Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Greetings to all!

In her book, The Cup of Our Life, Joyce Rupp reflects on the "cup of thanksgiving."

   It is amazing, isn't it, how we can miss so much of life?  The key to gratitude is
surprise.  When we lose our sensitivity to wonder and awe, when we simply trudge
or zoom through the days, we can so easily miss the daily gifts of life.  When we 
awaken to what is within us and around us, when we savor, relish, and taste life
fresh each day, our heart holds much more gratitude for our blessings.
   One practice that has helped to reawaken my gratitude when my thankfulness
has grown lean is to take one of my five external senses each day and be 
attentive to it.  One day I notice all the sounds that I hear; another day I pay close
attention to everything I see, etc.  Doing this helps me to move out of my tired
approach to life.  I restore my alertness to my daily gifts and begin to see the 
universe as one vast blessing.
   Are you living your life right now?  Or, are you still waiting for it to happen?

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, July 17:
Genesis 28:10-19
Romans 8:12-25
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, July 17, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  This
Sunday's focus, "Facing the Issues of Mortality," as guided by John Shelby Spong.
Come enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or just listen in.

Speaking of Sunday Conversations, looking ahead to this fall's Sunday Conversations,
you are invited to offer your ideas for conversation topics, format, etc.  Join us for 
some "conversation" about this after worship on July 24.  If you can not be present
on that day, but have an idea to share, you can do so by reply email or by 
contacting the church office (263-5304).

The Big Blue Barrel has been placed in Trinity Hall to receive your contributions of 
non-perishable food items.  When 
the barrel is full, the folks from God's Pantry will 
distribute the contents throughout central and eastern 
Kentucky.  You 
might want to 
bring an item from your pantry each Sunday, or bring a bag full all at once!  
Don't forget 
to let the children participate by bringing an item (s) during the summer.

Summer Sunday School - With folks traveling during the summer, our Sunday School 
is a 
little less formal than during 
the school year.  Nonetheless, Lauren can often use an 
extra 
set of hands to help on those Sundays when we have a 
large number of children 
present.  
You can help by being "on call" for a  Sunday, by which you make yourself 
available 
to help if needed.  Check the sign up sheet in Trinity Hall for a Sunday or two 
on which you 
might be "on call" for our 
children.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

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