Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, April 29, at Walnut Hill Church…

THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Homelessness in Lexington

Ms. Polly Ruddick, from the LFUCG office of

Homelessness Prevention and Intervention , will

be our guest as we talk about homelessness in

Lexington, with particular attention to its

relationship to addiction and recovery.

Nursery care available for young children.

Children's Choir, 10am, Trinity Hall

Children through elementary age are invited to

gather for music and singing.

Confirmation Class, 10am, Trinity Hall

Confirmation candidates continue their exploration

of Christian faith and practice.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - Go, Say Hello

Text - Acts 8:26-40

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 at 9:30am in the upstairs office

of Trinity Hall

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Greetings to all!

I recently finished reading a biography of Ulysses S. Grant, a lengthy journey 

from his birth in southern Ohio to his death in upstate New York. Much of Grant's 

story is the public stuff of high school history classes, like other famous men 

and women whose lives have made a difference on the national or world stage. 

That said, I was surprised to discover that some of his greatest battles were 

waged within his own self, and that at the end of the day his hopes and dreams, 

fears and frustrations, did not seem all that much different than my own. No 

doubt we (human beings) are all unique, but we share more in common with 

others than we commonly think, a truth at once both humbling and amazing. 

By the way, Grant's birthday is April 27 (1822), and yes, he is the one buried 

in "Grant's Tomb", along with his wife, Julia Dent Grant, who survived her 

husband until 1902.

The lectionary lessons for April 29, the Fifth Sunday of Easter…

Acts 8:26-40

Psalm 22:25-31

1 John 4:7-21

John 15:1-8

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, April 29, 10am, in Trinity

Hall.  This Sunday we welcome Ms. Polly Ruddick, Director of the LFUCG

Office of Homelessness Prevention and Intervention.  This Sunday's

conversation is a follow-up from our recent conversation focusing on the

opioid crisis, with particular attention to the relationship between housing

and addiction/recovery.

The Gospel of Thomas, an exploration of the wisdom/mystical teachings 

of Jesus, begins on Sunday, May 6, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  Pick up a

course overview this Sunday.

Celebrating Graduates:  As is our custom, we would like to celebrate 

Walnut Hill high school and college graduates on Sunday, May 20. Please 

use reply email to make sure we are aware of students in your household

who are graduating from high school or college this spring.  We do not want 

to miss anyone.

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.

In the Community:  Faith on the Front Lines, a forum on substance use 

disorder and faith communities, will be held on Sat, April 28, 9am - Noon, at the 

Lexington Senior Center (195 Life Lane). Visit www.voicesofhopelex.org for 

more information.

The Walnut Hill Bike Ride, an annual event blending hospitality and outreach,

is scheduled for Saturday, July 7.  Mark the date on your calendar.  Use reply

email to volunteer for the planning team and/or event day staff.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, April 22, at Walnut Hill Church…

EARTH DAY

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Report From Costa Rica

Ben Horman shares with us regarding his recent

experience as part of a youth mission team in Costa

Rica.

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 anticipation of their

upcoming Sunday morning presentation.

Confirmation Class, 10am, Trinity Hall

Confirmation candidates continue their exploration

of Christian life and practice.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - The Body of Christ

Text - 1 Corinthians 12:12-27

Nursery care and faith formation for children/youth.

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for fellowship & refreshments.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Greetings to all!

Barbara Pierce Bush, former First Lady of the United States, presidential 

wife and mother, literacy advocate, and forceful voice for various persons 

and causes, departed this life on April 17, 2018.  As tributes abound in

celebration of Mrs. Bush's life and legacy, I am reminded of a scripture 

passage, Proverbs 31, the spirit of which seems applicable to Mrs. Bush.

Peace be with her and her family.

This Sunday, April 22, is Earth Day, an occasion to reflect upon the Earth

and our relationship to it. To put it simply, we are "part" of the Earth, as are

our fellow creatures, along with the Earth's systems and elements, one

life giving and life sustaining whole. To be aware of our part in the whole

is to live with gratitude and care. To be unaware is to put ourselves and

other creatures at risk.  Consider the following prayer for the day…

We give you thanks, most gracious God,

for the beauty of earth and sky and sea;

for the richness of mountains, plains, and rivers;

for the song of birds

and the loveliness of flowers.

We praise you for these good gifts,

and pray that we might safeguard them for posterity.

Grant that we may continue to grow

in our grateful enjoyment of the earth,

to the honor and glory of your name,

now and forever.  Amen.

(from The Book of Common Worship)

The lectionary scriptures for April 22, the Fourth Sunday of Easter…

Acts 4:5-12

Psalm 23

1 John 3:16-24

John 10:11-18

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, April 22, 10am, as we hear 

a Report from Costa Rica.  Ben Horman will be sharing with us his recent

experience as part of a mission team to Costa Rica. 

Opioid Crisis and the Church - Several Walnut Hill members shared

conversation last Sunday regarding how individuals and the church might 

respond to the opioid crisis.  Numerous suggestions were offered including: 

reducing the stigma attached to addiction, dispelling stereotypes, learning 

more about addiction, supporting organizations that provide housing and 

employment opportunities for persons in recovery … to name a few. Use 

reply email to share your ideas as we explore possible Walnut Hill 

responses. 

In the Community - The Theater Department of Bryan Station High

School will be presenting Once Upon a Mattress (an adaptation of the

classic story, The Princess and the Pea) this Thu - Sat (7pm) and

Sun (3pm) at the school.  Our own Ruby Sharrard is a member of the

cast.

One Great Hour of Sharing - The results are in and the total for this

season's One Great Hour of Sharing offering is $353, which we will

round up to $400 and send on its way to provide hunger relief, disaster

assistance and community development around the world. Thanks to 

all who contributed through collection boxes and special gifts.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

 

  

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, April 15, at Walnut Hill Church…

THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

What Can We Do?

We will talk about the current opioid crisis and what

we can do, as individuals and as a community, in

response to it.

Nursery care available for young children.

Children's Choir, 10am, Trinity Hall

Children through elementary age are invited to

gather for music and singing.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - Look at My Hands!

Text - Luke 24:36-43

The Sacrament of Baptism

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, April 11, 2018

Greetings to all!

"Peace be with you."  Perhaps you recognize these words from some worship

service you've attended in the recent or more distant past.  Maybe you have 

heard them, with or without knowing it, in their Hebrew or Arabic variations at 

a Jewish or Muslim gathering. The phrase is a simple piece of tradition shared 

across religious boundaries. In this world of many differences, and divisions, 

these simple words might provide a bridge toward one another. Consider speaking 

them, or at least thinking them, when you meet a neighbor who is in some way 

different from you, and then do what is in your power to make real the peace you 

have wished upon him/her/them.  

The lectionary texts for April 15, the Third Sunday of Easter…

Acts 3:12-19

Psalm 4

1 John 3:1-7

Luke 24:36-48

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, April 15, as we consider the

"Opioid Epidemic and the Church: What Can We Do?" Join us for this important

conversation.

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

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

hour presentation later this month.

Cemetery Project work continues.  Most of the fence line work and tree work 

is complete and debris is being removed.  Ahead will be the planting of new

trees, reconditioning of turf, and work on/around the bell tower.  Use reply email

if you have questions regarding the work completed and/or yet to be done.

Sermon Audio Recordings are available on the church website at the following

link: Sermons .  Feel free to access them for your listening and reflection.

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 the congregation and numerous individuals for your encouragement

to the Ward family during our recent family medical issues. We are doing much

better, and we are grateful to be part of a caring faith community.

Peace,

Mike Ward

  

 

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, April 8, at Walnut Hill Church…

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

MLK Plus 50

We will explore the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,

with particular attention to how we might keep that

legacy alive and further it, using suggestions offered

by Michael Eric Dyson in his book Tears We Cannot

Stop: A Sermon to White America.

(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 this month.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - Doubt and Belief

Text - John 20:19-31

Nursery Care and Faith Formation for Children/Youth

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for fellowship and refreshments.

****

OGHS Last Call - This Sunday, Apr 8, is the last call for 

collection boxes and donations in support of the One

Great Hour of Sharing offering.  Place donations

(cash and checks payable to Walnut Hill Church) in,

and collection boxes around, the baskets in the Sanctuary

foyer.  Visit OGHS for more information about this

offering.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Greetings to all!

On April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr was assassinated on the balcony

of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, TN.  Dr. King was in Memphis to support

the sanitation workers' strike in that city.  On the evening of April 3, Dr. King

delivered his final speech, often referred to as "The Mountaintop Speech."

…I don't know what will happen now.  We've got some difficult days ahead.

But it really doesn't matter with me now, because I've been to the mountain 

top.  And I don't mind.  Like anybody, I would like to live a long life; longevity 

has its place.  But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's 

will.  And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. 

And I've seen the promised land.  I may not get there with you.  But I want 

you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the promised land.  And 

I'm happy tonight, I'm not worried about anything.  I'm not fearing any man.  

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.

(as found in The Words of Martin Luther King, Jr)

Magaret B. Grimes, a Friend of Walnut Hill Church, departed this life on 

March 24.  Margaret frequently visited Walnut Hill in years past when her 

husband, the late Dr. John Grimes, supplied the pulpit.  A memorial service 

will be held at a later date. Visit Margaret Grimes to view the obituary.

The lectionary texts for April 8, the Second Sunday of Easter…

Acts 4:32-35

Psalm 133

1 John 1:1-2:2

John 20:19-31

Sunday Conversations resume this Sunday, April 8, 10am, in Trinity Hall.

This Sunday's conversation, "MLK plus 50," is prompted by this week's 50th 

anniversary of the death of Martin Luther King, Jr.  

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

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

presentation later in the spring.

OGHS Last Call -This Sunday is the last call for collection boxes/donations

in support of the One Great Hour of Sharing offering.  Place your collection

boxes and/or other donations in the baskets in the Sanctuary foyer.

Kroger Community Rewards - Walnut Hill has lately received a check in

the amount of $269, last quarter's proceeds of participation by 30 Walnut 

Hill households in the Kroger Community Rewards program. Thanks to all!

Summer Camp - It's not too early to begin making summer camp plans for

children and youth in your household.  Check out Cathedral Domain and

Camp Burnamwood for two excellent camps with program opportunities for

children and youth.  Remember that Walnut Hill Church will provide 50% 

sponsorship for any Walnut Hill child/youth attending a Burnamwood or

Domain camp program. 

Peace to all.

Mike Ward