Epiphany Sunday January 6, 2019
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Epiphany Sunday January 6, 2019
Preparing for worship
There’s an old German prayer for the Feast of recognize the “epiphany” of God in Christ can
Three Kings that goes like this: act in accordance with his liberating mission on
“Caspar, Melchior, Balthasar, protect us again earth. The three kings were sent by Herod, but
this year from the dangers of fire and water.” their mission was radically altered when they
It’s an apt prayer for our times, conjuring recognized Jesus for who he is, and they went
images of California wildfires and Indonesian home “by another road.”
tsunamis, not to mention the crisis of a Likewise, we come to church on one road,
warming planet with rising sea levels. but we stand before the living God in this space
But how can these three kings (tradition of worship and get sent home by another road.
assigns them the names Caspar, Melchior and Why? Because it’s here that God’s revelation
Balthasar) protect us from the ravages of fire provides new vision, enabling us to point to
and water? those places and spaces where Christ is at work
This morning we’ll be singing Arise, Your in the world.
Light Is Come, which is based on the words of The earth is engulfed in flames (literally), and
Isaiah 60. As these lyrics make clear, the light many of us seem hard-pressed to notice. But
that dawns in the Christmas manger shines on when we, like the three kings, receive a sight
prisoners, the poor and the broken-hearted. adjustment, we’re able to point to the ravages
Rather than arriving in a vacuum, the Son of of fire and water and sound the alarm. We can’t
God treads the same ground as poor Galileans save the world, but we can become participants
who endure raging fires and surging waters. in the mission of One who can. And for that,
Indeed, as you enter this worship space today, there’s a sense in which we provide “protection.”
you can be sure that Jesus — Emmanuel, God So as you prepare for worship, open
with us — is also standing with you in your own yourselves to the possibility of receiving new
fiery trials. vision. For only those with vision can respond
But the question still lingers: Why does faithfully when the world cries out: “Church of
the German prayer call on the three kings for the living God, protect us again this year from
protection? the dangers of fire and water.”
The answer, it seems to me, is that those who —Matt Dodrill
Wilshire Baptist Church
4316 Abrams Road | Dallas, Texas 75214
(214) 452-3100 | www.wilshirebc.org
Partnered with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
Building a Community of Faith Shaped by the Spirit of Jesus Christ
ON THE COVER: Isaiah 60:1 © 2014 Timothy R. Botts | Eyekons
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January 6, 2019
8:30 and 11:00 a.m.
Epiphany Sunday
Chiming of the Hour
The people of Wilshire gather this morning to worship God.
In order for this service of worship to be focused upon that purpose,
please turn off all cell phones, pagers and alarm watches.
Prelude Noel of the Strangers Daguin
+Gospel Reading — Matthew 2:1–12 Mark Wingfield
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East
came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we
observed his star at its rising and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he
was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of
the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of
Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by
no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my
people Israel.’” Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time
when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently
for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him
homage.” When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that
they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that
the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child
with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure
chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream
not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
+Processional Hymn 151 We Three Kings kings of orient
Coming of the Magi
*Christopher Granberry, Clara Granberry, Garrett Woodbury
**Drew Easley, Gideon Krieger, Collin Adcox
*8:30 worship service / **11:00 worship service
+All congregants who are able are invited to stand.
Hearing devices are available in the Narthex and South Atrium.
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Greeting to Worshipers Mia Wilson / Linda Goelzer
Guests are invited to take a Response Card from the pew rack,
complete it and place it in the offering plate when it is passed later in the service.
We would love to know you were here today. Prayer concerns will be received
and prayed for this week when listed on an intercessory prayer card
from the pew rack and placed in the offering plate.
Prayers of the People Heather Mustain / Tiffany Wright
Reading — Isaiah 60:1–5a Ben Holden / Carol Tommey
Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For darkness
shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his
glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your
dawn. Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall
come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms. Then you shall see
and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Celebration of the Lord’s Supper Matt Dodrill / Jared Jaggers
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our sins,
As we forgive those who sin against us;
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,
For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory forever. Amen.
The Bread
Meditation on a French Carol arr. Martin
The Cup
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence arr. Travis
+The Passing of the Peace
May the peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
+Hymn 87 Arise, Your Light Is Come festal song
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Giving of Tithes and Offerings
If you give regularly or periodically through direct bank withdrawal or credit/debit card
transaction, you may need to renew your authorization for the new year. Be sure to
check that your scheduled gifts continue as you intend. And if your intention is to tithe 10 percent
or more of your income to the work of the Lord, be sure to adjust your giving to reflect your 2019
compensation. For assistance in online giving, contact Lori Gooden at lgooden@wilshirebc.org.
*Solo Offertory Shine arr. Wilson
Ryan Wilson
As in the East a light told magi of a king
And led them through their night our light should seekers bring.
Victorious dawn! Oh Holy Light! Here ends the night in glorious morn!
Now see the glory rise and see the darkness flee!
The curtain from our eyes is shred and now we see a truth divine:
We shine most bright reflecting light he on us shines!
And if our light does shine the glory’s not for us:
The hopeless, lost and blind must find the Light’s true source.
Oh, see them come! With praising lips and precious gifts unto the Son!
Thus do his people grow in number and in faith,
As each reflected glow for one more shines the way.
So day by day we spread the Light which gave us sight and bring him praise!
**Choral Offertory Star in the East arr. Pesci
Sanctuary Choir
Cold on his cradle the dewdrops are shining,
Low lies his head with the beasts of the stall;
Angels adore him in slumber reclining,
Maker and Monarch and Savior of all.
Brightest and best of the stars of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid.
Star in the east, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.
Vainly we offer each ample oblation,
Vainly with gifts would his favor secure.
Richer by far is the heart’s adoration,
Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.
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+Offertory Response lasst uns erfreuen
Message “The Gifts We Give” George Mason
+Hymn of Commitment 159 Fairest Lord Jesus st. elizabeth
Sharing of Decisions
Benediction
Postlude March of the Three Kings arr. Martin
All guests are invited to a coffee reception in the James Gallery immediately after the service.
Welcome to Wilshire today. If you are a guest with us today, we welcome you warmly to our
congregation. We would like to get to know you and tell you more about our church. Please take a
Response Card from the pew rack, fill it out and place it in the offering plate when it comes by.
Someone to talk with. If you are facing a life challenge and would like to have a spiritual friend
to walk alongside you for a season of healing, perhaps you would benefit from a Stephen Minister.
Learn more at wilshirebc.org or contact Tiffany Wright at (214) 452-3107.
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Meet today’s worship leaders
Linda Goelzer came to Wilshire in 1994. She Carol Tommey has been a Wilshire member
was among the first class of Stephen Ministers since 1982. She and her husband, Terry, are the
trained at Wilshire and currently chairs the parents of two adult children, Blake and Claire.
Pathways to Ministry Committee. Linda is a Carol has been active in support of Wilshire’s
member of Foundations of Faith Class and student ministry and is a Youth Choir sponsor.
works as director of public relations for Carter She is a member of Cord of Three Class. She is a
Blood Care. retired elementary school teacher.
Ben Holden came to Wilshire in 2018 and is Mia Wilson and her husband, Ryan, arrived
a member of Ithaka Class. He is a greeter and at Wilshire last August as part of the pastoral
serves on the Vision 20/20 Belong Team. He is residency program. They are the parents of
an aerospace engineer. Bates, who is 2. Mia is a graduate of Candler
School of Theology and is a consultant with
Rodan + Fields.
Staff contacts
George A. Mason Jessica Capps Jared Jaggers
Senior Pastor Minister to Senior Adults Pastoral Resident
(214) 452-3132 (214) 452-3129 (214) 452-3153
Mark Wingfield Darren DeMent Ryan Wilson
Associate Pastor Minister to Students Pastoral Resident
(214) 452-3128 and Young Adults (214) 452-3158
Doug Haney (214) 452-3102 David Nabors
Minister of Music Julie Girards Director of Business Admin.
(214) 452-3123 Minister to Children (214) 452-3157
Jeff Brummel (214) 452-3104 Dale Pride
Associate Minister of Music/ Joan Hammons Facilities Manager
Organist Minister to Preschoolers (214) 452-3101
(214) 452-3122 (214) 452-3141 J. Preston Bright
Tiffany Wright Aaron Coyle-Carr Associate Pastor Emeritus
Minister for Care Ministries Pastoral Resident
(214) 452-3107 (214) 452-3154
Heather Mustain Matt Dodrill
Minister of Missions & Advocacy Pastoral Resident
(214) 452-3110 (214) 452-3156
To email any staff member, use the first letter of the first name combined with the full last name
and add @wilshirebc.org.
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The Wilshire Tapestry
Wednesday activities resume this week Koinonia Café January menus:
All Wednesday programs will resume this week Jan. 9 — Chicken Florentine, peppercorn salmon,
on Jan. 9. This includes daytime and evening smashed red potatoes, baked beef ravioli, peas
activities, Koinonia Café, New Song, preschool, with bacon, grilled zucchini and squash, salad bar,
children, youth and adult programs. dessert bar.
Vespers on Jan. 9 Jan. 16 — Thai flank steak, cashew chicken,
coconut rice, ginger green beans, stir-fried veggies,
“Healing Waters,” a resident-led vespers, will be sesame noodles, salad bar, dessert bar.
offered in McIver Chapel this Wednesday, Jan. 9, at
6 p.m. All are welcome. Child care will be available. Jan. 23 — Chicken and beef fajitas, cheese
enchiladas, Spanish rice, black beans, grilled
Affirmation of baptism vegetables, green chile corn, salad bar, dessert bar.
Anyone who has joined the church or would like Jan. 30 — Grilled pork loin, chicken fricassee,
to join the church by affirmation of a previous mashed potatoes, snap peas, fried zucchini,
Christian baptism is invited to participate in this sautéed mushrooms and peppers, salad bar,
simple ceremony at the vespers service in McIver dessert bar.
Chapel on Wednesday, Jan. 9. For information,
contact Debby Burton at dburton@wilshirebc.org. Annual Church Conference
JazzStand features Booker T. Washington Wilshire’s Annual Church Conference will be held
on Sunday, Jan. 20, at noon in Community Hall.
This month’s JazzStand This is the once-a-year time for the church to
on Abrams features gather to hear updates on our shared ministries
students from Booker T. and approve the annual budget, committee
Washington High School nominations and deacon nominations, along
for the Performing and with any other business to come before the
Visual Arts in a program church. Lunch will be served. No reservation is
titled Spontaneous needed; just show up. Child care will be available
Reorganization: A Tribute by reservation.
to Roy Hargrove. The
performance will begin at Marriage Connections
7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 8, in the Sanctuary. In
honor of the legendary trumpet player and Booker The next Marriage Connections is Friday, Jan.
T. alumnus, students of the jazz studies program 11. The topic is “Parenting Communication and
will perform under the direction of Fredrick More.” Couples are invited to attend the brief
Sanders, who himself was a student at Booker program at 6:30 p.m., then leave children for free
T. with Hargrove. Tuesday’s concert will last child care while going to dinner on their own.
approximately an hour and a half without a break, Register for free child care at wilshirebc.org/
followed by a reception with the artists. JazzStand registration by Sunday, Jan. 6. If you do not need
on Abrams is open to all, free of charge. child care, no advance registration is necessary.
Keep up with all the Wilshire news at wilshirebc.org or by using our
Wilshire app or via social media. Worship is live streamed every
Sunday at 11:00.
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Single Parents’ Night Out minister of missions and Christian advocacy,
in Room 1205-L at 6 p.m. for a preview of the
Free child care for the next Single Parents’ Night upcoming session of the Texas Legislature. She
Out will be offered on Friday, Jan. 11, beginning at and the Christian Advocacy Committee will speak
6:30 p.m. Register at wilshirebc.org/registration about Wilshire’s identified priorities in the session
by Sunday, Jan. 6. and review the how-to’s of advocacy and ways you
can be involved.
Reclaiming Joy book signing and luncheon
Joy: A Study of Philippians
On Sunday, Jan. 13, Ella Wall Prichard will speak
at a noon luncheon in Community Hall about her A three-week study of the book of Philippians will
new book, Reclaiming Joy: A Primer for Widows. be led by pastoral residents beginning Wednesday,
She wrote the book she needed, but could not Jan. 16, and concluding Jan. 30. The class will
find, after her husband died. She offers practical meet in Room 1205-G at 6 p.m. “I can do all
advice on how to achieve joy. Each chapter focuses things through Christ who strengthens me.” Few
on a different trait needed to move from grief to verses in Paul’s letters are as oft-quoted as this
joy. The book is part memoir, part guide, part one from Philippians. But what does it mean?
inspiration. What’s the context? Come explore the book of
Philippians.
Women’s Brown Bag Book Club
Farm-to-Table class
Bring your own lunch and join the monthly
discussions in Wilshire’s Brown Bag Book Club. Leanna Coyle-Carr will facilitate a two-week class
The group meets from noon to 1 p.m. in Room about the farm-to-table movement on Wednesday
1205-L. No reservation is required. The first evenings, Jan. 23 and 30, at 6 p.m. in Room
gathering of 2019 will be on Jan. 10, and the 1205-L. “Farm-to-table” is a phrase indicating
book discussed will be Eat Cake by Jeanne Ray. that the food on the table came directly from
Future dates and books are Feb. 7, The Awakening a specific farm or a local farm or garden. This
by Kate Chopin; March 7, Dear Mrs. Bird by movement focuses on eating and supporting
AJ Pearce; April 4, Unsheltered by Barbara food that is grown close to where you live. Does it
Kingsolver; May 2, Recipes for Love and Murder make sense to adopt this practice? Does it make
by Sally Andrew; June 6, A Piece of the World by a difference where we buy our food? What about
Christina Baker Kline. For more information, what we put in our bodies? How can the table
contact Tiffany Wright t (214) 452-3107 or and a simple meal help us feel more community?
twright@wilshirebc.org. Participants will have practical discussions about
the sacredness of an ordinary meal and thoughtful
Deacon ordination discussions on this farm-to-table idea.
Wilshire’s annual deacon ordination will be held Adventurers to Alamo Drafthouse
on Sunday morning, Jan. 27. Deacon nominees
will be voted on at the Annual Church Conference All senior adults are invited
the week before. Five members have been to a Wilshire Adventurers
nominated for ordination to deacon service: private screening at the Lake
Allison Brown, Linda Imhoof, Richard Luttrell, Highlands Alamo Drafthouse
Jon-Erik Schoellhorn and Alison Wingfield. Nine (Abrams and Skillman) on
ordained deacons have been nominated to new Monday, Jan. 14, at 11 a.m.
three-year terms of service: Pat Austin, Carol The movie to be screened
Cabaniss, Bob Coleman, Craig Keith, Kenton will be Secondhand Lions,
Keller, Michael Moorhead, Shaeron Moorhead, which includes in its cast
Hank Thompson, Everett Williams. Travis Willingham, son of
our own Trish Willingham.
Texas Legislature update This star-studded movie
(Michael Caine, Robert
On Wednesday, Jan. 16, join Heather Mustain, Duval, Kyra Sedgwick) is a coming-of-age story
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The Wilshire Tapestry
about a shy, young boy sent by his irresponsible support the Pathways to Ministry Endowment or a
mother to spend the summer with his wealthy, special missions cause or the Building Reserve Fund.
eccentric uncles in Texas. Reserve your $10 seat For assistance, contact David Nabors at dnabors@
by contacting Kathi Lyle at klyle@wilshirebc.org wilshirebc.org or (214) 452-3157.
or (214) 452-3130. Adventurers will be able to
order and pay for their own lunch off the Alamo Women of Wilshire mini-retreat
Drafthouse menu before and during the movie.
“Spark Joy!” is the theme of a one-day retreat for
Women of Wilshire on Saturday,
Feb. 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cost is $25 per person and includes
lunch. There will be breakout
sessions, fellowship time and a
surprise guest speaker. Sign up at
wilshirebc.org/registration.
WOW! Women’s Tuesday Night Book Club
This book club meets the second Tuesday of each
month from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Parlor. All women
Adventurers Valentine’s program are welcome. On Tuesday, Jan. 8, the group will
discuss A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles.
All senior adults (and wanna-be senior adults)
are invited to a special Valentine’s program WOW! Swap Meet
on Tuesday, Feb. 12, in Community Hall. The
Dallas Recorder Society will present a musical Women of Wilshire will sponsor a swap meet
program titled “Romancing the Recorder.” on Saturday, Jan. 12, from 10 a.m. to noon.
The small ensemble will perform a four-part Participants are invited to bring good-quality
arrangement of Pachelbel’s Canon, a Corelli solo clothing, toys, housewares, kitchen items, rugs,
sonata with delightful ornamentation and some lamps. Then participants will shop the swap meet
love songs from both ancient and modern times. for donated items they would like to take home.
The recorder is a woodwind instrument in the For details and to participate, email Christie
flute family. Recorders are made in different sizes Michie at wownewsletter@wilshirebc.org.
with names and ranges corresponding to vocal
ranges, such as soprano, alto, tenor and bass. The MLK weekend events
program is free, and a special Valentine’s luncheon
will be served at noon for $10 per person. No On Saturday, Jan. 19, Wilshire congregants are
reservation is needed. All are welcome. invited to join Friendship-West Baptist Church
for A King Teach In. George Mason and Freddy
Make a will Haynes will engage in a dialogue focused on
justice. On Monday Jan. 21, 50 volunteers are
January is an ideal time to make a will or update needed for our MLK Day of Service. We will
an existing will. As you plan for a new year and package 10,000 meals from 10 a.m. to noon All
prepare for taxes, take time to be sure you have ages are welcome, but advance registration is
written down your wishes for how your assets should required at wilshirebc.org/registration.
be distributed upon your death. And as you do,
consider that you can make a lasting and recurring Homeless count
contribution to God’s work by including Wilshire in
your will. Would you consider at least a tithe of your On Jan. 24, Wilshire will again be a training
estate to the church’s work? You might choose to center for the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance
10annual homeless count. Volunteers will be sent out Spring break mission trip
all over the city. To help, register at wilshirebc.org/
registration. This is a great opportunity to engage This year’s spring break mission trip to Shaw,
your work colleagues as well. Miss., will be March 9-14. A team from Wilshire
will work with our missions partner, Delta Hands
Room in the Inn dates for Hope, to lead a children’s camp, complete a
few manual-labor projects and tour important
Many volunteers are needed to make these Civil Rights locations. Families are encouraged
evenings of respite lodging for homeless women to participate on this trip together, as children of
happen at Wilshire. Upcoming dates are Jan. all ages are welcome. The average cost of the trip
18/19, Feb. 15/16 and March 15/16. Sign up at per person is $220. Contact Heather Mustain at
wilshirebc.org/registration. hmustain@wilshirebc.org or (214) 452-3110.
Wilshire calendar
Sunday, January 6 Wednesday, January 9 Saturday, January 12
• Morning worship – 8:30 a.m. • New Song – 9:30 a.m. • WOW! Swap Meet – 10:00
• Wilshire Welcome – 9:40 a.m. • Koinonia Café – 11:00 a.m. a.m.
• Sunday School – 9:40 a.m. • Bible study – noon
• Morning worship – 11:00 a.m. • Wilshire Adventurers Sunday, January 13
• Pathways to Ministry Committee – 1:15 p.m. • Morning worship – 8:30 a.m.
Committee – noon • Children’s handbells – 5:00 • Sunday School – 9:40 a.m.
• Personnel Committee – noon p.m. • Children’s division teacher
• Vision 20/20 Belong Team • Koinonia Café – 5:00 p.m. appreciation breakfast – 9:40
– noon • Music & Missions – 6:00 p.m. a.m.
• Nova – 2:30 p.m. • MOPS Steering – 6:00 p.m. • Morning worship – 11:00
• Carillon Ringers – 4:00 p.m. • Vespers worship – 6:00 p.m. a.m.
• Cord of Three prayer group – • “Reclaiming Joy” luncheon
Monday, January 7 6:15 p.m. – noon
• Senior women’s exercise class • Watershed – 6:30 p.m. • Nova – 2:30 p.m.
–2:00 p.m. • Sanctuary Choir – 7:00 p.m. • Carillon Ringers – 4:00 p.m.
• Faith in 3-D rehearsals – 7:00 • Youth Choir and Paradiso –
p.m. Thursday, January 10 4:00 p.m.
• Wilshire Winds – 7:00 p.m. • Women’s Ministry Brown Bag • Shekinah – 5:30 p.m.
Book Club – noon
Tuesday, January 8 • Knit Unto Others – 1:30 p.m.
• Yoga class – 12:15 p.m. • Senior women’s exercise
• Stephen Ministry CE and class– 2:00 p.m.
supervision – 6:30 p.m.
• Faith in 3-D rehearsals – 7:00 Friday, January 11
p.m. • Friday Friends – 10:00 a.m.
• JazzStand on Abrams – 7:00 • Alzheimer’s support group –
p.m. 1:00 p.m.
• WOW! Tuesday Book Club – • Adoption and foster care
7:00 p.m. support group – 6:30 p.m.
• Marriage Connections – 6:30
p.m.
• Single parents’ night out –
6:30 p.m.
11Vespers
A PATHWAYS SERVICE
Healing Waters
Wednesday
January 9, 2019
6:00 p.m.
McIver Chapel
12WILSHIRE BAPTIST CHURCH
with The Grief and Loss Center of North Texas
IS PROUD TO HOST
Ella Wall Prichard
in celebration of her book
RECLAIMING JOY
A and
Primer for Widows
the launch of
SUNDAY, JANUARY 13
Wilshire Baptist Church
4316 Abrams Rd. Dallas, TX 75214
Interviews during 8:30 and 11:00 worship services
12:30 luncheon presentation: “Resolve to Claim Joy”
BOOK SIGNING TO FOLLOW SERVICES AND LUNCHEON
Ella Wall Prichard writes the book she needed, but could not find, after her husband
died. She offers practical advice on how to achieve joy. Each chapter focuses on a
different trait needed to move from grief to joy. The primary narrative arc is spiritual,
even though stories of struggle, conflict, and loss are recurrent themes. Her book is
part memoir, part guide, part inspiration. It captures the pain felt in the first years
of widowhood in the move from grief to joy. It offers encouragement and advice to
women who seek the strength to rebuild their lives and reclaim their joy.
Ella Wall Prichard is is the president of Prichard Oil Company and provides resources for widows at ellaprichard.com.
13Dear Wilshire:
If generosity is a vital sign of a church’s spiritual condition, your pastor-doctor is pleased to
pronounce you fit to play in the fields of the Lord.
Well done, church. Once again. Year after year, we face the threatening calendar flip to the new year
and step up in stewardship. This year we gave well beyond expenses and came within a whisker of
giving our budget.
When I emailed you in mid-December that we needed to give $716,000 to reach budget by year
end, many of you gasped. Apparently, you also grasped your checkbook, because we have given
within $18,600 of that target. Remarkable.
Here are the highlights (recognizing that the books are not yet closed on the year):
• Unified Budget gifts of $4,181,388 (or $18,612 short of our $4.2 million goal for the year).
• This represents a slight increase over the prior year of about $3,500.
• We accomplished this by broader-based giving than in recent years, indicating our newer
members are giving at a growing rate. Remember that last year we had a matching gift from a
non-member donor of $150,000, which gave us a great boost, but such a gift was not part of
this year’s results.
• We do not have all expenses accounted for yet, but it appears that due to careful management
of spending throughout the year, we will have a surplus of more than $100,000 for the Finance
Committee to recommend for funding allocations.
• The George A. Mason Pathways to Ministry Endowment Fund received $84,506 in
contributions this year. Special thanks for that, as we work toward fully endowing our pastoral
residency program. (By the way, have you considered including the Pathways Endowment in
your will?)
The annual church conference is January 20 after the late service in Community Hall. You will
receive a final report on 2018, the proposed budget for 2019, and other recommendations about
leadership nominations for deacons and committees. Mark your calendar for lunch and conference.
With another year in the books, on behalf of your whole church staff, I want to tell you what a
privilege it is to serve with you. Wilshire truly is building a community of faith shaped by the Spirit
of Jesus Christ.
Happy New Year,
George
14Six ways
to support
Wilshire’s mission
1. In worship: Place your cash 4. Automatic bank pay: Go
or check (payable to Wilshire Baptist to your bank’s website, log in to your
Church) in the offering plate during any individual bank account and follow
of our worship services. your bank’s instructions to set up
Wilshire as a new payee. Your bank will
2. By mail: Send to Lori Gooden, print and cut a check.
Wilshire Baptist Church, 4316 Abrams
Road, Dallas TX, 75214. Please write 5. Text: Using your smartphone,
on your check if it is intended for the text WILSHIRE and the dollar
Unified Budget or another purpose. amount (example: WILSHIRE 50) to
73256, then follow the link that pops
3. Online: Schedule a recurring or up. The first time you use this option,
one-time gift charged to either your you will enter credit card and contact
debit or credit card or directly as an information. All text gifts will be
ACH from your checking account. applied to the Unified Budget.
Visit wilshirebc.org/give (be sure you
have enabled cookies on your phone or 6. Wilshire app: Download the
tablet) or scan the QR Code in today’s Wilshire app from the App Store or
order of worship. Google Play to make gifts easily from
your phone or tablet.
15What is Christian advocacy at Wilshire?
By Heather Mustain The Christian Advocacy Committee has once
Minister of Missions and Advocacy again prioritized hunger, public education, payday
lending and foster care to be of high importance
Over the course of the last five years, our for our attention this session. We will rely on our
congregation has been on a journey to broaden partners like Pastors for Texas Children, Texas
our understanding of missions to include both Hunger Initiative, North Texas Food Bank, United
measures of benevolence and advocacy. We’ve Way of Metropolitan Dallas, Texans Care for
been coming to believe that a lack in either would Children, Children at Risk, Texas Impact and others
equate to an incomplete witness of God’s love to to help us stay effectively informed and engaged.
our community and world. If you are interested in staying involved
Mark Wingfield has explained it this way: “This throughout the session, here are five
turns the focus not just on giving assistance to recommendations:
people in need, either through money or hands-
on service but by addressing the systemic issues • Attend Weekly Witness at Wilshire every
that create the need for assistance. From this Monday at lunch through the months of
viewpoint, while Christian Advocacy
it is commendable
Business Name
to give food February, March Christian
and April. Advocacy Business Name
Each week, we
to a hungry person, Legislative Interests to engage
the better way will live-stream aLegislative
weekly briefing
Interestsby Texas
is to address the root causes of hunger in our Impact that will feature a different issue,
community,
Please indicate which issuesto youadvocate onbecome
most wish to behalf of those
engaged with. cannot how itwhich
Please indicate is showing
issues you up
mostin the
wish to session and with.
become engaged
feed themselves.”
Updates and calls to action will be provided during this legislative session.
ways to engage.
Updates and calls to action will be provided during this legislative session.
Members of Wilshire’s Missions Committee and • Fill out the interest card below based on
□ Criminal
Christian Justice □ Immigrants/Refugees
Advocacy Committee believe needed □your
Criminal Justicetear it out
interest, □ Immigrants/Refugees
and drop it in
□ change
Domesticwill come only
Violence through
□ Payday the use of both
Lending □the offering
Domestic plate. These
Violence will beLending
□ Payday used to
our hands
□ Foster Care and our voices. □ PublicItEducation
will come through mobilize
□ Foster Care rapid response teams as
□ Public Educationneeded.
both committed acts of charity and our persistent • Consider joining Wilshire on an advocacy
□ Human Trafficking □ Religious Freedom □ Human Trafficking □ Religious Freedom
pressure to change policies that harm the most action day in Austin or participating in
□ vulnerable.
Hunger This is the way of Jesus, captured in □a letter-writing
Hunger campaign at some point
Jesus’ first sermon found in Luke 4: throughout the session.
Name:_________________________________________________________ • Subscribe, or follow, the above listed
Name:_________________________________________________________
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has
Email:_________________________________________________________
partners on social media.
Email:_________________________________________________________
anointed me to bring good news to the poor. • Download Texas Legislative App and track
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives bills based on your own interests.
and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed
go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
One of the ways Christian
in which AdvocacyBusiness Name
we have engaged in Christian Advocacy
Business Name
the work of advocacy Legislativebeen
has to pay particular
Interests Legislative Interests
attention to the happenings during our state
legislative
Please indicate session.
which issues Onwish
you most Tuesday
to become lawmakers
engaged with.will Please indicate which issues you most wish to become engaged with.
convene
Updates and in will
calls to action Austin for the
be provided 86th
during Texas Legislature,
this legislative session. Updates and calls to action will be provided during this legislative session.
a biennial session lasting 140 days. Bills will be
□ Criminal Justice □ Immigrants/Refugees □ Criminal Justice □ Immigrants/Refugees
introduced and filed, committees will process,
□ public
Domestic Violencewill be
hearings □ Payday
held, theLending
House and Senate □ Domestic Violence □ Payday Lending
will debate,
□ Foster Care readings □ and amendments
Public Education will be □ Foster Care □ Public Education
made, Trafficking
□ Human bills will be sent back andFreedom
□ Religious forth, most will die □ Human Trafficking □ Religious Freedom
and even fewer will make it to the governor’s desk.
□ However,
Hunger this is the time where issues like payday □ Hunger
lending, criminal justice, health care, foster care,
Name:_________________________________________________________ Name:_________________________________________________________
immigration and public-school finance will be hotly
debated and budgets will be determined.
Email:_________________________________________________________ Email:_________________________________________________________
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