Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Greetings to all!

This Sunday, October 3, is our annual observance of Ecumenical Sunday, an 

opportunity to celebrate and explore Walnut Hill's identity as an "ecumenical church."

A good starting place for our Ecumenical Sunday reflection is the Preamble to the

Constitution and By-Laws of Walnut Hill Church.

   We, the members of the Walnut Hill Church, an Ecumenical Church, of Lexington,

Kentucky, do hereby organize for the purpose of providing public worship, the 

apostolic ministry of word and sacrament, religious instruction, pastoral care and 

counseling, and in general a witness to the community of the need for life and 

work in the name of Jesus.

   We accept for membership with us all those who profess the Lord Jesus and who 

share with us an appreciation for the historic creeds, sacraments, the historic 

canon of scripture of the Old and New Testaments, and the historic apostolic 

ministry. We also include in our fellowship those who, while seeking truth, may not

be prepared to accept as yet the fullness of the above stated standards.  We, as a

church, are a fellowship of believers who wish to bring bring together all men and

women as children of God and do not wish to make an obstacle in creed and 

dogma to fellowship with God's people.  We believe that the true basis of Christian

fellowship is love which is greater than all our differences, and without this love we

have no claim to Christian fellowship.

Our guest speaker for Ecumenical Sunday will be Dr. Margaret N. Ralph, scripture

scholar, writer, and teacher.  Dr. Ralph is on the faculty of the Lexington Theological 

Seminary, the author of thirteen books, and a Roman Catholic layperson.  "Margie"

will visit with us informally during the 10am Sunday Conversations and present the

sermon during the 11am worship service.

The schedule for Ecumenical Sunday, October 3.

*10am - Sunday Conversations with Dr. Ralph for adults.

     - Activities and Nursery Care for children.

*11am - Morning Worship and Holy Communion

     - Sunday School and Nursery Care for children.

*Noon - Refreshments and Fellowship

Youth are invited to gather for dinner on Wednesday, September 29, 6pm, at 

Joe Bologna's.  The youth will continue their planning of activities for this school

year.

Men's Coffee - Men are invited to gather for coffee this Saturday, October 2, 8am, at

Panera's on Richmond Road.  You are welcome to stay for as long or short a time as

your schedule allows.  No rsvp required.

The Vestry will meet this Sunday, October 3, at 12:30pm.

The 2010- 2011 Sunday School Year is well under way with lessons and

activities for children during the worship hour.  Volunteers are needed to lead 

or assist in classes.  You may volunteer for one Sunday (or more) using the 

sign up sheet posted on the Trinity Hall bulletin board.  We are particulary seeking

volunteers for Sunday, October 24.  Contact Lauren Fouts for more information regarding 

volunteer opportunities.

CROP Walk Wrap-Up:  It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon as 19 Walnut Hill children,

youth, and adults walked with several hundred others through the streets of Lexington raising 

awareness and funds for hunger relief in central Kentucky and around the world.  Thanks to

all who participated as walkers and/or sponsors, with special thanks to Nell Horman for her 

work as Walnut Hill's team captain.  Sponsorship and donation totals are currently be calculated.

The Walnut Hill Newsletter will soon be in the mail.  Watch for it later this week.  Special

thanks to Lisa Smith for her work as newsletter editor.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

 

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

Sunday, September 26, at Walnut Hill Church...

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

From Small Beginnings...

According to Jesus, the good news of God's love begins in a 

small, almost imperceptible, way, only to become obvious 

everywhere.  Is this really so?  Is it true in your life? We'll talk 

about the progress of God's love as we consider the parables 

of "The Growing Seed," "The Leaven," and "The Mustard Seed."

Nursery care for young children available upon request. 

Use reply email to request nursery care.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon: A Reversal of Fortunes

Text:  Luke 16:19-31

Nursery Care and Sunday School for children.

CROP Walk, 3pm, Second Presbyterian Church

All ages are invited to participate in this 3 mile walk to raise

awareness and funds for hunger relief. 

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Greetings to all!

The World Equestrian Games has finally arrived, and the watchword for

all of us is "hospitality."  Let us be truly hospitable while our global guests are in

town.  As we do so, let us know remember that the call to hospitality applies

not only to those who pass briefly in and out of our lives, but also to those with

whom we share our "home" in an ongoing way.  Consider these thoughts on 

hospitality as offered by Ana Maria Pineda.

Ironically, it is not just hospitality to the "stranger" that is in peril in our society.

We are short not only of tables that welcome strangers but even of tables that

welcome friends.  In a society that prizes youthfulness, the elderly are often 

isolated from the affection and care of their own families.  In many busy families,

children find no after-school welcome home, and spouses find little time to

host one another over supper.  And when we become estranged - separated

by grievances large or small, or simply crowded out of one another's lives - 

we all too often become "strangers" even to those we once loved.  Can we move

beyond strangeness and estrangement to learn the skills of welcoming one

another and to claim the joy of homecoming?

(from "Hospitality" as found in Practicing Our Faith)

The Scripture lesson for Sunday, September 26:

Luke 16:19-31

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, September 26, 10am, in Trinity

Hall.  Our focus for the day will be Jesus' parables of the "Growing Seed," "The

Leaven," and "The Mustard Seed."   

Host Needed - Speaking of hospitality, we are looking for a refreshment host(s)

for this Sunday, September 26.  Use reply email to inquire about hosting this

Sunday's after worship refreshments, or check the sign up sheet in the Sanctuary

foyer to host a Sunday later in the fall.

The 2010 CROP Walk is coming on Sunday, September 26, 3pm.  The CROP

Walk is an ecumenical event to raise awareness and funds for hunger relief

locally and around the world.  You can support the CROP Walk by walking (3 miles)

or by sponsoring a walker.  Walnut Hill Church will sponsor any Walnut Hill walker

in the amount of $35.  A sign up sheet for walkers is available in the Sanctuary foyer, 

as well as a basket to receive your individual sponsorship donations.  Nell Horman is 

serving as our team leader.  

Youth Gathering - Walnut Hill youth gathered last Sunday evening for pizza and

planning.  Thanks to all the youth and leaders who attended and helped develop

a list of future youth activities.  The youth plan to continue the conversation next

Wednesday, Sept. 29, 6pm, at Joe Bologna's.  For more information, check out the youth

tab on the Walnut Hill website, the Walnut Hill Church Facebook page, or contact

Nelson Barnes. 

Thanks to all who helped make our Fall Potluck a delicious success.  From picking 

up the chicken, to managing and cleaning up the kitchen, to returning the tables and

chairs to their storage place, and of course the preparing of a variety of delicious 

dishes, thanks to all!

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

Sunday, September 19, at Walnut Hill Church...

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Prayer as Perseverance

When all is said and done, might prayer be a simple matter

of perseverance?  We'll talk about this as we consider two

of Jesus' parables, "The Friend at Night," and "The Unjust 

Judge."

Nursery care available upon request.  Use reply email to 

request nursery care for an infant or small child.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon: There Goes the Neighborhood!

Text: Luke 10:25-37

Nursery Care and Sunday School for children.

Fall Potluck, Noon, Trinity Hall

Bring a salad, side dish, or dessert. 

Youth Gathering, 5pm, Trinity Hall

Middle and High School youth are invited to gather for

pizza and planning this year's youth activity schedule.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

September 15, 2010

Greetings to all!

The political season is heating up as we move toward election day in

November.  "Politics" is one aspect of our common life that many people

"love to hate."  The political world of Jesus' time was certainly much different

than ours.  Common to both times, however, was/is the penchant toward 

complaining about leaders of government.  Jesus did not disagree with those 

complaints; instead, he turned them into a lesson about our own living...

You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers

lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them.  But it is not so

among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your

servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all.  For 

the Son of Man came not be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom

for many.

(Mark 10:42-45)

The Scripture lesson for Sunday, September 19:

Luke 10:25-37

Men's Coffee:  Men are invited to gather for coffee this Saturday, September 18,

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 continue this Sunday, September 19, 10am, in Trinity

Hall.  We continue our conversation around the "Parables of Jesus," particularly

the parables of the "Friend at Night" and the "Unjust Judge" with their lessons 

about faith. (see Luke 11:5-8 and 18:1-8)

The Fall Potluck is coming on Sunday, September 19, after morning worship.

Bring a salad, side dish, or dessert, and your appetite.  We can use some 

help with a few details regarding the meal including "chicken picker upper,"

"beverage coordinator," and "clean up captain."  Use reply email to inquire how you

might help with one or another of these details.

A Walnut Hill Youth Gathering is scheduled for Sunday, September 19, 5pm at 

Walnut Hill.  Youth will be treated to all the pizza they can eat as they share 

their interests and ideas for future youth activities.  Contact Nelson Barnes for more 

information.

The 2010 CROP Walk is coming on Sunday, September 26, 3pm.  The CROP

Walk is an ecumenical event to raise awareness and funds for hunger relief

locally and around the world.  You can support the CROP Walk by walking (3 miles)

or by sponsoring a walker.  A sign up sheet for walkers and sponsors is available

in the Sanctuary foyer.  Nell Horman is serving as our team leader.  

Thanks, news, etc...

*Thanks to...Stephanie Prewitt and Derek Vaughan for their work with children

and youth this past Sunday; Robin and Wayne Doller and Heather and Hunter Hale

for providing our refreshments; John Ragland, Steve Atwood, and Barb Waldmann-

Ward for their work digging potatoes last Saturday morning.

*Madeline Bryher Hale, daughter of Heather and Hunter Hale, received the

sacrament of Baptism during morning worship on Sunday.

*The Big Blue Barrel was recently collected and weighed by the folks at God's 

Pantry yielding 177 pounds of food for persons in central and eastern Kentucky.  Thanks

to all who donated.  

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

 

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, September 12, at Walnut Hill Church

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

"Read Your Invitation"

This Sunday's conversation concerns Jesus' parable of

"The Great Feast" (Luke 14:15-24) in which the banquet hall

is filled with all manner of society's outcasts.  What does this

parable have to say about God and about those who receive

an invitation to enjoy divine hospitality?

Enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or just listen

in.  Nursery care available upon request.  Use reply email to 

request nursery care for an infant or small child.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon:  Debts and Debtors

Text: Matthew 18:21-35

The Sacrament of Holy Baptism

Nursery care and Sunday School for children.

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

Community Potato Harvest

You are invited to a "Community Potato Harvest"

Saturday, September 11, 10am 

Walnut Hill Church

Bring a shovel or other potato digging implement.

Help for as long or short a time as your schedule allows.  

No rsvp required.

For all ages! 

This is a great learning opportunity for children and youth.

Harvesters may keep as many potatoes as they would like.  

Excess potatoes will be donated to a local charity.

The harvest will take place as planned unless it is 

actually raining on Saturday morning at 10am. 

Use reply email to request additional information.

Help us bring in the final harvest of the 

2010 

Walnut Hill Church Garden!

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

September 8, 2010

Greetings to all!

The 9-11 anniversary approaches on Saturday, and once again we are

reminded of an event that many say changed our lives, and our world,

forever.  Remembering such an event has its place.  There may still be losses

to be mourned and lessons to be learned from it.  Yet, remembering also 

has its risk, the risk of becoming trapped by the past, preventing us from seeing 

the present, including others and ourselves, in new and fresh ways.  In the 

Christian tradition, forgiveness is the practice of not allowing our past to prevent 

our living freely in the present.  By means of forgiveness, offered and received, 

the past loses its grip on us, allowing us and others to move forward with our lives 

in positive and productive ways. Forgiveness is not easy, but the alternative of 

being trapped in anger and bitterness is, in the long run, more difficult. 

Remember 9-11?  How can we not; yet, may the remembering not limit the 

freedom of our present and future. 

The Scripture lesson for Sunday, September 12:

Matthew 18:21-35

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, September 12, 10am, in Trinity

Hall.  We continue our conversation around the "Parables of Jesus," particularly

the parable of the "Wedding Feast," with its lesson to always read an invitation 

very carefully. (see Luke 14:15-24 and Matthew 22:1-14)

The 2010- 2011 Sunday School Year officially begins this Sunday with lessons

and activities for children during the worship hour.  Volunteers are needed to lead 

or assist in classes.  You may volunteer for one Sunday (or more) using the 

sign up sheet posted on the Trinity Hall bulletin board.  Contact Lauren Fouts

for more information regarding volunteer opportunities.

The Fall Potluck is coming on Sunday, September 19, after morning worship.

Bring a salad, side dish, or dessert, and your appetite.  We can use some 

help with a few details regarding the meal.  Use reply email to inquire how you

might help with one or another of these details.

A Walnut Hill Youth Gathering is scheduled for Sunday, September 19, 5pm at 

Walnut Hill.  Youth will be treated to all the pizza they can eat as they share 

their interests and ideas for future youth activities.  Contact Nelson Barnes for more 

information.

The 2010 CROP Walk is coming on Sunday, September 26, 3pm.  The CROP

Walk is an ecumenical event to raise awareness and funds for hunger relief

locally and around the world.  You can support the CROP Walk by walking (3 miles)

or by sponsoring a walker.  A sign up sheet for walkers and sponsors is available

in the Sanctuary foyer.  Nell Horman is serving as our team leader.   

Thanks, news, etc...

*Thanks to... the Walnut Hill Choir, both our in house and student members, for

their worship leadership last Sunday; Spencer Horman, Phil Bloomfield, Natalie

and Bob Watt, Barbara and Chris Bohmer for their service during worship; Ruth

and David Sharrard for providing our after worship refreshments.

*Jennifer Boone and John Purviance were married at Walnut Hill Church on 

Saturday, September 4.

*Mason and Coleman Mackiewicz, sons of Alissa and Mark Mackiewicz, 

received the sacrament of Baptism during morning worship on September 5.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward 

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

Sunday, September 5, at Walnut Hill Church...

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

"The Workers in the Vineyard:

 Equal Pay for Unequal Work"

(Matthew 20:1-16)

This is the first of our conversations focusing on the parables

of Jesus. "In the parable of the workers in the vineyard, Jesus 

turns the accepted understanding of justice upside down...When 

the workers complain, it is not because an injustice has been done

to them; it is because the employer has been generous to 

others...it is not a matter of justice but of envy." (Albert Nolan)

Enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or just listen

in.  Nursery care available upon request.  Use reply email to 

request nursery care for an infant or small child.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon:  Lost and Found

Text:  Luke 15:11-32

The sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper

Nursery care and Sunday School for children.

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Greetings to all!

We will spend some time over the Sundays of September reflecting on the 

parables of Jesus. 

A parable is a small story with a large point.  Most of the ones Jesus

told have a kind of sad fun about them.  The parables of the Crooked 

Judge, the Sleepy Friend, and the Distraught Father are really jokes in 

their way, at least part of whose point seems to be that a silly question

deserves a silly answer.  In the Prodigal Son, the elder brother's pious

pique when the returning prodigal gets the red-carpet treatment is worthy

of Moliere's Tartuffe, as is the outraged legalism of the Laborers in the 

Vineyard when Johnny-Come-Lately gets as big a slice of the worm as 

the Early Bird.  The point of the Unjust Steward is that's its better to be a

resourceful rascal than a saintly schlemiel; and of the Talents that, 

spiritually speaking, playing the market will get you further than playing

it safe...With parables and jokes both, if you've got to have it explained,

don't bother.

(Frederick Buechner as found in Wishful Thinking)

The Scripture lesson for Sunday, September 5, the sacraments of 

Holy Communion and Holy Baptism:

Luke 15:11-32

Sunday Conversations resume this Sunday, September 5, 10am, in 

Trinity Hall.  Our conversation topic for the month of September will be 

the parables of Jesus, this Sunday focusing on the parable of the "Laborers

in the Vineyard" (Matthew 20:1-16), or as it might be subtitled, "Equal Pay

for Unequal Work."  Come and enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, 

or just listen in.

The Fall Potluck, a delicious Walnut Hill tradition, is coming on Sunday,

September 19.  Bring a salad, side dish, or dessert, and your 

appetite.  We are currently seeking volunteers to help with some details of 

the meal.  Use reply email to inquire about volunteering.

Pakistan Flood Relief - Persons wanting to respond to the recent 

devastating floods in Pakistan may do so at Walnut Hill.  Feel free to bring

an extra offering over the next couple Sundays and place your offering

in the collection basket located in the Sanctuary foyer.  Donations

will be sent to the affected area via our ecumenical partner, Church 

World Service.

In the Community - Central Kentucky Radio Eye (CKRE) is a free service

broadcasting the reading of the current newspaper and other everyday

literature to serve the blind, visually impaired and other physically disabled

persons in central Kentucky.  CKRE is currently recruiting a variety of 

volunteers and is offering a volunteer orientation on September 24, 2:30pm.

For more information about CKRE, visit the website www.uky.edu/Libraries/CKRE/

or call 859-422-6390.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward