Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, October 1, at Walnut Hill Church…

ECUMENICAL SUNDAY

Sunday Conversation, 10am, Trinity Hall

An Ecumenical Life

The Rev. Nancy Jo Kemper will be our guest to share her 

past experiences, present thoughts and future predictions

regarding the ecumenical movement and the church.

Nursery care will be available for young children.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - The Tests of Our Time

Texts - Exodus 17:1-4  and Matthew 21:23-32

Preaching - The Rev. Nancy Jo Kemper

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Nursery Care and Faith Development for Children/Youth

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for fellowship and refreshments.

*****

The Rev. Nancy Jo Kemper is a native of Lexington.

She is a graduate of Transylvania University and Yale

Divinity School.  Nancy Jo has pastored churches in

St. Louis, Toledo, Richmond (VA), New Haven (CT) and 

Woodford Co., KY (New Union Christian Church). From 

1991 - 2009 she served as Executive Director of the

Kentucky Council of Churches.  The Rev Kemper has

been honored by the KY Conference on Community and 

Justice (Humanitarian of the Year Award), the Interfaith

Alliance of the Bluegrass (Faith and Freedom Award),

Yale Divinity School (William Sloane Coffin Jr Peace and

Justice Award), Midway College (Pinkerton Vision Award), 

and Transylvania University (Honorary LHD).

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Greetings to all!

This Sunday, October 1, is Ecumenical Sunday at Walnut Hill Church, our

annual opportunity to celebrate and explore our identity as an "ecumenical 

church."  Consider this excerpt from the Constitution and By-Laws of Walnut 

Hill Church…

We, as a church, are a fellowship of believers who wish to bring together all 

men and women as children of God and do not wish to make an obstacle in 

creed or dogma to fellowship with God's people. We believe the true basis of 

Christian fellowship is love, which is greater than all our differences, and 

without love we have no claim to Christian fellowship.

The lectionary texts for October 1, the 17th Sunday after Pentecost…

Exodus 17:1-7

Psalm 78

Philippians 2:1-13

Matthew 21:23-32

The Rev. Dr. Nancy Jo Kemper will be our special guest for Ecumenical 

Sunday, October 1.  Dr. Kemper recently retired from her service as Pastor of 

New Union Christian Church.  She was for many years the Executive Director 

of the Kentucky Council of Churches and has a distinguished record of 

leadership in ecumenical circles.   Dr. Kemper will visit with us informally

during the 10am hour and preach the sermon during worship (11am).

Walking Through Scripture - Our regular 10am Walking Through Scripture

conversation will be pre-empted this Sunday, Oct 1, by our Ecumenical

Sunday activities.  Nonetheless, you are encouraged to continue your "walk"

this week by reading and reflecting upon the lectionary texts for this Sunday.

Walking through Scripture conversation will return on October 8.

HOSTS NEEDED - Visit the online sign up sheet for opportunities to host our

after worship gathering a Sunday this fall.  Openings include this Sunday,

October 1.  Thanks to all our Sunday hosts!

CROP WALK Report - Fourteen hearty souls joined the Walnut Hill team

last Sunday afternoon for the 2017 Lexington CROP Walk.  Their presence,

along with several individual gifts, raised $800 to alleviate hunger in central

Kentucky and beyond.  Thanks to all!

ACE Trip Thanks - Thanks to all who made special contributions in support

of our sponsorship of students to participate in the Athens Chilesburg

Elementary School Fifth Grade Class Trip to Washington, DC.  Walnut Hill

was able to sponsor 6 students plus additional support for miscellaneous

trip expenses.

Vestry Nominations - Election season is approaching, and the Vestry is

receiving your suggestions of persons to serve on the Walnut Hill Vestry,

Class of 2020.  They are particularly looking for 2 female nominees.  Please

share your nominee suggestions with our Senior Warden, Barbara Bohmer.

In the Community - The Nathaniel Mission is looking for volunteers to help

with food pickup at a  local Kroger store on Thursday mornings.  The food

donated by Kroger is used in providing meals for Nathaniel Mission guests.

Use reply email to request more information.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, September 24, at Walnut Hill Church…

Walking Through Scripture, 10am, Trinity Hall

Complaints, Musings and a Parable

This week's scripture walk takes us past the newly free,

and complaining, Israelites (Ex 16), an apostle musing 

about the purpose of life (Phil 1), and a farm where all

are paid the same (Matt 20).  Come and share your

thoughts and questions, or simply listen in.  

Nursery care available for young children.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon -  A Scandalous Generosity

Text - Matthew 20:1-16

Nursery Care and Faith Development for Children/Youth

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for fellowship and refreshments.

CROP WALK, 3pm, Second Presbyterian Church

All ages are invited to be part of the Walnut Hill team

as we walk through downtown Lexington to raise

awareness and dollars to alleviate hunger in central

Kentucky and beyond.  Registration begins at 3pm.

For more information, visit 2017 CROP Walk .

****

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

of Trinity Hall.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Greetings to all!

The recent string of "natural calamities" continues these days with another

hurricane in the Caribbean and a severe earthquake in Mexico.  These

natural occurrences combine with human-made political/military tensions 

to create a veritable tsunami of events.  I am reminded of Psalm 46 in

which the psalmist declares his trust in God in the midst of all that life

sometimes sends our way…

God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,

though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea,

though its waters roar and foam,

though the mountains tremble with its tumult…

The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; God speaks, the earth melts.

The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.

(Psalm 46, Revised Standard Version, edited)

In memory: Helen "Penny" Chenery, a Member of Walnut Hill Church,

departed this life on Saturday, September 16.  Memorial plans are pending.

Visit www.secretariat.com for more information regarding Penny's life and

legacy.

The lectionary texts for September 24, the 16th Sunday after Pentecost…

Exodus 16:2-15

Psalm 105

Philippians 1:21-30

Matthew 20:1-16

Walking Through Scripture - This week's walk through scripture takes

us past the well-known story of "the manna in the wilderness" (Ex 16) as

well as one of Jesus' most challenging parables, "the laborers in the

vineyard" (Mt 20).  Might there be an "echo" between these two scripture

texts?  Join us to talk about it this Sun, Sep 24, 10am, Trinity Hall.

Hurricane Relief - As of last Sunday, over $2,000 has been received in

special gifts to support relief efforts in the wake of hurricanes Harvey and

Irma.  Those gifts are on their way to the affected areas via Church World

Service.  Visit CWS appeals/updates for information on how our gifts are

being used.  Thanks to all!

CROP Walk -The Lexington CROP Walk steps off Sun, Sep 24, 3pm, at 

2nd Presbyterian Church.  All ages are invited to be part of the Walnut Hill 

team walking (3 miles) through downtown Lexington to raise awareness 

and dollars to alleviate hunger in central/eastern KY and beyond. The Walnut 

Hill Community Fund will sponsor any Walnut Hill walker in the amount of 

$35/walker.

Sunday Hospitality - Visit the online sign-up sheet to view opportunities to 

host our after worship refreshments for Sundays during the fall. Openings

include Sunday, September 24, and following Sundays through October.  

You may also visit the traditional sign up sheet in the Sanctuary foyer. Thanks 

to all our Sunday hosts!

Ecumenical Sunday is coming Oct 1, the annual celebration and exploration 

of Walnut Hill's identity as an "ecumenical church."  Our guest for the day 

will be the Rev. Nancy Jo Kemper, former Executive Director of the Kentucky

Council of Churches.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, September 17, at Walnut Hill Church…

FALL POTLUCK

Walking Through Scripture, 10am, Trinity Hall

Surveying the Landscape

We will take a quick look at the scripture territory through

which we will be walking this fall and then turn our attention

to questions, comments and insights regarding this week's

readings.  You will find the readings on this web page .

Nursery care will be available for young children.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - Definitive Guidance

Text - Romans 14:1-12

Nursery care and faith development for children/youth.

FALL 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.

*****

Hurricane Relief - Baskets are available in the Sanctuary

foyer to receive your contributions to support relief efforts

for those affected by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.  Cash and 

checks payable to Walnut Hill Church (memo: "hurricanes")

are welcome.  All gifts will be sent to the affects areas via

Church World Service .

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Greetings to all!

We began walking through scripture (see below) last Sunday.  One of the first 

sites along our path is the story of the Israelites crossing the "Red" Sea. Some

of us of a certain age have cinematic memory of Moses (aka Charleton Heston)

standing on the bank of the sea commanding the waters to part. Whatever the

actual event might have looked like, Israel remembered it as an occasion of

God's deliverance, making a way through what seemed an impossible barrier.

What are the barriers that loom before us, and how might God be providing a

way through them?  Quite an impressive site so early in our walk.

The lectionary texts for September 17, the 15th Sunday after Pentecost…

Exodus 14:19-31

Psalm 114

Romans 14:1-12

Matthew 18:21-35

Walking Through Scripture - We gather this Sunday, September 17, 10am,

in Trinity Hall to share what we have "seen" in our walk through scripture this

week.  Take a few moments to read the lectionary texts above and then join

us to hear and share the sites along the way.

THE FALL POTLUCK will be held this Sunday, September 17, immediately

after morning worship.  Bring a salad, side dish, or dessert and join us for this 

festive Walnut Hill tradition.  Meat and beverage provided.

HURRICANE RESPONSE - Thanks to all who have made special donations in 

response to hurricanes Harvey and Irma, a total of $1,800 over the past two 

Sundays.  Your gifts are on their way to the affected regions  through Church 

World Service.  To learn more about CWS efforts, visit Hurricane Response .

Sunday Hospitality - Visit the online sign-up sheet to view opportunities to

host our after worship refreshments for Sundays during the fall.  Openings

include Sunday, September 24, and following Sundays through October.  You 

may also visit the traditional sign up sheet in the Sanctuary foyer.  Thanks to 

all our Sunday hosts!

CROP Walk -The Lexington CROP Walk will be held on Sun, Sep 24, 3pm, at 

Second Presbyterian Church.  All ages are invited to be part of the Walnut Hill 

team walking (about 3 miles) through downtown Lexington to raise awareness 

and dollars to alleviate hunger in central/eastern KY and beyond.  The Walnut 

Hill Community Fund will sponsor any Walnut Hill walker in the amount of 

$35/walker.

Ecumenical Sunday is coming on Oct 1, the annual celebration and exploration 

of Walnut Hill's identity as an "ecumenical church."  Our guest for the morning 

will be the Rev. Nancy Jo Kemper, former Executive Director of the Kentucky

Council of Churches.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

 

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, September 10, at Walnut Hill Church…

Walking Through Scripture, 10am, Trinity Hall

Putting On Our Walking Shoes

We will begin our walk through the scriptures exploring some 

basic questions about the Bible such as, "What does it mean 

to say that the Bible is the Word of God?," as well as offering

some guiding principles for our journey.

Nursery care available for young children.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - An Aw(e)ful Night

Text - Exodus 12:1-14

Nursery Care and Faith Development for Children/Youth

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for fellowship and refreshments.

*****

Hurricane Response - We continue to make available the 

opportunity to respond to Hurricane Harvey (and Irma) via 

Church World Service.  Your cash donations and checks 

payable to Walnut Hill Church (memo: "hurricanes") may be 

placed in the baskets in the Sanctuary foyer. For information 

(or to support relief efforts online) visit www.cwsglobal.org .

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Greetings to all!

This week we are invited to begin, or continue, Walking Through Scripture

(see article below).  For many Christians the Bible is reckoned to be "God's 

word" to us.  Even so, what does it mean that God is speaking to us in this 

way, through texts so varied and sometimes problematic. Rowan Williams, 

former Archbishop of Canterbury, writes about the Bible…

How can all of this be addressed by God to us?  The simplest way in which

we can understand this is the one I have already hinted at: this is what God

wants you to hear.  God wants you to hear law and poetry and history.  God

wants you to hear the polemic and the visions.  God wants you to listen to

the letters and think about the chronicles.  And from the earliest days, 

Christians, like Jews before them and Jews now, wrestle with how exactly

you can then say, "The is the word of the Lord", the communication of God.

You cannot just go by surface meanings because surface meanings do not

immediately help you with understanding why God wants you to hear it.

This may be the word of God, but why exactly is it important to God that

you know it?

(from Being Christian)

The lectionary texts for September 10, the 14th Sunday after Pentecost…

Exodus 12:1-14

Psalm 149

Romans 13:8-14

Matthew 18:15-20

Walking Through Scripture - Beginning Sep 10, join us Sundays, 10am,

in Trinity Hall, as we "walk through scripture" guided by the Sunday

lectionary readings.  Each session will include a brief presentation arising

from that day's texts and plenty of time for your questions, comments and

insights.  Whether the scriptures are well known to you or unfamiliar

territory, put on your "walking shoes" and join us.  Nursery care will be

available for young children.

The Fall Potluck is coming on Sun, Sep 17, immediately after morning

worship.  Bring a salad, side dish, or dessert and join us for this delicious

Walnut Hill tradition.  Meat and beverage will be provided.

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

at Panera (Richmond Rd) for coffee and conversation. No formal program,

but rather a simple opportunity to talk about whatever is on your mind.

Feel free to stop by for as long or short a time as your schedule allows.

No rsvp required.

Hurricane Harvey - Thanks to all those who made special contributions

last Sunday in support of relief efforts after Hurricane Harvey.  Thanks to

your generosity, $1,250 is on its way to the affected area via Church World

Service.  You can learn more about (and support) the Church World

Service response at www.cwsglobal.org .

CROP Walk - The Lexington area CROP Walk will be held on Sun, Sep 24,

3pm, at Second Presbyterian Church.  All ages are invited to be part of the

Walnut Hill team walking (about 3 miles) through downtown Lexington to

raise awareness and dollars to alleviate hunger in central/eastern KY and

beyond.  The Walnut Hill Community Fund will sponsor any Walnut Hill

walker in the amount of $35/walker.

ACE D.C. Trip -  The annual Athens Chilesburg Elementary School 5th 

Grade Class Trip to Washington, DC, is coming up in October. As in past 

years, several students will need sponsorship support in order to participate.  

Sponsorship is $499/student.  Your gift, in any amount, is welcome. Make 

your check payable to Walnut Hill Church, designated "ACE DC Trip."

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, September 3, at Walnut Hill Church…

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - Extreme Hospitality

Text - Romans 12:9-21

The sacrament of Holy Communion

Nursery Care and Faith Development for Children/Youth

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for fellowship and refreshments.

*****

Persons attending Walnut Hill Church on Sun, Sept 3,

will have opportunity to contribute to Hurricane Harvey

relief via Church World Service.  Make your check

payable to Walnut Hill Church, designated "Hurricane".

For information regarding Church World Service relief

efforts, visit www.cwsglobal.org .

Sunday Conversation (10am) is cancelled for Sept 3.

Join us for Walking Through Scripture beginning Sun,

Sept 10, 10am, in Trinity Hall.