March 15, 2020Third Sunday in Lent

Most of the time, worship here at Wilshire leans toward the intellectual more than the emotional. We love to be challenged to think deeply about the faith more measured on whether we feel good about the faith.

In much of the Christian tradition in America today, these are the two poles of measuring worship: Head or heart.

As we prepare for worship today, however, we are challenged to consider a third aspect of our worship experience: our participation.

In the development of our Lenten theme from the Sarum Prayer, today we focus on the phrase, “God be in my mouth.”

You might Hrst think of that as a reference to prayer, even following Jesus’ admonition to “pray without ceasing.” And that’s a good starting point.

However, for God to be in our mouths means also our praise to God in worship. We give voice to our adoration of God not just by thinking and feeling but also by speaking and singing.

When we sing together this morning about the mighty power of God, God is in our mouths.

When we respond to Scripture readings by saying, “Thanks be to God,” God is in our mouths. When we silently or quietly utter an “amen” to a prayer or sermon, God is in our mouths. Participation in worship moves us from the battle between head and heart to a more personal engagement.

And that, in turn, should prepare us for the week ahead as we leave this sacred space and venture into a world that so desperately needs to hear a message from God out of our mouths. That’s not just spilling out mindless “God talk” as so many do. Neither is it only about evangelism.

If we learn to speak of God from our mouths in worship, we stand a better chance of having something meaningful to say outside of church.

—Mark Wing*eld

Preparing for worship

ON THE COVER: Christ and the Samaritan Woman, 1895, Odilon Redon (1840–1916), Städel Museum, Frankfurt.

Wilshire Baptist Church4316 Abrams Road | Dallas, Texas 75214

(214) 452-3100 | www.wilshirebc.orgPartnered with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship

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

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Spring break schedule changes

On Wednesday, March 18, all normal Wednesday activities — morning and evening — will be cancelled due to spring break, except Sanctuary Choir rehearsal. The full Wednesday schedule will resume the following week.

An Altar in the World

Join Leigh Curl for three Wednesdays in Lent (March 25, April 1 and 8) for a study on Barbara Brown Taylor’s book An Altar in the World. Taylor reveals meaningful ways to discover the sacred in the small things we do and see, from simple practices such as walking, working and prayer. Perhaps you will Hnd a new practice for your Lenten journey. As we begin to incorporate these ordinary practices into our daily lives, we begin to discover altars everywhere. We can Hnd places and moments of worship where we encounter the Divine everywhere we go and in nearly everything we do. You do not have to read the book to participate in the class, but it is encouraged. The class meets from 6 to 7 p.m. in Room 1205-L.

Youth spring retreat

Listening to the stories of others will be the theme of this year’s youth spring retreat, slated for April 17-19 at Glen Lake Camp and Retreat Center near Glen Rose. The bus will depart Wilshire at 6:30 p.m. that Friday and return by noon Sunday to allow for participation in Youth Choir. Cost is $100 per student, and scholarships are available. Sign up at wilshirebc.org/registration.

Marriage Connections

The next Marriage Connections is Friday, April 3, at 6:30 p.m. This month’s event is digerent than the normal pattern. Participants will gather

in the home of Marriage Connections mentor couple Patty and Paul Latham. Dinner will be from Spring Creek Barbeque. Enjoy the food and fellowship with other couples. Free child care is available for couples participating in Marriage Connections. To register your child for child care, sign up at wilshirebc.org/registration by Sunday, March 29.

Globetrekkers food drive

Globetrekkers, Wilshire’s children’s missions organization, is organizing its annual food drive for the Wilkinson Center beginning this Sunday through April 5. Globetrekkers will collect breakfast items such as cereal, oatmeal, pancake & wake mix and syrup. Donations may be dropped og in the tubs found at both main entrances to the church. On April 15, the students will deliver the donations to the Wilkinson Center and stock the pantry as they learn more about hunger in Dallas. Wilshire piano group forming

A new alnity group is forming to allow those in the Wilshire community an opportunity to perform a classical piece or hymn arrangement before their peers in a relaxed and encouraging setting on one of Wilshire’s Hne pianos. The initial meeting is scheduled for Sunday, March 22, at 2 p.m. in the Sanctuary. At the initial meeting, all attendees may perform a piece not to exceed 10 minutes. Those present also will have a brief discussion concerning the frequency and format for future meetings. If you have further questions or wish to be notiHed of future meetings, contact Max Tucker at (214) 215-3766.

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner postponed

The Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner churchwide social event has been postponed until a later date, perhaps fall. If you have purchased a ticket for the April 4 event, you will receive a full refund.

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The Wilshire Tapestry

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.

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Lenten devotional book

You are invited to join the congregation in reading a new book of brief daily devotionals during the Lenten season. The book, God Be in My Head, is built around an ancient prayer known as The Sarum Prayer. The book is written by Michigan pastor Ken Wilson. Its daily renections and prompts are simple and straightforward and appropriate for older children, youth and adults. Copies of the book are available in the church olce for $5 apiece.

Koinonia Café: March 18 —No Wednesday meals due to spring break. March 25 — Swedish meatballs, lemon-garlic chicken, gnocchi with herbed butter, roasted vegetables, caulinower gratin, broccoli, salad bar, dessert bar.

Contemplative retreat

“Creating Sacred Spaces” is the theme for this year’s contemplative retreat, organized by Wilshire members and others each spring. The dates are Friday, April 24, through Sunday, April 26. Registration deadline is Friday, April 8. Location is Arrowhead Camp, near Glen Rose. Brochures with full details are available in the church olce or online at wilshirebc.org/registration. The group will gather on Friday evening for a time of fellowship followed by a shared meal. Leadership for the weekend will be shared by laity. Saturday will be spent in intentional quietness, with optional experiences available including guided prayer, creative expression, yoga, praying Scripture, and prayer for personal healing and restoration.

Wilshire Welcome Class

Guests and prospective members are invited to get to know Wilshire through a rotating series of classes ogered on Sunday mornings at 9:40 a.m. March 15: Meet and Greet. Join us for a casual reception with cogee and breakfast while visiting with some of our members and other guests in James Gallery. March 22: Serve, Care and Give. Hear about our mission partners and ways Wilshire serves and gives to the community and beyond. Meet in McIver Chapel hallway. March 29: Cogee and Conversation. An informal hour

with Senior Pastor George Mason. Meet in the pastor’s study on the second noor.

Pantry volunteers needed

Two of Wilshire’s missions partners, CitySquare and Wilkinson Center, need volunteers in their food pantries. This would be a four-hour commitment during a Monday, Wednesday or Thursday morning or Tuesday afternoon. If interested, contact Heather Mustain at hmustain@wilshirebc.org or (214) 452-3110.

Perkins Summit for Faith and Learning

Wilshire members are invited to participate in the Perkins Seminary Summit for Faith and Learning March 26-28. This is a lay-friendly event with speakers from the Perkins Seminary faculty. Course options include “A Boundless God: The Spirit According to the Old Testament,” with Jack Levison; “How to Read the Bible According to the Early Church Fathers” with James Kang Hoon Lee; “Truth Telling in a Post-Truth World” with Stephen Long; “The Emperor’s New Clothes: How Mark’s Ironic Passion Story Reveals God’s Reign” with Wesley Allen; “How Do We Solve A Problem Like ... Mary?” with Jeanne Stevenson-Moessner. See the full schedule and register online via the link at wilshirebc.org/registration.

WOW! Brown Bag Book Club

Wilshire’s Brown Bag Book Club meets once a month on Thursdays at noon in Room 1205-L. Bring your lunch and join the conversation about a great book. April 2, Call Your Daughter Home by Deb Spera; May 7, The New Girl by Daniel Silva; June 4 with potluck in the Parlor, The Guardians by John Grisham.

WOW! Tuesday Evening Book Club

The Women of Wilshire Tuesday Evening Book Club meets monthly at 7 p.m. in the Parlor.Upcoming: March 24, Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson; April 21, News of the World by Paulette Jiles; May 19, The Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates; June 16, The Keeper of Things by Ruth Hogan.

New members: Nick Curley, Kennedy Logsdon.

Congratulations to: Lindsey and Travis Underwood on the birth of their daughter, Lucy,

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Save the dateWilshire’s Road to Resurrection

Family Lenten experiencePalm Sunday, April 5, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This is a come-and-go event in Community Hall. Bring your family for a

multi-sensory experience, traveling with others the path of Jesus during

his last week on earth. This hour-long event is Hlled with Bible-time

experiences that will engage participants of all ages (especially older

preschoolers through middle elementary ages). We’ll create and wave palm

branches, taste the Passover meal and visit the Garden of Gethsemane. A

family-friendly lunch will be available for free starting at 11 a.m. The event

itself is free. All are invited to lunch. A Signup Genius link is available at

wilshirebc.org/registration, where you may sign up for a time slot, or may

choose to show up and wait for the next opening.

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