This page is generally updated on Fridays.
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Music and Missions zoo outing
KidConnect and Children’s Choir participants will celebrate the end of the school year with a fun day at the Dallas Zoo on Saturday, May 3, from 8:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. The outing will include a photo scavenger hunt, a picnic lunch with the animals, a Wonders of the Wild demo and more. See full details and register by May 1 at wilshirebc.org/events/zoo.
Preschool Playdate at the Park
Preschoolers and their families are invited to a playdate at Coffee Park (3400 Northwest Parkway) on Saturday, May 3, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Contact: Minister to Preschoolers Kelly Akins
Hannah Service offered May 4
As much as we celebrate the gift of mothers in our lives, Mother’s Day can bring feelings of grief to those who have experienced infertility, miscarriage, death of an infant or child, adoption loss, abortion, family estrangement or the death of a mother. With this in mind, Wilshire will offer a Hannah Service on Sunday, May 4, at 2 p.m. in McIver Chapel. For those who grieve and the loved ones who support them, the service will give space to lament and remember. To register for childcare, email Kelly Akins at kakins@wilshirebc.org.
New Song benefit concert May 4
New Song Community Choir will hold a 20th-anniversary benefit concert at Wilshire on May 4 at 6:30 p.m. “You’re never too old to make a new friend or learn a new song” is the motto of the choir, a vibrant group of senior adults led by Sarah Stafford. With over 80 singers from 28 churches, eight senior living facilities and 10 Metroplex communities, the group performs regularly at senior centers, churches and community organizations, offering both sacred and secular music to uplift audiences. New Song began at Wilshire in 2005 and became a standalone nonprofit in 2020 with generous seed funding from Wilshire, which provides the choir rehearsal, storage and office space. New Song is funded mostly by grants and donations. Learn more and donate at newsongchoir.org.
Wilshire in the Park: Churchwide Picnic
Sunday, May 18 | 5–7 p.m.
Flag Pole Hill Pavilion
Don’t miss our annual picnic with food, face painting and fun at Flag Pole Hill’s inclusive playground. The pavilion and picnic tables are ours to use; bring your own lawn chairs. Wilshire will provide fried chicken, rolls and drinks. The rest of the meal is potluck with these assignments by last name: A–F, fruit; G–Q, veggies or salad; R–Z, dessert. Please use disposable containers and serving utensils and bring enough food to serve at least eight. Volunteers are needed; sign up.
Graduate info needed by May 7
Wilshire will recognize 2025 high school graduates during worship on May 18; their photos will be printed in the worship folder along with those of church members who received a bachelor’s degree from June 2024 to May 2025. To be included, submit your information and a photo by Wednesday, May 7, at wilshirebc.org/graduates.
Children’s Choir spring session is underway
Kindergartners through fifth graders are invited to “Sing This Spring” by participating in the spring session of Children’s Choirs, which includes four Sunday rehearsals, two times singing in Sunday worship plus a year-end program. Rehearsals will run from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m. after a snack lunch.
■ March 23: rehearsal
■ March 30: rehearsal
■ April 6: rehearsal
■ April 13: sing in worship on Palm Sunday; no rehearsal April 13 or 20.
■ April 27: rehearsal (Pizza Day!)
■ May 4: sing in worship
■ May 7: year-end program and party
Marriage Connections
The final Marriage Connections of the school year will be a celebration of outgoing mentor couple Patty and Paul Latham on Friday, May 9. Free childcare (infant–grade 5) will be provided at the church from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Registration for childcare is required by May 4. Visit wilshirebc.org/events/marriage-connections.
Single, Adoptive and Foster Parents Night Out
Wilshire will offer free childcare (infant–grade 5) for single, adoptive and foster parents on Friday, May 9, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Registration is required and closes May 4; register at wilshirebc.org/events/pno.
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Wednesday Night Live: April 30
Koinonia Café
5 p.m. | Community Hall | Buffet dinner. Cash/check/credit accepted. See prices. April 30: Pulled pork, baked beans, buttered corn, rolls, broccoli cheddar soup, apple crumble, caramel pecan cookies, jello. Kids: Pork, beans and corn.
Preschool Music & Missions
6 p.m. | Age 3–Pre-K | Preschool choir plus activities and lessons focused on God’s love.
KidConnect
6 p.m. | K–Grade 5 | A rotation of activities to help kids learn how to love God and others with every part of themselves.
Vespers
6 p.m. | McIver Chapel | This time of prayer, music and communion will mark the close of our recent emphasis on spiritual exploration and mysticism. The service will include a reflection on the Pathways team’s recent experience at the Monastery of Christ in the Desert.
Coming May 7
The final Wednesday night this spring will include the year-end program for Children’s Choir and KidConnect at 6 p.m. in Community Hall. This will take the place of other 6 p.m. programming, but Koinonia Café will be served at 5 p.m. as usual.
Watershed
6:30 p.m. | Grades 6–12 | Wilshire Student Ministry’s weekly time of Bible study and
music in the Youth Center.
Sanctuary Choir
7 p.m. | Choral Hall | New singers are always welcome in our main adult choir. No audition.
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Free yoga classes
Wilshire member Mary Lu Hare will lead free yoga class in the Youth Center on three Saturdays: March 15, April 19 and May 17. The one-hour sessions will start at 10 a.m. and are suitable for all experience levels. Bring a yoga mat, water and a friend.
Volunteer opportunity at WRCH
Wilshire is assembling a team of 20 volunteers for White Rock Center of Hope’s food distribution on Saturday, May 17, from 9 a.m. to noon. To sign up, visit bit.ly/4ilg7n8 or contact Abbey Adcox
(aadcox@wilshirebc.org).
Sign up for May 14 Blood Drive
Carter BloodCare will be at Wilshire for a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14. There is a critical need for several blood types, including A+, A-, O+, O- and B-. Walk-ins are welcome; appointments are recommended. Make an appointment.
Adventurers to Audubon Center
The Wilshire Adventurers will visit the Trinity River Audubon Center on Thursday, May 22. Wilshire’s own Grady Hinton will serve as guide to the birds and wildflowers that can be seen from the center’s walkable trails. The group will meet at Wilshire at 8:30 a.m. to carpool. The event is free, but registration is required. Visit wilshirebc.org/events/audubon.
WSM Youth Camp
June 30–July 5 | Register at wilshirebc.org/events/youth-camp-2025
It’s time to sign up for Wilshire Student Ministry’s best week of the year. The group will again travel to Ferncliff Camp near Little Rock, Arkansas, which provides great lodging, meeting space and recreation — hiking, nature trails, a swimming pool, lake activities, disc golf, sand volleyball and more. Mix in great adult leaders and good friends and you have everything you need for a fun, meaningful week. We’re excited to welcome back Jared Jaggers as camp pastor. Jared is a former Wilshire pastoral resident and intern now serving on staff at the American International Church in London.
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Summer 2025 — Children and Preschool
Save the dates for these Children’s and Preschool summer events. Registration is open>
• Vacation Bible School | June 9–13 | 9 a.m.–noon. | Older preschool–grade 5
• Cooking Camp | July 7–11 | 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Grades 1–5
• Listen to Your Art! | July 7–11 | 12:30–5 p.m. | Grades 1–5
• Full-day Cooking and Art available for grades 2–5
• Kindergarten & Preschool Camp | July 7–11 | 9 a.m.–noon | Older preschool–Kindergarten
• Passport Kids! Preteen Camp | July 20–23 | Overnight camp in Glen Rose, Texas for grades 3–5
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Lunch & Learn
All are invited to Community Hall the first and third Wednesdays every month at 11:30 a.m. for lunch ($10 ea.) and Bible study. See the spring schedule at wilshirebc.org/events/lunch-learn.
Men’s Book Club
The Men’s Book Club will discuss Scott Spreier’s novel Resurrecting St. John the Rancher on Tuesday, April 20, at 7 p.m. in the Parlor. Contact: Mike Meripolski or Scott Spreier.
Women of Wilshire
■ Tuesday Evening Book Club | May 13 | 6:30 p.m. | Parlor | The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon. Contact Debby Burton.
■ Brown Bag Book Club | May 1 | Noon | 1205-L | Dragonfly by Leila Meacham. Contact Carolyn Murray.
■ Evening knitting group. Anyone who enjoys knitting is invited to Peggy Tinsley’s Garland home one evening each month, usually the third Thursday, to work on their projects in fellowship with others. The group is open to knitters of all skill levels. Contact Sara Tinsley for more details.
North elevator update
Wilshire is soliciting bids to replace the elevator on the north end of the building. The current elevator, which is decades old, has proven increasingly unreliable despite repeated repair attempts, and for safety reasons it will remain out of service until the new one can be installed. The process could take several weeks. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Adam’s Baskets
Wilshire’s Adam’s Baskets ministry, created in memory of Adam Malcik upon his passing in 1987 by his parents Vy and Michael Malcik, provides members the opportunity to keep our food pantry stocked. Our small pantry meets immediate needs when a neighbor stops by for assistance. Wicker baskets are located around the church, and you can place nonperishable items into a basket at any time. Proteins, peanut butter and pop-top canned goods are most needed. Items are collected from the baskets on the second Sunday each month.