Hanging of the Green is Sunday at 6:30 pm
Wilshire favorite returns to Sanctuary; reception follows
Hanging of the Green, a festive and beloved Wilshire tradition which marks the start of the Christmas season for many, will be presented Sunday night, Dec. 5, at 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. The event, which was not held in person last year due to the pandemic, will feature congregational singing and music from Wilshire’s various ensembles as the Sanctuary is decorated for the season. All are invited to a reception in Community Hall after the program.
Associate Pastor Doug Haney says, “While we presented a creative online version of Hanging of the Green last year, there’s nothing like being together in our Sanctuary. We are looking forward to a wonderful evening of worship and music.”
Groups performing are Sanctuary Choir, Nova, Youth Choir, Shekinah, Children’s Choir, Carillon Ringers and Wilshire Winds. All groups will combine for the finale, Christmas Carol Trilogy.
A special element of this year’s program will be a dramatic reading of Henry van Dyke’s The Story of the Other Wise Man by Wilshire member Tim Krause. Van Dyke (1852 – 1933), was an American author, educator, diplomat and Presbyterian minister. He first delivered The Story of the Other Wise Man as a sermon, and it was published as a book in 1895. The story is based on the Biblical account of the Magi, and over the years it has been adapted for the stage, television, as an opera and a children’s book.
Hanging of the Green will be livestreamed on Wilshire’s YouTube channel (youtube.com/wilshirebaptist).
Preschool and Children’s Choirs Mini-Concert,
Wednesday, Dec. 8
Wilshire’s preschool and children’s choirs will present a Christmas concert Wednesday, Dec. 8, at 6 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Children’s Choir Coordinator Candy McComb says, “We are so blessed at Wilshire to have a music ministry that includes choir beginning at age 3. Our choirs are so excited to share the joyful sounds of Christmas with our families and friends. What could be more beautiful than the sounds of children’s voices as they celebrate the birth of Christ?” The 30-minute program will feature songs from the 3-Year-Old Choir, Pre-K Choir, Kindergarten Choir, Music Makers (grades 1 and 2) and Young Musicians (grades 3 through 6). The children will assist Jeff Brummel in telling the story of the origins of “Silent Night.” The concert will also mark the debut of Beginning Handbells. Directed by Kelly Akins, this new group features children, youth and adults.
A few spots remain 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. Tickets are $40 each and include bus transportation to the Meyerson Symphony Center and back. Reserve a ticket at wilshirebc.org/registration. Contact Carolyn Murray at cmurray@wilshirebc.org with questions.
Last chance for Giving Tree
If you plan on participating in our Giving Tree effort, grab a tag soon — gifts are due back Wednesday, Dec. 8. The tree can be found in James Gallery, and each tag represents the Christmas wishes of a child or adult served by one of our local mission partners. Take note of 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 and Christmas Eve, children 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. Contact Julie Girards at jgirards@wilshirebc.org with questions.
Advent playlist on Spotify
Wilshire has created an eclectic Advent and Christmas playlist on the streaming music service Spotify. The basic version of Spotify is free to use, and you can find a link to the Wilshire playlist at wilshirebc.org/advent.
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 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 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. A link to the The Zoom information can be found at wilshirebc.org/advent and will be sent in the Tapestry email each Friday. You can also get it by emailing Brianna Childs at bchilds@wilshirebc.org.
Advent Reflection Videos
Each Tuesday and Thursday during Advent we are releasing a brief video with Scripture, prayer and music. The videos, which will be five to seven minutes in length and may remind you of our Midweek Update & Reflection videos from earlier in the pandemic, will be available on our YouTube channel (youtube.com/wilshirebaptist) and will be shared on Facebook, Instagram 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 few 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.
Help decorate Tree of Hope
Help decorate Wilshire’s Tree of Hope and Remembrance in the South Lobby. You are invited to write 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 your ornament home close to Christmas and place it on your own tree.
Library Christmas decorations
Wilshire’s Library is decorated for the season. You may have noticed a beautiful nativity set and angel in the Library’s corner display window. This set is one of many in the personal collection of Wilshire member Linda Garner, and many others from around the world can be seen inside the library.
Opportunities to serve
• Gateway of Grace needs volunteers to help with a Christmas party they are having for refugee families on Saturday, Dec. 18, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church.
• Owenwood Farm and Neighbor Space is collecting gently used Christmas decorations to distribute to the families they serve. They also need volunteers for the distribution events.
• Wilkinson Center needs volunteers to sort toys on Dec. 14 and assist with a toy distribution event on Dec. 17.
• Contact Abbey Adcox (aadcox@wilshirebc.org) to learn more about these opportunities.
Christmas Eve services
• Family service, 5 p.m.
• Liturgical service with communion, 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.
Coffee and Conversation with George this Sunday
• 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.
• 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.
• Questions about these events? Contact Carolyn Murray at cmurray@wilshirebc.org.
Pick up Blessing Bags for unhoused neighbors
For the Dec. 1 Called to Care missions activity, Christmas gifts for our homebound members were prepared and 500 Blessing Bags were assembled for our unhoused neighbors. Participants were invited to take Blessing Bags with them to share with neighbors in need over the coming weeks. Additional Blessing Bags are available for you to pick up this Sunday at the north entrance, in the South Atrium and the large third floor coffee bar. Each bag contains a note card, socks, hand warmers, personal care items and a snack.
Worship together on Zoom
Unable to attend worship in person? View the 11 a.m. livestream with others on Zoom. The session begins each Sunday at 10:45 so participants can chat before worship. Email Ashley Robinson at arobinson@wilshirebc.org for the Zoom link.
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.
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.
Women of Wilshire book clubs
• 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).
• The WOW! Brown Bag Book Club meets one Thursday a month at noon in Room 1205-L.
On Jan. 13 the group will discuss The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah. Contact: Abbey Adcox (aadcox@wilshirebc.org).
Valerie Kaur coming in February
Author Valerie Kaur will be in Dallas for two events presented by Faith Commons and co-sponsored by Wilshire. Kaur will deliver a lecture Wednesday evening, Feb. 2, and lead a workshop Thursday morning, Feb. 3. Details to be announced. Kaur is an author, activist, filmmaker, lawyer, educator and faith leader. She is the founder of the Revolutionary Love Project and the author of the 2020 book See No Stranger.
Wednesday Night Live
Dec. 8
Family Dinner
5 – 6 p.m. • Community Hall
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.
Preschool and Children’s Choirs Concert
6 p.m. • Sanctuary
Upcoming Wednesdays
• 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.
• Jan. 12: Wednesday activities resume.
Free session for K–12 students and parents on adolescent mental health
Wednesday, Jan. 19, 6 p.m. at Wilshire
Save the date for this important presentation for all children, youth and parents. Grant Halliburton Foundation will present 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. For more information, contact Julie Girards at jgirards@wilshirebc.org.
For K–3 students
RISE: Change Your World! is an interactive presentation designed to help students reframe their thinking and behavior related to bullying.
For grades 4–6 and 7–12
#SAFE is an interactive presentation designed to educate young people about mental wellness and encourage them to speak up concerning their mental health.
For parents
You’ll learn to recognize signs of stress and depression, promote adolescent brain health and mental wellness, foster strong coping skills in youth and more. Parents, teachers and other adult influencers welcome.
Grant Halliburton Foundation is a Dallas-based nonprofit working to raise awareness and understanding of adolescent mental health and suicide prevention.
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.