weekly letter

March 26, 2008

 

Greetings to all!

 

Easter Day begins a season that continues for fifty days concluding on the Day of Pentecost. Dorothy Bass offers a thought for our continued reflection during this Easter season.

 

     At Easter Sunrise or Easter Vigil, on a morning in New Jersey or an evening in Indiana, Christian people gather within time, on a certain day not long after the spring equinox, to proclaim that on a similar day long ago the eternal God lived and died as a vulnerable human being, within time.  And more: we proclaim that here, in time like ours, God wrestled with and overcame time's most fearsome weapon, the one we mortals know will someday end our time.  And more: we proclaim that now all time is imbued with this victory.  This is what I realized on a Sunday evening when I was thirty-one years old: life has prevailed over death, and life still prevails over death.

(from Receiving the Day)

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, March 30, the Second Sunday of Easter:

     Acts 2:14, 22-32

     1 Peter 1:3-9

     John 20:19-31

 

Men's Coffee - Walnut Hill men are invited to gather for coffee on Saturday, March 29, 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 regarding the lessons for the day (see above) resume this Sunday, March 30, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  Feel free to join the conversation, enjoy a cup coffee, or just listen in.  Our conversation this Sunday will focus on Jesus' post-resurrection appearance to the disciples as told in the Gospel of John.

 

A Host(s) is needed for our after worship refreshments this Sunday, March 30.  Refreshments need not be elaborate, just something around which to gather as we enjoy fellowship with each other.  Use reply email or contact the church office (263-5304) if you would like to host or co-host this Sunday's refreshments.  Use the sign up sheet in the Sanctuary foyer to volunteer for Sundays later in the spring.

 

A Special Visitor - This Sunday, March 30, we welcome the Rev. Canon Johnnie Ross, assistant to the Episcopal Bishop of Lexington, who will bring greetings from the Diocese of Lexington as well as the morning message.  Mike Ward will serve as liturgist for the day. Walnut Hill is honored by Rev. Ross' visit as it affirms our ongoing relationship with the Diocese of Lexington.

 

*The Walnut Hill Refugee Ministry Team is being gathered around the leadership of Nelson Barnes.  Opportunities abound for persons of all ages to help in larger and smaller ways.  A refugee family could be sent our way at any time, so we need to be ready! Check the Sanctuary foyer for information regarding how you can help, or simply contact Nelson (255-9389). 

 

*The next Walnut Hill Men's Dinner will be held on Thursday, April 10, 6pm, at Joseph Beth Bookseller's Café.  Our special guest for the evening will be Dick Shore who will speak regarding the mining practice of mountaintop removal, its effects upon the environment, and why we should be concerned about it.  Contact Gene Brockopp (268-2045) or use the sign up sheet in the Sanctuary to rsvp.

 

*The Interfaith Alliance of the Bluegrass is organizing three interfaith dialogue groups for the spring.  These groups (10 persons each) are by invitation and will include participants from various religious traditions who will gather on three occasions for a meal and guided conversation.  Walnut Hill has been invited to nominate two persons for this program, one for the group that will meet on Thursday evenings (April 24, May 8 and 22), 6:30pm – 8:30pm; and one for the group that will meet on Wednesday mornings (April 30, May 14 and 28), 8am – 10am.  Meeting locations to be announced.   Contact Mike Ward if you would like to participate in this program.

 

Congregational News:

*Thanks to...the Walnut Hill Children's Choir and director Nell Horman for their presentation during worship on Sunday; Julia Eastin Dubowy for providing music during the Sunrise Service; Phil Bloomfield for preparing our Communion elements; The adult Choir, Jeff & Martha DeReamer, Bob and Natalie Watt, and Ron Johnston for their assistance and leadership during worship.

*Congratulations to Braxton DeCamp, Meredith Rawlings, William Ristau, and Chloe Talbott (the 2008 Confirmation Class) who were received into membership on Easter Sunday.

*Walnut Hill member Shelby Shanklin, Jr., departed this life on Thursday, March 20.  A memorial service for Shelby was held at Walnut Hill on March 24. 

*Persons who have been collecting the One Great Hour of Sharing offering at home during Lent are asked to bring your home collection boxes to the church at your earliest opportunity. 

 

Peace to all.

 

Mike Ward

weekly letter

March 19, 2008

 

Greetings to all!

 

Easter is less to be analyzed than witnessed, less explained than celebrated. Consider these reflections on the meaning of Easter.

 

     Anxiety and fear are what we know best in this fantastic century of ours.  Wars and rumors of wars.  From civilization itself to what seemed the most unalterable values of the past, everything seems threatened.....We have heard so much tragic news that when the news is good we cannot hear it.

     But the proclamation of Easter Day is that all is well.  And as a Christian, I say this not with the easy optimism of one who has never known a time when all was not well, but as one who has faced the Cross in all its obscenity as well as in all its glory, who has known one way or another what it is like to live separated from God.  In the end, his will, not ours, is done.  Love is the victor.  Death is not the end.  The end is life.  His life and our lives through him, in him.  Existence has greater depths of beauty, mystery, and benediction than the wildest visionary has ever dared to dream.  Christ our Lord has risen.

(Frederick Buechner as found in Listening to Your Life)

 

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

 

Thursday, March 20 – Maundy Thursday

All ages are invited to gather in Trinity Hall at 6pm for a simple meal and worship in the spirit of Jesus' "Last Supper".  Bring a salad, fruit, or cheese.  Nursery care will be available for infants.  Rsvp via reply email or call the church office (263-5304).

 

Friday, March 21 – Good Friday

Good Friday Worship, Noon, Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church. Lunch is available after the service.

 

Stations of the Cross, Noon, Christ Church Cathedral.

Holy Friday Liturgy, 7pm, Christ Church Cathedral. 

 

Sunday, March 23 – Easter/The Resurrection of the Lord

Sunrise Service, 7am: We may be outside for at least part of this service, weather permitting (dress accordingly).  After the service, simple refreshments will be served in Trinity Hall.

 

Sunday Conversation will be dismissed for the day.

 

Worship (Holy Communion) and Sunday School, 11am:   The Children's Choir will present music they have been practicing during Lent.  The 2008 Confirmation Class will be received into church membership.   A reception in honor of the Confirmation Class will follow the service.  Members and friends are welcome to bring a simple item (just one per household) to add to the refreshment tables.

 

One Great Hour of Sharing offering will be received.  Bring your home collection boxes.

 

Have a blessed Holy Week.

 

Mike Ward

weekly letter

March 12, 2008

 

Greetings to all!

 

Thanks to all for your patience with last weekend's snow fall, service cancellation, etc.  We can hope that this was the first and last snow event of the season.  With the snow behind us, Holy Week is immediately before us, beginning with Jesus' entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday), concluding with the resurrection of the Lord (Easter Sunday).  Ann Weems reflects on Holy Week.

 

     Holy is the week...Holy, consecrated, belonging to God...We move from hosannas to horror with the predictable ease of those who know not what they do.  Our hosannas sung, our palms waved, let us go with passion into this week.  It is a time to curse fig trees that do not yield fruit.  It is a time to cleanse our temples of any blasphemy.  It is a time to greet Jesus as the Lord's Anointed One, to lavishly break our alabaster and pour perfume out for him without counting the cost.

     It is a time for preparation...The time to give thanks and break bread is upon us.  The time to give thanks and drink of the cup is imminent.  Eat, drink, remember:  On this night of nights, each one must ask, as we dip our bread into the wine, "Is it I?"  And on that darkest of days, each of us must stand beneath the tree and watch the dying if we are to be there when the stone is rolled away.

     The only road to Easter morning is through the unrelenting shadows of that Friday.  Only then will the alleluias be sung; only then will the dancing begin.

(from Kneeling in Jerusalem)

The scripture lessons for Sunday, March 16, Palm Sunday:

     Isaiah 50:4-9

     Philippians 2:5-11

     Matthew 21:1-11

 

Men's coffee - Men are invited to gather for coffee this Saturday, March 15, 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.

 

Talking About Our Faith, Sunday, March 16, 10am, Trinity Hall: Confirmation students, parents, mentors, Vestry members and others gather to talk together about their faith. All are welcome. Come and join the conversation.

 

Children's Choir - The Walnut Hill Children's Choir is preparing an Easter Sunday presentation.  They will be practicing this Saturday(03/15) at 11am and Sunday morning(03/16) at 10am.  This choir is open to all Walnut Hill children and youth who enjoy making a joyful noise!  Contact Nell Horman for more information. 

 

Easter Egg Hunt, after worship, Sunday, March 16:  Parents, please bring one dozen stuffed eggs for each child participating. Rain date, March 23.

 

Bowl For Kids Sake: Youth are invited to Bowl For Kids' Sake to benefit Big Brothers/Big Sisters on Sunday afternoon, March 16.  Contact Lauren Fouts for details.

 

Maundy Thursday Simple Meal and Worship: Adults, youth, and children are invited to gather in Trinity Hall on Thursday, March 20, 6pm for a simple meal and worship in the spirit of Jesus' "Last Supper".  Rsvp via reply email, the sign up sheet in the Sanctuary, or by contacting Lauren Fouts.

 

The Walnut Hill Refugee Ministry Team is being gathered around the leadership of Nelson Barnes.  Opportunities abound for persons of all ages to help in larger and smaller ways.  A refugee family could be sent our way at any time, so we need to be ready! Check the Sanctuary foyer for information regarding how you can help, or simply contact Nelson (255-9389). 

 

Easter Lilies: Contact Lee Tucker to sponsor an Easter Lily for our Easter Sunday (March 23) worship.  Plants are $14 each, checks payable to Walnut Hill Church.  "Lily sponsors" are welcome to enjoy their plants at home after Easter Sunday service.

 

Peace to all.

 

Mike Ward    

Sunday Service Cancelled

March 8, 2008

 

Dear Friends:

 

Due to the snow, ice, etc., all services and activities at Walnut Hill Church are cancelled for Sunday, March 9.  We look forward to seeing you next week.

 

Peace,

 

Mike Ward

Weekly Letter Extra

March 7, 2009

 

Dear Members and Friends:

 

With the snowy weather forecast, I just wanted to remind Walnut Hill members and friends that if a decision is made to cancel any services or activities, a voice message will be placed on the church phone (263-5304).  If you are uncertain as to the status of services this Sunday, or any Sunday, feel free to call the church phone and listen to the voice message.

 

Weather permitting, this Sunday will be our second Walnut Hill Working Group session titled, "Attracting and Keeping Youth, Young Adults, and Families."  All are invited to this conversation at 10am in Trinity Hall. Worship will be at the regular 11am time.  

 

Peace,

 

Mike Ward

weekly letter

March 5, 2008

 

Greetings to all!

 

Lent is a time for strengthening the practices of faith, among them "prayer." Mother Teresa has advice for those of us who are too busy to pray.

 

     There are some people who, in order not pray, use as an excuse the fact that life is so hectic that it prevents them from praying.  This cannot be.  Prayer does not demand that we interrupt our work, but that we continue working as if it were a prayer.  It is not necessary to always be meditating, nor to consciously experience the sensation that we are talking to God, no matter how nice this would be.  What matters is being with God, living in God, and in God's will. To love with a pure heart, to love everybody, especially to love the poor, is a twenty-four-hour prayer.

(from Mother Teresa: In My Own Words)

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, March 9, the Fifth Sunday in Lent:

     Ezekiel 37:1-14

     Romans 8:6-11

     John 11:1-45

 

The Walnut Hill Working Group (WHWG), will meet this Sunday, March 9, 10am, in Trinity Hall. The WHWG is an opportunity for Walnut Hill members and friends to gather for conversation and work on issues important to Walnut Hill's life and ministry.  This month's WHWG will focus on "Attracting and Keeping Youth, Young Adults, and Families." Join the conversation!  Ron Johnston will lead the conversation.

 

Jesus Today Book Discussion, Wednesday, March 5, 7pm, at the Wards' (341 Albany Road).  The discussion focus will be "Part 4 – Jesus and the Experience of Oneness." This will be the final session of the Jesus Today discussion series.

 

Easter Egg Hunt, after worship, Sunday, March 16 (Palm Sunday):  Parents, please bring one dozen stuffed eggs for each child participating. Rain date, March 23. Contact Lauren Fouts for more details.

 

Youth are invited to Bowl For Kids' Sake on Sunday, March 16, to benefit Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Lexington.  Contact Lauren Fouts for details.

 

Maundy Thursday Simple Meal and Worship: Adults, youth, and children are invited to gather in Trinity Hall on Thursday, March 20, 6pm for a simple meal and worship in the spirit of Jesus' "Last Supper".  Rsvp to Lauren Fouts or via the sign up sheet in the Sanctuary.

 

The Walnut Hill Refugee Ministry Team is being gathered around the leadership of Nelson Barnes.  Opportunities abound for persons of all ages to help in larger and smaller ways.  A refugee family could be sent our way at any time, so we need to be ready! Check the Sanctuary foyer for information regarding how you can help, or simply contact Nelson (255-9389). 

 

Thanks, news, etc...

     *Thanks to a variety of folks who served in various ways last Sunday including... David Sharrard for leading our Sunday Conversation; Phil Bloomfield and Sherry Warden for preparing the Communion elements; Nell Horman and Amy Trail for working with the children; Angela Hurley and the Choir for music leadership; Beth and Dougie Hilliard, Ron Johnston, J.R. and Elaine Horn for their assistance during worship; Martha and Jeff DeReamer for securing our Sunday offering; Mary Lee Snyder for gathering up our worship pamphlets; Cabby Boone and JoAnne Hilliard for our after worship refreshments.  While we are at, let's not forget Lauren Fouts, Megan Robinson, and Ashley Clark for their work with our children; Ruth Sharrard for regularly providing our Sanctuary flowers; Jim Tucker and Art Weinberg for flag duty; Mark Horman for setting the fire....And that's just one Sunday! The names might change, but each Sunday it's the same story: It takes the whole congregation to make the church go!  Thanks to all who serve in so many ways from Sunday to Sunday. 

    *Thanks also to Gene Brockopp for organizing and Grant Phelps for providing the program at our recent Men's Dinner.  The fellowship was great, and we learned much about ongoing rebuilding efforts along the Gulf Coast.

    *Transylvania Presbytery will be meeting on Tuesday, March 11, Danville.  Mike Ward will be attending the meeting.

 

Peace to all.

 

Mike Ward