Preparing for worship

Transcription

1 Tenth Sunday After Pentecost July 29, 2018

2 Preparing for worship Everybody. That is the one word that occupies the sign outside our church. That one word is meant to convey to anyone driving down Abrams Road that, no matter what, everybody can find a place of belonging among the fellowship at Wilshire Baptist. What a wonderful idea: that everybody can be accepted here. But I ve been thinking more about acceptance recently, and I ve come to the conclusion that acceptance really is a two-way street. Yes, a person or a group must first decide they are willing to accept any and all people, and that is indeed a significant hurdle. But once a person or group makes that decision, that s not the end. If it were, then acceptance would simply be a one-way street. But there is a second part. Now people need to accept that they are accepted, and sometimes that can be an even bigger obstacle. Here s what I mean. I can decide in my mind to accept you just the way you are, no questions asked, no strings attached. However, if you don t accept that I accept you, then you likely won t feel accepted. In that case, there is nothing more I can do. Acceptance must have a reciprocal quality. One side must be willing to be accepting, and the other side must be willing to be accepted. It sounds simple, but I ve observed that it can be anything but. Some of us have a real problem feeling like we are truly accepted by others. Maybe it s because of past hurts that have been inflicted upon us. Maybe it s because of lies spoken to us by others or even ourselves that we have accepted as truth. Maybe it s because we are afraid to break down the walls we have carefully constructed to keep out the danger, but that really just hold in our pain. At youth camp this summer we took up a practice of speaking important truths to each other in evening worship. In a fashion similar to when we pass the peace after communion, we took time each night to move around the open-air chapel at Camp Mitchell and tell one another the truth. One night we told each other, You are loved beyond measure. Another night it was, You are needed. And on the last night we said to each other, When I look at you I see the face of God. These are truths we need to hear and be told by others, but more than that we need to believe them about ourselves. My hope this morning is that you will believe these things about yourself, and you can accept that you are accepted. Darren DeMent Wilshire Baptist Church 4316 Abrams Road Dallas, Texas (214) Partnered with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Building a Community of Faith Shaped by the Spirit of Jesus Christ ON THE COVER: Ephesians 3, Robyn Terry. See her art at 2

3 July 29, :30 and 11:00 Tenth Sunday after Pentecost 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 A Prayer Maekelberghe Bill Jernberg, guest organist **Call to Worship Haleluya! Pelo Tsa Rona arr. Nyberg Sanctuary Choir David Nabors, soloist; Shana Gaines, percussion Haleluya! Pelo tsa rona, di thabile kaofela. Haleluya! We sing your praises, all our hearts are filled with gladness. Ke Morena Jeso. Ya re du meletseng, ho tsamaisa evangedi. Christ the Lord to us said: I am wine, I am bread, Give to all who thirst and hunger. O na na le bo mang? Le barutuwa ba hae. Now he sends us all out strong in faith, free of doubt, Tell to all the joyful gospel. Opening Sentences Julie Girards / Sarah Stafford We gather today to turn our attention away from ourselves and toward Jesus, our blessed redeemer. Set aside now all that distracts you from hearing the voice of God in this hour and lifting your voice in praise. Let us turn our attention to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. +Hymn 354 Praise Him! Praise Him! joyful song Greeting to Worshipers Gwin Morris / Gail Brookshire 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. *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. 3

4 Psalm Reading Psalm 14 Gayle Lawson / Mary Kay Jackman Fools say in their hearts, There is no God. They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is no one who does good. The Lord looks down from heaven on humankind to see if there are any who are wise, who seek after God. They have all gone astray, they are all alike perverse; there is no one who does good, no, not one. Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon the Lord? There they shall be in great terror, for God is with the company of the righteous. You would confound the plans of the poor, but the Lord is their refuge. O that deliverance for Israel would come from Zion! When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people, Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad. Prayers of the People Children s Moment Mark Wingfield Leigh Curl +Hymn 17 This Is My Father s World terra patris Giving of Tithes and Offerings When you give to Wilshire s Unified Budget, you support our local mission partner CitySquare in its quest to address homelessness in Dallas. Through CitySquare, your gifts support transitional housing, medical services, mental health services, clothing, job training and more. Your gifts help lift Dallas residents out of homelessness into self-sufficiency and productivity. Offertory Allegro Moderato and Allegro Vivo, Opus 56 Fauré Radiance Michelle Williams and James Michael Williams, pianists +Offertory Response old 100th Our God is making all things new, a promise that we know is true. Through eyes of faith we long to see a love-transformed community. A place where truth and justice reign and healing triumphs over pain, Where all have dignity and worth and peace is passed throughout the earth. LeAnn Hampton Solo Oh the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus arr. Gagliardi George Gagliardi Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus, vast, unmeasured, boundless, free. Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me. Underneath me, all around me is the current of thy love. Leading onward, leading homeward to thy glorious rest above. 4

5 Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus, spread his praise from shore to shore. How he loves us, ever loves us, changing never, nevermore. How he watches o er his loved ones, died to call them all his own. How for them he intercedeth, watching o er them from his throne. Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus, love of ev ry love the best. Tis an ocean vast of blessing, tis a haven sweet of rest. Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus tis a heaven of heavens to me. And it lifts me up to glory, for it lifts me up to thee. Epistle Reading Ephesians 3:14 21 Jakob Topper / Kevin Gardner-Sinclair For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Message The Prayer George Mason +Hymn 437 How Wide the Love of Christ festal song Sharing of Decisions Benediction Postlude Stand Up and Bless the Lord arr. Powell The flowers on the chancel today are given in honor of Sarah Stafford upon her retirement as Wilshire s associate minister of music. All guests are invited to a coffee reception in the James Gallery immediately after the service. 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)

6 Meet today s worship leaders Gail Brookshire and her husband, Steve, met and married at Wilshire, where they have been members since She is a deacon, Stephen Minister, missions volunteer and volunteers with the Grief and Loss Center of North Texas. She serves on the Personnel Committee and attends Epiphany Class. She and Steve are the parents of one adult son, Andy, who also is a Wilshire member. Leigh Curl is Wilshire s summer student ministry intern. She attends Duke Divinity School and is from Memphis, Tenn. George Gagliardi is a longtime Wilshire member who is a professional musician, an award-winning composer and a regular contributor to Dallas theatrical productions. He attends Whosoever Wilshire Class, plays in Wilshire Winds and serves as a Stephen Minister. Mary Kay Jackman came to Wilshire in 2005 and attends Whosoever Wilshire Class. She is retired from SMU, where she taught rhetoric and business writing. She is a deacon, sings in New Song and, with fellow Wilshire member Julie Owen, is a published Staff contacts George A. Mason Senior Pastor (214) Mark Wingfield Associate Pastor (214) Doug Haney Minister of Music (214) Sarah Stafford Associate Minister of Music (214) Jeff Brummel Associate Minister of Music/ Organist (214) Tiffany Wright Minister for Care Ministries (214) Heather Mustain Minister of Missions & Advocacy (214) Jessica Capps Minister to Senior Adults (214) Darren DeMent Minister to Students (214) Julie Girards Minister to Children (214) Joan Hammons Minister to Preschoolers (214) Kevin Gardner-Sinclair Pastoral Resident (214) author under the nom de plume JoBeth Jones. Gayle Lawson has been a Wilshire member since She is a deacon and member of Open Bible Class and serves as head usher for the 8:30 service as well as being a library volunteer and Support Team member. Gayle sings in New Song and serves on the Building and Grounds Committee. She recently retired as a representative for AFLAC. Gwin Morris and his wife, Brenda, came to Wilshire in 2008 after a long association with Baptist causes and institutions across the state. Gwin is a past chairman of deacons at Wilshire and currently is engaged in leading a Vision 20/20 group focused on legacy giving. He is a member of Compass Class. James Michael Williams came to Wilshire in 2015 and is a member of Ithaka Class. He also serves on the Lay Support Team for Pastoral Resident Jakob Topper. A classically trained pianist and avocational photographer, he just completed a master s degree at SMU s business school. He is joined at the piano today by his sister, Radiance Michelle Williams. Jakob Topper Pastoral Resident (214) Aaron Coyle-Carr Pastoral Resident (214) Matt Dodrill Pastoral Resident (214) David Nabors Director of Business Admin. (214) Dale Pride Facilities Manager (214) J. Preston Bright Associate Pastor Emeritus To any staff member, use the first letter of the first name combined with the full last name and

7 SEPTEMBER DATES NOW AVAILABLE Want to get a copy of Wilshire s new pictorial directory? You ve got to be in the directory to receive a directory. Don t be left out. Photography dates begin soon. Sign up at wilshirebc.org/registration. 7

8 The Wilshire Tapestry Koinonia Café Aug. 1: Green chile pork loin, chicken enchiladas, Spanish rice, sautéed zucchini and corn, black beans, roasted broccoli, salad bar, dessert bar. One-act play Aug. 15 Reception for Sarah Stafford today Everyone is invited to a retirement reception for Sarah Stafford today, July 29, from 4 to 6 p.m. in Community Hall. Sarah is retiring from her fulltime ministerial staff position but will remain the part-time director of New Song senior adult choir. If you or a family member has participated in a group Sarah has directed, please bring a photo to share for a display at the reception. More I Am Wilshire T-shirts We ve got a new batch of I Am Wilshire T-shirts in all sizes. They re just $5 apiece and available on tables outside the front office. The new shirts are charcoal gray. This Wednesday at Wilshire Come for lunch in Koinonia Café beginning at 11, then stay for this week s This Is My Story presentation by Dot Laux at noon. All are welcome. On Wednesday, Aug. 15, the final installment of the summer This Is My Story series will be the performance of a one-act play written by Julie Owen and Mary Kay Jackman. The Trip of a Lifetime tells the story of two older women reminiscing on their first-ever out-of-texas trip, to Washington, D.C. Actors are Julie, Mary Kay, Tommy Bosler and George Gagliardi. New members: Michael Doran, Amanda Doran Condolences to: Velma McKeever on the death of her son, Dan McKeever, July 24. Kathy Malesovas on the death of her brother, Jim Leftwich, July 23. Pat Souder on the death of her husband, Ron Souder, July 23. Monna Brown on the death of her brother, Harless Feagins, July 19. Playdate with Parents Preschoolers and their parents are invited to a special playdate on July 30 from 10 to 11:30 This is for infants through 2-year-olds, and older siblings are welcome. Come and go as you wish for playtime in the multipurpose room. Children must be accompanied by an adult. WOW! Tuesday Book Club This new group will meet on the second Tuesday of each month beginning Aug. 14, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Wilshire Parlor. For the first meeting, the book is The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon. The book was made into a hit Broadway play. Contact Tiffany Wright for information. 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. 8

9 Summer library hours A Forum on Race in American Film For more than 100 years, American films have carried our most powerful stories about race, prejudice and identity, reflecting both our best hopes and our worst fears. On Saturday, Aug. 11, join in a morning of conversation about film, race and faith with Greg Garrett, hailed by BBC Radio as one of America s leading voices on religion and culture. Greg is currently at work on a book on race and film for Oxford University Press, and last February he curated a race and film festival at Washington National Cathedral. He is the author of 20 books (including critically acclaimed works on film, popular culture, religion and politics), an award-winning professor of English at Baylor University, and a licensed lay preacher in the Episcopal Church. The free program begins with breakfast served at 8:30 and will conclude by noon. Israel Today seminar Wilshire members are invited to the third annual Israel Today Community Symposium on Sunday, Aug. 12, at Temple Shalom, 6930 Alpha Road, from 8:30 to 5:30 p.m. There will be a free drawing for two roundtrip coach airfare tickets between Dallas and Tel Aviv. Gain insight into the history of the modern state of Israel, challenges confronting Israel, Israel s contributions to the world, and the U.S./Israel relationship. The event includes multiple choices of workshops. Learn more and register at org. Cost is $18, and space is limited. Lunch is included. The Wilshire Library will be open this summer on weekdays from 10 to 2 p.m., except on Wednesdays when the hours will be 9 to 11 and 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday hours are 8 to 10:45 Also on Wednesdays now through Aug. 15, Librarian Barbara Peterson will offer a preschool story time beginning at 2 p.m. Wilshire s excellent lending library is open to the church and our neighbors. Want to help children? There s a way you can shape and serve children every week: By volunteering as a teacher in Sunday School, Globetrekkers, Bible Skills class, or children s choirs. The beginning of a new year in late August is the ideal time to get started. Learn more about current needs by talking with Julie Girards, minister to children, jgirards@wilshirebc. org, or Joan Hammons, minister to preschoolers, jhammons@wilshirebc.org. Looking ahead to fall August 19 Promotion Sunday 100 percent attendance day Blessing of the Backpacks Youth Choir/Shekinah/Paradiso begin Kindergarten worship education 22 Watershed kickoff Wednesday dinner resumes Resident-led vespers 26 Generosity Sunday 27 Wilshire Winds resumes 29 Sanctuary Choir resumes Music & Missions/Bible Skills begin September 2 Service Sunday 5 NewSong resumes 9 One service at 11:00; all-church photo 11 JazzStand on Abrams resumes 16 Ordination service for Jeff Brummel 23 Tony Campolo guest preacher in worship Wilshire Talks 9

10 Wilshire Adventurers Summer Ice Cream Social and Trivia Game Night MONDAY, AUGUST 13 6:30 P.M. COMMUNITY HALL 10

11 Wilshire calendar Sunday, July 29 Morning worship 8:30 Connections Class 9:30 Sunday School 9:40 Morning worship 11:00 Retirement reception for Sarah Stafford 4:00 p.m. Pathways to Ministry Committee 5:00 p.m. Monday, July 30 Youth senior rafting trip Youth to C.C. Young 9:45 Playdate with Parents for preschool families 10:00 Game of 42 10:00 Senior women s exercise class 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 31 Youth senior rafting trip Youth Tuesday Missions 11:00 Yoga class 12:15 p.m. Wednesday, August 1 Youth senior rafting trip Koinonia Café 11:00 This Is My Story noon Packing backpacks 12:45 p.m. Cord of Three prayer group 6:15 p.m. Youth Study-n-Swim 6:30 p.m. Thursday, August 2 Preteen Camp The Bridge/Stew Pot 11:15 Women s Ministry Brown Bag Book Club noon Knit Unto Others 1:30 p.m. Senior women s exercise class 2:00 p.m. Friday, August 3 Preteen Camp WOW! Summer Bible Study 11:30 Saturday, August 4 Preteen Camp Sunday, August 5 Preteen Camp Morning worship 8:30 Sunday School 9:40 Morning worship 11:00 One Starry Night leadership team noon Transit parent meeting 5:30 p.m. Youth Slide Show Extravaganza 6:30 p.m. Monday, August 6 NYC Mission Team Game of 42 10:00 Cardiac Support Group 11:30 Food on the Move Summer Feeding Program noon Senior Women s Exercise Class 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 7 Yoga class 12:15 p.m. Church directory photography Stephen Ministry CE and supervision 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 8 Friday Friends training session 10:00 Koinonia Café 11:00 This Is My Story noon Wilshire Adventurers Committee 1:15 p.m. Church directory photography 2:00 p.m. Youth seventh grade orientation 6:30 p.m. Thursday, August 9 Knit Unto Others 1:30 p.m. Senior women s exercise class 2:00 p.m. Church directory photography Friday, August 10 Church directory photography Saturday, August 11 Film and Race Seminar with Greg Garrett 8:30 Church directory photography Sunday, August 12 Morning worship 8:30 Sixth Grade Blessing Service 9:30 Sunday School 9:40 Morning worship 11:00 Deacons and Fellowship of the Ordained luncheon with Greg Garrett noon 11

12 fall In August 19 Promotion Sunday Our goal is 100 percent attendance of members in Sunday School. Make sure you are present and learning this Sunday. August 26 Generosity Sunday Our goal is 100 percent participation in giving for the month. Between August 19 and September 9, make sure you give something any amount to the Unified Budget. We re not as concerned about amounts as full participation. September 2 Service Sunday Our goal is 100 percent commitment to service this year. Use the online survey that will be sent out this week to indicate where you plan to serve in the church and community in September 9 Worship photo Sunday Our goal is 100 percent attendance in worship this Sunday. We ll have one service at 11:00 this day so we can take a churchwide photo in the Sanctuary during the service. 12