Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, December 30, at Walnut Hill Church…

FIRST SUNDAY IN CHRISTMASTIDE

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Looking Back at 2018

We'll take a look back at the top "religion" news stories

of 2018 as ranked by the Religion News Association. For

an advance look at the list, visit "2018 Headlines" .

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - A Family Tradition

Text - Luke 2:41-52

Arrive a little early (10:45am) for some special Christmas

season music as presented by Angela Hurley.

Faith Formation, 11am, Trinity Hall

Nursery care and classes for children and youth.

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for fellowship and refreshments.

Bring one (1) plate of your leftover holiday treats to share.

 

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Greetings to all!

The narrative traditions regarding Jesus' birth notwithstanding, the "facts" 

of his birth remain shrouded in mystery and no small amount of debate.  

Whatever the facts, Frederick Buechner reminds us…

…the Gospel writers are not really interested primarily in the facts of the 

birth but in the significance, the meaning for them of that birth, just as the 

people who love us are not really interested primarily in the facts of our

births but in what it meant to them when we were born and how for them

the world was never the same again, how their whole lives were charged

with new significance.  Whether there were ten million angels there or

just the woman herself and her husband, when that child was born the

whole course of history was changed…And in terms of faith, much more

must be said because for faith, the birth of the child into the darkness of

the world made possible not just a new way of understanding life but a

new way of living life.

(as found in Listening to Your Life)

The lectionary texts for Dec 30, the First Sunday of Christmastide…

1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26

Psalm 148

Colossians 3:12-17

Luke 2:41-52

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, 10am, in Trinity Hall, with

"A Look Back at 2018."  We will review some of this year's major events.

What do you think were the most significant events of 2018?

"Leftovers Welcome" - For our after worship gathering this Sun, Dec 30, 

you are invited to bring one (1) plate of your leftover holiday treats. No doubt 

the refreshment tables will be full of surprises.

Thanks to all who helped to make this year's Advent/Christmas season a 

special one at Walnut Hill including our various hosts, worship leaders, 

children/youth teachers, decorators, and donors to various outreach

opportunities. Thanks to all for helping Walnut Hill "keep Christmas well."

Kroger Community Rewards: Walnut Hill has received a donation in

the amount of $222 from the Kroger Co, proceeds of participation in the

Kroger Community Rewards program by 28 Walnut Hill households. Walnut

Hill has received approximately $1,000 through this program over the past

12 months. Visit Kroger Community Rewards for information on how you can 

support Walnut Hill while doing your regular grocery shopping.  Walnut Hill's

organization number is CV897.

2018 Financial Giving - Remember that to be counted (for IRS purposes) for

2018 your financial gifts to Walnut Hill Church must be received or postmarked

by December 31, 2018.  Thanks to all who support Walnut Hill through their

financial giving.

Merry Christmas to all.

Mike Ward 

Sunday & Christmas Eve at Walnut Hill Church

Sunday, December 23, at Walnut Hill Church…

THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

The Messiah, 10am, Trinity Hall

Prince of Peace

We complete our exploration of four honorific titles often 

applied to Jesus as found in Isaiah 9:6 and featured in 

Handel's "Messiah".  This Sunday's conversation focuses 

on the title, "Prince of Peace."

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - Two Women, Two Songs

Text -Luke 1:39-55

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Faith Formation, 11am, Trinity Hall

Nursery Care and Classes for Children and Youth

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for fellowship and refreshments.

*****

Monday, December 24, at Walnut Hill Church…

CHRISTMAS EVE

Lessons, Carols, & Candlelight, 5pm, Sanctuary

All ages are invited to this service including readings, carols,

assembling the nativity scene, and candlelight ceremony.

Arrive a little early (4:45pm) to reflect upon Christmas music

selections as presented by our Organist/Music Director, 

Angela Hurley.

Evening Prayer Fireside, 9pm, Trinity Hall

Adults and older children/youth are invited to this quiet 

service including readings, carols, silence, and candlelight 

around the fireplace in Trinity Hall.

Arrive a little early to enjoy some hot cider and cookies.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Greetings to all!

As we prepare to travel to Bethlehem, consider the following poem by

Ann Weems, "In Search of Our Kneeling Places."

In each heart lies a Bethlehem,

an inn where we must ultimately answer

whether there is room or not.

When we are Bethlehem-bound

we experience our own advent in his.

When we are Bethlehem-bound

we can no longer look the other way

conveniently not seeing stars

not hearing angel voices.

We can no longer excuse ourselves by busily

tending our sheep or our own kingdoms.

This Advent let's go to Bethlehem

and see this thing that the Lord has made known to us.

In the midst of the shopping sprees

let's ponder in our hearts the Gift of Gifts.

Through the tinsel

let's look for the gold of the Christmas Star.

In the excitement and confusion, in the merry chaos,

let's listen for the brush of angels' wings.

This Advent, let's go to Bethlehem

and find our kneeling places.

(as found in Kneeling in Bethlehem)

The lectionary texts for December 23, the 4th Sunday of Advent…

Micah 5:2-5

Luke 1:46-55

Hebrews 10:5-10

Luke 1:39-45

The Messiah, an exploration of four honorific titles often applied to

Jesus as found in Isaiah 9:6 and featured in Handel's "Messiah," 

continues this Sunday as we consider the title, "Prince of Peace."

A Host is needed for our after worship gathering this Sun, Dec 23.

Use reply email to volunteer for this Sunday and/or check out the

sign up sheets in the Sanctuary and Trinity Hall to volunteer for a

Sunday in early 2019.

Our schedule of Christmas observances and celebrations includes…

*Sun, Dec 23

- 10am - Sunday Conversation (see above)

- 11am - Morning Worship and Holy Communion

*Mon, Dec 24

- 5pm - Lessons, Carols, & Candlelight for all ages.

Arrive a little early to enjoy some special organ music.

- 9pm - Evening Prayer Fireside.  

Arrive a little early for some hot cider and cookies.

Cemetery/Grounds Project - A break in the rain has allowed the

next phase of work in the Cemetery to begin, the construction of a

decorative and functional "entrance" to the Cemetery.  Thanks to all

those who have made this work possible by their special donations.

Thanks to all who made last Sunday's Christmas Party a wonderfully

festive occasion, particularly our hosts Beth and Oggie Hilliard!

Merry Christmas to all!

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, December 16, at Walnut Hill Church

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

WALNUT HILL CHRISTMAS PARTY

The Messiah, 10am, Trinity Hall

Everlasting Father

The Messiah, an exploration of four honorific titles

often applied to Jesus as found in Isaiah 9:6 and 

featured in Handel's "Messiah," continues with a

conversation regarding the title, "Everlasting Father."

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - Sacred Silence

Text -Luke 1:5-25

Preaching - Teresa Larson

Liturgist - Mike Ward

Faith Formation, 11am, Trinty Hall

Nursery for infants and classes for children and youth.

CHRISTMAS PARTY, 3pm - 5pm, Hilliard Residence

Members, friends, and visitors are invited to gather at the 

Hilliard residence (2056 Norborne Dr) for this traditional 

celebration of the season.  Bring an hors-d'oeuvre or 

dessert item.  This gathering is intended for adults.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Greetings to all!

Consider this different way of thinking about the season Advent…

Advent, meaning "the coming," is a time when we wait expectantly.  Christians

began to celebrate it as a season during the fourth and fifth centuries. Like

Mary, we celebrate the coming of the Christ child, what God has already done.

And we wait in expectation for the full coming of God's reign on earth and for

the return of Christ, what God will yet do.  But this waiting is not a passive

waiting. It is an active waiting.  As any expectant mother knows, this waiting

also involves preparation, exercise, nutrition, care, prayer, work; and birth

involves pain, blood, tears, joy, release, community.  It is called labor for a

reason.  Likewise, we are in a world pregnant with hope, and we live with the

expectation of the coming of God's kingdom on earth.  As we wait, we also

work, cry, pray, ache; we are the midwives of another world. 

(from Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals)

Worship this Sunday, December 16, the Third Sunday of Advent…

*Preaching - Teresa Larson, an M.Div. student at Louisville Seminary

*Liturgist - Mike Ward

The Messiah, an exploration of the honorific titles often applied to Jesus as

found in Isaiah 9:6, continues this Sunday with a discussion of the title,

"Everlasting Father."  We will discuss what Isaiah might have had in mind

when he wrote/spoke these words, why the early Christians thought they

applied to Jesus, and what they might mean for us today.

THE WALNUT HILL CHRISTMAS PARTY will be held this Sun, Dec 16,

3pm - 5pm, at the Hilliard residence.  Bring an hors d'oeuvres or dessert item 

to share.  This gathering is intended for adults. Use reply email to request

more information.

Poinsettias- We will be decorating the Sanctuary for Christmas with traditional 

poinsettias and wreaths.  You can "sponsor" a poinsettia for $20/plant.  Make 

your check payable to Walnut Hill Church (memo: poinsettia).  Let us know if 

your sponsorship is in memory/honor of someone special to you.

Looking Ahead:

Sun, Dec 16, 3pm - 5pm - Christmas Party at the Hilliard residence

Sun, Dec 23, 11am - Christmas Communion

Mon, Dec 24, 5pm - Lessons and Carols for all ages

                       9pm  - Evening Prayer Fireside

THANKS…

…to the children/youth and adults who presented the Christmas story in

music, reading, and costume this past Sunday.  It was a joy-filled occasion for

all.

…to all those who participated in the Giving Tree outreach this season.

Two car loads of gifts were delivered to the Nathaniel Mission for distribution

to children involved in their after school mentoring program.

…to the dozen youth who attended the annual Christmas Party at the

Ward residence this past Sunday evening.  It was a great evening of food,

games, and "fun" gifts, as well as 24 winter warmth items (gloves, hats, etc)

collected for our neighbors at the Catholic Action Center.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, December 9, at Walnut Hill Church…

THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Children's Christmas Pageant

The Messiah, 10am, Trinity Hall (upstairs)

Mighty God

We continue our exploration of the four honorific titles

often applied to Jesus as found in Isaiah 9:6 and

featured in Handel's Messiah .

(Take note that we are meeting in the upstairs office

of Trinity Hall this Sunday.)

Pageant Practice, 10am, Trinity Hall

All children/youth participating in the Christmas

Pageant and music presentation are asked to arrive

at 10am for final practice, costumes, etc.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Children's Christmas Pageant and Presentation

Sermon - In Real Time

Text - Luke 3:1-6

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

Youth Christmas Party, 5:30pm, Ward Residence

Middle & High School age youth are invited to gather

for a fun celebration of the season.  Bring a winter

warmth item (cap, scarf, gloves) for our neighbors at

the Catholic Action Center and a "fun" gift ($5 value

or less) for a random gift exchange.  Use reply email

for more information or to rsvp.

*****

The Giving Tree - Please return your Giving Tree gifts 

(wrapped with ornament attached) this Sunday, Dec 9.

They will be taken to the Nathaniel Mission on Sunday

afternoon.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Greetings to all!

For these last several days our nation has paused to remember the

leadership and service of George Herbert Walker Bush, the forty-first

President of the United States.  Of course, this remembrance is about

more than one individual, but rather about the Office of the President

and how important that office is to our well-being as a people.  Prayer

for the nation is appropriate at such a moment.  Consider this prayer

offered by President Bush on the occasion of his inauguration…

Heavenly Father, we bow our heads and thank you for your love.

Make us strong to do your word, willing to heed and hear your will,

and write on our hearts these words: use power to help people.

For we are given power not to advance our own purposes,

nor to make a great show in the world, nor a name.

There is but one just use of power, and it is to serve people.

Help us remember, Lord. Amen.

(as spoken on January 20, 1989)

The lectionary texts for December 9, the Second Sunday of Advent…

Malachi 3:1-4

Luke 1:68-79

Philippians 1:3-11

Luke 3:1-6

The Messiah, an exploration of four honorific titles often applied to

Jesus, continues this Sun, Dec 9, 10am, in Trinity Hall as we explore the

title "Mighty God" (Isaiah 9:6). Use reply email if you would like to 

preview the study guide for this Sunday's conversation.

The Children's Pageant/Program is this Sun, Dec 9, 11am, in the

Sanctuary.  Children/youth are asked to arrive at 10am for final

preparations.  Use reply email for more information and/or contact

Lauren Fouts.

The Youth Christmas Party is scheduled for this Sun, Dec 9, 5:30pm,

at the Ward residence.  All middle and high school age youth are

invited.  Attendees are asked to bring a winter warmth item (cap,

scarf, hat) for our neighbors at the Catholic Action Center and a

"fun gift" ($5 value or less) for our random gift exchange.  Use reply

email for more information or to rsvp. 

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

for Christmas with traditional poinsettias and wreaths.  You can help 

by "sponsoring" a poinsettia for $20/plant.  Make your check payable 

to Walnut Hill Church (memo: poinsettia).  Let us know if your 

sponsorship is in memory/honor of someone special to you.

Looking Ahead:

Sun, Dec 9, 11am - Children's Pageant during morning worship.

     5:30pm - Youth Christmas Party at the Ward residence

Sun, Dec 16, 3pm - 5pm - Christmas Party at the Hilliard residence

Sun, Dec 23, 11am - Christmas Communion

Mon, Dec 24, 5pm - Lessons and Carols for all ages

       9pm  - Evening Prayer Fireside

Thanks to all who helped to make last Sunday's Christmas Potluck

a great success including our coordinators (the Bohmers and the

Hilliards), our great Walnut Hill chefs, and all those who attended.

It was a festive occasion!

IN CASE OF INCLEMENT WEATHER on a Sunday morning an email

will be sent by 9am updating the status of activities that day.  A

voice update will also be available through the church phone

(859-263-5304) by 9am on Sunday morning.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward