Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, December 1, at Walnut HIll Church...

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

CHRISTMAS SEASON POTLUCK

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

What Are We Waiting For?

This Sunday we begin a four-part conversation around the

scriptures related to Advent and Christmas, beginning with

the prophet Isaiah.  What were the people of Isaiah's time

waiting for?  How did their hopes come to be applied to 

Jesus?  What are we waiting for today?

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon:   Surprise!

Text:   Matthew 24:36-44

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Nursery Care and Sunday School for Children.

CHRISTMAS SEASON POTLUCK, NOON, TRINITY HALL

Bring a salad, side dish, or dessert and join us for this

delicious Walnut Hill tradition.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Greetings to all!

On this Tuesday* before Thanksgiving we might do well to reflect on a 

portion of President Washington's first Thanksgiving Day proclamation.

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day

of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to

the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent

author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may 

then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks

for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous

to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and

the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and

conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union,

and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and

rational manner in which we have been able to establish 

constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and

particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and

religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have

of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for

all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to

confer upon us.

(October 3, 1789)

The scripture readings for Sun, Dec 1, the First Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 2:1-5

Romans 13:11-14

Matthew 24:36-44

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 by for as long or short a time as your schedule

allows.  No rsvp required.

Sunday Conversations continue this Sun, Dec 1, 10am, in 

Trinity Hall, as we begin a four-Sunday scripture study, "Unto Us

A Child Is Born."  This Sunday's conversation, titled "What Are We

Waiting For?", explores the prophets' hope, particularly as expressed

by the prophet Isaiah.

THE CHRISTMAS POTLUCK will be held this Sunday, Dec 1,

immediately after morning worship.  Bring a salad, side dish, or

dessert and join us for this delicious Walnut Hill tradition.

The Giving Tree will be up in Trinity Hall beginning this Sun, Dec 1.

Each ornament on the tree represents a gift for a child or adult.

Select an ornament, purchase the suggested gift, and return the

gift (with the ornament) by Sun, Dec 15.

Poinsettias: Walnut Hill members and friends are invited to sponsor

poinsettias for the Sanctuary at $20/plant.  Poinsettia sponsors are

welcome to take their plant(s) home after Christmas.  Make your

check payable to Walnut Hill Church, designated "poinsettia."

Thanks to your generosity, Walnut Hill has been able to reach out 

to those affected by the recent Philippine typhoon ($806) and the

Midwest U.S. tornadoes ($445).  Walnut Hill's donations are being 

sent to the affected areas via Church World Service.

Holiday Season Calendar:

Sun, Dec 1 - Christmas Potluck, after worship

Sun, Dec 8 - Children/Youth Christmas Presentation, 11am

      - Youth Christmas Party, 5:30pm

Sun, Dec 15- Christmas Party, 3pm

Sun, Dec 22 - Christmas Communion, 11am

Tue, Dec 24 - Lessons and Carols for all ages, 5pm

-Evening Prayer Fireside, 9pm

Happy Thanksgiving!

Mike Ward

*The Weekly Letter is being sent a day early to catch folks before

they begin their holiday travel.  The Friday update will be sent as

normal.

www.walnuthillchurchky.org

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, November 24, at Walnut Hill Church...

THE SUNDAY OF CHRIST THE KING

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Thank You!

According to the great spiritual teacher, Meister Eckhart, 

"If the only prayer you ever say in your life is 'Thank you,'

it will be enough."  We will talk about what it means to

be thankful: for what? to whom? and how we express it?

Children's Choir, 10am, Trinity Hall

Children through elementary age are invited to gather

for music and singing in anticipation of their upcoming

Sunday morning presentation.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon:  Christ the King

Text:   Luke 23:33-43

Nursery Care and Sunday School for Children.

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

Youth Gathering, 5:30pm, Trinity Hall

Youth (middle and high school) are invited to gather

for activities and a shared meal.

Thanksgiving Worship, 7pm, Phillips Memorial CME

Walnut Hill members and friends are invited to gather 

with neighbors from six Lexington congregations for

Thanksgiving Worship at Phillips Memorial CME Church

(421 Corral Street).

*****

Midwest Tornadoes - Persons attending Walnut Hill this

Sunday will have opportunity to contribute to relief efforts

in the aftermath of last weekend's tornadoes in the 

midwest.  Cash and checks payable to Walnut Hill Church

are welcome.  All gifts will be sent to the area via Church

World Service.  For information regarding Church World

Service efforts, visit Midwest Tornadoes . 

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Greetings to all!

This Sunday, Nov 24, is the final Sunday of the church year, the

Sunday of Christ the King.  The following Sunday, Dec 1, begins

a new year with the 1st Sunday of Advent.

Jesus spent significant time and energy talking about and 

demonstrating life in the Kingdom of God.  It is little wonder that in 

the memory and imagination of the church, Jesus came to be 

thought of as "King."  

Whether or not Jesus would have chosen, or even accepted, the 

title of "King," to think of him in such terms invites us to imagine the

sort of "kingdom" he might promote including justice, compassion,

and mercy.  To claim Jesus as our "King" is to commit ourselves

to a way of living in this world whereby his kingdom can be 

glimpsed in both our personal and public lives.

The scripture lessons for Nov 24, the Sunday of Christ the King...

Jeremiah 23:1-6

Colossians 1:11-20

Luke 23:33-43

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, Nov 24, 10am,

in Trinity Hall. In anticipation of the Thanksgiving holiday, our 

conversation will spring from the question, "What are we really

thankful for?"

Children's Choir:  Children through elementary age are invited

to gather this Sunday, Nov 24, 10am, in Trinity Hall for music

and singing in anticipation of their Christmas season presentation

on Sunday morning, Dec 8.

Youth (middle and high school) are invited to gather at Walnut

Hill this Sunday, Nov 24, 5:30pm, for activities and a meal 

together.

Giving Thanks...Walnut Hill members and friends are invited to 

an ecumenical service of Thanksgiving on Sunday evening, 

Nov 24, 7pm, at Phillips Memorial C.M.E. Church (421 Corral St).  

This service is sponsored by the Lexington ecumenical cooperative 

of which Walnut Hill is a participating congregation.

The Christmas Season Potluck is coming on Sunday, Dec 1,

after morning worship.  Bring a salad, side dish, or dessert, and join

us as we begin the Advent/Christmas season with this delicious 

Walnut Hill tradition.

In the Community:

*The Good Giving Challenge, hosted by the Bluegrass

Community Foundation, is currently ongoing through Dec 31.  The

Good Giving Challenge is an online charitable campaign 

benefitting organizations throughout the bluegrass.  Visit 

Good Giving Challenge for opportunity to support any number

of organizations including the Kentucky Council of Churches .

*Amahl & the Night Visitors will be presented by Beaumont

Presbyterian Church on Fri & Sun, Dec 6 & 8. Visit Amahl for 

more information.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, November 17, at Walnut Hill Church...

ENTERING THE SCHOOL OF YOUR EXPERIENCE

Exploring our Spirituality - Week 6

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

The Charter for Compassion

We will view a "TED Talk" by Karen Armstrong and

then talk about the Charter for Compassion.  If you

would like to view Armstrong's talk in advance, visit

TED Talks .  To learn more about the Charter for

Compassion, visit Charter .

Children's Choir, 10am, Trinity Hall

Children are invited to gather for music and singing

in preparation for their Christmas presentation on 

December 8.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon:  Compassion in the Flesh

Text:   John 1:1-18

Nursery Care and Sunday School for Children

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

*****

Philippine Relief - Persons wishing to contribute 

toward Philippine relief efforts are welcome to do so

this Sunday using the collection baskets in the foyer

of the Sanctuary  (cash and checks payable to 

Walnut Hill Church).  All donations will be sent to 

the Philippines via Church World Service.  For more

information regarding Church World Service, visit

Philippine Emergency Appeal . 

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Greetings to all!

Our EOS* series concludes this Sunday as we focus on the notion of 

"compassion." Thomas Merton included compassion among a short list of 

practices for what he then perceived to be a critical moment in human history, 

namely the "cold war" threat of nuclear destruction.  Might Merton's short 

list of practices still have application today?

1. Preeminence of meditation and prayer, of self-emptying, cleaning out,

getting rid of the self that blocks the view of the truth.  The self that says

it will be here and then that it will not be here.

2. Preeminence of compassion for every living thing, for life, for the

defenseless and simple beings, for the human race in its blindness..

3. Weariness of words, except in friendship, in the simplest and most

direct kind of communication, by word of mouth or letter.

4. Preeminence of the silent and conclusive action - if any presents

itself - of meaningful suffering, accepted in complete silence, without

justification.

(from The Intimate Merton)

The scripture lesson for Sunday, November 17...

John 1:1-18

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, Nov 17, with discussion

of the "Charter for Compassion" as proposed by the well-known author

Karen Armstrong.  

Children's Choir:  Walnut Hill children (through elementary age) are

invited to gather each Sunday morning, 10am, in Trinity Hall for music

and singing as they prepare for their Christmas presentation on Dec. 8.

As an EOS* practice for this week consider the practice of "deep listening."

Moving beyond hearing  to listening  requires that a person let go of "usual 

assumptions and listen with respect for precisely what is being said."  

Visit "Deep Listening" for ideas on how to cultivate one's capacity to listen.

Philippine Relief:  At its meeting last Sunday, the Walnut Hill Vestry

approved a $250 gift from the Community Fund in support of relief 

efforts in the wake of Typhoon Hayian.  Walnut Hill's gift will be sent via

Church World Service.  Persons attending worship this coming Sunday,

Nov 17, may add to this gift through donations of cash or checks (payable

to Walnut Hill Church).  For information related to Church World Service's

efforts, visit Church World Service .

Thanksgiving Stuffing - Walnut Hill has been asked to provide the 

stuffing/dressing for the Nathaniel Mission's Community Thanksgiving 

Dinner. You can sponsor a pan of stuffing/dressing for $20.  Use reply 

email to sponsor a pan.

Giving Thanks...Walnut Hill members and friends are invited to an

ecumenical service of Thanksgiving on Sunday evening, Nov 24, 7pm,

at Phillips Memorial C.M.E. Church (421 Corral St).  This service is

sponsored by the Lexington ecumenical cooperative of which Walnut Hill 

is a participating congregation.

The Christmas Season Potluck is coming on Sunday, December 1,

after morning worship.  Bring a salad, side dish, or dessert, and join

us as we begin the Advent/Christmas season with this delicious 

Walnut Hill tradition.

Thanks to...

*...all those who attended the congregational meeting this past 

Sunday.  Please contact the church office if you were unable to attend

and would like a copy of the meeting packet, which includes the proposed

budget for 2014.

*...the Walnut Hill youth and parents who prepared and served the

evening meal for guests at the Catholic Action Center this past Sunday.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

www.walnuthillchurchky.org

*EOS  is short for Exploring Our Spirituality, a season of reflection ongoing 

at Walnut Hill through Sunday, November 17. 

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, November 10, at Walnut Hill Church...

ENTERING THE SCHOOL OF YOUR EXPERIENCE

Exploring our Spirituality - Week 5

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

The Change That Changes Everything

We will explore the notion of "conversion" as suggested

by Richard Rohr, the conversion stories of biblical characters,

and our own experience.  

Children's Choir, 10am, Trinity Hall

Children through elementary age are invited to gather for

music and singing in anticipation of their Christmas season

presentation, which is scheduled for Dec 8.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon:  A Conversion Story

Text: Exodus 3:1-6

Nursery Care and Sunday School for Children

Congregational Meeting, Noon, Sanctuary

The Annual Meeting of the Congregation will be held this

Sunday, November 10, immediately after morning worship

in the Sanctuary.  All Members and Friends of Walnut Hill

Church are encouraged to attend.

Youth Service Project

Walnut Hill youth will be preparing and serving the evening

meal for guests of the Catholic Action Center.  

*****

The Vestry will meet at on Sunday, November 10, 10am,

in Trinity Hall.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Greetings to all!

"Conversion" is one of those words in our religious vocabulary with

which we are not as comfortable today as in past generations; yet,

conversion might still have a role in our spiritual journey.  Consider

these thoughts from Orthodox theologian Paul Evdokimov.

With rare exceptions, the spiritual life comes into being in an event

that is called "conversion" ....Something we have read, an encounter,

a reflection, causes a light to break forth suddenly, brilliantly.  In its

brightness, all is seen in its true order as in an inspired poem that 

gives everything a new and inestimable value, as in the music of

Mozart.  It is a religious springtime, full of joy and enthusiasm. Like

the buds filled with sap, the human being feels uplifted in a 

surprising joy and a spontaneous sympathy for everything and

everyone.  This is an unforgettable time.  Like a feast illumined by

a thousand lights, it makes one see God, the smiling countenance

of the Father, coming to meet his child.  

(from The Ages of the Spiritual Life)

The scripture lesson for Sunday, November 10 ...

Exodus 3:1-6

Sunday Conversations continue on Sunday, Nov 10, 10am, in

Trinity Hall.  This Sunday's conversation is prompted by the EOS*

theme, ""Praying Out of the Roots of Your Own Life."  Come enjoy

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

Children's Choir - Children are invited to gather this Sunday, 

Nov 10, 10am, in Trinity Hall for music and singing in anticipation

of their Christmas season presentation on Dec 8.

The Annual Meeting of the Congregation of Walnut Hill Church

will be held on Sunday, November 10, immediately after worship.

Business of the Annual Meeting includes the election of Vestry

members and officers, presentation of the 2014 church budget,

and approval of the pastor's terms of call for 2014.  All members

and friends of Walnut Hill Church are encouraged to attend.

Youth - Youth (middle and high school) are invited to participate

in a service opportunity this Sunday, November 10, as they

prepare and serve the evening meal at the Catholic Action Center.

Use reply email or call the church office (263-5304) for more

information regarding this service opportunity.

Thanksgiving Stuffing - Once again, Walnut Hill has been asked 

to provide the stuffing/dressing for the Nathaniel Mission's Community 

Thanksgiving Dinner. You can sponsor a pan of stuffing/dressing 

for $20.  Use reply email to sponsor a pan.

As an EOS* practice this week consider the importance of "sacred

spaces" in your life,  places you can go in your home, neighborhood, 

and world where you can find peace and a sense of connection

to God.  Once found/established, visit those places regularly for

prayer, reflection, or solitude.  For more ideas regarding contemplative

practices, visit The Tree . 

In the Community: Amy-Jill Levine, of Vanderbilt University and

Divinity School, will be the featured speaker at this year's 

Transylvania University Moosnick Lecture.  Prof Levine will speak

at 7pm, Tues, Nov 12, at Transylvania's Carrick Theater.  She will also

speak at 7pm, Wed, Nov 13, at Temple Adath Israel.  For more

information, visit Moosnick Lecture .

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

www.walnuthillchurchky.org

*EOS  is short for Exploring Our Spirituality, a season of reflection ongoing 

at Walnut Hill through Sunday, November 17. 

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, November 3, at Walnut Hill Church...

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Hearing From The Saints

On this All Saints' Sunday we will read, reflect, and

discuss "advice" from some of the saints of the church

on living the contemplative life.

Children's Choir, 10am, Trinity Hall

Children through elementary age are invited to gather

for music and singing in anticipation of their Christmas

presentation scheduled for Sunday, Dec 8.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

The Sermon:  Doing the Will of God

Luke 10:25-37

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.