Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Greetings to all!

On June 1, 1792, the Commonwealth of Kentucky was admitted to the union as 
the 15th state.  You might celebrate this year's 225th anniversary of that date 
using the following prayer, which comes from the National Cathedral's collection

O God, who makes dawn to rise upon the mist and spreads light in all the world, 
may we follow where Thy brightness beckons.

As of old, Thou didst steady the eye and temper and sinew of those who sought
fresh life upon the wooded land, keep now a little daring and equal courage in
our Kentucky homes. Let Thy glory summon each new day:

In cabins by the the winding brooks; on fields of blue where horses dance; among
Thy people in the unformed cities.

Thou who hast blessed our roots in willing earth, illumine too the homestead of
the spirit whence shall spring vision of a nobler commonwealth.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

The scripture lessons for Sunday, June 4, The Day of Pentecost…
Acts 2:1-21
1 Corinthians 12:3-13
John 20:19-23

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, June 4, 10am, in Trinity Hall.
This Sunday we pick up a conversation begun a couple weeks ago concerning
the "proclamation about Jesus" being made by the early church.  In that first
conversation we discovered that there were likely several "proclamations" being 
made about Jesus in those early days.  We will explore them further this Sunday 
as we continue to ask, "What is our proclamation about Jesus today?"

SMILE! Stop by the courtyard after worship this Sunday and have your photo 
taken to be part of our new Pictorial Directory to be published later this summer.  
Photos will be taken each Sunday through June.  You may also submit a photo.  
Use reply email for more information.

The Walnut Hill Mission Experience is coming Fri - Sun, June 9 -11, as a 
Walnut Hill team travels to Estill County for a weekend of community and service.  
Team members are invited to gather for a brief meeting after worship on Sunday, 
June 4, to receive details regarding our particular service, what to bring, etc.  

A Summer of Hospitality - Visit the online sign up sheet for opportunities to host 
our after worship gathering one Sunday this summer.  Hosts are needed for 
numerous Sundays.  You may also sign up via the traditional sign up sheet in the 
Sanctuary foyer.

In the Community - A Grand Night For Singing, a musical revue featuring over 
100 UK and community performers is scheduled for June 9 - 11 and 16 - 18. This
year's Grand Night performers include Walnut Hill's Mary Diane Hanna.  Visit
www.ukoperatheatre.org for more information.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward




 

Friday, May 26, 2017

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, May 28, at Walnut Hill Church…

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Nonviolent Responses to Terror

We will review and discuss 8 nonviolent responses to
terror as proposed by Quaker activist, George Lakey.
You might want to preview the conversation by viewing

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - An Interim Moment
Text - Acts 1:12-26

Memorial Day Observance

Nursery Care and Faith Development for Children/Youth

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for fellowship and refreshments.

****

Pictorial Directory Photos - Stop by the courtyard after 
worship and have your photo taken for inclusion in our 
upcoming pictorial directory. It's quick and painless! 
Photos will be taken after worship each Sunday through 
the end of June.

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

(See below for a prayer in response to Monday's violence in the U.K.)

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Greetings to all!

This past Sunday a Walnut Hill team met at the Nathaniel Mission to help 
serve and share a meal with about 30 men, women and children. Our team 
was so hard working that I was able to simply enjoy the meal with other 
guests, including David…

David was/is a gentleman about my age, or a little older.  Before the meal 
he sat by himself in the Mission's brightly lit multipurpose room.  He was 
reading one of two paperback novels he had with him that evening. After 
going through the serving line, I sat down across the table from David. He 
was quiet, and I was not being very effective engaging him in conversation.  
Then Joanna, one of the Mission staff, sat with us, and in a very relaxed way 
the conversation opened up.  David, it turns out, lives under a bridge near 
where Versailles Road meets Oliver Lewis Way. The Mission is within easy 
walking distance for him.  The conversation continued as we finished our 
meal.  My own awkwardness aside, I was grateful to make this acquaintance 
with my neighbor.

The Nathaniel Mission serves meals on Sunday mornings and evenings, as 
well as Wednesday evenings.  They could particularly use some help on 
Sunday evenings.  Let me know if this might be a ministry you would be 
interested in sharing as part of an ongoing Walnut Hill team.

The scripture lessons for Sunday, May 28, the 7th Sunday of Easter:
Acts 1:6-14
1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11
John 17:1-11

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, May 28, 10am in Trinity
Hall.  This Sunday's conversation focuses on our response to "violence"
such as experienced this week in Manchester.

SMILE! Stop by the courtyard after worship this Sunday and have your 
photo taken to be part of our new Pictorial Directory to be published later 
this summer.  Photos will be taken each Sunday through June.  You may 
also submit a photo.  Use reply email for more information.

The Walnut Hill Mission Experience is coming Fri - Sun, June 9 -11
as a Walnut Hill team travels to Estill County for a weekend of community 
and service.  Team members are invited to gather for a brief meeting after 
worship on Sunday, June 5, to receive details regarding our particular 
service, what to bring, etc.  

A Summer of Hospitality - Visit the online sign up sheet for opportunities 
to host our after worship gathering one Sunday this summer.  Hosts are 
needed for numerous Sundays.  You may also sign up via the traditional 
sign up sheet in the Sanctuary foyer.

Sermon Recordings are available on the Walnut Hill Church website.
Visit this link, sermons , and have a listen.

Thanks to all those who helped coordinate, clean-up, provide dishes
and join the fellowship for last Sunday's Spring Potluck.  As always, it
was a delicious occasion.  Our compliments to all of Walnut Hill's chefs!

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

*****

(The following prayer may be used in response to this week's violence
in the U.K. and/or other similar events.)

Loving God:
Once again violence and death have exploded upon the innocent.
We pray for persons whose lives have been lost or permanently altered 
by this event.
Bring hope to those for whom hope seems elusive.
Bring a change of mind and heart to those who view violence as the 
only way to make their case before the world.
Bring courage and steadfastness to those who work for peace between 
individuals, races, religions and nations.
Even in the presence of recurring violence, may we not lose faith in the 
power of your Spirit to make all things new, including us.
Through Christ our Lord, who overcame hatred with love. 
Amen. 



 


 


Tuesday, May 23, 2017

A Summer of Hospitality

Dear Walnut Hill Members and Friends:

The Memorial Day weekend signals the traditional beginning of the summer season.  I hope that your summer will include Sunday mornings at Walnut Hill for worship and fellowship.  With that in mind, this special email is being sent to invite you to visit Walnut Hill's online hospitality sign up sheet and to host one Sunday during the summer season.

Here is the link:   Hospitality Sign Up Sheet 

If you prefer, you can navigate to the sign up sheet via the Walnut Hill Church website,  www.walnuthillchurchky.org .  (Click on the "After Church Food Reservations" tab)

The online sign-up sheet was created to make it convenient for persons to find and select a Sunday when they might host the after worship gathering.

When you get to the sign up page, the process is quite simple:

*Select an available Sunday (displayed in red).

*Click on the date you would like to host.

*Type in your name.

*Click on the "submit" tab.

If you have any questions or problems using the online sign up, simply let me know by reply email.  Also, you can still sign up via the traditional sign up sheet in the Sanctuary foyer.

Let me take this opportunity to remind us all how important the after worship gathering is for our life together at Walnut Hill as it provides opportunity for us to make and deepen acquaintances and friendships.

Let me also say that the after worship refreshments need not be elaborate, just something simple to gather around for our fellowship time.

You may certainly co-host a Sunday with another individual/household, which can make the task easier and more enjoyable.

Please take a moment to select a Sunday, so that we might all enjoy a Summer of Hospitality!

Thanks to all our hosts!

Peace,

Mike Ward

Friday, May 19, 2017

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, May 21, at Walnut Hill Church…

THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD
SPRING POTLUCK

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

KERYGMA

We will explore the early Christian kerygma (proclamation) 
concerning Jesus.  We will ask, "What is our kerygma
concerning Jesus?"

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - The End of the Story

The Sacrament of Baptism

Nursery Care and Faith Development for Children/Youth

SPRING POTLUCK, NOON, TRINITY HALL

Bring a salad, side dish, or dessert and join us for this
delicious Walnut Hill tradition. Meat and beverage will be
provided.

Service Opportunity, 4pm, Nathaniel Mission

We will be serving the evening meal at the Nathaniel
Mission.  Use reply email for more information.

*****

Nathaniel Mission Summer Camp - This is the final
Sunday to donate supplies and children's books for the 
Nathaniel Mission summer camp.  Look for the collection
box in the Sanctuary foyer.


Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Greetings to all!

This Sunday, May 21, we skip ahead a few days and consider the story
of the Ascension of the Lord, a fantastic story by any reckoning. Clearly
we seem to be in the realm of myth as we read of Jesus ascending into
heaven, but perhaps there is something more down to earth about this
story than initially meets the eye.  Father Thomas Keating invites us to
bring our "intuitions" to bear in regard to the ascension…

The grace of the ascension enables us to perceive the irresistible
power of the Spirit transforming everything into Christ despite any and
all appearances to the contrary.  In the misery of the ghetto, the
battlefield, the concentration camp; in the family torn by dissension;
in the loneliness of the orphanage, old-age home, or hospital ward…
the light of the ascension is burning with irresistible power.  This is
one of the greatest intuitions of the faith.

(as found in Active Meditations for Contemplative Prayer)

The scripture lessons for the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord…
Acts 1:1-11
Ephesians 1:15-23
Luke 24:44-53

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, May 21, as we explore
the Kerygma, the earliest proclamation about Jesus as the Christ. This
proclamation shaped the church's "memory" regarding Jesus. What
is our "proclamation" about Jesus today? Come, enjoy a cup of coffee, 
join the conversation, or just listen in.

SPRING POTLUCK - Sunday, May 21, immediately after worship.
Bring a salad, side dish, or dessert and join us for this delicious Walnut
Hill tradition.  Meat and beverage will be provided.

Pictorial Directory - We are in the process of taking photos of and
gathering updated contact information from Walnut Hill members and 
friends for inclusion in a new pictorial directory to be published later this
summer.  Stop by the courtyard after worship to be photographed
and update your contact information.  It's quick and painless!

Nathaniel Mission - We are supporting the Nathaniel Mission this
month in two ways…
…gathering supplies and new children's books for their summer 
day camp.  Supplies/books must be brought to Walnut Hill by this Sunday, 
May 21.
serving the evening meal at the Mission this Sunday, May 21,
4pm - 6pm.
Use reply email to request a list of needed camp supplies and/or to
volunteer to help serve this Sunday evening's meal.

The Walnut Hill Mission Experience is coming June 9 - 11.  We will 
spend the weekend at Camp Burnamwood (Estill Co.) and engage in 
service in the surrounding communities.  All ages (12 yrs and older) are 
welcome and needed.  Use reply email for more information.

Thanks to a great crew of volunteers for their good work at our grounds
work day last Saturday.  Based on the amount of branches, clippings and
other debris hauled off the grounds, much good work was accomplished.
Thanks also to Environmental Landscape LLC for providing a truck to
help with debris removal.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward








Friday, May 12, 2017

This Weekend at Walnut Hill Church

This Weekend, May 13 - 14, at Walnut Hill Church ….

SATURDAY, MAY 13

Grounds Work Day, 9am - Noon

Put on your work gloves, grab your favorite lawn tool(s),
and join us as we spruce up the church grounds for the
spring and summer.  Plenty of tasks will be available for
all skill/ability levels.

SUNDAY, MAY 14

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

On Family: A Scripture Survey

We will survey some scripture portions touching on 
family.  We might be surprised by what the scriptures
say (don't say) regarding family.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - I Am the Way…
Text - John 14:1-6

Nursery Care and Faith Development for Children/Youth

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for fellowship and refreshments.

*****

Nathaniel Mission Summer Camp - We are gathering
supplies and new children's books for the Nathaniel
Mission summer camp.  Use reply email to request a
list of needed supplies and/or pick up a list in the
Sanctuary foyer.  Donations should be brought to
Walnut Hill by Sunday, May 21.

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Greetings to all!

Sunday is Mothers' Day, one of at least two days each year (along with Fathers' Day)
inviting us to reflect upon our family relationships.  Hopefully, most of our family 
experiences are positive ones, but no family is perfect because the persons composing 
families are not perfect. In his book, Here and Now, Henri Nouwen writes about the 
importance of forgiveness and gratitude as we think about "family," including our own 
family.

There is a lot to forgive, not just because our family was not as caring as other families, 
but because all the love we received was imperfect and very limited.  Our parents also 
are children of parents who didn't love them in a perfect way, and even our grandparents 
had parents who were not ideal…Once we are able to forgive, we can be grateful for what 
we have received. And we have received so much.  We can walk, talk, smile, move, laugh, 
cry, eat, drink, dance, play, work, sing, give life, give joy, give hope, give love.  We are 
alive!  Our fathers and mothers gave us life, and our brothers and sisters helped us to live 
it.  Once we are no longer blinded by their so-obvious weaknesses, we can see clearly 
how much there is to be grateful for.

The scripture lessons for Sunday, May 14, the 5th Sunday of Easter…
Acts 7:55-60
1 Peter 2:2-10
John 14:1-14

Sunday Conversations continue this Sun, May 14, 10am, in Trinity Hall. Our focus for
this Sunday will be "On Family." Come, enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or just 
listen in.

A Host(s) is needed for our after worship refreshments this Sunday, May 14. Check the 
online sign up sheet to volunteer for this Sunday or a Sunday later in the spring/summer.
Thanks to all our Sunday hosts!

GROUNDS WORK DAY - Join us this Sat, May 13, 9am - Noon, for a clean up day around 
the church/cemetery grounds.  Bring a favorite tool, or if not, some tools will be available 
for your use.  A variety of tasks, skilled and unskilled, will be available. 

THE SPRING POTLUCK is coming on Sun, May 21, immediately after worship.  Bring
 a salad, side dish, or dessert, and join us for this delicious Walnut Hill tradition.  Meat 
and beverage will be provided.

The Walnut Hill Mission Experience is coming June 9 - 11.  We will spend the 
weekend at Camp Burnamwood (Estill Co.) and engage in service in the surrounding 
communities.  All ages (12 yrs and older) are welcome and needed.  Use reply email 
for more information.

The Nathaniel Mission, one of Walnut Hill's community partners, is hosting a Summer 
Camp for children in June and July.  They need some help in the form of both supplies 
and volunteers.  They are also requesting "new" children's books to distribute to campers. 
Donations of supplies/books must be brought to Walnut Hill by Sun, May 21.  Use reply 
email to request a list of needed supplies and/or volunteer information.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward


Friday, May 5, 2017

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, May 7, at Walnut Hill Church …

SUNDAY OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

What Can (Will) We Do?

We will explore the famine crisis in South Sudan with
particular attention to the question of what Walnut Hill
might do in response.  To acquaint yourself with this
crisis, you may view the video - "Famine in South Sudan."

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - The Lord Is My Shepherd
Text - Psalm 23

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Nursery Care and Faith Development for Children

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for fellowship and refreshments.

*****

Nathaniel Mission Summer Camp - We are gathering
supplies and new children's books for the Nathaniel
Mission summer camp.  Use reply email to request a
list of needed supplies and/or pick up a list in the
Sanctuary foyer.  Donations should be brought to
Walnut Hill by Sunday, May 21.

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Greetings to all!

This Sunday, May 7, the Fourth Sunday of Easter, is known as the "Sunday of the 
Good Shepherd," observed by a traditional Gospel reading from John 10, as well 
as the use of Psalm 23 in worship. The image of God (or Jesus) being our "shepherd" 
must have been very meaningful in a culture where the keeping of flocks was so 
much a part of life and so necessary for survival. That way of life is distant from our 
experience today, and so too the image of the Good Shepherd might have less 
meaning for us.

For me, to think of Jesus (and God) as my Shepherd, or more particularly as "The
Good Shepherd," is to be reminded of God's ultimate interest in my well-being, that 
the One whom I follow always leads me in directions intended for my good, and for 
the good of those around me. I can choose different paths, and even when I do, God 
seeks me out, not by force but by voice, calling me back to a way of being and doing 
that nourish my soul and body. The Good Shepherd is always near by, always attentive, 
always available, no matter what the terrain of any given moment of my life might be.   

The scripture lessons for Sunday, May 7, the Sunday of the Good Shepherd…
Acts 2:42-47
Psalm 23
1 Peter 2:19-25
John 10:1-10ff

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, May 7, 10am, in Trinity Hall. This
Sunday's conversation will focus on the famine crisis in South Sudan and possible 
responses to it.

Grounds Work Day, Saturday, May 13, 9am - Noon - Make plans now to join us 
at Walnut Hill as we spruce up the grounds for the spring and summer seasons. 
Plenty of tasks (skilled and unskilled) will be available. Watch for more details.

The Spring Potluck is coming on Sun, May 21, immediately after morning worship.  
Bring a salad, side dish, or dessert and join us for this delicious Walnut Hill tradition.

The Walnut Hill Mission Experience is coming June 9 - 11.  We will spend the 
weekend at Camp Burnamwood (Estill Co.) and engage in service in the surrounding 
communities.  All ages (12 yrs and older) are welcome and needed.  Use reply email 
for more information.

Sunday Hospitality - Visit the online sign up sheet for opportunities to host an after 
worship gathering on a Sunday upcoming this spring or summer.  You may also 
volunteer via the traditional sign up sheet in the Sanctuary foyer.  Thanks to all our 
Sunday hosts!

The Nathaniel Mission, one of Walnut Hill's community partners, is hosting a
Summer Camp for children in June and July.  They need some help in the form of 
both supplies and volunteers.  They are also requesting "new" children's books to 
distribute to campers. Donations of supplies/books must be brought to Walnut Hill by 
Sun, May 21.  Use reply email to request a list of needed supplies and/or volunteer 
information.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward