Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Greetings to all!

One of the more sobering opportunities during Lent is the invitation
to consider one's mortality, which is usually measured in the 
chronological years available to us on this earth.  Consider this
reflection by Henri Nouwen.

I have always been very conscious of my clock-time.  Often I ask
myself, "Can I still double my years?"  When I was thirty I said: "I
can easily live another thirty!"  When I was forty, I mused, "Maybe
I am only halfway!"  Today I can no longer say that, and my question
has become:  "How am I going to use the few years left to me?"
All these concerns about our clock-time come from below.  They 
are based on the presupposition that our chronology is all we have
to live.  But looked upon from above, from God's perspective, our
clock-time is embedded in the timeless embrace of God.  Looked 
upon from above, our years on earth are not simply chronos but
kairos - another Greek word for time - which is the opportunity to
claim for ourselves the love that God offers us from eternity to 
eternity.  And so our short lives, instead of being that limited amount
of years to which we must anxiously cling, become that saving oppor-
tunity to respond with all our hearts, souls, and minds to God's love
and so become true partners in the divine communion.
(from Here and Now)

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, April 3, the 4th Sunday in Lent:
1 Samuel 16:1-13
Ephesians 5:8-14
John 9:1-41

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Men's Coffee:  Men are invited to gather for coffee this Saturday, April 2,
8am, at Panera's 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, April 3, 10am, in 
Trinity Hall.  Our focus for the day is "Jesus In and Through the Gospels."
Come enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or just listen in.

Children's Choir practice continues this Sunday, April 3, 10am, in
Trinity Hall.  All children through elementary age are invited to join the singing
on Sunday mornings as the children work toward a presentation on 
Palm Sunday, April 17.  Contact Nell Horman for more information.

Host(s) needed - A host(s) is needed for our refreshments after worship this
Sunday, April 3.  Let us know by reply email if you would like to host (or co-
host) our refreshments this Sunday.  Or check the sign up sheet in the
Sanctuary foyer for available Sundays later in the spring.  Thanks to all
our refreshment hosts including Kathy Steinmetz and John Bauer who
hosted last Sunday.

2011 Community Fund Grant nominees are now being received.  All
Walnut Hill members and friends are invited to nominate agencies and 
organizations to receive some part of $10,000 available through this 
year's Community Fund.  Nomination deadline is April 1.  Grant recipients
and amounts will be determined at an open meeting in May.  You may 
submit a nomination by reply email or by contacting any Vestry member.

Japan Relief - Thanks to your generosity, $617 is on its way to aid the 
people of Japan via Church World Service.   Thanks to all who gave 
extra in recent weeks to make this outreach possible.  Check out 
www.churchworldservice.org for more information about the disaster
and the relief efforts of Church World Service and its partner agencies.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward
 

Friday, March 25, 2011

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, March 27, at Walnut Hill Church...

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Jesus as God's Prophet

In this video presentation and  conversation we will consider the 
ways in which the Gospel of Luke presents Jesus as a charismatic
figure, directed by the Spirit, and constantly praying.  He calls his
followers to live the prophetic and servant life that he lived.  

Come and enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or just listen in.

Children's Choir Practice, 10am, Trinity Hall

Children through elementary age are invited to gather for music 
and singing in preparation for a presentation later in the spring.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

The Third Sunday in Lent
Sermon:  CREDO
Text: John 4:5-42

Nursery Care and Sunday School for children.

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Greetings to all!

Many Christians participate in special practices during Lent to enhance 
their spiritual awareness, among them the practice of reading the Bible.  
While hopefully not a practice limited to one season, extra attention to the 
Scriptures is appropriate during this time, but to what end?  For "information" 
about God?  Craig Dykstra writes...

I have a hunch that God is using the Bible for many more things than just to 
inform us.  God is using the Bible, I would say, to give us courage, to set us 
free from whatever enslaves us, to seduce us (if that is not too strong a word)
into the love God has for us, to call us to account, to turn us around from 
whatever paths of destruction we may be following, to humble us where we 
need to be humbled, to lift us up when we are heavily burdened, to forgive us, 
to redeem us, to make us holy.  God is using the Bible not  only to inform us but 
to form us and re-form us, to shape us into God's own.
(from Growing in the Life of Faith

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, March 27, the 3rd Sunday in Lent:
Exodus 17:1-7
Romans 5:1-11
John 4:5-42

Men's Coffee:  Men are invited to gather for coffee this Saturday, March 26,
8am, at Panera's 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, March 27, 10am, in 
Trinity Hall.  Our focus for the day is "Jesus In and Through the Gospels."
Come enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or just listen in.

Japan Earthquake/Tsunami Relief:  If you have not already had 
opportunity to send a donation to help the people of Japan, you may do
so this Sunday at Walnut Hill.  Offering baskets will be available to receive
your cash or checks (payable to Walnut Hill Church).  Our gifts will be sent
via Church World Service.

2011 Community Fund Grant nominees are now being received.  All
Walnut Hill members and friends are invited to nominate agencies and 
organizations to receive some part of $10,000 available through this 
year's Community Fund.  Nomination deadline is April 1.  Grant recipients
and amounts will be determined at an open meeting in May.  You may 
submit a nomination by reply email or by contacting any Vestry member.

Thanks to all who served in so many ways last Sunday to make possible my 
participation in the CREDO retreat program in Hunt, Texas.  I look forward to 
building upon and sharing the outcomes of the conference in the weeks ahead.

Peace,

Mike Ward

Friday, March 11, 2011

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, March 13, at Walnut Hill Church...

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Jesus In and Through the Gospels

In this video presentation and  conversation we will consider the 
ways in which Jesus is presented in the Gospel narratives.  Come
and enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or just listen in.

Children's Choir Practice, 10am, Trinity Hall

Children through elementary age are invited to gather for music 
and singing in preparation for a presentation later in the spring.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

The First Sunday in Lent
Sermon:  In Adam's fall...
Text: Romans 5:12-19

The Sacrament of Baptism.

Nursery Care and Sunday School for children.

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

*****

Daylight Savings Time: Don't forget to set your clocks ahead one hour 
on Saturday evening.

Our construction project is now focusing on the sidewalk behind the
Sanctuary, near the playground.  Please enter the Sanctuary and Trinity Hall 
via the front sidewalk.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Greetings to all!

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.  In her poem, "Ashes,"
Ann Weems recalls the practice of burning the preceding year's Palm
Sunday branches to gather the ashes for Ash Wednesday.

Two nights ago I knelt and
took the ashes from the fireplace.
It was some time before I saw evidence 
of the smudge of ash upon my face.
I washed it quickly away.

Last night I knelt and took the bread 
and dipped it in the cup,
and then I felt the cool smooth
finger of ash upon my forehead,
ashes from last year's palms
saved for this holy time.
I wondered if there might still be
some remnant of Hosanna!
lingering in the ashes.

All evening long I wore the ash,
that holy ash,
and when others saw the smudge,
I wondered if they were inclined
to wipe it clean
or to lean closer
in the hope of hearing
some soft Hosanna!
burning still
in ash
or heart...

(from Kneeling in Jerusalem)

Ash Wednesday services are available around town including:
*Christ Church Cathedral at 12:05 pm and 7:00 pm.
*Second Presbyterian Church at 7:00 pm.

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, March 13, the First Sunday in Lent:
Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7
Romans 5:12-19
Matthew 4:1-11

Children's Choir practice resumes this Sunday, March 13, 10am, in
Trinity Hall.  All children through elementary age are invited to join the singing
on Sunday mornings as the children work toward a presentation on 
Palm Sunday, April 17.  Contact Nell Horman for more information.

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, March 13, 10am, in 
Trinity Hall.  Our focus for the day is "Jesus In and Through the Gospels."
Come enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or just listen in.

2011 Community Fund Grant nominees are now being received.  All
Walnut Hill members and friends are invited to nominate agencies and 
organizations to receive some part of $10,000 available through this 
year's Community Fund.  Nomination deadline is April 1.  Grant recipients
and amounts will be determined at an open meeting in May.  You may 
submit a nomination by reply email or by contacting any Vestry member.

Sunday Hospitality:  We have done a great job in providing after worship
hospitality for the first couple months of 2011, with all Sundays spoken for up 
through this Sunday, March 13.  Our next available opening is Sunday, 
March 20 (a week from this Sunday).  If you would like to host (or co-host) that day, 
let us know by reply email, or check the sign up sheet in the Sanctuary foyer for a 
Sunday later in the spring.  Thanks to all our Sunday hosts.

Icons in Transformation is the title of an exhibit at Christ Church Cathedral
featuring the work of artist Ludmilla Pawlowska.  In honor of the exhibit, a 
special service of Evensong will be held at Christ Church Cathedral this 
Sunday, March 13, 4:30pm.  For more information regarding the exhibit, 

Thanks to...the Choir, Phil Bloomfield, Deanna and Thomas Rawlings,
Natalie and Bob Watt, Ben Horman, and Stephen Trail for their leadership
and service during last Sunday's worship; Gene Brockopp for leading our
Sunday Conversation; Stephanie Prewitt and Dara Talbott for their work 
with the children; the Smith family for our after worship refreshments.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Friday, March 4, 2011

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, March 6, at Walnut Hill Church...

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

The Canonical and Apocryphal Gospels

In this video presentation and  conversation we will consider the 
events leading to the closing of the "canon" of Scripture by which 
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John were accepted as the complete and 
only authoritative Gospel witnesses to the life of Jesus.  Recent discoveries
reveal many more voices (Gospels) regarding Jesus written in the early 
decades of the church.  So, should the "canon" remain closed, or should
it be open to these and other voices regarding the life and ministry of Jesus?  
Come enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or just listen in.

(Nursery care available for children)

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

"The Transfiguration of the Lord"
Sermon:  Shining Like the Sun
Text: Matthew 17:1-9

The Sacrament of Holy Communion.

Nursery Care and Sunday School for children.

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.
(Technology permitting, we may have the UK/UT game on the big screen.)

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Greetings to all!

This Sunday, March 6, we observe the Sunday of the Transfiguration of
the Lord as we remember the occasion on the mountain top when Jesus 
was "transfigured" in the presence of his disciples.  It was a rather other worldly
experience.  Yet, as Frederick Buechner observes...

Even with us something like that happens every once in a while.  The face
of a man walking his child in the park, of a woman picking peas in a garden,
of sometimes even the unlikeliest person listening to a concert, say, or 
standing barefoot in the sand watching the waves roll in, or just having a
beer at a Saturday baseball game in July.  Every once and so often, 
something so touching, so incandescent, so alive transfigures the human
face that it is almost beyond bearing.
(as found in Listening to Our Lives)

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, March 6, the Transfiguration of the Lord:
Exodus 24:12-18
2 Peter l:16-21
Matthew 17:1-9

(the Sacrament of Holy Communion)

Men's Coffee:  Men are invited to gather for coffee this Saturday, March 5,
8am, at Panera's on Richmond Road.  Feel free to drop in for as long or 
short a time as your schedule permits.  No rsvp required.

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, March 6, 10am, in Trinity 
Hall. Our focus for the morning will be "Jesus In and Through the Gospels."
Come enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or just listen in.

Thinking about the Garden:  - Last year's Walnut Hill gardeners have already
received a note from Glenna Fay asking their thoughts about the 2011 
Walnut Hill Garden.  If you have not been among the Walnut Hill gardeners
in past seasons, this is your invitation to get in on the conversation and 
consider having a plot for your household's enjoyment.  Use reply email to
let us know of your interest, and we will put you in contact with Glenna.

Icons in Transformation is the title of an exhibit at Christ Church Cathedral
featuring the work of artist Ludmilla Pawlowska.  For more information 
regarding the exhibit, visit www.ccclex.org.

Thanks, news, etc...
*Thanks to...Sherry Warden, Dorothy and Gene Brockopp for providing
our Sunday refreshments; Stephanie Prewitt and Nelson Barnes for their 
work with children and youth during the Sunday School hour; Gene Brockopp
for guiding our 10am Sunday Conversation.
*Brothers Hudson, Walker, and Bennett Fain received the sacrament of
Baptism during morning worship.  Parents Heather and Bill Fain were 
received into membership by transfer of church letter.
*One Great Hour of Sharing offering boxes will be available for pickup
at morning worship this Sunday, March 6.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward