Friday, January 28, 2011

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

Sunday, January 30, at Walnut Hill Church...

"Let The Children Come to Me", 10am, Trinity Hall

Children through elementary age are invited to explore
and learn about the elements of worship and the Bible, 
which are foundational for religious education.  

"Sunday Conversations", 10am, Trinity Hall

From a Woman's Perspective: Sojourner Truth

This Sunday continues a series of six conversations focusing
on women in biblical and church tradition.  Come and 
enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or just listen in.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon -  Blessed Are You
Text - Matthew 5:1-12

Nursery Care and Sunday School for Children

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

****
Remember that in case of inclement weather on Sunday, you
can call the church office (263-5304) after 9am on Sunday 
morning to hear a recorded message regarding the status of 
that day's worship and other activities.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Greetings to all!

This Sunday's scripture lessons (see below) include a portion known as 
"The Beatitudes," among them the strange sounding promise, "Blessed are
the meek, for they will inherit the earth."   Consider this reflection from 
Thomas Keating.

The third beatitude, "Happy are the meek," addresses the drive for power, 
as if to say "How happy you would be if you did not want to control 
situations, other people, or your own life, and if you possessed the freedom
to accept insults and injustice without being blown away."

(from Active Meditations for Contemplative Prayer)

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, January 30:
Micah 6:1-8
1 Corinthians 1:18 - 31
Matthew 5:1-12

Let the Children Come to Me is  the title of a six Sunday series of lessons for 
children introducing them to worship and the Bible continuing this Sunday, 
January 30, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  Take note these lessons are different from 
those being presented during the 11am Sunday School class.

Sunday Conversations continue  this Sunday, January 30, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  
Our conversation focus for these Sundays in January isFrom a Woman's 
Perspective, highlighting the stories and witness of women from biblical tradition 
and church history.  Come and enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or 
just listen in.  

A Host (s) is needed for our after worship refreshments this Sunday, 
January 30.  Use reply email to volunteer for this Sunday or check the sign
up sheet for an opportunity later in the winter or spring.

Youth To the Slopes: A winter outing to Perfect North Ski Area (near Cincinnati)
is being planned for Walnut Hill middle and high school youth on Sunday, 
February 13.  Guests (1 per WHC youth) are welcome.  Cost is $30/person.  
RSVP deadline is Tuesday, February 1.   Contact Lauren Fouts or Nelson 
Barnes for more details. 

And for younger children:  Knowing that younger ones also like winter 
sports, children through elementary age may also join a Walnut Hill group to
Perfect North on February 13 with parent accompaniment.  Contact Lauren
Fouts for more information.

Thanks to...Kathy Steinmetz for sharing personal reflections during our 10am
Conversation hour; Stephen Trail for acolyte service; Stephanie Prewitt for her
assistance during the Sunday School hour; Matt and Amy Trail for our after 
worship refreshments last Sunday.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward 

Friday, January 21, 2011

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

Sunday, January 23, at Walnut Hill Church...

"Let The Children Come to Me", 10am, Trinity Hall

Children through elementary age are invited to explore
and learn about the elements of worship and the Bible, 
which are foundational for religious education.  

"Sunday Conversations", 10am, Trinity Hall

From a Woman's Perspective: Teresa, a spanish mystic

This Sunday continues a series of six conversations focusing
on women in biblical and church tradition.  Come and 
enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or just listen in.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon -  Labels
Text - 1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Nursery Care and Sunday School for Children

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

****
Remember that in case of inclement weather on Sunday, you
can call the church office (263-5304) after 9am on Sunday 
morning to hear a recorded message regarding the status of 
that day's worship and other activities.


Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Greetings to all!

January 18 - 25 is the "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity," a season of particular 
meaning for Walnut Hill Church given our ecumenical mission.  Consider the 
following prayer for your reflection and use this week.

God in Christ in the Spirit, may we your people bear witness to Your Love 
for all.
May those we encounter in our daily lives know that we are Christians by 
our lived witness of Your Love for us, in us, and through us.
We are a diverse people but we have need of each other and we have 
need of You.
Help us to live into the gift of Your Oneness - Your  Family - Your Church - 
Your Love...
for ultimately we all live in You.  Amen.

(National Council of Churches, A Prayer for Witnesses, on the occasion of 
the recent NCC Centennial Gathering in New Orleans.)

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, January 23:
Isaiah 9:1-4
1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Matthew 4:12-23

Men's Coffee: Men are invited to gather for coffee this Saturday, January 22, 
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.

Let the Children Come to Me is  the title of a six Sunday series of lessons for 
children introducing them to worship and the Bible continuing this Sunday, 
January 23, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  Take note these lessons are different from 
those being presented during the 11am Sunday School class.

Sunday Conversations continue  this Sunday, January 23, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  
Our conversation focus for these Sundays in January will be, From a Woman's 
Perspective, highlighting the stories and witness of women from biblical tradition 
and church history.  Come and enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or 
just listen in.  

Sunday Hospitality:  Thanks to Linda and Nelson Barnes (with some 
assistance on site by the Talbott family)  for providing our refreshments 
last Sunday.  A new sign up sheet has been posted offering opportunities 
to host for Sundays through May.  Check the sign up sheet or contact the 
church office to inquire about hosting a particular Sunday.  Thanks to all
our Sunday hosts.

Youth Leadership:  Special thanks to several Walnut Hill youth who 
provided leadership on Sunday including Megan Smith, John DeReamer,
and William Ristau during morning worship, and Spencer Horman 
representing Walnut Hill at an ecumenical service for the Week of Prayer
for Christian Unity.

Youth To the Slopes: A winter outing to Perfect North Ski Area (near Cincinnati)
is being planned for Walnut Hill middle and high school youth on Sunday, 
February 13.  Guests (1 per WHC youth) are welcome.  Cost is $30/person.  
RSVP deadline is Tuesday, February 1.   Contact Lauren Fouts or Nelson 
Barnes for more details. 

And for younger children:  Knowing that younger ones also like winter 
sports, children through elementary age may also join a Walnut Hill group to
Perfect North on February 13 with parent accompaniment.  Contact Lauren
Fouts for more information.

The Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington will be held 
February 24 - 26 in Morehead, KY.  As part of our relationship with the Diocese,
Walnut Hill has observer status at the Annual Convention.  The Annual 
Convention includes a variety of activities and presentations.  Contact Mike
Ward if you would like more information about the Convention and/or the
possibility of serving as an observer delegate for all or part of the program.

Special thanks to our guest Jay Crutcher and our own Angela Hurley for 
their collaboration on a special offertory selection for our M.L. King observance 
last Sunday.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward 

 

Friday, January 14, 2011

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

Sunday, January 16, at Walnut Hill Church...

"Let The Children Come to Me", 10am, Trinity Hall

Children through elementary age are invited to explore
and learn about the elements of worship and the Bible, 
which are foundational for religious education.  

"Sunday Conversations", 10am, Trinity Hall

From a Woman's Perspective: Mary, Mother of the Church

This Sunday continues a series of six conversations focusing
on women in biblical and church tradition.  Come and 
enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or just listen in.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon -  From Mean Streets to Beloved Community
Text - Zechariah 8:1-8

Martin Luther King, Jr, Day Observance
Youth Leadership Sunday

Nursery Care and Sunday School for Children

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Greetings to all!

The recent events in Arizona have raised all sorts of discussion
and debate around the country regarding political rhetoric, 
pervasive violence, gun control, and mental illness to name a few.
At the least, the violence in Arizona and other events like it make 
us yearn for a different way of living together.  One such alternative 
is embodied in Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision of the "Beloved 
Community."

But the end is reconciliation; the end is redemption; the end is the
creation of the beloved community.  It is this type of spirit and this
type of love that can transform opposers into friends.  The type of 
love that I stress here is not eros, a sort of aesthetic or romantic
love; not philia, a sort of reciprocal love between friends; but it is
agape, which is understanding good will for all men.  It is an 
overflowing love which seeks nothing in return.  It is the love of 
God working in the lives of men.  This is the love that may well be
the salvation of our civilization.
(from The Role of the Church in Facing the Nation's Chief Moral
Dilemma, 1957)

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, January 16:
Zechariah 8:1-8
Acts 2:42-47
Luke 23:32-43

Let the Children Come to Me is  the title of a six Sunday series of 
lessons for children introducing them to worship and the Bible 
continuing this Sunday, January 16, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  Take note
these lessons are different from those being presented during the
11am Sunday School class.

Sunday Conversations continue  this Sunday, January 16, 10am, in 
Trinity Hall.  Our conversation focus for these Sundays in January will 
be, From a Woman's Perspective, highlighting the stories and witness
of women from biblical tradition and church history.  Come and 
enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or just listen in.  

Sunday Hospitality:  Thanks to Natalie and Bob Watt, Mary Ann Davis,
and Vicky Walker for providing our refreshments last Sunday.  A 
new sign up sheet has been posted offering opportunities to host for
Sundays through May.  Check the sign up sheet or contact the church
office to inquire about hosting a particular Sunday.

Youth Leadership:  Beginning this Sunday, January 16, the third 
Sunday of each month will serve as an opportunity for youth (middle and 
high school) to assist in worship leadership.  Speaking and non-
speaking roles are available.  Use reply email to inquire about
worship leadership opportunities for a youth in your household.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will be observed by an 
ecumenical worship service on Sunday, January 16, 7pm, at Pax
Christi Catholic Church in Lexington.  Mike Ward and Spencer 
Horman from Walnut Hill will be among the worship leaders, as well 
as other clergy, youth, lay persons, and executives from six different 
congregations and denominations.  You are invited to attend. 

Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday observances will include the 
traditional "Freedom March" on Monday, January 17, at 10am, downtown 
Lexington.  The march will begin and end at Heritage Hall.  For more information
regarding MLK Day activities, see www.uky.edu/MLK/participate.html.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

 

Friday, January 7, 2011

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

Sunday, January 9, at Walnut Hill Church...

"Let The Children Come to Me", 10am, Trinity Hall

Children through elementary age are invited to explore
and learn about the elements of worship and the Bible, 
which are foundational for religious education.  

"Sunday Conversations", 10am, Trinity Hall

From a Woman's Perspective: Sarah, A Matriarch of Israel

This Sunday begins a series of six conversations focusing
on women in biblical and church tradition.  Come and 
enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or just listen in.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon -  The Baptism of the Lord
Text - Matthew 3:13-17

Reaffirmation of Baptism

Nursery Care and Sunday School for Children

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Greetings to all!

Thursday, January 6, marks the Epiphany of the Lord, the observance
of the church most associated with the visit of the Magi to Bethlehem.
Epiphany is one of several observances on the church calendar that 
guide us through the life of Christ, each observance offering its particular
"grace."  

The grace of Christmas is to know Christ in his humanity.  The grace of
Epiphany is to know Christ in his divinity.  The grace of Holy Week is to
know him in his emptying and dying.  The grace of Easter is to know 
him in his triumph over sin and death.  And the grace of the Ascension
is to know him in the whole of his being, as the Cosmic Christ.  It is to
know the glorified Christ, who passed, not into some geographical 
location, but into the depths of all creation.
(from Active Meditations for Contemplative Prayer, by Thomas Keating)

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, January 9, the Baptism of the Lord:
Isaiah 42:1-9
Acts 10:34-43
Matthew 3:13-17

Men's Coffee:  Men are invited to gather for coffee and conversation
this Saturday, January 8, 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.

Let the Children Come to Me is the title of a six Sunday series of 
lessons for children introducing them to worship and the Bible 
beginning this Sunday, January 9, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  

Sunday Conversations resume this Sunday, January 9, 10am, in 
Trinity Hall.  Our conversation focus for the next six weeks will be, 
From a Woman's Perspective, highlighting the stories and witness
of six women from biblical tradition and church history.  Come and 
enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or just listen in.

Thanks to...Ben Horman, Stephen Trail, Barbara & Chris Bohmer,
Phil Bloomfield, Cheryl & Ron Johnston, and the Choir for their 
service and leadership during worship last Sunday.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward