Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, November 1, ALL SAINTS' DAY, at Walnut Hill Church…

EXPLORING OUR SPIRITUALITY

"FOLLOWING JESUS: A NEW LOOK"

Week 4 - Jesus Taught: The Kingdom of God

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Where is the Kingdom of God?

We will explore the question of what the phrase "Kingdom of God" or 

"Kingdom of Heaven" means to us, using verses from John's Gospel 

(17:20-26 and 15:1-8), and a sermon by Fr. Richard Rohr, which can 

be found at this link:  Richard Rohr Sermon

Children's Choir, 10am, Trinity Hall

Children (thru elementary age) are invited to gather for music and singing 

in preparation for the Children's Christmas Pageant on December 13.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - Among Us and Within Us

Text - Luke 17:20-22

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.

*****

The Vestry will meet at 9:30am in the upstairs office of Trinity Hall.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Greetings to all!

Jesus was remembered as proclaiming the "Kingdom of God," or God's reign, 

which if fully experienced would be something like "heaven on earth."  It is 

what we pray for each Sunday, and other times, when we speak the Lord's Prayer.  

It is what we demonstrate, if only in passing, any time we live with love for our 

neighbors and ourselves.  It is part of our tradition to believe that while we occasionally 

glimpse the Kingdom of God, those who have gone before us know it fully.  With 

Christ's proclamation of the Kingdom in mind, and with All Saints' Day in mind, 

consider these words from St. Augustine.

Let us sing alleluia here on earth, while we still live in anxiety, so that we may 

sing it one day in heaven in full security…We shall have no enemies in heaven, 

we shall never lose a friend.  God's praises are sung both there and here, but 

here they are sung in anxiety, there in security; here they are sung by those 

destined to die, there, by those destined to live forever; here they are sung in 

hope, there in hope's fulfillment; here, they are sung by wayfarers, there, by those 

living in their own country.  So then … let us sing now, not in order to enjoy a

life of leisure, but in order to lighten our labors.  You should sing as wayfarers do - 

sing, but continue your journey … Sing then, but keep going.

The scripture lessons for Sunday, November 1, All Saints' Day…

John 17:1-26

Luke 17:20-21

Sunday Conversations continue this Sun, Nov 1, 10am, in Trinity Hall. Our 

conversation is guided by the current EOS theme, Following Jesus: A New Look, 

with particular attention to the topic "Jesus Taught: The Kingdom of God."  Come 

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

Children's Choir: Children (through elementary age) are invited to gather this Sun, 

Nov 1, 10am, in Trinity Hall for music and singing in anticipation of the children's 

Christmas presentation on Dec 13.

EOS FALL 2015 - Exploring Our Spirituality, "Following Jesus - A New Look,"

including Sunday Conversations, morning worship, individual study, and small 

group fellowship is ongoing. To view an online version of this fall's workbook, visit

 EOS Fall 2015 Workbook .  EOS season sermon recordings are available via the 

Walnut Hill website, Audio Recordings .

The Annual Meeting of the Congregation of Walnut Hill Church will be held on

Sunday, November 8, immediately after morning worship.   The primary items

of business include the election of Vestry members and officers, the presentation

of the 2016 budget, and action on the Pastor's terms of call.  All Walnut Hill

Members and Friends are encouraged to attend.

A Community Conversation will be held on Sunday, Nov 15, 3:30 - 5:00pm 

to receive and discuss goals, objectives, and ideas that have been gathered

over the last several months by the Long Range Planning Committee.  The

Nov 15 conversation will focus on the areas of Worship, Education, and Fellowship.

Future conversations will focus on areas of Leadership, Governance, Buildings,

and Grounds.  All Walnut Hill Members and Friends are encouraged to attend.

Your ideas and thoughts are needed.  Nursery care will be provided.

Thanksgiving Dressing - The holiday season is upon us, and once again 

Walnut Hill has been asked to provide the stuffing/dressing for the Nathaniel

Mission Community Thanksgiving Meal.  We have agreed to provide 80 pounds

of dressing for the 300 or so persons who will be attending.  We are seeking

16 sponsors ($20/each) to underwrite the cost.  Make checks payable to 

Walnut Hill Church (designated "dressing").

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, October 25, at Walnut Hill Church …

EXPLORING OUR SPIRITUALITY

"FOLLOWING JESUS: A NEW LOOK"

Week 3 - Jesus the Person

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Jesus vs. The Christ

We will explore the distinctions between the pre- and 

post-Easter Jesus, and what "both" of them might have

to offer to our spiritual journey.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - The Kerygma

Text - Acts 2:22-24

Nursery Care and Sunday School for Children

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

*****

The Exploring our Spirituality Season continues.  You can

access the study booklet at EOS Fall 2015 Workbook .

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Greetings to all!

This fall's EOS season invites us to a "new look" at what it means to "follow Jesus," 

which might imply a new look at Jesus as well. In his book, Meeting Jesus Again for 

the First Time, Marcus Borg shares his own experience.

As I complete my story of how I met Jesus again, I want to mention briefly how 

these changes in my image of Jesus affected my vision of the Christian life.  Until 

my late thirties, I saw the Christian life as being primarily about believing. Like

many of us, as a child I had no problem with belief.  But at the end of childhood

there began a period, lasting over twenty years, in which, like many, I struggled

with doubt and disbelief. All through this period I continued to think that believing

was what the Christian life was all about.  Yet no matter how hard I tried, I was

unable to "do" that, and I wondered how others could.

Now I no longer see the Christian life as being primarily about believing… Rather,

the Christian life is about entering into a relationship with that to which the 

Christian tradition points, which may be spoken of as God, the risen living

Christ, or the Spirit.  And a Christian is one who lives out his or her relationship to

God within the framework of the Christian tradition.

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, October 25…

Luke 2:41-52

Acts 2:22-24

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

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

by for as long or short a time as your schedule might allow.  No rsvp required.

Sunday Conversations continue this Sun, Oct 25, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  Our 

conversations continue to be guided by the current Exploring Our Spirituality 

program.  This Sunday's conversation: "Jesus vs. The Christ."  Come, enjoy a 

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

EOS FALL 2015 - Exploring Our Spirituality, "Following Jesus - A New Look,"

including Sunday Conversations, morning worship, individual study, and small 

group fellowship is ongoing.  It is not too late to register for one of the small 

groups meeting on Sunday evening, Tuesday morning, and Tuesday evening.  

Use reply email to inquire about participating in an EOS small group.  To view 

an online version of this fall's workbook, visit EOS Fall 2015 Workbook .  EOS

season sermon recordings are available via the Walnut Hill website,

Audio Recordings .

The Annual Meeting of the Congregation of Walnut Hill Church will be held on

Sunday, November 8, immediately after morning worship.   The primary items

of business include the election of Vestry members and officers, the presentation

of the 2016 budget, and action on the Pastor's terms of call.  All Walnut Hill

Members and Friends are encouraged to attend.

Sunday Hospitality:  Several available 2015 dates remain seeking hosts for our

after worship refreshments including: Nov 1, Nov 15, Nov 29, and Dec 13.  Check

your calendar to host (or co-host) one of these Sundays.  Use reply email, or

visit the online sign up sheet, to volunteer.

Thanks to all those who helped to make last Sunday's "Boone Creek Safari" 

a delightful afternoon for Walnut Hill youth and their families. Special thanks to 

Derek Vaughan for his wonderful welcome and hospitality.

The Annual Assembly of the Kentucky Council of Churches will be held this

week, Oct 22 - 23, at the Nazareth Retreat Center near Bardstown.  The theme

of this year's Assembly is "Religious Diversity and Interfaith Relations."  Mike

Ward will be attending.  For more information regarding the KCC and/or the

Annual Assembly, visit www.kycouncilofchurches.org .

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, October 18, at Walnut Hill Church …

EXPLORING OUR SPIRITUALITY

"FOLLOWING JESUS: A NEW LOOK"

Week 2 - Prepare the Way of the Lord

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Dualism and Identity

We will view a brief video featuring Richard Rohr as our

starting point for a conversation about "dual / non-dual

thinking" and the spiritual practice of "contemplation."

Worship: God, Can We Talk?, 10am, Trinity Hall

Children (through elementary age) are invited to explore

the experience of "worship."  Over these several Sundays, 

we are exploring the words, music, symbols, and sacraments

that help us connect with God, each other, and ourselves.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - Mixing Old and New

Text - Mark 2:21-22

A children's worship moment for all.

Nursery Care and Sunday School for children.

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

"Boone Creek Safari", afternoon, Vaughan Cabin

Youth (middle & high school) and their families are invited

to an afternoon of hiking, pumpkin carving, and cookout

at the Vaughan cabin, beginning immediately after worship.

Dress for the outdoors.

*****

The Exploring our Spirituality Season continues.  You can

access the study booklet at EOS Fall 2015 Workbook .

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Greetings to all!

An often spoken and often misunderstood word in the Christian vocabulary 

is the word, "repent."  In his book, The Agile Church, Dwight Zscheile offers 

a new look at this old word.

Jesus' ministry in the Spirit begins with a call to see and act differently:  

"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and 

believe the good news."  The term "repent" (metanoia in Greek) means to 

change one's mind. As in the Hebrew Bible narrative … God is continuously 

calling people into a new way of interpreting and experiencing the world - 

one of the primary needs facing the church in a secularized culture today.  

This is a recurrent theme in Jesus' encounters with people, where he invites 

them to perceive reality differently - to have "eyes to see" and "ears to hear."

The scriptures for Sunday, October 18 …

Luke 3:1-14

Mark 2:21-22

Sunday Conversations continue this Sun, Oct 18, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  

This Sunday's conversation is guided by our current EOS theme, 

"Following Jesus:  A New Look."

Worship … God, Can We Talk?, 10am, in Trinity Hall - Children are 

invited to explore the experience of "worship."  Over these several 

Sundays we are exploring the words, music, symbols, and sacraments

that help us connect with God, each other, and ourselves.

Opportunities to host our after worship refreshments, including this

Sunday, October 18, are available for sign up via the Walnut Hill website. 

Use reply email to volunteer for this Sunday, or visit the online sign up sheet 

and consider hosting a Sunday between now and the end of the year. 

Thanks to all our Sunday refreshment hosts!

Youth (middle & high school) and their families are invited to an afternoon of 

hiking, pumpkin carving, and cookout at the Vaughan cabin this Sun, Oct 18, 

immediately after worship.  Use reply email to rsvp or for more details.

EOS FALL 2015 - Exploring Our Spirituality, "Following Jesus - A New Look"

including Sunday Conversations, morning worship, individual study, and small 

group fellowship is ongoing.  It is not too late to register for one of the small groups

meeting on Sunday evening, Tuesday morning, and Tuesday evening.  Use 

reply email to inquire about participating in an EOS small group.  To view an 

online version of this fall's workbook, visit EOS Fall 2015 Workbook .  EOS

season sermon recordings are available via the Walnut Hill website,

Audio Recordings .

Sandwich Ministry - There is an opportunity to serve as "sandwich ministers" 

on Sun, Oct 25.  Sandwich Ministry involves the preparation and delivery of 

simple sandwiches for guests at the Lexington Community Inn. Use reply email 

to volunteer, or for more information.

Central Baptist Church will be holding its congregational retreat at Walnut

Hill this coming Saturday.  We wish the members and leaders of Central 

Baptist Church a good day of refreshment and renewal.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, October 11, at Walnut Hill Church….

EXPLORING OUR SPIRITUALITY

"FOLLOWING JESUS: A NEW LOOK"

Week 1 - Transitions in Christianity

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Paradigm Shift

We will explore the "paradigm shift" ongoing in Christianity

today and the insights it might offer to our own faith life

and practice.

Worship: God, Can We Talk?, 10am, Trinity Hall

Children (through elementary age) are invited to explore

the experience of "worship."  Over these several Sundays, 

we are exploring the words, music, symbols, and sacraments

that help us connect with God, each other, and ourselves.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - The Evolution of Christianity

Text - Acts 2:43-47; 1 Timothy 2:1-7

Nursery Care and Sunday School for Children

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

******

Carolina Flooding - Persons attending worship this Sunday 

may contribute toward disaster assistance for our neighbors 

in South and North Carolina.  Cash or checks payable to

Walnut Hill Church (designated "Carolina Flooding") are 

welcome.

******

Exploring Our Spirituality (EOS) begins this week.  You

can access the EOS workbook at Following Jesus: A New Look. 

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Greetings to all!

This Sunday, October 11, begins our 8th season of Exploring Our 

Spirituality (EOS). Walnut Hill members and friends are invited to 

engage six weeks of worship, study, reflection, and sharing around 

the theme, "Following Jesus: A New Look."  The notion of following 

Jesus, or following the way of Jesus, in company with other followers 

is central to what it means to be "Christian."  Regarding the way of 

Jesus, Albert Nolan comments…

Before they came to be called Christians and even for a while after 

that, Jesus' followers spoke of themselves, and were referred to by 

others, as people of the Way.  I have called it Jesus' spirituality, but 

we must recognize that this spirituality is a process of personal and 

social transformation…Like all other forms of life, our spiritual life 

evolves, interacting creatively with other people, our environment, and 

historical events and responding to the opportunities that arise, or 

missing them.  The inner work of personal transformation is like a 

creative work of art rather than like the planned step-by-step journey 

along a mapped-out road.  There is no path that is forever fixed, as 

some spiritual writers seem to imply. It is, rather, what Meister Eckhart 

calls a "Wayless Way."   (from Jesus Today)

EOS FALL 2015 - Exploring Our Spirituality (EOS) returns for its

eighth season with a study titled, "Following Jesus - A New Look."

Six weeks of EOS themed Sunday Conversations, morning worship, 

and small group fellowship are scheduled to begin on Sunday, Oct 11. 

Small group registration is open now.  Use reply email to inquire

about participating in an EOS small group on Sunday evening, 

Tuesday evening, or weekday daytime.  To view an online version

of this fall's workbook, visit EOS Fall 2015 Workbook .

The scripture lessons for Sunday, October 11 …

Acts 2:43-47

1 Corinthians 1:1-31

1 Timothy 2:1-7

Sunday Conversations continue this Sun, Oct 11, 10am, in Trinity 

Hall. Sunday's conversation will focus around our EOS theme, 

"Following Jesus: A New Look."  Come enjoy a cup of coffee, join the 

conversation, or just listen in.

Worship … God, Can We Talk?, 10am, in Trinity Hall - Children are 

invited to explore the experience of "worship."  Over these several 

Sundays we are exploring the words, music, symbols, and sacraments

that help us connect with God, each other, and ourselves.

Opportunities to host our after worship refreshments, including this

Sunday, October 11, are available for sign up via the Walnut Hill 

website. Use reply email to volunteer for this Sunday, or visit the 

online sign up sheet and consider hosting a Sunday between now and 

the end of the year. Thanks to all our Sunday refreshment hosts!

In the neighborhood…

*2nd Presbyterian Church will host the Pace-Warren Lecture

Series on Oct 11 & 12 featuring the Rev. Dr. David Renwick.  Visit 

Pace Warren Lectures for more information.

*St. Augustine's Chapel, on the UK campus, is sponsoring a

lecture on Mon, Oct 12, 7pm ("Teaching Evolution at the University 

of Kentucky") and on Thu, Oct 22, 7pm ("Doing Social Justice as a 

Person of Faith").  Contact staugchapel@gmail.com for more details.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church and a Prayer

(see below a prayer in response to the violence in Roseburg, Oregon)

This Sunday, October 4, at Walnut Hill Church …

ECUMENICAL SUNDAY

Featuring The Rev. Dr. Barbara Blodgett,

Professor of Pastoral Leadership

Lexington Theological Seminary

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

The Agile Church

The Rev. Dr. Barbara Blodgett joins us for conversation

around ideas raised in the book, The Agile Church, by

Dwight Zscheile.  You might want review an online 

posting of Chapter 1 from Zscheile's book in advance

of Sunday's conversation.

Worship: God, Can We Talk?, 10am, Trinity Hall

Children (through elementary age) are invited to explore

the experience of "worship."  Over the next several Sundays, 

we will explore the words, music, symbols, and sacraments

that help us connect with God, each other, and ourselves.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - Post-Community Community

Text - 1 Corinthians 12:12-26

Preacher - The Rev. Dr. Barbara Blodgett

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.

*******

A Prayer for These Days

Once again our nation has been stung by an act of violence.

Consider this prayer for your reflection in these days.

Compassionate God:

Look with mercy upon your children.

Comfort the family and friends of all who have died:

at Umpqua Community College and other mass shootings,

in robberies, domestic, and random violence,

in war, or in the line of duty.

Help us manage our own pain, anger, and fear.

Give us patience and courage to approach and address 

the complexities of violence.

And increase in us the will to seek diligently for an end

to violence of every kind.

In the name of Christ who triumphed over violence

with love.  Amen.