Sunday Update

Dear Friends,

Just to update you that the focus of our Sunday Conversation

at Walnut Hill on Sunday, July 29,  10am, in Trinity Hall, will be:

Responding to Violence

The conversation will focus around past statements by the

Kentucky Council of Churches that gain renewed significance

in light of recent events.  To view the statements ahead of 

time, go to   www.kycouncilofchurches.org (click the "Advocacy"

tab, then click "Council Statements", then scroll down to the

statements labeled "Violence" and "Assault Weapons."

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

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

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Join us for Sunday Conversations this Sunday, July 29.

Sunday Conversations include a wide range of topics in

an informal setting.  As we like to say, come enjoy a cup 

of coffee, join the conversation, or just listen in!

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - What Does the Lord Require?

Text -  Micah 6:1-8

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 9:30am in the upstairs office

of Trinity Hall.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Greetings to all!

   As I have thought about the events of the past week, particularly the events 

in Colorado, one word that keeps coming back to my awareness is "forgiveness."  

What can it possibly mean to forgive in the context of such horror?  Persons 

responsible for violence must certainly be held accountable for their actions.  

Nonetheless, I am guided and challenged both by Jesus who forgave his 

executioners, and also by the members of the Amish community who found a way 

to forgive in response to a horrible act of violence against their community (2006). 

So what does forgiveness look like in response to violence (or any other offense)

against an individual, a community, or even a nation?

   At the least, I think, forgiveness involves not allowing such violence to shape us, 

to embitter us, or to rob us of the good gift which is life; to maintain an openness 

toward life and toward our neighbors that is not possible when fear and

vengeance take root in our hearts.  Forgiveness, I think, keeps the windows 

of our hearts and souls open to the fresh breeze of God's Spirit.  May forgiveness 

find its place in the lives of those who suffer violence, as well as in the lives of

those who witness it.  Peace be with us all.

Mid-Summer Evenings Together  

"What Does the Lord Require?"

Wednesday, July  25

6:00pm - 7:30pm

Each evening includes:

-fellowship meal

-Bible study and activities for adults & children (nursery for young children)

-service of Evening Prayer

Our study focus this evening will be "to walk humbly."

This evening's (July 25) meal will feature summer picnic fare. Sandwiches 

and beverage will be provided.  Bring a picnic style side or dessert.  Feel free

to keep it simple.

*****

"Take Me Out to the Ballgame!" - Join your fellow Walnut Hill friends for an 

evening of baseball on Friday, July 27,  as the Lexington Legends take on the 

Hagerstown Suns. First pitch is 7:05pm.  Tickets are $7. Use reply email to place 

your ticket order.  Five tickets remain available.

*****

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, July 29, 10am.  Sunday

Conversations include a wide variety of topics.  Come enjoy a cup of coffee,

join the conversation, or just listen in.

*****

The Vestry will meet this Sunday, July 29, 9:30am, in the upstairs office of

Trinity Hall.

*****

Sunday School for children is ongoing throughout the summer each Sunday

during the 11am hour.  Be sure to include Sunday School as part of your

children's summer activities.

*****

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

 

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

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

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Gospel Without Borders

Does the Gospel of Jesus Christ have anything to say

regarding the issue of immigration?  We will talk about

this and related questions.  Come enjoy a cup of coffee,

join the conversation, or just listen in.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - The Dividing Wall

Text -  Ephesians 2:11-22

Nursery Care and Sunday School for Children.

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Greetings to all!

Stephen Covey died this week.  You might remember Mr. Covey as an

entrepreneur, management consultant, motivational speaker, and author 

of numerous books including The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (1989).  

In the Foreword to the 2004 edition of The 7 Habits..., Covey listed a number 

of challenges facing humankind today, including "the hunger to be understood."

Few needs of the human heart are greater than the need to be understood - 

to have a voice that is heard, respected, and valued - to have influence.  Most 

believe that the key to influence is communication - getting your point across 

clearly and speaking persuasively.  In fact, if you think about it, don't you find that, 

while others are speaking to you, instead of really listening to understand, you 

are often busy preparing your response?  The real beginning of influence comes 

as others sense you are being influenced by them - when they feel understood by 

you- that you have listened deeply and sincerely, and that you are open. But most 

people are too vulnerable emotionally to listen deeply - to suspend their agenda 

long enough to focus on understanding before they communicate their own ideas.  

Our culture cries out for, even demands, understanding and influence.  However, 

the principle of influence is governed by mutual understanding born of the 

commitment of a least one person to deep listening first.

Mid-Summer Evenings Together  

"What Does the Lord Require?"

Wednesdays, July 18 and 25

6:00pm - 7:30pm

Each evening includes:

-fellowship meal

-Bible study and activities for all ages (nursery for young children)

-service of Evening Prayer

Our study focus this evening will be "to love kindness."

This evening's (July 18) meal will be pizza and salad.  (You do not need

to bring any food items for the meal.  Cash donations will be accepted.)

*****

The Walnut Hill Pancake Ride was held on Saturday, July 14.  Thanks

to the 70 cyclists and 25 volunteers who participated.  A good time was

had by all!  Ride photos have been posted on the church Facebook page.

Search " Walnuthill Church " (note no space in Walnuthill) on Facebook.

*****

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, July 22, 10am, with a 

continuation of our conversation, "Gospel Without Borders," focusing on a 

"gospel" response to immigration issues.

*****

"Take Me Out to the Ballgame!" - Join your fellow Walnut Hill friends for an 

evening of baseball on Friday, July 27,  as the Lexington Legends take on the 

Hagerstown Suns. First pitch is 7:05pm.  Tickets are $7. Use reply email to place 

your ticket order. 

*****

Walnut Hill Hospitality: A Cookbook (LAST CALL) - 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, and place 

your recipe in the collection envelope posted on the bulletin board in the Sanctuary.  

You may also send your recipe by reply email.

 

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

 

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

Sunday, July 15, at Walnut Hill Church...

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Gospel Without Borders

Gospel Without Borders highlights immigration related 

stories in five states, inviting and challenging viewers to 

consider how the Gospel might inform their thoughts and 

actions regarding immigration and immigrants. We will

view the video and share our responses.

Come enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or

just listen in.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon -  The Ark of the Covenant (Before It Was Lost)

Text - 2 Samuel 6

Nursery Care and Sunday School for children.

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Greetings to all!

This evening, July 11, is the first of three "Mid-Summer Evenings Together" 

(see details below).  Our study focus for these three evenings is titled, 

"What Does the Lord Require?" based on the well-known verse in the book

of the prophet Micah.  We will spend the next three Wednesday evenings 

exploring these words:

God has told you, O mortal, what is good;

and what does the Lord require of you

but to do justice, and to love kindness,

and to walk humbly with your God?

(Micah 6:8)

Mid-Summer Evenings Together  

"What Does the Lord Require?"

Wednesdays, July 11, 18, and 25

6:00pm - 7:30pm

Each evening includes:

-fellowship meal

-Bible study and activities for all ages (nursery for young children)

-service of Evening Prayer

Our first evening's (July 11) meal will be potluck.  Bring your favorite dish.

*****

Walnut Hill "Pancake Ride" - Walnut Hill is cooperating with the Bluegrass 

Cycling Club to host the "Walnut Hill Pancake Ride" on Saturday, July 14.  

A pancake breakfast will be served at 9am. The Ride (15, 25, 50 mile options)

begins at 10am.  Feel free to share this information with cycling enthusiasts 

of your acquaintance.  Volunteers for cooking, serving, and hospitality are

welcome.  Use reply email for more information or to volunteer.

*****

A host(s) is needed for our after worship refreshments this Sunday, July 15.  

Use reply email if you would be willing to host this Sunday, or check the sign up 

sheet in the Sanctuary foyer to host a Sunday later in the summer.

*****

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, July 15, 10am, in Trinity Hall.

This Sunday's conversation is titled, "Gospel Without Borders."  Come enjoy a

cup of coffee, join the conversation, or just listen in.

*****

"Take Me Out to the Ballgame!" - Join your fellow Walnut Hill friends for an 

evening of baseball on Friday, July 27,  as the Lexington Legends take on the 

Hagerstown Suns. First pitch is 7:05pm.  Tickets are $7. Use reply email to place 

your ticket order.  

*****

The Hope Center - We continue to accept donations of toiletry items (travel and 

trial size).  Toothpaste, soap, deodorant, etc. are distributed to guests at the

Hope Center.  Place your donations in the collection box located in the Sanctuary

foyer.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

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

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

An Out-of-Body Experience

Have you ever had a "mystical experience"? Some have; others not.

This Sunday we will talk about a mystical experience described in the

scriptures (2 Corinthians 12:2-10) as an entry point to explore the 

place such experiences have, or might have,  in our own lives.

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

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - Homecoming

Text - Mark 6:1-6

Nursery Care and Sunday School for Children

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

Youth Gathering, 4pm, at Walnut Hill

Youth (middle school and above) are invited to gather for activities.

*****

Pancake Ride (July 14) volunteers are invited to gather briefly after

worship this Sunday (July 8) in the Sanctuary for information regarding 

their volunteer assignments.  This is not a mandatory meeting for volunteers 

but simply an opportunity to receive more information and/or to ask

questions about their service.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Greetings to all!

Though we observe it on the 4th rather than the 2nd, may the spirit of our 

Independence Day celebration be that which is expressed in the well-known 

words of John Adams...

   The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the 

history of America.  I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding 

generations as the great anniversary festival.  It ought to be commemorated 

as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.  It ought 

to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, 

bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this

time forward for ever more.

(as found in Call to America)

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, July 8...

Ezekiel 2:1-5

2 Corinthians 12:2-10

Mark 6:1-13

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, July 8, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  

Our conversation for this Sunday is titled, "An Out of Body Experience."  Come

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

Walnut Hill Youth (middle school and older) are invited to gather for activities this 

Sunday, July 8, 4pm, at Walnut Hill.  

Mid-Summer Evenings Together - Join us three Wednesday evenings in 

July (11, 18, and 25), 6pm - 7:30pm for a meal, Bible study, and fellowship.  

For all ages!  The theme for our gatherings, "What Does the Lord Require?".  

Our first meal (July 11) will be of the potluck variety. Bring your favorite dish to share.

Walnut Hill "Pancake Ride" - Walnut Hill is cooperating with the Bluegrass 

Cycling Club to host the "Walnut Hill Pancake Ride" on Saturday, July 14.  

A pancake breakfast will be served at 9am. The Ride (15, 25, 40 mile options)

begins at 10am.  Feel free to share this information with cycling enthusiasts 

of your acquaintance.  Volunteers for cooking, serving, and hospitality are

still welcome and needed.  Use reply email for more information or to volunteer.

"Take Me Out to the Ballgame!" - Join your fellow Walnut Hill friends

for an evening of baseball on Friday, July 27,  as the Lexington Legends 

take on the Hagerstown Suns. First pitch is 7:05pm.  Tickets are $7. Use

reply email to place your ticket order.  

Happy 4th!

Mike Ward