august 30, 2020 thirteenth sunday after pentecost...august 30, 2020 thirteenth sunday after...
TRANSCRIPT
August 30, 2020Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
This morning in worship we are singing one of my favorite hymns, “Be Thou My Vision.” Now I realize that saying “Be Thou My Vision” is one of my favorite hymns is akin to saying “I like pizza” or “hamburgers are good.” It’s not exactly an out-there opinion, and I’m sure if I asked any number of people to make a list of their favorite hymns, there’s a good chance “Be Thou My Vision” would appear on a lot of them. But the hymn’s popularity and general appeal do not take away from its beauty and depth.
There are two appeals made in the hymn that have always struck me as particularly necessary. The first is the appeal for God to be our vision. In this request is the acknowledgment that our own vision is somehow corrupted or distorted. There is an admission of our tendency to only see things from our own perspective, and a confession that we are often blind to the reality of those who have a different experience of life. There is an expressed desire to see the world around us as God sees it, and a request for God’s help in making it so. Be thou my vision, because
it needs the correction only God can provide. The second appeal is for God to be our
wisdom. In this request is the acceptance that our own understanding is limited. There is a humility expressed by conceding that we do not have all the answers, and an awareness that God’s ways are indeed higher than our own. There is a call for God to take our own limited ways of comprehension and expand our hearts and minds so that we can begin to perceive and process the world as God does. Be thou my wisdom, because mine is much too finite to be able to love as God loves.
It is worth noting that neither of these appeals are presented as mere wishes or hopes that God will do all the work for us. There is the realization that it is only by seeking God out and by placing God first in our hearts that these things will be possible. May this be our posture as we sing this hymn today.
(I’m also just a sucker for Irish folk music, so this hymn really does have it all.)
— Darren DeMent
On the cover: Take Up Your Cross, John Kohan, 1998, mixed media collage. sacredartpilgrim.com
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
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Preparing for worship
August 30, 2020Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Chiming of the Hour
Prelude Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior arr. Brummel/DeMent Darren DeMent, mandolin; Jeff Brummel, organ
Opening Sentences Jessica Capps As we gather together for worship, bind us together as one body, scattered in physicality, but united in spirit. We come to worship this morning each burdened in our own ways, seeking a balm to our weary souls. As doubt tosses us about like a boat out at sea, may we anchor one another to your unending faithfulness. Be our vision, oh God, and may your presence in our homes and hearts this morning lead us to life, light and love.
Hymn 71 Be Thou My Vision slane
Greeting to Worshipers and Invitation to Give Michelle Roden
Reading from the Hebrew Scriptures — Jeremiah 15:15–21 Reagan Brumley
O Lord, you know; remember me and visit me, and bring down retribution for me on my persecutors. In your forbearance do not take me away; know that on your account I suffer insult. Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart; for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts. I did not sit in the company of merrymakers, nor did I rejoice; under the weight of your hand I sat alone, for you had filled me with indignation. Why is my pain unceasing, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Truly, you are to me like a deceitful brook, like waters that fail. Therefore thus says the Lord: If you turn back,
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I will take you back, and you shall stand before me. If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall serve as my mouth. It is they who will turn to you, not you who will turn to them. And I will make you to this people a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you, but they shall not prevail over you, for I am with you to save you and deliver you, says the Lord. I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.
This is the word of the Lord.Thanks be to God.
Tú comprendes, Señor; ¡acuérdate de mí, y cuídame! ¡Toma venganza de los que me persiguen! Por causa de tu paciencia, no permitas que sea yo arrebatado; mira que por ti sufro injurias. Al encontrarme con tus palabras, yo las devoraba; ellas eran mi gozo y la alegría de mi corazón, porque yo llevo tu nombre, Señor Dios Todopoderoso. No he formado parte de grupos libertinos, ni me he divertido con ellos; he vivido solo, porque tú estás conmigo y me has llenado de indignación. ¿Por qué no cesa mi dolor? ¿Por qué es incurable mi herida? ¿Por qué se resiste a sanar? ¿Serás para mí un torrente engañoso de aguas no confiables? Por eso, así dice el Señor: “Si te arrepientes, yo te restauraré y podrás servirme. Si evitas hablar en vano, y hablas lo que en verdad vale, tú serás mi portavoz. Que ellos se vuelvan hacia ti, pero tú no te vuelvas hacia ellos. Haré que seas para este pueblo como invencible muro de bronce; pelearán contra ti, pero no te podrán vencer, porque yo estoy contigo para salvarte y librarte — afirma el Señor —. Te libraré del poder de los malvados; ¡te rescataré de las garras de los violentos!”
Esta es la palabra del Señor.Gracias a Dios.
Prayers of the People Joan Hammons
Duet A Safe Place to Land Sara Bareilles and Lori McKennaDawn and Michael Sheaffer
When holding your breath is safer than breathing When letting go is braver than keeping
When innocent words turn to lies And you can’t hide by closing your eyes
When pain is all that they offer Like a kiss from the lips of a monster
You know the famine so well, but never met the feast When home is the belly of the beast
The ocean is wild and over your head And the boat beneath you is sinking
Don’t need room for your bags Hope is all that you have
So say the Lord’s prayer twice, hold your babies tight Surely someone will reach out a hand
And show you a safe place to land
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Oh, imagine yourself in a building Up in flames being told to stand still
The window’s wide open This leap is on faith
You don’t know who will catch you Maybe somebody will
The ocean is wild and over your head And the boat beneath you is sinking
Don’t need room for your bags Hope is all that you have
So say the Lord’s prayer twice, hold your babies tight Surely someone will reach out a hand
And show you a safe place to land
Be the hand of a hopeful stranger A little scared but you’re strong enough
Be the light in the dark of this danger ‘Til the sun comes up
Be the hand of a hopeful stranger A little scared but you’re strong enough
Oh, be the light in the dark of this danger ‘Til the sun comes up
Be the hand of a hopeful stranger A little scared but you’re strong enough
Be the light in the dark of this danger
‘Til the sun comes up, oh ‘Til the sun comes up.
Gospel Reading —Matthew 16:21–28 Cayce Brumley
From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life? For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
This is the word of the Lord.Thanks be to God.
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Desde entonces comenzó Jesús a advertir a sus discípulos que tenía que ir a Jerusalén y sufrir muchas cosas a manos de los ancianos, de los jefes de los sacerdotes y de los maestros de la ley, y que era necesario que lo mataran y que al tercer día resucitara. Pedro lo llevó aparte y comenzó a reprenderlo:
— “¡De ninguna manera, Señor! ¡Esto no te sucederá jamás!” Jesús se volvió y le dijo a Pedro: — “¡Aléjate de mí, Satanás! Quieres hacerme tropezar; no piensas en las cosas de Dios, sino en las de los hombres.” Luego dijo Jesús a sus discípulos: — “Si alguien quiere ser mi discípulo, tiene que negarse a sí mismo, tomar su cruz y seguirme. Porque el que quiera salvar su vida, la perderá; pero el que pierda su vida por mi causa, la encontrará. ¿De qué sirve ganar el mundo entero si se pierde la vida? ¿O qué se puede dar a cambio de la vida? Porque el Hijo del hombre ha de venir en la gloria de su Padre con sus ángeles, y entonces recompensará a cada persona según lo que haya hecho. Les aseguro que algunos de los aquí presentes no sufrirán la muerte sin antes haber visto al Hijo del hombre llegar en su reino.”
Esta es la palabra del Señor.Gracias a Dios.
Message “Bearings” George Mason
Sharing of Decisions George Mason
Recognition of Jessica Capps’ 20th anniversary George Mason
Benediction George Mason
Affirmation of Faith New Doxology old 100th, alt. Text: Paula Meador Testerman
Postlude Allegro from Concerto in C Major Johann Sebastian Bach
Reagan and Cayce Brumley Reagan and Cayce Brumley joined Wilshire in 2018. They are members of Discovery class and the parents of Scarlett, who is a fourth grader, and Noelle, who is 3 years old. Reagan works as Director of Performing Arts for Irving ISD and Cayce is a physician at Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital–Plano.
Michelle Roden and her husband, Rob, joined Wilshire in 1999. Their daughter, Emma, is a sophomore at Baylor and served as a Children’s Ministry intern at Wilshire this summer. Their son, Henry, is a senior at Auburn. Michelle is a member of Journey Class and works as director of tax and risk at Interstate Batteries.
Michael and Dawn Sheaffer joined Wilshire in 2009. They are parents of Elle, who just started seventh grade. Michael most recently taught in the Kindergarten Class. He works as senior di-rector of client services at Yardi Systems. Dawn teaches three year olds in Sunday School. She works as a project manager at Knoll.
George A. MasonSenior [email protected]
Heather MustainAssociate [email protected]
Darren DeMentAssociate [email protected]
Doug HaneyAssociate [email protected]
Jeff BrummelAssociate Minister of Music/[email protected]
Jessica CappsMinister to Senior [email protected]
Julie GirardsMinister to [email protected]
Joan HammonsMinister to [email protected]
Leanna Coyle-CarrPastoral [email protected]
Leigh CurlPastoral [email protected]
Ashley RobinsonPastoral [email protected]
Jenna SullivanPastoral [email protected]
David NaborsDirector of Business [email protected]
Dale PrideFacilities [email protected]
J. Preston BrightAssociate Pastor Emeritus
Meet today’s worship leaders
Staff contacts
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Tapestry News & AnnouncementsAug. 30, 2020
Keep up with all the Wilshire news at wilshirebc.org or on social media or via the Wilshire app. At present we are worshiping online only. Worship premieres Sundays at 8:30 a.m. on Wilshire’s YouTube channel and website.
Sundays■ Online worship continues to premiere on YouTube at 8:30 a.m. and can be viewed at your convenience.■ Facebook Live Bible Study continues Sundays at 10:15 a.m. with a rotation of teachers.■ Adult Sunday School classes continue on Zoom or a similar online platform.■ In-person Sunday night services are being planned for the north parking lot. There will be one in October and one in November, dates TBA.
Wednesdays■ A new midweek video designed as an opportunity for spiritual reflection will debut Sept. 2. Produced
by the pastoral residents and Darren DeMent, each 15-minute video will include prayer, music, Scripture and guided reflection, all focused around a theme that will change monthly. The video will also include a brief update from George Mason or one of the associate pastors.■ Resident-led studies: Starting Sept 2, our pastoral residents will lead a series of multi-week studies via Facebook Live most Wednesday evenings at 6 p.m. (See page 9)■ Resident-led vespers: Residents will present a Wednesday-evening vespers service about once a month via Facebook Live at 6 p.m. Vespers dates are Sept. 30, Oct. 28 and Dec. 2.■ Koinonia Café To-Go starts Sept. 9 and may expand to other weekdays. (See page 12)
Fall plans taking shapeWilshire’s staff and members have been
busily planning what church will look like this fall, and many ministries and programs will be kicking off or re-starting in the coming weeks.
Associate Pastor Heather Mustain says, “Our staff is hopeful that our adaptations of normal programming and the implementation of new ideas will help us find our new ‘now normal.’ We hope you’ll join us on the journey of re-imagin-ing what church can mean to you and your family during this time.”
What follows is a rundown of regular program-
ming of general interest, along with a list of special events, some of which remain tentative.
This is not a full picture of the life of the church, as it does not include the dozens of groups that will meet, mostly virtually, on a regular basis — musical ensembles, women’s ministry, MOPS, committees and more. Note: Events will be held in person only if deemed
safe based on COVID-19 conditions. Capacity for these events may be limited, check-in or registration will be required and social distancing and mask wearing will be strictly enforced.
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Preschool■ Playdates for preschoolers and parents will be held one Monday morning each month in the north lot. Each limited-capacity session will include a Bible story, music and activities. Dates are Sept. 21, Oct. 19, Nov. 16 and Dec. 14. Families will receive more information on how to sign up.■ Music activity videos coordinated by Candy McComb will be sent two to three times a month.
Children■ Music, Missions and Bible Skills will be held in the north parking lot the second and fourth Sundays each month, from Sept. 13 to Dec. 13. Start time for September and October is 6 p.m. Start time for November and December is 4:30 p.m.■ Zoom sessions with sharing, games and activi-ties will be hosted by Julie Girards at 4 p.m. the first and third Sundays each month starting Sept. 6.■ Candy McComb will send music activity videos to families twice a month.■ Sunday School resources, including a short video lesson, will continue to be emailed to families weekly, along with the children’s worship bulletin.
Youth■ Sunday School continues via Zoom.■ Watershed, a time of fellowship and spiritual formation, will be held Wednesdays from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in the north parking lot.■ Monday morning reflections and other content will continue to be offered on the Wilshire Student Ministry Instagram account.■ Stay tuned regarding Youth Choir and Shekinah.
Special Events■ Flu shots, Sept. 19 (see page 12)■ Organ mini-concert, Sept. 24, online■ Churchwide social, Oct. 10, north lot■ Service of remembrance, Nov. 1, online■ Churchwide social, Nov. 14, north lot■ Organ mini-concert, Nov. 24, online■ Hanging of the Green, Dec. 6, online■ Churchwide social, Dec. 12, north lot■ Wilshire’s Got Talent: Holiday Edition, Dec. 17, online■ Christmas Eve services, Dec. 24, north lot
Chaos. Disorienting. Lost. Uncertainty. These are words that have swirled through our minds as we have all tried to navigate a year of global pandemic. This sounds a bit like the wilderness experience described in the Old Testament. We are undoubtedly in a new place. Many of us are missing home and wondering what is next. In a weekly reflective gathering on Facebook Live, we will explore an Old Testament wilderness passage and discover a spiritual practice that might help us find our way in this strange land.
Navigating the Wilderness Wednesdays, Sept. 2 – 236 p.m. on Facebook LiveLed by pastoral residents Jenna Sullivan & Ashley Robinson
Sullivan Robinson
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Minister to Senior Adults Jessica Capps recently celebrated her 20-year anniversa-
ry as a Wilshire staffer. She will be recognized during worship on Aug. 30.
Senior Pastor George Mason describes Jessica this way: “Gentle, caring, thoughtful, thorough. What would you want from a minister to senior adults other than those qualities that define Jessica Capps? For 20 years now we have been graced by her shy but significant ministry. Jes-sica doesn’t seek the spotlight; she prefers to shine it on others.”
Jessica oversees Wilshire’s programming and pastoral care for those 65 and above. She is staff coordinator for the Wilshire Adventurers group and manages outreach to the church’s home-bound members.
“I wouldn’t want to work with another age group,” Jessica says. “You get to be a part of peo-ples’ lives, and sometimes that means walking with them through grief or a challenging illness or circumstance. The greatest part of my job is getting to see how God moves them into a place of joy and hope.”
Jessica and her husband, Mike, joined Wilshire with their two kids, Taylor and Drew, in 1998 from First Bap-tist Church in Garland, where Jessica had been senior adult minister for almost 10 years. Her first staff position at Wilshire was as a part-
time volunteer coordinator and director of new member assimilation. She also worked as senior adult Sunday School coordinator before assum-ing her current ministerial role in 2009.
Jessica earned a master’s degree from the University of North Texas in management of special needs populations, with a focus on senior adults. She also earned a specialist certificate in aging from UNT and has done graduate work at Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth and TCU’s Brite Divinity School. Jessica was or-dained to the ministry at Wilshire in 2015.
Jessica cites experiences with her great grand-
Jessica Capps honored for 20 years on staff
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mother as planting the seed for her interest in senior adults and aging. “She was a beautiful woman, willing to sacrifice the clothes off her back. Her end of life was difficult due to limit-ed resources and living in a small town. That spurred me into the passion of being in a position where I could make a difference for somebody.”
Ministering to the homebound, those members who are physically unable to attend in person, is a particular passion for Jessica. “Being able to
connect and have a relationship with them, and to help them find God’s presence, is extremely meaningful to me.”
Jessica echoes other Wilshire ministers when she says 2020 has been the hardest year of her career due to COVID-19. “Some [senior adults] don’t have internet, and others don’t feel com-fortable using Zoom. There are lots of phone calls.” She adds, “Community is vital to all of us. May we each find ways of engaging with others.”
George Mason says, “As Jessica’s pastor and colleague, I can tell you that I never worry about our seniors being neglected, whether they are physically present (which none of us can be now-adays) or homebound. She makes sure they are welcome when they come to church or sees to it that church goes to them.”
Jessica enjoys working as a team with other Wilshire staffers and volunteers. “That’s what makes church an exciting job, to work with a wide range of people. Without that we would not have Wilshire. It’s a great place to be.”■ You can drop Jessica a note of gratitude or
congratulations at [email protected]
“I wouldn’t want to work with another
age group.”J E S S I CA CA P P S
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Takeout meals from Wilshire’s kitchen begin
Wednesday, Sept. 9
Order and pay online.Curbside pickup at Wilshire.
Menu and full instructions in next week’s Tapestry.
Proceeds help defray the cost of paying Wilshire’s amazing kitchen
staff during the pandemic.
Facebook Live Bible StudyA rotation of teachers leads the Facebook Live Bible study Sundays at 10:15 a.m. All are invited to participate via Wilshire’s Facebook page. Shawn Ashmore teaches on Aug. 30.
World religion study Former pastoral resident Aaron Coyle-Carr is inviting Wilshire members to join in a community Bible study. The McKinney-based group, which Wilshire helped start last year, meets via Zoom on Tues-
day nights at 7 p.m. and starts a new survey of world religions on Sept. 15. The topic will be ex-plored through reading and discussing Stephen Prothero’s book, God Is Not One: The Eight Rival Religions that Run the World. Aaron will draw on Wilshire’s interfaith connections to enable the group to hear the lived stories of faith leaders from around Dallas. To learn more or sign up, contact Aaron at [email protected].
BY LINDA GARNER, PARISH NURSE
You’ve probably been hearing that it is time to get your flu shots, and some may have
wondered if it is really necessary during this time of COVID-19. It is particularly crucial this year since both the flu and COVID-19 are contagious respiratory illnesses. There are similarities and differences. Typically the flu develops one to four days after exposure, while COVID-19 develops between two to 14 days after exposure. Symptoms of upper respiratory illness such as cough, fever, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches or headache may be present in both. Both may cause mild to severe illness.
Prevent the flu by getting the flu vaccine. It will be available at Wilshire on Saturday Sept. 19 from
9 a.m to noon in the north parking lot. You can drive through or park and walk up. Masks and social distancing are required.
Flu shots are free for those with Medicare or most Medicare replacement plans. The cost for others without insurance is $69 for the senior shot and $29 for the Quadrivalent Flu shot.
You must register in advance at wilshirebc.org/registration. A consent form is available at the registration link; it must be printed, filled out and brought on the 19th. Be sure to also bring your Medicare Insurance Card and ID. Payment by check, cash or credit card (Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Discover) must be made in person on Sept. 19. A portion of each fee will be returned to Wilshire for ministry activities.
If you have questions, contact me at 214-926-1125 or email [email protected].
Flu shots at Wilshire Sept. 19
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This WeekSunday, Aug. 30■ Worship premiere, YouTube – 8:30 a.m.■ Facebook Live Bible Study – 10:15 a.m.■ Bible Study, virtual – times vary
Tuesday, Sept. 1 ■ Stephen Ministry supervision & CE,Zoom – 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 2■ Stephen Ministry leaders, Zoom – 9 a.m.■ Ukulele group, virtual – 10 a.m.■ Midweek video, online – by noon■ COVID-19 Advisory Task Force,Zoom – 5:30 p.m.■ Resident-led study: Navigating theWilderness, Facebook – 6 p.m.■ Watershed, north parking lot – 6:30 p.m.■ Sanctuary Choir, Zoom – 7 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 3■ WOW! Brown Bag Book Club,Zoom – noon■ Yoga, Zoom – noon
Sunday, Sept. 6■ Worship premiere, YouTube – 8:30 a.m.■ Facebook Live Bible Study – 10:15 a.m.■ Bible Study, online – times vary■ Children’s Zoom Session – 4 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 8■ Building and Grounds Committee,virtual – 6 p.m.■ WOW! Tuesday Evening Book Club,Zoom – 7 p.m.
Women of Wilshire Book Clubs■ The WOW! Tuesday Evening Book Club meets on Zoom monthly at 7 p.m. Upcoming dates and titles: Sept. 8, Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah; Oct. 13, The Woman’s Hour: The Great Fight to Win the Vote by Elaine Weiss; Nov. 10, The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd; Dec. 8, A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg. To participate, contact Debby Burton at [email protected].■ The WOW! Brown Bag Book Club meets on Zoom monthly on a weekday at noon. Upcoming dates and titles: Sept. 10, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson; Oct. 1, Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross. To participate, contact Abbey Adcox ([email protected]) or Carolyn Murray ([email protected].
Library offers curbside pickup Wilshire librarian Barbara Peterson is making it possible to check out books from the church library even while the building is closed. First, search the library’s online catalog by visiting wilshirebc.booksys.net/opac/wbc/#menuHome. This link is also available in the library section of Wilshire’s app and website. Then email [email protected] and tell her what titles you wish to check out (limit 5). Barbara will work out a safe plan to get the books to you via curbside pickup at Wilshire or delivery to your home.
Wilshire Mental Health NetworkMental health providers are invited to the initial meeting of the Wilshire Mental Health Network. This group will help participants get to know one another while discussing how to better support our community. The meeting will take place via Zoom on Sunday, Sept. 13, at 12:30 p.m. Contact Rachel Murphy ([email protected]) to get the link.
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As we enter election season, Wilshire’s Chris-tian Advocacy Committee wants to make
sure all are ready and registered to vote; Oct. 5 is the registration deadline. In normal times, the committee would host a voter registration drive in James Gallery to answer questions and help update and register voters. Instead, we present the information below on how to register, how to update or confirm your registration, as well as information on early voting and mail-in ballots.
To verify your voter registration:Visit www.votetexas.gov/register-to-vote and clink on the link at the bottom of the page that reads “Find out if you are already registered.” On the right side of the next page, click on the
“Selection Criteria” dropdown menu and select how you want to verify your registration. Fill in the required info, click submit and your voter registration info will appear.
If you discover you are not registered to vote or need to update your registration:Visit webservices.sos.state.tx.us/vrapp/index.asp. Fill out the information, print the form, sign it and mail it to the address provided.
Between new health and safety measures im-plemented to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and a poll-worker shortage resulting from concerns about the virus, long lines are expected on Election Day, Nov. 3, so make plans now to participate in early voting, which begins Oct. 13. Dallas County has not yet finalized early voting locations, but is looking for places with plenty of free parking where voters in line can be socially distanced while inside.
Expanding the use of voting by mail is essential for a safe and fair election in 2020. You are eligi-ble to vote by mail if you are:
• Age 65 or older• Disabled (fear of contracting COVID-19 does NOT qualify as a disability in Texas);• Planning to be out of the county during early voting and election day.
If you want to vote by mail, here is some information you should know: • The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is Oct. 23. The request must be made by mail, using the form found on the www.dallascountyvotes.org website. To ensure that you receive your ballot in time, it is wise to plan ahead and request one several weeks in advance of the Oct. 23 deadline. • If you decide to use your mail-in ballot but want to turn it in in person, you can do that at the Dallas County Elections office at 1520 Round Table Drive, Dallas, Texas 75247. THIS IS THE CORRECT ADDRESS. Only you can turn in your own mail-in ballot (ID required) and it must be within the sealed carrier envelope.• When mailing in your ballot, remember to sign the back of the mail-in envelope. It’s best to drop it off at your local post office. • If you receive a mail-in ballot and decide you’d rather vote in person, you must relinquish (hand in) your mail-in ballot at the polling site. If you don’t have your mail-in ballot with you, you may cast a provisional ballot, and only a provisional ballot.
Wilshire volunteers are available to drop off an application to request a mail-in ballot to your home as well as to drop off sealed and signed mail-in ballots to a local post office on your behalf. This is a lot of information and we know that you may have questions. If so, please contact Judy Ward, Christian Advocacy Committee mem-ber, at [email protected] or 972-743-1842.
Christian Advocacy Committee: voting by mail critical in 2020
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Pray for Wilshire educators
As schools and school districts make difficult preparations for beginning the academic year during COVID-19, we have compiled a list of Wilshire members who work in education. Keep them in your prayers and consider offering encouragement in the form of a note, email or phone call. We apologize for any omissions; please let us know of names that should be added to the list.
Kelly AkinsAmy AndersonDebbie AtchleyHugh AtkinsonLynne BeardCasey BolandLeigh Ann BrownLaura BrownJake BruehlReagan BrumleyKristin CabanissHillary CampbellSunny Carroum Karen CotterSilvia DeLaCruzJoannah DeMentElizabeth FeltonShana GainesThomas Hare
Dawn HallmanSherry HicksKatie KoshkinCatherine LaCheyDebbie LaCheyThomas LeeJack LevisonJennifer MaddingRalph Manuel Candy McCombTricia McCoyJane MeltonChristie MichieEllen MooneyWendy MooreMary MorganMeredith MosleyMonica MullinsShannon Nadalini
John ParnellPaige PenderyMary Lea PhillipsRobin PokladnikPriscilla Pope-LevisonLyn PraterMichael PrysockAaron ReindelSarah RoseGerald ShillingJeanne SpreierMegan ThompsonSara TinsleyCarol TommeyJanis TownsendJonni WallsJenn WeaverKatie WilkeJenny Wolff
Preston AdkinsJoshua BautistaTanya BensonGina BiddleCayce BrumleyJoni CabanissAnn CossumKaren CotterKelli Culpepper Hall Joannah DeMent Diana EarlyJanda Edwards Linda EggertLinda Garner Kirsten Granberry Linda Gregory
Rita HamiltonJoey HamiltonDeborah HerfordJeff JonesTori Korson Wingfield Desiree Krieger Micki Lacker Bobby Louder Linda Martinez Kim Mason Marty McElya Alyssa McElya Sheri McShan Allison Moore Sheri Mosser Monica Mullins
Chad Mustain Mike Plunk Ross Prater Lyn Prater Nancy Quelland Katie Smalling Connie Smith Jim Sterling Nancy Stretch Robin SullensClaire Tommey Jim Walton Amy Wilson Jenny Wolff Alan Wright Rebecca Yarbrough
Pray for all Wilshire health care workers
Rapid-response teams availableHealth Response Team is comprised of medical professionals in the church who are willing to make themselves available for general counsel and encouragement. These volunteers are not dis-pensing medical care but are available for general questions and guidance, especially when it may be harder to get to a doctor. Lead contact is Linda Garner, [email protected] or 214-452-3151. Food and Supplies Response Team is comprised of volunteers from our Missions and Ad-vocacy committees who are at the ready to help those who are isolated and need food or other supplies brought to them. We have identified existing designated and budget funds that will be used to meet urgent needs of members, such as food and medicine and limited rent assistance. Lead contact is Heather Mustain, [email protected] or 214-452-3110. Spiritual Support Response Team is comprised of trained lay leaders and staff who are available to talk with members who are lonely, scared or just need to talk during this time of isolation. This is not a substitute for professional counseling. Volunteers will call care receiv-ers on at least a weekly basis to listen to them and offer emotional support. Other referrals for additional identified needs will be made to the appropriate teams or staff. Lead contact is Gail Brookshire, [email protected].
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Five ways to support Wilshire’s mission
1. BY MAIL: Send to Lori Gooden, Wilshire Baptist Church, 4316 Abrams Road, Dallas TX, 75214. Please write on your check if it is intended for the Unified Budget or another purpose.
2. ONLINE: Schedule a recurring or one-time gift charged to either your debit or credit card or directly as an ACH from your checking account. Visit wilshirebc.org/give (be sure you have enabled cookies on your phone or tablet).
3. AUTOMATIC BANK PAY: Go to your bank’s website, log in to your individual bank account and follow your
bank’s instructions to set up Wilshire as a new payee. Your bank will print and cut a check.
4. TEXT MESSAGE: Using your smartphone, text WILSHIRE and the dollar amount (example: WILSHIRE 50) to 73256, then follow the link that pops up. The first time you use this option, you will enter credit card and contact information. All text gifts will be applied to the Unified Budget.
5. WILSHIRE APP: Download our app from the App Store or Google Play to make gifts easily from your phone or tablet.
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