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Churchill Downs Tour and Lunch Announcement

While at Winter Family Weekend this year, plan to join us as we tour Churchill Downs, home of the world-famous Kentucky Derby. The afternoon will begin with lunch at J. Graham’s Café inside the legendary Brown Hotel. You will be able to choose from one of these four lunch entrees:

• Petite hot brown with turkey bacon (smaller portion)
• Classic Caesar salad with chicken
• Turkey and swiss sandwich (includes fries or sweet potato tots)
• J. Graham’s cheeseburger (includes fries or sweet potato tots)

All meals include coffee, tea or a soft drink. 

After lunch, we will go to Churchill Downs in our chartered 36-passenger bus, so there is no need to drive. Our tour will begin with a viewing of the epic film The Greatest Race, a 360-degree, 18-minute media experience that will make your heart race and emotions soar. Then it’s on to a walking tour, where our guide will lead us down the legendary dirt track where every Derby winner has raced, from Aristides to Secretariat and many more. Each person on the tour will receive a 2023 official Derby glass as a souvenir. Our tour will conclude with time to experience the Derby Museum. 

Tour date: Dec. 26
Tour time: 11:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Cost: $75 per person (all-inclusive)
Space: Limited to the first 35 people

 

WFW Bourbon Tasting Experience

Plan to join us for the first-ever Bourbon Tasting Experience at WFW. We have planned two bourbon tasting blocks on Sunday, Dec. 24, at 5 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. on the top floor of the West Tower of the Galt House, overlooking the Ohio River and Louisville city center.

Each tasting will last 45 minutes and will include five bourbons paired with chocolate. The differing nuances of this gold liquid will be explained by a professional bourbon sommelier. 

There is limited space for this activity, so don’t delay! To confirm your seat, you must register and pay for this experience prior to attending WFW. 

Tasting date: Dec. 24
Tasting times: 5 to 5:45 p.m. or 6:15 to 7 p.m.
Cost: $75 per person
Space: Limited to the first 120 people (60 for each tasting block)

 

Art Show

Attention, artists attending Winter Family Weekend! This year, we will host the third annual Winter Family Weekend Art Show, and we need your great work to make it a success. If you are interested in sharing your artistic talents, please fill out the form at WFW Art Show Sign-Up Link to formally submit your artwork. 

 

Special Music and Ensemble Hymn Accompaniment

If you would like to perform a solo or in a small group, or if you have any questions regarding special music, please contact the special music coordinator, Braden Ebersole.

This year we will also be having a combined teen and young adult choir (ages 13 to 40). If you would like to serve in this way, please check the appropriate box on your WFW registration under volunteer opportunities. The special music coordinator will follow up with you at a later date. 

If you are interested in accompanying hymns during Sabbath services at WFW, please check the appropriate box on your WFW registration under volunteer opportunities. The special music coordinator will reach out to you with additional information.

 

FOI Service Projects

Knitting or Crocheting Challenge

Grab your needles or hooks, knitters and crocheters! We’ve got a challenge FOR YOU! 

Hilltop has acquired balls of various yarn that are waiting to be crafted into winter caps and donated to various Louisville shelters. 

If you are up for a challenge, stop by the information desk to sign up and check out your materials and instructions for a hat. The person to return the most completed hats will win a prize worthy of the effort and the joy of warming many heads!

All submissions must be returned to the information desk by 11 a.m. on Dec. 25 in order to be counted and donated. 

Date: Dec. 22 to 11 a.m. on Dec. 25
Location: Information desk
Participation requirements: Knitting or crocheting skills

 

Snack Bag Group Packing Event

Hilltop is partnering with a local nonprofit, Random Acts of Kindness, to deliver snack bags throughout the Louisville community. The main recipients of this year’s packing event will be Minors Lane Elementary and Chenoweth Elementary schools. These schools serve students from struggling economic backgrounds who do not have reliable food sources outside of the school system. The snack bags that we create during our event will fill in these food gaps in their home life.  

Last year we were able to donate 400 snack bags to the Louisville community. This year, we’ve set a goal of 1,000 bags! Sign up to be part of this exciting community outreach effort! 

Date: To be determined
Location: To be determined
Participation requirements: Registration, ages 4-100 years encouraged
Signup required: 200 people maximum, 100 per 45-minute block 

 

Card Writing Project

Help encourage our Church members who are facing trials by sending a card! 

Our COGWA brethren in the Philippines are skilled card makers and have donated hundreds of beautiful cards. Now it’s up to us to fill them with encouraging words. 

If you have a heart for encouragement and want to brighten the day of a fellow brother or sister in Christ, check us out at the appointed date and time (to be determined).  

Date: To be determined
Location: To be determined
Participation requirements: Penmanship or drawing skills, ages 5-100 years encouraged