Keep Watch:
Advent 2024 at Wilshire

Like the shepherds who kept watch over their flock, we too want to keep watch this Advent season. In a time when our public life feels polarized and uncertain, how do we keep watch for one another? As we move through the weeks of Advent, is it possible for us to keep watch for moments of hope, joy, peace and love? In this season of great anticipation, may the eyes of our hearts be open as we keep watch for God’s continual love and presence to us and the world.

Sunday Mornings

Join us each week for worship at 11 a.m. in the beauty of our decorated Sanctuary as we prepare our hearts for the coming Christ. The first Sunday of Advent is Dec. 1.

Celebration of the Green

Sunday, Dec. 8 | 6:30 p.m. | Sanctuary | Our annual Celebration of the Green Christmas concert is themed Comfort! Comfort Now, My People. Tell of Peace! The Christmas story will come alive through music and narration, offering a timeless message of peace and the assurance that “all will be well.” This inspiring evening in the Sanctuary will feature Wilshire Winds, Carillon Ringers, Children’s Choir, Youth Choir, Shekinah, Nova and Sanctuary Choir, filling your heart with warmth and hope for the season. Be part of a beautiful night celebrating the peace and comfort we find together in faith and community. A reception will follow.

Christmas Pageant

Wednesday, Dec. 11 | 6 p.m. | Sanctuary | Kindergarten, Pre-K and 3-Year-Old choirs will be in costume as they sing and act out the Nativity. 

Christmas Eve Services

Tuesday, Dec. 24. | 4 and 11 p.m. | Join us for worship on Christmas Eve as the waiting of Advent gives way to the joy of Christ’s birth. Our 4 p.m. service is suitable for all ages, while our 11 p.m. service is more formal and includes celebration of the Lord’s Supper.

Adventurers lights tour

Tuesday, Dec. 10 | 6 p.m. | Join the Wilshire Adventurers for a guided bus tour of Christmas lights in Highland Park. $40 per person. Register by Dec. 10. Adventurers is a fellowship group for those 60 and above.

Giving Tree

Visit Wilshire’s Giving Tree in James Gallery (coming soon), select a tag and fulfill a Christmas wish for a child or adult served by one of our local mission partners. You can also utilize our Virtual Giving Tree. 

Advent book study

All are invited to participate as we collectively read the book Calling All Angels: an Advent Study of Fearlessness and Strength by Erin Wathen. The book examines four angelic encounters that all begin with the same refrain, “do not be afraid,” and challenges readers to apply this timeless message to our lives today. The book is available to purchase from major book retailers. 
■ On Sundays from 9 to 9:45 a.m., Darren DeMent and Katie Murray will lead a discussion group on the book in 1205-G. Starts Dec. 1.
■ Many Sunday School classes, including Youth, will study the book during Advent.
■ A family study guide will be available for parents to use with children. 

Sign up kids to build nativity

Elementary school children are invited to help build the Sanctuary nativity scene by carrying elements to the chancel at the start of worship. We’ll begin Dec. 1 and build the scene week by week until it is complete at the 4 p.m. Christmas Eve service. Sign up.

Children’s Christmas Choir

All children in grades 1 through 5 are invited to sing with Children’s Choir for Christmas. Rehearsals began Nov. 3 and will run weekly (except Nov. 24) through Dec. 1. Each week the kids will meet after worship for a snack lunch before rehearsal at 12:30 p.m. The children will sing for worship on Dec. 1 and Celebration of the Green on Dec. 8. Full details.

Join Sanctuary Choir for Advent

All are invited to join Sanctuary Choir for Advent and Christmas. As always, there’s no audition, and this beautiful season is a great time to try choir. Our Christmas singers will rehearse Wednesdays, 7–7:45 p.m., in Choral Hall. Childcare is available.

Poinsettias

Help decorate the Sanctuary for Advent by ordering a poinsettia in honor or in memory of a loved one. Dedications will be listed in the worship folder on Dec. 8. Each plant costs $14, and donors may take them home after Christmas Eve services. Order forms are available in the church office, or you can order and pay online. The deadline to order is Dec. 1.

Give a Hope Box for Christmas

Give a unique Christmas gift and support a Wilshire mission partner with a Hope Box created by Together For Hope, which fights rural poverty through efforts in education, health, housing and social enterprise. Former Wilshire missions minister Jason Coker is president of TFH. Each Hope Box contains culinary products produced by Together For Hope partners. Purchase here.