Preparing for worship

Transcription

1 Eighth Sunday after Pentecost July 30, 2017

2 Preparing for worship City Called Heaven the solo (or solo with choir) we hear today has been widely recorded in the last 20 years in North America by groups as diverse as the Indianapolis Children s Choir, the Toronto Children s Choir, the Salt Lake Vocal Artists and the famed St. Olaf Choir. For many years it was a Wilshire Youth Choir favorite. The original spiritual was performed by renowned African-American soloists, Mahalia Jackson and Marian Anderson. Why does this music, so sad and slow, speak so profoundly to singers and listeners? Like the psalms of lament, the hymnbook of the Hebrew people, here is a text of honesty. This pilgrim is singing the blues. At this moment, she ain t got no hope for tomorrow. Life is a mess. Life feels very lonely. Life seems to be spinning in circles and she just don t know which way to turn. These words are real for all of us sometimes and some of us most of the time. O Lord, how long? These are honest words. But this is also a text of hope. Yes, we hear the words: Ain t got no hope. Fair enough. And yet, not all hope is gone. This pilgrim has not given up. She is trying to make it, make heaven my home. It is a fragile hope. Like Emily Dickinson s musings, these are hopeful words: Hope is the thing with feathers - That perches in the soul - And sings the tune without the words - And never stops - at all - And then there s the music. The slow tempo of the music reminds us of those moments in life when time drags whether we are waiting in a hospital room or we re waiting for a diagnosis or we re just waiting for something to change. This is the music of putting one foot in front of the other and moving forward. There is no soaring with eagles or running the race. At least not today. But there is a way forward, and that way is toward God s good future. Here is the beauty of a worshiping community. If you don t feel very confident or hopeful today, maybe the words of a hymn of praise will invite you to lean on the voices and spirits of those who do have hope today. And even though you may not feel the weight of struggle sung about in City Called Heaven, maybe you can utter a prayer for strength for those who do. For we are in this together. We are pilgrims on a journey. Doug Haney 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: Hebrews 13: Timothy Botts Eyekons 2

3 July 30, :30 and 11:00 a.m. Eighth 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 What a Friend arr. Everson Saxophone Quartet Brian Akins, Jeff Hampton, Mark McKenzie, West Roberts *Baptism Carrie Prysock George Mason Litany on Psalm 105 Megan Koronka / Tiffany Wright Leader: People: Leader: People: Leader: People: Leader: People: O give thanks to the Lord, call on his name, make known the Lord s deeds among the peoples. Sing to the Lord, sing praises; tell of all the Lord s wonderful works. Glory in the holy name of the Lord; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Seek the Lord and his strength; seek the Lord s presence continually. Remember the wonderful works the Lord has done. The Lord is our God whose judgments are in all the earth. The Lord is mindful of his covenant forever. Let us give thanks to the Lord. +Hymn 607 I Will Sing the Wondrous Story hyfrydol Greeting to Worshipers Darren DeMent / Jakob Topper Guests are invited to take a Response Card from the pew rack, complete it and place it in the offering plate 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. Musical Meditation Sweet Hour of Prayer arr. Prysock Michael Prysock Prayers of the People Mark Wingfield *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 +Hymn 575 Redeemed ada Giving of Tithes and Offerings When you give to Wilshire s Unified Budget, your offerings reach around the world through our partnership with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, which makes possible the presence of about 100 field personnel in places we cannot go but yet are present. Offertory My Lord, What a Morning arr. Haynes Saxophone Quartet +Offertory Response old 100th Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God all creatures here below; Praise God above ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen. Old Testament Reading Genesis 29:15 28 Barbara Peterson / Linda Garrett Then Laban said to Jacob, Because you are my kinsman, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what shall your wages be? Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah s eyes were lovely, and Rachel was graceful and beautiful. Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel. Laban said, It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to any other man; stay with me. So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her. Then Jacob said to Laban, Give me my wife that I may go in to her, for my time is completed. So Laban gathered together all the people of the place, and made a feast. But in the evening he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob; and he went in to her. (Laban gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah to be her maid.) When morning came, it was Leah! And Jacob said to Laban, What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me? Laban said, This is not done in our country giving the younger before the firstborn. Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me another seven years. Jacob did so, and completed her week; then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as a wife. This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. *Solo City Called Heaven arr. Poelinitz Molly Francis, alto **Anthem City Called Heaven arr. Poelinitz Sanctuary Choir Molly Francis, soloist 4

5 Message How I Met Your Mothers George Mason +Hymn 57 Be Still, My Soul finlandia Sharing of Decisions Benediction Postlude Sortie Marcello Terry Goolsby, guest music leader Bill Jernberg, guest organist All guests are invited to a coffee reception in the South Atrium 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)

6 Meet today s worship leaders Molly Francis grew up at Wilshire and recently returned after completing a degree at Baylor University. She is a member of Ithaka Class, sings in Sanctuary Choir and serves on the Worship and Music Committee. Molly works as a future valuation associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Linda Garrett and her husband, John, came to Wilshire in 2010 from Virginia, where she was pastor of Long Branch Baptist Church in The Plains, Va. She is a doctoral graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Linda and John are the parents of Zoe, who will begin college next month. Linda teaches in Charlie s Angels Class and is a Stephen Minister. She also is an avid horseman. Terry Goolsby is a friend to many Wilshire folks, having previously served as minister of music at Park Cities Baptist Church. He has worked as a church stewardship consultant since Megan Koronka and her husband, Kevin, came to Wilshire in They are the parents of Luke, who is 4, and Mack, who is 1. They attend Labyrinth Class, and Megan serves as a Sunday morning greeter. Barbara Peterson joined Wilshire in 2013 and now serves as the church librarian. She is a former Baptist missionary to South Korea. At Wilshire, she sings in Sanctuary Choir and plays with Carillon Ringers and serves as a Stephen Minister. One of her three adult sons, Chris Peterson, also attends Wilshire. Michael Prysock and his wife, Carrie, joined Wilshire in He is an usher and a greeter. They are the parents of Samuel, who is 3, and Scout who is 1. Michael is a professional singer-songwriter deeply affected by life in rural Arkansas, and through his music, tells achingly true tales of the influences of his family and the brotherhood of friends that helped raise him. Staff contacts George A. Mason, Ph.D. Senior Pastor (214) Mark Wingfield Associate Pastor (214) Doug Haney Minister of Music (214) Sarah Stafford Associate Minister of Music (214) Jeff Brummel Music Associate/Organist (214) Tiffany Wright Minister for Care Ministries (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) Heather Mustain Minister of Missions (214) Katie Murray Christian Advocacy Specialist (214) Timothy Peoples Pastoral Resident (214) Kevin Sinclair Pastoral Resident (214) Jakob Topper 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 Wilshire calendar Sunday, July 30 Preteen Camp Advocacy letter writing Morning Worship 8:30 a.m. Connections Class 9:40 a.m. Beginnings Class 9:40 a.m. Sunday School 9:40 a.m. Morning worship 11:00 a.m. Meet and greet with guests - noon Youth trip to Six Flags 3:00 p.m. Monday, July 31 Preteen Camp Youth to C.C. Young 9:45 a.m. 42 Monday 10:00 a.m. Senior women s exercise class 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1 Youth Tuesday Missions Yoga class 12:15 p.m. Stephen Ministry contin. educ. 6:30 p.m. Stephen Ministry supervision 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2 Koinonia Café 11:00 a.m. This Is My Story noon Weekend food bag packing 12:45 p.m. Stephen Ministry supervision 1:30 p.m. Cord of Three prayer group 6:15 p.m. Youth Study-n-Swim 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 3 MOPS prayer gathering 9:30 a.m. Book study of Jayber Crow 10:00 a.m. The Bridge/Stew Pot 11:15 a.m. Food on the Move 11:30 a.m. 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, Aug. 4 Youth Breakfast Club 9:00 a.m. Food on the Move 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 6 Justice in Jeterville book signing Morning worship 8:30 a.m. Sunday School 9:40 a.m. Morning worship 11:00 a.m. Meet and greet with guests noon Sanctuary Choir officers noon Youth Sunday School lunches noon Youth Choir parent advisory meeting noon Personnel Committee noon Transit parent meeting 5:30 p.m. Youth Slide Show Extravaganza 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug Monday 10:00 a.m. Cardiac support group 11:30 a.m. Senior women s exercise class 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 8 Yoga class 12:15 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9 Koinonia Café 11:00 a.m. This Is My Story noon Weekend food bag packing 12:45 p.m. Wilshire Adventurers Committee 1:15 p.m. Youth Movie-n-Dialogue 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10 Book study of Jayber Crow 10:00 a.m. Knit Unto Others 1:30 p.m. Senior women s exercise class 2:00 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11 Sunday, Aug. 13 Blood Drive 7:30 a.m. Morning worship 8:30 a.m. Sunday School 9:40 a.m. Morning worship 11:00 a.m. Meet and greet with guests noon Luncheon conversation with Jack Levison noon Resident lay support team orientation noon Mark McCown in concert 4:00 p.m. 7

8 This week at Wilshire Special options for guests Everyone who would like to learn more about Wilshire whether you re a first-time guest or a longtime Wilshire Anonymous is invited to two special events this summer. Wilshire Tour and Talk will be offered on Sunday, Aug. 6, at 9:40 a.m. Learn the history of the church as you take a guided tour of the building. Meet at the entrance to McIver Chapel. Coffee and Conversation with Senior Pastor George Mason will be offered both this morning and Aug. 27, at 9:40 a.m. This is an informal hour of conversation with George where you re encouraged to ask anything you want to know. Meet at George s study on the second floor, Room Are you called to teach? The upcoming new Sunday School year is a perfect time to answer the call to teach preschoolers or children in Sunday School or in Wednesday night choirs, missions and Bible skills programs. Apprenticeships also are available for those who would like to learn alongside a veteran teacher. For preschool opportunities, contact Joan Hammons at jhammons@wilshirebc.org. For children s opportunities, contact Julie Girards at jgirards@ wilshirebc.org. For preschool and children s music opportunities, contact Sarah Stafford at sstafford@wilshirebc.org. New adult class this fall A new young adult Sunday School class will launch at Wilshire this fall, designed for both singles and couples roughly from ages 30 to 35 without children. The class will be taught by Vic Henry and Candy McComb. To learn more, contact Mark Wingfield at mwingfield@ wilshirebc.org. Make sure you re here on this date While planning your fall calendar, mark Sunday, Oct. 29, as a day not to be absent from Wilshire. On that day, we ll have Sunday School as usual but one combined worship service at 11:00 which will be a hymn sing with a twist. We ll record a live album of congregational singing, Hymns We Love. Make sure you re part of the congregational choir that day. And plan to stay after worship for an all-church luncheon. Committee on Committees named As outlined in the bylaws, the Committee to Nominate the Committee on Committees has met and recommended the Committee on Committees, which was approved in church conference last Wednesday. Three members will serve the second of their two-year terms: Claudia Barner, Andy Brookshire and George McCane. Six new members will begin serving new two-year terms: Leighanne Scheuermann, Pat Cullum, Amy Anderson, Henry Stone, Kyle Thomas and Barbara Peterson. Pat Cullum will chair the committee. Promotion Sundays coming Wilshire will have two Promotion Sundays this year, with seventh through 12th graders moving to their new classes a week before preschoolers and elementary students. New seventh through 12th grade classes will begin on Sunday, Aug. 20. New classes for preschoolers through sixth graders will begin on Sunday, Aug. 27. Preschool and children s Wednesday classes A new year of Music and Missions, as well as children s Bible skills classes, will begin on Wednesday, Sept. 6, at 6 p.m. All 3-year-olds through sixth graders are invited to participate. Dinner for all ages is served on Wednesday nights from 5 to 6 p.m., beginning Aug. 30. Resident-led vespers A new year of Wednesday night options for adults will begin Aug. 30 with a resident-led vespers worship in McIver Chapel at 6 p.m. All ages are 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 invited to this first vespers of the season. The Wednesday night edition of Koinonia Café will resume that night, with dinner service from 5 to 6 p.m. in Community Hall. Committee Sundays a new feature advocacy initiative supporting Texas public education. Whether you are a seasoned advocate or a newcomer, stop by James Gallery to write a note between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Mussar group forming Beginning in August, Wilshire committees will begin meeting on a common Sunday each month when possible. Committee meetings will be held in separate rooms in Community Hall but will share a common lunch line to maximize efficiency. Child care also will be offered on Committee Sundays. Dates for fall Committee Sundays are Aug. 20, Sept. 17, Oct. 15, Nov. 12 and Dec. 17. Adventurers ice cream social All senior adults are invited to the Wilshire Adventurers ice cream social on Tuesday, Aug. 15, in Community Hall at 6:30 p.m. A program will be presented by the Dallas Police Choir, which consists of 30 sworn police officers of all ranks and from all divisions. There s a suggested contribution of $3 per person for the ice cream, and the program is free. No reservation is required. Follow Wilshire on Facebook Most weekdays, Wilshire s Facebook page features new inspirational content written by our members. Facebook also is the place to keep up with photos of Wilshire events, camps, programs and more. Like us and follow us on Facebook. Koinonia Café Aug. 2: Chicken and sun-dried tomato spaghetti, crispy pork cutlets with lemonherb butter, Parmesan spinach, broccoli, marsalasauteéd mushrooms, sweet potatoes. Special session letter writing Are you wondering how you can engage the special session of the Texas Legislature over the next few weeks? Join the Christian Advocacy Committee today in James Gallery. The committee will have everything you need to write a letter to your elected officials. You are invited to write about any topic of interest, and there also will be information regarding several bills of interest to the church s 9 Several Wilshire congregants are joining friends from Temple Emanu-El for the Season of Mussar small-group study this fall, and there are still openings. This is a curriculum based on the attributes of God that helps participants know themselves and live more meaningful lives. Even if you did not attend the information session, you are invited to learn more. Contact Philip Einsohn at philip@waterjetworks.com or (469) This Wednesday at Wilshire This week s speaker for the summer This Is My Story series will be Pat Cullum. Come enjoy lunch from 11 a.m. to noon, then stay for the program at noon. Upcoming speakers are Jim Morrison, Aug. 9; and Gary Cook, Aug. 16. Join Companions in Christ Meeting times are being finalized for the Companions in Christ groups forming for this fall, offering opportunities for small-group interaction and spiritual formation. Groups most likely will meet on Sunday afternoons (during Youth Choir and Paradiso), on Wednesdays from 1 to 3 p.m., on Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. and on Thursdays from noon to 2 p.m. Through Companions in Christ, groups of six to 12 people (men and women of all ages) meet weekly to pray together, reflect on daily readings, support each other in spiritual growth, learn new styles of prayer, journal the walk with Christ, open themselves to being formed by Scripture, and discover spiritual friends who will listen to and pray for each other. To learn more about Companions in Christ or to sign up for a group, contact Mark Wingfield at mwingfield@ wilshirebc.org or (214)

10 Three book events upcoming JoBeth Jones book signing August 6 Wilshire has a new author in its midst. Actually, two authors writing under one assumed name: JoBeth Jones. We know these novelists as Mary Kay Jackman and Julie Owen. Their first novel, Justice in Jeterville, has just been released, and more are on the way, including some children s picture books. All are invited to a book signing in the South Atrium on Sunday morning, Aug. 6, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Copies of the book will be available for purchase. Book study of Jayber Crow Mary Kay Jackman will lead a three-week study on the Wendell Berry novel Jayber Crow on Thursdays, beginning Aug. 3 and ending Aug. 17, from 10 to 11:15 a.m. Sign up online at wilshirebc.org/registration. Bring your copy of the book. Wendell Berry is a farmer, poet, author and Baptist layman from Kentucky, who crafts memorable characters a lot like people you know. August 3-17 Fresh Air author Jack Levison August 13 SMU professor Jack Levison, author of Fresh Air, will be present at Wilshire on Sunday, Aug. 13, to speak in Cord of Three Class and also to engage in dialogue during a luncheon in Community Hall at noon. Copies of Fresh Air are available for purchase in the church office. There s also a copy available for checkout from the Wilshire Library. The book contends the Holy Spirit is not just about speaking in tongues, spiritual gifts or fruits but also about our deepest breath and our highest aspirations. Levison writes using the stories of eight biblical characters as illustrations. Cost of the luncheon is $7, and advance reservations are requested by contacting Kathi Lyle at klyle@wilshirebc.org or (214)

11 Guest vocalist from Germany Aug. 13 Wilshire will welcome an internationally revered guest soloist in both morning services Aug. 13, as well as for an afternoon concert in the Sanctuary at 4 p.m. the same day. Michael McCown grew up in Abilene and attended Hardin- Simmons University, where he earned a bachelor s degree in music. During his time at HSU, he also worked as an intern for the music ministry at First Baptist Church, conducting ensembles and leading the contemporary worship. After graduating from HSU he moved to Boston, where he earned a master s degree in music from the New England Conservatory. Michael s professional career began with a one-year apprenticeship with the Utah Opera, and he has been a full-time tenor soloist in the German ensemble of Oper Frankfurt for 17 years. He has sung nearly 90 roles and almost 1,000 performances. Michael has performed in recital in Germany and Switzerland, and he can be heard in opera recordings on the Oehms Classics and Pentatone labels. Some of Michael s earliest memories of singing are from church. He grew up singing hymns and always has looked for ways to incorporate them into contemporary worship services he has led. He will be accompanied by Marc Sanders from Albany, Texas. Marc has held positions as staff accompanist at both Hardin-Simmons and McMurry Universities in Abilene, where he maintained a prolific performance schedule. He is currently staff accompanist at Abilene Christian University. He also serves as pianist at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church in Abilene. New residents begin this week Aaron Coyle-Carr and Matthew Dodrill begin Divinity School to complete the last semester of work this week as the new class of pastoral her master of divinity degree. residents. Matthew is a graduate of Aaron is a graduate of Samford Calvin College, where he earned University, where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy and religion, and Duke religion and classics, and Candler Divinity School, where he earned Theological Seminary at Emory the master of divinity degree. He University, where he earned the most recently served as associate master of divinity degree. pastor for family ministry and He most recently served as education at First Baptist Church pastor of New Bessemer Baptist Church in of Martinsville, Va. Previously, he served as McLeansville, N.C. While at Emory, he served youth minister at First Baptist Church of South on the youth ministry leadership team at First Boston, Va., and has experience in prison Baptist Church of Decatur, Ga. He is married ministry. He is married to Abigail Coleman, and to Leanna Coyle-Carr, who currently will they are the parents of 4-year-old twin girls, commute this fall to Wake Forest University Paisley and Adeline. 11

12 Six ways to support Wilshire s mission In worship: Simply place your cash or check (payable to Wilshire Baptist Church) in the offering plate during any of our worship services. For your convenience, offering envelopes are available in the pew racks. By mail: Offerings may be sent to Wilshire through the mail: Lori Gooden, Wilshire Baptist Church, 4316 Abrams Road, Dallas TX, Please write on your check if it is intended for the Unified Budget or another purpose. Online: This safe and flexible option is the easiest way to give at Wilshire. Schedule a recurring or one-time gift charged to either your debit or credit card or directly as an ACH from your checking account. Through this online account you can easily see your past donation history and manage your future giving amount or specify where the funds should be applied. Visit wilshirebc.org/ give (be sure you have enabled cookies on your phone or tablet) or scan the QR Code here. Automatic bank pay (bill-pay): This is an easy and effective way to systematically give through your checking account online bill-pay. Go to your bank s website, log in to your individual bank account and follow your bank s instructions to set up Wilshire Baptist Church as a new payee. Your bank will print and cut a check and mail it to Wilshire on your behalf. Be sure to mark the fund designation in the memo line. Text: Using your smartphone, text WILSHIRE and the dollar amount (example: WILSHIRE 50) to 73256, and follow the link that pops up. The first time you use this option, you will enter your credit card and contact info. Your payment information will be saved securely so you will not have to enter it again. All text gifts will be applied to the Unified Budget. Wilshire app: By downloading the Wilshire Baptist Church app from the App Store or Google Play, you can make your gifts easily from your phone or tablet. 12