Fireside Chats are Nov. 13.
Wilshire is hosting Fireside Chats at members’ homes Sunday, Nov. 13, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. This event with fellowship and light refreshments will deepen connections and provide an intimate setting for us to express our collective gratitude. You can still sign up and come; most homes still have room. One home is hosting from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in consideration of families with young kids. Find the sign-up link at wilshirebc.org/registration.
The Wilshire Pulpit
Pastoral Resident John Kelly will preach Nov. 13. Two more guest preachers follow.
Nov. 20: Annette Thornburg Owen, a Wilshire pastoral resident from 2011 to 2013, was recently named assistant to the Baptist House of Studies at SMU’s Perkins School of Theology. She was previously pastor of Community Baptist Church in Warrenville, Illinois. She holds an MDiv from the University of Chicago Divinity School.
Nov. 27: Jason Coker is coordinator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Mississippi as well as president of Together for Hope, CBF’s rural development coalition. He was previously a pastor in Connecticut and served as Wilshire’s minister of missions in 2006 and 2007. He holds a PhD from Drew University and masters degrees from Yale Divinity School and Yale University.
Our associate pastors will preach in December, including Christmas Eve. Residents will preach on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1, when we will offer worship at 10 a.m., and no Sunday School.
Dec. 4: Pastor Search Committee Final Candidate will preach in view of a call (*change)
Dec. 11: Doug Haney
Dec. 18: Heather Mustain
Dec. 24, 5 p.m.: Heather Mustain
Dec. 24, 11 p.m.: Darren DeMent
Dec. 25: Brianna Childs (Christmas morning service will be in McIver Chapel)
Jan. 1: John Kelly
Thanksgiving Food Drives
White Rock Center of Hope bags due Nov. 13
Nov. 13 is the day to place food bags on the chancel steps for White Rock Center of Hope. You can also still participate by shopping their Amazon wishlist. Find the link at wilshirebc.org/registration.
Wilkinson Center boxes due Wednesday
There’s still time to provide a Thanksgiving box for families served by Wilkinson Center. A box costs $50 to $75 to assemble. Sign up and see the instructions at wilshirebc.org/registration. Deliver your boxes to Wilshire on Wednesday, Nov. 16, between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. in the South Atrium or between 2 and 3:30 p.m. in the south parking lot.
■ For more information, contact Abbey Adcox at aadcox@wilshirebc.org.
Art show ends Nov. 13
Sunday, Nov. 13, is the final day to view the art show Fill the Earth with Music in the South Lobby. The exhibit celebrates music’s role in the life of faith and features 25 works from six centuries, including pieces by Marc Chagall, Romeyn de Hooghe, Barbara Zuber, Sandra Bowden, Edward Knippers and others.
Lawanna McIver Fields, 1935 – 2022
Lawanna McIver Fields, the widow of longtime Wilshire pastor Bruce McIver, died Saturday, Nov. 5, in Nashville. She was 87. A memorial service will be held at Wilshire on Friday, Nov. 18, at 11 a.m. “Lawanna’s passing is a loss for the Wilshire church family,” says Senior Pastor Emeritus George Mason. “Even though Lawanna remarried and moved away after the death of her first husband, our beloved former pastor, Bruce McIver, her heart remained with us and ours with her. She was a joyful spirit whose presence and ministry within our church and in the wider Baptist world filled us with pride and joy. She left her own mark on the character of our church, and we will honor her memory here forever.” Lawanna and Bruce were married in 1960, two years into Bruce’s pastorate, and they remained at Wilshire after he retired for health reasons in 1988. Wilshire history book Blest Be the Tie notes that “Wilshire members loved Lawanna for herself, appreciating her exuberant joy, sensitivity to other people and delightful, vivacious personality.” Bruce died in 2001, and in 2003 Lawanna married Baptist communications pioneer W.C. Fields and moved to Nashville. W.C. Fields passed away in 2018. Wilshire extends condolences to the family, especially Bruce and Lawanna’s daughters, Kate McIver, Shannon Tomney and Renie McCarthy.
Adventurers Day of Poetry, Nov. 14
Wilshire Adventurers will enjoy lunch and poetry on Monday, Nov. 14, at 11:30 a.m. in Community Hall. The program will be presented by Jerry McElveen, Ivan Martinez and Sam Tinsley, known around the church as the Three Amigos. Jerry is professor emeritus and poet laureate of Dallas College Richland Campus. Lunch is buffet-style and costs $10 per person. No reservation needed. Contact: Barbara Clayton (bclayton@wilshirebc.org).
Women of Wilshire book clubs
■ The WOW! Brown Bag Book Club meets one Thursday a month at noon in Room 1205-L. On Dec. 1, the group will discuss Anna Quindlen’s Still Life with Bread Crumbs. Contact: Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org).
■ The WOW! Tuesday Evening Book Club invites all Women of Wilshire to “Christmas Cookies & Conversation” on Saturday, Dec. 10, at 10:30 a.m. in the Parlor. The event will include a brief discussion of John Grisham’s Skipping Christmas. Contact: Debby Burton (dburton@wilshirebc.org).
■ WOW! Fall Book Study. Women of Wilshire have been studying Amy-Jill Levine’s The Difficult Words of Jesus this fall. The final session will be held Monday, Nov. 28, at 7:30 p.m. at the DeMent home.
Ever thought about becoming a Stephen Minister?
Stephen Ministers are congregation members trained to provide one-to-one care to those experiencing a life difficulty such as grief, divorce, job loss, chronic or terminal illness or relocation. Stephen Minister training is a Christ-centered experience that equips participants with essential caring and relating skills. Trainees learn how to listen to, care for and walk with those going through difficult times. Stephen Ministers meet with care receivers weekly to listen, encourage and provide emotional and spiritual support. Training for new Stephen Ministers will take place Jan. 3 through May 2, 2023. Interested? Talk with one of Wilshire’s Stephen Leaders: Gail Brookshire, Linda Garner or Micki Lacker.
Print statements with Realm
With Realm, you can view, download or print your contribution statement at any time by following these instructions:
1. Sign in to your Realm account on a computer.
2. Choose Giving from the menu.
3. Click the funnel icon to filter the gifts that display or to change the date range.
4. Click the printer icon to generate the statement.
5. Click Print. A preview of your statement will display.
6. Click the printer icon to print or click Download for a PDF file.
For help getting set up on Realm, contact Susan Kimball at skimball@wilshirebc.org or 214-452-3108. For help with online giving, contact Lori Gooden at lgooden@wilshirebc.org or 214-452-3131.
Wednesday Night Live: Nov. 16
Koinonia Café
5 – 6 p.m. | Community Hall | Buffet-style dinner for the whole family. See pricing and details at wilshirebc.org/wednesdays.
Music, Missions & More
6 – 7 p.m. | Age 3 – Pre-K | Fun activities and lessons focused on God’s love and caring for others.
KidConnect
6 – 7 p.m. | K – Grade 6 | This new children’s experience features a rotation of activities to help kids learn how to love God and others with every part of themselves. Each week is different. Activities include art, music, science, puppets and cooking.
Also on Wednesdays
■ Watershed | Grades 7 – 12 | 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Youth Center
■ Sanctuary Choir | 7 – 8:30 p.m. | Choral Hall | No audition necessary
Resident-led Vespers
6 p.m. | McIver Chapel | As we’ve journeyed together this fall, we’ve learned what it might look like to integrate our faith more fully — in mind, body and spirit. We’ve recognized God’s consistent invitation to slow down and listen. We’ve seen that authentic, full embodiment of our faith requires us to resist the incessant pull toward busyness. Join us as we conclude our series through worship and remember together that God lovingly beckons us toward an unhurried wholeness.
Looking ahead
■ Nov. 23: No Wednesday activities.
■ Nov. 30: Adults and kids together at 6 p.m. for a Called to Care project.
■ Dec. 7: Last regular week of preschool and children’s offerings. Heather Mustain will lead a 6 p.m. session for adults.
■ Dec. 14: The final Wednesday Night Live of 2022 will feature a preschool music program followed by cookies and cocoa.
Childcare for infants to 2-year-olds whose parents are involved in church activities is offered 6 – 7:15 p.m.
My Soul Magnifies the Lord: Wilshire Advent 2022
The magnificat, the song of Mary, is a powerful and beautiful piece of Scripture. As we journey through the season of Advent together, this prophecy from the mother of Jesus invites us to magnify the Lord in our own ways. We might learn how to rejoice anew in God our Savior, to cast down the mighty, and to remember God’s promise of mercy. May we be open to whatever the Spirit wants to teach us as we wait.
Hanging of the Green
Sunday, Dec. 4 | 6:30 p.m. | Sanctuary
Kick off the season with this beloved tradition where the Sanctuary is decorated to the sounds of Wilshire’s music groups. Themed “Let All the World in Every Corner Sing,” the service will include music from Sanctuary Choir, Nova, Youth Choir, Shekinah and combined Children’s Choirs. R.G. Huff, Wilshire member and church music expert, will offer reflections.
Special choir music on Dec. 11
Sunday worship on Dec. 11 will feature special selections from Sanctuary Choir with orchestra. The choir will sing two settings of the Magnificat, one by Antonio Vivaldi and one by American composer John Ferguson.
Wilshire Winds & Carillon Ringers Holiday Concert
Sunday, Dec. 11 | 6:30 p.m. | Sanctuary
This joint concert from Wilshire’s instrumental ensembles will feature music from each group and the groups playing together. A reception with cookies and cocoa will follow in James Gallery.
Preschool music program
Wednesday, Dec. 14 | 6 p.m. | McIver Chapel
Wilshire’s preschool choirs will present a program on Wednesday, Dec. 14. A reception with cookies and cocoa will follow in James Gallery.
One Starry Night
Friday, Dec. 16 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Bring the whole family and invite your friends and neighbors to our interactive Bethlehem experience, One Starry Night, on Dec. 16. Community Hall will be transformed into the village of Bethlehem, with shops, tradespeople, food and storytelling about the whispered birth of a special baby. This event is especially suited for families with children but will be fun for all ages.
Christmas Eve
■ 5 p.m. Family service
■ 11 p.m. Liturgical service with communion. Youth Choir Alumni Choir will sing.
Christmas and New Year’s
On Dec. 25 and Jan. 1, there will be no Sunday School and worship will be at 10 a.m. The Christmas Day service will be held in McIver Chapel.
Family Advent Wreath Making
Families with children or preschoolers are invited to Community Hall after worship on Sunday, Nov. 20, to make an advent wreath to take home. A kid-friendly snack lunch and wreath-making supplies will be provided. Children’s Choirs will not meet Nov. 20.
Order poinsettias by Nov. 30
Help decorate the Sanctuary for Advent by providing poinsettias in honor or in memory of loved ones. Dedications will be listed in the worship folder on Dec. 4. Each plant costs $12, and donors may take the plants home after Christmas Eve services. Place your order using forms in the church office or at wilshirebc.org/registration. The ordering deadline is Wednesday, Nov. 30.
Giving Tree is up; gifts due Dec. 7
Select a tag from Wilshire’s Giving Tree and fulfill a Christmas wish for a child or adult served by one of these local mission partners: Citysquare’s TRAC program, Cornerstone’s Viola’s House, Community Partners of Dallas, Gateway of Grace, Genesis Women’s Shelter, Interfaith Family Services and Wilkinson Center. The Giving Tree is already up in James Gallery, and gifts are due back to Wilshire by Wednesday, Dec. 7.
■ There’s also a Virtual Giving Tree. Find the SignUpGenius link at wilshirebc.org/registration. Please note: each agency has unique instructions and due dates.
Sign up kids to build nativity set
Children in grades 1 through 6 can sign up to help build the Sanctuary nativity scene by carrying an element to the chancel during worship. We will begin the first Sunday of Advent, Nov. 27, and build the scene week by week until it is complete at the 5 p.m. Christmas Eve service. The sign-up link can be found at wilshirebc.org/registration. Spots will fill quickly! Contact: Julie Girards (jgirards@wilshirebc.org)