Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

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

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

RENEW

Kathy Steinmetz will lead our conversation focusing on the history,

structure, and elements of the upcoming "Walnut Hill Renew" program, 

and how it can provide opportunity for individual and congregational 

faith development.   Our conversation will touch on the notion of 

"Faith Stages" as pioneered by the work of James W. Fowler. 

Nursery care will be provided for children.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - What's For Dinner?

Text - 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

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 Trinity Hall.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Greetings to all!

A "call to prayer" was issued this past Sunday morning, inviting Walnut

Hill members and friends to pray for our congregation, households,

and our selves in anticipation of the Walnut Hill RENEW program 

coming in Lent.  The "call to prayer" is an invitation to focus our hearts and 

minds daily around this opportunity for renewal within and among us.   

The "Renew Prayer" is a good starting place.

   We praise and bless you, Almighty God.  In your wisdom you have 

given us creation and all life so we might come to know and love you.

We thank you for the gift of Jesus who promises us eternal life and reveals

you to us as a loving and forgiving Father.

   We acknowledge, Father, the times when we do not respond to your

grace; times when we care little for your creation; times when we act in 

unloving ways toward our neighbors and ourselves.  We pray for the 

weak and those who suffer from evil or injustice.  We pray for the strong

and for the special responsibilities that are theirs.

   The earth and all persons are filled with your creative power, Father.

Teach us to walk in your presence; to pray as we are united in you.  

Open us to the renewing presence of your Holy Spirit, so we might 

accept our own strengths and use them to build your kingdom on earth.

We ask this through your Son, Jesus, and by the power of the Holy 

Spirit.  Amen.

The scripture lessons for Sunday, January 29...

Deuteronomy 18:15-20

1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Mark 1:21-28

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, January 29, 10am,

in Trinity Hall.  Our conversation topic will be "Renew" as experience, 

practice, and program.  Come enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, 

or just listen in.

*The Vestry will meet this Sunday, January 29, 9:30am, in Trinity Hall.

"Souper" Bowl Sunday is coming on February 5 and with it our annual after 

worship soup feast to benefit God's Pantry.  Several soup chefs have already 

volunteered their culinary creations.  Use reply email if you would like to add 

your special soup to this delicious event for a good cause.

*Thanks to all who helped make Bishop Chilton Knudsen "kindly welcome" 

during her visit to Walnut Hill last Sunday.  Thanks also to all who gave so 

generously (over $480) to support the "Bishop's Discretionary Fund," which 

is used to meet emergency needs throughout the Diocese of Lexington.

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" (see above), 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 begins this Sunday, January 29 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!"

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

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

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

"A Conversation with Chilton"

We will talk about matters of the church, faith, and life with 

the Rt. Rev. Chilton Knudsen,  Interim Bishop of the Diocese 

of Lexington.  Before coming to Lexington, Bishop Knudsen

served as the 8th Bishop of the Diocese of Maine.  She was

the 11th woman to be elected Bishop in the Anglican 

Communion.  In 2006, Chilton was inducted into the Maine

Women's Hall of Fame ( www.uma.edu/mwhof-cknudsen.html )

Nursery care will be provided.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Guest:  the Rt. Rev. Chilton Knudsen, Interim Bishop of Lexington

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. 

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Greetings to all!

The Rt. Rev. Chilton Knudsen, Interim Assisting Bishop of Lexington, will

be visiting Walnut Hill Church this Sunday, January 22.  Bishop Knudsen

is assisting the Diocese of Lexington as it searches for its next installed

Bishop.  In her greetings to the Diocese, Bishop Knudsen reflects on the

importance of prayer and Christ during periods of transition.

Our life together, during this transition period and always, is rooted in 

private and corporate prayer.  I am holding all of you in my prayers, and

will do so each day.  I ask that you pray for me.  It is entirely appropriate,

if you wish, to now include prayer for "Chilton, our Interim Bishop" as you

offer the Prayers of the People...

In Jesus Christ, all our transitions have a firm anchor.  Christ is Lord of 

our life in the past, the present and the future.  This is well-said in the 

Memorial Acclamation we offer at each Eucharistic celebration:  Christ

has died (the past), Christ is risen (the present), and Christ will come

again (the future).  As we give thanks for the past, embrace our ministry

for the present, and walk forward into the future, God in Christ is, as 

St. Augustine said, "nearer to us than we are to ourselves." Thanks be 

to God.

(from the website of the Diocese of Lexington, www.diolex.org )

The scripture lessons for Sunday, January 22...

Jonah 3:1-5, 10

1 Corinthians 7:29-31

Mark 1:14-20

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, January 22, 10am, in 

Trinity Hall.  Our guest for the morning will be the Rt. Rev. Chilton

Knudsen.  Join us for some informal conversation with "Bishop Chilton."

Host(s) are needed for our after worship gathering this Sunday, 

January 22.  Use reply email to volunteer as hosts for this Sunday,

or check the sign up sheet in the Sanctuary foyer for opportunities to

host a Sunday later in the winter or spring.

WALNUT HILL RENEW is coming in Lent 2012!  "Renew" offers an 

opportunity for us at Walnut Hill to deepen our spiritual life as individuals,

families, and as a congregation through worship, prayer, reflection, 

and sharing.  In fact, it begins this Sunday with a "call to prayer" for 

our life together.  Watch for more details.

The Annual Convention of the Diocese of Lexington will be held 

February 17 - 18 in Lexington.  Annual conventions include worship, 

mission presentations, the Bishop's annual address, and much more.  

Walnut Hill has the privilege to send observer delegates to the Annual 

Convention, and we are currently seeking Walnut Hill Members/Friends 

to serve as delegates.  Use reply email or contact Mike Ward to inquire 

about serving as a Walnut Hill delegate for all or part of this year's 

convention.

Walnut Hill Men are invited to gather for coffee each Saturday morning,

8am, at Paneras on Richmond Road.  Feel free to stop by for as long or

short a time as your schedule allows.  No rsvp required.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, January 15, at Walnut Hill Church

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Aunt Sarah Jane

In an excerpt from Wendell Berry's novel, Andy Catlett:

Early Travels, the young Andy learns a lesson about race

relations from old Aunt Sarah Jane.  We might learn a 

lesson as well, or be reminded of lessons past.

Nursery care will be provided.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - King the Theologian

Scripture - 1 Samuel 3:1-10

Nursery Care and Sunday School for children.

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

*****

Walnut Hill RENEW - A brief informational meeting will be offered

after worship regarding this program upcoming for Lent, 2012.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Greetings to all!

In his essay, "Pilgrimage to Nonviolence," Martin Luther King, Jr.

described the people and experiences that influenced his convictions

regarding the possibilities and methods of social change.  Though

written decades ago, his concluding thoughts have a contemporary 

ring to them.

The past decade has been a most exciting one.  In spite of the tensions

and uncertainties of this period something profoundly meaningful is

taking place.  Old systems of exploitation and oppression are passing

away; new systems of justice and equality are being born.  In a real

sense this is a great time to be alive.  Therefore, I am not yet discouraged

about the future.  Granted that the easygoing optimism of yesterday is

impossible.  Granted that we face a world crisis which leaves us standing

so often amid the surging murmur of life's restless sea.  But every crisis

has both its dangers and its opportunities.  It can spell either salvation or

doom.  In a dark, confused world the Kingdom of God may yet reign in 

the hearts of men.

(as found in Strength to Love)

The scripture lessons for Sunday, January 15...

1 Samuel 3:1-10

1 Corinthians 6:12-20

John 1:43-51

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, January 15, 10am, in 

Trinity Hall.  Our conversation for the morning will focus on an excerpt

from Wendell Berry's novel, Andy Catlett: Early Travels.  Come enjoy a

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

Walnut Hill RENEW is coming in Lent 2012 with opportunities for 

worship, reflection, fellowship, and action around the theme, "The Lord's

Call..." A brief, informational meeting for congregational leaders and

other interested persons will be held this Sunday, January 15, in the 

Sanctuary, immediately after morning worship. 

Men's Coffee - Walnut Hill men are invited to gather for coffee each 

Saturday morning, 8am, at Paneras on Richmond Road.  Feel free to 

stop in for as long or short a time as your schedule allows.  No rsvp 

required.

Sunday Hospitality - A new sign up sheet has been posted in the 

Sanctuary foyer with plenty of openings for hosting our after worship

refreshments.  Check your calendar and sign up to host a Sunday 

upcoming.  Thanks to all our after worship hosts!

In the Community:

*The Dream Alive Program, featuring Joe Rogers, will be presented

at Transylvania University's Haggin Auditorium on Thursday, January 12,

7pm. See  www.transy.edu  for more information.

*MLK Day events abound including the "Freedom March" at 10am

Monday, January 16, beginning and ending at the Main Street entrance 

to Heritage Hall.  A commemorative program featuring Dr. Marc Lamont

Hill begins at 11am in Heritage Hall.  See  www.uky.edu/MLK/  for more

information.

*Tuesday evening (7pm) gatherings at Pax Christi Catholic

Church around the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity theme, "We 

Will All Be Changed..."  Check the fliers in the Sanctuary and Trinity Hall

for more information.

Peace to all!

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, January 8, at Walnut Hill Church

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Jesus' Baptism and Ours

As one author wrote:  "Jesus' baptism by John is one of the surest things

we know about them both."  We will talk about the significance of Jesus'

baptism for him and what the significance of our baptism might be for us.

Nursery care will be available for children.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

The Sunday of the Baptism of the Lord

Sermon: The Pride of My Life

Text:  Mark 1:1-11

Reaffirmation of Baptism

Presentation of Sponsorship to Athens Chilesburg Elementary School

Nursery Care and Sunday School for Children

Afterworship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Greetings to all!

While we are still within the echoes of the New Year's holiday, consider these

thoughts on "time," past, present, and future as offered by one of Wendell Berry's 

literary characters, Andy Catlett, as he reflects on the people who had come and

gone in his life.

We measure time by its deaths, yes, and by its births.  For time is told also by

life.  As some depart, others come.  The hand opened in farewell remains open

in welcome.  I, who once had grandparents and parents, now have children and

grandchildren.  Like the flowing river that is yet always present, time that is 

always going is always coming.  And time that is told by death and birth is held

and redeemed by love, which is always present.  Time, then, is told by love's

losses, and by the coming of love, and by love continuing in gratitude for what

is lost.  It is folded and enfolded and unfolded forever and ever, the love by 

which the dead are alive and the unborn welcomed into the womb.  The great

question for the old and the dying, I think, is not if they have loved and been

loved enough, but if they have been grateful enough for love received and 

given, however much.  No one who has gratitude is the onliest one.  Let us

pray to be grateful to the last.

(from Andy Catlett: Early Travels)

The scripture lessons for Sunday, January 8, the Baptism of the Lord:

Genesis 1:1-5

Acts 19:1-7

Mark 1:1-7

Sunday Conversations resume on January 8, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  Our 

focus for the day will be, "The Baptism of the Lord," asking what baptism

meant for Jesus and what it means for us.

Sunday Hospitality - Thanks to all who so generously provided hospitality

during the holiday season.  A new hospitality sign up sheet has been posted

in the Sanctuary with open dates beginning January 22.  Check your 

calendar and sign up to host our after worship refreshments for a Sunday 

upcoming.

ACE Trip - We continue to welcome contributions toward our sponsorship of

the Athens Chilesburg Elementary School 5th Grade class trip to Washington,

DC.  Walnut Hill is sponsoring 10 students at $530/child.  Your gift in any 

amount is appreciated.  Make your check payable to Walnut Hill Church,

designated "ACE Trip."

Men's Coffee - Walnut Hill men are invited to gather for coffee each Saturday

morning, 8am, at Paneras on Richmond Road.  Feel free to stop in for as long

or short a time as your schedule allows.  No rsvp required.

In the Community:  Pax Christi Catholic Church (corner of Man-O-War Blvd and

Victoria Way) is currently hosting a series of Tuesday evening gatherings (7pm) 

at which pastors from the south Lexington ecumenical cooperative (including 

Walnut Hill) will share reflections on scripture from their various denominational 

traditions around the theme of Christian Unity.  Check the flier posted on the 

Sanctuary bulletin board or online at www.kycouncilofchurches.org  (click on 

the headline "New Series Explores Christian Unity") for a complete schedule

of dates, speakers, and topics.

Peace to all!

Mike Ward