August 29, 2021Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

We abandoned all responsibilities on a recent Saturday to explore small towns in Cook and Montague counties. In the Cook County town of Lindsay (population 1,257), we saw the silhouette of an unusual rooftop just south of Highway 82 and turned down the first available street to satisfy our curiosity.

Within a few blocks, there was a brick arch with the words St. Peter’s Catholic Church and the church just ahead of us. It is one of the historic painted churches with a marker that states, “Organized in 1892, the present church was erected in 1918 to replace the original church which was destroyed by a tornado. Lindsay settlers, Germans whose lives centered in the church, furnished much manual labor for the building and saved old windmill towers to be used as reinforcements in concrete.”

The building exterior was lovely — the interior, breathtaking and awe-inspiring with amazing frescoes, stained glass windows and intricate carving on the altar. It is truly a sacred space that invited us to silence our voices, slow our pace, observe the beauty around us and sense God’s presence. For me, it brought a new appreciation for the text from today’s anthem,

“Come Dwell in Solomon’s Walls.”

According to the church’s history, in 2009 “gorgeously painted plaster began to crumble and fall from the walls which led to the discovery of other structural issues and a two-year renovation at 100 times the cost of the original building.” What motivated multiple generations of parishio-ners from Lindsay to maintain this treasure despite seemingly insurmountable challenges? Maybe it was what they learned and experienced when they dwelled there. As our anthem suggests, perhaps as they prayed together, seeking wisdom and strength, they found that God does heal, restore, forgive and bless. Their life experiences taught them that the house of the Lord is a place for learning and practicing wisdom and righ-teousness, justice and holiness.

As we were leaving, an ordinary hat rack by the door held a couple of new baseball caps. On the adjacent wall was a picture with a plaque honor-ing the priest who served there in 1899, a remind-er of both the beauty of the past and the promise of the future. As we worship together, may we be reminded of God’s provision in the past, God’s presence with us today and the promise of God’s faithfulness for the future.

— LeAnn Hampton

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Preparing for worship

4316 Abrams Road ■ Dallas, Texas 75214 ■ 214-452-3100 ■ wilshirebc.orgPartnered with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship

Building a Community of Faith Shaped by the Spirit of Jesus Christ

On the cover: Interior of Saint Peter’s Catholic Church in Lindsay, Texas. Photo courtesy of LeAnn and Jeff Hampton.

August 29, 2021 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.

Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Chiming of the HourThe people of Wilshire gather this morning to worship God. In order for

this service to be focused upon that purpose, please silence all electronic devices.

Prelude Blessed Assurance arr. Serena O’MearaCarla Siegesmund and Laura Brandenburg, harp duet

Opening Sentences Sam Murphy / Andrew Burton

We gather now to worship God, who is the author of our stories and our songs. As we bring with us our generous gifts, our questions and our prayers, may we know that they are all welcome in this place. May all who gather here know that whatever you carry with you today is fully embraced by the faithful God who carries us through our moments and our days.

Call to Worship Day by Day arr. Jeff BrummelCandy McComb

Day by day and with each passing moment, strength I find to meet my trials here;Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment, I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.

He whose heart is kind beyond all measure gives unto each day what he deems best —Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure, mingling toil with peace and rest.

Help me then in every tribulation so to trust Your promises, O Lord,That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation offered me within Your holy Word.

Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting, e’er to take, as from a father’s hand,One by one, the days, the moments fleeting, till I reach the promised land.

Greeting to Worshipers Darren DeMent

Epistle Reading — James 1:17–27 Jessica Capps / Julie Girards

Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures. You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness. Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save

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*9:00 service / **11:00 service +All congregants who are able are invited to stand.Hearing devices are available in the Narthex and South Atrium.

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your souls. But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act — they will be blessed in their doing. If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but de-ceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Toda buena dádiva y todo don perfecto descienden de lo alto, donde está el Padre que creó las lumbre-ras celestes, y que no cambia como los astros ni se mueve como las sombras. Por su propia voluntad nos hizo nacer mediante la palabra de verdad, para que fuéramos como los primeros y mejores frutos de su creación. Mis queridos hermanos, tengan presente esto: Todos deben estar listos para escuchar, y ser lentos para hablar y para enojarse; pues la ira humana no produce la vida justa que Dios quiere. Por esto, despójense de toda inmundicia y de la maldad que tanto abunda, para que puedan recibir con hu-mildad la palabra sembrada en ustedes, la cual tiene poder para salvarles la vida. No se contenten solo con escuchar la palabra, pues así se engañan ustedes mismos. Llévenla a la práctica. El que escucha la palabra, pero no la pone en práctica es como el que se mira el rostro en un Espejo y, después de mi-rarse, se va y se olvida en seguida de cómo es. Pero quien se fija atentamente en la ley perfecta que da libertad, y persevera en ella, no olvidando lo que ha oído, sino haciéndolo, recibirá bendición al practi-carla. Si alguien se cree religioso, pero no le pone freno a su lengua, se engaña a sí mismo, y su religión no sirve para nada. La religión pura y sin mancha delante de Dios nuestro Padre es esta: atender a los huérfanos y a las viudas en sus aflicciones, y conservarse limpio de la corrupción del mundo.

Prayers of the People Julie Bartkoski / Brianna Childs

*Solo Consecration John Ness BeckJeff Brummel

Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee;Take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of thy love;Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for thee;

Take my voice and let me sing always, only, for my King.Take my lips and let them be filled with messages from thee.

Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold;Take my intellect and use ev’ry power as thou shalt choose.

Take my will and make it thine; it shall be no longer mine.Take my heart, it is thine own; it shall be thy royal throne.

Take my love, my Lord, I pour at thy feet its treasure store.Take myself and I will be ever, only, all for thee.

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**Anthem Come Dwell in Solomon’s Walls Z. Randall StroopeSanctuary Choir

When the final timber lay ’gainst the measured stones,With the doorposts in their place overlaid with gold,

The Lord appeared to Solomon blessing all the house,The temple of the ark of God, pure and whole.

Come dwell in Solomon’s walls,Come and dwell in the house of the Lord,

Where the humble bow down, seeking wisdom and strength, For the Lord dwells within and heals their land.

Come dwell in Solomon’s walls,Come and dwell in the house of the Lord,

Where wisdom and righteousness, justice and holiness,Join at the feet of God.

When the people of this house kneel and humbly pray,When they turn from dark to light and your will obey.

O Lord of heaven and Lord of earth, show favor on this house,And heal, restore, forgive and bless, Lord we pray.

+Gospel Reading — Mark 7:1–8, 14–15, 21–23 John Kelly / Ed Wagner

Now when the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him, they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them. (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they thoroughly wash their hands, thus observing the tradition of the elders; and they do not eat anything from the market unless they wash it; and there are also many other traditions that they observe, the washing of cups, pots, and bronze kettles.) So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” He said to them, “Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.’ You abandon the com-mandment of God and hold to human tradition.”… Then he called the crowd again and said to them,

“Listen to me, all of you, and understand: there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.” … For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

This is the word of the Lord.Thanks be to God.

Los fariseos y algunos de los maestros de la ley que habían llegado de Jerusalén se reunieron alre-dedor de Jesús, y vieron a algunos de sus discípulos que comían con manos impuras, es decir, sin habérselas lavado. (En efecto, los fariseos y los demás judíos no comen nada sin primero cumplir

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con el rito de lavarse las manos, ya que están aferrados a la tradición de los ancianos. Al regresar del mercado, no comen nada antes de lavarse. Y siguen otras muchas tradiciones, tales como el rito de lavar copas, jarras y bandejas de cobre). Así que los fariseos y los maestros de la ley le preguntaron a Jesús: —¿Por qué no siguen tus discípulos la tradición de los ancianos, en vez de comer con manos impuras? Él les contestó: —Tenía razón Isaías cuando profetizó acerca de ustedes, hipócritas, según está escrito: »“Este pueblo me honra con los labios, pero su corazón está lejos de mí. En vano me adoran; sus enseñanzas no son más que reglas humanas.” Ustedes han desechado los mandamientos divinos y se aferran a las tradiciones humanas». De nuevo Jesús llamó a la multitud. —Escúchenme todos—dijo—y entiendan esto: Nada de lo que viene de afuera puede contaminar a una persona. Más bien, lo que sale de la persona es lo que la contamina. Porque de adentro, del corazón humano, salen los malos pensamientos, la inmoralidad sexual, los robos, los homicidios, los adulterios, la avaricia, la maldad, el engaño, el libertinaje, la envidia, la calumnia, la arrogancia y la necedad. Todos estos males vienen de adentro y contaminan a la persona.

Esta es la palabra del Señor.Gracias a Dios.

Message “Living Inside Out” George Mason

+Hymn Christ, You Call Us All to Service hymn to joy

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Connect with Wilshire. Scan this code using your smartphone camera to make a financial contribution, fill out our online guest card or submit a prayer request.

Secure offering boxes are located near the front Sanctuary doors and in the Narthex.

Sharing of Decisions George Mason

**Family Dedication—Whitney and Joe Catarella with Miles Preston George Mason

We welcome into the life of the church today Miles Preston, son of Whitney and Joe Catarella. Through this dedication, the family and the congregation join together in pledging to raise Miles in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, so that when he reaches an appropriate age, he may choose for himself to follow Jesus Christ as Savior. Present for the dedication are big brother Smith and big sister Elle. Watching via livestream are grandparents Phil and Ellen Catarella and Ted and Deb Barnes; aunt April Catarella; aunts and uncles Alison and Chris Michel and Carly and Tyler Barnes; great-grandmothers Mildred Clarkson-Freyer and Mazie Barnes Gibbs.

Benediction George Mason

Postlude Praise the Lord! Ye Heavens, Adore Him arr. Anna Laura Page

The floral arrangements are given today in loving memory of Julian Kampfschulte on the occasion of his 13th birthday by the Woodbury family.

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Meet today’s worship leaders

George A. MasonSenior Pastor214-452-3132

Heather MustainAssociate Pastor214-452-3110

Darren DeMentAssociate Pastor214-452-3102

Doug HaneyAssociate Pastor214-452-3123

Jeff BrummelAssociate Minister of Music/Organist214-452-3122

Jessica CappsMinister to Senior Adults214-452-3129

Julie GirardsMinister to Children214-452-3104

Joan HammonsMinister to Preschoolers214-452-3141

Brianna ChildsPastoral Resident214-452-3154

John KellyPastoral Resident214-452-3156

Ashley RobinsonPastoral Resident214-452-3153

Jenna SullivanPastoral Resident214-452-3155

Preston BrightAssociate Pastor Emeritus

Randy CroslandDirector of Operations214-452-3146

Linda GarnerParish Nurse214-452-3151

Lori GoodenDirector of Finance214-452-3131

Geri McKenzieAssociate Director forPathways to Ministry214-452-3159

Carolyn MurrayCoordinator of Congregational Life214-452-3170

Dale PrideFacilities Manager214-452-3101

Staff contacts

Julie Bartkoski joined Wilshire in 2015 and is married to Brian. She serves as chair of Wilshire’s Missions Committee and is a frequent missions volunteer. Julie works as practice director at Radiology Partners.

Laura Brandenburg, DMA, has been a profes-sional harpist for four decades. She taught harp at Texas Christian University from 2001 to 2020 and continues to teach children and young adults through TCU’s Music Prep program. She also teaches students of all ages in her home studio.

Andrew Burton grew up at Wilshire. He teaches in the youth ministry and is a frequent missions volunteer. Andrew is the son of David and Deb-by Burton and works as an accountant at Trek Resources.

Candy McComb joined Wilshire in 2017 with her husband, Vic Henry. They direct and teach the Odyssey Class and have two adult sons, Lee and Taylor. As Wilshire’s children’s choir coordinator, Candy directs the Young Musicians choir and leads the summer creative arts camp. She also sings in Sanctuary Choir.

Sam Murphy joined Wilshire in 2017 and attends Ithaka Class with his wife, Rachel. A graduate of Southern Methodist University’s business school and law school, he is an attorney with Holland & Knight. At Wilshire he serves on the Risk Manage-ment Committee.

Carla Siegesmund and her husband, Rudy, joined Wilshire in 2019. She attends Cord of Three Class, serves on the Weekday Education Committee and sings in Sanctuary Choir. Carla is an accountant by vocation and a harpist by avocation.

Ed Wagner joined Wilshire in 2003. He is married to Jennifer and they are the parents of Noah, tenth grade, Hayden, seventh grade and Elly, sixth grade. Ed is a member of Avodah Class and plays trumpet in Wilshire Winds. He works as a software devel-opment director for Invitation Homes.

Email addresses consist of first letter of first name and full last name followed by @wilshirebc.org (example: gmason@wilshirebc.org)

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News & AnnouncementsAugust 29, 2021

Schedule until further notice: Worship at 9 & 11 a.m. Sunday School for all ages at 10 a.m. Worship livestream at 11 a.m. at youtube.com/wilshirebaptist.

F O R E V E R Y O N E

Family Dinner on the Grounds5:30 – 6 p.m. • Weekly starting Sept. 1.While we aren’t providing indoor food ser-vice for now, each Wednesday evening will begin with the chance to eat together out-doors. Weather permitting, tables will be set up in the grassy area behind the church along Springside Lane. Pick up Koinonia Café To Go or bring your own food. Drinks and dessert will be provided by the church.

F O R E V E R Y O N E

First Wednesday: Called to Care6 – 6:45 p.m. • First Wednesdays start-ing Sept. 1. On the first Wednesday each month, all ages will work together on an easy missions or service project. Join us in Community Hall Sept. 1 as we pack goodie bags and write notes for health care workers serving on the front lines of the pandemic.

Continued, next page

Masks required indoors for everyone age 2 and older

Join us Sept. 1 as we kick off a new year of Wednesday evening programming with activities for

all ages and a new name: Wednesday Night Live.

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P R E S C H O O L – G R A D E 6

Music, Missions and More6 – 7 p.m. • Non-first Wednesdays start-ing Sept. 8. Fun, age-based activities and lessons for 3-year-olds through sixth grad-ers, including music and missions-related topics. Children in kindergarten through sixth grade will learn Bible skills while preschoolers will engage in activities that focus on caring for others.

Please register your child in advance to help us plan better. Find the link at wilshirebc.org/registration or scan the QR code. (One-time registration.)

■ Childcare for infants to 2-year-olds whose parents are involved in church activities will be offered Wednesdays, 6 – 7 p.m. in the preschool area.

F O R Y O U T H

Watershed6:30 – 7:30 p.m. weekly, Youth Center. Wilshire Student Ministry’s weekly Bible study resumed Aug. 18. Grades 7 – 12.

F O R A D U LT S

Resident-Led Study or Vespers6 – 6:45 p.m. • Non-first Wednesdays starting Sept. 8. Join Wilshire’s pastoral residents for either a study or a vespers service. On Sept. 8, 15 and 22, new resi-dents Brianna Childs and John Kelly will lead a study in the Parlor called The Trinity of Wholesomeness. On Sept. 29, vespers will be held in McIver Chapel.

About the September study:As we journey through incredibly difficult times together, we want to encourage you to pause and observe all that you might be feeling in this season. To do that, we’ll be looking at the theologies of three men often called The Trinity of Wholesomeness: Fred Rogers, Bob Ross and Steve Irwin (“The Crocodile Hunter”). Each used his life to teach us how to love others, love ourselves and love creation. Join us in the Parlor Sept. 8, 15 and 22 at 6 p.m. as we remind each other of these foundations for living.

■ The noon meal and Bible Study will resume as soon as we are able to safely offer indoor meal service.

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Condolences to:■ Barbara Peterson on the death of her nephew, Rene Peterson, Aug. 21.■ Peggy Hill on the death of her husband, Ray Hill, Aug. 26.

New members:Elle Sheaffer, Ella Prichard

Collection for Afghan evacueesThe Dallas office of Ref-ugee Services of Texas is in need of items for those resettling in the area following evacuation from Afghanistan with Special Immigrant Visas. Items most needed are razors, bars of soap, toothpaste, diapers of all sizes, diaper rash cream, diaper wipes and U-shaped bicycle locks. Collection bins can be found out-side the main office, at the north entrance and in the North Atrium through Sunday, Sept. 5. An Amazon wishlist is linked at wilshirebc.org/registration and can be used to order items and have them shipped to Wilshire by Sept. 5.

ECLC begins school year Wilshire’s Early Childhood Learning Cen-ter (ECLC) is off to a great start after being closed for the previous school year due to the pandemic. On Aug. 12, Senior Pastor George Mason offered an opening blessing at ECLC’s Meet the Teacher event. On Monday, Aug. 16, parents and children marched in with smiles on their faces. ECLC director Ramona Randle says, “We welcomed some familiar families from pre-COVID days as well as many new families. In addition, almost half our staff has returned to ECLC. It is wonderful to hear children’s voices in the Preschool hallway.” ECLC has room for more families. If you know of anybody who is looking for a place for their preschool child, please have them email eclc@wilshirebc.org or call 214-452-3115.

Youth Choir, Shekinah start Sept. 12Wilshire’s Youth Choir and the select choral ensemble Shekinah will resume rehearsals on Sunday, Sept. 12. Associate Minister of Music/Organist Jeff Brummel directs both groups. ■ 11:45 a.m.–12:10 p.m. Students eat a provided snack lunch on the back lawn. ■ 12:15–1:15 p.m. Youth Choir rehearsal in Choral Hall.■ 1:20–1:50 p.m. Shekinah rehearsal in Choral Hall.

New option for online worshipThose unable to attend worship in person are invited to worship with a group on Zoom. Each Sunday, a Zoom session will be open starting at 10:45 a.m. for people to gather and chat. At 11 the live worship service will be streamed through Zoom so participants can experience worship together. There will time to share prayer concerns and celebrations, check in with one another and just have face-to-face contact. To receive the Zoom link, email Pastoral Resident Ashley Robinson at arobinson@wilshirebc.org. The Zoom meeting is recurring, so the same link will work every week.

Ushers, greeters neededThe Hospitality Team needs people to serve as ushers and greeters. Contact Barbara Clayton at bclayton@wilshirebc.org if you can help.

Depolarizing ConversationsAbout Race, Sept. 13Join us Monday, Sept. 13, from 6 to 9 p.m. in Community Hall for a “skills workshop for difficult (and necessary) conver-sations between white Americans about race and pub-lic policy.” While open to all, the workshop is designed for self-identified white people who believe in the equal worth and dignity of per-sons of all races and are concerned about our nation’s problems with race. The free event will be presented by Braver Angels, a nonprof-it organization aiming to unite red and blue Americans in a working alliance to depolarize the country. ■ Boxed meals are available for purchase and can be picked up in James Gallery starting at 5:30 p.m. and enjoyed at tables in the Prayer Garden before the workshop. Boxes are $8.50 each and include a wrap (choose chicken salad, turkey or veggie), two sides, a cookie and bottled water. ■ Register for the workshop and purchase a meal at wilshirebc.org/registration.

Marriage Connections returnsFriday, Sept. 10, is the first meeting this fall for Marriage Connections. In this monthly event, free childcare (infants – grade 6) is provided at the church while couples learn from a speaker’s presentation before heading out to dinner on their own. Childcare is provided only for cou-ples participating in the programming. Regis-tration for childcare is open at wilshirebc.org/registration through Sept. 5.■ Drop off kids in Preschool area, 6:30 p.m.■ Program in James Gallery, 6:45 – 7:15 p.m. ■ Dinner on your own, 7:30 – 9 p.m. ■ Pick up children by 9:30 p.m.■ This year’s dates are Sept. 10, Oct. 8, Nov. 12, Jan. 14, Feb. 18, April 8, May 13.

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WOW! to study Rachel Held Evans’ Inspired■ Women of Wilshire will read and study Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water and Loving the Bible Again by Rachel Held Evans.■ Every other Monday, 7 p.m. ■ Dates are Sept. 27, Oct. 11 & 25, Nov. 8 & 29, Dec. 13, Jan. 10 & 24, Feb. 7 & 21■ Led by Joannah DeMent in the DeMents’ backyard■ Register at wilshirebc.org/registration. 

If the Bible isn’t a science book or an in-struction manual, what is it? What do people mean when they say the Bible is inspired? When Rachel Held Evans found herself asking these questions, she began a quest to better understand what the Bible is and how it is meant to be read. What she discovered changed her — and it will change you too.

Drawing on the best in recent scholarship and using her well-honed literary expertise, Evans examines some of our favorite Bible stories and possible interpretations, retell-ing them through memoir, original poetry, short stories, soliloquies and even a short screenplay. The Bible, she discovers, is not a static work but a living, breathing, capti-vating and confounding book that is able to equip us to join God’s loving and redemp-tive work in the world.

SEPT. 1Pork Loin w/ Ginger-Plum Sauce, Vegetable Fried Rice, Broccoli in

Garlic Sauce, Egg Roll, $12

Field Greens w/ Orange Grilled Chicken, Vegetables, Mandarins and Crispy Noodles, Sesame Noodle Salad, Rice Crackers, $12

Orange Grilled Chicken on French Bread

w/ Shredded Vegetables, Lettuce, Tomato, Sweet & Spicy Mustard (on the side), Sesame Noodle Salad, Fresh Fruit, $10

Cheesecake w/ Chocolate Sauce & Toasted Almonds, $2.50

Lemon-Lime Cookies (2), $1.25

Koinonia Café To Go will keep operating as a takeout service while planning continues for the resumption of in-person Wednesday meals. We are again offering two pickup times: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 4:30 – 6 p.m. If you’d like to eat your meal at the outdoor tables set up as part of Wednesday Night Live, pick up your order as usual. A microwave will be provided in James Gallery for you to heat your entrée.

■ Takeout meals from Wilshire’s kitchen are offered for curbside pickup each Wednesday.■ Ordering for Sept. 1 is open now on the church website. Order and pay by end of day Tuesday, Aug. 31, then pick up your food Wednesday.■ Email eferguson@wilshirebc.org for information about meatless options.■ Full instructions at ordering link.

Find ordering link atwilshirebc.org/registration

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Enroll for piano lessonsWilshire’s Academy of Fine Arts is enrolling pi-ano students for the academic year. The cost is $40 per 30-minute lesson. To sign up, contact Jeff Brummel at jbrummel@wilshirebc.org.

“I Am Wilshire” returning to TapestryA Wilshire member will be profiled in the Tap-estry each week when “I Am Wilshire” returns starting Sept. 5. The Belong Team is bringing back the feature to help Wilshire members get to know each other and become more engaged with the church. You might even learn some-thing new about someone you’ve known a long time. “I Am Wilshire” will spotlight newer members, longtime members — maybe even you. A new question-and-answer format will make the feature easy to read and easy for participants to answer. If you are interested in being featured, contact Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org) and a member of the Belong Team will be in touch. Special thanks to Vicki Briley-White and Anna Hines for heading up this initiative.

New here?■ The monthly Wilshire Welcome Class is designed to help guests and new members quickly learn what Wilshire is all about. Topics include our philosophy of worship, Bible study options on Sunday mornings and during the week, mission and advocacy partners and ways Wilshire serves in the community and beyond. Sessions are held during the Sunday School period in the Prayer Room (Room 1100B, McIver Chapel hallway). Upcoming dates are Sept. 19, Oct. 17, Nov. 14, Dec. 12.■ Coffee and Conversation with Senior Pastor George Mason will be held this fall during the Sunday School period on Sept. 5, Oct. 31 and Dec. 5. This informal time in George’s study (Room 2203) is an opportunity for you to ask questions about Wilshire.■ Questions? Contact Carolyn Murray at cmurray@wilshirebc.org.

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Have you created your Realm account yet? If your email invitation has expired or you can’t find it, contact Susan Kimball: skimball@wilshirebc.org or 214-452-3108. For help with online giving, contact Lori Gooden: lgooden@wilshirebc.org or 214-452-3131.

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 Linda Garner at 214-452-

3151 or lgarner@wilshirebc.org.

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Sunday, Aug. 29 ■ Morning Worship, Sanctuary, 9 & 11 a.m.■ Sunday School, 10 a.m.■ Finance Committee, Zoom, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 1■ Koinonia Café To Go order pickups, south parking lot, 11 a.m. & 4:30 p.m.■ Family Dinner on the Grounds, back lawn on Springside Ln., 5:30 p.m.■ First Wednesday: Called to Care, Community Hall, 6 p.m.■ WSM Watershed, Youth Center, 6:30 p.m.■ Sanctuary Choir, Choral Hall, 7 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 2■ Women’s Ministry Brown Bag Book Club, 1205-L, noon■ Knit Unto Others, Parlor, 1:30 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 5■ Morning Worship, Sanctuary, 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.■ Sunday School, 10 a.m.■ Coffee and Conversation with George Mason, George’s study (Room 2203), 10 a.m.

This WeekWomen of Wilshire book clubs ■ The WOW! Tuesday Evening Book Club meets in the Parlor monthly at 6 p.m. On Sept. 14 the group will discuss Upstairs at the White House: My Life with the First Ladies by J.B. West and Mary Lynn Kotz. Contact: Debby Burton (dburton@wilshirebc.org).■ The WOW! Brown Bag Book Club meets one Thursday a month at noon in Room 1205-L. On Sept. 2 the group will discuss The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. Contact: Abbey Adcox (aadcox@wilshirebc.org).

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■ ONLINE. Schedule a recurring or one-time gift charged to your debit or credit card or directly as an ACH from your checking account. Start at wilshirebc.org/give (enable cookies on your phone or tablet).

■ REALM CONNECT APP. Download the Realm Connect app from the App Store or Google Play to easily make gifts and see past giving on your mobile device.

■ AUTOMATIC BANK PAY. At your bank’s website, log in to your account and follow instructions to set up Wilshire as a new payee. The bank will print and cut a check.

■ MAIL. Send to Lori Gooden’s attention at Wilshire. Write on your check if it is intended for the Unified Budget or another purpose.

■ TEXT. Text WILSHIRE and a dollar amount (example: WILSHIRE 50) to 73256, and follow the link that pops up. The first time you do this, you will need to enter credit card and contact information. All text gifts will be applied to the Unified Budget.

■ DONATE STOCKS. Contact Lori Gooden for information on how to donate appreciated stocks.

■ FROM YOUR IRA. For those over 70.5 years old, tax-free IRA gifts offer a huge financial benefit. They reduce your future tax burden and can fulfill your Required Minimum Distribution for 2021.

Get started or manage your giving at wilshirebc.org/give

We only have the church we decide to have by our giving.Here are several giving methods you can use to help us in our mission of building a community of faith shaped by the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Thank you for your generosity.