Hope for a weary world
Advent 2023
The world’s weariness abounds. It seems to be everywhere and in everything. Unattended, this weariness settles deep into our bodies, creating exhaustion, resentment, apathy and possibly even despair. Advent is a season when God fully embraces all that we are — our weariness included. We hope you’ll join us this season in reflecting on how the incarnational presence of Jesus offers hope for a weary world.
Celebration of the Green
Sunday, Dec. 3 | 6:30 p.m. | Sanctuary | Kick off the season with Christmas music from Wilshire’s choirs and ensembles: Sanctuary Choir, Nova, Youth Choir, Shekinah, New Song, Carillon Ringers, Wilshire Winds and Children’s Choirs.
Parents Night Out: Friday, Dec. 8
- Children’s Christmas Party | First through sixth graders are invited to the home of Timothy Peoples and Valerie Lott for cookie decorating and festive fun, 7 to 9 p.m.
- Preschool Parents Night Out | Free childcare at Wilshire for infants through kindergarten from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
- Registration required for the above by Dec. 3. | REGISTER HERE
Christmas Pageant
Wednesday, Dec. 13 | 6 p.m. | Sanctuary | Kindergarten, Pre-K and Three Year Old choirs will be in costume as they sing and act out the nativity. Also featuring Children’s Choirs and the new Wilshire Bells handbell group.
Beer & Carols
Saturday, Dec. 16 | 5–8 p.m. | Oak Highlands Brewery | Carol singalong with a live band led by Associate Pastor Darren DeMent.
Dec. 17 choral music
Morning worship on Sunday, Dec. 17, will feature Sanctuary Choir and chamber orchestra in a presentation of Magnificat by the American composer Mark Hayes.
Adventurers theater outing
Sunday, Dec. 17 | 2 p.m. | Wilshire Adventurers will head to the theater on Sunday, Dec. 17 for a matinee presentation of the musical White Christmas at Richardson’s Courtyard Theater. $31.50 per person. Adventurers is a fellowship group for those 60 and above. Registration required by Dec. 13. Visit wilshirebc.org/events/adventurers-theater.
Blue Christmas service
Sunday, Dec. 17 | 4 p.m. | McIver Chapel | A contemplative service for those carrying pain or loss during this season of celebration.
Christmas Eve: Sunday, Dec. 24
No Sunday School or morning worship.
4 p.m. Christmas Eve family service.
11 p.m. Christmas Eve liturgical service with Lord’s Supper. Youth Choir and alumni singing.
Note: On Sunday, Dec. 31, we will offer worship at 11 a.m. and no Sunday School.
Poinsettia orders due Nov. 26
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 Dec. 3 worship folder. Each plant costs $12, and donors may take them home after Christmas Eve services. Order by Nov. 26 using a form in the office or online via Realm. | ORDER HERE
Sign up kids to build nativity
Children in kindergarten through grade 6 can help build the Sanctuary nativity scene by carrying an element to the chancel during worship. We will begin the first Sunday of Advent, Dec. 3, and build the scene week by week until it is complete at the 4 p.m. Christmas Eve service. | SIGN UP HERE
Giving Tree in James Gallery
Wilshire’s Giving Tree will be up and running in James Gallery by Sunday, Nov. 19. Select a tag from the tree and fulfill a Christmas wish for a child or adult served by one of our local mission partners, including CitySquare, Viola’s House, Community Partners of Dallas, Gateway of Grace, Genesis Women’s Shelter, Interfaith Family Services and Wilkinson Center. Tags for students at Spring Valley Elementary and Wilshire benevolence will also be available. Please note due dates and other instructions as they vary by agency. Each tag has a QR code you can use to let us know which tag you selected, enabling us to send you a due-date reminder.
Virtual Giving Tree
If you can’t make it to the building, you can participate in our Virtual Giving Tree. See it here.