By Ariel Merivil Our songs have the power to shape what we believe and know about God, yet I often wonder how often we think critically about what we’re singing. Today’s anthem text, “Unclouded Day” by Josiah Kelley Alwood, a circuit-rider preacher from Ohio, is like...
By Timothy Peoples Have you ever read Langston Hughes’s poem “Let America Be America Again”? The opening stanzas read: Let America be America again. Let it be the dream it used to be. Let it be the pioneer on the plain Seeking a home where he himself is free. (America...
By Abbey Adcox Sometimes a gesture is so subtle it slips by unnoticed. Handing someone a cup of cold water. No ceremony, no fanfare. Only water and the gentle seeing of someone’s thirst. Jesus points to this moment as the heart of the gospel. A simple act of welcome...
By Kelly Akins Today we celebrate Father’s Day. I am fortunate to have a loving relationship with my Daddy. He set a wonderful example of living a good life, not an easy life, as George and Timothy say during family dedications. When I was growing up, he was the...
By Heather Mustain Today marks 75 years of Wilshire’s faithful witness and presence to our community, our neighborhood and our world. We have spent the last few months remembering and reflecting on memories and milestones, ministry and mission, and although our...
By Jordann McMahan What songs stick in your memory from childhood? This morning, we will sing “Standing on the Promises,” a hymn that instantly starts playing in my head as a dear reminder of my early years. I remember distinct hand and body movements, especially the...
By Charlie Fuller Summer’s here! For many of us, maybe most of us, that means travel. The beach, the mountains, amusement parks, big cities, quiet country, traveling to see family, etc. Each of these requires a journey. Have you ever thought of worship as a journey?...
By Jeff Brummel Happy birthday, church! You’re looking good for being just over 2,000 years old. As we walk with Jesus through the liturgical year, we experience Jesus’ life through Advent, birth, baptism, Lent, death, resurrection, ascension into heaven and now as...
By Kelly Akins Today is an exciting day in the life of Wilshire. We are honoring our graduating seniors, blessing them and sending them forth into the world to do good work. Many of them were dedicated or baptized here in this Sanctuary, and we promised to pray for...
By Katie Murray My younger son’s pre-K class has been focusing on the Animal Kingdom the last several weeks of school, which means the Murray household has been inundated with conversations around all of life’s peculiar creatures. From giant squids to giraffes, bears...