Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

May 19, 2010

Greetings to all!

This Sunday, May 23, is the Day of Pentecost, a day to reflect on the

person and work of the Holy Spirit.  The website Patheos invited 

bloggers to answer (in 100 words or less) the question, "How is the 

Holy Spirit at work in the world today?"   Among those responding was

Monica Coleman of the Claremont School of Theology.

when we put the gospel

to hip hop

and host u2charists,

when we share the church building

with the Korean congregation,

when we preach against homophobia

when we break bread with jews and muslims,

when the teenagers lead worship

on a regular Sunday (not just youth day)

when we invoke the ancestors

and learn from their lives,

when we live at the borders

offering water to those in the desert

harbor to those in danger

and community when we don't fit in...

it is then that we speak in tongues

The Scripture lessons for this Sunday, May 23, the Day of Pentecost:

Acts 2:1-21

Romans 8:12-27

John 20:19-23

Focus Conversations:  Members and friends of Walnut Hill Church are

encouraged to participate in any/all of the following focus conversations,

which are part of the current inquiry process at Walnut Hill.  

Wed, May 19, 7pm - Buildings and Grounds

Thu, May 20, 7pm - Adult Education and Mission

Sun, May 23, after worship - Children and Youth

(All focus conversations will be held at Walnut Hill Church.)

Community Fund Grant Meeting - An open meeting will be held on Sunday,

May 23, 10am, in Trinity Hall to determine recipients of grants from the 

Walnut Hill Community Fund.  All those present on May 23 will have a part 

in the final grant making decisions.

The Children's Choir begins practice this Sunday, May 23, 10am, in Trinity

Hall, preparing for a Sunday morning presentation in June.  For more 

information, contact Nell Horman.

A Host(s) is needed for our after worship refreshments this Sunday, May 23.

Use reply email to volunteer for this Sunday, or check the sign up sheet in the

sanctuary foyer for a Sunday later in the spring/summer.

In the neighborhood:  Walnut Hill Church has received an invitation to 

participate in a Pentecost Eve Celebration on Saturday, May 22, 7pm, at 

Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church (corner of Tates Creek and Armstrong Mill

Road).  Mike Ward will be participating in the service leadership.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, May 16, at Walnut Hill Church...

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

"Living Your Life With Awe and Reverence"

In this insightful video, Bill Moyers interviews Barry Lopez,

author, photographer, and humanist.  Lopez says that 

nature is the oldest metaphor in our story, but we think of

nature as the "other," an "it" rather than an expression of

God.  Lopez says we can be truly aware of the world we 

are living in by being a "player," not an "extra," on the stage

of life.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon:  " A Second Look" 

Text: Deuteronomy 6:1-9

Nursery care and Sunday School for children.

Inquiry Team Presentation

The Inquiry Team will present results of the recent

Walnut Hill Church congregational survey.

SPRING POTLUCK, after worship, Trinity Hall

Bring a salad, side dish, or dessert and join us for this 

delicious Walnut Hill tradition.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

May 12, 2010

Greetings to all!

Joyce Rupp reflects on how the words we speak can heal or hurt those

around us, and where those words come from.

There have been times when I knew that what I was speaking to 

another person was a blessing of love and care.  I knew this because

my heart felt kindness and compassion.  There have also been times

when I knew that what I was speaking was causing great anguish and 

pain to another person.  At these times, my heart was also full, but it was

a fullness of anger, hurt or resentment.  I have learned to look carefully

into my heart during an emotionally charged situation before I speak

in order to search out my motivations and my desires.

It also helps to pray that my heart has a strong foundation in genuine

love. Jesus is always our model for this.  He spoke from the fullness of

his heart, and he spoke words of wisdom, care and compassion.  He 

also spoke words of challenge and conversion, but these words were

always spoken out of love.

Each night before going to sleep, it is good to reflect on the day to

recall what we have said to others and to see what kind of fullness our

heart has held.  Only one question is needed:  Did my words and 

actions today come from a loving heart?

(from Inviting God In)

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, May 16:

Deuteronomy 6:1-9

Acts 1:1-11

Matthew 22:34-40

Men's Coffee - Men are invited to gather for coffee this Saturday, May 15,

8am, at Paneras on Richmond Rd.  Feel free to stop in for as long or 

short a time as your schedule allows.  No rsvp required.

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, May 16, 10am, in Trinity

Hall.  Sunday Conversations include a wide range of biblical, theological,

and social topics.  Stop in on Sunday morning and join the conversation.

Spring Potluck, Sunday, May 16, after worship:  Bring a salad, side 

dish, or dessert, and join in this delicious Walnut Hill tradition. 

The Inquiry Team will be presenting the results of our recent congregational

survey during worship on Sunday, May 16.  Following their presentation, the

Team will host several focus groups according to the schedule below:

*Buildings & Grounds - Wed, May 19, 7pm, at Walnut Hill

*Adult Ed & Community Outreach - Thu, May 20, 7pm, at Walnut Hill

*Children & Youth - Sun, May 23, after worship, at Walnut Hill

Members and friends of Walnut Hill are encouraged to participate in any or

all of these focus group meetings.  Let your thoughts be heard!

In the Community:  Walnut Hill Church has received an invitation to share 

in a Pentecost Eve celebration on Saturday, May 22, 7pm, at Chapel Hill

Presbyterian Church (corner of Tates Creek and Armstrong Mill Rd).  

A reception will follow the service.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, May 9, at Walnut Hill Church...

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

"A New Reformation: Creation Spirituality and

the Transformation of Christianity"

Matthew Fox calls for a new reformation within the Christian

church.  He states that it is time for Christians to choose whom

they will follow: an angry exclusionary god or the loving open

path of wisdom.  He discusses the corruption of Christianity

since the Reformation, the effects of fundamentalism and 

power, and the church's response to the pedophile crisis.

(Childcare is available upon request.  Use reply email

to request childcare.)

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon:  "I Knew Your Mother"

Text: 2 Timothy 1:3-6

Nursery care and Sunday School for children.

Youth Conversation, 11am, Trinity Hall

Youth are invited to gather in the upstairs office of Trinity

Hall to view and discuss the "Nooma" video series.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

May 5, 2010

Greetings to all!

This Sunday, Mother's Day, provides an opportunity to reflect on our

lives in families.  Below are several quotes from Mother Teresa in which

she puts our family life in a world context.

"Peace and war begin at home.  If we truly want peace in the world, let

us begin by loving one another in our own families.  If we want to spread

joy, we need for every family to have joy."

"Everybody today seems to be in a hurry.  No one has time to give to 

others: children to their parents, parents to their children, spouses to 

each other.  World peace begins to break down in the homes."

"Where does love begin? In our homes.  When does it begin?  When we

pray together.  The family that prays together stays together."

(from Mother Teresa: In My Own Words)

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, May 9:

Ruth 4:13-17

2 Timothy 1:3-7

John 19:25-27

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, May 9, 10am, in Trinity Hall.

Sunday Conversation topics include a wide range of biblical, theological, 

and social issues.  Feel free to join the conversation, enjoy a cup of coffee,

or just listen in.

A host (s) is needed for our after worship refreshments this Sunday, May 9.

Use reply email to volunteer for this Sunday, or use the sign up sheet in 

the Sanctuary to volunteer for a Sunday later in the spring.

The Spring Potluck is approaching on Sunday, May 16, after worship.  

Bring a salad, side dish, or dessert.  Also, a few volunteers are needed to

help with a few of the meal arrangements.  Use reply email for more 

information regarding volunteer opportunities.

The Inquiry Team will be presenting the results of our recent congregational

survey during worship on Sunday, May 16.  Following their presentation, the

Team will host several focus groups according to the schedule below:

*Buildings/Grounds - Wed, May 19, 7pm, at Walnut Hill

*Adult Ed & Community Outreach - Thu, May 20, 7pm, at Walnut Hill

*Children & Youth - Sun, May 23, after worship, at Walnut Hill

Members and friends of Walnut Hill are encouraged to participate in any or

all of these focus group meetings.  Let your thoughts be heard!

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, May 2, at Walnut Hill Church...

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

"In the Absence of God"

As Christians living within a culture of fanaticism, materialism,

and greed, is it possible to bridge our religious differences and

dwell in harmony in the twenty-first century? In this video, "In the

Absence of God," Sam Keen believes that a new understanding

of the role of religion in our lives is essential for this to happen,

and that nothing less than our existence hangs in the balance.

(Childcare is available upon request. Use reply email to request

childcare.)

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon: "Who Is My Family?"

Text: Matthew 12:46-50

(The Sacrament of Holy Communion)

Nursery care and Sunday School available for children.

Refreshments and Fellowship, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather after worship to enjoy the hospitality

and conversation.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Greetings to all!

You might have heard/seen the recent news story about the young girl who

went missing in Florida for four days before being found and returned to her 

family.  Diana Garland remembers her family's experience of a missing child, 

who fortunately was also safely returned, and the lessons learned from it

about the support available to families through their faith communities.

That fall evening had a happy ending, largely but not solely because John was

found.  There was also true joy in finding myself enveloped by a loving 

community of faith.  The colleague who happened by called his wife, who called

another wife, and in less than one hour from John's disappearance, close friends

were standing with me in the cold dark parking lot and others were gathered

in homes to pray.  Upon arriving home, I found my pastor waiting for me, and

the phone ringing with concerned friends.  John's first words to me upon 

emerging from the police car were, "I'm sorry, please don't tell anyone."  But

family secrets are hard to keep in a community of faith and, much of the time,

that is as it should be.  Not only did we receive support, but children throughout

the community had long talks with parents about what happened to us and

what they could do in such situations.  In a community of faith, families learn

from one another's experiences.

(from Family Ministry)

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, May 2, the Sacrament of Holy Communion:

Zechariah 8:1-5

Acts 6:1-6

Matthew 12:46-50

(We begin two Sundays of reflection around our experience of life in families.)

Men's Coffee: Men are invited to gather for coffee on Saturday, May 1, 8am, at

Paneras on Richmond Road.  Feel free to stop in for as long or short a time as

your schedule allows.  No rsvp required.

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, May 2, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  

Sunday conversations include a variety of topics.  Feel free to enjoy a cup of

coffee, join the conversation, or just listen in.

Nursery Care and Sunday School for children are available during the 11am

worship hour.  Contact Lauren Fouts for information regarding Sunday School 

and how you might help minister to children and families by volunteering as a 

Sunday School leader or assistant.

The Spring Potluck is coming up on Sunday, May 16, immediately after worship.

Bring a salad, side dish, or dessert, and most of all your appetite.  Volunteers

are needed to help with a few arrangements of the meal.  Use reply email to 

inquire about volunteering.

Summer Camp Season is approaching.  Check the bulletin board in Trinity Hall

for information regarding summer programs at Cathedral Domain and Camp

Burnamwood.  Walnut Hill Church provides scholarship support for all 

Walnut Hill children and youth who participate in either of these two camp 

programs. 

Peace to all.

Mike Ward