Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Tuesday, December 30, 2014*

Greetings to all!

As it has been in 2014, so too one thing for sure about 2015 is

that it will include surprises, some of which will seem happy to

us, others not so.  Henri Nouwen reflects on the element of 

surprise to be experienced not only every year, but also every

day.

Each day holds a surprise.  But only if we expect it can we see, 

hear, or feel it when it comes to us.  Let's not be afraid to receive

each day's surprise, whether it comes to us as sorrow or as joy.

It will open a new place in our hearts, a place where we can

welcome new friends and celebrate more fully our shared

humanity.

(as found in Bread for the Journey)

The scripture lessons for Sun, Jan 4, Epiphany Sunday...

Isaiah 60:1-6

Ephesians 3:1-12

Matthew 2:1-12

Sunday Conversations continue this Sun, Jan 4, 10am, in

Trinity Hall.  Sunday Conversations include a wide variety of

topics from week to week.  Watch the Friday update for 

details regarding this Sunday's conversation.

A HOST(s) is needed for our refreshments this Sun, Jan 4.

Use reply email to volunteer for this Sunday, or check the

online sign up sheet to host a Sunday later in the winter.

The Innkeeper's Offering, received on Christmas Eve, was

especially generous this year.  Over $1,300 was donated

and is being sent to the Salvation Army unit in Lexington to

support their ministry to homeless women, children, and

families.

Thanks to all who helped Walnut Hill "keep Christmas well"

this season, and blessings to all as you complete your holiday 

visits and festivities.  We look forward to seeing you at 

Walnut Hill in 2015.

Happy New Year!

Mike Ward

*Due to the holiday schedule, this weekly letter is being sent

on Tuesday.  Weekly letters will return to their regular Wednesday

delivery next week.

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, December 28, at Walnut Hill Church...

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

2014/2015

We will share our thoughts and ideas about the year concluding, 2014,

and the year ahead, 2015.  As a spark for those thoughts and ideas, 

we will view a brief video featuring clips from 2014 TED talks. To view 

the video in advance, visit  "The Year in Ideas."    

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - Holiday Gatherings

Text - Luke 2:22-40

Nursery Care and Sunday School for Children

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship. Bring a

plate of your leftover holiday treats to share for our refreshments.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Tuesday, December 23, 2014*

Greetings to all!

Christmas is upon us, and our imaginations are filled with all the 

traditional characters of the season including Mary, Joseph, the 

innkeeper, the stable animals, the angels, the shepherds, the magi, 

and of course, the infant Jesus.  In his sermon, "The Birth," Frederick 

Buechner reflects on the Christmas story from the perspective of one  

of the shepherds trying to describe the experience.

   Can I make you understand, I wonder?  Have you ever had this

happen to you?  You have been working hard all day.  You're dog-

tired, bone-tired.  So you call it quits for a while.  You slump down under 

a tree or against a rock or something and just sit there in a daze for half 

an hour or a million years, I don't know, and all this time your eyes are 

wide open looking straight ahead someplace but they're so tired and 

glassy they don't see a thing.  Then, little by little, you begin to come to, 

then your eyes begin to come to, and all of a sudden you find out you've 

been looking at something the whole time except it's only now you really 

see it - one of the ewe lambs maybe, with its foot caught under a rock, or 

the moon scorching a hole through the clouds.  It was there all the time, 

and you were looking at it all the time, but you didn't see it till just now.

   That's how it was this night, anyway.  Like finally coming to- not things 

coming out of nowhere that had never been there before, but things just 

coming into focus that had been there always.  And such things!

(as found in The Magnificent Defeat)

CHRISTMAS EVE, DEC 24, AT WALNUT HILL CHURCH

*5:00pm - Lessons and Carols -  All ages are invited to gather 

for this special service of scripture readings and Christmas carols to 

make our hearts ready to welcome the Christ-child.  Flameless 

candles will be used to allow safe participation by all ages.

*9:00pm - Evening Prayer Fireside -  This quiet service around 

the fireplace in Trinity Hall will include scripture, carols, prayer, and 

candlelight.  Arrive a bit early to enjoy some hot cider and cookies.

"The Innkeeper's Offering" will be received on Christmas Eve to 

support the Salvation Army's ministry to homeless women, children, 

and families.  Cash and checks payable to Walnut Hill Church are 

welcome.

Sunday, December 28, at Walnut Hill Church

10am - Sunday Conversations in Trinity Hall

11am - Morning Worship

    - Nursery Care and Sunday School for Children

Noon - After Worship Gathering in Trinity Hall  (Bring a plate

of your leftover holiday treats.)

Stewardship - As you might be aware, our recent stewardship letter 

included a response card that was misprinted and possibly confusing.  

You may access a corrected response card at the following link: 

Walnut Hill Can Count on Me!    .   Remember that 2014 contributions 

must be postmarked by December 31 to be credited as a 2014 

contribution.  Thanks to all those who support Walnut Hill with their time, 

talents, and resources.

Merry Christmas!

Mike Ward

 *Due to the holiday schedule, this week's letter is being sent on

Tuesday rather than Wednesday.

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, December 21, at Walnut Hill Church...

THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

THE WALNUT HILL CHRISTMAS PARTY

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Isaiah: The Voice of Advent

The oracles of Isaiah permeate the Advent season.

We continue a series of Sunday Conversations exploring

those oracles for their meanings then and now.  This

Sunday's conversation focuses on Isaiah 9:2-7.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - Come and See the Baby!

Text - Luke 2:1-20

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Nursery Care and Sunday School for Children

CHRISTMAS PARTY, 3PM, DAVIS RESIDENCE

The Walnut Hill Christmas Party will be held at the 

Davis residence.  Bring an hors-d'oeuvre or dessert item. 

Join us for this festiveWalnut Hill tradition.  This event is 

intended for adults.   

*****

Giving Tree gifts and accompanying ornaments are due 

back at Walnut Hill this Sun, Dec 21, so that we might

deliver them in time for Christmas.  Thanks!

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Greetings to all!

If the path to Christmas might be thought of as a "spiritual pilgrimage" to 

Bethlehem, then this year's journey seems to be taking us through some 

challenging territory.  We need only mention places like Ferguson, Sydney, 

Manila, and Peshawar (Pakistan) to think of the troubles facing the human 

community, and these not even to mention the local "places" of our own

lives that might make us abandon the journey. As we travel, let us not forget

that such "places" do not contradict the Christmas story, but rather remind us

that its message of peace, hope, joy, and love are as needed today as they 

were 2,000 years ago.  I am reminded of a poem by Ann Weems.

In each heart lies a Bethlehem,

   an inn where we must ultimately answer

whether there is room or not.

When we are Bethlehem-bound

   we experience our own advent in his.

When we are Bethlehem-bound

   we can no longer look the other way

conveniently not seeing stars

   not hearing angel voices.

We can no longer excuse ourselves by busily

   tending our sheep or our kingdoms.

This Advent let's go to Bethlehem

   and see this thing that the Lord has made known to us...

This Advent, let's go to Bethlehem

   and find our kneeling places.

(from "The Search for Our Kneeling Places," as found in Kneeling in

Bethlehem)

The scripture lessons for Sunday, Dec 21, the Fourth Sunday of Advent...

Isaiah 9:2-7

Titus 2:11-14

Luke 2:1-20

Sunday Conversations continue this Sun, Dec 21, 10am, in Trinity Hall.

Our topic for this Sunday is Isaiah:The Voice of Advent, focusing on 

Isaiah 9:2-7. Come enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or just listen in.

Christmas Communion -  The Sacrament of Holy Communion will be 

celebrated this Sunday, December 21, 11am, the beginning of our Christmas 

week observance.

WALNUT HILL CHRISTMAS PARTY - The annual Walnut Hill Christmas

Party is scheduled for this Sunday, December 21, 3pm -5pm, at the Davis

residence.  Bring an hors-d'oeuvre or dessert item.  This party is intended for 

adults. 

The Giving Tree - Giving Tree gifts and ornaments are due back at 

Walnut Hill by this Sunday, December 21, so that they might be distributed

to the children and youth before Christmas Day.  Let us know by reply email 

if you would like to help deliver gifts to the families receiving them

CHRISTMAS EVE, DEC 24, AT WALNUT HILL CHURCH

*5:00pm - Lessons and Carols -  All ages are invited to gather for

this special service of scripture readings and Christmas carols to make

our hearts ready to welcome the Christ-child.  Flameless candles will be

used to allow safe participation by all ages.

*9:00pm - Evening Prayer Fireside -  This quiet service around the

fireplace in Trinity Hall will include scripture, carols, prayer, and candle-

light.  Arrive a bit early to enjoy some hot cider and cookies.

Exodus: Gods and Kings is the title of a recently released movie inspired

by the biblical story of the Exodus.  Youth (middle and high school) are

invited to view and discuss the film together during the holiday break.  Use

reply email to request more details.

2015 Stewardship - As you might be aware, our recent stewardship letter 

included a response card that was misprinted and possibly confusing.  

You may access a corrected response card at the following link:

Walnut Hill Can Count on Me!    .  Thanks to all those who support

Walnut Hill with their time, talents, and resources.

"Deck the Halls" - This Saturday, December 20, we will be decorating 

the Sanctuary for Christmas.  Use reply email if you would like to help, 

and we will provide you more details.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

 

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, December 14, at Walnut Hill Church...

The Third Sunday of Advent

Children's Christmas Pageant

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall (upstairs)

Isaiah: The Voice of Advent

The oracles of Isaiah permeate the Advent season.

We continue a series of Sunday Conversations exploring

those oracles for their meanings then and now.  This

Sunday's conversation focuses on Isaiah 61:1-11.

Children's Pageant Rehearsal, 10am, Trinity Hall

All children and youth who are participating in the 11am

children's Christmas presentation are asked to arrive at 

10am for costumes and final rehearsal.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - Raising Her Voice

Text -  Luke 1:46-55

Children's Christmas Pageant 

Nursery Care for infants and young children.

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

Youth Christmas Party, 5:30pm, at the Wards'

Youth (middle and high school) are invited to the 

Wards' residence for some Christmas food and fun.

Use reply email for more information or to rsvp.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Greetings to all!

Today, Dec 10, is "Human Rights Day," first proclaimed in 1950

following the adoption (1948) of the Universal Declaration of Human

Rights.* In their best moments, the world's great religions have given

voice to the "inherent dignity ... and equal and inalienable rights of all 

members of the human family."  In their less than best moments, the 

world's great religions, including Christianity, have failed to recognize 

that dignity. Among the biblical themes related to human rights are 

freedom, justice, and peace..

Biblical history is freedom history.  To be created in the image of 

God is to be given the gift of freedom and the awesome responsibility

that goes with that gift.  Our true identity and full potential can only

be realized in freedom.  Authentic and mutual acceptance in human

relations is made possible in the context of freedom.

Justice is required in human relations and in the ordering of social

structures, not because we thereby prove ourselves worthy by acts of

justice, but because we are responding gratefully to our oneness in

creation and our oneness in Christ.  Justice in the Bible is both an

ethical term and a salvation term.

As justice is possible only in the context of freedom, so peace is 

possible only in the context of justice.  Peace involves reconciliation,

trust and wholeness.  Wholeness, i.e., life lived in integrity, security

and realization of human potential, is possible only in a loving, forgiving, 

accepting community of persons, where the value of personhood has 

priority over that of property, race or social status.

(Robert F. Smylie as found in Life in All Its Fulness)

*The United States was one of 48 nations voting to approve the 

Declaration. To read the text visit UDHR .  Article 5 would seem to be

of particular relevance this week.

The scripture lessons for Sun, Dec 14, the Third Sunday of Advent...

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

1 Thessalonians 5:16 - 24

Luke 1:46-55

Pageant Practice, Sat, Dec 13, 10am - Children and youth participating 

in this Sunday's (Dec 14) presentation and pageant are invited to gather 

at Walnut Hill this Saturday morning for practice.  Pageant participants 

are asked to arrive at 10am, on Sun, Dec 14, for costumes and final 

rehearsals.

Sunday Conversations continue this Sun, Dec 14, 10am, in the upstairs 

office of Trinity Hall.  We continue our Advent series of conversations titled, 

"Isaiah: The Voice of Advent."  This Sunday's focus will be Isaiah 61:1-11.

Youth Christmas Party - Youth (middle and high school) are invited to 

a Christmas Party this Sun, Dec 14, 5:30pm, at the Wards' residence.  

Use reply email for more information or to rsvp.

The Giving Tree - Persons who picked up ornaments from the Giving

Tree are asked to return their ornaments with the accompanying gift

by Sunday, December 21.  Thanks to all those helping to make Christmas

brighter for 15 Lexington area children and youth.

Poinsettias -  We will soon be decorating the Sanctuary for our Christmas 

services.  You can help by "sponsoring" a poinsettia at $20/plant.  Your 

sponsorship helps underwrite the cost of the poinsettias and other Christmas 

decorations.  Poinsettia sponsors are welcome to take their plants on the 

Sunday after Christmas to enjoy them at home.

Walnut Hill Church Holiday Season Calendar:

*Sun, Dec 14, 11am - Children's Christmas Pageant

   5:30pm - Youth Christmas Party

*Sun, Dec 21, 11am - Christmas Communion

           3pm - Christmas Party

*Wed, Dec 24, 5pm - Family Christmas Service

   9pm - Evening Prayer

In the Community:

*Walnut Hill Church was the subject of a recent article in an online 

publication, The Lexington Examiner.  Visit this link ( Walnut Hill ) to view

the article.

*The Good Giving Challenge, an online charitable giving campaign hosted

by the Bluegrass Community Foundation, concludes this Fri, Dec 12. Visit

Challenge to view the giving portal for our ecumenical partner, the 

Kentucky Council of Churches.  From there you can navigate to see other

non-profits that you might like to support.

*The Catholic Action Center is sponsoring its annual "Christmas Store,"

Dec 17 - 19.   Donations (toys, etc) and volunteers are needed.  Visit

www.godsnet.info for more information.

Thanks to all who helped to make last Sunday's Christmas Potluck a

delicious and festive beginning to Walnut Hill's Christmas season.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward 

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, December 7, at Walnut Hill Church...

THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

CHRISTMAS POTLUCK

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Isaiah:  The Voice of Advent

The oracles of Isaiah permeate the Advent season.

We continue a series of Sunday Conversations exploring

those oracles for their meanings then and now.  This

Sunday's conversation focuses on Isaiah 40:1-11.

Children's Choir, 10am, Trinity Hall

Children through elementary school age are invited to

gather for music and singing in preparation for the 

children's Christmas presentation on Dec 14.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon:  The Beginning of the Good News

Text:  Mark 1:1-8

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Nursery Care and Sunday School for Children

CHRISTMAS POTLUCK, Noon, Trinity Hall

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

this delicious holiday tradition.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Greetings to all!

   This past Sunday we entered the season of Advent as we recall the good 

news of God's love embodied in the story of Jesus, and as we anticipate 

the fulfillment of God's love in our lives and in the world.  In this "between 

time" we wait, we hope, we work to make our lives and the world ready for 

what God is doing and will do.  It is a mysterious blending of God's work 

and our work.

   Let us observe this Advent season with less frenetic activity and more 

intentional thoughts, words, and actions that communicate to others and to 

ourselves the good news of God's love such as: taking time to read and 

reflect on the scripture texts for the Sundays of Advent; visiting, phoning, or

writing a note to someone who would be cheered by being remembered; 

engaging some form of service beyond our immediate circle of family or 

friends.  The possibilities are endless, and so too are the blessings of 

preparing ourselves and our world for the good news that lies just ahead.

The scripture lessons for Sun, Dec 7, the Second Sunday of Advent...

   Isaiah 40:1-11

   2 Peter 3:8-15

   Mark 1:1-8

Sunday Conversations continue this Sun, Dec 7, 10am, in Trinity Hall,

part two of a scripture study titled, "Isaiah: The Voice of Advent."  Our focus 

for this Sunday is Isaiah 40:1-11.

The Children's Choir will meet this Sun, Dec 7, 10am, in Trinity Hall.

Children through elementary age are invited to gather for music and

singing in preparation for the children's Christmas pageant and presentation

on Sun, Dec 14.

THE CHRISTMAS POTLUCK is this Sun, Dec 7, immediately after 

morning worship.  Bring a salad, side dish, or dessert, and enjoy this

delicious Walnut Hill tradition.  Meat and beverage will be provided.

The Giving Tree:  Thanks to all who selected ornaments off the Giving

Tree last Sunday.  Each ornament suggests a gift for a Lexington area

child/youth.  In case you missed it last Sunday, a few ornaments remain to

be selected.  Please return your Giving Tree gift, with the accompanying 

ornament, by Sunday, December 21.

Poinsettias -  We will soon be decorating the Sanctuary for our Christmas 

services.  You can help by "sponsoring" a poinsettia at $20/plant.  Your 

sponsorship helps underwrite the cost of the poinsettias and other Christmas 

decorations.  Poinsettia sponsors are welcome to take their plants on the 

Sunday after Christmas to enjoy them at home.

Our Holiday Season Calendar:

*Sun, Dec 7, Noon - Christmas Season Potluck

*Sun, Dec 14, 11am - Children's Christmas Pageant

   5:30pm - Youth Christmas Party

*Sun, Dec 21, 11am - Christmas Communion

           3pm - Christmas Party

*Wed, Dec 24, 5pm - Family Christmas Service

   9pm - Evening Prayer

Peace to all.

Mike Ward