Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Greetings to all!

   When the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would be the mother
of one who would lead the people, her response was understandable, 
"How can this be...?"  To which the angel replied, "The power of the Most High 
will overshadow you; therefore the child will be called Son of God." Kathleen 
Norris reflects on the word "therefore."

   The angel's "therefore" seems alarmingly significant, the seed of what
Christian theologians have for well over a thousand years termed the
scandal of the Incarnation.  It also resonates with my own life.  When a 
place or time seems touched by God, it is an overshadowing, a sudden
eclipsing of my priorities and plans.  But even in terrible circumstances and
calamities, in matters of life and death, if I sense that I am in the shadow of
God, I find light, so much light that my vision improves dramatically.  I know
that holiness is near.
   And it is not robed in majesty.  It does not assert itself with the raw power
of empire (not even the little empire of the self in which I all too often reside),
but it waits in puzzlement, it hesitates.  Coming from Galilee, as it were, from
a place of little hope, it reveals the ordinary circumstances of my life to be
full of mystery, and gospel, which means "good news."
(from the essay "Incarnation" as found in Amazing Grace)
 
The scripture lessons for Sunday, Dec 23, the 4th Sunday of Advent...
Micah 5:2-5
Hebrews 10:5-10
Luke 1:39-55

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, Dec 23, 10am, with our topic 
being "Christmas...according to Luke."   We will explore Luke's perspective 
on the Christmas story.  Come enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, 
or just listen in.

"A Birthday Party" for Jesus will be held during the 11am hour Sunday 
School this Sunday, December 23, at Walnut Hill.  All Sunday School 
children are invited.  As presents, the children are invited to bring warm
hats/gloves that will be donated to neighbors needing them.  Walnut Hill Youth 
(middle and high school) are welcome to help with these festivities.

Christmas Eve at Walnut Hill - All ages are invited to gather at 5:00pm on 
Monday, December 24, for a service of lessons, carols, and candlelight.

Walnut Hill Cookbooks are available for your last minute Christmas gift giving. 
 Look for copies in the Sanctuary foyer and in Trinity Hall.

Thanks...
...to all who contributed toward our Christmas Giving Tree program.
A "sleigh" full of gifts have been delivered to two Lexington families (4 adults 
and 9 children).
...to all who sponsored poinsettias, provided plant cuttings, and helped in 
decorating the Sanctuary for Christmas.  
...to all who attended the annual Walnut Hill Christmas Party, with special 
thanks to our hosts, Mary Ann & J.W. Davis.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

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