Sixth Sunday After the Epiphany - February 16, 2020
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February 16, 2020 Sixth Sunday After the Epiphany
Preparing for worship
In the film The Mission, the source of today’s colleagues, an ex-soldier named Mendoza (Robert
offertory, “Gabriel’s Oboe,” music plays a profound DiNiro), wants to fight. But Gabriel refuses,
and subversive role — and I don’t just mean the insisting that violence would be an affront to God.
soundtrack. Within the narrative of the film, When the attack does come, Father Gabriel
music has the incredible power to transcend decides to say mass. And the angelic worship
culture, to forge bonds of family and to stand up to reaches the ears of the mercenary forces, stopping
the oppressive powers of empire. them dead in their tracks until their sadistic
At the beginning of the film, a Jesuit priest is commander forces them to fire on the Gaurani.
killed by the Gaurani, the indigenous people the Yet even while his home burns, Father Gabriel
Jesuits have come to evangelize. His death inspires refuses to give up on the way of peace, leading
Father Gabriel (Jeremy Irons) to redouble his the Gaurani women and children in song and
efforts to reach this seemingly hostile tribe. To do in a procession with the consecrated bread of
this, he climbs to the top of a local waterfall, which Communion held high before them. Gabriel is
also happens to be the site of his fellow priest’s eventually gunned down by his attackers, but it is
death, and he begins to play his oboe. clear from the ending of the film that his legacy
That’s right. “Gabriel’s Oboe” is the name of will endure for a very long time.
the song Father Gabriel plays on his oboe. Alone, This morning, we don’t find ourselves in the
in the middle of the jungle, surrounded by wary same hostile context as Father Gabriel and the
Gaurani with arrows knocked in their bows, Gaurani, but that does not mean our worship has
Father Gabriel communicates something peaceful, to be any less powerful. As we raise our voices in
beautiful and transformative not with his words song, we are shaping new worlds, forging new
but with music. Although the Gaurani chief breaks bonds of family and resisting the powers of evil
the oboe in half, Father Gabriel’s performance that would rather we be silent.
marks the beginning of his relationship with the As you hear the notes of “Gabriel’s Oboe” and
Gaurani and their shared journey into the beauty the sturdy hymns of our faith, know that you are
and peace indicated by his song. being transformed. Open yourself to that reality,
Later, the geopolitical situation of the region and you’ll be amazed at what results.
changes, and the Gaurani find themselves fighting —Aaron Coyle-Carr
for their lives against a Spanish-Portuguese
force that would enslave them. One of Gabriel’s
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: At Jordan River, Yoram Raanan. Used by permission.
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February 16, 2020
8:30 and 11:00 a.m.
Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany
Chiming of the Hour
Please turn off all cell phones and alarm watches.
Prelude Jesus Shall Reign arr. Arnold B. Sherman
Carillon Ringers
Ralph Manuel, director
Call to Worship *Let All the World in Every Corner Sing Robert G. McCutchan
Nova
Mike Capps, director; Bill Jernberg, accompanist
**Yonder Come Day arr. Vicki Tucker Courtney
Young Musicians
Candy McComb, director; Bill Jernberg, accompanist
Yonder come day. Day is a breakin’. Yonder come day, O my soul.
Yonder come day. Day is a breakin’. Sun is a risin’ in my soul.
Trees are green and the air is sweet. The good earth is singin’ underneath my feet.
I’ll point my feet down that freedom line. Walkin’ that road I’m feelin’ fine.
Walk together children, don’t you get weary, walk together children, don’t you get weary.
Walk together children, don’t you get weary, there’s a great camp-meetin’ in the promised land.
Day is a breakin’. Sun is a risin’. There’s a great camp-meetin’ in the promised land.
Opening Sentences Alan Wright / Linda Imhoof
We gather today as a church for all ages and as a church for the ages — rooted in the history of
God’s creative work in the world and carried forward by God’s redemptive work in the world. We
seek today to submit ourselves to the will of the God of creation and redemption and to join as
agents of this reconciling love made known to us through Jesus Christ our Lord.
+Hymn 5 Come, Great God of All the Ages abbot’s leigh
*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 Micki Lacker / Judy Ward
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.
You also are invited to take the red fabric rose from the card and place it on
your lapel or blouse to help others identify that you are our honored guest 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.
Reading – 1 Corinthians 3:1–9 Tiffany Wright / Vicki Briley-White
And so, brothers and sisters, I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but rather as people of the
flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for solid food.
Even now you are still not ready, for you are still of the flesh. For as long as there is jealousy and
quarreling among you, are you not of the flesh, and behaving according to human inclinations? For
when one says, “I belong to Paul,” and another, “I belong to Apollos,” are you not merely human?
What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you came to believe, as the Lord
assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither the one who
plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. The one who plants
and the one who waters have a common purpose, and each will receive wages according to the
labor of each. For we are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building.
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Yo, hermanos, no pude dirigirme a ustedes como a espirituales, sino como a inmaduros, apenas
niños en Cristo. Les di leche porque no podían asimilar alimento sólido, ni pueden todavía, pues
aún son inmaduros. Mientras haya entre ustedes celos y contiendas, ¿no serán inmaduros? ¿Acaso
no se están comportando según criterios meramente humanos? Cuando uno afirma: “Yo sigo a
Pablo,” y otro: “Yo sigo a Apolos,” ¿no es porque están actuando con criterios humanos? Después de
todo, ¿qué es Apolos? ¿Y qué es Pablo? Nada más que servidores por medio de los cuales ustedes
llegaron a creer, según lo que el Señor le asignó a cada uno. Yo sembré, Apolos regó, pero Dios
ha dado el crecimiento. Así que no cuenta ni el que siembra ni el que riega, sino solo Dios, quien
es el que hace crecer. El que siembra y el que riega están al mismo nivel, aunque cada uno será
recompensado según su propio trabajo. En efecto, nosotros somos colaboradores al servicio de
Dios; y ustedes son el campo de cultivo de Dios, son el edificio de Dios.
Esta es la palabra del Señor.
Gracias a Dios.
Recognition of Matt Dodrill George Mason
Litany of Blessing Kyle Ballard / Holden Magee
As a church, we gather today to give thanks to God for the journey with us of Matt Dodrill. We are
grateful for the family, friends, teachers, churches and mentors who shaped him on his way to us.
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We give thanks for the seeds of faith planted by others.
Through two years of ministry, we have sought together to follow Christ
and to be Christ’s church in this place. You have walked among us as a brother,
rejoiced with us, wept with us and sought God’s truth with us.
We give thanks for the seeds of hope you have nurtured among us.
Now we prepare to let go, to send forth Matt with our blessing, praying that he may
be salt of the earth and light for the world as he plants new seeds of God’s care in other places.
We give thanks for the seeds of joy to be sown in the years ahead.
It was God who made the seed grow. The planter and the waterer are nothing
compared with the one who gives life to the seed. For we are laborers together with God.
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make the divine face to shine upon you and be gracious to you.
The Lord lift up the divine countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen.
Sending Forth and Presentation of Gifts Lay Support Team
Prayers of the People Mark Wingfield
+Hymn 581 I Love to Tell the Story hankey
Giving of Tithes and Offerings
Your gifts to the Unified Budget make it possible for 425 children, students and
adults to sing or play in Wilshire’s choirs, ensembles, handbell and instrumental
groups. Thank you for supporting the ministry of music, which serves the church
both in worship and in mission.
Offertory Gabriel’s Oboe Ennio Morricone/
(from The Mission) arr. Kevin McChesney
Carillon Ringers
+Offertory Response gloria patri
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
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Reading — Deuteronomy 30:15–20 Jennifer Carter / Chad Mustain
See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity. If you obey the
commandments of the Lord your God that I am commanding you today, by loving the Lord your
God, walking in his ways, and observing his commandments, decrees, and ordinances, then you
shall live and become numerous, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are
entering to possess. But if your heart turns away and you do not hear, but are led astray to bow
down to other gods and serve them, I declare to you today that you shall perish; you shall not live
long in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. I call heaven and earth to
witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life
so that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and holding
fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days, so that you may live in the land that the
Lord swore to give to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Hoy te doy a elegir entre la vida y la muerte, entre el bien y el mal. Hoy te ordeno que ames al
Señor tu Dios, que andes en sus caminos, y que cumplas sus mandamientos, preceptos y leyes. Así
vivirás y te multiplicarás, y el Señor tu Dios te bendecirá en la tierra de la que vas a tomar posesión.
Pero, si tu corazón se rebela y no obedeces, sino que te desvías para adorar y servir a otros dioses,
te advierto hoy que serás destruido sin remedio. No vivirás mucho tiempo en el territorio que vas
a poseer luego de cruzar el Jordán. Hoy pongo al cielo y a la tierra por testigos contra ti, de que te
he dado a elegir entre la vida y la muerte, entre la bendición y la maldición. Elige, pues, la vida,
para que vivan tú y tus descendientes. Ama al Señor tu Dios, obedécelo y sé fiel a él, porque de
él depende tu vida, y por él vivirás mucho tiempo en el territorio que juró dar a tus antepasados
Abraham, Isaac y Jacob.
Esta es la palabra del Señor.
Gracias a Dios.
Anthem *If Ye Love Me Thomas Tallis
Nova
If ye love me, keep my commandments,
And I will pray the Father and he will give you another comforter,
Even the Spirit of truth.
**Angels Visit When We Sing Tom Trenney
Sanctuary Choir
Angels visit when we sing and the morning stars rejoice.
We can hear them echoing in each faithful heart and voice. Alleluia!
Angels visit when we sing as they did at Jesus’ birth.
And the music that they bring links the heavens with the earth. Alleluia!
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Angels visit when we sing and remind us with their praise.
Sin and death have lost their sting! For the crucified is raised! Alleluia!
Angels visit when we sing and our hearts are touched by fire,
As our hymns and anthems ring with the sound of heaven’s choir. Alleluia!
– Thomas Troeger
Message * “A Matter of Life and Death” Ryan Wilson
** “Choose Life” Leigh Curl
+Hymn 680 I Then Shall Live finlandia
Sharing of Decisions
Benediction
Postlude Voluntary on abbot’s leigh arr. Michael Burkhardt
The flowers on the chancel today are given in loving memory of Howard Marsellus on his
birthday by his wife, Nancy Stretch, and daughters, Megan DeLaCruz and Rachel Marsellus.
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. You
also are invited to a coffee reception in James Gallery immediately after the service.
Children welcome here. Parents of children in kindergarten and older are encouraged to
bring their children with them to worship, because at Wilshire our worship experience is
intergenerational and formative of lifelong habits. Worship care with loving workers is available for
preschoolers younger than kindergarten age. To find the secure check-in station, follow the signs
behind the Sanctuary or from the north entrance.
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
Kyle Ballard and his wife, Jane, joined Wilshire in 2015. and attends Cord of Three Class. She works as a nurse
They are the parents of Benjamin, Ann Marie and Eleanor. practitioner and is a Stephen Ministry leader at Wilshire.
He attends Genesis Class and served on the lay support
team for Matt Dodrill. Professionally, Kyle is an attorney Holden Magee is a junior at Rockwall Heath High School,
with Guida, Slavich & Flores. sings in Youth Choir and Shekinah at Wilshire and served
on the lay support team for Matt Dodrill.
Vicki Briley-White and her husband, Jim White, joined
Wilshire in 2002. They are members of BEST Class, where Chad Mustain is a stay-at-home dad, hospital chaplain and
she serves as director. She also is co-leader of the Vision doctoral student. He serves on the Pathways to Ministry
20/20 Belong Team. A veteran airline flight attendant, Committee and writes for Wilshire’s Facebook blog. He is
Vicky now works with Jim in the food and fundraising married to Heather Mustain, Wilshire’s minister of missions
sector. and advocacy. They are the parents of Jimmie and Bly. Chad
attends Perennial Class, where he also teaches.
Jennifer Carter and her husband, Les, have been Wilshire
members since 2007 and are members of Epiphany Class. Judy Ward and her husband, Jimmy, joined Wilshire in
She sings in Nova and Sanctuary Choir and served on the 1989. She serves on the Christian Advocacy Committee
lay support team for Matt Dodrill. and has been a missions volunteer, including work with the
Prison Entrepreneurship Program. She served on the lay
Linda Imhoof and her husband, Mike, came to Wilshire support team for Matt Dodrill.
in 1982. They attend Compass Class, sing in New Song
and served on the lay support team for Matt Dodrill. Linda Alan Wright came to Wilshire in 2002 and is married to
serves on the Wilshire Adventurers Committee and as the Tiffany Wright, minister for care ministries. They are the
hymn memory leader for children’s choirs. parents of Cayton. He teaches in Avodah Class, works as an
oncology chaplain at Baylor University Medical Center and
Micki Lacker first came to Wilshire in 1996; after a few also is a writer and painter.
years away with family, she recently returned to Wilshire
Staff contacts
George A. Mason Jessica Capps Ryan Wilson
Senior Pastor Minister to Senior Adults Pastoral Resident
(214) 452-3132 (214) 452-3129 (214) 452-3158
Mark Wingfield Darren DeMent Matt Dodrill
Associate Pastor Minister to Students McIver Fellow
(214) 452-3128 and Young Adults (214) 452-3156
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 Leanna Coyle-Carr Associate Pastor Emeritus
Minister for Care Ministries Pastoral Resident
(214) 452-3107 (214) 452-3154
Heather Mustain Leigh Curl
Minister of Missions & Advocacy Pastoral Resident
(214) 452-3110 (214) 452-3152
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
Souper Bowl of Caring success Romantics, Prayers and Poetry
Wilshire’s annual Souper Bowl of Caring surpassed Jerry McElveen is leading a three-week
this year’s $10,000 goal with gifts to date of Wednesday night class called Romantics, Prayers
$11,381. These funds will help Cornerstone Baptist and Poetry, looking at some traditional and some
Church in South Dallas open a convenience store less-conventional “poetic” prayers. Writers such as
offering healthy food options in what has been Thomas Gray, William Wordsworth, Percy Shelley
classified as a “food desert.” and Robert Burns will provide a springboard for
class discussions and self-examination. The class
Generations update meets this Wednesday night from 6 to 7 p.m.
Through the Generations initiative, Wilshire is off Playing in the Dark: Race in Popular Culture
to a good start in the new year. One indicator of
that success is growth in giving to the Pathways Join the final week of discussion of Toni
Endowment Fund. So far through Generations, Morrison’s Playing in the Dark: Whiteness and
$428,109 has been added to the endowment, the Literary Imagination this Wednesday night
bringing the total value of the corpus in excess of from 6 to 7 p.m. Leigh Curl leads this study on the
$5.5 million. The first-level goal for the fund is $8 presentation and portrayal of black characters in
million. film, television and books.
Farewell reception for Dodrills Koinonia Café: Feb. 19 — Chicken-fried steak,
tilapia Vera Cruz, mashed potatoes, peas and carrots,
Everyone is invited to a farewell spinach wild rice, broccoli, salad bar, dessert bar.
reception today for Matt Dodrill, Feb. 26 — Roast turkey with cranberries, pork
McIver Fellow, who has been chops, cornbread dressing, roasted potatoes, okra
called as senior pastor of Pulaski with tomatoes and bacon, grilled cauliflower and
Heights Baptist Church in Little broccoli, salad bar, dessert bar.
Rock. He and his family will
be recognized in both morning Adventurers to Chicago and Mackinac
services today, and they will greet
the congregation at a reception in James Gallery This year’s Wilshire Adventurers fall trip will be to
during the Sunday School hour. Chicago, Grand Rapids and Mackinac Island. The
week-long trip led by Mark Wingfield begins with
Tiffany Wright reception March 1 three nights in downtown Chicago, a river cruise,
a lake cruise, history and arts tours and great food.
The recognition and reception for Tiffany Wright, The group then travels to Grand Rapids to see
who is leaving her position as the Gerald Ford Presidential Museum and Meijer
minister for care ministries, has Gardens before heading to beautiful Mackinac
been moved to Sunday, March (pronounced “Mackinaw”) Island for a three-
1. Join in thanking Tiffany for night stay at the Mission Point Resort. Enjoy the
her 20 years of service as she old-world charm of this island where cars are not
is recognized in both morning seen and history comes alive. See full trip details
services and at a reception in at wilshirebc.org/registration or in a brochure
James Gallery during the Sunday available in the front office. Registration will be
School hour. finalized on a first-come, first-served basis, with
only 50 seats available.
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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The Wilshire Tapestry
p.m. in Community Hall for our first blood drive
of 2020. No reservation is necessary; just show up
and donate.
Beginnings Class for newly & nearly married
The Beginnings Class for newly and nearly
married couples will be offered on six Sunday
mornings beginning March 1. The class meets
during the Sunday School hour, from 9:40 to
10:45 a.m. It is open to all couples making life
commitments. Guest speakers and topics covered
Youth Choir auction and spaghetti luncheon include family financial management with David
Nabors, couple conflict resolution with Phill and
The annual Youth Choir Spaghetti Lunch and Gloria Martin, spirituality in marriage by George
Silent Auction will be Sunday, March 1, in Mason, the Five Love Languages by Ryan Wilson,
Community Hall from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This and understanding issues with family of origin
event helps fund the choir’s summer mission by Amy and Cory Anderson. The class is free
trip to Denver to sing, serve and sightsee. If you but preregistration is preferred. Contact Darren
would like to donate items or services to the silent DeMent at ddement@wilshirebc.org.
auction, contact Carolyn Murray at cpmurray@
sbcglobal.net. Suggestions include gift cards to local WOW! Tuesday Evening Book Club
restaurants, new household items and event tickets.
Also, professional services make great donation The Women of Wilshire Tuesday Evening Book
items. If you are a musician, tutor, photographer, Club meets monthly at 7 p.m. in the Parlor.
baker, designer, accountant or have some other Upcoming dates and book titles are: Feb. 18, When
professional service to provide, consider donating a All Is Said by Anne Griffin; March 24, Just Mercy
gift certificate of your time or service. by Bryan Stevenson.
Why give blood? George Gagliardi concert event
Have you ever considered George Gagliardi will present
blood donation to be a civic a free concert in Community
duty? Jury duty is critical to Hall on Sunday, Feb. 23, at
the success of our judicial 6:30 p.m. The event will be
system, voting is critical to titled “Just Me, Just Myself.”
the success of our political George explains it this way:
system, and an ongoing “After lo these many years I’ve
blood supply is critical to the success of our decided I wanted to do a solo
modern health care system. Wilshire provides concert, just me, just myself.
opportunities to perform this civic duty with In the past I’ve been fortunate
quarterly blood drives conducted by Carter enough to have great, talented
BloodCare. Additionally, being a blood donor is an friends help me out and I loved those concerts.
act of Christian stewardship by giving of yourself However, this time around I wanted to go out
to improve the lives of others. One pint of donated there on my own, reminiscent of how I used to
blood can save three lives. Donors must be at least perform back in the dark ages when I played on
16 years of age, and there is no upper age limit. All college campuses and on the basement banquet
donors for Carter BloodCare must bring a valid circuit.” This concert will be a combo of old songs
photo ID. Donors must weigh at least 110 pounds. and new ones plus maybe a surprise or two. All are
Join us on Sunday, Feb. 23, from 7:30 a.m. to 1 invited.
10Internships available
Wilshire Children’s Ministry offers two paid
summer internships available for 10 weeks during
the summer of 2020, approximately May 22
through Aug. 2. Each internship will be about 20
hours per week plus a four-day overnight camp
working with children in grades one through six.
Each intern will work with the church staff and
volunteers to coordinate various programs offered
throughout the summer including Sunday School,
Vacation Bible School and preteen camp. Most
hours will be weekday mornings and Sunday
mornings. Candidates should have completed Save the date for Wilshire’s Road
at least one year of college and have experience
working with children, as well as having a desire
to Resurrection family Lenten
to explore the opportunity to serve in a ministry experience. It will be Sunday, April 5,
position. Inquire with Julie Girards, minister to
children, at jgirards@wilshirebc.org or (214) 452-
from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is a come-
3104. and-go event in Community Hall.
Condolences to: David Cejka on the death of his
Bring your family for a multi-sensory
wife, Bettye, on February 9. experience, traveling with others the
Eboo Patel at Shurden Lectures
path of Jesus during his last week
on earth. This hour-long event is
Eboo Patel will be the featured
speaker for the Shurden
filled with Bible-time experiences
Lectures on Religious Liberty that will engage participants of all
and Separation of Church and
State, to be offered March
ages (especially older preschoolers
5 on the campus of SMU. through middle elementary ages).
The event is hosted by the
Baptist House of Studies at
We’ll create and wave palm branches,
Perkins School of Theology taste the Passover meal and visit the
at SMU and co-sponsored by
the Baptist Joint Committee
Garden of Gethsemane. A family-
for Religious Liberty. Patel is the founder and friendly lunch will be available for
president of Interfaith Youth Core and a national
leader in efforts to make interfaith cooperation
free starting at 11 a.m. The event itself
a social norm. He will speak in the Great Hall is free. All are invited to lunch.
in Elizabeth Perkins Prothro Hall, 5901 Bishop
Blvd. The program begins at 11:30 a.m. with Patel
speaking on “Religious Freedom and a Theology Volunteer opportunities are available
of Interfaith Cooperation.” A lunch will follow
at noon with a conversation between Patel and
for those willing to serve as greeters,
George Mason. At 2 p.m., Patel will conclude the travel guides, costumed characters,
program with a talk on “Religious Freedom and
Interfaith Leadership.” The event is free and open
assistants or to help with decorating.
to the public but an RSVP is requested for lunch Contact Julie Girards at jgirards@
and to receive a parking pass. Find the link at
wilshirebc.org/registration.
wilshirebc.org.
11About the Sanctuary tapestry
The tapestry that adorns the baptistry is a highest and reminds the one being baptized
mosaic-like fabric work of art created for that of the descent of the dove of peace at Jesus’
space. A Jewish tapestry artist, Liora Manne, baptism, which was accompanied by the voice
from Jerusalem, produced the work through from heaven saying, “This is my beloved Son, in
her New York City firm, LaMontage, under whom I am well pleased.”
the creative direction of a subcommittee of the Those being baptized are called to share
church’s Building and Grounds Committee. It in the liberating work of God through Jesus
was installed on Feb. 27, 1994. Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. The same
The piece was commissioned as part of a promise of peace and new life that was given to
renovation and redesign of the baptistry. The Jesus is ours as well.
tile in the baptistry suggests an ancient Roman
tomb. Baptismal candidates know they are The three Greek crosses. There are three
moving by faith into an experience of surrender crosses in the tapestry that connect the
to God in solidarity with Christ. The Apostle three circles. These crosses have equal arms,
Paul wrote in Romans 6:3-4: according to the pattern of
“Do you not know that all of us Greek (rather than Latin)
who have been baptized into crosses. The connecting crosses
Christ Jesus were baptized suggest the full involvement of
into his death? Therefore we God in the redemptive death of
have been buried with him by Christ. The Son suffers death,
baptism into death, so that, just the Father suffers the death of
as Christ was raised from the the Son as the one who grieves,
dead by the glory of the Father, and the Spirit suffers the
we too might walk in newness death of the Son and the grief
of life.” of the Father while holding
them together in eternal love
The symbols of the tapestry and opening the grave to
resurrection life.
The three circles. The Triune The three circles also gesture
God — Father, Son and Holy toward the three crosses at
Spirit — is depicted by the the time of Jesus’ death, thus
three circles of burning bush, inviting us to participate in his
chalice and dove, respectively. suffering by our response to
The circles are not arranged hierarchically; his sacrifice of love. The path of salvation for us
rather, they are meant to convey the dynamic involves the same suffering love for the world
movement of love among the persons of the that Jesus demonstrated by giving his life as a
one God. There is a sequence, however, moving ransom for all.
from left to right with the priority of origin and
initiative coming from God the Father to the The bordering waves. The tapestry border
Son and the Spirit. suggests flowing water, which is the historic
The circle of the Father reminds us of the call tradition of baptism in living water. We enter
of Moses, the call to lead in the liberation of the fellowship of God and the church through
God’s people who were enslaved and oppressed our baptism. While it is a border per se, it is not
in Egypt. The circle of the Son is closest to the a wall. The threshold of baptism may be crossed
water, as the Son is the incarnate one who came by any and all who willingly put their faith in
to live among us. The circle of the Spirit hovers God and confess Jesus as Lord.
12Sing your winter blues away
Now is a great time to visit a Sanctuary Choir you sing, Doug Haney, minister of music, is glad to
rehearsal on Wednesday evenings as the choir meet with you to determine this.
begins to work on music for Lent, Holy Week
and Easter. New singers and seasonal singers are How often does the choir sing?
welcome. As the anchor choir in Wilshire’s music ministry,
Sanctuary Choir sings for most (not all) 11:00
When does Sanctuary Choir rehearse? morning worship services during the year and
Wednesday evenings, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Because some 8:30 morning worship services (about
everyone’s time is valuable, rehearsals begin and twice a quarter). The choir meets in Choral Hall
end promptly on time. to warm up 20 minutes
before services. Additionally,
Where are rehearsals? Sanctuary Choir presents or
The choir rehearses in Choral contributes to two or three
Hall at Wilshire. This is on the major programs each year.
second floor at the south end
of the campus. Look for the What if I can’t attend every
round stained-glass window at rehearsal?
the end of the hallway. Choral Occasionally singers will have
Hall entrance is at the end of an unavoidable conflict. There
that hallway. is no attendance requirement.
However, you will have a
Is there an audition? better experience if you are
No. It helps to have a good ear and a pleasant present three or more Wednesdays per month.
voice. Music reading skills are a plus but not
required. Our singers range from fine amateurs to For more information, contact Doug Haney at
professionals. If you are not sure what voice part dhaney@wilshirebc.org or (214) 452-3123.
Special film screening March 8
Wilshire member Cheryl Allison has created an award-winning film, Shatter the
Silence, that will be screened at Wilshire on Sunday, March 8, at noon. Lunch will
be served. No reservation is required,
and the event is free. In the film,
the use of archival footage including
suffragettes, Anita Hill, Eleanor
Roosevelt, Lady Bird Johnson and
President John Kennedy helps
support the modern-day voices of
women and men weaving together a
story of the ongoing fight for gender
equality.
13The Wilshire calendar
Sunday, February 16 Popular Culture – 6:00 p.m. • Computer class – 9:00 a.m.
• Border mission trip • Romantics, Prayers and • Yoga class – 12:15 p.m.
• Blessing Reception for Matt Poetry – 6:00 p.m. • Senior women’s exercise
Dodrill – 9:40 a.m. • The Enneagram Journey – class – 2:00 p.m.
• Worship – 8:30 a.m. 6:00 p.m.
• Wilshire Welcome – 9:40 a.m. • Faith in 3-D rehearsal – Wednesday, February 26
• Sunday School – 9:40 a.m. 6:00 p.m. • New Song – 9:30 a.m.
• New Christians class – 11:00 • Yoga class – 6:15 p.m. • Ukulele group – 11:00 a.m.
a.m. • Watershed – 6:30 p.m. • Koinonia Café – 11:00 a.m.
• Worship – 8:30 a.m. • Sanctuary Choir – 7:00 p.m. • Ash Wednesday service –
• Youth Choir lunch – noon noon
• Library Committee – noon Thursday, February 20 • Children’s handbells – 5:00
• Sanctuary Choir officers – • Knit Unto Others – 1:30 p.m. p.m.
noon • Senior women’s exercise • Koinonia Café – 5:00 p.m.
• Finance Committee – noon class – 2:00 p.m. • Music and Missions – 6:00
• Missions Committee – noon • Faith in 3-D rehearsal – p.m.
• Personnel Committee – noon 7:00 p.m. • Ash Wednesday Vespers –
• Youth Choir – 12:25 p.m. • Group outing to “The 6:00 p.m.
• Shekinah – 1:20 p.m. Band’s Visit” – 6:30 p.m. • Ash Wednesday Vespers
(family-friendly) – 7:00
Monday, February 17 Friday, February 21 p.m.
• Game of 42 – 10:00 a.m. • Wow! Women’s Retreat • Yoga class – 6:15 p.m.
• Wilshire Winds – 7:00 p.m. • Watershed – 6:30 p.m.
• Faith in 3-D rehearsal – Saturday, February 22 • Sanctuary Choir – 7:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m. • Wow! Women’s Retreat
Thursday, February 27
Tuesday, February 18 Sunday, February 23 • Faith in 3-D rehearsal –
• Computer class – 9:00 a.m. • Wow! Women’s Retreat 8:00 a.m.
• Yoga class – 12:15 p.m. • Blood drive • Knit Unto Others – 1:30 p.m.
• Senior women’s exercise • Worship – 8:30 a.m. • Senior women’s exercise
class – 2:30 p.m. • Sunday School – 9:40 a.m. class – 2:00 p.m.
• Stephen Ministry • Worship – 11:00 a.m.
supervision – 6:30 p.m. • Youth Choir lunch – noon Friday, February 28
• WOW! Tuesday Night Book • Youth Choir – 12:25 p.m. • Friday Friends – 10:00 a.m.
Club – 7:00 p.m. • Shekinah – 1:20 p.m. • Room in the Inn – 5:30 p.m.
• Faith in 3-D rehearsal – • Nova – 1:30 p.m.
7:00 p.m. • George Gagliardi concert – Sunday, March 1
6:30 p.m. • Worship – 8:30 a.m.
Wednesday, February 19 • Blessing Reception for
• Stephen Ministry Leaders Monday, February 24 Tiffany Wright – 9:40 a.m.
meeting – 9:30 a.m. • Faith in 3-D rehearsal – • Wilshire Welcome – 9:40
• New Song – 9:30 a.m. 8:00 a.m. a.m.
• Ukulele group – 11:00 a.m. • Game of 42 – 10:00 a.m. • Sunday School – 9:40 a.m.
• Koinonia Café – 11:00 a.m. • Ice Cream on the • Worship – 11:00 a.m.
• Bible Study – noon Playground for preschool • Youth Choir spaghetti lunch
• Children’s handbells – 5:00 families – 2:45 p.m. and auction – 11:00 a.m.
p.m. • Wilshire Winds – 7:00 p.m. • Nova – 1:30 p.m.
• Koinonia Café – 5:00 p.m. • Carillon Ringers – 3:00
• Music and Missions – 6:00 Tuesday, February 25 p.m.
p.m. • Faith in 3-D rehearsal –
• Playing in the Dark: Race in 8:00 a.m.
14Faith in 3-D is March 6 and 7
“Lighting the Way,” Wilshire’s 2020 Faith in 3-D production, will be presented
on Friday and Saturday, March 6 and 7, at 7:30 p.m. in Community Hall.
In association with Climate Change Theatre Action, the evening will be
anchored by 10 brief plays written by an array of international playwrights,
interspersed with music and exposition.
With themes from the absurd to life-and-death, the plays explore the
consequences and remedies concerning global warming. Thirty-three Wilshire
performers will combine their talents to present this theatrical event in 3-D:
drama, dessert and dialogue.
The event is free and open to the public. Preschool child care will be provided
on Friday, March 6.
15The Sarum Prayer
God be in my head,
And in my understanding;
God be in my eyes
And in my looking;
God be in my mouth
And in my speaking;
God be in my heart
And in my thinking;
God be at my end,
And at my departing.
Lenten devotional book Ash Wednesday
You are invited to join the congregation in reading a The Lenten season begins on Feb.
new book of brief daily devotionals during the Lenten 26 with Ash Wednesday. Three
season. The book, God Be in My Head, is built around special worship opportunities will
an ancient prayer known as The Sarum Prayer. The be offered that day. The Wednesday
five-line prayer begins, “God be in my head and in noon Bible study will be replaced
my understanding.” The book is written by Michigan with an Ash Wednesday service in
pastor Ken Wilson. Its daily reflections and prompts Community Hall. That evening, an
are simple and straightforward and appropriate Ash Wednesday Vespers service will
for older children, youth and adults. Copies of the be offered in McIver Chapel at 6 and
book are available in the church office for $5 apiece. 7 p.m., with the 7:00 service being
A digital version of the book also is available from family-friendly.
Amazon.
16You can also read
