Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

November 24, 2009

Greetings to all!

In the midst of the travel, sporting events, parades, shopping, and
food, Thanksgiving invites at least some recollection of the Pilgrims
who landed on the shores of the New World in 1620. Gov. William
Bradford's "History of the Plimoth Plantation" offers a glimpse of the
challenges they faced.

Being thus arrived in a good harbor and brought safe to land, they
fell upon their knees & blessed ye God of heaven, who had brought them
over ye vast & furious ocean, and delivered them from all ye periles
and miseries thereof, againe to set their feet on ye firme and stable
earth, their proper elemente...
But I cannot but stay and make a pause, and stand half amased at this
poore peoples presente condition; and so I thinke will the reader too,
when he well considers ye same...They had nowe no friends to welcome
them, no inns to entertaine or refresh their weatherbeaten bodys, no
houses or much less townes to repaire too, to seeke for succoure...And
for ye season it was winter, and they that know ye winters of ye
countrie know them to be sharp & violent, & subject to cruell & feirce
stormes, deangerous to travill to known places, much more to serch an
unknown coast. Besids, what could they see but a hidious & desolate
wildernes, full of wild beasts...For summer being done, all things
stand upon them with a weatherbeaten face; and ye whole countrie, full
of woods & thickets, represented a wild and savage heiw.
(as found in "A Religious History of the American People")

THE LECTIONARY readings for Sunday, November 29, the First Sunday of
Advent:
Jeremiah 33:14-16
1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
Luke 21:25-36

THE CHILDREN'S CHOIR continues its practice this Sunday, 10am, in
Trinity Hall. The children are practicing for a Christmas
presentation during morning worship on Sunday, December 13. All
children through elementary age are encouraged to participate.
Contact Nell Horman for more details.

LIVING THE QUESTIONS video discussion series continues this Sunday,
10am, in Trinity Hall. The topic for this Sunday is "Compassion: The
Heart of Jesus' Ministry." Feel free to enjoy a cup of coffee, join
the conversation, or just listen in.

THANKSGIVING DRESSING/STUFFING: Thanks to all those who contributed
to Walnut Hill's providing the stuffing/dressing for the Nathaniel
Mission's Community Thanksgiving Meal. We are pleased to report that
all 20 pans were sponsored, enough to serve the 400 guests anticipated
at the meal. Matt Trail will be delivering the stuffing/dressing
today, and it is sure to be enjoyed by all. Thanks also to
Critchfield Meats for their help with this project.

WOMEN'S OUTREACH - Related to our November Women's Dinner theme,
Walnut Hill women are invited to bring gift items to be donated to
residents at the Bluegrass Healthcare and Rehabilitation facility.
Suggested items include: powders, night gowns, lap blankets, robes,
socks, slippers, bed jackets, purses, makeup bags, stationery with
stamps. These gift items may be brought to Walnut Hill on Sundays in
November.

THE GIVING TREE - A favorite Walnut Hill tradition is the "Giving
Tree" with its ornaments representing gifts for the children and
adults of a local Lexington family. The Giving Tree will be up and
decorated in Trinity Hall on Sunday, December 6. Simply take an
ornament from the tree, purchase the suggested gift, and return the
gift and ornament to Walnut Hill by Sunday, December 20.

HOLIDAY EVENTS: Here is a look ahead to some holiday events on Walnut
Hill's calendar.
Sunday, December 6: Congregational Christmas Potluck, after
worship. Bring a salad, side dish, or dessert.
Sunday, December 13: Children's Christmas Presentation, during
morning worship.
Sunday, December 13: Christmas Party (for adults), 4pm, 1202 Delong
Place.
Sunday, December 20: Christmas Communion Service, 11am.
Thursday, December 24: Christmas Eve Family Service, 5pm, for all ages.
Thursday, December 24: Christmas Eve, Evening Prayer Fireside, 9pm,
for adults and older youth.

THANKS TO...Ruth Sharrad and her sister Kay Kramer for the wonderful
Thanksgiving Cornucopia adorning the Sanctuary last Sunday; Jo Wallen
for her work with the youth on Sunday; Irene Bloomfield, Kim
Bloomfield, and Kathleen and Art Weinberg for our Sunday refreshments:
Grant and Whitty Rea, Garrett Rea, and Spencer Horman for their
service during worship; Nell Horman for her work with the children's
choir....and to so many others who make our Sunday gatherings possible.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Mike Ward

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