up sheet in the Sanctuary foyer to rsvp.

 

A Reminder:  If a Sunday worship service at Walnut Hill is cancelled due to weather, a message indicating the cancellation will be placed on the church voice mail by 9am that Sunday morning.  So..., if the weather on a Sunday morning leaves you wondering about services at Walnut Hill, simply call the church phone (263-5304) after 9am.  A regular message indicates service as usual.  A special message will indicate any changes or cancellations.

 

Thanks, news, etc...

     *Thanks to...Angela Hurley, Shirley and Bill Riley for last Sunday's refreshments; Dave Sharrard for some recent work around Trinity Hall; John Ragland for coordinating our snow response.

     *Congratulations to Spencer Horman upon receiving the "God and Family" scout emblem for his recently completed study.  Spencer received his emblem during morning worship last Sunday. 

 

Peace (and warmth) to all.

 

Mike Ward