Eleventh Sunday after PentecostAugust 25, 2019

Last fall, I took a class that was a moment of respite in the weekly chaos of divinity school. Unlike other classes, this one did not require me to analyze and exegete Scripture. I did not have to compose or preach any sermons. I did not have to read any complex books on Christian doctrine from theologians who have long passed. Instead, I was invited into a space where I could just be. Don’t get me wrong, I still had to read multiple books over the course of the semester and write several papers. However, unlike any other class, this was a contemplative space to reflect and to just be.

We spent the semester reading Howard Thurman, a preacher, pastor, prophet, mystic, author and spiritual adviser to civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. Although Howard Thurman died almost 40 years ago, his words invited us into a space of quiet self-examination and reflection. In that space, I finally could take a minute to breathe as I let Thurman’s sermons and meditations wash over me. Instead of writing papers to make arguments about Howard Thurman’s intent

and purpose for writing, I wrote papers about my life, spiritual disciplines and community. Instead of being overwhelmed with all I had to do and read or with what discussion points I needed to bring up in class to perform well, I had a quiet space where I had nothing more to do than to be.

In one of his meditations Thurman writes, “For it is in the quiet which invades us and which becomes characteristic of our total respiration that we are most acutely aware of the operation of the Presence of God.” In a basement classroom surrounded by the busyness and stress of the semester, I was able to find a quiet space to breathe deep the breath of God and be acutely aware of God’s presence.

In the moments before worship this morning, may you find such a quietness, and may you search for the moments of quiet throughout the chaos of your week. Take a few minutes even now to breathe deep and become aware of God’s presence. You have nothing more to do than to be.

—Leigh Curl

Preparing for worship

ON THE COVER: The Trial by Fire, Saint Francis offers to walk through fire to convert the Sultan of Egypt, Giotto, 1296-1297. Located at the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, Assisi, Italy.

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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August 25, 20198:30 and 11:00 a.m.

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

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 My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less arr. Robert J. Powell

Call to Worship *Come and Find the Quiet Center Rowland H. PrichardDarren DeMent, solo

Come and find the quiet center in the crowded life we lead.Find the room for hope to enter, find the frame where we are freed.

Clear the chaos and the clutter, clear our eyes, that we can seeAll the things that really matter. Be at peace, and simply be.

Silence is a friend who claims us, cools the heat and slows the pace.God it is who speaks and names us, knows our being, touches base,Making space within our thinking, lifting shades to show the sun,

Raising courage when we’re shrinking, finding scope for faith begun.

In the Spirit let us travel, open to each other’s pain.Let our loves and fears unravel, celebrate the space we gain.

There’s a place for deepest dreaming, there’s a time for heart to care.In the Spirit’s lively scheming there is always room to spare!

**Bless the Lord, O My Soul Ippolitov-Ivanov/ed. HaneySanctuary Choir

Bless thou the Lord, O my soul. Blessed art thou, O Lord.Bless the Lord and forget not all his benefits;

Bless thou the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name.God is full of compassion and mercy, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

As the heavens are above the earth, so is God’s love; his steadfast love will abide forever.Bless thou the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name.

—From Psalm 103

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*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.

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Opening Sentences Jessica Capps / Tiffany Wright

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth from nothing. All that is was created by God’s own motion, the word of God spoken into eternity. And so in the chaos of the world around us, we take comfort this morning in knowing that God is creating still, that out of nothing God makes new things and that out of chaos God brings order. Though the earth shakes and the seas roar, though the world shakes around us, the Lord remains our firm foundation.

+Hymn 425 How Firm a Foundation foundation

Greeting to Worshipers Henry Stone / Leigh Curl

Guests are invited to take a Response Card from the pew rack, complete it and place it in the offering plate when it is passed later in the service.

You also are invited to take the red fabric rose from the card and place it on your lapel or blouse to help others identify that you are our honored guest today.

Prayer concerns will be received and prayed for this week when listed on an intercessory prayer card from the pew rack and placed in the offering plate.

Scripture Reading — Psalm 71:1–6 John Parnell / Shayne Grant

In you, O Lord, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame.

For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust.

In your righteousness, deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me and save me.

For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust.

Be to me a rock of refuge, a strong fortress, to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.

For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust.

Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel.

For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust.

Upon you I have leaned from my birth; it was you who took me from my mother’s womb. My praise is continually of you.

For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust.

Missions Interview with Blake Perry Mark Wingfield

+Hymn 677 When We Are Tested slane

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Prayers of the People Ryan Wilson / Amy Lee

Giving of Tithes and Offerings

You make community possible by your gifts to the Unified Budget. By providing excellent facilities, thougtful worship, musicians, preachers, pastors, classrooms, curriculum, food and open doors, you bring our mission statement to life: We are building a community of faith shaped by the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

Offertory Rondeau Medievale Joel Martinson

+Offertory Response old 100th

Our God is making all things new, a promise that we know is true.Through eyes of faith we long to see a love-transformed community.

A place where truth and justice reign and healing triumphs over pain,Where all have dignity and worth and peace is passed throughout the earth.

Epistle Reading — Hebrews 12:18–29 Pat Tilley / Lance Currie

You have not come to something that can be touched, a blazing fire, and darkness, and gloom, and a tempest, and the sound of a trumpet, and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that not another word be spoken to them. (For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned to death.” Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.”) But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. See that you do not refuse the one who is speaking; for if they did not escape when they refused the one who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject the one who warns from heaven! At that time his voice shook the earth; but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heaven.” This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of what is shaken — that is, created things — so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe; for indeed our God is a consuming fire.

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

Porque no os habéis acercado a un monte que se puede tocar, ni a fuego ardiente, ni a tinieblas, ni a oscuridad, ni a torbellino, ni a sonido de trompeta, ni a ruido de palabras tal, que los que oyeron rogaron que no se les hablara más. (Porque no podían soportar el mandato: “Si aun una bestia toca el monte, sera apedreada” an terrible era el espectáculo, que Moisés dijo: “Estoy aterrado y temblando.”) Vosotros, en cambio, os habéis acercado al monte Sion y a la ciudad del Dios vivo, la Jerusalén celestial, y a miríadas de ángeles, a la asamblea general e iglesia de los primogénitos

The flowers on the chancel today are given in celebration of Dot Laux on her 99th birthday today.

All guests are invited to a coffee reception in the James Gallery immediately after the service.

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) 452-3107.

que están inscritos en los cielos, y a Dios, el Juez de todos, y a los espíritus de los justos hechos ya perfectos, y a Jesús, el mediador del nuevo pacto, y a la sangre rociada que habla mejor que la sangre de Abel. Mirad que no rechacéis al que habla. Porque si aquéllos no escaparon cuando rechazaron al que les amonestó sobre la tierra, mucho menos escaparemos nosotros si nos apartamos de aquel que nos amonesta desde el cielo. Su voz hizo temblar entonces la tierra, pero ahora El ha prometido, diciendo: “Aun una vez mas, yo hare temblar no solo la tierra, sino tambien el cielo.” Y esta expresión: “Aún, una vez más,” indica la remoción de las cosas movibles, como las cosas creadas, a fin de que permanezcan las cosas que son inconmovibles. Por lo cual, puesto que recibimos un reino que es inconmovible, demostremos gratitud, mediante la cual ofrezcamos a Dios un servicio aceptable con temor y reverencia; porque nuestro Dios es fuego consumidor.

Esta es la palabra del Señor.Gracias a Dios.

Message “Faith Foundation” George MasonThird in a series, “Facets of Faith: Sermons from the Book of Hebrews”

+Hymn 590 The Solid Rock solid rock

Sharing of Decisions

Benediction

Postlude How Firm a Foundation arr. Jason D. Payne

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George A. MasonSenior Pastor

(214) 452-3132Mark Wingfield

Associate Pastor(214) 452-3128Doug Haney

Minister of Music(214) 452-3123Jeff Brummel

Associate Minister of Music/ Organist

(214) 452-3122Tiffany Wright

Minister for Care Ministries(214) 452-3107

Heather MustainMinister of Missions & Advocacy

(214) 452-3110

Jessica CappsMinister to Senior Adults

(214) 452-3129Darren DeMent

Minister to Students and Young Adults

(214) 452-3102Julie Girards

Minister to Children(214) 452-3104

Joan HammonsMinister to Preschoolers

(214) 452-3141Leanna Coyle-Carr

Pastoral Resident(214) 452-3154

Leigh CurlPastoral Resident

(214) 452-3152

Jared JaggersPastoral Resident

(214) 452-3153Ryan Wilson

Pastoral Resident(214) 452-3158Matt DodrillMcIver Fellow

(214) 452-3156David Nabors

Director of Business Admin.(214) 452-3157

Dale PrideFacilities Manager

(214) 452-3101J. Preston Bright

Associate Pastor Emeritus

Staff contacts

To email any staff member, use the first letter of the first name combined with the full last name and add @wilshirebc.org.

Meet today’s worship leadersLance Currie and his wife, Rebecca, came to Wilshire in 2010. They are members of Labyrinth Class but currently teach second and third grade Sunday School. He serves on the Missions Committee. Lance and Rebecca are the parents of Ashleigh, a fourth grader, and Logan, a first grader. Lance is a partner with Carrington Coleman Sloman & Blumenthal.

Shayne Grant is a senior at Booker T. Washington High School who is active in Wilshire’s student ministry, including Youth Choir and Shekinah. He is the son of Gayle Grant.

Amy Lee came to Wilshire in 2003. She attends Perennial Class and plays French horn in Wilshire Winds. She is married to Thomas, and they are the parents of Hamilton, who is 2.

John Parnell came to Wilshire in 2011. He is a deacon, teaches Genesis Class and plays percussion in Wilshire Winds. He teaches history at Bishop Lynch High School.

Henry Stone joined Wilshire in 2001. An attorney, he currently works in the oil and gas industry. He serves this year as chairman of deacons and attends Perennial Class.

Pat Tilley came to Wilshire in 2012 from Oklahoma City. She is a member of Charlie’s Angels Class, serves on the Wilshire Adventurers Committee, sings in New Song and serves as an usher and greeter.

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Youth Choir resumes today

All seventh through 12th graders are invited to a new year in Youth Choir and at a new time. Most Sundays during the school year, youth will eat a quick lunch in Community Hall at noon and then begin rehearsal in Choral Hall at 12:25 p.m. Youth Choir begins today.

Blood drive today in Community Hall

The quarterly blood drive is today, Aug. 25, from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Community Hall. All eligible blood donors are invited to participate. No reservation is necessary. The drive is conducted by Carter Blood Care.

This Wednesday at Wilshire

The full Wednesday evening program resumes this week, Aug. 28, with Music & Missions for kids, Watershed for youth and special classes for adults. Come enjoy Koinonia Café from 5 to 6 p.m., followed by age-graded classes. There’s a place for all preschoolers and children beginning at age 3 and child care for younger preschoolers. People of Valor: Remembering Rachel Held Evans

New pastoral resident Leigh Curl will lead a three-week study on the writings of Rachel Held Evans beginning this Wednesday, Aug. 28, and running through Sept. 11. The class will meet from 6 to 7 p.m. in Room 1205-L. Rachel Held Evans was a Christian blogger, columnist and author who died tragically in May. She wrote about her journey with and eventual departure from conservative American evangelicalism. Exploring themes of doubt, women’s roles, inclusion, and biblical interpretation, she urged her readers to exhibit strong character, bravery and wisdom.

Hymn Writing for All

Jeff Hampton and Ralph Manuel will lead a three-week study on hymn writing beginning this Wednesday, Aug. 28, and running through Sept. 11. The class will meet from 6 to 7 p.m. in Room 1205-G. Have you always wanted to write a hymn? This is your chance to give it a try! Participants will be encouraged to apply the principles introduced in the early sessions and produce their own hymns, which will be sung at the final session. All are invited to attend. No lyrical or musical training necessary. A few seats remain: 30th anniversary banquet

Only 50 seats remain available for the 30th anniversary banquet celebrating George Mason’s tenure as Wilshire’s senior pastor. The banquet will be held on Saturday, Sept. 14, at Temple Emanu-El, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Join Wilshire friends old and new and special guests from the Dallas community for this night of celebration and laughter. Dinner tickets are $25 per person. Purchase online at wilshirebc.org.

Adventurers Arboretum picnic

All senior adults are invited to join Wilshire Adventurers for a picnic at the Dallas Arboretum on Thursday, Sept. 19. Meet at the church at 9:30 a.m. for a 9:45 departure. The group will carpool to the Arboretum and will share member passes for admission. If you are an Arboretum member, please bring your pass. The event is free, and a picnic lunch will be provided. The group will return to the church around 1 p.m.

New members: Jillian Brim, Nancy Quelland.

Congratulations to: Shana and Ron Gaines on the adoption of their daughter, Abigail Esperanza Gaines, on Aug. 19.

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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Condolences to: Charlie Burgin on the death of his brother-in-law, Glen Muller. Lori Gooden, Wilshire accounting manager, on the death of her sister-in-law, Evelyn Dorman, Aug. 16. Ledith Blair Farner and Nathan Farner on the death of Ledith’s mother, Virginia Reese Cunningham Blair, Aug. 12.

New York City at Christmastime

Now that school is back in session, how about planning for a December mission trip? A group from Wilshire will join CBF field personnel Lesley-Ann Hix Tommey in Manhattan for a week-long look into her ministry, a ministry supported by Wilshire. While there Dec. 8-12, participants will join Lesley-Ann for the after-school program and weekly clothing distribution, as well as attend

a meal and graduation for women who have completed the Living Well program, focused on the needs of survivors of domestic abuse. The group also will tour the city and learn the ins and outs of urban ministry. The group will stay at Metro Baptist Church in dorm rooms, and the trip can be extended if desired. The cost of the trip will fall somewhere between $800 and $1,000 per person. Scholarships are available from the Volunteers in Missions Fund. Contact Abbey Adcox at aadcox@wilshirebc.org or (214) 452-3127. Registration and deposit of $250 due by Sept. 1 at www.wilshirebc.org/registration.

Office volunteers needed

Would you like to be the face and voice of Wilshire to guests coming to or calling the front office during the week? Consider volunteering as a front office receptionist for half a day per week or as a substitute on call. To learn more, contact Holly Irvin at hirvin@wilshirebc.org.

Continued on next page

Why print our Scriptures in Spanish?“Why are we printing the Scripture readings in

Spanish now?”From time to time over the spring and summer

I’ve been asked this question, prompted by a change in the worship order that began on Easter Sunday.

A corollary question is: “Do we have people in the church who don’t read English?”

The answer to the first question is simple: Hospitality. The answer to the second question is, “I don’t know.”

During my sabbatical journeys in March and April, Alison and I had the opportunity to attend worship in several churches much different than ours. One of those was at the Duomo (the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flower) in Florence. The entire service was conducted in Italian, of course. As we entered this beautiful space, we were handed a printed order of worship, which included all the day’s Scripture readings in four languages.

In those English-language Scripture readings, we had something to hold on to, something we could understand. It was a powerful witness to what happens when anyone is allowed to hear or

read the word of God in their own language.In that moment, it occurred to me that we

no doubt have people who come to Wilshire on Sunday mornings who are more comfortable understanding God’s word in Spanish than in English. And if we’re going to live into what we say we want to be — a church without borders — we ought to start showing more signs of welcome.

Back in Dallas, we discussed this idea among the worship planning team and agreed that printing our weekly Scripture readings in Spanish would potentially help some hear the Bible more clearly and also would serve as a tangible sign of our welcome.

In a way, this is aspirational more than essential for us today. It is a sign of the kind of church we hope to become — given the significant presence of Spanish speakers in Texas. This is one more way we demonstrate that “every body” is welcome at Wilshire.

And for all us English speakers, there’s now an opportunity to brush up on practicing Spanish by reading the words of life.

—Mark Wingfield

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The Wilshire TapestryKoinonia Café: Aug. 28 (lunch, dinner and kids menu) — Sun-dried tomato chicken, tilapia with artichokes and lemon, Alfredo pasta, Parmesan spinach, Italian sautéed veggies, balsamic tomatoes, salad bar, dessert bar; for kids: Pasta with meatballs, broccoli.

New art in South Lobby

Stop by the South Lobby to explore a new traveling art show titled “First Fruits.” The title is drawn from Proverbs 3:9, which carries the admonition to honor the Lord with the first fruits of all your increase. The show illustrates that from the beginning of the Old Testament to the end of the New Testament, returning to our Creator the first fruits of what already has been given us — in talent, labor and wealth — stands as a hallmark of God’s faithful people. The entire biblical narrative is filled with images of feasting, fruitfulness and faithful service in which both God’s people and kingdom flourish. The show was created and is managed by Christians in the Visual Arts.

2020 WOW! Retreat

Women of Wilshire are invited to save the date for the 2020 WOW! Retreat. The weekend retreat will be held Feb. 21-23 at Wildcatter Ranch near Graham. This ranch/resort is located two hours from Dallas. The retreat theme will be “Bloom and Grow,” and the retreat leader will be Leanna Coyle-Carr.

Date change for Brown Bag Book Club

The Women of Wilshire Thursday Noon Book Club will meet on a different day and date than previously scheduled in September to allow participation in Wilshire Adventurers events. The new date is Tuesday, Sept. 17, from noon to 1 p.m. The book to be discussed is The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton. Future dates and titles are: Oct. 3, The Last Romantics by Tara Conklin; Nov. 7, I Was Anastasia by Ariel Lawhon; Dec. 5, potluck brunch, The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah. For more information, contact Tiffany Wright at (214) 452-3107 or twright@wilshirebc.org.

WOW! Tuesday Evening Book Club

The Women of Wilshire Tuesday Evening Book Club meets monthly from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Parlor. Fall dates and book titles are: Sept. 17, The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah; Oct. 15, Educated by Tara Westover; Nov. 19, Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng; Dec. 10, holiday book to be determined.

Space available on Spain and Portugal trip

If you’re thinking about going on the Wilshire trip to Spain and Portugal Feb. 27 through March 10, 2020, now is the time to finalize a reservation with Collette, our tour operator. Remaining spots on the trip have been opened to the general public for sale. You do not have to be a senior adult to go on this adventure; this is an all-ages adult tour. The 13-day tour will include Madrid, the AVE high-speed train, Cordoba, Costa del Sol, Granada, Alhambra, Ronda, Seville, Cascais, Lisbon, Mafra Palace and Monastery, Sintra’s National Palace, Obidos and Fatima. An optional post-tour visit to Barcelona is available. Complete price, including roundtrip airfare, is $4,299 per person double occupancy or $4,899 per person single occupancy. Brochures are available in the church office.

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Sunday, August 25• Blood drive – 7:30 a.m. • Morning worship – 8:30 a.m. • Sunday School – 9:40 a.m.• Kindergarten worship

education – 11:00 a.m. • Morning worship – 11:00 a.m. • Youth Choir lunch – noon • Adult Sunday School teacher

training – noon • Youth Choir – 12:25 p.m.• Shekinah – 1:20 p.m.

Monday, August 26• Game of 42 – 10:00 a.m. • Wilshire Winds – 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, August 27• Senior women’s exercise class

– 2:00 p.m.

Wednesday, August 28• Ukulele group – 10:00 a.m. • Koinonia Café – 11:00 a.m.• Bible Study – noon • Koinonia Café – 5:00 p.m.• Music & Missions – 6:00 p.m.• Hymn Writing for All – 6:00

p.m.• People of Valor:

Remembering Rachel Held Evans - 6:00 p.m.

• Watershed – 6:30 p.m. • Sanctuary Choir – 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, August 29• Knit Unto Others – 1:30 p.m.• Senior Women’s Exercise

Class – 2:00 p.m.

Sunday, September 1• Morning worship – 8:30 a.m. • Sunday School – 9:40 a.m.• Morning worship – 11:00 a.m. • Youth Choir lunch – noon • Youth Choir – 12:25 p.m.• Shekinah – 1:20 p.m.

Monday, September 2• Church offices closed in

observance of Labor Day

Tuesday, September 3• Game of 42 – 10:00 a.m. • Yoga class – 12:15 p.m.• Senior women’s exercise class

– 2:00 p.m. • Stephen Ministry CE and

supervision – 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, September 4• Ukulele group – 11:00 a.m.• Koinonia Café – 11:00 a.m.• Bible Study – noon • Koinonia Café – 5:00 p.m.• Music & Missions – 6:00 p.m.• Hymn Writing for All – 6:00

p.m.• People of Valor:

Remembering Rachel Held Evans - 6:00 p.m.

• Cord of Three prayer group – 6:15 p.m.

• Yoga class – 6:15 p.m.• Watershed – 6:30 p.m. • Sanctuary Choir – 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, September 5• Wilshire Adventurers trip to

Oregon • The Bridge/Stew Pot – 11:15

a.m.• Knit Unto Others – 1:30 p.m. • Senior women’s exercise class

– 2:00 p.m.

Friday, September 6• Wilshire Adventurers trip to

Oregon

Saturday, September 7• Wilshire Adventurers trip to

Oregon

Sunday, September 8• Wilshire Adventurers trip to

Oregon • Morning worship – 8:30 a.m. • Sunday School – 9:40 a.m.• Morning worship – 11:00 a.m. • Youth Choir lunch – noon • Youth Choir – 12:25 p.m.• Shekinah – 1:20 p.m.• Nova – 1:30 p.m. • Carillon Ringers – 3:00 p.m.

Other important dates Wednesday, September 11• New Song resumes• Children’s handbells resumes

Saturday, September 14• George Mason 30th

anniversary banquet

Sunday, September 15• One service at 10:30 a.m. and

Sunday School at 9:15 a.m.

Wilshire calendar

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Beginning in late September, Wilshire will embark on a churchwide fall emphasis called Generations. This calls us to two big ideas as we move toward 2020, the final year of our strategic plan.

Our Vision 20/20 Sustain Team identified two goals that we now seek to make reality:

(1) A sustainable Unified Budget to fuel the annual missions and ministries of the church.

(2) A fully realized Pathways to Ministry Endowment that will fund the pastoral residency program in perpetuity without relying on church budget money.

Every member household this fall will be asked to make two commitments: The first and primary commitment is to regular, systematic generosity through the Unified Budget, the foundation of everything we do. Our goal is to increase giving to the Unified Budget by 10 percent over three years. The second commitment will be for a special gift to the George A. Mason Pathways to Ministry Endowment Fund — either a one-time gift or a gift given over three years. We’re seeking to raise the corpus of this endowment to the level where we can begin taking quarterly distributions that will fund the pastoral residency. The endowment currently stands at $5 million, and we need to get beyond $8 million before beginning to draw down earnings.

Why “Generations”? We’re calling this adventure Generations because what we’re about is connecting the past, present and future of the church together. We are linking the generations. Put another way, we’re celebrating Roots and Reach. Because of Wilshire’s grand heritage, we are able to help the church of tomorrow take wing. We do this through innovation, excellence and sharing ourselves with the larger church. There’s no more tangible expression of our Roots and Reach than the wide reach of our Unified Budget and the pastoral residency program that already has produced 33 pastors serving around the nation.

Watch for more information coming soon.