Greetings to all!
Robin Williams died this week. Mr. Williams had a wonderful talent
for making others smile and laugh. He certainly made me laugh on
more than a few occasions. The circumstances of his death highlight
the close proximity of laughter and despair. In his book, Telling the
Truth..., Frederick Beuchner reflects on tragedy and comedy in relation
to the gospel.
I have spoken of tragedy as inevitable and comedy as unforeseeable,
and seen from the inside of each, that seems to me to be so. Charlie
Chaplin doesn't see the banana peel on the sidewalk before him
whereas Job knows from the start that in his contention with God he
is doomed to defeat. But seen from the outside, seen as God sees
it and as occasionally by the grace of God man also sees it, I
suspect that it is really the other way around. From the divine
perspective, I suspect that it is the tragic that is seen as not
inevitable whereas it is the comic that is bound to happen. The
comedy of God's saving the most unlikely people when they least
expect it, the joke in which God laughs with man and man with God -
I believe that this is what is inevitable and that this is what King
Lear glimpses when at the end of his tragic life, when the world has
done its worst, he says to the daughter he loves, "...Come, let's
away to prison; / We two alone.../so we'll live,/ And pray, and sing,
and tell old tales, and laugh..."
The scripture lessons for Sunday, August 17...
*Genesis 45:1-15
*Romans 11:1-2, 29-32
*Matthew 15:10 - 28
SANCTUARY REFURBISHING - WEEK 4 REPORT
The Sanctuary refurbishing project is moving toward completion
this week. Carpet has been installed. Move-in is scheduled for
this eveing (see below). Meanwhile, final detail items, touch up,
and clean up work will be ongoing.
A Sanctuary Move-in Party is scheduled for today (Wed, Aug 13)
beginning at 5pm. Come along any time that your schedule allows
and help us return the furnishings to the Sanctuary. We will be
ordering pizza around 6pm for all volunteers.
Thanks to all who have contributed toward the expense of the
Sanctuary project. To date we have received over $21,700 in
gifts and pledges, surpassing our $20,000 goal!
We anticipate worship this Sun, Aug 17, 11am, to be held in
the Sanctuary. Watch your Friday update for confirmation of
these plans.
MEN'S COFFEE - Walnut Hill men are invited to gather for coffee
each Saturday morning, 8am, at Paneras on Richmond Road.
Feel free to stop by for as long or short a time as your schedule
allows. No rsvp required.
SUNDAY REFRESHMENTS - Take a moment to check out
the online refreshment sign up sheet, and sign up to host
a Sunday later in the summer or fall. You will find the sign up
sheet at this link ... Sunday Refreshments . Thanks to all our
refreshment hosts!
NURSERY CAREGIVER POSITION OPEN
Walnut Hill is currently seeking a caregiver to staff the church
nursery on Sunday mornings from 10:30am - 12:30pm. Visit the
link ( Nursery Caregiver ) for a complete job description and
contact information. Direct inquiries and referrals are welcome.
YOUTH ACTIVITY LEADER POSITION OPEN
Walnut Hill is currently seeking an activity leader to staff the church's
ministry with and to middle and high school youth. Visit the
link ( youth leader ) for a complete job description and
contact
information. Direct inquiries and referrals are welcome.
Peace to all.
Mike Ward
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