Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

December 9, 2009

Greetings to all!

Anne Weems offers a poetic reflection titled "An Angel Filled Advent."

Wouldn't it be wonderful if Advent came filled with angels and
alleluias? Wouldn't it be perfect if we were greeted on these
December mornings with a hovering of heavenly hosts tuning their harps
and brushing up on their fa-la-las? Wouldn't it be incredible if
their music filled our waking hours with the promise of peace on earth
and if each Advent night we dreamed of nothing but goodwill? Wouldn't
we be ecstatic if we could take those angels shopping, or trim the
tree or have them hold our hands and dance through our houses
decorating? And, oh, how glorious it would be to sit in church next
to an angel and sing our hark-the-heralds! What an Advent that would
be! What Christmas spirit we could have! An angel-filled Advent has
so many possibilities! But in lieu of that, perhaps we can give thanks
for the good earthly joys we have been given and for the earthly
"angels" that we know who do such a good job of filling our Advent
with alleluias!
(from "Kneeling in Bethlehem)

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, December 13, the Third Sunday of
Advent:
Zephaniah 3:14-20
Philippians 4:4-7
Luke 3:7-18

CHRISTMAS PAGEANT: The children will be offering their annual
Christmas presentation this Sunday, December 13, during morning
worship. All children planning to participate are asked to gather in
Trinity Hall at 10am for a final practice. Contact Nell Horman or
Lauren Fouts for more information.

LIVING THE QUESTIONS video discussion series concludes this Sunday,
December 13, 10am, in Trinity Hall. The theme for the day is
"Embracing Mystery." Feel free to enjoy a cup of coffee, join the
conversation, or just listen in.

CHRISTMAS PARTY: The annual Walnut Hill Christmas Party will be held
this Sunday, December 13, 4pm - 6pm, at 1202 Delong Place. Please
bring an hors-doeuvre item for the refreshment table. This gathering
is for adults.

CHRISTMAS GIVING: We are pleased to report that all of the ornaments
were taken from "The Giving Tree" last Sunday. Thanks to all those
who picked up an ornament. Remember to return your ornaments, with
the accompanying gift, by Sunday, December 20. For those who missed
the Giving Tree or would simply like ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE
during this season, we are gathering some gifts for the Iraqi family
we helped resettle in Lexington last year. Let us know by reply email
if you would like to provide a gift, gift card, or cash toward this
effort. You may also contact Sherry Warden who is gathering these
gifts for our Iraqi neighbors.

CHURCH ROSTER: Copies of the new church address/phone roster are
available in the foyer of the Sanctuary. You may also contact the
church office (263-5304) to have one sent to you. Thanks to Jim and
Lee Tucker for their work updating and publishing our church roster.

POINSETTIAS may be "adopted" for the holiday season at $15/plant.
Contact Lee Tucker to adopt a poinsettia. Checks payable to Walnut
Hill Church. Adopted poinsettias may be taken home after Sunday
service on December 27.

THANKS to all those who helped make last Sunday a special day
including: the Choir, the Children's Choir, Garrett Rea, Spencer
Horman, Forrest and Monta Rae Cook, Dorothy Paull, Bill and Maggy
Patterson, Ron Johnston, Cory Sharrard, and Ruth Sharrard for their
leadership during worship; Beth and Oggie Hilliard, Barbara and Chris
Bohmer, and Joanne Hilliard for coordinating our Christmas potluck;
all our great Walnut Hill cooks for a delicious potluck feast; the
Talbott family for preparing the Giving Tree ornaments; Phil
Bloomfield for preparing the Communion elements; all those working on
Christmas Pageant preparations; Gene Brockopp for leading our LTQ
discussion.

CHOIR VESTMENTS DEDICATED: In case you missed it Sunday, Choir members
were wearing new vestments recently purchased through the Memorial
Fund. These vestments were dedicated in honor of our Music and Choir
Director, Dr. Angela Hurley, who was presented with organist vestments
and a resolution in her honor.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

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