Senior Pastor candidate preaches Dec. 4
The Pastor Search Committee’s final candidate will preach in view of a call on Sunday morning, Dec. 4, to become senior pastor at Wilshire. See more at wilshirebc.org/pastor-transition.
Hanging of the Green: Sunday, Dec. 4, at 6:30 p.m.
Hanging of the Green, a festive and beloved Wilshire tradition which marks the start of the Christmas season for many, will be presented tonight, Dec. 4, at 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. The event will feature congregational singing and music from Wilshire choral ensembles as the Sanctuary is decorated for the season. All are invited to a reception in Community Hall after the program.
“The World in Every Corner Sings” is the theme for this year’s presentation, which will feature Christmas music from around the world. A litany on Mary’s Song will include lines spoken in different languages, and three speakers will share reflections about Christmas customs in their home countries.
Sanctuary Choir will sing three songs from composer Conrad Susa’s Carols and Lullabies: Christmas in the Southwest, with lyrics in English and Spanish. Sanctuary Choir and Nova will combine to sing a Ukrainian Christmas chant arranged by Wilshire member Mike Capps, and R.G. Huff will offer a prayer for the Ukrainian people. Other ensembles performing are Youth Choir, Shekinah and a combined Children’s Choir. A trio of mom and daughters Amy, Audrey and Katherine Pottkotter will sing “The Holly and the Ivy,” and all groups will join for the finale, “Joy to the World.”
Hanging of the Green will be livestreamed here and on our Wilshire Baptist YouTube channel and website.
Special choral music next Sunday morning, 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.
This service will be livestreamed on the Wilshire Baptist Youtube channel and website.
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, Saturday, Dec. 24
■ 5 p.m. Family service – all ages welcome
■ 11 p.m. Liturgical service with communion. Youth Choir Alumni will sing.
Both services will be livestreamed on the Wilshire Baptist Youtube channel and website.
Christmas and New Year’s Day worship services
On Sundays 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 gifts are due soon
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 mission partners: CitySquare, Viola’s House, Community Partners of Dallas, Gateway of Grace, Genesis Women’s Shelter, Interfaith Family Services and Wilkinson Center. Gifts for most agencies are due to Wilshire by Wednesday, Dec. 7.
■ There’s also a Virtual Giving Tree. Find the 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, finishing at the 5 p.m. Christmas Eve service. Sign up at wilshirebc.org/registration. Contact: Julie Girards (jgirards@wilshirebc.org)
One Starry Night: Interactive Bethlehem Experience
Friday, Dec. 16 • 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. • FREE
Bring the whole family and invite your friends and neighbors to 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.
One Starry Night yard signs available
One Starry Night is a major outreach event for Wilshire, and you can help promote it by displaying a sign at your home. Signs are available to pick up at the church office and the north entrance.
Library Decorations
Stop by the Library during the holiday season (beginning 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 link at 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; see link at wilshirebc.org/registration.
Morning Worship Preaching schedule
Dec. 11: Doug Haney, associate pastor
Dec. 18: Heather Mustain, associate pastor
Dec. 24, 5 p.m.: Heather Mustain, associate pastor
Dec. 24, 11 p.m.: Darren DeMent, associate pastor
Dec. 25: Brianna Childs, pastoral resident
Jan. 1: John Kelly, pastoral resident
Lunch & Learn is Dec. 7
The next Lunch & Learn will be 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 (bclayton@wilshirebc.org)
Sign up by Dec. 4 for Dec. 9 Parents Night Out
Wilshire is offering free childcare for infants through grade 6 on Friday, Dec. 9, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Registration is required, and the deadline to sign up is today, Dec. 4. Visit wilshirebc.org/registration. Contact: Carol Cabaniss (ccabaniss@wilshirebc.org)
All Women of Wilshire invited to book club holiday event
■ 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)
■ The WOW! Brown Bag Book Club meets one Thursday a month at noon in Room 1205-L. On Jan. 5, the group will discuss Kreis Beall’s The Great Blue Hills of God. Contact: Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org)
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. Walk-ups are welcome, but to make an appointment, look for the link at wilshirebc.org/registration. Contact: Linda Garner (lgarner@wilshirebc.org)
Theater outing set for Thursday evening, Dec. 15
Join Wilshire friends for an outing Thursday night, Dec. 15, to see Soul Rep Theatre Company’s production of Travisville. The play was inspired by Jim Schutze’s book The Accommodation, which was recently read citywide as part of Big D Reads. Written by William Jackson Harper, a Dallas native known for acting on TV’s The Good Place, the play presents a fictionalized account of events depicted in Schutze’s book, which explored struggles around race and gentrification in midcentury Dallas. A regional premiere, Travisville is being staged at Fair Park’s Margo Jones Theater. The play starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at a group rate of $21 each and can be purchased through Realm. Visit wilshirebc.org/registration.
Wednesday Night Live: Dec. 7
Dec. 7: last regular week for Koinonia Café and children’s and preschool activities plus a special session for adults
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.
KidConnect
6 – 7 p.m. | K – Grade 6 | A rotation of activities to help kids learn how to love God and others with every part of themselves.
Coming Dec. 14: Preschool music program
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.
Dec. 7 only: Reflections on the Magnificat
6 p.m. | Parlor | Associate Pastor Heather Mustain will lead an exploration of the Magnificat — the inspiration for Wilshire’s Advent theme — with three special guests, all of them Black women who lead nonprofit organizations in South Dallas: Cessilye Smith of Abide Women’s Services, Thana Simmons of Viola’s House and Tammy Johnson of Empowering the Masses.
Wednesday Childcare for infants to 2-year-olds whose parents are involved in church activities is offered 6 – 7:15 p.m.