Fellowship Lunch July 24
All are invited to Community Hall after worship each week through Aug. 14 for lunch prepared by the Wilshire kitchen staff and a brief time of Q&A with the day’s guest preacher.
■ Meal is buffet-style and “chef’s choice.”
■ $10 for ages 10 and up; $5 for ages 4–9; Free for 3 and under. $35 household max.
■ Advance registration and payment are not required, but are encouraged.
■ Expedite check-in by registering and paying online in advance. Multiple weeks are now open for registration in Realm.
■ Cash, check or credit card accepted at the door.
■ Please submit dietary restrictions by Wednesday each week. Email Elizabeth Ferguson (eferguson@wilshirebc.org) or note your request when registering online.
Visit wilshirebc.org/summer-lunches to register and pay
Andy Stoker preaches July 24
Our pulpit guest for Sunday, July 24, is Andy Stoker, chief engagement officer at Thanks-Giving Square in Dallas. From 2013 until this year he was senior minister at First United Methodist Church, Dallas. Andy holds a secular PhD in family science, with an emphasis in family/organizational systems theory. He also holds two certifications: Mindfulness Meditation Teacher through the Greater Good Network at UC Berkeley and Equitable Community Change from Cornell University. His MDiv is from SMU’s Perkins School of Theology. You can hear Andy on the “Parenting for the Present” podcast and meditate with him on Life in the Trinity Ministry’s “The Table.” Andy is married to Megan, a pediatric nurse, and they have two sons, Alex, 19, and Wesley, 14.
The Wilshire Pulpit
A diverse lineup of guests will preach at Wilshire during our pastoral transition. Our pastoral residents will also preach about once a month.
July 31: Stephen Hatfield retired last November after 28 years as senior pastor at First Baptist Church in Lewisville. He previously served churches in Arkansas, where he grew up, and Texas. Hatfield holds a bachelor’s degree from Ouachita Baptist University and an MDiv and PhD from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth.
Aug. 7: Pastoral Resident John Kelly
Aug. 14: Luke Powery is dean of Duke University Chapel and associate professor of homiletics at Duke Divinity School. His teaching interests include preaching, worship, pneumatology and culture, particularly expressions of the African diaspora. He previously taught at Princeton Theological Seminary.
Aug. 21: Hymn Sing
Aug. 28: Celebrating George Mason
Sept. 4: Rabbi Nancy Kasten is a community educator, volunteer and activist who serves as chief relationship officer for Faith Commons, the interfaith nonprofit founded by George Mason. Ordained by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, she served as Hillel director, associate chaplain, and adjunct professor of Biblical Hebrew at SMU.
■ See the full schedule at wilshirebc.org/guest-preachers.
Wilshire Welcome is today
■ The monthly Wilshire Welcome Class, which helps guests and new members learn what Wilshire is all about, will meet July 24 at 10 a.m. in the Prayer Room near McIver Chapel.
■ Coffee and Conversation will be hosted by Associate Pastor Heather Mustain on Sunday, Aug. 14, at 10 a.m. in the senior pastor’s study. This informal event gives guests and new members a chance to ask questions about Wilshire.
■ Questions about these events? Contact Carolyn Murray at cmurray@wilshirebc.org.
Women of Wilshire book clubs
■ The WOW! Tuesday Evening Book Club meets in the Parlor monthly at 6:30 p.m. On Aug. 9, the group will discuss Sarah Penner’s The Lost Apothecary. Zoom option by request. Contact: Debby Burton (dburton@wilshirebc.org).
■ The WOW! Brown Bag Book Club meets one Thursday a month at noon in Room 1205-L. On Aug. 4, the group will discuss The Dearly Beloved by Cara Walls. Contact: Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org).
Preteen Camp going on now
Be in prayer for 18 Wilshire 3rd through 6th graders and five adult leaders as they attend Passport Kids! Camp at the Heart of Texas Baptist Camp and Conference Center near Brownwood. The group left yesterday and will return Tuesday.
Blessing of the Backpacks: Sunday, Aug. 14
The annual Blessing of the Backpacks will be held during worship on Sunday, Aug. 14. Children are encouraged to bring their backpacks or school bags to church, and during the service they will be invited to the front of the Sanctuary to receive a blessing for themselves, their teachers and parents as the new school year begins.
Promotion Sunday Hymn Sing: Aug. 21
Worship on Promotion Sunday, Aug. 21, will take the form of a Hymn Sing. The service will include congregational singing of 10 hymns chosen by the music staff after tabulating your votes in the recent hymn survey. A variety of instrumental accompaniments will be utilized, including organ, piano, guitar, mandolin and flute. There will be no guest preacher or sermon on Aug. 21. R.G. Huff — Wilshire member, Sanctuary Choir singer, hymn writer and retired music minister — will offer three hymn reflections during the service.
Celebrating George Mason: Aug. 28
Mark your calendars for Sunday, Aug. 28, when Wilshire will recognize and celebrate George Mason as his retirement from the senior pastor role becomes official. Aug. 27 will mark George’s 33rd anniversary as senior pastor, and his last day will be Aug. 31. The worship service on Aug. 28 will include a time of recognition for George, and in lieu of a sermon, each of our three associate pastors will offer a reflection. A come and go reception for George, Kim and family will be held in James Gallery at two times: during Sunday School (starting at 9:45) and after worship.