Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Greetings to all!

Advent begins this Sunday, December 3, the season of preparation for the

coming (advent) of Christ.  In her poem, In December Darkness, Ann Weems

expresses the tension between darkness and light in the Advent season.

The whole world waits in December darkness

for a glimpse of the Light of God.

Even those who snarl "Humbug!"

and chase away the carolers

have been seen looking toward the skies.

The one who declared he never would forgive

has forgiven,

   and those who left home

have returned,

   and even wars are halted,

if briefly,

   as the whole world looks starward.

In the December darkness

we peer from our windows

   watching for an angel with rainbow wings

to announce the Hope of the World.

Thoughts About Advent Music - Walnut Hill's music director, Angela

Hurley, has shared some thoughts about Advent music.  Visit this link:

But Where Are the Christmas Carols?!  

The lectionary texts for Sunday, December 3, the First Sunday of Advent…

Isaiah 64:1-9

Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19

1 Corinthians 1:3-9

Mark 13:24-37

What Are We Waiting For? … is the title of a four-week conversation series

beginning this Sunday, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  Over these Sundays of Advent

we will explore four "advent virtues."  This Sunday we explore "hope." 

THE CHRISTMAS POTLUCK is this Sunday, December 3, immediately after

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

delicious Walnut Hill tradition.

The Giving Tree will be up this Sunday, December 3, in Trinity Hall.  The

Giving Tree is decorated with ornaments that suggest gifts for children and

households referred to us by the Nathaniel Mission.  Pick up an ornament,

purchase the suggested gift, and return the gift and ornament by Dec 17.

Christmas Poinsettias - We will be decorating the Sanctuary for Christmas 

this season, including Christmas poinsettias. You may "sponsor" a poinsettia 

for $20.  Make your check payable to Walnut Hill Church (memo: poinsettia).  

Please indicate if your sponsorship is in memory/honor of someone.

Christmas Season Calendar…

Sun, Dec 3 - Christmas Potluck - after worship

Sun, Dec 10 - Children's Christmas Presentation - 11am

     -Youth Christmas Party - 5:30pm

Sun, Dec 17 - Christmas Party for Adults - 3pm

Sun, Dec 24 -Morning Worship and Holy Communion - 11am

     - Lessons, Carols and Candlelight - 5pm

Walking Through Scripture - A number of Walnut Hill folks have been

walking through scripture this fall, reading and reflecting on the Sunday

lectionary readings, and then discussing those readings on Sunday mornings.

While our Sunday morning conversations have moved on to other topics,

you are still encouraged to continue (or begin) your walk through scripture

by the reading and reflecting on the Sunday lessons each week.  You are

also invited to subscribe to Mike Ward's "walking guide," a weekly reflection

on the lessons.  Use reply email to subscribe.

Kits - The Walnut Hill Sunday School is gathering supplies for Church 

World Service Hygiene Kits and School Kits.  These kits are distributed 

in communities affected by natural disasters.  Visit Hygiene Kits and 

School Kits for a list of eligible items.  Bring items to Walnut Hill over the 

next several weeks.  The kits will be assembled and shipped in January.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, November 26, at Walnut Hill Church…

CHRIST THE KING

Walking Through Scripture, 10am, Trinity Hall

Christ the King

Join us as we discuss the readings for the Sunday of

Christ the King including Ezekiel's critique of Israel's

shepherds, Paul's description of the Cosmic Christ,

and Jesus' Parable of the Sheep and the Goats.

Children's Choir, 10am, Trinity Hall

Children through elementary age are invited to gather

for music and singing in preparation for their Christmas

presentation on Sunday, December 10.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - A Very Long Sentence

Text - Ephesians 1:15-23

Nursery Care and Faith Formation for Children

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for fellowship and refreshments.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Greetings to all!

You might already be on your way to this year's Thanksgiving gathering,

or perhaps anticipating some loved one's arrival.  Whether special or

ordinary, grand or simple, let us all take some time this week to share 

gratitude in thought, word and deed.  Consider this prayer for your use…

The eyes of all things look up to and trust in Thee, O Lord. Thou givest

them their food in due season; Thou dost open Thy hand and fill with

Thy blessing every living thing.  Good Lord, bless us and all Thy gifts,

which we receive of Thy bounteous generosity; through Jesus Christ

our Lord.  Amen.

(as found in the Walnut Hill Worship Book)

The lectionary texts for November 26, the Sunday of Christ the King…

Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24

Psalm 100

Ephesians 1:15-23

Matthew 25:31-46

Walking Through Scripture conversation continues this Sun, Nov 26,

as our walk takes us by Ezekiel's oracle regarding the shepherds of

Israel, Paul's musings about the Lordship of Christ, and Jesus' Parable

of the Sheep and the Goats (see texts above).  Come and share your

questions, comments, and insights.

The Giving Tree is soon to be up in Trinity Hall.  The Giving Tree is

decorated with ornaments that provide gift suggestions for children and

households referred by the Nathaniel Mission.  Stop by and pick up an

ornament, purchase the suggested gift, and return the gift (and ornament)

to Walnut Hill by December 17.

The Christmas Potluck is coming on Sun, Dec 3, immediately after

Morning Worship.  Bring a salad, side dish, or dessert, and join us for

this delicious holiday season tradition.  Meat and beverage will be

provided.

Christmas Cards - A limited number of Walnut Hill Christmas cards

(2016 edition) are available for your purchase in the Sanctuary foyer.

Christmas Poinsettias - As is our custom, we will be decorating the

Sanctuary for Christmas this season, including Christmas poinsettias.

You may "sponsor" a poinsettia for $20.  Make your check payable

to Walnut Hill Church (memo: poinsettia).  Please indicate if your

sponsorship is in memory/honor of someone.

Thanks to all the sponsors and volunteers who made it possible for

Walnut Hill to deliver 16 pans of delicious dressing for the Nathaniel

Mission Community Thanksgiving Dinner, which was held on Tuesday

evening.  The folks at the mission are grateful.  Thanks also to

Critchfield Meats who have been our business partners in this project

for several years.

Kits - The Walnut Hill Sunday School is gathering supplies for Church 

World Service Hygiene Kits and School Kits.  These kits are distributed 

in communities affected by natural disasters.  Visit Hygiene Kits and 

School Kits for a list of eligible items.  Bring items to Walnut Hill over the 

next several weeks.  The kits will be assembled and shipped in January.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, November 19, at Walnut Hill Church…

Walking Through Scripture, 10am, Trinity Hall

"Go for It!"

This Sunday's walk through scripture includes the story

of Deborah, Paul's warnings about the sudden nature of

Christ's return, and Jesus' Parable of the Talents. Come

share your questions, comments and insights.

Children's Choir, 10am, Trinity Hall

Children through elementary age are invited to gather for 

music and singing in anticipation of their December 10

Christmas presentation.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - Deborah

Text - Judges 4:1-10

The Sacrament of Baptism

Nursery Care and Faith Development for Children/Youth

Congregational Meeting, Noon, Sanctuary

All Members and Friends are encouraged to attend the

annual congregational meeting.  Business will include the

election of Vestry members/officers, presentation of the

2018 budget, action on the Pastor's 2018 terms of call,

and consideration of a revised Constitution & By-Laws 

document.

Thanksgiving Worship, 6pm, Episcopal Church of the

Resurrection

All are invited to an ecumenical Thanksgiving Worship service 

at the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection (3220 Lexington 

Road, Nicholasville - just south of Brannon Crossing).  An 

offering and non-perishable food items will be received for the 

Jessamine County Food Pantry.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Greetings to all!

In her book, Being Home, Gunilla Norris offers spiritual reflections on

everyday household chores and experiences, including one that we

might find ourselves doing these days, "Laying a Fire."

Old newspapers rolled into butterflies-

a black and white nest of them.

Then comes the kindling - bits of this and that

gathered and placed on the paper.  Last, the logs.

The fire is laid and is without flame.

So often I am waiting like this, unlit,

longing for Your presence.

I can find the discipline, by habit mostly,

to lay a readiness inside myself.

But until you strike the match

there is no passion, no heat.

Let me be content to watch

for the stirring of Your flame.

Let me learn to be ready, to wait, to have no light.

Help me to trust that this, too, is obedience

…that flamelessness can also be

a kind of burning.

The lectionary texts for Nov 19, the 24th Sunday after Pentecost…

Judges 4:1-7

Psalm 123

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Matthew 25:14-30

Walking Through Scripture conversations continue this Sunday,

Nov 19, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  This week's walk includes the story

of Deborah, Paul's counsel regarding the coming the Lord, and 

Jesus' Parable of the Talents (see texts above).

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

gather for music and singing in anticipation of their Christmas 

presentation on December 10.

The Annual Meeting of the Congregation of Walnut Hill Church

will be held this Sunday, November 19, Noon (immediately after

morning worship).  The business of the annual meeting includes

the election of Vestry members and officers, presentation of the

2018 budget and action upon the Pastor's 2018 terms of call. This

year's meeting also includes consideration of a revision of Walnut

Hill's Constitution and By-Laws.  Visit By-Laws to view the document

in advance.

Thanksgiving Worship - An Ecumenical Thanksgiving Worship will

be held this Sunday, November 19, 6pm, at the Episcopal Church

of the Resurrection (3220 Lexington Rd, Nicholasville).  The service 

is sponsored by the Southside Ecumenical Cooperative of which 

Walnut Hill is a member congregation. An offering will be received to 

support the Jessamine County Food Pantry. Non-perishable food items 

will also be collected.

Walnut Hill Reaching Out:

*Volunteers will be delivering 16 pans of stuffing/dressing for 

the Nathaniel Mission Community Thanksgiving Dinner on Nov 21.

*$360 is on its way to American Heritage Girls Troop 7070 to 

support its sending of 40 Christmas gift boxes as part of the program, 

Operation Christmas Child .

*$1,000 is on its way to Lexington Habitat for Humanity to support 

its Repair/Rebuild program in 2018.

Invocation - Mike Ward will offer the invocation at the LFUCG Council 

meeting on Nov 16 by invitation from Councilperson Kathy Plomin who 

represents the 12th Council District, which includes Walnut Hill Church.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, November 12, at Walnut Hill Church…

Walking Through Scripture, 10am, Trinity Hall

Eschatology

Join us a we talk about this Sunday's lectionary texts

including Paul's well-known description of the return

of the Lord and Jesus' parable of the Ten Bridesmaids,

both examples of teaching regarding the "end times,"

often referred to as eschatology.

Nursery care will be available for young children.

Children's Choir, 10am, Trinity Hall

Children through elementary age are invited to gather

for music and singing in anticipation of their Christmas

presentation on December 10.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - Being Prepared 

Text - Matthew 25:1-13

Nursery Care and Faith Formation for Children/Youth

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for fellowship and refreshments.

****

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

Trinity Hall.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Greetings to all!

The analysis has begun regarding the details of the tragedy in Texas. While 

many of those details are genuinely important, they can seem endless and 

sadly familiar.  We look for answers and helpful responses that might prevent 

the next mass tragedy, not to forget the less public daily gun violence plaguing 

many of our cities. Meanwhile, it is possible for us, as individuals and as 

communities of faith, to respond in ways that nurture life and peace including … 

ongoing prayers for those affected by violence; reaching out to survivors and 

communities affected by violence; a personal commitment to "nonviolence" in 

our relationships; advocacy for public policies addressing those issues that 

make our society so violent compared to most other developed nations. Simply 

put, we are not helpless in response to such events. Let us each identify "one 

positive thing" that we can do in response to this week's event, and do it. If 

nothing else, we will discover our own power in the doing.

The lectionary texts for November 12, the 23rd Sunday after Pentecost…

Joshua 24:1-3, 14-25

Psalm 78:1-7

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Matthew 25:1-13

Walking Through Scripture conversation continues this Sunday, 10am, 

in Trinity Hall.  This week's walk includes Joshua's warning speech, Paul's 

description of the return of the Lord, and a parable of Jesus about being 

prepared, spiritually speaking (see texts above).

A Host(s) is needed for our after worship gathering this Sunday, Nov 12.

Use reply email to volunteer for this Sunday, or visit the online sign-up to 

host this Sunday or later in the season. Thanks to all our hosts!

The Annual Meeting of the congregation of Walnut Hill Church will be

held on Sunday, November 19, immediately after morning worship.

The business of the annual meeting includes the election of Vestry

members, presentation of the 2018 budget, and consideration of the

Pastor's terms of call.  This year's business will include consideration

of a revised Constitution and By-Laws document.  Visit By-laws to see

a draft of the proposed document.

Thanksgiving Worship - An Ecumenical Thanksgiving Worship will be 

held on Sun, Nov 19, 6pm, at the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection 

(3220 Lexington Rd, Nicholasville).  The service is sponsored by the 

Southside Ecumenical Cooperative of which Walnut Hill is a member.  

The evening offering will benefit the Jessamine County Food Pantry.  

Non-perishable food items will also be collected.

Thanksgiving Stuffing/Dressing - Once again Walnut Hill has been

asked to provide the stuffing/dressing for the Nathaniel Mission

Community Thanksgiving Dinner.  You may sponsor a pan for $20.

Make your check payable to Walnut Hill Church (memo: stuffing).

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

   

Prayers for Sutherland Springs, Texas

Dear Friends:

By now you might have heard the tragic news regarding the violence in the
small town of Sutherland Springs, Texas. Over the next few days details will
emerge regarding this event. For now we do well to be in prayer for all those
affected. You might find the following prayer to be useful:

God of comfort,
Be present with all those affected by today's violence,
including those who grieve, as well as those injured.
Bring healing of both spirit and body.
Such events cause us to wonder about the state of
our world, our nation, even our selves.
Keep our hearts from becoming fearful or callous.
May we respond to violence with even greater resolve
to be agents of your peace and love to all people.
Through Christ our Lord we pray. Amen.

Peace,

Mike Ward

This Weekend at Walnut Hill Church

This weekend, November 4 - 5, at Walnut Hill Church…

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4

Service of Remembrance & Thanksgiving, 1:30pm, Sanctuary

A service of remembrance and thanksgiving for the life of Walnut

Hill member Calvin Greenup will be held in the Sanctuary at

1:30pm.  The Greenup family will receive friends in Trinity Hall 

beginning at 12:30pm until the time of the service.  

Fire Ring Dedication, 5:00, Church Grounds

All are invited to gather at the newly completed "fire ring" beginning

at 5:00pm, with a dedication ceremony to be held at 5:30pm.  Tents

will be up in the case of inclement weather.  Dress for the outdoors.

Hot cider/chocolate will be served.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5 - ALL SAINTS' SUNDAY

Walking Through Scripture, 10am, Trinity Hall

Crossing Over

Join us as we gather to share our comments, observations and

questions regarding the Sunday lectionary readings including the

story of the Israelites crossing over into the promised land, Paul's

thanksgiving for the for the faith and life of the Thessalonians, and

Jesus' warning regarding the hypocrisy of public religion.

Nursery care will be available for young children.

Children's Choir, 10am, Trinity Hall

Children through elementary age are invited to gather for music

and singing in preparation for their December 10 presentation.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - And So We Are!

Text - 1 John 3:1-3

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.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Greetings to all!

Today, November 1, is All Saints' Day, an occasion to celebrate the saints,

both famous and obscure.  Consider this theological reflection about the

saints as offered by the late Anglican theologian, John Macquarrie…

In remembering and honoring its saints by yearly commemoration or in

other ways, the Church is not showing a sentimental nostalgia for its

past.  Rather, this is a real communion of saints … In the communion of

saints, the Church accepts its heritage and confesses its identity; but

paradoxically this very heritage is the self-giving love of the martyrs and

confessors - a love which they in turn learned from Christ.  Thus in

accepting this heritage the Church ipso facto commits itself to a future

in which it must lose itself in order to transcend itself and become the

kingdom of God.

(from Principles of Christian Theology)

Calvin Greenup, a member of Walnut Hill Church, departed this life

on October 31, 2017.  Service arrangements are pending with Milward

Funeral Directors.

Fire-Ring Dedication - A dedication of the recently completed "fire-ring" 

on the Walnut Hill grounds will be held on Saturday, November 4, 5pm

(ceremony to begin at 5:30pm).  All are welcome!  Tents will be set up

in case of inclement weather.  Dress for the outdoors and bring a lawn

chair for your use.  Hot cider/chocolate will be served. 

The lectionary texts for November 5, the 22nd Sunday after Pentecost…

Joshua 3:7-17

Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37

1 Thessalonians 2:9-13

Matthew 23:1-12

Walking Through Scripture conversation continues this Sun, Nov 5,

10am in Trinity Hall. Join us as we discuss the texts above, sharing our

questions, comments and insights.  Use reply email if you would like to

receive a weekly introduction/commentary regarding the Sunday lessons.

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

at 10am on Sunday mornings for music and singing in anticipation of their

Christmas presentation on Dec 10.  

Thanksgiving Stuffing/Dressing - Once again we have been asked to

provide stuffing/dressing for the Nathaniel Mission Community Thanksgiving

Dinner.  You can "sponsor" a pan for $20.  Make your check payable to

Walnut Hill Church (memo "stuffing").

The Annual Meeting of the congregation of Walnut Hill Church will be on 

Sunday, November 19, immediately after morning worship. As usual, the 

meeting business will include election of Vestry members, presentation of 

the annual budget, and action on the Pastor's terms of call.  This year's 

meeting will also include consideration of a revised Constitution and By-laws, 

which you may view in advance at the following link: Revised By-Laws.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward