Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, May 1, at Walnut Hill Church…

EXPLORING OUR SPIRITUALITY

"THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT"

Week Three:  Revising the Law

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

You have heard…But I Say

This morning we explore fourteen "triads" through which

Jesus upends and sets us free from conventional piety

to a way of transformation for ourselves and our world.

You might want to read Appendix 3 in the EOS Booklet

in advance of this conversation.

Confirmation Class, 10am, Trinity Hall

Confirmation students continue their exploration of faith

and the church, with particular attention to their own

"statements of faith."

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - Perfection

Text - Matthew 5:17-42

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Nursery Care and Sunday School for Children

EOS Conversation for Youth

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

******

RESETTLEMENT UPDATE - We continue preparations

for the arrival of the Al-Nawasra family.  Use reply email

to request a list of items needed for their apartment.  

Additional information will be provided on Sunday morning.

Be in prayer for all involved!

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

April 27, 2016

Greetings to all!

Our EOS journey finds us encountering numerous texts that sound very

familiar such as, "the salt of the earth" (Mt 5:13).  The New Testament

scholar, Douglas Hare, comments…

"The salt of the earth" has been naturalized into the English language as

a designation for people we regard as especially good.  This makes it all

the harder for us to appreciate how strange the phrase must have

originally sounded.  We can perhaps catch its force better by substituting

another seasoning: "You are red hot pepper for the whole earth!" In this

way we are reminded that the statement refers not to status, as if it said,

"You are the world's ethical elite," but to function: "You must add zest to

the life of the whole world!"

(from Matthew in the Interpretation Commentary series)

The scripture lesson for Sunday, May 1, EOS Week Three…

Matthew 5:17-48

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, May 1, 10am, in Trinity

Hall.  Our conversations continue to be guided by our EOS season focus

on the Sermon on the Mount.  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, May 1.

Use reply email to volunteer for this Sunday and/or visit the online sign up

sheet to host this Sunday or a Sunday later in the spring.

Exploring Our Spirituality (EOS) is ongoing through May 22.  Our

theme for this spring is "Following Jesus: The Sermon on the Mount."

EOS activities include Sunday morning worship (11am), Sunday

Conversations (10am), small groups, and individual study.  To access

the online study book, visit  EOS Spring 2016 Booklet . EOS season

sermons may be accessed via this link:  EOS Sermons .

Resettlement 2016 - Planning continues toward welcoming the 

Al-Nawasra family (mother, father, and four children) on May 2.  You 

can contribute your time as well as various items that will be needed by 

the family when they arrive including twin beds for the children and

car seats for the younger children.  Use reply email to request more 

information and/or visit the online "wish list" for additional items that are 

still needed.

The Spring Potluck is coming on Sunday, May 15, immediately after

morning worship.  Bring a salad or side dish. Meat, beverage, and a 

"Magee's Cake" dessert will be provided.  The occasion for the cake is to 

celebrate Walnut Hill confirmation and high school graduates.  Don't miss 

this delicious Walnut Hill tradition.

Thanks to eleven youth and several adults who gathered on Sunday

evening to learn about the Lexington Community Inn and make sandwiches

(100+) for Community Inn guests.  After making the sandwiches, the youth 

enjoyed a meal together, including some of the sandwiches they had just

made.

Nepal Update - Last year about this time Walnut Hill sent $1,760 via 

Church World Service to Nepal for relief in the wake of a devastating

earthquake.  Follow this link ( Nepal Update ) to view a "thank you" and 

related videos regarding the rebuilding work there.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, April 24, at Walnut Hill Church…

EXPLORING OUR SPIRITUALITY

"THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT"

Week Two:  Persecution, Salt, Light

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Blessed are the Persecuted

We will explore the phenomenon of religious persecution in

the New Testament and today asking, "Is religion a cause

or an occasion of persecution?" In anticipation of our 

conversation, you might want to read Religious Persecution .

Confirmation Class, 10am, Trinity Hall

Confirmation students continue their exploration of faith and 

the church.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - Let Your Light Shine

Text - Matthew 5:13-16

Nursery Care and Sunday School for Children

EOS conversation for youth.

Cemetery Association Meeting, Noon, Sanctuary

The Walnut Hill Church Cemetery Association will hold its

annual meeting immediately after worship in the Sanctuary.

The business of the annual meeting includes the election 

of officers, the treasurer's report, a report on cemetery

activity, and presentation of proposed revisions to the

Cemetery Association Constitution and By-Laws.

Youth Gathering, 5:30pm, Trinity Hall

Youth (middle and high school) are invited to gather as the

young people serve as Walnut Hill's Community Inn

"Sandwich Ministers." 

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Greetings to all!

This week's EOS focus is on the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-9), among them, 

"Blessed are the meek."  In his collection, Active Meditations for Contemplative 

Prayer, Thomas Keating offers the following …

The third beatitude, "Happy are the meek," addresses the drive for power, 

as if to say "How happy you would be if you did not want to control situations, 

other people, or your own life, and if you possessed the freedom to accept 

insults and injustice without being blown away."

The scripture lesson for Sunday, April 24, EOS Week Two…

Matthew 5:10 -16

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, April 24, 10am, in Trinity 

Hall.  This Sunday's conversation will focus on the phenomenon of religious 

persecution, with particular attention to those who suffer because of their 

identity as Christians.

The Walnut Hill Cemetery Association will hold its annual meeting this

Sunday, April 24, 2016, Noon, in the Walnut Hill Church Sanctuary.  The

business of the annual meeting will include the election of Board officers,

the Secretary/Treasurer's report, the cemetery activity report for the last

year, and proposed revisions to the Cemetery Constitution and By-Laws.

Youth (middle and high school) are invited to gather this Sun, Apr 24,

5:30pm - 7:00pm, at Walnut Hill.  The youth will be serving as Walnut

Hill's "Sandwich Ministers" on Sunday, preparing sandwiches for guests

at the Lexington Community Inn. For more information regarding this

ministry, visit Community Inn .

Exploring Our Spirituality (EOS) is ongoing through May 22.  Our

theme for this spring is "Following Jesus: The Sermon on the Mount."

EOS activities include Sunday morning worship (11am), Sunday

Conversations (10am), small groups, and individual study.  To access

the online study book, visit  EOS Spring 2016 Booklet . Use reply email 

for information regarding small groups and/or to request a paper copy of 

the study booklet.

Resettlement 2016 - Planning continues toward welcoming the 

Al-Nawasra family (mother, father, and four children) on May 2.  You 

can contribute your time as well as various items that will be needed by 

the family when they arrive including beds for the children as well as

car seats for the younger children.  Use reply email to request more 

information and/or visit the online "wish list" for additional items that will 

be needed.

Earthquake Response - In response to recent devastating earthquakes in

Japan and Ecuador, Walnut Hill will be sending $500 to the affected areas 

via Church World Service. 

Peace to all.

Mike Ward 

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, April 17, at Walnut Hill Church…

EXPLORING OUR SPIRITUALITY

"THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT"

Week One:  The Beatitudes

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Seriously?

Using video and discussion, we will set the context for Jesus'

sermon and ask, "Are we to take this seriously?"  Come enjoy

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

Confirmation Class, 10am, Trinity Hall

Confirmation students continue their exploration of faith and

the church.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - Blessed are…

Text - Matthew 5:1-9

The Sacrament of Baptism

Nursery and Sunday School for Children.

EOS conversation for Youth.

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

*****

EOS booklets, online version, are available at 

EOS Spring 2016 Booklet .

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Greetings to all!

This Sunday, April 17, begins our 9th Exploring Our Spirituality season

focusing on Jesus' "Sermon on the Mount" (Matthew 5 - 7). In his book, 

Jesus Today, Albert Nolan hints at what's in store for us this season…

Jesus' sayings, especially those that were collected into the Sermon on

the Mount, were subversive of almost everything his contemporaries

took for granted.  He spoke of turning the other cheek instead of taking

revenge, of loving one's enemies instead of hating them, of doing good

to those who hate you … That alone would have revolutionized social

relationships among the peasants he preached to as well as the

relationships between different groups and classes, and between

religions and nations.  But he did not end there …

Join us as we explore this revolutionary collection of Jesus' teachings

beginning this Sunday, April 17 (see article below).

In Memory: Nancy Lee Milwee Graves, a member of Walnut Hill Church

and wife of the late James B. Graves, departed this life on Friday, April 8.

A gathering celebrating the lives of both Nancy and Jim is scheduled for 

Saturday, April 16.  

Resettlement - 2016 - BREAKING NEWS!! Walnut Hill Church has been

assigned an incoming refugee family, a Syrian family including mother,

father, and four children, scheduled to arrive on May 2! We are currently

gathering items needed to furnish the family's first apartment.  Use reply 

email to request the apartment wish list and/or to volunteer your time. 

Watch for more details!  

Exploring Our Spirituality, Spring, 2016 will begin on Sunday, April 17.  

Our focus theme for this EOS season will be "The Sermon on the Mount."  

EOS includes opportunity for individual reflection, small group fellowship, 

and worship focused around the theme.  Use reply email to let us know if 

you would like to be part of an EOS small group.  EOS workbooks are

available in print and/or electronic versions.  Use reply email to request

a print copy or visit this link, EOS Spring 2016 Booklet , for the e-version.

The scripture lesson for Sunday, April 17, EOS Week One…

Matthew 5:1-9

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, April 17, 10am, in Trinity

Hall, focusing on our EOS theme, "The Sermon on the Mount."

The Walnut Hill Church Cemetery Association will hold its annual

meeting on Sunday, April 24, immediately after morning worship.  The

business of the annual meeting will include the election of officers, a

cemetery activity report, treasurer's report, and the presentation of

proposed revisions to the association's Constitution and By-Laws.  All

members and friends of Walnut Hill Church are members of the cemetery

association and are encouraged to attend.

Thanks to all who participated in last Sunday's congregational forum

focusing on Walnut Hill's grounds and buildings.  If you missed the

forum, or if you have additional comments, please let us know, and we

will be sure the planning team receives them.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, April 10, at Walnut Hill Church…

THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Urbi et Orbi

We will take in some of the sights and sounds of Pope Francis'

Easter message, To the City and To the World, as we conclude

our series of Eastertide conversations.

Confirmation Class, 10am, Trinity Hall

Confirmation candidates continue their exploration of faith

and the church, particularly this Sunday meeting with their

confirmation mentors.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - Postscript

Text - John 21

Nursery Care and Sunday School for Children

Youth Conversation regarding Refugee Resettlement and

how the youth might participate.

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

Congregational Forum, 3:30pm - 5:00pm, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for conversation concerning

Walnut Hill's grounds and buildings.  Nursery care will

be available.

Youth Gathering, 5:30pm, Chili's Restaurant

Youth (middle & high school) are invited to gather for a

meal together at Chili's Restaurant (Richmond Rd).

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Greetings to all!

A friend recently called me to request prayer for the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, an 

ethnically Armenian (Christian) region located within the predominately Azeri (Muslim) 

nation of Azerbaijan.  After a couple decades of uneasy quiet, violence recently broke 

about between the Armenian Christians there and their Muslim Azerbaijani neighbors, 

resulting in immediate casualties on both sides and the prospect of wider conflict in the 

days ahead.  A cease fire agreement on Tuesday offers a glimmer of hope.  My friend, 

who came to the United States from that region as a refugee, is concerned for the well 

being of family members who remain there as well as for the region as a whole.  I 

promised her that I would pray and invite others to do the same, so if you are inclined…

O, God, you bring hope out of emptiness

energy out of fear

new life out of grief and loss;

comfort all who have lost their homes,

loved ones, or livelihoods

through persecution, war, exile, or

deliberate destruction.

Give them security, a place to live,

and neighbors they trust

to be, with them,

a new sign of peace to the world.  Amen.

(adapted from Woman Prayers)

The scriptures lessons for Sunday, April 10, the Third Sunday of Easter…

Acts 9:1-20

Revelation 5:11-14

John 21:1-19

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

Conversations  include a variety of topics from week to week.  Come, enjoy a cup 

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

Confirmation Class resumes this Sun, Apr 10, 10am, in Trinity Hall, as confirmation 

candidates explore their faith.

The Long Range Planning Forum III, focusing on buildings and  grounds, will be 

held this Sunday, April 10, 3:30pm - 5:00pm in Trinity Hall.  All Walnut Hill members 

and friends are invited to attend and share their thoughts, ideas and questions.

Exploring Our Spirituality, Spring, 2016 will begin on Sunday, April 17.  Our focus 

theme for this EOS season will be "The Sermon on the Mount."  EOS includes 

opportunity for individual reflection, small group fellowship, and worship focused 

around the theme.  Use reply email to let us know if you would like to be part of an 

EOS small group.  

Resettlement - 2016:  Organizing continues as we prepare to welcome a refugee

family to Lexington later this year.  You can offer your time and/or donate household 

items that will be needed by the family when they arrive.   A list of requested items

is posted on the bulletin board in Trinity Hall and/or can be sent to you electronically.  

Please use reply email to receive a "requested items" list for your review.

Kroger Community Rewards:  Walnut Hill recently received a check in the amount 

of $296 from the Kroger Company,  the proceeds of participation by 28 households

in the Kroger Community Rewards program during the last quarter (Dec - Feb).  

Thanks to the participating households, and thanks to Kroger.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, April 3, at Walnut Hill Church…

THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Reflecting on the Resurrection

"Eastertide" has traditionally been a season for the

church to reflect on the meaning of the Resurrection

of Jesus in particular and the notion of resurrection

in general.  We will do some of that reflection this

Sunday.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - There Is Room for Doubt

Text - John 20:19-31

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.