Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

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

PALM SUNDAY

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Reconstructing Holy Week

We will work together to "reconstruct" the timeline of 

Holy Week, asking and answering questions about

the events as we go.  To refresh your memory in 

advance, read Mark 11:1 - 16:8.

Children's Choir, 10am, Trinity Hall

Children through elementary age are invited to gather

for music and singing in final preparation for their

Palm Sunday presentation.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - A Grand Manifestation

Text - John 12:12-19

Children's Presentation & Procession of the Palms

Nursery Care and Sunday School for Children

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

Easter Egg Hunt, Noon, Church Grounds

Children are invited to hunt for Easter Eggs.  Be sure to 

bring an egg-hunting basket for your child's use.  Also, 

please bring one (1) dozen treat filled eggs for the hunt.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Greetings to all!

Holy Week is approaching, the final week of our Lenten journey toward Easter.  

This last, holy, week of Lent is a long journey of its own. Come and journey with 

us at Walnut Hill!

For one whole week, we relive in present time a devastating sequence of events

that took place in a minor city of the Roman Empire twenty centuries ago.  We enter

the story through dramatic liturgies that trace their roots to the fourth century, when

they were developed for the throngs of pilgrims who celebrated Pascha at the holy

places.  As if we were in Jerusalem ourselves, we wave palms and shout Hosanna!

on the day that is both Palm Sunday and Passion Sunday.  The shouts soon ring

hollow, however, for we know that by week's end the crowd will abandon the one

we now acclaim.  On Thursday, he will host us at a table of love and forgiveness,

even though he knows it too.

With this meal, we enter into the heart of the paschal mystery for the three days

known as the Triduum.  After Thursday's arrest come Friday's crucifixion, Saturday's

silence, and Sunday's glory.  At last, Christ is risen, and so are we.  Our words are

in the present tense, and this Easter and the first one are each of them, and both

together, the first day of a new creation.

(from Receiving the Day by Dorothy C. Bass)

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE:

*Sun, Mar 29 - Palm Sunday

-Sunday Conversations, 10am

-Children's Choir, 10am

-Morning Worship, 11am (children's presentation, procession of the palms)

-Nursery Care and Sunday School for children, 11am

-Easter Egg Hunt, Noon (bring a dozen treat-filled eggs for the hunt)

*Thu, Apr 2 - Maundy Thursday

-Simple Meal, 6:30pm (bring a simple item to share for the meal)

-Evening Prayer, 7 pm (activities for children)

*Sun, Apr 5 - Easter Sunday

-Easter Sunrise Service, 7am (dress for the outdoors)

-Sunday Conversations, 10am

-Morning Worship & Holy Communiion, 11am

-Nursery Care and Sunday School for children, 11am

-After worship refreshments, Noon (bring a plate of cookies to share)

The scripture lessons for Sunday, March 29, Palm Sunday...

Isaiah 50:4-9

Philippians 2:5-11

John 12:12-19

Children's Choir - Children through elementary age are invited to gather for music

and singing this Sunday, Mar 29, 10am, in Trinity Hall as they prepare for their Palm 

Sunday music presentation.

Sunday Conversations continue this Sun, Mar 29, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  Our 

conversation topic this Sunday will be "Holy Week," as we explore what we know, 

and what we don't know, about this climactic chapter of the Jesus story.

EXPLORING OUR SPIRITUALITY - 2015 is coming, beginning April 5.  This spring's 

theme, Experiencing the Risen Christ, uses the New Testament resurrection 

narratives as the starting point for our reflection.  Small group registration is 

ongoing now for groups to meet on Sunday evening, Tuesday evening, and a

weekday morning to be determined.  Use reply email for more information and/or

to register for a small group.

Easter Lilies:  As is our custom at Walnut Hill, the Sanctuary will be decorated with

lilies on Easter morning.  You can sponsor a lily for $20/plant.  Sponsorships may

be memorial/honorary.  Make your check payable to Walnut Hill Church, designated

"lily," and, if applicable, indicate the person being honored or memorialized.

Vanuatu Relief - Walnut Hill is sending a $300 donation from the Community Fund

to aid in relief efforts on behalf of the island nation of Vanuatu, which was recently

devastated by Cyclone Pam.  Walnut Hill's donation is being sent via our

ecumenical partner Church World Service. Visit the link, Vanuatu, for more 

information.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

This Weekend at Walnut Hill Church

This Weekend at Walnut Hill Church...

SATURDAY, MARCH 21

Services for Marion Gregory "Shug" Graves

Memorial Service, 3:30pm, Walnut Hill Church Sanctuary

Reception, 5:00pm, The Lexington Club (170 Esplanade)

(both gatherings open to the public)

SUNDAY, MARCH 22

Sunday Conversation, 10am, Trinity Hall

Worship - What and Why?

We often speak of "going to church," by which we often

mean "going to worship." So, what is "worship" and why

do it?  We will consider some responses, past and 

present, as well as offer our own.

Children's Choir, 10am, Trinity Hall

Children through elementary age are invited to 

gather for music and singing in preparation for their

presentation on Palm Sunday (Mar 29).

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - Written On Our Hearts

Text - Jeremiah 31:31-34

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 are invited to gather for a meal and activities.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Greetings to all!

Sunday morning worship (an "hour" of words, music, and silence) is Walnut Hill's 

central activity, but what is the purpose of that activity, for us as individuals, for our 

congregation, and/or for the world?  In her book, Amazing Grace, Kathleen Norris 

reflects on the community's gathering for worship.

The worshipping body is not a gathering of like-minded people, or those with a 

high degree of faith or knowledge concerning spiritual matters; I like to think that it 

resembles Christ's ragged band of disciples in this manner, a diverse group with 

remarkable variance in personalities and attitudes toward Jesus ... In worship, 

disparate people seek a unity far greater than the sum of themselves but don't 

have much control over how, or if, this happens.  Recklessly, we let loose with music, 

and the words of hymns, the psalms, canticles, and prayers.  We cast the Word of 

God out into the world, into each human heart, where, to paraphrase the prophet 

Isaiah, it needs to go to fulfill God's purpose.  Isaiah uses the metaphor of rain to 

convey this - rain that disappears into the ground for a time, so that we can't see it 

working.  And then, it bears abundantly.

Marion Gregory "Shug" Graves: A service of remembrance and celebration for

the life of "Shug" Graves will be held this Saturday, March 21, 3:30pm, at Walnut

Hill Church.  A reception will follow at 5:00pm at the Lexington Club.  Shug's family

invites all Walnut Hill members and friends to attend.

The lectionary texts for Sunday, March 22, the 5th Sunday of Lent...

Jeremiah 31:31-34

Hebrews 5:5-10

John 12:20-33

Men's Coffee - Walnut Hill men are invited to gather each Saturday morning, 8am, 

at Paneras on Richmond Rd, for coffee and conversation.  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, Mar 22, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  Our focus 

for this Sunday:  "Worship - What and Why?"  Come enjoy a cup of coffee, join the 

conversation, or just listen in.

A Host(s) is needed for our after worship refreshments this Sun, Mar 22.  Use reply 

email to volunteer for this Sunday, or visit the online sign-up sheet  to host a Sunday 

later in the spring.

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE:

*Sun, Mar 29 - Palm Sunday

-Sunday Conversations, 10am

-Morning Worship, 11am (procession of the palms, children's presentation)

-Easter Egg Hunt, Noon (bring a dozen treat-filled eggs for the hunt)

*Thu, Apr 2 - Maundy Thursday

-Simple Meal, 6:30pm (bring a simple item to share for the meal)

-Evening Prayer, 7:00pm (activities for children)

*Sun, Apr 5 - Easter Sunday

-Easter Sunrise Service, 7am (dress for the outdoors)

-Sunday Conversations, 10am

-Morning Worship & Holy Communiion, 11am

-After worship refreshments, Noon (bring a plate of cookies to share)

EXPLORING OUR SPIRITUALITY - 2015 is coming, beginning April 5.  This spring's 

theme, Experiencing the Risen Christ, uses the New Testament resurrection 

narratives as the starting point for our reflection.  Watch for more information, and 

plan to participate.

OGHS FISH!  After some delay, the One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) fish collection 

boxes have arrived.  If your household is collecting the OGHS offering, or would like to 

do so, pick up a fish in the foyer of the Sanctuary.  Visit  OGHS  for more information 

regarding the One Great Hour of Sharing.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, March 15, at Walnut Hill Church...

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Imagining Walnut Hill's Future

All are invited to share thoughts, ideas, and visions of 

Walnut 

Hill Church five, ten, even twenty years from now.  

Come and share in this 

informal "imagining session."  

Children's Choir, 10am, Trinity Hall

Children through elementary age are invited to gather

for music and singing in preparation for a presentation

on Palm Sunday (Mar 29).

"Professing Our Faith," 10am, Trinity Hall

Older youth are invited to gather for an exploration of

what it means to "profess one's faith" in word and 

action, with a special invitation to youth considering

confirmation this spring. 

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

The Rev. Dr. John Cavendish

Pastor-emeritus of Walnut Hill Church

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, March 11, 2015

Greetings to all!

One of the simpler, yet most challenging, sayings of Jesus is 

found in the Sermon on the Mount when Jesus says, "Blessed are the 

peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God." Madeleine

L'Engle recalls her experience of trying to "make peace" with a

rather dour man she frequently passed by while walking her dog.

So, one morning as the dog and I slid through the bottleneck, I

smiled and said, "Good morning."

I got no response.  Naturally. The sour look did not soften. Why

should it?  It was stubbornness which made me persist in saying

"Good morning," or "Thank you," day after day.

One day he smiled back.

One day he smiled first.

Not much in the way of peacemaking, is it?  But it is what is

offered me each morning.  And, as my grandmother was fond of

reminding me, little drops of water and little grains of sand make

the mighty ocean and the pleasant land.

The way of peacemaking given us may be something so

small that it seems hardly worth doing, but it is these small

offerings which build our reflexes for the larger ones.

(from The Irrational Season)

The Rev. Dr. John Cavendish, Pastor Emeritus of Walnut Hill 

Church, will lead worship and preach this Sunday, March, 15.

Sunday Conversations continue this Sun, Mar 15, 10am, in 

Trinity Hall.  This Sunday's conversation will be an opportunity

to share "thoughts about Walnut Hill's future."

Children's Choir:  Children through elementary age are invited 

to gather for music and singing this Sun, Mar 15, 10am, in Trinity 

Hall, in preparation for a music presentation on  Palm Sunday 

(Mar 29).

Professing our Faith, a confirmation study for older youth,

continues this Sun, Mar 15, 10am, in Trinity Hall.

A HOST(S) is needed for our after worship refreshments this 

SUN, MAR 15.  Use reply email to volunteer for this Sunday, or 

visit the online sign-up sheet to host a Sunday later in the spring.

EXPLORING OUR SPIRITUALITY - 2015 is coming, beginning 

April 5.  The spring's theme, Experiencing the Risen Christ, 

uses the New Testament resurrection narratives as the starting 

point for our reflection.  Watch for more information, and plan to 

participate.

OGHS FISH!  After some delay, the One Great Hour of Sharing

(OGHS) fish collection boxes have arrived.  If your household is 

collecting the OGHS offering, or would like to do so, pick up a fish 

in the foyer of the Sanctuary.  Visit  OGHS  for more information 

regarding the One Great Hour of Sharing.

In the community: As part of its search for a new school

superintendent, the Fayette County Public School District is

seeking public input regarding values and characteristics the

next superintendent should have.  You do not need to have a 

child in the school system to participate.   Share your thoughts 

(by Mar 13) at www.k12insight.com/fcps . 

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

 

Sun, Mar 8, Walnut Hill Church open

Sunday, March 8, 2015

Dear Walnut Hill Church Members and Friends:

This email is simply to confirm that the church driveways and sidewalks

are clear and dry.  Also, Old Richmond Rd and Walnut Hill Rd approaching 

the church are clear and dry.  

All services and activities are ongoing as scheduled including:

10am - Sunday Conversations

   -  Children's Choir

   -  Confirmation Study

11am - Morning Worship

   - Nursery and Sunday School

Noon - After Worship Gathering

5:30pm - Youth Gathering

Road conditions might be different in your neighborhood, so use your

good judgment about getting out this morning.

Peace,

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, March 8, at Walnut Hill Church ...

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Questions

We will conclude our Questions series with the question,

"How Then Shall We Live?" exploring concepts  expressed 

by Thomas Merton as we live with the awareness that our 

life on earth is limited and that we will die.  How does this

awareness potentially enhance our living today?

Children's Choir, 10am, Trinity Hall

Children through elementary age are invited to gather

for music and singing in preparation for a presentation

on Palm Sunday (Mar 29).

"Professing Our Faith," 10am, Trinity Hall

Older youth are invited to gather for an exploration of

what it means to "profess one's faith" in word and 

action, with a special invitation to youth considering

confirmation this spring. 

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - A Memorable Event

Text - John 2:13-25

Nursery Care and Sunday School for Children

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for fellowship and refreshments.

Youth Gathering, 5:30 - 7:00pm, Trinity Hall

 

Youth (middle and high school) are invited to gather for

a meal and activities.

******

Weather Note:  Arrangements are in place for the church

driveway and sidewalks to be cleared before Sunday.

If you have concerns about the conditions, watch for a 

Sunday morning email around 9am to confirm that the 

driveway and sidewalks are clear, or call the church phone

(263-5304) after 9am on Sunday morning for a driveway update.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Greetings to all!

Marcus Borg, a well-known New Testament scholar, died recently.  Prof. Borg 

blended critical scholarship and a genuine spirituality to help people think about 

Jesus in a new way, including what it means to "believe in Jesus."

   In my childhood ... to believe in Jesus meant to believe what the gospels 

and the church said about Jesus.  That was easy when I was a child, and 

became more and more difficult as I grew older.  But I now see that believing 

in Jesus can (and does) mean something very different from that.  The change

is pointed to by the root meaning of the word believe.  Believe did not originally 

mean believing a set of doctrines or teachings; in both Greek and Latin its roots 

mean "to give one's heart."  The "heart" is the self at its deepest level...it means 

to give one's heart, one's self at its deepest level, to the post-Easter Jesus who 

is the living Lord, the side of God turned toward us, the face of God, the Lord 

who is also the Spirit...For ultimately, Jesus is not simply a figure of the past, but 

a figure of the present.  Meeting that Jesus - the living Jesus who comes to us

even now - will be like meeting Jesus again for the first time.

(from Meeting Jesus AGAIN for the First Time, by Marcus J. Borg)

Visit www.marcusjborg.com for more information about Prof Borg's life, work, 

and legacy.

Marion "Shug" Graves, a member of Walnut Hill Church, departed this life on 

February 25.  A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 21, 3:30pm, 

at Walnut Hill Church.  A reception will follow at 5:00pm at the Lexington Club.

The scripture lessons for Sunday, March 8, the Third Sunday in Lent...

   Exodus 20:1-17

   1 Corinthians 1:18-25

   John 2:13-22

Sunday Conversations continue on Sun, Mar 8, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  This 

Sunday completes our conversation series, Questions, with the question:  

"How Then Shall We Live?"

Children's Choir: Children through elementary age are invited to gather for 

music and singing this Sun, Mar 8, 10am, in Trinity Hall, as they prepare for a 

Palm Sunday (Mar 29) presentation.

Professing Our Faith, a confirmation study for older youth continues this Sun, 

Mar 8, 10am, in Trinity Hall.

A HOST(s) IS NEEDED for our after worship refreshments this Sun, March 8.  

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

to host a Sunday later in the spring.  Thanks to all our recent Sunday hosts!

YOUTH (middle and high school) are invited to gather this Sun, Mar 8, 5:30 -

7:00pm, in Trinity Hall for a meal and activities.

One Great Hour Of Sharing: Numerous Walnut Hill households participate 

in the OGHS during Lent.  The idea is simple.  Place a bowl, jar, box, etc, on 

your regular dining table.  Each day during Lent, each member of the 

household places one coin in the container.  Bring your coins to Walnut Hill 

on Easter Sunday (Apr 5).  The OGHS supports disaster relief, hunger and 

water ministries, and human empowerment around the world.

In the community:  The Interfaith Alliance of the Bluegrass is organizing

a Dessert and Dialogue series for the spring focusing on the issue of violence

as it affects youth in our community.  The idea is to gather individuals from 

various faith traditions into diverse groups (5 - 8 persons) for several conversations 

through the spring, concluding with a large group gathering to share insights, 

discoveries, and ideas.  For more information contact tiabg.info@gmail.com .

Thanks to all who helped welcome Bol and Ajiel Aweng (and their son, Aweng)

to Walnut Hill this past Sunday.  Thanks to your generosity, Walnut Hill will

be sending approximately $1,500 to support the Buckeye Health Clinic in

Bol's hometown of Piol, South Sudan.  For more information about Bol and/or

the health clinic, visit www.bolaweng.com and/or www.southsudanclinic.org .

"Dance Blue," a 24-hour dance marathon to benefit the U.K. Pediatric Oncology 

Clinic, was held on Feb 14 - 15.  Barbara Waldmann-Ward participated with a 

$200 sponsorship from the Walnut Hill Community Fund.  The event raised a total 

of $1.6 million.  Visit the link, Dance Blue, to view the event finale. 

Peace to all.

Mike Ward