Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Greetings to all!

This Sunday is the Transfiguration of the Lord, recalling the story about

Jesus "transfigured" on the mountain (see texts below).This story always 

reminds me of Thomas Merton's "4th Street Vision," in which ordinary 

passers-by took on a new appearance in Merton's eye…

…At the center of our being is a point of nothingness which is untouched

by sin and by illusion, a point of pure truth, a point or spark which belongs

entirely to God, which is never at our disposal, from which God disposes

of our lives, which is inaccessible to the fantasies of our own mind or the

brutalities of our own will.  This little point of nothingness and of absolute

poverty is the pure glory of God in us…It is like a pure diamond, blazing

with the invisible light of heaven.  It is in everybody, and if we could see

it we would see these billions of points of light coming together in the

face and blaze of a sun that would make all the darkness and cruelty of

life vanish completely.

(as found on the website of the Center for Action and Contemplation ) 

The lectionary texts for March 3, 2019, The Transfiguration of the Lord…

Exodus 34:29-35

Psalm 99

2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2

Luke 9:28-36

Mindfulness: A Spiritual Practice and A Way of Life begins Sunday,

March 3, 10am.  Each session will include a brief mindfulness practice

followed by information on incorporating mindfulness into our daily lives.

This week's practice focuses on "Posture and Relaxation," and the way 

of life portion focuses on "Mindful Eating."  

(Nursery care available for young children.)

After Worship Hosts - Thanks to several folks who recently signed up 

to host our after worship refreshments.  Several open Sundays remain,

including next Sunday, March 3.  Visit the online sign up to volunteer.

One Great Hour of Sharing begins next week.  OGHS supports hunger

and disaster relief, water projects, and community empowerment around 

the globe.  OGHS collection boxes will be available this Sunday.  Pick up 

a box (or make one) for your household.

Thanks to several youth and adults for their work making sandwiches for 

guests at the Lexington Community Inn.  Five large trays were delivered to 

the Catholic Action Center on Sunday afternoon. 

Cemetery Project - With the break in the rainy weather, work has resumed 

in the Walnut Hill Cemetery, particularly the installation of a functional and 

decorative entrance to the cemetery for service vehicles/equipment. Feel 

free to walk over and have a look, but watch out, there still might be some

muddy areas.

In the Community:

*Prayer in Action Days, a program of information, prayer, and advocacy 

regarding issues before the KY General Assembly are ongoing Tuesdays 

(thru Mar 12), 9:30am, in the Capitol Annex Bldg (rm#171) in Frankfort. 

Visit Prayer in Action Days for more information.

*The 123rd Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington

will be held on Sat, Mar 2, at Georgetown, Kentucky.  Mike Ward will

be attending the convention as an ecumenical observer.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, February 24, at Walnut Hill Church…

Being Disciples, 10am, Trinity Hall

Faith In Society

We will explore the role of faith in public life, particularly

in a pluralistic/secular society such as the U.S.  Does faith

have a role beyond private/personal living?  If so, what

might that role be?

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - No More Enemies?

Text - Luke 6:27-36

The Sacrament of Baptism

Faith Formation, 11am, Trinity Hall

Nursery Care and Classes for Children and Youth

The Golden Rule - Luke 6:27-36

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for fellowship and refreshments.

Sandwich Making, Noon, Trinity Hall

Youth are invited to stay for a few minutes after worship

to help with making sandwiches for guests at the Lexington

Community Inn.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Greetings to all!

Tomorrow, Feb 21, Pope Francis convenes a gathering of Church leaders from 

around the world to address the misconduct and abuse scandal that has rocked 

the Church in recent years. Opinions vary regarding the prospect of meaningful 

changes arising out of this gathering. At the very least, the gathering provides 

an example, writ large, of what many institutions, large and small, religious and 

secular, must do when they fail to embody their own ideals, namely acknowledge 

those failures, address them openly, and make such corrections as necessary to 

be their best selves again, or perhaps for the first time. Will the Catholic Church 

be able to restore its integrity and recover its voice for the good news of God's 

love?  I hope so, and that not just for the Church's sake, but as a sign of hope for 

the redemption of other organizations and individuals as well.

The lectionary texts for February 24, the Seventh Sunday after Epiphany…

Genesis 45:3-11, 15

Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40

1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50

Luke 6:27-38

Being Disciples, an exploration of life as disciples of Jesus, continues  this Sun, 

Feb 24, 10am, with a conversation regarding "Faith in Society." We will discuss the 

possibilities and limitations of faith involvement in public life.

Sandwich Ministry - Youth are invited to gather after worship this Sun, Feb 24,

to share in the preparation of sandwiches for the Lexington Community Inn.  For

more information, contact Lauren Fouts.

Host Needed - A host(s) is needed for our after worship gathering this Sun, Feb 24.  

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

available later in the winter and spring.  Thanks to all our hosts!

Seeking Guitarist - We are seeking a guitarist to provide music accompaniment for 

our Easter Sunrise Service (Apr 21).  Use reply email to make referrals (including 

self-referrals).

In the neighborhood…

*A Taste of Judaism, a three-part introduction to Jewish spirituality, ethics and 

community begins Wed, Feb 20, 6pm, at Temple Adath Israel (Lexington). Contact 

TAI for more information.

*The 10th Annual Charity Tennis Event benefitting the Kids Cancer Alliance will 

be held on Fri, Feb 22, 6:30pm, at the Lexington Tennis Club. Walnut Hill Church 

has been a multi-year sponsor of this event. Visit Tennis Tournament for more 

information.

*Prayer in Action Days, a program of information, prayer, and advocacy regarding 

issues before the KY General Assembly are ongoing each Tuesday (thru Mar 12), 

9:30am, in the Capitol Annex Bldg (rm#117) in Frankfort. Visit Prayer in Action Days 

for more information.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward   

Sunday Morning - February 17

Dear Friends:

We are hearing some reports of icy roads around the area this morning, February 17.  At this moment the conditions immediately around the church (driveway/sidewalks) are wet but not icy.  Conditions in your area might be different.

Services and activities are ongoing as scheduled at Walnut Hill.

That said, please use caution, and only get out if you feel comfortable doing so.

Peace,

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, February 17, at Walnut Hill Church…

Being Disciples, 10am, Trinity Hall

Holiness & Life in the Spirit

This Sunday we will discuss two aspects of discipleship:

"Holiness" and "Life in the Spirit." We might be surprised

to learn that holiness is less about being good than about

simply being human, and at the core of the spiritual life

are simple kindness and generosity.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - A Different "Beatitude"

Text - Luke 6:17-26  (Matthew 5:3-12)

Prayers for President's Day

Faith Formation, 11am, Trinity Hall

Nursery Care and Classes for Children and Youth

Tweens Class - "The Beatitudes" (Matthew 5:3-12)

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for fellowship and refreshments.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, February 13, 2014

Greetings to all!

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day, an occasion to remember and celebrate our 

most personal relationships.  Whether embodied in the traditional patterns 

with which many of us grew up, or in the newer patterns that are found today, 

mutually caring and respectful relationships are critical for the full experience 

of what it means to be human.  So take some time tomorrow, in whatever way 

might be appropriate to the relationship, to celebrate and thank those persons 

in your life who help you to experience the best of what it means to be human.

The lectionary texts for February 17, the 6th Sunday after Epiphany…

Jeremiah 17:5-10

Psalm 1

1 Corinthians 15:12-20

Luke 6:17-26

Being Disciples, an exploration of the Christian life based on the book by 

Rowan Williams, continues this Sun, Feb 17, 10am, as we discuss "Holiness" 

and "Life in the Spirit" (chapters 4 & 6).  Use reply email to request chapter 

notes in advance of Sunday's conversation.

Walking Through Scripture, a practice of reading the Sunday lectionary 

texts (see above) in advance of Sunday morning, is ongoing.  The next 

"Walking Guide," a pamphlet listing the Sunday readings for the season ahead, 

is available in the Sanctuary foyer. Now is also an opportunity to subscribe to 

Mike Ward's weekly introduction and commentary on the Sunday readings. Use 

reply email to subscribe.

Hosts - Opportunities to host our after worship gathering are available in the 

late winter and spring, beginning Feb 24.  Visit the online sign-up sheet or the 

sign-up sheets in the Sanctuary and Trinity Hall for your chance to host an after 

worship gathering.  Thanks to Vestry members for their gracious hospitality 

last Sunday.

Seeking Guitarist - We are currently seeking a guitarist to provide music

accompaniment for our Easter Sunrise Service (Apr 21).  Use reply email to

make referrals (including self-referrals).

In the neighborhood…

*Holy Conversation: Immigration, the Church, and Finding the Purple 

Zone is a program at Pisgah Church (Woodford Co) on Sat, Feb 16, 9am.  

The program features Dr. Leah Schade of Lexington Theological Seminary.  

Visit Academy for more information.

*A Taste of Judaism, a three-part introduction to Jewish spirituality, ethics 

and community begins Wed, Feb 20, 6pm, at Temple Adath Israel (Lexington).  

Contact TAI for more information.

*The 10th Annual Charity Tennis Event benefitting the Kids Cancer Alliance 

will be held on Fri, Feb 22, 6:30pm, at the Lexington Tennis Club.  Walnut Hill 

Church has been a multi-year sponsor of this event. Visit Tennis Tournament 

for more information.

*Prayer in Action Days, a program of information, prayer, and advocacy 

regarding issues before the KY General Assembly are ongoing each Tues 

(thru Mar 12), 9:30am, in the Capitol Annex Bldg (room#117) in Frankfort.  

Visit Prayer in Action Days for more information.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, February 10, at Walnut Hill Church…

Being Disciples, 10am, Trinity Hall

Forgiveness

Being Disciples, an exploration of life as disciples of

Jesus, continues with a conversation about "forgiveness,"

an essential aspect of our lives as disciples, and as

human beings.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - Glimpsing the Holy

Text - Isaiah 6:1-8

Faith Formation, 11am, Trinity Hall

Nursery care and classes for children and youth.

Elementary -  "The Miraculous Catch" (Luke 5:1-11) as

the disciples are called to become fishers of people. 

Tweens - "The Lord is Our Keeper" (Psalm 23) and

celebrating God's love with hand chimes. 

Youth - "The Miraculous Catch" (Luke 5:1-11) as the

disciples are invited to become fishers of people. 

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for fellowship and refreshments.

Vestry members will be hosting this Sunday's gathering.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, February 6, 2019

Greetings to all!

In a recent (Jan 30) issue of the Christian Century, Peter Marty writes of 

his gratitude, shared by many pastors, for all those persons who fill the 

pews on Sunday morning…

So why the gratitude?  Well, these people are part of the deep joy of the 

day. Their presence affects me personally.  Even if they're passing through 

as guests who may never return, we still get to feel the bonds of affection.  

Their eyes are honest. Their hearts are warm.  They've sung and prayed. 

They've deliberately hit the pause button on life, stopping to honor God. 

Had they not shown up, our whole congregational experience would have 

been different…On this day, they lent a particular shape to the community, 

which will never again replicate itself in identical fashion. For that I am 

grateful.

(visit Christian Century)

The lectionary texts for February 10, the 5th Sunday after Epiphany…

Isaiah 6:1-13

Psalm 138

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Luke 5:1-11

Being Disciples, an exploration of life as followers of Jesus Christ,

continues this Sun, Feb 10, 10am, as we consider the experience and

practice of "Forgiveness."  For those following along in Rowan Williams' 

book, Being Disciples, it is chapter 3.  

Walking Through Scripture, a practice of reading the Sunday lectionary 

texts (see above) in advance of Sunday morning, is ongoing.  The next 

"Walking Guide," a pamphlet listing the Sunday readings for the season 

ahead, will be available in the Sanctuary foyer this Sunday, February 10.  

Now is also an opportunity to subscribe to Mike Ward's weekly introduction 

and commentary on the Sunday readings. Use reply email to subscribe.

"SOUP"ER BOWL wrap up - The Patriots beat the Rams in Atlanta on

Sunday evening, but on Sunday morning everyone was a winner at Walnut 

Hill as delicious soup combined with a generous congregation to raise $560 

in support of hunger relief in central/eastern Kentucky via God's Pantry. 

Thanks to all our soup chefs, soup tasters, and donors for this wonderful 

occasion and result.

BISHOP'S VISIT - Walnut Hill was blessed last Sunday to welcome the 

Rt. Rev. Mark Van Koevering, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington, 

who shared with us from the scriptures as well as his several decades of 

experience in Mozambique. A contribution ($400) in Bishop Mark's honor 

is being sent to support the work of the Diocese Reading Camp.  Thanks 

also to several young people who shared in worship leadership last Sunday.  

Their presence and participation was a blessing to all.

In the neighborhood…

*Prayer in Action Days, a program of information, prayer, and 

advocacy regarding issues before the KY General Assembly are ongoing 

each Tues (thru Mar 12), 9:30am, in the Capitol Annex Bldg (room#117) in 

Frankfort.  Visit Prayer in Action Days for more information.

*Holy Conversation: Immigration, the Church, and Finding the 

Purple Zone is a program at Pisgah Church in Woodford County on Sat, 

Feb 16, 9am - Noon.  The program features Dr. Leah Schade of Lexington 

Theological Seminary.  Visit Academy for more information.

*A Taste of Judaism, a three-part introduction to Jewish spirituality, 

ethics and community begins Wed, Feb 20, 6pm, at Temple Adath Israel 

in Lexington.  Contact TAI for more information.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, February 3, at Walnut Hill Church…

WELCOMING BISHOP MARK

"SOUP"ER BOWL SUNDAY

Sunday Conversation, 10am, Trinity Hall

Visiting With Bishop Mark

We will enjoy some informal conversation with Mark 

Van Koevering, Bishop Provisional of the Episcopal 

Diocese of Lexington.

(nursery care available for young children)

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Preaching - Bishop Mark Van Koevering

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Faith Formation, 11am, Trinity Hall

Nursery Care and Faith Formation for Children

Youth (middle/high school) are invited to remain in 

worship this Sunday for the sacrament of Holy

Communion.

"SOUP"ER BOWL, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to enjoy soup donated by Walnut Hill 

soup chefs and make a donation to support hunger 

relief in central Kentucky and beyond.