Can you Help us close the year-end gap?
As of Dec. 22, we’re still facing a gap between our estimated expenses for the year, $3,633,065, and our actual income to date, $3,328,958. We need $304,107 given during the last few days of December to break even. As we look to the bright future ahead with our new senior pastor, will you help us end the year on a positive note? Please consider making an extra gift before Dec. 31 or perhaps giving to the Unified Budget for the first time. Here are several ways to give:
■ Mail a check dated and postmarked before Dec. 31 to Lori Gooden’s attention at the church.
■ Drop a check by the church. Contact Lori at 214-452-3131 or lgooden@wilshirebc.org. Note: The church will be closed Dec. 26 and 27.
■ Give online at wilshirebc.org/give.
■ Donate appreciated stock or mutual funds by contacting your broker and having the stock transferred to Wilshire’s account at: Fidelity DTC #0226; Account: Wilshire Baptist Church – X67-239003.
The stock must be in Wilshire’s account before Dec. 31 to be tax deductible for 2022. Please call let Lori know the details of your stock gift as Fidelity will not identify the source of stock gifts to us.
As always, thank you for giving.
Preaching schedule
Jan. 1: John Kelly
Jan. 8: Darren DeMent
Jan. 15: Brianna Childs
Jan. 22: Timothy Peoples starts
Holiday schedule notes
■ Sunday, Jan. 1: Worship at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary. No Sunday School. Join us for a New Year’s Celebration with coffee and treats in James Gallery starting at 9:15 a.m.
■ No Wednesday activities until Jan. 11.
■ The church offices will be closed for staff holidays on Monday, Dec. 26, Tuesday, Dec. 27, and Monday, Jan. 2.
■ The Wilshire Library will be closed through Monday, Jan. 2.
Save the date for annual church conference: Jan. 22
Make plans to attend Wilshire’s annual church conference in Community Hall after worship on Sunday, Jan. 22. We’ll adopt a budget, elect deacons and committees and hear a word from Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples on his first day. Lunch will be provided. More details to come.
Heather Mustain to speak at January Lunch & Learn
Lunch & Learn will be held Jan. 11 at 11:30 a.m. in Community Hall. The program will feature Associate Pastor Heather Mustain sharing her personal story. 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. Contact: Barbara Clayton (bclayton@wilshirebc.org)
MLK Day Meal Packing Event
Join us on the MLK Day holiday, Monday, Jan. 16, as we partner with Rise Against Hunger to pack healthy meals for those in need. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to noon in Community Hall. Our goal is to pack 15,120 meals. This project is for everyone, with opportunities to serve while seated and while standing. Children are a great help collecting completed bags with help from a parent. Volunteers are needed to help set up starting at 8:30 a.m. and clean up afterward. Rise Against Hunger’s mission is to create immediate and long-term solutions to hunger by building resilience, self-sufficiency and empowerment in communities worldwide. Register at wilshirebc.org/registration.
Do Timothy and Valerie a favor: update your photo in Realm
Let’s update our profile pictures in Realm to help new Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples and his wife, Valerie Lott, learn names and faces.
■ Open the Realm Connect app on your mobile device.
■ Tap your picture or the empty icon next to your name. (If you don’t see your profile
picture, choose More from the bottom menu to go to the next screen, then look in the top left corner.)
■ Tap the pencil icon in the bottom right of the icon circle.
■ Chose New Profile Photo and then select a photo from your phone’s camera roll. Tap
Apply to set the photo.
■ If you access Realm on a computer, click your name in the upper right corner, then choose Realm under My Profile Views. Click on your photo, then the pencil icon. You can then upload a photo from your computer.
■ Need help? Contact Susan Kimball (skimball@wilshirebc.org) or Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org).
Homeless count: two ways to help
■ Housing Forward will conduct the 2023 Point in Time Count the evening of Jan. 26 to take a census of our unhoused neighbors. Volunteers are needed; indicate your interest at housingforward.pointintime.info. Orientation is provided, and forming a team with friends is encouraged.
■ Wilshire has committed to provide 50 blessing bags to be distributed on the 26th, and the bags will be assembled on Wednesday, Jan. 11, as part of KidConnect. You can help by donating items for the bags. Order from an Amazon wish list (link at wilshirebc.org/registration) or shop from the list below. Please deliver items to the church by Tuesday, Jan. 10.
■ Items needed: lip balm, travel size lotion, travel disposable wipes, disposable masks, travel hand sanitizer, hand warmers, gloves, warm hat, travel blanket.
Women of Wilshire book clubs
■ 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)
■ The WOW! Tuesday Evening Book Club meets in the Parlor monthly at 6:30 p.m. On Jan. 10, the group will discuss Paula McLain’s Circling the Sun. Contact: Debby Burton
Marriage Connections, Jan. 13
Wilshire member and pediatrician Rhonda Walton will speak at the next Marriage Connections on Friday, Jan. 13, at 6:30 p.m. In this monthly event, free childcare (infant – grade 6) is provided while parents enjoy a short program in James Gallery and then have the rest of the night, until 9:30, to themselves. Registration is required for childcare and closes Jan. 8; visit wilshirebc.org/registration. Contact: Abbey Adcox (aadcox@wilshirebc.org).
Single, Adoptive and Foster Care Parents Night Out, Jan. 13
Wilshire will offer free childcare (infant – grade 6) for single, adoptive and foster parents on Friday, Jan. 13, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Registration is required and closes Jan. 8; visit wilshirebc.org/registration.