Lillian Daniel preaches Nov. 21
The Rev. Lillian Daniel will be our guest preacher on Sunday, Nov. 21. Daniel has been senior pastor at First Congregational Church in Dubuque, Iowa, since 2016, and previously served churches in Connecticut and Illinois. A preacher, teacher and writer, Daniel is the author of four books. Her latest, Tired of Apologizing for a Church I Don’t Belong To, is generating international conversation about the changing religious landscape. Daniel’s 2013 book, When ‘Spiritual But Not Religious’ Is Not Enough, examined the growing number of people who claim “none” as their religious preference. A reviewer for the Christian Science Monitor called it “a feast of words — funny, ribald, tiptoeing to the edge of sarcasm, yet full of love and unflinching hope.” A graduate of Bryn Mawr College, Yale Divinity School and Hartford Seminary, Lillian has taught preaching to aspiring clergy from Saint John’s Theological College in New Zealand, to Chicago Theological Seminary and the Danish Festival of Homiletics. She has spoken at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., Duke Chapel, King’s College, London and Queen’s College, Ontario.
No Wednesday activities Nov. 24
Wednesday Night Live and Koinonia Café To Go will take a break the day before Thanksgiving. Here’s a look at what to expect on Wednesdays for the rest of 2021.
• Nov. 24: No activities.
• Dec. 1: Wednesday Night Live returns with Family Dinner at 5 p.m. and a First Wednesday: Called to Care project for all ages at 6 p.m.
• Dec. 8: The final Wednesday Night Live of the year will feature Family Dinner at 5 p.m. and the Preschool and Children’s Choirs Mini-Concert at 6 p.m.
• Dec. 15: No Wednesday Night Live.
Final youth Watershed and Sanctuary Choir rehearsal of the year.
• Dec. 22 & 29: No activities.
Koinonia Café To Go
• Nov. 24: No service.
• Dec. 1 & 8: Service as usual.
• Dec. 15: Service as usual, but takeout only; no on-site Family Dinner.
• Dec. 22 & 29: No service.
Reserve a spot soon for Dallas Symphony Christmas Pops Join your Wilshire friends for an outing to the Dallas Symphony Christmas Pops concert on Sunday, Dec. 12, at 3 p.m. The show features the DSO with vocalists Ava Pine and Reginald Smith, Jr., organist Bradley Welch and the Dallas Symphony Chorus. Tickets are $40 each and include bus transportation to the Meyerson Symphony Center and back. This is a popular event and often sells out, so act now to guarantee your spot. Reserve a ticket at wilshirebc.org/registration. Contact Carolyn Murray at cmurray@wilshirebc.org with questions.
Order poinsettias by Dec. 1 Help decorate the Sanctuary with poinsettias for the upcoming Advent season. Each year, the festive flowers are provided by congregants in honor or in memory of loved ones, friends, family members and teachers. Dedications will be listed in the worship folder on the second Sunday of Advent, Dec. 5. Each plant costs $12, and donors may take the plants home after Christmas Eve services. Place your order using forms available in the church office or online at wilshirebc.org/registration. The deadline for ordering is Wednesday, Dec. 1.
Adventurers Christmas Luncheon. The Wilshire Adventurers will hold a Christmas luncheon on Thursday, Dec. 9, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Community Hall. Lunch will be followed by a program called Melodic Memories by Texas Winds Musical Outreach. Cost is $20. RSVP by contacting Barbara Clayton at 214-452-3125 or bclayton@wilshirebc.org. Or sign up at wilshirebc.org/registration.
Hospitality Ministry Team brunch. In appreciation of the Hospitality Team, Wilshire will hold a come-and-go brunch for team members on Sunday, Dec. 5, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in James Gallery. If you are interested in joining the Hospitality Ministry, contact Barbara Clayton at 214-452-3125 or bclayton@wilshirebc.org.
New here?
• The monthly Wilshire Welcome Class helps guests and new members learn what Wilshire is about, from worship philosophy and Bible study options to mission and advocacy partners. The class will meet Sunday, Dec. 12, at 10 a.m. in the Prayer Room near McIver Chapel.
• Coffee and Conversation with Senior
Pastor George Mason will be held Sunday, Dec. 5, at 10 a.m. This informal time in George’s study gives guests and new members a chance to ask questions about Wilshire.
• Questions? Contact Carolyn Murray at cmurray@wilshirebc.org.
Worship together on Zoom Those unable to attend worship in person are invited to view the 11 a.m. livestream with others on Zoom. The session begins each Sunday at 10:45 so participants can chat before the service. Email Ashley Robinson at arobinson@wilshirebc.org for the Zoom link.
Women of Wilshire book clubs
• The WOW! Brown Bag Book Club meets one Thursday a month at noon in Room 1205-L. On Dec. 2 the group discuss Fredrik Backman’s Anxious People and enjoy a sweet treat and cider from Wilshire’s kitchen. Contact: Abbey Adcox (aadcox@wilshirebc.org).
• The WOW! Tuesday Evening Book Club meets in the Parlor monthly at 6 p.m. On Dec. 14 the group will discuss Jenny Colgan’s The Christmas Bookshop and enjoy a sweet treat and cider from Wilshire’s kitchen. Contact: Debby Burton (dburton@wilshirebc.org).
Women’s Retreat: Feb. 11–13, 2022 Get away and find community, encouragement and time with God at the 2022 Women’s Retreat, themed “While I Breathe.” Pastoral Residents Ashley Robinson and Jenna Sullivan will serve as camp pastors. The cost is $225, with full payment due by Jan. 23. Learn more and register at wilshirebc.org/registration.
New Stephen Ministers sought Training for new Stephen Ministers begins in January. Stephen Ministers provide high-quality, one-to-one, Christ-centered care to congregants and community members experiencing life difficulties. Training involves 50 hours of discussion on distinctively Christian caring, boundaries, listening, confidentiality and crisis management. Training will be held Tuesday evenings from Jan. 4 through May 3. If you are interested, contact Parish Nurse Linda Garner at lgarner@wilshirebc.org for more information. An application can be found at wilshirebc.org/care/stephen-ministry.
What’s your why?
- Nov. 21: Gratitude Sunday. Today is Gratitude Sunday at Wilshire, marking the culmination of our stewardship emphasis and giving us all a chance to respond. Simply bring the commitment card you received in the mail, fill it out and drop it in one of the offering boxes when leaving the worship service. Commitment cards will also be available in the pews.
- Realm makes it easy. Wilshire’s new database and connection platform makes giving easier than ever. Learn more at wilshirebc.org/realm. For help setting up your profile, contact Susan Kimball at skimball@wilshirebc.org. For help with online giving, contact Lori Gooden at lgooden@wilshirebc.org.
- Last call for whys. Why church? Why Wilshire? Why give? There are as many reasons as there are Wilshire members. And we want to hear yours. Large boards have been set up on easels in two locations in the building — one near the church office and the other in James Gallery. On a table you’ll find sticky notes and pens. We invite you to write your why and add it to the board by this Sunday, Nov. 21.
Breaking Dawn: Wilshire Advent 2021
“By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” —Luke 1:76-79
In the moments just before dawn, there is a pull toward wonder as we imagine what’s next. For those who have been swallowed by grief, there is joy. For all who are tired of being tired, there is life. For all who wonder if there is a way out, there is hope. Join us this Advent season as we prayerfully consider what the breaking dawn might reveal.
Hanging of the Green, Sunday, Dec. 5, 6:30 p.m., Sanctuary. Kick off the season with Wilshire’s beloved tradition. The Sanctuary will be decorated to the sounds of Wilshire’s music groups, and Tim Krause will present a dramatic reading of Henry Van Dyke’s “The Story of the Other Wise Man.” The program will be followed by a reception in Community Hall.
Preschool & Children’s Choirs Mini-Concert, Wednesday, Dec. 8, 6 p.m., Sanctuary. Preschool Choirs, Children’s Choirs and Children’s Handbells performing.
Choir in worship, Dec. 19. On Sunday, Dec. 19, both morning worship services will feature Christmas choral music from Sanctuary Choir accompanied by an instrumental ensemble. Selections include excerpts from Handel’s Messiah, favorites from John Rutter and more.
Christmas Eve
• Family service at 5 p.m.
• Liturgical service at 11 p.m.
After Christmas
• Sunday, Dec. 26: One worship service at 11 a.m., no Sunday School. Join us at 10:15 in James Gallery for coffee and pastries.
• Sunday, Jan. 2: One worship service at 11 a.m., Sunday School at 10 a.m.
Giving Trees. Wilshire will again have our traditional Giving Tree as well as a Virtual Giving Tree. Each tag represents the Christmas wishes of 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, Pershing Elementary and Wilkinson Center. The traditional Giving Tree will be in James Gallery starting Sunday, Nov. 28, with gifts due back Wednesday, Dec. 8. The SignUpGenius link for the Virtual Giving Tree is active and can be found at wilshirebc.org/registration. Gifts are due back Wednesday, Dec. 1. Take note of the due date for the tags you select, and whether the agency wants the gifts wrapped or not. Contact Abbey Adcox at aadcox@wilshirebc.org with questions.
Sign up kids to build nativity set. Each Sunday of Advent (starting Nov. 28) and Christmas Eve, children in third through sixth grade are invited to participate in the 9 or 11 a.m. worship service and the 5 p.m. Christmas Eve service to build the Nativity scene by carrying an element to the chancel steps. We will build it each week until it is complete on Christmas Eve. If your child is interested in participating, you can find the sign-up link at wilshirebc.org/registration. Spots will go quickly! Contact Julie Girards at jgirards@wilshirebc.org with questions.
Advent Dawnings: Weekly Zoom Devotionals. Join Wilshire’s pastoral residents for a morning gathering each Wednesday at 8 a.m. during Advent. This brief time of study and prayer will be a great way to ponder the Advent story as we wait and watch for hope to dawn. This midweek gathering starts Dec. 1 and will happen over Zoom so that whether you’re on your way to work or beginning a day at home, you can be part of the community gathering. The Zoom information will be sent in the Tapestry email each Friday, or email Brianna Childs at bchilds@wilshirebc.org.
Advent Reflection Videos. Each Tuesday and Thursday during Advent we will publish a brief video with Scripture, prayer and music. The videos, five to seven minutes in length, will be available on our YouTube channel and will be shared on social media and in the weekly Monday Recap email.
Advent Devotional Book . Looking for a daily devotional for the Advent season? Join with fellow Wilshire members as we read and reflect using the new book, A Surprising God: Advent Devotions for an Uncertain Time. A limited number of copies are available in the church office for $10, but we encourage you to buy your own; the book can be found at major online retail sites. About the book: Mindful of the stresses of life today in a world torn apart by conflict, marked by political division, and in the midst of a global health crisis, these devotions for Advent and Christmas invite readers to honest reflection on the challenges of being people of faith in this moment.