Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Greetings to all!

We are in the midst of Week 2 of the RENEW season:  "God calls us
and offers healing."   In her book, The Cup of Our Life, Joyce Rupp 
describes the healing process as it applies to the inner person and 
spirit.

Healing takes a lot of patience and much time.  Like a deep wound in
the body that heals from the inside out, so with our healing.  We may not
always readily see the steady healing occurring, but we need to believe
that the mending is taking place.

Besides believing that we can be healed, our mending also requires:
*naming and working with our unwanted emotions,
*extending compassion toward ourselves and others,
*letting go of resistances,
*trusting and yielding to God,
*receiving support from others,
*extending and receiving forgiveness,
*taking good care of our body and our spirit.

We may not be able to undo or fix the past, but we can be healed from 
what has wounded us.  Today is a good day to remember that healing is
a process, not a one-time event.  Let us patiently approach the process of
our inner healing with trust and with confidence.

Looking ahead to RENEW, Week 3, March 4 - 11

Focus: God Calls Us as Family Members
Scripture Lessons:  Romans 8:31-39 ; Colossians 3:12-17

This Sunday, March 4, we will explore the Week 3 focus in our Sunday 
Conversation (10am), Morning Worship (11am), and Sunday School for 
Children (11am).

Small Groups are meeting during the RENEW season on Sunday 
evenings (co-ed), Monday evenings (co-ed), and Thursday mornings
(women).  Use reply email or call the church office (263-5304) for more
information about and/or to join a small group.

RENEW Home Activity Booklets are available in the Sanctuary foyer.
The Home Activity Booklets provide suggestions for reflection and action
around each week's RENEW theme.  Use reply email or call the church
office if you need to have a booklet delivered to you.

Sermon Recordings during the RENEW season are available via the
internet at  www.walnuthill.posterous.com .  Go to the site and scroll
down to find RENEW season sermon recordings.

A Call for Recipes

Four Seasons of Hospitality at Walnut Hill will be the title of a cookbook
featuring the recipes of dishes enjoyed at such Walnut Hill occasions as
the fall and spring potlucks, "Souper Bowl," and Sunday after worship 
gatherings.   Martha DeReamer, Ruth Sharrard, and Lauren Fouts will
happily receive your recipe submissions.   A late summer/early fall 
publishing date is anticipated.


Men's Coffee

Walnut Hill men are invited to gather each Saturday morning, 8am, at 
Paneras on Richmond Road for coffee and conversation.  Feel free to
stop in for as long or short a time as your schedule allows.  No rsvp
required.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward


Friday, February 24, 2012

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, February 26, at Walnut Hill Church...

WALNUT HILL RENEW - THE LORD'S CALL
"God Calls Us and Offers Healing"

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

"Falling Upward"

Our conversation will focus around a video presentation by 
Richard Rohr in which he explores how our failings can be
a foundation for our spiritual growth.  In other words, we often
experience more spiritual growth when we "do it wrong" than 
when we "do it right."

Nursery care available for young children.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - Healing Our Inner Conflict
Text -  Romans 7:14-25

Nursery Care and Sunday School for Children.

Youth - "sandwich ministry" for the Community Inn

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.


Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Greetings to all!

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, a traditional 
season of reflection.  This year at Walnut Hill, Lent overlaps our 
RENEW program even as the lenten tradition of "letting go" creates
space for new life and "renewal."  Dorothy Bass expresses it well...

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, when we remember by the smudges
on our foreheads that we are dust and to dust we shall return, and 
ends on Maundy Thursday, when Jesus is sentenced to death.
Although it begins and ends with a cross, however, Lent's name 
means "spring," and its purpose is a springtime purpose.  This
season opens a renewing space in time, a trench into which we 
shovel whatever must die in us - different for each person - before
new life can come.  Making good on this opportunity requires 
intention and attention...We do the earthy housekeeping of self-
examination, and we confess that we have not been paying 
attention.  Just as Jesus will soon be buried in the tomb, we bury
some of what separates us from him.
(from Receiving the Day)

Ash Wednesday worship opportunities are available at various
churches around Lexington including:
*Christ Church Cathedral at 12:05pm and 7:00pm
*Second Presbyterian Church at 7:00pm

RENEW News - "Be part of it, and experience the renewal!"

*Sunday (Feb 26) Focus: God Calls Us and Helps Us Heal - 
Scripture lessons - Romans 7:14-25; Luke 4:1-13; John 8:1-11.
We will explore the Sunday focus in our Sunday Conversation (10am),
Morning Worship (11am), and Sunday School for children (11am).

*Small Groups are meeting during the RENEW season on Sunday 
evenings (co-ed), Monday evenings (co-ed), and Thursday 
mornings (women).   Use reply email or call the church office
(263-5304) for information and/or to join a small group.

*RENEW Home Activity Booklets are available in the Sanctuary 
foyer.  Use reply email or call the church office if you need to have 
a booklet delivered to you.

*Sermon Recordings during the RENEW season are available via
the internet at  www.walnuthill.posterous.com .

Sunday Hospitality

A host(s) is needed for our after worship gathering this Sunday,
February 26.  Sunday refreshments need not be elaborate, just 
something simple to gather around as we fellowship.   Use reply
email or call the church office (263-5304) to volunteer for this
Sunday, or check the sign up sheet in the Sanctuary foyer to host
a Sunday later in the winter or spring.  Thanks to all our recent 
Sunday hosts!

Peace to all.

Mike Ward
  

Friday, February 17, 2012

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, February 19, at Walnut Hill Church...

WALNUT HILL RENEW - THE LORD'S CALL
"God calls us and loves us as individuals."

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Who's Calling?

We will begin our RENEW conversations by exploring several 
"call narratives" from scripture and ask how those stories might 
help us listen for God's call today.

Nursery will be staffed for young children.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - The Lilies and the Birds
Text - Luke 12:22-31

Distribution of RENEW home activity booklets.

Nursery care and Sunday School for children.  Sunday School will
focus on "The Lord's Call"  theme.

Afterworship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.


Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Greetings to all!

This Sunday, February 19, begins our Walnut Hill RENEW season,
and with it six weeks of reflection, conversation, and action around the
theme, "The Lord's Call."  To some, the notion of God calling us sounds
rather mysterious, or perhaps limited to those "called" to special 
vocations.  Yet, as Henri Nouwen suggests, the call of God describes
a most basic reality about all of us.

Long before any human being saw us, we are seen by God's loving
eyes.  Long before anyone heard us cry or laugh, we are heard by our
God who is all ears for us.  Long before any person spoke to us in this
world, we are spoken to by the voice of eternal love.  Our preciousness,
uniqueness, and individuality are not given to us by those who meet us
in clock-time - our brief chronological existence - but by the One who
has chosen us with an everlasting love, a love that existed from all
eternity and will last through all eternity.
(from Life of the Beloved)

RENEW NEWS!! - "Be part of it, and experience the renewal!"

*Sunday (Feb 19) Focus:  God Calls Us and Loves Us as Individuals -
Scripture lessons - Matthew 10:26-33 and Luke 12:22-31.
We will explore the Sunday focus in our Sunday Conversation (10am),
Morning Worship (11am), and Sunday School for children.

*Small Groups - Three small groups will be meeting weekly during
the RENEW season:  Sunday evening, Monday evening, and Thursday
morning.  The Sunday and Monday evening groups are "co-ed."  The 
Thursday morning group is for women.  Use reply email or call the church
office (263-5304) for more information and/or to join a small group.

*Home Activity Booklets will be distributed this Sunday for use by 
individuals and families during the RENEW season.  Be sure to pick up 
your copy this Sunday.  Use reply email or call the church office if you 
need to have a booklet delivered to you.

One Great Hour of Sharing
The One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) offering begins next week (Feb 22), 
continuing through Easter Sunday. The OGHS is an ecumenical 
offering used to support disaster relief and refugee resettlement around
the world.  OGHS collection boxes will be available for pick-up at 
Walnut Hill this Sunday, Feb 19.  For more information regarding OGHS,

In the Community
*A Celtic Event to benefit Pyramid Professional Resources (PPR) will be 
held on Saturday, February 18, at Christ Church Cathedral.  The Event will
include Irish Dancers, a first person "embodiment" of John Muir (by Dick Shore),
celtic food and music, and silent auction.  Cost is $50/person.  Call 252-5021 
for ticket information/reservation.  PPR is a non-profit organization providing job 
related mentoring and support to homeless individuals.  For more information
about PPR, see  www.pprlex.org .

*The 116th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington 
will be held in Lexington on February 17 - 18.  The theme of this year's
convention will be Making All Things New!  Mike Ward will be attending 
the Convention's Friday session.  For more information regarding the 
Diocese of Lexington and the Convention, see www.diolex.org .

Peace to all.

Mike Ward









Friday, February 10, 2012

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, February 12, at Walnut Hill Church...

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

The end, for me, the beginning of life...

We will talk together about the life, times, and thoughts of 
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, with particular attention to his thoughts 
about ethical decision making, the relationship between the 
church and state, and personal faith.

Nursery care will be available for children.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - Go in Peace
Text - 2 Kings 5

Boy Scout Sunday (see below)

Nursery care and Sunday School for children.

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

Ecumenical Worship Service, 7pm, Pax Christi Catholic Church

Eight congregations, including Walnut Hill, are sponsoring this
service in observance of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
Pax Christi Catholic Church is located at the corner of Man-O-War
Blvd and Victoria Way, just east of Nicholasville Road.

******

Boy Scout Sunday
*Flag Raising Ceremony, 10:30 am, at the flagpole.
*Recognition of current and former scouts.
*Scouts will assist and lead various aspects of our worship service.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Greetings to all!

In her book, The Irrational Season, Madeleine L'Engle reflects on her
experience of love in the context of her marriage to actor Hugh Franklin.
L'Engle's thoughts might be a beginning point for some Valentine's Day
reflection.

   No long-term [relationship] is made easily, and there have been times
when I've been so angry or so hurt that I thought my love would never
recover.  And then, in the midst of near despair, something has 
happened beneath the surface.  A bright little flashing fish of hope has
flicked silver fins and the water is bright and suddenly I am returned to
a state of love again - till next time.  I've learned that there will always be
a next time, and that I will submerge in darkness and misery, but that I
won't stay submerged.  And each time something has been learned 
under the waters; something has been gained; and a new kind of love
has grown.  The best I can ask for is that this love, which has been 
built on countless failures, will continue to grow.  I can say no more 
than that this is mystery, and gift, and that somehow or other, through
grace, our failures can be redeemed and blessed.

The scripture lessons for Sunday, February 12...
2 Kings 5:1-14
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Mark 1:40-45

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, February 12, 10am, in
Trinity Hall.  Our topic for the morning will be the life, times, and thought
of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.  Come enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation,
or just listen in.

WALNUT HILL RENEW begins on Sunday, February 19.  Small groups
are currently being formed and group leaders prepared for their work. 
Home activity booklets will be distributed on Sunday, February 19.  What
can you do?
*Pray for the Walnut Hill RENEW program and for your own experience
of renewal in these days.  Place a leaf on the "Renew Tree" in the 
Sanctuary foyer as a symbol of your prayers.
*Register to be part of a small group.  Registration forms are available
in the Sanctuary foyer, or you may request one by reply email.
*Be present at Walnut Hill for the Sundays February 19 through March 25
as we explore the Lord's call upon our lives individually and as a 
congregation.

SOUPER BOWL THANKS - Thanks to all the soup chefs and other food
providers as well as those who enjoyed the soup and made donations in
support of last Sunday's Souper Bowl, which raised $347 for God's Pantry.  

In the Community:
*An Ecumenical Worship Service celebrating the Week of Prayer for
Christian Unity will be held at Pax Christi Catholic Church this Sunday,
February 12, 7pm.  Leadership will include participants from eight local 
congregations, including Walnut Hill, as well as regional leaders from 
eight different denominations.
*J. Philip Newell, poet, scholar, teacher, and former leader of the Iona
community in Scotland, will be at Christ Church Cathedral, March 16 - 18,
presenting on the topic, "A New Harmony: The Spirit, the Earth, and the
Human Soul."  Visit www.ccclex.org for more program and registration
information.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Friday, February 3, 2012

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, February 5, at Walnut Hill Church...

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

A Spoke in the Wheel

This Sunday's conversation will focus on the life and times of 
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, German pastor, theologian, and Nazi resister.  
Bonhoeffer's thoughts and actions raise important challenges and 
questions for individuals and faith communities.  We will view excerpts 
from the 2003 film, Bonhoeffer.

Nursery care will be provided.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - Raised to Serve
Text - Mark 1:29-39

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Nursery care and Sunday School for children.

"SOUPER" BOWL, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to enjoy delicious soups prepared by Walnut Hill chefs.  
Donations will be received to benefit God's Pantry Food Bank, which 
serves households throughout central and eastern Kentucky.

 

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Greetings to all!

A large church here in Lexington recently hosted a lecture on the life of 
Dietrich Bonhoeffer.  A "standing room only" crowd turned out to hear the 
presentation, an indication of the ongoing interest in this German pastor,
theologian, and Nazi resister.  Indeed, there is much to be learned from
reflection on Bonhoeffer's life, thought, and actions.  Consider these 
passages from two of his letters...

(to his brother, Karl, 1935)
I think I am right in saying that I would only achieve true inner clarity and
sincerity by really starting to take the Sermon on the Mount seriously. This
is the only source of strength that can blow all this nonsense sky-high.  The
restoration of the church will surely come from...a life of adherence to the
Sermon on the Mount in imitation of Christ. I believe the time has come to
rally people together for this. 

(to his friend, Eberhard Bethge, 1944)
I discovered later, and am still discovering right up to this moment, that
it is only by living completely in this world that one learns to have faith.
By this-worldliness I mean living unreservedly in life's duties, problems,
successes, failures.  In so doing we throw ourselves completely into the
arms of God, taking seriously not only our own suffering, but those of
God in the world.  That, I think, is faith. 

The scripture lessons for Sunday, February 5...
   Isaiah 40:21-31
   1 Corinthians 9:16-23
   Mark 1:29-39

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, February 5, 10am, in 
Trinity Hall.  The focus for this Sunday's Conversation will be the life
and times of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.  Come enjoy a cup of coffee, join the
conversation, or just listen in.

"SOUPER" BOWL SUNDAY is this Sunday, February 5, immediately 
after morning worship.  You will have opportunity to enjoy some delicious
soup and make a donation in support of God's Pantry.  We are still 
welcoming a few more "soup chefs" who would like to offer their culinary
creations to this good cause.  Use reply email if you would like to bring
some soup on Sunday. 

RENEW NEWS!!
*RENEW "Call to Prayer" - Set aside a few minutes daily to pray for
the congregation and your self.  Your prayers might include the "Renew
Prayer", your own prayers, reflection on Sunday's Scripture lessons 
(see above), silence, etc... Use your imagination!
*The Renew "Tree" has been "planted" in the Sanctuary foyer.  Add
your "leaf" to the Renew Tree as a symbol of your commitment to pray for 
the program's success.  See the tree for more details.
*Renew Small Group registration is underway and continues through 
mid-February.  Registration cards are available in the Sanctuary, 
or you may request one by reply email.
*Renew officially begins on Sunday, February 19. Be part of it, and
experience the "renewal!"

In the community:  The Episcopal Diocese of Lexington will hold its 
116th Annual Convention, February 17 -18, in Lexington.  Walnut Hill
is invited to send observers to the Convention.  Use reply email, or 
contact Mike Ward, if you would like to attend all, or part, of this year's
Diocese Annual Convention.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward