Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, February 26, at Walnut Hill Church…

THE TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Getting Ready

We will have some informal conversation this Sunday morning

as we make final preparations for the upcoming EOS season

(beginning Mar 5) including small group process and reviewing

the EOS workbook, etc.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - Transfigurations and Transforming Moments

Text -  Matthew 17:1-9 

        - 2 Peter 1:16-21

The Sacrament of Baptism

Nursery Care and Faith Development for Children/Youth

Children/Youth Focus, 11am, Sanctuary

The children/youth continue their exploration of stories from

the Old Testament book of Genesis.  This Sunday's story

focus is the Tower of Babel ( Genesis 11 ).

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for fellowship & refreshments.

Youth Gathering, 5:30pm - 7:00pm, at Walnut Hill

Youth (middle/high school) are invited to gather for activities 

related to "homelessness," including service as Sandwich 

Ministers.  

*****

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

Trinity Hall.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Greetings to all!

The recent threats against Jewish community centers around the nation and the vandalism 

of a Jewish cemetery near St. Louis are troubling to all people of good will, whatever their 

particular religion might be.  Such occasions call us to respond in positive ways, but what 

can we do?  Plenty!  We can…

…be in prayer for our neighbors who feel threatened because of their religion, race, or

national origin, as well as be in prayer for persons who harbor, and sometimes act 

out of, ignorance, misunderstanding, fears and/or hatred of others.

…approach persons we know who might feel threatened because of their race, religion, 

or national origin to affirm our solidarity with them. 

…challenge those casual disparaging comments we often hear about "others," and not 

allow our silence to be construed as agreement.

…communicate with civic and political leaders our concern for public policy that welcomes 

persons of all religions, races, and national origins.

In all of the above let us be positive and affirming.  It is not our calling to  be "against" 

anyone; rather, it is our calling to be "with and for" all persons of good will whatever their 

race, religion, national origin and, yes, even opinion might be.

The scripture lessons for Sunday, February 26, the Transfiguration of the Lord…

Exodus 24:12-18

2 Peter 1:16-21

Matthew 17:1-9

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

on Richmond Road, for coffee and fellowship. There is no formal program, just lively 

conversation regarding whatever might be on our minds, in the news, etc.  Feel free to 

stop by for as long or short a time as your schedule allows.  No rsvp required.

Youth Sandwich Ministry - Youth are invited to gather this Sun, Feb 26, 5:30 - 7:00pm, 

at Walnut Hill. The youth will be serving as Sandwich Ministers for the Community Inn.  

In addition to preparing sandwiches for Community Inn guests, the youth will be engaging 

in activities to help them think about some of the dynamics that lead to homelessness.

Exploring Our Spirituality (EOS) is coming beginning Sun, Mar 5. This spring's 

EOS theme is "Praying With Scripture: The Gospel of John." The EOS program will 

include Sunday morning worship (11am), small group fellowship, Thursday evening 

prayer gatherings and a study booklet available for individual and group use. To

preview this spring's EOS season visit, EOS Spring 2017 Booklet .

Mission Experience 2017 - We have focused in on the long weekend, June 9 -11, 

for our eastern Kentucky mission experience.  The cost per person will be $75, with 

scholarships available.  This opportunity is open to all persons, age 12 and above.  

Let us know by reply email if you would like to be part of this mission experience 

and/or if you have questions about your possible participation.

The 121st Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington will be held on 

Saturday, February 25, at St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Lexington.  Mike Ward 

will be attending as an expression of Walnut Hill's ecumenical relationship with the 

Diocese. For more information regarding the Diocese of Lexington and/or the 

Annual Convention, visit www.diolex.org .

The Kentucky Council of Churches is sponsoring "Prayer in Action Days" during 

the current session of the KY General Assembly.  The gatherings are held each 

Tuesday, 9:30am, in the Capitol Annex building and focus on different issues before 

the G.A. during this session. For a complete schedule and other details, visit 

Prayer in Action Days .

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, February 19, at Walnut Hill Church …

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

The Desert Mothers

We will view a video (featuring Cynthia Bourgeault) and 

discuss the presence and influence of women in the early 

centuries of Christian spirituality, including reflection on 

some of the sayings of these early Christian teachers.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - The Holiness Code

Text - Leviticus 19:1-18

Nursery Care and Faith Development for Children/Youth

Children/Youth Focus, 11am, Trinity Hall

The children/youth continue moving through the faith

stories found in the book of Genesis.  This Sunday

finds us in Babel as the people come together to build

their famous Tower with an unexpected result

( Genesis 11 )

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for fellowship and refreshments.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Greetings to all!

Barbara and I were out for a walk the other day and came across a daffodil, blooming!  

One other day last week I happened past the boxwoods in front of the Sanctuary, and 

they were alive with bees.  It seems that February is the new April, although I expect 

that winter still might have a few tricks up its sleeve. That lone daffodil and those busy 

bees might be metaphors of boldness, or foolishness, or both, nature seizing an 

opportunity to bloom before its time.  I am reminded of an old hymn…

All beautiful the march of days, As seasons come and go;

The hand that shaped the rose hath wrought The crystal of the snow;

Hath sent the hoary frost of heaven, The flowing waters sealed,

And laid a silent loveliness On hill and wood and field.

O Thou from whose unfathomed law The year in beauty flows,

Thyself the vision passing by In crystal and in rose,

Day unto day doth utter speech, And night to night proclaim,

In ever-changing words of light, The wonder of Thy name.

(Frances Whitmarsh Wile, 1911)

The scripture lessons for Sunday, February 19…

Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18

1 Corinthians 3:10-23

Matthew 5:38-48

Sunday Conversations continue this Sun, Feb 19, 10am, in Trinity Hall as we follow 

up a question raised last Sunday regarding the Desert Fathers (and Mothers) of early 

Christianity.  Watch for more details on Friday.

Children/Youth Focus, 11am, Trinity Hall - The children/youth continue their 

exploration of faith stories as found in the book of Genesis.  Watch the Friday update 

for more details regarding this Sunday's exploration.

Exploring Our Spirituality (EOS) is coming beginning Sun, Mar 5. This spring's 

EOS theme is "Praying With Scripture: The Gospel of John." The EOS program will 

include Sunday morning worship (11am), small group fellowship, Thursday evening 

prayer gatherings, and a study booklet available for individual and group use.

Thanks to the scouts, leaders and parents of Boy Scout Troop 41 for the inspiring 

and festive observance of "Scout Sunday" on Feb 12.

Mission Experience 2017 - We have focused in on the long weekend, June 9 -11, 

for our eastern Kentucky mission experience.  The cost per person will be $75, with 

scholarships available.  This opportunity is open to all persons, age 12 and above.  

Let us know by reply email if you would like to be part of this mission experience 

and/or if you have questions about your possible participation.

The Kentucky Council of Churches is sponsoring "Prayer in Action Days" during 

the current session of the KY General Assembly.  The gatherings are held each 

Tuesday, 9:30am, in the Capitol Annex building and focus on different issues before 

the G.A. during this session. For a complete schedule and other details, visit 

Prayer in Action Days .

The 8th Annual Charity Tennis Event to benefit Indian Summer Camp (ISC) 

will be held on Feb 17 at the Lexington Tennis Club.  ISC provides camping

experiences for children who have (or have had) cancer.  You can support the 

Tennis Event in a number of ways including being a player participant, donating a

silent auction item, bidding on silent auction items, or making a sponsorship 

donation.  For more information, visit ISC Tennis Event .

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

    

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, February 12, at Walnut Hill Church …

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

The Gospel of Mary

We will view and discuss a video in which Renita Weems

explores how the church and the world might have been,

and still could be, different if voices like that of Mary

Magdalene would have been (would be) given place in the

halls of leadership.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - Conversation Starters

Text - Matthew 5:21-48

Scout Sunday - We will recognize and celebrate the

scouting tradition.  Scouts are invited to attend in uniform.

Nursery Care and Faith Development for Children/Youth

Children/Youth Focus, 11am, Trinity Hall

The children/youth continue their exploration of faith stories

as found in the Book of Genesis, this Sunday focusing on

the story of siblings Cain and Abel.

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

Youth Bowling, 5:30pm, Southland Lanes

Youth are invited to gather for bowling at Southland Lanes.

Cost is $5/game plus shoe rental.  We might bowl two games.

Pizza will be provided.  Guests are welcome.  Rsvp to

Lauren or via reply email.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Greetings to all!

How do we start our day?  In addition to breakfast, is the beginning of our day filled

with anxiety about the world and/or our own lives, as well as less than pleasant 

exchanges with others in our home who are equally anxious about, or preoccupied

by, the day ahead? In his classic book on Christian community (including the Christian 

home), Dietrich Bonhoeffer offered a different thought about starting our day.  How

might we transform our daily beginnings for ourselves and those with whom we live?

For Christians the beginning of the day should not be burdened and oppressed with 

besetting concerns for the day's work.  At the threshold of the new day stands the 

Lord who made it. All the darkness and distraction of the dreams of night retreat before 

the clear light of Jesus Christ and his wakening Word.  All unrest, all impurity, all care 

and anxiety flee before him. Therefore, at the beginning of the day let all distraction 

and empty talk be silenced and let the first thought and the first word belong to him to 

whom our life belongs.  "Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ 

shall give thee light" (Eph 5:14).

(from Life Together)

The scripture lessons for Sunday, February 12…

*Deuteronomy 30:15-20

*1 Corinthians 3:1-9

*Matthew 5:21-27

Sunday Conversations continue this Sun, Feb 12, 10am, in Trinity Hall. The focus 

for this Sunday's conversation will be "The Gospel of Mary," a video presentation by

Renita Weems who explores how things might have been different in the church, and

in the world, if Mary and other marginalized voices had been "heard" in the early days

of Christianity, and how things might still change today.

Children/Youth Focus - During the 11am hour the children/youth are exploring the 

faith stories found in the book of Genesis.  This Sunday we continue our exploration

of the Eden stories, with particular attention to the story of Cain and Abel.

Scout Sunday - All scouts are invited to attend in uniform this Sunday, February 12, 

as we will be observing "Scout Sunday" at Walnut Hill. The service will include a 

recognition of scouting led by various scouts.

Youth Bowling - The youth will meet this Sunday (2/12) at Southland Lanes from 

5:30 - 7pm.  Guests are welcome.  Please rsvp to Lauren before Sunday, so that we 

might know how many lanes are needed.  Cost is $5/game, including shoe rental.  We 

may have time for two games!  The church will provide pizza.

SOUPER BOWL WRAPUP - Not only did the Super Bowl turn out well for the

Patriots, the Souper Bowl turned out well for Walnut Hill and our neighbors.  It was 

a fun and delicious time.  The great soup was matched only by the abundant 

generosity of those present as over $300 was raised to support the work of God's

Pantry.  Thanks to all!

Mission Experience 2017 - We have focused in on the long weekend, June 9 -11, 

for our eastern Kentucky mission experience.  The cost per person will be $75, with 

scholarships available.  This opportunity is open to all persons, age 12 and above.  

Let us know by reply email if you would like to be part of this mission experience 

and/or if you have questions about your possible participation.

The Kentucky Council of Churches is sponsoring "Prayer in Action Days" during 

the current session of the KY General Assembly.  The gatherings are held each 

Tuesday, 9:30am, in the Capitol Annex building and focus on different issues before 

the G.A. during this session. For a complete schedule and other details, visit 

Prayer in Action Days .

The 8th Annual Charity Tennis Event to benefit Indian Summer Camp (ISC) 

will be held on Feb 17 at the Lexington Tennis Club.  ISC provides camping

experiences for children who have (or have had) cancer.  You can support the 

Tennis Event in a number of ways including being a player participant, donating a

silent auction item, bidding on silent auction items, or making a sponsorship 

donation.  For more information, visit ISC Tennis Event .

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, February 5, at Walnut Hill Church…

"SOUPER" BOWL OF CARING

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Do You Know Who You Are?

In recognition of the beginning of Black History Month

we will view and discuss a video presentation by the

Rev Otis Moss III , pastor of Trinity Church (Chicago)

and speaker at Lexington's recent MLK, Jr, holiday

celebration.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - At Your Service

Text - Isaiah 58:1-12

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Nursery Care and Faith Development for children/youth

Children's Focus, 11am, Trinity Hall

The children/youth continue their exploration of stories

found in the Book of Genesis, this week focusing on a

case of sibling rivalry as found in the story of "Cain and

Abel" (Gen 4).

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

"SOUPER BOWL" - Come enjoy a bowl(s) of delicious

soup and make a donation to support the work of

God's Pantry .

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Greetings to all!

"No man is an island," so goes a famous verse.  So too, no nation (or its people) 

is an island.  I am reminded of some thoughts from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, 

regarding the "interdependence" of humanity, thoughts perhaps more applicable

today than when Dr. King first spoke them.

All [people] are interdependent.  Every nation is an heir of a vast treasury of ideas 

and labor to which both the living and the dead of all nations have contributed.  

Whether we realize it or not, each of us lives eternally "in the red." We are everlasting 

debtors to known and unknown men and women. When we arise in the morning, we 

go into the bathroom where we reach for a sponge, which is provided for us by a 

Pacific islander.  We reach for soap that is created by a European.  Then at the 

table we drink coffee, which is provided for us by a South American, or tea by a 

Chinese, or cocoa by a West African.  Before we leave for our jobs we are already

beholden to more than half of the world.

(as found in The Words of Martin Luther King, Jr)

The scripture lessons for Sunday, February 5 …

Isaiah 58:1-12

1 Corinthians 2:1-16

Matthew 5:13-20

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, February 5, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  

In recognition of Black History month, this Sunday's conversation will feature a video 

presentation by the Rev. Otis Moss III , who recently spoke at Lexington's MLK, Jr, 

holiday observance.

Children's Focus:  The children and youth continue their Sunday morning, 11am,

exploration of foundational stories from the book of Genesis.  This Sunday's focus 

will be a story of sibling rivalry (Cain and Abel) as found in Genesis 4.

"SOUPER" BOWL - This Sunday, February 5, is "Souper" Bowl  Sunday.  Join us 

after worship for a delicious bowl of soup and make a donation to support hunger 

relief in central and eastern Kentucky. Let us know by reply email if you would 

like to provide a pot of soup for this Sunday's Souper Bowl.

Mission Experience 2017 - We have focused in on the long weekend, June 9 -11, 

for our eastern Kentucky mission experience.  The cost per person will be $75, with 

scholarships available.  This opportunity is open to all persons, age 12 and above.  

Let us know by reply email if you would like to be part of this mission experience 

and/or if you have questions about your possible participation.

The Kentucky Council of Churches is sponsoring "Prayer in Action Days" 

during the current session of the KY General Assembly.  The gatherings are 

held each Tuesday, 9:30am, in the Capitol Annex building and focus on different 

issues before the G.A. during this session. For a complete schedule and other 

details, visit Prayer in Action Days .

The 8th Annual Charity Tennis Event to benefit Indian Summer Camp (ISC) 

will be held on Feb 17 at the Lexington Tennis Club.  ISC provides camping

experiences for children who have (or have had) cancer.  You can support the 

Tennis Event in a number of ways including being a player participant, donating a

silent auction item, bidding on silent auction items, or making a sponsorship donation.  

For more information, visit ISC Tennis Event .

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Greetings to all!

"No man is an island," so goes a famous verse.  So too, no nation (or its people) 

is an island.  I am reminded of some thoughts from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, 

regarding the "interdependence" of humanity, thoughts perhaps more applicable

today than when Dr. King first spoke them.

All [people] are interdependent.  Every nation is an heir of a vast treasury of ideas 

and labor to which both the living and the dead of all nations have contributed.  

Whether we realize it or not, each of us lives eternally "in the red." We are everlasting 

debtors to known and unknown men and women. When we arise in the morning, we 

go into the bathroom where we reach for a sponge, which is provided for us by a 

Pacific islander.  We reach for soap that is created by a European.  Then at the 

table we drink coffee, which is provided for us by a South American, or tea by a 

Chinese, or cocoa by a West African.  Before we leave for our jobs we are already

beholden to more than half of the world.

(as found in The Words of Martin Luther King, Jr)

The scripture lessons for Sunday, February 5 …

Isaiah 58:1-12

1 Corinthians 2:1-16

Matthew 5:13-20

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, February 5, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  

In recognition of Black History month, this Sunday's conversation will feature a video 

presentation by the Rev. Otis Moss III , who recently spoke at Lexington's MLK, Jr, 

holiday observance.

Children's Focus:  The children and youth continue their Sunday morning, 11am,

exploration of foundational stories from the book of Genesis.  This Sunday's focus 

will be a story of sibling rivalry (Cain and Abel) as found in Genesis 4.

"SOUPER" BOWL - This Sunday, February 5, is "Souper" Bowl  Sunday.  Join us 

after worship for a delicious bowl of soup and make a donation to support hunger 

relief in central and eastern Kentucky. Let us know by reply email if you would 

like to provide a pot of soup for this Sunday's Souper Bowl.

Mission Experience 2017 - We have focused in on the long weekend, June 9 -11, 

for our eastern Kentucky mission experience.  The cost per person will be $75, with 

scholarships available.  This opportunity is open to all persons, age 12 and above.  

Let us know by reply email if you would like to be part of this mission experience 

and/or if you have questions about your possible participation.

The Kentucky Council of Churches is sponsoring "Prayer in Action Days" 

during the current session of the KY General Assembly.  The gatherings are 

held each Tuesday, 9:30am, in the Capitol Annex building and focus on different 

issues before the G.A. during this session. For a complete schedule and other 

details, visit Prayer in Action Days .

The 8th Annual Charity Tennis Event to benefit Indian Summer Camp (ISC) 

will be held on Feb 17 at the Lexington Tennis Club.  ISC provides camping

experiences for children who have (or have had) cancer.  You can support the 

Tennis Event in a number of ways including being a player participant, donating a

silent auction item, bidding on silent auction items, or making a sponsorship donation.  

For more information, visit ISC Tennis Event .

Peace to all.

Mike Ward