Greetings to all!
Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Consider these thoughts from
Richard Rohr as he reflects on Ash Wednesday as a day for new beginnings and
new desires…
You are the desiring of God. God desires through you and longs for Life and Love
through you and in you. Allow it, speak it, and you will find your place in the
universe of things. Now let me tell you something: You can not begin to desire
something if you have not already slightly tasted it. Now make that deep and hidden
desire conscious, deliberate, and wholehearted. Make your desires good and far-
reaching on this Ash Wednesday of new beginnings. You could not have such
desires if God had not already desired them first - in you and for you and as you!
Remember finally, that the ashes on your forehead are created from the burnt palms
of last Palm Sunday. New beginnings invariably come from old false things that are
allowed to die.
(from Wondrous Encounters: Scripture for Lent)
Ash Wednesday services are available around Lexington including…
*Second Presbyterian Church, 7pm
*Christ Church Cathedral - Noon and 7pm
The scripture lesson for Sunday, March 5, the first Sunday in Lent and the first
Sunday of our Exploring Our Spirituality season:
*John 2:1-11
Exploring Our Spirituality begins this Sunday, March 5. Our theme for this EOS
season is "Praying With Scripture: The Gospel of John." You can participate in any/all
of the following ways…
*Sunday Worship, 11am, based on the EOS theme.
*Small Groups are available Sunday mornings (10am at Walnut Hill) and
Monday evenings (6:30pm at the Phelps residence). Use reply email to register for
a small group. Childcare will be available during the Sunday morning small group.
*Praying With Scripture worship gatherings, Thursdays, 7pm, at Walnut Hill.
*Individual Reflection using the EOS Workbook . Printed copies of the EOS
workbook are available at Walnut Hill and by request from the church office (263-5304).
Children/Youth Focus: For the next six weeks, the children/youth classes (11am)
will be guided by the EOS schedule of stories from the Gospel of John, thus adding
their questions, thoughts and imaginations to our EOS community of reflection.
"Happening" at the Cathedral Domain is scheduled for March 17 - 19. This event
is for youth (grades 10 - 12). Walnut Hill's own Ben Horman is part of the leadership
team, so this would be a great opportunity for Walnut Hill youth to take part. And
remember that Walnut Hill will sponsor half the cost for any participating Walnut
Hill youth. Visit Happening for more information.
One Great Hour of Sharing - For many households the OGHS is a regular lenten
tradition, and it is really quite simple. Place a collection box or bowl on your primary
dining table. At one meal each day when your household is gathered, each person
puts a coin in the OGHS box/bowl. Bring your OGHS coins to Walnut Hill on Easter
Sunday, and we will send them on their way to do good around the world. Visit
One Great Hour for information regarding how the OGHS offering is used.
Thanks to an energetic group of youth and adults who made 100 sandwiches last
Sunday evening for guests at the Lexington Community Inn. In addition to sandwich
making the group shared activities related to homelessness and enjoyed some of the
sandwiches they made, a sort of "Sandwich Ministry Communion."
The Kentucky Council of Churches is sponsoring "Prayer in Action Days" during
the current session of the KY General Assembly. The gatherings are held each
Tuesday, 9:30am, in the Capitol Annex building and focus on different issues before
the G.A. during this session. For a complete schedule and other details, visit
Peace to all.
Mike Ward
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