Friday, January 27, 2017

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, January 29, at Walnut Hill Church…

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

How I Met God at McDonald's

We will view and discuss a brief video featuring the Very 
Rev. Tracey Lind, Dean of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral 
(Cleveland), as she describes how she "heard" God speaking
to her while eating a burger and fries.  

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - The Cross
Text - 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Nursery Care and Faith Development for Children/Youth

Children/Youth Focus, 11am, Trinity Hall

The children/youth continue their exploration of the creation
stories with particular attention this week to the "Garden
of Eden" (Genesis 3).  No doubt, this Garden is full of
surprises!

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Greetings to all!

Today (Jan 25) concludes the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, an annual
observance celebrating the unity that Christians share in Christ and inviting
us to live into that unity. Far from being a notion limited to the sanctuary, the
unity we share in Christ is a starting place for declaring the oneness of the
entire human community, even the entire created universe.  Christian unity
is simply a place to begin, among those closest to us, to declare and embody 
a truth that is seriously needed in this world:  We are one, a unity experienced 
in the diversity of many opinions, nationalities, creeds, races, creatures and 
elements.  Let us give thanks for this unity and look for ways, as simple as they 
might be, to embody it.

The scripture lessons for Sunday, January 29 …
Micah 6:1-8
1 Corinthians 1:18-31
Matthew 5:1-12

Sunday Conversations continue this Sun, Jan 29, 10am, in Trinity Hall.
This Sunday's conversation is titled, "How I Met God at McDonald's," featuring 
a video presentation by the Very Rev. Tracey Lind, Dean of Trinity Cathedral 
of the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio (northern Ohio).

Faith Formation for children/youth continues during the 11am hour this 
Sunday as they explore stories foundational to our faith tradition as found in
the Old Testament Book of Genesis.

"Souper" Bowl Sunday is coming on Sun, Feb 5.  Come with an appetite
to enjoy some delicious soup and make a donation to alleviate hunger in
our community.  Let us know by reply email if you would like to provide a
pot of soup for this delicious occasion.

Men's Coffee - Walnut Hill men are invited to gather each Saturday morning, 
8am, at Panera on Richmond Road, for coffee and conversation.  No formal
program, just a time to visit about the world and about our lives.  Feel free to
stop by for as long or short a time as your schedule allows. No rsvp required. 

Mission Trip 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.

2016 Contribution Statements will be in the mail this week. Please contact
the church office if you have any questions/concerns regarding your statement.  
Thanks to our bookkeeping service, the Livesay Group, for their careful attention 
to the church's financial records, and thanks to all those who supported Walnut 
Hill with their financial gifts in 2016.

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 silent auction items, bidding on silent auction items, or making a 
sponsorship donation.  For more information, visit ISC Tennis Event .


Peace to all.

Mike Ward



Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Greetings to all!

Friday is Inauguration Day, that uniquely American tradition in which we transfer 
power peacefully and celebrate our shared freedoms. In addition to the pomp and 
ceremony, it is an appropriate occasion to pray for our nation and its leaders.  
Consider the following…

O Lord, our governor, your glory shines throughout the world. We commend our 
nation to your merciful care, that we may live securely in peace and may be guided 
by your providence.  Give to all in authority the wisdom and strength to know your will 
and to do it.  Help them remember that they are called to serve the people as lovers 
of truth and justice; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

(from the Book of Common Worship)

The scriptures for Sunday, January 22 (The scriptures this week are selected for your 
reflection toward this inauguration weekend.)
*2 Chronicles 1:1, 7-13
*Psalm 72:1-7
*1 Timothy 2:1-7
*Mark 12:13-17

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, January 22, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  
Sunday Conversations include a wide range of topics from week to week.  Watch 
the Friday update for details regarding this Sunday's conversation.

Faith Stories - During these early months of 2017 the children are exploring (during 
the 11am hour) the faith stories found in the Old Testament book of Genesis.  These 
stories are foundational to the Judeo-Christian tradition.  Watch the Friday update for 
the specific story to be explored this Sunday.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins today, Jan 18, through Jan 25, 
including an ecumenical service to be held at Pax Christi Catholic Church on Sun, 
Jan 22, 7pm, sponsored by the Southside Ecumenical Cooperative, of which Walnut 
Hill Church is a participating congregation.  For more information regarding this special 
week highlighting ecumenical unity, visit  Week of Prayer .

Mission Trip, 2017 - You might have heard that we are exploring the possibility of a 
"mission trip" to eastern Kentucky, working in partnership with Burnamwood 
Appalachian Ministry.  We have focused our attention on a long weekend, June 9 - 11.  
Use reply email to let us know if you are interested and/or would like some more 
information about this mission experience for youth and adults.

Sunday Sermon Recordings - After a brief holiday hiatus, Sunday sermon recordings
are again being posted on the church website, beginning with this past Sunday's
message, "I Am a Man."  Visit sermon recordings for this and other Walnut Hill
sermons.

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 including wages, voting rights, justice reform and 
others.  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 February 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
silent auction items, bidding on silent auction items, or making a sponsorship
donation.  For more information, visit ISC Tennis Event .

Peace to all.

Mike Ward






 

Friday, January 13, 2017

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, January 15, at Walnut Hill Church…

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR, HOLIDAY

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Gazing at the Trinity

We will spend some time this Sunday "gazing" at the Trinity
through the art of Andrei Rublev.  Come, gaze with us, and
then we'll talk about what we "see."

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - I Am a Man
Text - Luke 10:25-37

Nursery Care and Faith Formation for Children

Children's Focus, 11am, Trinity Hall

The children will begin their exploration of stories that have
been foundational to the Judeo-Christian tradition. This
Sunday they will explore the story(ies) of Creation as found
in Genesis 1 and 2.

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for fellowship and refreshments.

****

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

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Greetings to all!

Monday, January 16, is the Martin Luther King, Jr, Holiday.  With that day in mind, 
consider an excerpt from Dr. King's "I Have Been to the Mountaintop" speech, which 
was offered (on the night before his death) in support of the Memphis sanitation 
workers' strike.  You might be able to recite the speech's ending by heart, but you
might be less familiar with the challenge he placed before his hearers to support those 
workers who were on strike…

Now, let me say as I move to my conclusion that we've got to give ourselves to this 
struggle until the end.  Nothing would be more tragic than to stop at this point in 
Memphis. We've got to see it through.  And when we have our march, you need to be 
there.  If it means leaving work, if it means leaving school — be there.  Be concerned 
about your brother. You may not be on strike.  But either we go up together, or we go 
down together.

(To read the full text of the speech, visit  "I've Been to the Mountaintop" )

The scripture lessons for Sunday, January 15…
Amos 5:18-24
James 5:1-5
Luke 10:25-37

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, January 15, 10:00am, in Trinity Hall.  
Our focus (quite literally) will be upon Andrei Rublev's painting, "The Trinity."  Come, 
have a gaze at this classic piece of Christian art, and join the conversation as we 
discuss what it might reveal about God and about us.

Faith Formation - During the winter and early spring children/youth Sunday morning
classes (11am) will focus on stories foundational to our Judeo-Christian tradition,
particularly stories from the Old Testament book of Genesis.  Watch the Friday 
updates for each Sunday's story of the day.

Mission Trip, 2017 - You might have heard that we are exploring the possibility of a 
"mission trip" to eastern Kentucky, working in partnership with Burnamwood 
Appalachian Ministry.  We are looking at a week (or long weekend) in June.  Use reply 
email to let us know if you are interested and/or would like some more information
about this mission experience for youth and adults.

Planning Team Report - It is not too late to offer your responses to the planning 
team recommendations and/or landscape concepts.  The program recommendations 
are available on the Walnut Hill Church website, and the landscape drawings are 
displayed for your review in Trinity Hall. Please offer your questions, suggestions, 
etc, to any Vestry member. The Vestry will be following up on these recommendations 
and concepts beginning with their first meeting of 2017.

A New Year of Hospitality - Visit our online sign up sheet to host our after worship
gathering some Sunday this winter.  Remember that after worship refreshments
need not be elaborate, just something simple to gather around as we visit after
worship. You may also use the traditional sign up sheet in the Sanctuary foyer to
volunteer. Thanks to all our after worship hosts!

MLK Day Events around town include:
*Sat, Jan 14, 9am - 4pm - Seeing the Face of God in Each Other, a 
workshop on racial reconciliation, at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church.  For
information and registration, visit Seeing the Face of God .
*Sun, Jan 15, 1pm - 3pm - Facilitating Racial Reconciliation, a forum,
at St. Michael's Episcopal Church.  For more information, visit Community Forum .
*Mon, Jan 16, 10am - MLK Day Freedom March and program at Heritage Hall
and other downtown locations.  Visit King Celebration for more information.

The Kentucky Council of Churches is sponsoring "Prayer in Action Days" during
the current session of the KY General Assembly.  The gatherings will be held each
Tuesday, 9:30am, in the Capitol Annex building and will focus on different issues 
before the G.A. during this session including wages, voting rights, justice reform and 
others.  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 February 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
silent auction items, bidding on silent auction items, or making a sponsorship
donation.  For more information, visit ISC Tennis Event .


Peace to all.

Mike Ward




Friday, January 6, 2017

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, January 8, at Walnut Hill Church…

THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD
Visit by Bishop Bruce Caldwell

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

A Conversation with Bishop Caldwell

The Rt. Rev. Bruce Caldwell, Bishop Provisional of the
Episcopal Diocese of Lexington, will be our guest as
we talk together about the church, the world and the
life of faith.  

(Nursery care will be available for children.)

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Preaching - Bishop Bruce Caldwell

Reaffirmation of Baptism
The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Nursery Care and Faith Formation for Children

Chlldren's Focus, 11am, Trinity Hall

Symbols, Signs and Wonder - The children will explore 
the good news of God's love as found in the celebration 
of Epiphany and the Baptism of the Lord.

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for fellowship and refreshments.

****

In the case of inclement weather possibly affecting
our Sunday schedule, you may call the church phone
(859-263-5304) after 9am on Sunday morning.  Any
weather related changes will be posted on the church
phone's answering message.

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Greetings to all!

In addition to a visit by Bishop Bruce Caldwell (see below), the "Baptism of the 
Lord" will provide our thematic focus this Sunday, January 8.  Regarding the 
tradition of Jesus' baptism, it is often reckoned to be a story of "vocation" in 
which Jesus received, clarified, and/or accepted his calling to bring the good 
news of God's love to the world.  While Jesus' vocation was unique to him, all 
of us are called by God to bring God's love to the world in ways unique to us.   
Whether at our baptism or at some other moment, we too are invited to accept 
our "vocation" and direct our lives toward it.  Perhaps this Sunday will provide an 
opportunity for you to do just that.

The scripture lessons for Sunday, January 8, the Baptism of the Lord…
Isaiah 42:1-9
Acts 10:34-43
Matthew 3:15-17

The Rt. Rev. Bruce Caldwell, Bishop Provisional of the Episcopal Diocese of 
Lexington, will be our guest on Sunday, January 8.  Bishop Caldwell will visit 
with us informally during the 10am hour, preach the sermon during 11am worship, 
and share with us in the Sacrament of Holy Communion.  Please join us as we affirm 
our ecumenical relationship with the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington.  For more 
information about the Diocese of Lexington, visit www.diolex.org .

Men's Coffee - The beginning of the new year provides an opportunity to remind
Walnut Hill men that you are invited to gather each Saturday, 8am, at Panera
Bread (Richmond Rd) for coffee and conversation.  This is a very informal gathering,
no formal program.  Feel free to stop by for as long or short a time as your schedule 
allows.  No rsvp required.

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, January 8, 10am, in Trinity Hall.
Our guest will be Bishop Bruce Caldwell who will talk with us about the Church,
our world and the life of faith.  Come, enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation,
or just listen in.  Nursery care will be provided.

A New Year of Hospitality - Visit our online sign up sheet to host our after worship
gathering some Sunday this winter.  Remember that after worship refreshments
need not be elaborate, just something simple to gather around as we visit after
worship. You may also use the traditional sign up sheet in the Sanctuary foyer to
volunteer. Thanks to all our after worship hosts!

Mission Trip, 2017 - With the holiday season rush now behind us, we can revisit 
a question that was raised before the season began, namely the possibility of a 
"mission trip" to eastern Kentucky, working in partnership with Burnamwood 
Appalachian Ministry.  We are looking at the possibility of a week (or part of a week) 
in June or July.  Use reply email to let us know if you might be interested and/or 
would like some more information.

Planning Team Report - It is not too late to offer your responses to the planning 
team recommendations and/or landscape concepts.  The program recommendations 
are available on the Walnut Hill Church website, and the landscape drawings are 
displayed for your review in Trinity Hall. Please offer your questions, suggestions, 
etc, to any Vestry member. The Vestry will be following up on these recommendations 
and concepts beginning with their first meeting of 2017.

The Kentucky Council of Churches is sponsoring "Prayer in Action Days" during
the current session of the KY General Assembly.  The gatherings will be held each
Tuesday, 9:30am, at the Capitol and will focus on different issues before the G.A.
during this session including wages, voting rights, justice reform and others.  For
a complete schedule and other details, visit Prayer in Action Days .

Peace to all.

Mike Ward


Tuesday, January 3, 2017

A New Year of Hospitality

Dear Walnut Hill Members and Friends:

What a wonderful holiday season we have just experienced at Walnut Hill including several special occasions of fellowship and hospitality.  The new year brings back more ordinary Sundays, but hopefully no less seasoned with hospitality.  I hope that your new year 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 refreshment sign up sheet and to host one Sunday during the winter season.    Please note that we have openings beginning this Sunday, January 8.

Here is the link:  Online Refreshment Sign Up

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

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

*Select a Sunday that works for you, and click on "edit".

*Find your name in the dropdown box and select it

*If others are working with you, you can type their names in the "comments" box.

*Click "submit."

If you do not see your name in the dropdown box, that simply means we did not have your email on file at the time the list was created.  Let us know, and we will update it.  In the meantime, you can sign up by selecting "new" in the dropdown box and typing your name in the comments section.

If you have any questions or problems using the online sign up, simply let us 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.

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

Thanks to all our hosts!

Peace,

Mike Ward