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.
See all Advent and Christmas opportunities at wilshirebc.org/advent
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.
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.
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.
Hanging of the Green next Sunday
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Is God calling you to Stephen Ministry?
Stephen Ministers provide high-quality, one-to-one, Christ-centered care to congregants and community members experiencing life difficulties. Caring for one another is a hallmark of the Christian faith. As a Stephen Minister, you will play a crucial role in helping our congregation carry out that mission so that even if we can’t take away their pain, those who are suffering know our church truly cares. Serving as a Stephen Minister gives people an opportunity to put spiritual gifts into action — gifts such as faith, mercy, compassion and encouragement. Ministry that draws on your gifts is personally fulfilling and touches people’s lives in powerful ways. Training, which will be held Tuesday evenings from Jan. 4 through May 3, involves 50 hours of discussion on distinctively Christian caring, boundaries, listening, confidentiality and crisis management. 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.
Wednesday Night Live
Dec. 1
Family Dinner
5 – 6 p.m. • James Gallery
Start the evening by enjoying dinner together. Bring your own food or, better yet, pick up Koinonia Café To Go. Drinks and dessert are provided by the church.
First Wednesday: Called to Care
6 – 7 p.m. • Community Hall
The first Wednesday of each month, all ages are welcome as we join together for a mission or service project. On Dec. 1 we will assemble Christmas gifts and write notes for our homebound members. We’ll also assemble Blessing Bags to take and give to our unhoused neighbors.
*Note: Preschool and Children’s choirs will rehearse in the Sanctuary at 6 p.m.
Upcoming Wednesdays
- 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. Koinonia Café To Go will operate, but there will be no on-site dining.
- Dec. 22 & 29: No activities or Koinonia Café To Go.
New members
Jonathan and Jennifer McGregor
Melanie Beller
Condolences to
- Bill and Virginia Ross on the death of Bill’s sister, Mary Beth Gammill, Nov. 22.
- Jenn Weaver on the loss of her father,
Robert L. Weaver, Nov. 20.
Coming Jan. 19: special program for K–12 students, parents
Mark your calendar for an important Wednesday evening presentation for children, youth and their parents on Jan. 19. Representatives from the nonprofit Grant Halliburton Foundation will lead four concurrent age-based sessions on adolescent mental health and well-being. Participants will meet in four groups: kindergarten through grade 3; grades 4 through 6; grades 7 through 12; and parents. Teachers and other adult influencers are encouraged to join the parent group. The interactive sessions will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. in lieu of regular children’s and youth activities. Grant Halliburton Foundation is a Dallas-based nonprofit working to raise awareness and understanding of adolescent mental health and suicide prevention.
Women’s Retreat: Feb. 11–13, 2022
Find community, encouragement and time with God at the 2022 Women’s Retreat. Pastoral Residents Ashley Robinson and Jenna Sullivan will serve as camp pastors. The cost is $225, and full payment is due Jan. 23. Learn more and register 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 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.
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).