Today‘s sermon is titled The Vine and the Branches and is based on John 15:9-17

Today’s sermon is from Rev. Graham Cheek and is titled  The Faith Of Children and is based on Mark 10:13-16

Walnut Hills continues to look forward, pursuing the future God desires. Our recent Stop Hunger Now event is a good example. Over the last four years, we have doubled our commitment to this event – beginning four years ago by preparing 11,000 meals in 2009; two years ago we prepared 22,000 meals and on March 17th of this year, we prepared 56,830 meals. It was an exciting and joy filled experience.

The event sponsors understand organization and participation. There are tasks for every person, independent of age or gender. There are those who combine the vitamins, dehydrated vegetables, soy and rice into a bag. There are those who verify the weight and then those who sealed the bag. Runners get the bags to the packaging table where the same number of food bags go into every box. The boxes are sealed and loaded on to a truck. It is an assembly line process and it works amazingly well and fast. But if any component of the line is missing – the process immediately bogs down.

The church functions much like the Stop Hunger Now event. Our ministry efforts require organization and participation. We continue to prayerfully seek God’s future for us and as avenues of ministry emerge – we want to step forward and connect. Recently, one of our task groups was working in the area homelessness in Williamsburg. Through their research and work, they found our local government was diligently working to eliminate homelessness and several community organizations were involved, including an ecumenical interfaith group, the Greater Williamsburg Outreach Mission. A door opened and Walnut Hills has taken another step to connect to real and genuine needs within our community. With open eyes and hearts, God leads us to build bridges to people in need. I could easily have used our J-1 visa ministry, Women on Mission, Student Ministry, Fall-Free-for-All or many more examples. Ministry opportunities continue to emerge. But such ministry opportunities require our ongoing commitment to pray, to grow as disciples, and to Christian stewardship.

Our recent Business Meeting included a treasurer’s report for the first three months of the year. Our operating receipts for 2012 exceeded last year’s number by approximately $1,800. Unfortunately, our 2012 expenses exceeded our 2011 numbers by almost $20,000. The reason for the increase is primarily the note on our remodeling loan. The reality is that a $20,000 shortfall in the first quarter is not a good model nor does it project well for the year. Just like the assembly line for the hunger event, we need everyone to participate and help us walk meaningfully into the future God desires. Here a few stewardship principles for you to consider:

1. God owns everything (Psalm 24:1; Leviticus 25:23)
2. We are managers of the gifts and goods that God has given us (Romans 12:6a; 1 Chronicles 29:11)
3. Gifts are to be given, shared, and enjoyed as they are used for the glory of God and the
common good. (2 Corinthians 9:6; Romans 12:13; 1 Peter 4:10; James 1:17; 1 Corinthians 12:7)
4. Practicing stewardship leads to spiritual growth (2 Corinthians 8:7; 1 Timothy 6:17-19)
5. Generosity flows from the heart (2 Corinthians 8:5; 9:8; Luke 21:3-4, and more)

Summer is just around the corner. Graduations, travel, vacations, and more will be challenging us to delay our commitments to our Lord. May each of us do our part to the glory and honor of God.

See you Sunday if not before,

Tony

There are numerous places in the Bible that refer to the variety of gifts God gives to his people. Our Lenten activities were a good example of many people utilizing their various gifts to provide meaningful opportunities for our church. Each of the six devotional leaders for our Lenten lunches used their individual gifts to share from their experiences and to present God’s challenge to ministry. As you have opportunity, please express your appreciation to our devotional leaders, Sue Young, Brenda Bass, Jessica Sherry, Gail Jenner, Tom Powers, and Jim Roark.

Both the Tuesday and Wednesday women’s discipleship groups have recently started new studies. The Tuesday class is studying 24 Hours that Changed the World, an eight week series by author, Adam Hamilton. The study utilizes videos filmed in Jerusalem, providing a wonderful followup and reinforcement of the Easter story. Our Wednesday class is studying the prophet, Zechariah. We plan to complete this book and Malachi by the end of May when we will change to our summer schedule.

Disciple 2 and Financial Peace University will also continue into May. Adult Bible Study and Discipleship Teacher Recognition weekend is May 5-6. This is our opportunity to celebrate the blessings our teachers bring to the Bible study and discipleship ministries of our church. Many of us are probably unaware of the tremendous influence our teachers and class experiences have had on our lives through the years. We not only want to thank those individuals who are presently serving as our teachers, but we also want to encourage those who are not currently taking advantage of Adult Bible Study and discipleship classes to get involved. What better way to show appreciation for your teachers than to invite others to come and participate with you.

Linda

Remaining Sunday Evening Schedule

Spring 2012 for Youth & Children

May 6 – Regular schedule (5-7pm)
May 13 – Mother’s Day (NO evening activities)
May 20 – Regular schedule (5-7pm)
May 27 – Memorial Day Weekend (NO evening activities)
June 2 – Donkey Tales Rehearsal (TBA)
June 3 – Donkey Tales Children’s Musical 7pm

Children’s Musical, “Donkey Tales”
Sunday, June 3rd 7:00pm

The children are working hard and will continue to share with the church during worship. Plan to come out and enjoy a wonderful experience!

YOUTH MISSION TRIP
M-FUGE, PHILADELPHIA
Monday –Saturday
JULY 9th – 14th

For all youth grades 6th – 12th

SonRise National Park VBS
Monday-Friday,
July 23 – 27
Registration is open and also online!

The Easter season is a busy and important time for the Music Ministry of our church. Many hours of planning, rehearsing, writing narration, production, meals, construction and coordination were involved in the Adult Easter Music “Never Thirst Again”. The result was certainly worth the effort. The choir, instrumentalists, narration and the narrators were outstanding. Each of the worship services was inspiring. Many church members were touched by the message communicated through the music and narration. Thanks to each individual that participated in the program, and behind the scenes.

Special thanks to the Adult Choir and Handbell Choir for their inspiring music in our Maundy Thursday Worship Service and the Adult Choir for Easter Sunday. The Adult Choir has resumed regular rehearsals and would welcome those that love to sing. We rehearse Wednesdays at 7:00pm in the Choir Room.

Our Children’s Choir continues rehearsals on their spring musical “Donkey Tales” on Sunday afternoons at 5:00pm in the choir room. The musical will be presented Sunday, June 3rd at 7:00 PM. If your children or grandchildren are interested in participating, please see John Thompson, Graham Cheek or Jean Haywood.

Providing wonderful music in the Walnut Hills Sanctuary: The Williamsburg Women’s Chorus will present “All Nature Sings” concert Friday, May 11 at 7:30 PM. Contact Dianne Mongold at Mdianne510@yahoo.com or 757-903-4602 for ticket information. The CANTORI Vocal Ensemble will present “A Concert of Spirituals” Sunday, May 20, 2012 at 7:30 PM. Admission is free. You do not want to miss hearing these excellent groups. Please make plans to attend both very special events.

The music ministry offers musical opportunities through ensembles. The Ladies’ and Men’s ensembles will begin to rehearse alternating Wednesdays this month; see the schedule below. These ensembles are open to everyone. Interested individuals should contact John Thompson.

The May ensemble rehearsal schedule is as follows.

• Ladies’ Ensemble – Wednesday, May 2, 6:15 PM
• Men’s Ensemble – Wednesday, May 16, 6:15 PM
• Ladies’ Ensemble – Wednesday, May 23, 6:15 PM
• Men’s Ensemble – Wednesday, May 30, 6:15 PM

I thank the Walnut Hills church family and many friends for the cards, calls, letters and prayers before, during and after my surgery. I thank God daily for the opportunity to minister to each of you.
– John Thompson

It’s hard to believe that we’re wrapping up another great year here at the Learning Center! This month is filled with fun leading up to our LAST DAY OF SCHOOL, Friday, June 1st. It’s gone by so fast!

But, the fun doesn’t have to end… We are hosting four summer camps, and there are still spaces available!

• Sun Fun Water Camp June 11-15
• Backyard Campers June 18-22
• James River Explorers Club June 25-29
• Intro to the Masters: Classic Art August 13-17

Be sure to check out the ministry wall for more information and registration forms. Children do not have to be enrolled at the Learning Center to attend our summer camps.

Please join us for our annual Hot Dog Picnic, May 11th at 12:30pm on the breezeway. You are also welcome to attend our May chapel service, Wednesday, May 16th at 9:30am. Our Promotion Day service is Friday, June 1st at 10am in the Sanctuary. A reception will follow in the breezeway.

We are happy to announce the start of our Scholarship Fund. Thanks to generous contributions from an anonymous donor, the Junior Woman’s Club of Williamsburg, and Walnut Hills Baptist Church. We have the seed money needed to offer tuition assistance to families in need starting next school year. We are asking our LC parents and church members to contribute, if they are able and feel led to do so, so that we can build it up and help more families. Applications are available in the Learning Center for those who’d like to apply.  Donation packets will be available soon, so be sure to check out the Ministry Wall or the Learning Center to pick one up. If the Learning Center has been a blessing to your family, then donating to the Scholarship Fund so that other children can experience preschool would be a wonderful way to honor someone special.

Thanks, as always, for your love, support, and prayers!

Book selections for May

COURAGEOUS.

Bestselling author, Randy Alcorn, brings the heart-pounding drama of the screenplay by Alex and Steven Kendrick to this inspiring novel. Courageous is the story of four law enforcement officers, everyday heroes who make a difference of the street but struggle to serve and protect their loved ones at home. While they consistently give their best on the job, good
enough is all they can muster as dads. Their children are beginning to drift farther and farther away from them.This is the story of their fears, their hopes, their faith and their fathering. Tragedy and a new found urgency help them to look to God to rediscover their purpose and strength. We also have the DVD available in the library.
STORM WARNING – Billy Graham
Whether global recession, terrorist threats or devastating natural disasters, Billy Graham examines today’s most challenging problems and adds his perspective to what the Bible says about the storms we are facing and the storms yet to come.

Book Discussion
May 15, 2012 at 1:30 pm
“Say When”
by Elizabeth Berg
From the “New York Times” bestselling author of “Open House” and “True to Form” comes a brilliant novel that charts the days and nights of a family whose normalcy has been shattered. With startling clarity and a trademark blend of humor and poignancy, “Say When” follows a man on an emotional journey to redefine his notions about love and happiness and asks questions relevant to any contemporary couple: when is a relationship worth saving and when is it better to let it go? — From amazon.com

The summer tourist season is right around the corner for the Williamsburg area. It is a good time for WHBC to start planning how we can better serve the Guests in our Midst. One group of guests that we began to create relationships with last year were the J-1 Visa international students coming into our communities to work and experience the American culture.

These students will start arriving in May and will come and go throughout August. We are once again partnering with the Pineapple Inn to help create positive experiences for these young people visiting our country. Thursday, May 17th , 7:00 PM, is the first of many events planned at the Pineapple Inn and your help is needed. This will be a picnic style pot luck to welcome the first arriving students. WHBC will be providing different types of sandwiches, potato salad, chips and homemade desserts. Please look for more detailed information in the weekly bulletins and see Terri Bolt for more information on how you can help. Also, look forward to other picnics we will host at the Inn in June and August.

M&E is also helping to build a small food pantry for these students where they can go to get a meal if they are in need of financial assistance or even just a midnight snack. We are collecting small denomination gift cards to Martin’s and Food Lion, or you can donate non-perishable, easy to open/prepared food items, or money that we can use to go purchase items to fill the pantry.

Finally, WHBC is connecting students to families in our Adopt-a-Student(s) program. You can directly connect with some of these students by inviting them into your home for a meal, to show how Americans live, to share stories, and to show God’s love. If you are interested, come to one of the picnics and make a connection, or talk to Terri and we will get you connected with some of the students. You never know how you can touch a life just by opening your heart and listening. We received fabulous, loving notes from students last year about how they enjoyed these experiences and specifically, saw God’s love through these family connections.

If the J-1 Visa summer program isn’t your thing, find something that is. There are many core ministry teams praying, working, and planning on how we can share God’s love in our community. Be a part of making a difference, find something you love to do and share it with others

May WOM Calendar

• May 8 Helping Hands will be meeting at the home of Carolyn Cox at 7:30pm
• May 9 Mission Vision at 10:30am – location TBA
• May 15 Annette Hall will be meeting at the home of Eunice Ligon at 10:30am (Luncheon)
• May 19 Walk for Life sponsored by CARE NET RESOURCE PREGNANCY CENTER from 8:30am to 9:15am at Kidsburg. Brochures can be found on the WOM Ministry Wall.
• May 19 WMU PBA Annual Meeting – Association Prayer Emphasis, and Women’s Retreat (all in one) from 9am to 2pm at PBA BLDG., 863 Cloverleaf Lane, Newport News. Breakfast and lunch provided. The special guest speaker is Laura McDaniel, Executive Director of WMUV.

Easter World Missions Goal – If you haven’t had the opportunity to help us reach our Easter World Missions Offering of $2,500, you still have time.

Our May Box Ministry is an Association Emphasis – Work Camp items needed for our PBA Camps are: hammers, screwdrivers, paint brushes, painting tape, etc.