Friday, April 27, 2012

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, April 29, at Walnut Hill Church...

SPRING POTLUCK!!

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

The 23rd Psalm as a Spiritual Pilgrimage

"Psalm 23 embodies the form of pilgrimage and recounts the 
spiritual journey of its author.  Although it once belonged to
its author, it has, since then, reverberated in the hearts of 
generations upon generations.  The text itself serves as an
occasion for pilgrimage."  
(Mark Smith, as found in Interpretation)

Children's Choir, 10am, Children's Chapel or Trinity Hall

Children are invited to gather for music and singing.  Look 
(listen) for the children in the Children's Chapel or Trinity Hall
depending on the weather.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon: The Good Shepherd
Text:  John 10:11-18

Nursery Care and Sunday School for Children

SPRING POTLUCK, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for this delicious Walnut Hill tradition.
Bring a salad, side dish, or dessert (and your appetite).




Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Greetings to all!

The UK Bat Cats are having a great season, and the professional
baseball season is well underway.  Perhaps it is an appropriate
time for a life lesson from baseball as offered by a former 
Commissioner of Major League Baseball, Francis T. "Fay" Vincent.

Baseball teaches us, or has taught most of us, how to deal with
failure.  We learn at a very young age that failure is the norm in 
baseball and, precisely because we have failed, we hold in high
regard those who fail less often - those who hit safely in one out of
three chances and become star players.  I also find it fascinating 
that baseball, alone in sport, considers errors to be part of the 
game, part of its rigorous truth.

(as found in The Spirituality of Imperfection)

The scripture lessons for Sunday, April 29, the 4th Sunday of Easter
and "The Sunday of the Good Shepherd."
Acts 4:5-12
Psalm 23
1 John 3:16-24
John 10:11-18

Sunday Conversations continue on Sunday, April 29, 10am, in 
Trinity Hall (upstairs office).  Our conversation focus for this Sunday
will be the 23rd Psalm and its presentation of "life as pilgrimage."
Come enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or just listen in.

Children's Choir - Children through elementary age are invited to
gather for music and singing on Sunday morning, 10am, in Trinity
Hall.  The children are preparing for a music presentation later in
the spring.

SPRING POTLUCK, Sunday, April 29, immediately after morning
worship.  Bring a salad, side dish, or dessert.  Meat and beverage
will be provided.  We still need a couple volunteers to help with 
some details of the meal, particularly receiving/placing dishes on
the serving table and managing the beverage station.  Use reply
email to volunteer for either of these tasks.  Most importantly, come
and bring your appetite!

Walnut Hill Hospitaltiy: A Cookbook - Plans are in the works for a 
Walnut Hill cookbook featuring dishes that we have shared together
on occasions such as seasonal potlucks, Souper Bowl Sunday, and
our regular after worship gatherings.  Bring your recipe (including
title, your name, ingredients, and directions) to Walnut Hill any 
Sunday over the next several weeks.   Publication is expected in
time for 2012 holiday gift giving.

One Great Hour of Sharing - The results are in for the OGHS 
offering, $414.55.  Thanks to all those who participated via home
collection boxes and those who made special OGHS offerings on 
Easter Sunday.  Your offerings are now on their way to provide 
resettlement and disaster relief from West Liberty (KY) to the Sudan, 
and points in between.

Sandwich Ministry - A new sign up sheet has been posted in the 
Sanctuary foyer listing opportunities to serve as Walnut Hill's monthly
Sandwich Ministers at the Lexington Community Inn.  A description
of the Sandwich Ministry is posted next to the sign up sheet.

Peace to all!

Mike Ward



Friday, April 20, 2012

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, April 22, at Walnut Hill Church...

EARTH DAY

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

On Nature and Humans

We will view and discuss a brief interview with Thomas Berry,
the late Catholic priest and eco-theologian.  In this interview, 
Berry asserts that "the earth is primary, humans are derivative" 
and affirms that every being, animal and plant, has the right 
"to be, to habitat, and to fulfill its role in the great community 
of existence."

Children's Choir, 10am, Trinity Hall

Children through elementary age are invited to gather for
music and singing.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon:  Earth Lessons
Text:  Psalm 8 and Matthew 5:43-48

Nursery Care and Sunday School for Children.

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

*****

The Vestry will meet at 9:30 am in the upstairs office of
Trinity Hall.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Greetings to all!

Sunday, April 22, is Earth Day, an occasion to reflect on our relationship
to the Earth.  That relationship takes many forms.  One form we might
not often consider is our relationship with the Earth as students (us) with a
teacher (the Earth).  In her poem, "Earth Teach Me," Nancy Wood 
identifies four lessons to be learned from the Earth.  No doubt there are
many other lessons the Earth might teach us as well.

Earth teach me stillness
as the grasses are stilled with light.
Earth teach me suffering
as old stones suffer with memory.
Earth teach me humility
as blossoms are humble with beginning.
Earth teach me caring
as the mother who secures her young.

(as found in Woman Prayers)

The lectionary readings for Sunday, April 22, the 3rd Sunday of Easter:
Acts 3:12-19
1 John 3:1-7
Luke 24:36-48

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  
Sunday Conversations include a wide range of topics, from current 
events to Bible study.  Come, enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation,
or just listen in.

Children's Choir:  Children through elementary age are invited to gather
for music and singing at 10am in Trinity Hall.  The children are preparing
for a music presentation later in the spring.

The Vestry will meet this Sunday, April 22, in Trinity Hall.  

Spring Potluck: Our traditional spring potluck will be held on Sunday,
April 29, immediately after morning worship.  Bring a salad, side dish,
or dessert.  We need a few volunteers to help with a few details of the 
meal.  Use reply email to inquire about helping with some detail of our
spring potluck.

Sunday Sermon recordings are available at www.walnuthillchurchky.org

Earth Day in the Community:  Christ Church Cathedral, the Living 
Arts and Science Center, and others are sponsoring an Earth Day 
Celebration on Saturday, April 21, 9am - 3pm, at the Old Episcopal
Burying Grounds (East 3rd Street) in Lexington.  Visit 
www.lasclex.org for program information.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Friday, April 13, 2012

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, April 15, at Walnut Hill Church...

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

A Question of Justice

We will discuss the recent events in Sanford, Florida, asking how
our faith informs our thoughts about, and responses to, those events.

Children's Choir, 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

Sermon:  The Thomas Mass
Text:  John 20:19-31

Nursery care and Sunday School for children.

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Greetings to all!

As we continue to reflect on the message of Easter, consider these
thoughts by Madeleine L'Engle.

   Easter: that day which follows the harrowing hell of Great and Holy
Saturday; Easter, which turns a terrible Friday into Good Friday.  It is
almost too brilliant for me to contemplate; it is like looking directly 
into the sun; I am burned and blinded by life.
   Easter completes the circle of blessing, and the joy of the completion 
remains, despite all the attempts of the powers of darkness to turn it to 
cursing...
   Easter is the most brilliant of all blessings, and all through the Bible,
in both the Old and New Testaments, comes the message of blessing,
and that is the vocation of the People of God to bless as well as be 
blessed, and to turn away wrath with a soft answer - a softness which
is not flabby, but which has the power of meekness.
(from The Irrational Season)

The scripture readings for Sunday, April 15...
   Acts 4:32-35
   1 John 1:1 - 2:2
   John 20:19-31

Sunday Conversations resume this Sunday, 10am, with reflection on 
the issues raised by recent events in Sanford (FL) and Tulsa (OK).  
Come enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or just listen in.

Children's Choir:  Children, through elementary age, are invited to
gather on Sunday morning, 10am, in Trinity Hall for music and singing 
in preparation for a presentation later in the spring.

Refreshment Hosts are needed for our after worship gathering this
Sunday, April 15.  Remember that refreshments need not be elaborate,
just something to gather around as we fellowship after worship.  Use
reply email to volunteer for this Sunday, or check the sign up sheet in
the Sanctuary foyer to host a Sunday later in the spring.

Spring Potluck - Sunday, April 29 -  Our traditional spring potluck
will be held on Sunday, April 29, immediately after morning worship.
Bring a salad, side dish, or dessert.  Meat and beverage will be 
provided.  Do not miss this delicious Walnut Hill tradition.

The One Great Hour of Sharing offering was received this past 
Sunday.  Households using home collection boxes are asked to 
return them to Walnut Hill by this Sunday, April 15.  We hope to have
the offering counted and on its way as soon as possible to support
disaster relief and refugee resettlement around the world.

Sermon recordings are available online at www.walnuthillchurchky.org

Peace to all.

Mike Ward




Friday, April 6, 2012

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, April 8, at Walnut Hill Church...

EASTER SUNDAY

Easter Sunrise Service, 7am, Walnut Hill Church Cemetery

We will gather in the Walnut Hill Cemetery for  Morning Prayer 
in witness to the resurrection of Jesus.  Dress for the outdoors.  
In case of inclement weather, the service will be held in the 
Sanctuary.  

Scripture Text:  Mark 16:1-8
Homily:  A Simple Act of Devotion

Music provided by Julia Eastin Dubowy

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Scripture Text:   John 20:1-18
Sermon:   Appearance and Presence

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.
Please bring one (1) item for the refreshment table.

Easter Egg Hunt, Noon, Church Grounds

Children through 3rd grade are invited to hunt for eggs 
scattered around the church grounds.  Please bring 1 dozen 
stuffed eggs for each "hunter" in your household.  Also, bring
a basket for your child to use while hunting.

One Great Hour of Sharing

The One Great Hour of Sharing offering will be received on 
Easter Sunday.  Households using OGHS collection boxes are
asked to bring those boxes to the church on Easter Sunday.
Baskets will also be available for donations by cash or check.
Make your check payable to Walnut Hill Church, designated
"OGHS".   The OGHS offering supports disaster relief and 
refugee resettlement around the world.

HAPPY EASTER!

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Greetings to all!

We are in the midst of Holy Week, traveling from Palm Sunday to Easter 
Sunday.  We are sometimes inclined to skip immediately from one Sunday
to the next, but during this week, let us not overlook the days in between.

   For one whole week, we relive in present time a devastating sequence 
of events that took place in a minor city of the Roman Empire twenty 
centuries ago.  We enter the story through dramatic liturgies that trace 
their roots to the 4th century, when they were developed for the throngs
of pilgrims who celebrated Pascha* at the holy places.  As if we were in 
Jerusalem ourselves, we wave palms and shout Hosanna! on the day that
is both Palm Sunday and Passion Sunday.  The shouts soon ring hollow,
however, for we know that by week's end the crowd will abandon the one
we now acclaim.  On Thursday, he will host us at a table of love and 
forgiveness, even though he knows it too.

   With this meal, we enter the heart of the paschal mystery for the three days
known as Triduum.  After Thursday's arrest come Friday's crucifixion, 
Saturday's silence, and Sunday's glory.  At last, Christ is risen, and so are
we.  Our words are in the present tense, and this Easter and the first one are
each of them, and both together, the first day of a new creation.

(from Receiving the Day, by Dorothy C. Bass)

*Pascha - variously used in reference to Passover and/or Easter.


Maundy Thursday - All ages are invited to gather at Walnut Hill on Thursday, 
April 5, 6pm, for a simple meal and fellowship.  Soup and beverage will be
provided.  Please bring a bread, fruit, or cheese.  After the meal, adults will
gather for a service of Evening Prayer while the children share activities 
related to Holy Week.  RSVP via reply email or by phone to the church office
(263-5304).

The scripture lessons for Sunday, April 8, Easter Sunday:
Isaiah 25:6-9
Acts 10:34-43
John 20:1-18

Easter Sunday Schedule:
*Easter Sunrise Service, 7am - We will gather in the Walnut Hill 
Cemetery for a service of Morning Prayer in witness to the Resurrection of
the Lord.  In case of inclement weather, the service will be held in the 
Sanctuary.
*Morning Worship & Holy Communion, 11am - Join us for liturgy, 
music, and sacrament as we celebrate the Risen Christ.  Nursery care and 
Sunday School will be available for children.
*After Worship Gathering - All are invited to gather for refreshments and
fellowship.  Please bring one (1) item for the refreshment table.  
*Easter Egg Hunt - Due to rain last Sunday, the annual Easter Egg Hunt
will be held after worship on Easter Sunday.  Children through 3rd Grade are
invited to hunt for eggs scattered around the church grounds.  Please bring
1 dozen stuffed eggs per "hunter" in your household as well as a basket for
your child to use during the hunt.
*Please note that Sunday Conversations and Children's Choir are 
dismissed for Easter Sunday.

One Great Hour of Sharing - The One Great Hour of Sharing Offering will be
received on Easter Sunday.  Households using OGHS home collection boxes
are asked to return them to Walnut Hill on Easter Sunday.  Special offering 
baskets will also be available in the foyer of the Sanctuary to receive cash and
checks payable to Walnut Hill Church (designated "OGHS").  OGHS is an 
ecumenical offering supporting disaster relief and refugee resettlement around 
the world.

Mark Your Calendar - The Annual Spring Potluck will be held on Sunday,
April 29, immediately after morning worship.  More details to follow.

Peace to all. 

Mike Ward