Preparing for worship

Transcription

1 Sixth Sunday of Easter May 6, 2018

2 Preparing for worship I felt like I was losing my faith. Dwight Peterson spoke these words while filming an episode for the Christian visual production Work of the People. Peterson, a former professor at Eastern University in Pennsylvania, was on hospice care due to the paraplegia he had lived with since 1979, and his keen sense of mortality provided space for a thoughtful reflection on faith. A friend of mine came and visited from Iowa, and I told him that I just couldn t find my faith, Peterson said with a quivering voice and tear-soaked eyes, moved by the memory of his friend s reply: That s OK. We have it for you. Peterson, who died in 2016, offered this story as a contemporary example of what occurs in Mark 2, where a few men lower a paralytic through the roof of a house where Jesus is staying. The most remarkable part of this story is that after healing the paralytic, Jesus gives credit to the men who lowered their friend through the roof. It s their faith that enables the healing. When we approach the Lord s Table today, let s remember that faith is a corporate gift ascribed to the whole community. Yes, we feed upon this meal by faith, but what if we re simply unable to carry that faith by ourselves? What if depression zaps the energy needed for a robust faith? What if grief makes God s goodness seem incoherent? What if doubt shatters all assurance that God is holding things together? What if, like Dwight Peterson, you just can t find your faith? That s OK. Your faith is not a condition for God s grace. Rather, it is God s grace that guarantees the presence of Jesus in the Supper. We, the whole church, abide in that presence even when we don t feel it. When the person beside you passes the bread and cup, they are holding up your faith, providing for you, including you, extending the body of Christ by eating with you. Even if you re having trouble believing, take and eat. At the conclusion of the video, Peterson calls this wild grace. It s wild because it doesn t depend on us, and it moves in spite of us. It s wild because in times of unbelief, our brothers and sisters lower us through the roof and believe for us. Let s practice wild grace today. Do you feel like you re losing your faith? That s OK. We have it for you. Matt Dodrill 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: Miriam, 2015 by Yoram Raanan. Used by permission. See more at 2

3 May 6, :30 and 11:00 Sixth Sunday of Easter 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 Prelude to Te Deum Charpentier Susan Kimball, flute Opening Sentences Psalm 98 Matt Dodrill / Jakob Topper O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory. The Lord has made known his victory; He has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God. Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; Break forth into joyous song and sing praises. Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, With the lyre and the sound of melody. With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord. Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; The world and those who live in it. Let the floods clap their hands; Let the hills sing together for joy at the presence of the Lord, For he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, And the peoples with equity. +Hymn 349 To God Be the Glory to god be the glory Greeting to Worshipers Mark Wingfield 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 addressed this hour 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 +Gospel Reading John 15:12 17 Bryan Ward / Jennifer Carter This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one s life for one s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another. This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Celebration of the Lord s Supper George Mason All followers of Christ are invited to partake of the Lord s Supper, whether you are a Wilshire member or not. The bread used this morning is gluten-free. 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. Passing of the Bread Gracious Spirit, Dwell with Me arr. Callahan Passing of the Cup Amazing Grace! How Sweet the Sound arr. Travis +The Passing of the Peace The peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you. +Hymn 469 Put Peace into Each Other s Hands st. columba Prayers of the People Julie Owen / Chad Mustain Giving of Tithes and Offerings When you give to Wilshire s Unified Budget, you support creative solutions to vexing social problems, including the groundbreaking work of Prison Entrepreneurship Program. This unique means of preparing inmates for productive lives after parole was featured in the Dallas Morning News editorial page this week as a success story. 4

5 Choral Offertory Christ Is in This Place Pote Sanctuary Choir Susan Kimball, flute; Larry Phipps, bassoon We come to eat the bread of life and drink the cup again. We come to kneel before the one who brings us peace within. We come to greet the living Christ who feeds our hungry souls. O may we live as ones forgiven, in Christ we are made whole. Alleluia, alleluia, sing of love and grace. Alleluia, alleluia, Christ is in this place. We go refreshed, with hearts renewed into the world again. We go with minds and spirits blessed, which gives us strength within. We go to seek the living Christ in every one we meet. O may we live with love for humankind, in Christ we are complete. +Offertory Response lasst uns erfreuen Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise God, all creatures here below. Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise God, the source of all good gifts. Praise Jesus Christ whose power uplifts. Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Epistle Reading 1 John 5:1 6 Claudia Barner / Torre Capistran Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth. This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Message What World We Conquer George Mason +Hymn 607 I Will Sing the Wondrous Story hyfrydol Sharing of Decisions and Benediction Postlude To God Be the Glory arr. Powell 5

6 Meet today s worship leaders Claudia Barner and her husband, Joe, have been members of Wilshire and Compass Class since They raised their two sons, Robert and Todd, here. Claudia is a deacon and recently served on the Committee on Committees. She is a missions volunteer and knits with the Knit Unto Others ministry. She is a registered and licensed dietitian and retired as assistant professor from UT Southwestern Medical Center. Torre Capistran and her husband, Carlos, joined Wilshire in 2017 and are members of Perennial Class. She sings in Nova. They are the parents of James, who is 2, and Luna, nine months. She is a website developer and consultant. Jennifer Carter and her husband, Les, have been Wilshire members since 2007 and are members of Epiphany Class. She sings in Nova and is on the Lay Support Team for Pastoral Resident Matt Dodrill. Jennifer is a retired junior high choral director. She also is a sister to Jessica Capps, Wilshire s minister to senior adults. Chad Mustain is a stay-at-home dad, a chaplain at Baylor University Medical Center, an avid reader and runner, serves on the Pathways to Ministry Committee and he writes for Wilshire s Facebook blog every other Monday. He is married to Heather Mustain, Wilshire s minister of missions and advocacy. They came to Wilshire in 2013 and are the parents of Jimmie, who is 2. Chad attends Perennial Class. Julie Owen joined Wilshire in 2008 and is married to Jeff. She attends Whosoever Wilshire Class and has been deeply involved in women s ministries and children s art programs at Wilshire. She sings in New Song and serves on the Music & Worship Committee. Julie is a retired public school art teacher in Dallas ISD. She and Wilshire member Mary Kay Jackman together are the novelist JoBeth Jones. Bryan Ward grew up at Wilshire and is the son of longtime member Jerry Ward. He also is the nephew of Jimmy and Judy Ward. Bryan and his wife, Daon, are members of Genesis Class and he serves on the Risk Management Committee. They are the parents of Molly, who is 8, and Matthew, who is 5. Bryan is an accountant by profession. All guests are invited to a coffee reception in the James Gallery immediately after the service. The flowers on the chancel today are given in honor of all the children s choir volunteers. 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)

7 The Wilshire Tapestry This Wednesday at Wilshire Come to Koinonia Café for lunch or dinner, then stay for Wednesday activities. The noon Bible study continues in Community Hall. At 6, all are invited to the year-end program for preschool choirs, children s choirs and children s handbells. Called church conference A brief called church conference will be held this Wednesday, May 9, at both noon and 6 for two purposes: (1) To elect the 2018 Committee on Committees; and (2) To approve an ordination council for Jeff Brummel, who is seeking ordination to the ministry. Finding Theo luncheon today At noon today, stay for a free luncheon and hear both Tim Krause and Theo Krause speak about the new book Tim has written about Theo s spinal cord injury due to a mountain biking accident in Colorado. No reservation is required. Copies of Finding Theo may be purchased (and signed) in the South Atrium today for $25 apiece, with all proceeds from church sales donated by the family to Wilshire s Pathways to Ministry Endowment. JazzStand season finale You are invited to the season finale of JazzStand on Abrams on Tuesday, May 8, 7:00 in the Sanctuary, with Joe McBride on piano and vocals, Jonathan Fisher on upright bass and Andrew Griffith on drums. All JazzStand concerts are free, and a reception follows. their members of Congress immediately about a proposed federal Farm Bill. The House Committee on Agriculture recently released a Farm Bill that places stronger restrictions on SNAP recipients. The result of these restrictions would: (1) Increase people s risk of becoming food insecure and/or hungry, not lessen it; (2) Create a much larger demand on food banks, service providers and faith communities. For every single meal a food bank provides, SNAP provides 12. Generosity update As of April 30, gifts to Wilshire s Unified Budget totaled $1,185,462, which was $95,538 or about 7 percent below projected revenue for the period but ahead of the same period last year. By comparison, gifts to the Unified Budget through April 2017 totaled $1,109,776, which was about 16 percent below projected revenue for that period. Expenses through April 30, 2018, totaled $1,287,572, creating a year-to-date deficit of $102,110. Designated gifts for specific missions and ministries totaled $39,385. The current value of the George A. Mason Pathways to Ministry Endowment stands at $4,637,033, with $22,810 given toward the endowment thus far this year. Koinonia Café May 9: Roast beef, fried catfish, mashed potatoes, spinach, cheese grits, green beans with bacon, salad bar, dessert bar. This is the last Wednesday evening meal of the semester, but Wednesday noon meals will continue through the summer. New member: Annette Miller. Congratulations to: David and Patricia Anderson on the adoption of their son, Daniel Lucas Anderson. Big brother is Davey Anderson. Advocacy alert Wilshire s Christian Advocacy Committee urges anyone interested in hunger advocacy to contact Condolences to: Lee Stark on the death of his father, Lee Stark Sr., April 27. Continued on next page 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. 7

8 The Wilshire Tapestry Free computer classes A new semester of Wilshire s free computer and smartphone classes will begin on Tuesday, May 15, with registration for PC, iphone/ipad and Android classes. A special class will be offered for Mac computers. If you are interested in attending these free classes, please attend one of the registration sessions, either 9:30 to 11:30 or 6 to 8 The sessions will be held in Room 3103, on the south end of the third floor. Classes will begin the following week and run for six weeks. For more information, contact Max Post at (214) Topper baby shower All are invited to a baby shower for Alyssa and Jakob Topper this afternoon from 1:30 to 3 in the Parlor. The parents-to-be prefer gift cards and are registered at Target and Amazon. Baptist Women in Ministry Baptist Women in Ministry will hold its annual meeting at Wilshire on Wednesday morning, June 13. Learn more at bwim.info/2018-annualgathering. The worship theme, Dare to be Brave, is drawn from a poem by womanist theologian Renita Weems from her book Showing Mary: How Women Can Share Prayers, Wisdom, and the Blessings of God, and the artwork is a creation of Suzanne Vinson. The preacher for the service will be Raquel Contreras, general director of the Baptist Spanish Publishing House in El Paso. Lunch will be served following the worship service, but advance reservations are required for the lunch. Urgent: Help needed for CBF Assembly The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship s annual General Assembly will be held at the Dallas Hyatt Regency complex downtown June 13-15, and Wilshire volunteers are urgently needed in many capacities. The event includes fellowship, inspiration, education and worship for clergy and laity alike. Volunteers are needed for registration, hospitality and ushering, among other roles. If you are willing 8 to give a few hours or an entire day, follow the sign-up links with one click from wilshirebc.org/ registration. Interfaith Ramadan Dinner Share a meal with friends from the Dialogue Institute Dallas in observance of Ramadan on Thursday, June 7, at 7:15 in James Gallery. Participants will break fast together at dusk after a time of discussion. Strengthen your own faith by learning about another faith and forming friendships at the table. Event is limited to 70 guests, and advance registration is required at wilshirebc.org/registration. Contact Heather Mustain for more information. Senior recognition Wilshire s education office is gathering information on all Wilshire high school seniors and Wilshire members who are graduating from college or seminary this year. Deadline for inclusion in graduate recognition Sunday is Wednesday, May 9. Contact Carol Cabaniss at ccabaniss@wilshirebc.org or (214) Adventurers to Fair Park Senior adults are invited to join Wilshire Adventurers for a historical tour of Fair Park on Thursday, May 24. The group will leave the church at 9:45 and return after lunch at the Old Mill Inn in Fair Park. The event is free, except for lunch, which is on your own. Sign up at the Adventurers table on Sunday mornings in the South Lobby or during Wednesday noon in Community Hall. Adventurers June program Join Wilshire Adventurers on Tuesday, June 19, for a program on a theology of food (with maybe a little music included too) led by Leanna Coyle-Carr, who is married to Pastoral Resident Aaron Coyle-Carr and is a recent graduate of Wake Forest Divinity School. The free program starts at 10:30 and will be followed by lunch for $7 and then table games. No reservation is required.

9 Children s choir program The annual end-of-year children s choir program will be presented Wednesday, May 9, at 6:15 in the Sanctuary. All are invited to attend and hear choirs from preschoolers through sixth graders as well as children s handbell choirs. Holy Land trip George Mason and Rabbi Nancy Kasten will lead an interfaith tour to the Holy Land Oct. 28 through Nov. 8, with an optional add-on that extends the trip to Nov. 11. Find information and registration at wilshirebc.org/registration. Room in the Inn this summer Join other Wilshire volunteers in welcoming homeless women to spend a cool night in Community Hall during the heat of the summer on June 15, July 20 and Aug. 17. Contact Heather Mustain for more information. Food on the Move this summer Wilshire s annual Food on the Move summer missions project will run June 12 through Aug. 10, and volunteers are needed to help pack and deliver weekend food bags and to host and run weekly one-hour summer classes on science or reading. All ages are welcome to volunteer. Learn more at Contact Heather Mustain. Women s ministry An expanded women s ministry is being launched at Wilshire. The new name is WOW! which stands for Women of Wilshire. This is an intergenerational group for all guests and members of Wilshire. All women are welcome. Planned events include socials, Bible and book studies and opportunities to connect and build community. A kickoff event will be a free brunch on Saturday, May 12, from 10 to noon in James Gallery. RSVP with Tiffany Wright at twright@wilshirebc.org. Child care is available. Also, a Women of Wilshire Facebook page has been created. 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 Music Associate/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) 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 9

10 Five reasons to register for VBS now 1. It s going to be cool. Imagine Community Hall turned into a biblical marketplace filled with shops, artisans, food and crafts that give kids hands-on understanding of Bible stories as they come to life. 2. Everyone can participate. Because this year s VBS is at night, it s accessible to preschoolers and children with two working parents as well as children of single parents and all households. 3. It s only three days. Rather than taking up an entire week and competing with other summer day camps, this year s VBS runs Sunday night through Tuesday night only. 4. You ll want to bring a friend. Wilshire s VBS is the ideal event for your children to bring their friends along, because there s room for everyone. 5. Kids will have fun learning Bible truths. Children will join their tribe as they visit the marketplace, worship and learn about turning tough times into opportunities to trust God and live courageously. Register today online at wilshirebc.org/registration. VBS is open to preschool children who will have completed a 3-year-old preschool class by June 10 through children who will have just completed sixth grade. Sunday, June 10 Monday, June 11 Tuesday, June 12 6:00 to 8:00 nightly 10

11 Wilshire calendar Sunday, May 6 Young Musicians and Globetrekkers Retreat Morning worship 8:30 Sunday School 9:40 Wilshire Welcome 9:40 Morning worship 11:00 Finding Theo book event noon One Starry Night Leadership Team Meeting noon Topper baby shower 1:30 Nova 2:30 Carillon Ringers 4:00 Youth Choir 4:00 Paradiso 5:00 Shekinah 5:30 Monday, May 7 Game of 42 10:00 Senior women s exercise class 2:00 Wilshire Winds 7:00 Tuesday, May 8 JazzStand on Abrams 7:00 Wednesday, May 9 New Song 9:30 Koinonia Café 11:00 Called church conference noon Bible study noon Wilshire Adventurers Committee 1:15 Koinonia Café 5:00 Gallery Café 6:00 Companions in Christ 6:00 Called church conference 6:00 End-of-year program for children s handbells and preschool and children s choirs 6:15 Watershed 6:30 Sanctuary Choir 7:15 Thursday, May 10 Knit Unto Others 1:30 New Song Program 2:00 Senior women s exercise class 2:00 Friday, May 11 Friday Friends 10:00 Adoption and foster care event 6:30 Marriage Connections 6:30 Single Parents Night Out 6:30 Saturday, May 12 WOW (Women of Wilshire) kick-off event 10:00 Sunday, May 13 Morning worship 8:30 Sunday School 9:40 Wilshire Welcome 9:40 Morning worship 11:00 Monday, May 14 Game of 42 10:00 Senior women s exercise class 2:00 Wilshire Winds 7:00 Tuesday, May 15 Computer Class orientation and registration 9:30 and 6:00 Yoga class 12:15 Building and Grounds Committee 6:00 Stephen Ministry supervision 6:30 Wednesday, May 16 New Song 9:30 Gentle Voices 11:00 Koinonia Café 11:00 Bible study noon Stephen Ministry supervision 1:30 New member fellowship 6:00 Companions in Christ 6:00 Yoga class 6:15 Watershed 6:30 Sanctuary Choir 7:00 Thursday, May 17 Knit Unto Others 1:30 Senior women s exercise class 2:00 Sunday, May 20 Morning worship 8:30 Sunday School 9:40 Coffee and Conversation with George 9:40 Morning worship 11:00 Carillon Ringers 12:15 Youth Choir 12:30 Nova 1:00 Shekinah 1:30 Wilshire at the Lake 5:00 11

12 All-church picnic Wilshire at the Lake Sunday, May 20 5 to 7 Winfrey Point at White Rock Lake A family-friendly event with live music, bounce house, face painting and outdoor activities. All ages are invited. Air-conditioned seating inside as well as picnic space outside. The church will provide fried chicken, vegetarian pasta salad, rolls and beverages. The rest of the meal is potluck. Last names A-H, bring salads and fruits; last names I-P, bring vegetables; last names Q-Z, bring desserts. New this year: An old-fashioned Hymn Sing-a-Long led by Darren DeMent and friends. Also new this year: A Pie Contest. To participate bring one homemade pie and the recipe. Pies must be made entirely from scratch to be considered. Official pie judges will award a variety of prizes. 12