Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, February 28, at Walnut Hill Church…

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

A Conversation with Parker Palmer

We conclude our three-part conversation with Parker Palmer

as we discuss "America, Hospitality and Salvation."  We will

begin with a brief video of Dr. Palmer's comments and then

add our own observations and questions.

Children's Choir, 10am, Trinity Hall

Children (through elementary age) are invited to gather for

music and singing in anticipation of their presentation on

Palm Sunday (Mar 20).

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - Mr. Abbott's Invitation

Text - Isaiah 55:1-13

Nursery Care and Sunday School for Children and Youth

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

Youth Bowling, 5:30pm, Southland Lanes

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

an evening of bowling.  Bowling costs will be "on the house."

Participants should bring money as they would like for their

refreshments from the grill.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Greetings to all!

Harper Lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird and Go Set a Watchman, died this

past week at the age of 89.  Ms. Lee was buried in the Lee family plot in a rather 

unremarkable cemetery in Monroeville, Alabama, her hometown.  Many of us can 

remember having read her very famous book, or having seen the movie, at least 

once, and perhaps many times.  Certain scenes bring tears to my eyes simply thinking

about them.  Some have even ventured to read Lee's recently published "sequel,"

and found the characters still standing.  It is hard to imagine a story that has 

prompted more reflection and conversation than To Kill a Mockingbird. I find myself 

grateful for both the story and its author.  As you might recall, in the final scene of 

the book Atticus reads to Scout as she drifts off to sleep, and a brief exchange 

occurs between them.

Scout:  "He was really nice."

Atticus:  "Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them."

The lectionary texts for Sunday, February 28, the Third Sunday in Lent…

Isaiah 55:1-9

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Luke 13:1-9

Sunday Conversations continue this Sun, Feb 28, 10am, in Trinity Hall

as we conclude our three-part conversation with Parker Palmer.  The focus

of this Sunday's conversation is:  "America, Hospitality, and Salvation."  Come

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

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

music and singing this Sun, Feb 28, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  The children will

be practicing music to be presented during Holy Week. 

Youth Bowling - Youth (middle and high school) are invited to gather at 

Southland Lanes for bowling this Sun, Feb 28, 5:30pm.  Use reply email to

rsvp and/or for more information.

Telling Your Life Story - David Sharrard is offering an opportunity for Walnut 

Hill members and friends to explore a life review during Lent.  A life review is 

a process through which people share their life journey and faith stories, helping 

them find meaning and affirm their lives.  Five sessions are anticipated during 

Lent. Use reply email or contact David for more information and/or to indicate 

your interest in participating.

Refugee Resettlement: Walnut Hill Church has committed to partner with 

Kentucky Refugee Ministries in welcoming a refugee family settling in Lexington.  

Details regarding the family description and the timing of their arrival are yet to be 

determined. We are now assembling a team, so that we might be ready when the 

time comes. Use reply email to request more information and/or to indicate your 

interest in being part of the resettlement team.

The Walnut Hill Church Website has recently received some updating to make

it load more quickly and be more user friendly.  On the website you can find

weekly letters, sermon recordings, the refreshment sign up sheet, and a link to

the church Facebook page.  Stop by for a visit at www.walnuthillchurchky.org .

Thanks to all the scouts and scout leaders who made "Scout Sunday" (Feb 21) 

an inspiring and festive occasion.

In the Community:

*Feb 24 - BCTC (Cooper Dr campus) welcomes Tibetan monks from 

Drepung Gomang Monastery (India).  Activities include a handmade craft sale

(10:30am - 3pm) and a cultural presentation on Tibet (2pm) in the Oswald Bldg

lobby and auditorium.

*Feb 27 - The Christian Muslim Dialogue is hosting a presentation titled

"A Brief History of Islam in America" at the Masjid Bilal ibn Rabah (1545 Russell

Cave Rd).  Featured speaker will be Dr. Matthew Pierce, Asst Prof of Religion,

Centre College.  The program begins at 10am, followed by a potluck lunch at

Noon.  For more information, visit www.cmdlx.org .

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, February 21, at Walnut Hill Church …

SCOUT SUNDAY*

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

A Conversation With Parker Palmer

We continue our three part conversation with teacher, author

and activist Parker Palmer.  This Sunday's conversation

will focus on the topic: "Holding Tension in Community."  We 

will begin with a brief video featuring remarks from Dr. Palmer 

and then join the conversation with our comments.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - A Sky Full of Stars

Text - Genesis 15:1-6

Scout Sunday Presentation

Nursery Care and Sunday School for Children

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

*****

*This Sunday we recognize the importance of "scouting" in

the lives of young people.  "Scouts" are invited to attend in

uniform.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Greetings to all!

We are now in the season of Lent, a 40-day period of reflection and spiritual practices 

leading up to Easter.  Lent is inspired by Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness, a lonely place.  

The Gospels tell us that Jesus spent other days in the wilderness as well, seeking out lonely 

places for reflection and prayer.  Consider these thoughts about creating lonely places in the 

midst of our busy-ness.

When you are able to create a lonely place in the middle of your actions and concerns, your 

successes and failures slowly can lose some of their power over you.  For then your love for 

this world can merge with a compassionate understanding of its illusions. Then your serious 

engagement can merge with an unmasking smile. Then your concern for others can be 

motivated more by their needs rather than your own. In short:  then you can care. Let us 

therefore live our lives to the fullest, but let us not forget to once in a while…go to a lonely place.

(from Out of Solitude by Henri J. M. Nouwen)

The scripture lessons for Sunday, February 21, the Second Sunday in Lent…

Genesis 15:1-12

Philippians 3:17 - 4:1

Luke 13:31-35

Sunday Conversations continue this Sun, Feb 14, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  We continue

our three part "Conversation with Parker Palmer," well-known author, educator and activist. 

This Sunday's conversation focus will be: "Holding Tension in Community."  Come enjoy a 

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

Telling Your Life Story - David Sharrard is offering an opportunity for Walnut Hill members 

and friends to explore a life review during Lent.  A life review is a process through which 

people share their life journey and faith stories, helping them find meaning and affirm their lives.  

Five sessions are anticipated during Lent, beginning Feb 17.  Use reply email or contact David 

for more information and/or to indicate your interest in participating.

For Youth:  The Camp Burnamwood Bowl-a-Thon is coming on Sunday, February 21.

Use reply email to request more information and/or to let us know that your youth is

planning to participate.

Refugee Resettlement: Walnut Hill Church has committed to partner with Kentucky 

Refugee Ministries in welcoming a refugee family settling in Lexington.  Details regarding 

the family description and the timing of their arrival are yet to be determined.  We are now

assembling a team, so that we might be ready when the time comes.  Use reply email

to request more information and/or to indicate your interest in being part of the resettlement 

team.

 

In the community:  The Episcopal Diocese of Lexington is hosting a day of presentations

and workshops on Friday, February 19, at Christ Church Cathedral in Lexington.  "Fresh

Joy in the Lord" will offer insights and resources for individuals and congregations.  Visit

Fresh Joy for more information.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, February 14, at Walnut Hill Church …

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

A Conversation With Parker Palmer

We begin a three part conversation with teacher, author

and activist Parker Palmer.  This Sunday's conversation

will focus on the topic: "Let Your Life Speak."  We will

begin with a brief video featuring remarks from Dr. Palmer 

and then join the conversation with our comments.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - Lead Us Not Into Temptation…

Text - Luke 4:1-13

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, February 10, 2016

Greetings to all!

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.  Consider this poetic reflection on the season.

Lent is a time to take the time

to let the power of our faith story take hold of us,

a time to let events

get up and walk around in us,

a time to intensify

our living unto Christ,

a time to hover over

the thoughts of our hearts,

a time to place our feet in the streets of Jerusalem

or to walk along the sea and listen to his word,

a time to touch his robe

and feel the healing surge through us,

a time to ponder and a time to wonder…

Lent is a time to allow a fresh new taste of God!

("Lent," by Ann Weems, as found in Kneeling Jerusalem)

Numerous Ash Wednesday services are available around Lexington including…

*Christ Church Cathedral at Noon and 7pm

*Second Presbyterian Church at 7pm

The scripture lessons for Sunday, February 14, the First Sunday in Lent…

Deuteronomy 26:1-11

Romans 10:8-13

Luke 4:1-13

Sunday Conversations continue this Sun, Feb 14, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  We begin

a three part "Conversation with Parker Palmer," well-known author, educator and

activist. This Sunday's conversation focus will be: "Let Your Life Speak."  Come enjoy

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

Telling Your Life Story - David Sharrard is offering an opportunity for Walnut Hill 

members and friends to explore a life review during Lent.  A life review is a process 

through which people share their life journey and faith stories, helping them find meaning 

and affirm their lives.  Five sessions are anticipated during Lent, beginning Feb 17.  Use 

reply email or talk to David for more information and/or to indicate your interest in participating.

The One Great Hour of Sharing offering begins today and continues through Lent. The

OGHS works like this:  Place a collection box on the primary dining table of your home.

At one meal each day when the members of your household are together, each person

places a coin in the collection box.  On Easter Sunday, bring your collected coins to 

Walnut Hill, and they will be sent to support disaster and hunger relief, water projects, 

and human empowerment around the world.  For more information, visit this link:  OGHS .

For Youth:  The Camp Burnamwood Bowl-a-Thon is coming on Sunday, February 21.

Watch for more details.

Refugee Resettlement: At its meeting this past Sunday the Vestry authorized Walnut 

Hill to sponsor a refugee family in cooperation with Kentucky Refugee Ministries.  Watch

for more details soon.

Super Bowl Wrap Up:  The Broncos won the Super Bowl, but God's Pantry and those 

served by it won the Walnut Hill Souper Bowl as over $400 was raised to support hunger 

relief efforts in central and eastern Kentucky.  Walnut Hill's members and friends were also 

winners as we enjoyed a variety of delicious soups.  Thanks to all who participated as soup 

chefs, as well as those who enjoyed the soup and donated to this worthy cause.  Speaking 

of the soup, we have had requests for recipes. Let us know by reply email if you would like 

to share your recipe.

In the community:  The Episcopal Diocese of Lexington is hosting a day of presentations

and workshops on Friday, February 19, at Christ Church Cathedral in Lexington.  "Fresh

Joy in the Lord" will offer insights and resources for individuals and congregations.  Visit

Fresh Joy for more information.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, February 7, at Walnut Hill Church…

THE TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD

"Soup"er Bowl Sunday

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Living the Questions

We conclude our Living the Questions video discussion

series with the topic:  "Reclaiming the World." If God delights

in creation, what is our responsibility for preserving it? What

is the difference between having "dominion" over the earth

and being called "stewards" of the earth? We will talk about 

these, and related, questions this Sunday.

"The Bible - God's Book", 10am, Trinity Hall

Children thru elementary age are invited to the conclusion of

our four week exploration intended to make the Bible more 

familiar and accessible to them.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - Mirroring Glory

Text - 2 Corinthians 3:12 - 4:2

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Nursery Care and Sunday School for Children

SOUPER BOWL, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for some delicious home made soup

and make a donation to support hunger relief in Lexington

and central/eastern Kentucky. 

*******

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

Trinity Hall.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Greetings to all!

This Sunday, February 7, is the Sunday of the Transfiguration of the Lord, remembering 

that day when several disciples witnessed the transfiguration of Jesus.  At first hearing, it all 

seems out of this world and far removed from our experience, but maybe not.  I am reminded 

of Thomas Merton's experience on 4th Street in Louisville in which an entire crowd of ordinary 

people were transfigured in his sight.

In Louisville, at the corner of Fourth and Walnut, in the center of the shopping district, I was 

suddenly overwhelmed with the realization that I loved all these people, that they were mine 

and I theirs, that we could not be alien to one another even though we were total strangers…

And if only everybody could realize this!  But it cannot be explained.  There is no way of telling 

people that they are all walking around shining like the sun.  Then it was as if I suddenly saw 

the secret beauty of their hearts, the depths of their hearts where neither sin nor desire nor 

self-knowledge can reach, the core of their reality, the person that each one is in God's eyes.  

If only they could all see themselves as they really are.  If only we could see each other that way 

all the time.  There would be no more war, no more hatred, no more cruelty, no more greed…

(from Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander)

The scripture lessons for Sunday, February 7, the Transfiguration of the Lord…

Exodus 34:29-35

2 Corinthians 3:12 - 4:2

Luke 9:28-36

Sunday Conversations continue this Sun, Feb 7, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  We continue our 

Living the Questions video discussion series.  This week's topic: "Reclaiming the World." 

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

"God's Book: The Bible" concludes this Sun, Feb 7, 10am, in Trinity Hall, for children 

through elementary age.  This four week series will make the Bible more accessible 

and usable for children. Parents/grandparents are welcome to sit in on the classes. 

Nursery care is available for younger siblings.

The "Souper" Bowl is coming to Walnut Hill on Sun, Feb 7, Noon.  Bring your appetite

and a donation to support hunger relief efforts in central and eastern Kentucky.  We are

also looking for soup chefs who would like to donate a pot of soup for the occasion.

The Souper Bowl is sponsored by the Walnut Hill youth.

Telling Your Life Story - David Sharrard is offering an opportunity for Walnut Hill 

members and friends to explore a life review during Lent.  A life review is a process 

through which people share their life journey and faith stories, helping them find meaning 

and affirm their lives.  Five sessions are anticipated during Lent (days/times to be 

announced).  Use reply email or talk to David for more information and/or to indicate your 

interest in participating.

The One Great Hour of Sharing offering is coming during Lent (beginning Feb 10). The

OGHS works like this:  Place a collection box on the primary dining table of your home.

At one meal each day when the members of your household are together, each person

places a coin in the collection box.  On Easter Sunday, bring your collected coins to 

Walnut Hill, and they will be sent to support disaster and hunger relief, water projects, 

and human empowerment around the world.  For more information, visit this link:  OGHS .

For Youth:  The Camp Burnamwood Bowl-a-Thon is coming on Sunday, February 21.

Watch for more details.

In the Community: The Lexington Tennis Club and the Kids Cancer Alliance are 

hosting the 7th Annual Indian Summer Camp Tennis Tournament on Fri, Feb 5, at the

Lexington Tennis Club, to support the camp program for pediatric cancer patients and 

survivors. Visit  Kids Cancer Alliance for more details. 

Peace to all.

Mike Ward