Preparing for worship

Transcription

1 Fourth Sunday of Easter April 22, 2018

2 Preparing for worship Millions of Christians around the world are following the church calendar this year just as millions have done for generations. Jewish history claims that following appointed Scripture readings began during the time of Moses. Early Jewish-Christians brought this practice from their synagogues into their churches. We are currently in Eastertide, a season celebrating the time between Jesus resurrection on Easter Sunday and the day the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus followers at Pentecost. The prefix penta, meaning five, because in our Scriptures the day of Pentecost occurs on the 50th day after the resurrection. Prepositions carry a lot of weight in the church calendar. During the season of Lent, the 40 days of preparation and fasting prior to Easter, each Sunday is labeled a Sunday in Lent rather than a Sunday of Lent. That s because Sundays aren t Lenten and don t count toward the 40 days. Each Sunday is a reprieve from the Lenten season a feast day during a time of fasting. Eastertide is quite a different story. Today is the Fourth Sunday of Easter. Easter isn t just one day but 49 days. Each Sunday is a celebration cautioning us not to go back to normalcy too quickly, because Christ is risen and nothing will ever be the same. For seven weeks we are reminded that he is alive and well, living inside each of us, transforming hearts and minds. Can you see it? It s not always easy in our world, but Jesus nail-marked hands are leaving fingerprints everywhere if we ll look closely and slowly. That s why we need a season and not just a day. Like walking out of a dark theater on a sunny day, our eyes need time to adjust. Our spiritual eyes need time to adjust now that we know Jesus is alive. Some hear him in their pain, feel his comfort in their grief or find his strength in their trials. Some hear him only in silence, while others find him in community. He s there in a good belly laugh, and he s there in a gut-wrenching cry. Jesus is always there, but we have to learn to recognize him. If you look around and have trouble finding Jesus, that s OK too. Don t give up. This is a season, not a day. Keep your eyes open. He ll find you. Jakob Topper 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: The Good Shepherd, Daniel Bonnell. Used with permission of the artist. See his work at 2

3 April 22, :30 and 11:00 a.m. Fourth 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 Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us arr. Sherman Carillon Ringers Opening Sentences Rick Hibbs / Anna Hines Easter is not just a day but a season in the life of the Christian church. And so we gather this morning still basking in the good news of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Savior. By our presence here we declare yet again that Christ is risen, he is risen indeed! +Hymn 197 We Welcome Glad Easter st. denio Greeting to Worshipers Gladys Kolenovsky / Alecia Hill 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. Interview with Tim Krause George Mason See page 8 for more information about the new book Finding Theo. +Gospel Reading John 10:11 18 Heather Mustain / Doug Haney I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down *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 my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father. Leader: This is the word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. Musical Meditation *The Lord Is My Shepherd Courtney Caroline Booth, soprano **The Lord Is My Shepherd Rutter Sanctuary Choir The Lord is my Shepherd; therefore can I lack nothing. He shall feed me in a green pasture, And lead me forth beside the waters of comfort. He shall convert my soul, And bring me forth in the paths of righteousness, for his name s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff comfort me. Thou shalt prepare a table before me against them that trouble me; Thou hast anointed my head with oil, and my cup shall be full. But thy loving-kindness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Prayers of the People Jakob Topper / Matt Dodrill +Hymn 302 Come Away from Rush and Hurry promise Giving of Tithes and Offerings From CBF field personnel Joel and Tiffne Whitley serving in Strasbourg, France, and supported by your gifts to Wilshire s Unified Budget: Human trafficking is the slavery of our time. Women who have been trafficked often times have been subjected to profound trauma both physically and mentally. They also face social rejection, discrimination and humiliation both in their own society and the one for which they are forced to work. In France, a group of Christian women have joined together through the Ladies in Waiting ministry. This group aims to reach out and minister in holistic and meaningful ways to prostitutes.the first time we met Jessica, we invited her to a Ladies in Waiting picnic and invited her to bring a friend if she would like. Jessica said, I don t have a friend. That is what this ministry is all about: building beloved community with those who do not have a friend. Offertory His Eye Is on the Sparrow arr. Raney Carillon Ringers Dwight Roan, percussion 4

5 +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 3:16 24 Mark Wingfield We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. How does God s love abide in anyone who has the world s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us. This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Message Spirit of Sacrifice and Succor George Mason +Hymn 431 Jesus Is Lord of All lordship of christ Sharing of Decisions Benediction Postlude Tuba Tune in D Major, Op.15 Lang 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 memory of Helen Terry and Reed Terry. 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 Rick Hibbs and his family came to Wilshire in He is married to Susan, and they have two children, Wes, a student at Texas A&M, and John, a sophomore at Saint Mark s. Rick is director of Concordia Class. Professionally, he is director of customer solutions at Advantage Solutions, a construction and design firm. Alecia Hill joined Wilshire in She is a member of Avodah Class and involved in Wilshire s women s ministry. Her son is Luke, an eighth grader. Alecia works as a finance manager with CBRE. Anna Hines joined Wilshire in She attends Discovery Class, is a deacon and is immediate past chair of the Personnel Committee. She previously served on the Missions Committee and has been a missions volunteer. Professionally, Anna consults in human resources management. Gladys Kolenovsky has been a Wilshire member since She is married to Bobby, is a deacon, teaches in rotation in Cord of Three Class and serves as co-leader of the Vision 20/20 Sustain Initiative. Vocationally, she administers services for children with dyslexia at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital. 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 6

7 The Wilshire Tapestry Grief and Loss Center dinner and auction The Grief and Loss Center of North Texas, created by and housed at Wilshire as a distinct community ministry, will hold its annual Celebrate Hope awareness dinner and silent auction this Thursday, April 26, at Lakewood Country Club. Learn more and reserve seats at mygriefandloss.org. Preschool and children parent ideas Parents are invited to stay after worship on April 29 for a free luncheon and roundtable dialogue to share best ideas on summer activities for preschoolers and children. This is part of the monthly Affinity Group luncheon series. There is no speaker, just an informal crowdsourcing of what you ve learned and want to share with others. No reservation required. Dealing with difficult parents Adults who face challenges in dealing with difficult senior adult parents are invited to an Affinity Group luncheon with Paul Chafetz, Ph.D. in clinical psychology with a specialization in senior adults, on Sunday, April 29, at noon. No reservation is required, and lunch is free. Learn about mentoring and coaching The Missions Committee invites anyone interested in learning how to become an effective mentor, coach or volunteer counselor to an Affinity Group luncheon on Sunday, April 29, at noon in Community Hall. No reservation is required, and lunch is free. The roundtable will be led by Scott Spreier, a Wilshire member who is a nonprofit volunteer and a professional business coach. 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 two new short-term studies. Koinonia Café April 25: Grilled sausages with mustard sauce, chicken with wild mushrooms, bacon potato salad, sauerkraut, glazed peas and carrots, green beans, salad bar, dessert bar. Gospels overview For two more weeks including this Wednesday, April 25, Senior Pastor George Mason will continue to lead an overview of the New Testament Gospels. The class will meet at 6 in Room 1205-L. Hymn writing seminar A seminar on hymn writing will continue for the next two Wednesday nights on April 25 and May 2 from 6 to 6:45 in Room 1205-G. This week will include a presentation by Brian Hehn, director of the Center for Congregational Song, on the state of hymn writing and usage today. The final week will be a hymn lab, singing together new texts written by participants. No prior poetry writing or musical knowledge is required to participate. Topper baby shower All are invited to a baby shower for Alyssa and Jakob Topper on Sunday, May 6, from 1:30 to 3 in the Parlor. The parents-to-be prefer gift cards and are registered at Target and Amazon. Medicare and You seminar Learn how changes to Medicare will affect you in A free information session will be conducted by an outreach insurance specialist with Medicare Health Plans Operations. Participants will learn about the new Medicare card and how to avoid insurance fraud and scams. The date is Thursday, May 3, and the time is 9 to 10:30 a.m. RSVP by April 29 to Jessica Capps at jcapps@wilshirebc.org or (214) Breakfast burritos will be served. 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 Condolences to: Carolyn Strickland on the death of her sister, Juanice Collins, April 12. New members: Ben Holden, Dale Cohen. 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 a.m. 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 noons in Community Hall. 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 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 to give a few hours or an entire day, visit these links to register and learn more. To serve as a hospitality volunteer, go here: ly/2gvkxe8. To serve as a registration volunteer, go here: Or follow the links with one click from wilshirebc.org/registration. 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 Finding Theo books and dialogue Today in worship we hear the inspiring story of Theo Krause, a child of our church who has recovered in ways never predicted from a spinal cord injury due to a mountain biking accident in Colorado. His father, Tim Krause, has written a book about Theo s courageous battle for life after loss. It is also a deeper story of discovery about the people whose lives became interwoven with Theo s and how they found their way in life, provoking questions about the meaning of miracle and the way the world works. Copies of Finding Theo may be purchased beginning today for $25 apiece, with all proceeds from church sales donated by the family to Wilshire s Pathways to Ministry Endowment. The book also is available online in paperback and digital formats. On May 6, both Tim Krause and Theo Krause will be present for a free luncheon dialogue in Community Hall at noon. No reservation is required. 8

9 one-hour summer classes on science or reading. All ages are welcome to volunteer. Learn more at Contact Heather Mustain to sign up. Bible and culture class The Wired Word is the name of a new adult Sunday School class. This intergenerational class seeks to engage adults who are not currently attending Sunday School and anyone looking for a fresh start in group Bible study. Directed by Alice Willhoite, the class uses a variety of guest teachers, who will connect the Bible with national and international news of the preceding week. The class meets in Room 3201 at 9:45 a.m. Summer mission team to New York City Wilshire has started a new partnership with CBF field personnel Lesley-Ann Tommey in New York City. We ve been invited to lead a week of camp (Aug. 4-11) for children through Rauschenbusch s Metro Ministries. Ninth graders through adults are needed. Heather Mustain to enlist. Groups will stay in dormitories at Metro Baptist Church and will have evenings free. 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 a.m. 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. Time for Turquoise Tables If you would like to have a Turquoise Table in your yard this year, contact Tiffany Wright at twright@ wilshirebc.org. After a successful effort last spring, Wilshire volunteers are painting more tables and continuing to cultivate authentic community where our members live. By signing up to take a table, you commit to hosting an informal gathering of your neighbors at least once per month at your table. Stephen Ministry and the aging process By Rob Banta Stephen Ministry Leader Time marches on. And, for those of us who have been around for a while, the pace of the march seems to be accelerating rapidly. We are all aging. It is inevitable. Many actually find joy in newly found freedom and independence made possible by having achieved a certain age. Those able to retire may find time to pursue interests for which there never seemed to be enough time before, whether travel, hobbies or volunteering for worthwhile causes. Relationships with family and friends may be enhanced with the opportunity to devote more time to them. Others may experience losses of various sorts related to aging: physical losses or the inability to engage in certain activities due to medical conditions, a loss of one s sense of purpose or worth when no longer engaged in one s life 9 work, loss of independence if one is no longer able to care for oneself, loss of security or dignity, loss of family and friends due to death and ultimately, facing the prospect of one s own mortality. It is not likely that any one person will experience all losses or gains. It is more likely that there will be losses and benefits. Could thoughts from our pastor s Easter sermon, All Things New, be instructive as we transition from one phase of life to another? With a resurrection outlook same you, new it may be possible to adopt a forwardlooking orientation that allows us to embrace the future. Wilshire s Stephen Ministers have been trained to offer care to those experiencing losses due to aging. If you find yourself in need of such care, or know someone who is, contact Tiffany Wright, minister for care ministries, at (214) or twright@ wilshirebc.org.

10 Wilshire calendar Sunday, April 22 Youth Spring Retreat Morning worship 8:30 a.m. Coffee and Conversation with George 9:40 a.m. Wilshire Welcome 9:40 a.m. Sunday School 9:40 a.m. Children s Division Teacher Appreciation Breakfast 9:40 a.m. Morning worship 11:00 a.m. Connections Class noon Christian Advocacy Committee noon Pathways to Ministry Committee noon Vision 20/20 Belong Team noon Nova 2:30 Carillon Ringers 4:00 Youth Choir 4:00 Companions in Christ 4:00 Paradiso 5:00 Shekinah 5:30 Monday, April 23 Game of 42 10:00 a.m. Senior women s exercise class 2:00 Deacons meal and meeting 6:30 Wilshire Winds 7:00 Tuesday, April 24 Yoga class 12:15 Wednesday, April 25 New Song 9:30 a.m. Koinonia Café 11:00 a.m. Bible study noon Companions in Christ 1:00 Children s handbells 5:00 Koinonia Café 5:00 Music & Missions 6:00 Gallery Café 6:00 Gospels Overview class 6:00 Hymn Writing class 6:00 Companions in Christ 6:00 Yoga class 6:15 Watershed 6:30 Sanctuary Choir 7:00 Thursday, April 26 Knit Unto Others 1:30 Senior women s exercise class 2:00 Friday, April 27 Friday Friends 10:00 a.m. Sunday, April 29 Morning worship 8:30 a.m. Sunday School 9:40 a.m. Morning worship 11:00 a.m. NYC missions team meeting noon Affinity Group Luncheons noon Youth Choir lunch noon Youth Choir 12:35 Shekinah 1:30 Nova 2:30 Carillon Ringers 4:00 Companions in Christ 4:00 Sanctuary Choir Concert in support of the Grief and Loss Center of North Texas 6:30 Monday, April 30 Game of 42 10:00 a.m. Senior women s exercise class 2:00 Wilshire Winds 7:00 Tuesday, May 1 Yoga class 12:15 Stephen Ministry CE & supervision 6:30 Wednesday, May 2 New Song 9:30 a.m. Koinonia Café 11:00 a.m. Bible study noon Companions in Christ 1:00 Stephen Ministry supervision 1:30 Children s handbells 5:00 Koinonia Café 5:00 Music & Missions 6:00 Gallery Café 6:00 Gospels Overview class 6:00 Hymn Writing class 6:00 Companions in Christ 6:00 Yoga class 6:15 Cord of Three prayer group 6:15 Watershed 6:30 Open House for Bible Skills and Globetrekkers classes 6:45 Sanctuary Choir 7:00 Thursday, May 3 Medicare card seminar 9:00 a.m. Women s Ministry Brown Bag Book Club noon Knit Unto Others 1:30 Senior women s exercise class 2:00 Saturday, May 5 Young Musicians and Globetrekkers retreat 10

11 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. 11

12 Original painting used by permission and available at lyndeutsch.wordpress.com. A Time to Mourn, A Time to Dance Wilshire Sanctuary Choir with Grace Jennings, soprano soloist, and Orchestra Choral works of John Rutter Requiem To Everything There is a Season For the Beauty of the Earth A Gaelic Blessing Sunday, April 29, 6:30 In support of the Grief and Loss Center of North Texas 12