Friday, June 26, 2015

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, June 28, at Walnut HIll Church...

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

The Two Adams

We will talk about human moral development through the
lens of the "two Adams" found in the Creation stories
(Genesis 1 - 3).

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - A Non-Anxious Presence
Text - Mark 4:35-41

Nursery Care and Sunday School for Children

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship

*****

Big Blue Barrel - This will be the final Sunday to bring 
non-perishable food items to be distributed via God's 
Pantry.  While any non-perishable item is appreciated, 
the following are particularly needed: canned vegetables, 
soups, and fruit; shelf stable milk; proteins (peanut butter, 
non-green beans, canned meats); pasta, rice, and cereal.

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Greetings to all!

This evening, June 24, is the third of our three Wednesday Evenings 
Together (see below), focusing on the seemingly contradictory themes 
of abundance and hunger.  This evening we will reflect on Jesus' call 
upon the disciples to share the abundance they had received, or as it 
is found in the gospel story of the Feeding of the Multitude, "You give 
them something to eat."  

No doubt this calling includes sharing abundance on multiple levels,
material and  spiritual.  Fulfilling this calling requires energy, imagination,
and no small amount of determination, and it is inspired by the belief
that in God's abundance there is enough, for others as well as for our
selves.  In that sense, sharing what we have been given is the 
ultimate expression of gratitude for the both the gift and the Giver,
the most tangible way of saying "Thank you."

The scripture lesson for Sunday, June 28...
Mark 4:35-41

Wednesday Evenings Together continue this evening June 24, 
6pm - 7:30pm.  All ages are invited to gather for a meal, program, and 
evening prayer.  This year's theme is "Abundance Orchard: Where 
Faith Grows and Hungry People  Are Fed."  We are celebrating the 
abundance of God's world and exploring ways to share abundance with 
all.  This evening's meal is a "pizza night" including pizza, salad, and ice 
cream. You do not need to bring anything for the meal, but feel free to 
bring an item for the Big Blue Barrel (see below).

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, June 28, 10am, in Trinity
Hall.  Our conversation topic for this Sunday is "The Two Adams," 
exploring the development of human moral character.

The Big Blue Barrel has been placed in Trinity Hall to receive your 
donations of non-perishable food items to support God's Pantry in 
sharing the abundance of God's creation with neighbors throughout 
central and eastern Kentucky.

The Walnut Hill Cycling Ride is coming on Saturday, July 18.  As it was
last year, there will be 15 - 40 mile routes available for experienced riders,
as well as a "fun ride" on Walnut HIll Rd for families and novice riders.  
Walnut Hill Rd will be closed to regular traffic during the "fun ride."  Watch
for more details to come.

What Can We Say?  Copies of the sermon from this past Sunday, June 21, 
presented in response to the events in Charleston, are available by
request.  Use reply email to request a paper or e-copy of the sermon.

Kroger Community Rewards:  Walnut HIll recently received a check
in the amount of $216, the proceeds of the Kroger Community Rewards
program designated to Walnut Hill by 22 participating households for the
last three months.  This brings to over $500 the total received by Walnut Hill 
since November of last year.

Hope Center Items:  If you are traveling (or shopping) this summer 
and happen to pick up some of those motel/travel size soaps, shampoos, 
etc, feel free to bring them to Walnut Hill and place them in the Hope Center 
box located in the Sanctuary foyer.  Your donated items will be taken to 
the Hope Center for distribution to some of our neighbors who can use 
them.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Friday, June 19, 2015

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

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

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Offering an Ideal

This Sunday's conversation follows up a sermon and
conversation two weeks ago concerning a Christian
sexual ethic (ideal) for the 21st century.  Use reply
email to request a copy of the sermon in advance of 
Sunday's conversation.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - What Can We Say? (in response to Charleston)

Nursery Care and Sunday School for Children

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

****

The Big Blue Barrel is available in Trinity Hall to 
receive your donations of non-perishable food items.
Once full, God's Pantry will pick up the blue barrel
and distribute its contents to neighbors throughout
central and eastern Kentucky.

The Hope Center Box is available in the Sanctuary
foyer to receive your donations of travel size toiletry
items.  These items  will be taken to the Hope Center
for distribution to neighbors here in Lexington.

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Greetings to all!

Our Wednesday Evenings Together continue this evening, June 17
(see details below), and with it our reflections on the themes of abundance, 
hunger, and faith.  Abundance is a reality, and so is need, specifically 
hunger, in the United States...

Chances are good that if you picture what hunger looks like, you don't 
summon an image of someone like Christina: white, married, clothed, 
and housed ... The images of hunger in America today differ markedly 
from Depression-era images of the gaunt-faced unemployed scavenging 
for food on urban streets.  "This is not your grandmother's hunger," says
 Janet Poppendieck, a sociologist at the City University of New York...
In the United States more than half of hungry households are white, and 
two-thirds of those with children have at least one working adult - typically 
in a full-time job ... Finding food has become a central worry for millions 
of Americans.  One in six reports running out of food at least once a year.  
In many European countries, by contrast, the number is closer to one in 
twenty.
(from NationalGeographic.com)

The lectionary texts for Sunday, June 21...
1 Samuel 17:32-49
2 Corinthians 6:1-13
Mark 4:35-41

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, June 21, 10am, in Trinity 
Hall.  Our topic for this Sunday will be "The Sex Talk - Part 2,"  following 
up on a recent Sunday sermon inviting a new Christian ethic (ideal) 
regarding human sexuality.  Use reply email to request an e-copy of the 
sermon in advance of Sunday's conversation.

Wednesday Evenings Together continue this evening June 17, 
6pm - 7:30pm.  All ages are invited to gather for a meal, program, and 
evening prayer.  This year's theme is "Abundance Orchard: Where 
Faith Grows and Hungry People  Are Fed."  We are celebrating the 
abundance of God's world and exploring ways to share abundance with all.  
This evening's meal is a cookout.  Grilled hamburgers and hotdogs will be 
provided.  You are welcome to bring a cookout type side item or dessert. 

The Big Blue Barrel has been placed in Trinity Hall to receive your 
donations of non-perishable food items to support God's Pantry in sharing 
the abundance of God's creation with neighbors throughout central and 
eastern Kentucky.

Hope Center Items:  If you are traveling (or shopping) this summer and 
happen to pick up some of those motel/travel size soaps, shampoos, etc, 
feel free to bring them to Walnut Hill and place them in the Hope Center 
box located in the Sanctuary foyer.  Your donated items will be taken to 
the Hope Center for distribution to some of our neighbors who can use 
them.

The Walnut Hill Cycling Ride is coming on Saturday, July 18.  As it was
last year, there will be 15 - 40 mile routes available for experienced riders,
as well as a "fun ride" on Walnut HIll Rd for families and novice riders.  
Walnut Hill Rd will be closed to regular traffic during the "fun ride."  Watch
for more details to come.

In the Community:  Kentucky Refugee Ministries is seeking volunteers
to provide personal support for a Congolese family recently arrived in 
Lexington.  Service opportunities include basic household instruction 
(using modern appliances, etc), transportation, and/or English tutoring.  
Use reply email to request more information.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Friday, June 12, 2015

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

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

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Talking About "Sin"

We will take a new look at an old word, "sin," as prompted
by David Brooks' recent book, The Road to Character.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - Nothing But Parables
Text - Mark 4:26-34

Nursery Care and Sunday School for Children

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

*****

The Big Blue Barrel is located in Trinity Hall to receive
your donations of non-perishable food items.  When
we have filled the barrel, God's Pantry will distribute
the contents to neighbors throughout central and
eastern Kentucky.

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Greetings to all!

"Abundance Orchard" is the theme of our Wednesday Evenings
Together series beginning this evening, June 10 (see below).
"Abundance" is defined as "a very large quantity of something
and plentifulness," as contrasted with "scarcity," which is defined 
as "insufficient for the demand." Which of these two, abundance
or scarcity, describes our experience, view, and living of life?  Which
of these two, abundance or scarcity, described Jesus' experience,
view, and living of life?  If the Earth is abundant, why do some
experience scarcity?  If we have experienced abundance in our
lives, what might we do to share that abundance with others?  These 
are some of the questions we will explore over these next three
Wednesdays together.  Join us!

In memory:  William "Bill" Morley, a Friend of Walnut Hill Church, 
husband of Elizabeth "Libbie" Morley, died on Friday, June 5.
Services for Bill will be held in Champaign, Illinois, on June 10.
Burial in Lexington will be at a later date.

The lectionary texts for Sunday, June 14...
1 Samuel 15:34 - 16:13
2 Corinthians 5:6-17
Mark 4:26-34

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, June 14, 10am,
in Trinity Hall.  Conversation topics vary widely from week to
week including Bible study, theology, spirituality, and current
events.  Come, enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or
just listen in.

Wednesday Evenings Together returns this evening June 10, 
6pm - 7:30pm.  All ages are invited to gather for a meal, program, 
and evening prayer.  This year's theme is "Abundance Orchard: 
Where Faith Grows and Hungry People  Are Fed."  We will 
celebrate the abundance of God's world and explore ways to share 
abundance with all.  This evening's meal is a simple soup, salad, 
bread, and dessert.  

THE BIG BLUE BARREL has been placed in Trinity Hall to receive
your donations of non-perishable food items to support God's Pantry 
in sharing the abundance of God's creation with neighbors 
throughout central and eastern Kentucky.

Hope Center Items:  If you are traveling this summer and happen 
to pick up some of those motel soaps, shampoos, etc, feel free to 
bring them to Walnut Hill and place them in the Hope Center box 
located in the Sanctuary foyer.  Your donated items will be taken 
to the Hope Center for distribution to some of our neighbors who 
can use them.

In the Community: Dr. Larry Kant, former professor at Lexington
Theological Seminary, will be offering a workshop titled, "Reading 
the Bible Mystically," on Sunday, June 14.  Visit Mystic Scholar or 
contact Dr. Kant ( dblk2@qx.net ) for more information.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward


Friday, June 5, 2015

This Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

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

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

The Sex Talk

In these changing times, does our faith tradition offer any
useful guidance regarding human sexuality?  We will talk
about it.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - Living Toward an Ideal
Text - Matthew 22:34-40

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 Big Blue Barrel will be at Walnut Hill beginning
this Sunday to receive your donations of non-perishable
food items.  When it is full, God's Pantry will distribute
the donated items to neighbors throughout central and
eastern Kentucky.

The Hope Center Box is in the Sanctuary foyer to
receive your donations of travel size toiletry items
to be shared with neighbors via the Hope Center in
Lexington.

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Greetings to all!

In a culture that celebrates, encourages, and even markets sexual 
expression, the ancient practice of celibacy seems odd, even 
abnormal.  Yet, maybe we "normal" folks could learn a thing or two 
from those who choose this path, as Kathleen Norris learned from 
some Benedictine friends...

When one sister described to me what she considered a healthy 
celibacy, she said, "First of all, it means not focusing on 'what I gave 
up,' but on what being freed by what I gave up has allowed me to do 
in terms of service to the church and other people.  For me, the 
discipline of celibacy means a commitment to grow, intellectually 
and in my prayer life, to engage in regular prayer, both privately and 
with my community, to engage in some form of meaningful ministry, 
to take care of my body, to seek out solitude at regular intervals ... 
and to take pleasure in beauty."  Many sisters spoke to me of celibacy 
as something that had encouraged them to be sensitive to the many
guises of beauty.  "Celibacy," one sister said, "has given me a good 
way to integrate my sexuality with my spirituality; for I have come to 
realize that the goal of both is union with God and with others." One 
woman put it very simply.  "The fruit of celibacy is hospitality."
(from The Cloister Walk)

The scripture lessons for Sunday, June 7 ...
Genesis 2:18-25
Matthew 22:34-40

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, June 7, 10am, in Trinity 
Hall.  Our topic for this Sunday is "The Sex Talk."  All are welcome to 
enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or just listen in.

Wednesday Evenings Together will be returning June 10, 17, and 24, 
6pm - 7:30pm.  All ages are invited to gather for a meal, program, and 
evening prayer.  This year's theme is "Abundance Orchard: Where 
Faith Grows and Hungry People  Are Fed."  We will celebrate the 
abundance of God's world and explore ways to share that abundance 
with all.  You may rsvp via reply email or the sign up sheet in the Sanctuary 
foyer.

THE BIG BLUE BARREL will be at Walnut Hill beginning this Sunday,
June 7.  Feel free to bring your non-perishable food items to support
God's Pantry in sharing the abundance of God's creation with neighbors
throughout central and eastern Kentucky.

SUMMER CAMPS:  The summer camp season is upon us. Walnut Hill 
children/youth have privilege to attend either of two church camp programs:  
Camp Burnamwood or Cathedral Domain . Visit their websites for program 
schedules and registration information.  Remember that Walnut Hill will 
pay 1/2 the cost of any Walnut Hill youth attending a Burnamwood or 
Domain program.

Hope Center Items:  If you are traveling this summer and happen to pick
up some of those motel soaps, shampoos, etc, feel free to bring them 
to Walnut Hill and place them in the Hope Center box located in the
Sanctuary foyer.  Your donated items will be taken to the Hope Center
for distribution to some of our neighbors who can use them.

In the Community: Dr. Larry Kant, former professor at Lexington
Theological Seminary, will be offering a workshop titled, "Reading the 
Bible Mystically," on Sunday, June 14.  Visit Mystic Scholar or contact 
Dr. Kant ( dblk2@qx.net ) for more information.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward