Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, April 1, at Walnut Hill Church…

EASTER SUNDAY

THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD

Sunrise Service, 7am, Walnut Hill Cemetery

You are invited to gather for this sunrise celebration of the

Risen Christ.  Dress for the outdoors.  In the case of 

inclement weather, the service will be held in the Sanctuary. 

Refreshments following the service.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - The End of the Story

Text -John 20:1-18

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Nursery Care and Faith Formation for Children

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for fellowship and refreshments.

Bring one (1) plate of cookies or other treats to add to the 

refreshment table.

*****

The One Great Hour of Sharing offering will be received

on Easter Sunday.  Bring your OGHS collection boxes.

Cash and checks (payable to Walnut Hill Church) are also

welcome.  For more information regarding the One Great

Hour of Sharing, visit  OGHS  .

NOTE - The Stick Pick Up work day scheduled for

Saturday, March 31, has been CANCELLED. Thanks for

your willingness to serve and your patience with this

change.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Greetings to all!

We are halfway through Holy Week, soon to enter the Three Days, traditionally

called the Triduum, beginning with a meal (Maundy Thursday) and ending with

the discovery of an empty tomb (Easter Sunday), a wide spectrum of human 

experience and emotion. Prayer is in order …

Gracious God, 

As we enter these three days of Christ's glory, 

open our hearts to all that is before us to receive: 

The quiet humility of Maundy Thursday, 

the deep passion of Good Friday,

and the patient silence of Holy Saturday.

Awaken us on Easter Sunday

to the wonder of unconquerable love

and life that knows no bounds.

Through Christ our Risen Lord.  Amen.

In memory: Darothy "Dotty" Wachs, a Friend of Walnut Hill Church, departed

this life on March 19, 2018, at the age of 93.  Dotty was buried in the Walnut

Hill Church Cemetery next to her husband, Fred, a Member of Walnut Hill Church.

The lectionary texts for April 1, the Resurrection of the Lord…

Acts 10:34-43

Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

John 20:1-18

Maundy Thursday Evening Prayer, 7pm, at Walnut Hill Church - Join us for 

this quiet service of sacrament, scripture, prayer and reflection around the events

of Jesus' Last Supper with the disciples, their conversations and prayers, and his

arrest and initial trial. (Nursery care available for young children)

Good Friday Services - Numerous Good Friday services are available around

Lexington including…

*Christ Church Cathedral - 12:05pm and 7:00pm

*First Presbyterian Church -  Noon

Easter Sunday Services at Walnut Hill Church -

*7:00am, Easter Sunrise Service - Join us for this informal service in the

Walnut Hill Church Cemetery.  Dress for the outdoors.  In case of inclement weather,

the service will be held in the Sanctuary.  Refreshments following the service.

*11:00am, Morning Worship & Holy Communion - Join us for this traditional

service including the Sacrament of Holy Communion.  Nursery care available for

young children.

*Noon - After Worship Gathering - Bring one (1) plate of cookies (or other

treat) as we gather for fellowship in shared celebration of the Risen Christ.

One Great Hour of Sharing - The One Great Hour of Sharing offering will be

received on Easter Sunday morning.  Bring your OGHS collection boxes and/or

your cash/checks (designated OGHS).  For more information regarding the One

Great Hour of Sharing offering, visit  OGHS .

Stick pick-up CANCELLED:  Our "stick pick-up" work day previously scheduled

for this Saturday has been cancelled.  Depending on how the spring blooms, a

work day might be scheduled for later in the season. Thanks to all for your willing

spirits and for your patience with this change.

THANKS to an abundance of Easter Egg providers and hunters, as well as a

little sunshine, for a delightful (albeit chilly) Egg Hunt this past Sunday.

Peace,

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, March 25, at Walnut Hill Church…

PALM/PASSION SUNDAY

Easter Egg Hunt (see details below)

Sunday Conversation, 10am, Trinity Hall

Walking Through Holy Week

Our Walking Through Scripture conversations return for

Palm/Passion Sunday as we talk about the lectionary

texts for the day:

 

        Isaiah 50:4-9

Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29

Philippians 2:5-11

John 12:12-16

Nursery care 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 music

presentation later in the spring.

Confirmation Class, 10am, Trinity Hall

Confirmation candidates explore the Christian message

and tradition toward their own profession of faith.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - One Week

Texts - see above

Procession of the Palms

Nursery Care and Faith Formation for Children/Youth

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for fellowship and refreshments.

EASTER EGG HUNT, NOON, CHURCH GROUNDS

Children through elementary age are invited to hunt for 

eggs around the church grounds. "Hunters" should bring 

a basket to use for the hunt.  Parents/Grandparents

and others are invited to bring one dozen eggs (stuffed

with treats) to add to the hunt.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Greetings to all!

This Sunday, March 25, we enter Holy Week, eight days beginning with Jesus' 

entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday) and ending with the Resurrection of the Lord

(Easter Sunday).  More than a particular series of historical events, Holy Week

offers a lens through which to reflect on the meanings to be found in the story of 

Jesus including his well-known teaching about love for God and neighbor, as well 

as his demonstration of the same, even at the cost of his life.  Whether it be in 

church or at work, with others or by yourself, in a ceremony of worship or an 

occasion of service, set your intention to take advantage of this week ahead to 

renew your faith, your life and your self, to be reminded of what it means to be

Christian, a follower of Christ.

The lectionary texts for March 25, Palm/Passion Sunday…

Isaiah 50:4-9

Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29

Philippians 2:5-11

John 12:12-16

Walking Through Scripture, a conversation around the Sunday texts (see above)

returns this Sun, Mar 25, 10am, as we explore the lessons for Palm/Passion Sunday.  

Nursery care will be available for young children.

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

Mar 25, 10am, for music and singing in preparation for a music presentation later in 

the spring.

Egg Hunt - Children through elementary age are invited to hunt for eggs at the

annual Walnut Hill Easter Egg Hunt to be held after worship on Sunday, March 25. 

"Hunters" should be bring a basket for the hunt.  Also, parents/grandparents and 

others are asked to bring one dozen eggs (stuffed with candy) to contribute to 

the hunt.  Rain date will be Easter Sunday (04/01) after worship.

Holy Week Schedule - Mark your calendar for Holy Week activities including…

Sun, Mar 25, Palm Sunday - Morning Worship (11am) and Egg Hunt (Noon)

Thu, Mar 29, Maundy Thursday - Evening Prayer and Sacrament (7pm)

Sun, Apr 1, Easter Sunday - Sunrise Service (7am), Morning Worship and

Holy Communion (11am).

Easter Lilies - As is our custom, we will be decorating the Sanctuary with lilies for our 

Easter Sunday celebration.  You may sponsor a lily for $20/plant. Make your check 

payable to Walnut Hill Church, designated "lily".  Let us know if you would like for your 

lily sponsorship to be in memory/honor of someone. Lily sponsors are invited to take 

their plants home after Easter Sunday services. 

Pick-Up Sticks, no, not the children's game but rather an opportunity to clean up the

church grounds after a long winter, will be held on Saturday, March 31, 10am - Noon.

No experience necessary.

Thinking About Summer…Camp - It is not too early to think about summer camp for 

children/youth.  Walnut Hill is privileged to have access to two excellent camp programs,

Cathedral Domain and Camp Burnamwood.  Don't forget that Walnut Hill will sponsor

one half the cost of attending camp for any Walnut Hill child or youth.  Visit Domain

or Burnamwood for schedule and program information.

THANKS to all who, by their service in front of and behind the scenes, made it possible 

for the Ward family to enjoy some time together last weekend.  I am always impressed 

by the leadership and willing spirit abounding in the Walnut Hill congregation.  

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

 

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, March 18, at Walnut Hill Church…

THE FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT

Gnosticism Goes to the Movies, 10am, Trinity Hall

The Final Frontier

Join us as we conclude our exploration into ancient

spirituality as found in modern cinema.  While not a

prerequisite, you might want to view this week's film, 

Star Trek V: The Final Frontier.

Nursery care 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 music 

presentation later in the spring.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - Which Jesus Do We See?

Text - John 12:20-33

Preaching - The Rev. Susan Warren

Nursery Care and Faith Formation for Children/Youth

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for fellowship and refreshments.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Greetings to all!

Stephen Hawking, the renowned physicist, has died.  In his 2001 book, The 

Universe in a Nutshell, he built on his previous book, A Brief History of Time, 

revealing the ever evolving process of discovery.  Commenting on that 

process, Hawking observed…

In 1998, when A Brief History of Time was first published, the ultimate Theory 

of Everything seemed to be just over the horizon.  How has the situation 

changed since then? Are we any closer to our goal? … we have advanced a 

long way since then.  But it is an ongoing journey still, and the end is not yet in 

sight.  According to the old saying, it is better to travel hopefully than to arrive.  

Our quest for discovery fuels our creativity in all fields, not just science.  If we 

reached the end of the line, the human spirit would shrivel and die.  But I don't 

think we will ever stand still: we shall increase in complexity, if not in depth, and 

shall always be at the center of an expanding horizon of possibilities. 

The lectionary texts for March 18, the Fifth Sunday in Lent…

Jeremiah 31:31-34

Psalm 51:1-12

Hebrews 5:5-10

John 12:20-33

Gnosticism Goes to the Movies, an exploration of ancient spirituality in

modern cinema, concludes this Sunday, March 18, 10am, in Trinity Hall. We 

will continue our discussion of gnosticism in Paul's writings and do some

summing up of previous conversations. The film for this Sunday is Star Trek V: 

The Final Frontier .

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

Sunday, 10am, in Trinity Hall for music and singing in anticipation of a music 

presentation later in the spring.

THANKS to all those who responded so enthusiastically to our appeal for

after worship hosts.  Your response enabled us to fully subscribe all the

Sundays through April, and even more, it was a strong affirmation of the

importance of the after worship gathering!  It is not too late to volunteer for

a Sunday in May or later. Visit the online sign up, or check out the traditional

sign up sheet in the Sanctuary foyer.

Holy Week Schedule - Mark your calendar for Holy Week activities including…

Sun, Mar 25, Palm Sunday - Morning Worship (11am) and Egg Hunt (Noon)

Thu, Mar 29, Maundy Thursday - Evening Prayer and Sacrament (7pm)

Sun, Apr 1, Easter Sunday - Sunrise Service (7am), Morning Worship and

Holy Communion (11am).

Easter Lilies - As is our custom, we will be decorating the Sanctuary with lilies 

for our Easter Sunday celebration.  You may sponsor a lily for $20/plant. Make

your check payable to Walnut Hill Church, designated "lily".  Let us know if

you would like for your lily sponsorship to be in memory/honor of someone.

Lily sponsors are invited to take their plants home after Easter Sunday services. 

Prayer in Action Days, a public advocacy program sponsored by the Kentucky 

Council of Churches, continues on Tue, Mar 20, 9:30am, at the Capitol Annex 

Building in Frankfort. This Tuesday's program will focus on responsible lending. 

Visit Prayer in Action Days for information regarding upcoming Prayer in Action 

gatherings and check out the bulletin board in Trinity Hall for information from 

previous gatherings. 

Peace,

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, March 11, at Walnut Hill Church…

THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT

Gnosticism Goes to the Movies, 10am, Trinity Hall

Gnosticism in the Writings of John and Paul

We will continue our conversation regarding echoes of

gnosticism as found in the New Testament.  Our film

for the day is Avatar .

Confirmation Study, 10am, Trinity Hall

Confirmation candidates continue their exploration of

the Christian tradition, focusing this Sunday on the

Creeds (or Confessions) of the Church.

Children's Choir, 10am, Trinity Hall

Children through elementary age are invited to gather

for music and singing in preparation for a Sunday 

presentation later in the spring.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - Saved By the Light

Text - John 3:14-21

Nursery Care and Faith Formation for Children/Youth

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for fellowship and refreshments.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Greetings to all!

In his book, Tears We Cannot Stop, Michael Eric Dyson explores the ongoing

challenge of racism in American society.  Addressing white readers, Dyson offers 

suggestions for reducing racism including one suggestion that seems quite 

simple…

Not knowing black folk intimately exacerbates the distance between the white

self and the black other.  One solution is new black friends.  It is distressing that

so few of you have more than a token black friend, maybe two.  Every open-

minded white person should set out immediately to find and make friends with

black folk who share their interests.  It's not as hard as it seems.  Black folk

come in every variety of belief, ideology, and politics, just as any other American

does, and the vast majority of us are morally upright.  Honestly, the fact that you 

do not know real, ordinary, splendid black folk is astonishing. The more black folk 

you know, the less likely you are to stereotype us.  The less you stereotype us, 

the less likely you are to fear us.  The less you fear us, the less likely you are to 

want to hurt us, or to accept our hurt as the price for your safekeeping. The safer 

you feel, the safer we'll be. 

The lectionary texts for March 11, the Fourth Sunday in Lent…

Numbers 21:4-9

Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22

Ephesians 2:1-10

John 3:14-21

Gnosticism Goes to the Movies, an exploration of ancient spirituality in modern

cinema, continues this Sunday, 10am, in Trinity Hall, as we explore echoes of 

gnostic thought in the writings of New Testament authors John and Paul and

ask what significance it all might have for us today.  The film for this Sunday

is Avatar .

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

music and singing this Sunday, 10am, in Trinity Hall, as they prepare for a

music presentation later in the spring.

Spring Hospitality - Visit the online sign up sheet and volunteer to host our

Sunday refreshments one Sunday this spring.  Opportunities include this Sun, 

Mar 11.  Remember that refreshments need not be elaborate. Thanks to all our 

Sunday hosts!  You may also use reply email to volunteer.

Grounds Work Begins -Work has begun in the Walnut Hill Cemetery including

a general clean up, removal of dead/dying trees, trimming existing trees, planting

new trees, and enhancing the Bell Tower area.  Let us know if you might have 

questions regarding this and future work or would like to support it through a 

special contribution.

Holy Week Schedule - Mark your calendar for Holy Week activities including…

Sun, Mar 25, Palm Sunday - Morning Worship (11am) and Egg Hunt (Noon)

Thu, Mar 29, Maundy Thursday - Evening Prayer and Sacrament (7pm)

Sun, Apr 1, Easter Sunday - Sunrise Service (7am), Morning Worship and

Holy Communion (11am)

In the Community - The Theater Department of Tates Creek High School is

presenting Wendy and Peter Pan this week (Mar 9 - 11) at the school. Show 

days/times include Fri at 7pm, Sat at 1pm & 7pm, and Sun at 2pm.  Our own 

Ben Horman is a member of the cast.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

A Spring of Hospitality

Dear Friends:

While the weather might (does) change from day to day, the beginning of March makes me think of spring.  The days are getting longer and hopefully the Sunday's less snowy, icy and cold.  All in all it is a good season to share worship and fellowship at Walnut Hill.

In that spirit, take a moment to visit the Online Sign Up Sheet  and reserve a Sunday to share some spring hospitality with Walnut Hill friends and guests by hosting one of our after worship gatherings. Opportunities to host include this Sunday, March 11, on through the Sundays of May.  The online sign up process is simple.  That said, if you have any difficulties signing up, or if you would simply prefer, you may also visit the traditional sign up sheet in the Sanctuary foyer, call the church office (263-5304), or use reply email to reserve a Sunday.

Remember that Sunday refreshments need not be elaborate.  Just something simple to gather around while we visit after worship.

Thanks to all our past and future hosts!

Peace,

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, March 4, at Walnut Hill Church…

THE THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT

Gnosticism Goes to the Movies, 10am, Trinity Hall

John and Paul

Orthodox tradition has it that the New Testament writers rejected, 

even argued against, gnostic thought.  We will examine that tradition 

via the writings of John and Paul and perhaps discover a different

reality.  The film for this Sunday is Dark City.  While not a pre-

requisite, you might want to view the movie in advance of our

conversation.

Nursery care available for young children.

Confirmation Study, 10am, Trinity Hall

Confirmation candidates begin their exploration of the Bible and

Christian tradition.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - Raising a Ruckus!

Text - John 2:13-22

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Nursery Care and Faith Formation for Children/Youth

Cemetery Association Meeting, Noon, Sanctuary

The annual meeting of the Walnut Hill Church Cemetery Association

will be held in the Sanctuary immediately after morning worship.  

Among the business items is the consideration of revised Cemetery

Association By-Laws.  Visit By-Laws to review the document in 

advance of the meeting.