Greetings to all!
Sometimes in the middle of Lent, or in the middle of life, the journey
can seem a bit wearying. Ann Weems reflects on this experience in a
reflection titled, "Come Unto Me."
When the journey gets too hard, when we feel depleted, when our
compassion turns into complaining, when efforts toward justice and
mercy seem to get us nowhere, it's time to remember the humility part
- that it is God who has made us and not we ourselves; that the
saving of the world or even one part of it is not on our shoulders.
It is then we can come unto him, and he will give us rest. With rest
we'll remember what it is we are about.
(from "Kneeling in Jerusalem")
The scripture lesson for Sunday, March 7, the Third Sunday in Lent,
the Sacrament of Holy Communion:
John 6:1-15
(We continue our Lenten journey through the Gospel of John.)
SUNDAY CONVERSATIONS continue this Sunday, March 7, 10am, in Trinity
Hall. Our focus this Sunday will be a video presentation by the noted
Jesus scholar Marcus Borg. Feel free to enjoy a cup of coffee, join
the conversation, or just listen in.
CHILDREN'S CHOIR practices continue this Sunday, March 7, 10am, in
Trinity Hall. The children are working toward an upcoming Sunday
morning presentation. All children through elementary age are
encouraged to participate.
WALNUT HILL CHURCH SURVEY - Be sure to participate in the Walnut Hill
Church Survey, the first step in our current inquiry to discern Walnut
Hill's present strengths and future dreams. You may complete the
survey online at www.walnuthillchurchky.org/survey.html or you may
complete and return a paper copy of the survey (copies available by
request from the church office). Either way, we hope you will
participate in this and other activities related to the inquiry
process as we build on the past and present to envision the future.
CHILE EARTHQUAKE - Our readers are certainly aware of the recent and
ongoing tragedy in Chile. Persons attending Walnut Hill this Sunday,
March 7, will have opportunity to donate toward relief efforts via
Church World Service. For information regarding the efforts of Church
World Service in Chile, visit www.churchworldservice.org.
EASTER LILIES - Easter will be here soon, and with it comes the
opportunity to sponsor lilies for the decoration of the Walnut Hill
Sanctuary. Cost of sponsorship is $14/plant. Sponsors are welcome to
take and enjoy their plants at home after the Easter holiday. Contact
Lee Tucker to sponsor a lily for Easter.
THANKS TO...David Sharrard for his service at the organ this past
Sunday; Spencer Horman and Garrett Rea for their service as acolytes;
Lyle and Mary Diane Hanna for their assistance during worship; Whitty
and Grant Rea for our after worship refreshments; Nell Horman for her
work with the children's choir; Gene Brockopp for moderating our
Sunday Conversation; Cory Sharrard for volunteering in the Sunday
School over the Sundays of February; the Inquiry Team for their
ongoing work.
Peace to all.
Mike Ward
Greetings to all!
Joyce Rupp reflects on "life changing" events.
Why is it so difficult to believe that God can do marvelous things
through the most ordinary circumstances? Why does it often take a big
catastrophic event before we are finally convinced of what we need for
our spiritual transformation? I recently read the story of survivors
of a plane crash some years ago. A flight attendant and a nurse both
elaborated on how they had changed and are now firmly established in a
relationship with God. I wondered how many people reading that
newspaper would be even further convinced that it takes something big
before we turn our lives around. Lent is a good time to find our
spiritual transformation through the ordinary, humdrum of everyday
life, for there most spiritual changes happen. Most of us won't
experience something like a plane crash or major accident. If we
expect that the "little stuff" is of no importance or value, then we
may miss the very opportunities where God is calling us and inviting
us to change our hearts. Be aware today of little things.
(from "Inviting God In")
The scripture lesson for Sunday, February 28, the Second Sunday in Lent:
John 5:1-18
(We continue our lenten series of Sunday readings from the Gospel of
John. Check the Sanctuary foyer for a complete list of our lenten
Sunday readings and ideas for "living with" the Gospel of John during
the week.)
MEN'S COFFEE - Walnut Hill men are invited to gather for coffee this
Saturday, February 27, 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, February 28, 10am, in
Trinity Hall, with a video presentation and discussion featuring noted
Jesus scholar Marcus Borg. You are invited to enjoy a cup of coffee,
join the conversation, or just listen in.
YOUTH are invited to gather for discussion this Sunday, February 28,
during the worship hour, in the upstairs office of Trinity Hall. The
discussion will focus on the "Nooma" video series.
THE APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY TEAM will be reporting to the congregation
this Sunday, February 28, inviting our participation in a
congregational survey. This survey is the first step in a process
designed to help us discover our congregation's strengths and build
upon those strengths for the future. All Walnut Hill members and
friends are encouraged to participate in the inquiry process.
THE 114TH ANNUAL CONVENTION of the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington will
be held February 25 - 27 in Lexington. The theme of the convention is
"Respecting the Dignity of Every Human Being." Special guest to the
convention will be the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding
Bishop of the Episcopal Church (USA). Public opportunities to see and
hear Bishop Schori include a service of Evensong at the Church of the
Good Shepherd, Feb 25, 7pm, and Holy Eucharist at Christ Church
Cathedral, Feb 28, 11am. Visit the Diocese website (www.diolex.org)
for more information regarding the annual convention.
THANKS to Graham D. Rowles, professor in the Graduate Center for
Gerontology at the University of Kentucky, for his presentation
regarding the "Kentucky Elder Readiness Initiative" at this week's
men's dinner. Copies of Dr. Rowles' presentation are available in the
foyer of the Sanctuary. Thanks also to Gene Brockopp for coordinating
the arrangements of our men's gatherings.
Peace to all.
Mike Ward
Greetings to all!
In his book, "Testimony," Thomas Long tells an Ash Wednesday story.
On Ash Wednesday several years ago, one of my friends, a hospital
chaplain, left the hospital shortly before noon and attended a service
at a nearby church. As part of the worship, the minister inscribed on
my friend's forehead a cross made of ashes mingled with oil. He
returned to the hospital, ashes still in place, and began to visit the
patients. One of the patients, a woman, noticed the ashes on his
forehead and, thinking it was a smudge of dirt, grabbed a tissue, spit
on it, and said, "Come here, hon, you've gotten into something." My
friend artfully avoided the tissue and said, "No, they are ashes.
They're supposed to be there." She looked at him, puzzled. He began
to talk to her about the meaning of Ash Wednesday, how the day meant
that God was with us when we were weak and vulnerable, how we are but
dust, ashes, and God was with us, taking us toward Easter even when
life was broken, tragic, and sad. The woman thought for a moment, and
then she said, "I think I want some of that." My friend reached to
his forehead, borrowed some of the ashen smudge, and with his finger
traced on her forehead the sign of the cross.
ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICES:
*Christ Church Cathedral at 12:05pm and 7:00pm.
*Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church at Noon and 7:30pm.
The Gospel lesson for Sunday, February 21, the First Sunday in Lent:
John 2:1-12
This Sunday we begin a series of Sunday reflections during Lent on
lessons from the Gospel according to St. John.
SUNDAY CONVERSATIONS continue this Sunday, February 21, 10am, in
Trinity Hall, featuring a video "Q & A with Huston Smith." Huston
Smith is an author and teacher most well known for his study of world
religions. Feel free to stop in for a cup of coffee, join the
conversation, or just listen in.
HOST(S) NEEDED - A host(s) is needed for our after worship
refreshments this Sunday, February 21. Remember that refreshments
need not be elaborate, just something simple to enjoy as we fellowship
after worship. Use reply email to inquire about hosting this Sunday
or check the sign up sheet in the sanctuary for available Sundays
later in the winter and spring. Thanks to all our Sunday hosts!
MEN'S DINNER - The next Walnut Hill Men's Dinner is scheduled for
Tuesday, February 23, 6pm, at Buddy's Bar and Grill. Our guest for
the evening will be University of Kentucky professor Dr. Graham Rowles
who will talk with us about issues related to aging in our society, a
topic of importance for all persons in terms of both social policy and
personal experience. Rsvp via the sign up sheet in the sanctuary,
reply email, or by contacting Gene Brockopp.
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING offering boxes are available in the foyer of
the Sanctuary. Pick one up for use in your household this Lenten
season, placing a coin in the box at each family meal. Return the
offering box on Easter Sunday. The OGHS offering supports disaster
relief, refugee resettlement, and development work around the world.
WINTRY WEATHER - If wintry weather on a Sunday morning causes you to
wonder about our services or other activities, feel free to call the
church office (263-5304). A message will be available via the church
phone by 9am on wintry Sunday mornings providing the status of that
day's worship service and other activities.
THANKS TO....Cory Sharrard for her presence with the Sunday School
children during the month of February; Stephen Trail for his service
as acolyte last Sunday; John Ragland for his efforts coordinating our
snow removal during this very wintry season; Lauren Fouts for
preparation of our Lenten season booklet; Mark Horman for locking
things up after services last Sunday; the Vestry for their leadership;
the Inquiry Team for their ongoing work.
Peace to all.
Mike Ward
Greetings to all!
This Sunday, February 14, is the observance of the Transfiguration of
the Lord. I appreciate Frederick Buechner's reflection on this gospel
story.
"His face shown like the sun," Matthew says, "and his garments became
white as light." Moses and Elijah were talking to him. There was a
bright cloud overshadowing him and out of it a voice saying, "This is
my beloved son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." The
three disciples who witnessed the scene "fell on their faces and were
filled with awe."
It is as strange a scene as there is in the Gospels. Even without a
voice from the cloud to explain it, they had no doubt what they were
witnessing. It was Jesus of Nazareth all right, the man they'd
tramped many a dusty mile with, whose mother and brothers they knew,
the one they'd seen as hungry, tired, footsore as the rest of them.
But it was also the Messiah, the Christ, in his glory. It was the
holiness of the man shining through his humanness, his face so afire
with it they were almost blinded.
Even with us something like that happens once in a while. The face
of a man walking his child in the park, of a woman picking peas in the
garden, of sometimes even the unlikeliest person listening to a
concert, say, or standing barefoot in the sand watching the waves roll
in, or just having a beer at a Saturday baseball game in July. Every
once and so often, something so touching, so incandescent, so alive
transfigures the human face that it's almost beyond bearing.
(from "Listening to Your Life")
The scripture lessons for Sunday, February 14, the Transfiguration of
the Lord:
Exodus 34:29-35
2 Corinthians 3:12 - 4:2
Luke 9:28 - 36
MEN'S COFFEE - Walnut Hill men are invited to gather for coffee on
Saturday, February 13, 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, February 14, 10am, in
Trinity Hall. "Sunday Conversations" include a wide variety of topics
from Bible and theology, to spirituality and social issues. Feel free
to join the conversation, enjoy a cup of coffee, or just listen in.
Childcare during the conversation hour is available upon request.
Contact the church office (263-5304) to request childcare.
YOUTH DISCUSSION - Walnut Hill youth are invited to gather in the
upstairs office of Trinity Hall during the worship hour this Sunday,
February 14, to view and discuss one of the "Nooma" videos. Nooma
videos present issues that young people care about and want to talk
about in a format that fits their world.
HOST(S) NEEDED - A host(s) is needed for our after worship
refreshments this Sunday, February 14. Remember that refreshments
need not be elaborate. Just something simple to enjoy as we
fellowship after worship. Use reply email to inquire about hosting
this Sunday or check the sign up sheet in the sanctuary for available
Sundays later in the winter and spring. Thanks to all our Sunday hosts.
MEN'S DINNER - The next Walnut Hill Men's Dinner is scheduled for
Tuesday, February 23, 6pm, at Buddy's Bar and Grill. Our guest for
the evening will be University of Kentucky professor Dr. Graham Rowles
who will talk with us about issues related to aging in our society, a
topic of importance for all persons in terms of both social policy and
personal experience. Rsvp via the sign up sheet in the sanctuary,
reply email, or by contacting Gene Brockopp.
THE VESTRY will meet this Sunday, February 14, 9:30am, in Trinity Hall.
SOUPER BOWL REPORT - Thanks to all those who provided soup, enjoyed
the soup, and made donations on "Souper Bowl Sunday." In addition to
the good food and fellowship, $153 was received in support of the work
of God's Pantry to relieve hunger in central and eastern Kentucky.
Peace to all.
Mike Ward
