Senior Pastor Call Weekend Information
The Pastor Search Committee’s final candidate for the position of senior pastor at Wilshire will participate in a Call Weekend starting Wednesday, Nov. 30, which also includes four All Church Meet & Greet sessions Dec. 2 and 3, culminating in a special church business meeting after the candidate preaches in worship on Sunday, Dec. 4. See our Pastor Transition page for complete information.
Jason Coker preaches Nov. 27
Our guest preacher for Nov. 27 is Jason Coker. No stranger to Wilshire, Jason was minister of missions here in 2006 and 2007, and he was last with us in February in conjunction with our Souper Bowl of Caring initiative. Jason serves as 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. He holds a PhD from Drew University and masters degrees from Yale Divinity School and Yale University. Jason grew up around the grinding poverty of the Missisippi Delta and has committed the better part of his professional life to alleviating persistent rural poverty in America. He is the author of James in Postcolonial Perspective: The Letter as Nativist Discourse and Faded Flowers: Preaching in the Aftermath of Suicide. He co-edited Bible and Theory: Essays in Biblical Interpretation in Honor of Stephen D. Moore. He is currently writing two books to be published in 2023: The Corporation of God: A Biblical Critique of Global Capitalism and James: A Critical Commentary. Jason and his work with Together for Hope are the subject of an upcoming documentary, Hope Arising (civilhope.com).
He and his wife, Pam, are parents to Liam, 16, Owen, 14, and Reyna, 11.
Preaching schedule
Dec. 4: Senior Pastor Candidate
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
Jan. 1: John Kelly
Poinsettia deadline is 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 Hanging of the Green worship folder. Each plant costs $12; donors may take them home after Christmas Eve services. Order by Wednesday, Nov. 30, in the church office or at wilshirebc.org/registration.
Help decorate for Advent
The Worship Guild is seeking volunteers to assist with Sanctuary decorations and to perform some simple tasks during Advent. Help is needed Saturday, Dec. 3, to prepare poinsettias for Hanging of the Green; Sunday, Dec. 4, after Hanging of the Green for a few minutes; and Sundays to “pre-light” candles in the chancel Advent wreath. No special decorating skills required. Look for a SignUpGenius link at wilshirebc.org/registration.
Sign up kids to build nativity set
Children in grades 1 through 6 can sign up to build the Sanctuary nativity scene by carrying an element to the chancel during worship. We will 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)
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.
Wednesday Night Live: Nov. 30
- On Nov. 30, children and adults will work together on a Called to Care service project.
- Koinonia Café – 5 – 6 p.m. | Community Hall | Buffet-style dinner for the whole family. See pricing and details at wilshirebc.org/wednesdays.
- All ages together for a Called to Care project. 6 – 7 p.m. | James Gallery | Adults and children will join to assemble 50 art kits for mothers served by Genesis Women’s Shelter to share with their children. This project of local nonprofit Color Me Empowered provides Genesis’ clients with high quality art supplies and the ability to explore or express themselves through art. Funding for these kits was provided through a designated missions gift to Wilshire. Color Me Empowered was founded by Wilshire member Kristin Rice with the mission of inspiring children and engaging the community through art.
- Coming Dec. 7
- Dec. 7 is the last regular week of Koinonia Café, KidConnect and Preschool Music, Missions & More.
- In a 6 p.m. session for adults, Associate Pastor Heather Mustain will moderate a conversation on the Magnificat with three special guests, all of them Black women who lead nonprofits in South Dallas: Cessiyle Smith of Abide Women’s Services, Thana Simmons of Viola’s House and Tammy Johnson of Empowering the Masses.
- Coming Dec. 14
- The final night of Wednesday activities before the Christmas break will feature a 6 p.m. preschool music program in McIver Chapel. Titled Gloria! Jesus is Born, the program will feature the kindergarten, prekindergarten and three-year-old choirs. A cookies-and-cocoa reception for family and friends will follow in James Gallery.
- After a holiday break, Wednesday Night Live will resume on Jan. 11.
Childcare for infants to 2-year-olds whose parents are involved in church activities is offered 6 – 7:15 p.m.
Refresh for church logo
A new version of Wilshire’s logo has been introduced in digital spaces and the worship folder. Communications coordinator Mark McKenzie designed the new logo as an evolution of the previous one, which he created in 2004. As with the older logo, the visual symbol is based on elements from Wilshire’s baptistery tapestry, with a Celtic cross at the center. The new design is more streamlined, with all lines the same weight. Lines and shapes interlock but do not intersect or connect, lending the symbol a feeling of openness and energy and suggesting different entry points to participation in church life. “Wilshire” is now set in upper and lower case type rather than all caps, making the logo friendlier and easier to read. The use of both serif and sans serif typefaces nods to Wilshire’s mix of tradition and innovation. The new logo will be gradually rolled out in the coming months.
Next Blood Drive is Dec. 14
The Carter BloodCare bus will be at Wilshire for a blood drive on Wednesday, Dec. 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Carter is still feeling the effects of a decrease in blood donations during the pandemic; they have a less-than-one-day supply of many blood types. Walk-ups are welcome, but to make an appointment, look for the link at wilshirebc.org/registration. Contact Parish Nurse Linda Garner with questions at lgarner@wilshirebc.org or 214-452-3151.
One Starry Night
Friday, Dec. 16, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Bring the whole family and invite friends and neighbors to our interactive Bethlehem experience. 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.
Next Lunch & Learn is Dec. 7
The next Lunch & Learn will be held Dec. 7 at 11:30 a.m. Held in Community Hall the first Wednesday each month and open to all, Lunch & Learn features a meal, fellowship and a program. Lunch costs $10 per person. No reservation needed. This month, attendees will engage in a mission activity, assembling Christmas cutlery packets for Cornerstone Baptist Community Kitchen. Contact Barbara Clayton at bclayton@wilshirebc.org with questions.
ADVENT 2022 – My Soul Magnifies the Lord. Full details and schedule of events at wilshirebc.org/Advent
The Magnificat, the Song of Mary (Luke 1:46–55), 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 feature Sanctuary Choir, Nova, Youth Choir, Shekinah and combined Children’s Choirs. R.G. Huff, Wilshire member and church music expert, will offer reflections. Reception to follow.
Special choral music on Dec. 11
Morning worship on Dec. 11 will feature 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 together. A reception 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.
Christmas Eve
• 5 p.m. Family service
• 11 p.m. Liturgical service with communion. Youth Choir Alumni 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 Dec. 25 service will be held in McIver Chapel.
Giving Tree is up; gifts due Dec. 7
Select a tag from Wilshire’s Giving Tree in James Gallery and fulfill a Christmas wish for a child or adult served by one of these local mission partners: CitySquare, Viola’s House, Community Partners of Dallas, Gateway of Grace, Genesis Women’s Shelter, Interfaith Family Services and Wilkinson Center. Gifts are due back to Wilshire by Wednesday, Dec. 7.
• There’s also a Virtual Giving Tree. wilshirebc.org/registration.
Library Decorations
Stop by the Library during the holiday season (after Dec. 6) to enjoy a display of nativity sets from around the world. Most are from the collection of Wilshire member Linda Garner.
Tree of Hope and Remembrance
Help decorate Wilshire’s Tree of Hope and Remembrance in the South Lobby by writing the name of a loved one as a memorial, or your name as a survivor of cancer or another disease. Blank ornaments and markers are provided next to the tree, which is decorated with bracelets representing different forms of cancer. Hang your ornament on the tree anytime during Advent and feel free to take it home close to Christmas for your own tree.
Opportunities to serve
• The Interfaith Family Services Christmas Store will be held Dec. 6, 7 and 8. Volunteers are needed to assist shoppers, wrap gifts and lead kids’ activities. Volunteers must be at least 18. First-time volunteers: Complete an application and select “Christmas Store” as the assignment at interfaithdallas.org/get-involved/volunteer.
• Owenwood Farm & Neighbor Space needs assistance with food and diaper distribution in East Dallas on Saturday, Dec. 10. All ages welcome. Sign-up needed. wilshirebc.org/registration.
• Wilkinson Center needs volunteers to shop with clients, wrap gifts, restock toys and act as runners at its Toy Drive and Distribution on Saturday, Dec. 17. Also needed: two Santas to take photos with kids! Outfit provided. Location is Eastminster Presbyterian Church (6550 Samuell Blvd.). Ages 16+ welcome; 12 – 15 if with an adult. Volunteers must sign up in advance. wilshirebc.org/registration.