June 14, 2020Second Sunday after Pentecost

How do we prepare for worship with a pandemic on, routines out of place, lots of folks — or not enough folks — underfoot, and America’s whiteness problem staring us straight in the face? That is the question we are facing today.

Except, are we reading this Saturday night, or Sunday morning, or next week after worship is already over when we have a little time to catch up on email? These are weird times, people, weird times.

And yet, worship happens. According to Google, worship is “the feeling

or expression of reverence toward a deity,” which is unsurprisingly broad. Each week we have this Preparing for worship column first in our worship folder to help us, well, get in the mood.

It is interesting to note that we need these worship prompts every week, even in “normal” times. My co-residents and I checked in with resident alum Annette Thornburg-Owen over Zoom this past week, and she said that the rhythms of the church year — our liturgical traditions like waiting in Advent, fasting in Lent, and burning stuff at Pentecost — are practice for when we need to do those things in real life. It might be a stretch, but maybe that applies to our little column here at the beginning of the worship folder.

We have been practicing for this.We have been practicing the steps it takes

to pull aside for worship, to tune our hearts to sing God’s praise even when we don’t feel like it. We have been practicing surrender to truth, to being willing to hear from God’s word, even when we’re feeling raw and unwilling to change. We have been practicing all along how to trust our God to meet us right where we are even when we don’t know where that is.

So here’s our prompt. Notice where you are and when you are. It does not matter if it is Sunday morning or those three minutes you have between Zoom calls; you are here wanting to worship. Notice that. Notice your breath. You are alive. There’s that heartbeat, life pulsing through your veins. Indeed, you are fearfully and wonderfully made.

And I wonder who did that. I wonder who dreamed up your smile and the kind of thing that would make you laugh. I wonder who this very minute (whenever that is) is wooing you home, reminding you that you are wanted and prayed for and beloved.

Ready to worship?—Leanna Coyle-Carr

Preparing for worship

ON THE COVER: Sarah Laughs, Richard McBee, 2008. Used by permission. richardmcbee.com

Wilshire Baptist Church4316 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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June 14, 202011:00 a.m.

Second Sunday after Pentecost

Chiming of the Hour

Prelude Variations on “God Is So Good” arr. Gene Roberson

Call to Worship The Lord Is My Shepherd Howard GoodallSanctuary Choir

virtual performance

Opening Sentences Katie Murray

We meet for worship today not just as individuals but as the gathered body of Christ. And in that body there is strength and hope because of the promise of the Lord Jesus Christ, who said, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there will I be in the midst of them.” This, then, is holy ground where we meet today. This is a time when we come anticipating a word from the Lord, when we bring our fears and tears, our hopes, our doubts, our whole selves. Whoever you are, wherever you’re from, wherever you are, however God has made you, whatever your experience with faith has been before, bring your whole self to worship today and find here the fellowship of the gathered body of Christ. You are loved.

Hymn 285 God of Grace and God of Glory cwm rhondda

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Greeting to Worshipers Carolyn Murray

Church Anniversary Video

Solo Great Is Thy Faithfulness arr. Melanie MooreZoe Moore, soprano

Melanie Moore, pianist

Epistle Reading — Romans 5:1–8 Steven Murray

Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.

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

En consecuencia, ya que hemos sido justificados mediante la fe, tenemos[paz con Dios por medio de nuestro Señor Jesucristo. También por medio de él, y mediante la fe, tenemos acceso a esta gracia en la cual nos mantenemos firmes. Así que nos regocijamos en la esperanza de alcanzar la gloria de Dios. Y no solo en esto, sino también en nuestros sufrimientos, porque sabemos que el sufrimiento produce perseverancia; la perseverancia, entereza de carácter; la entereza de carácter, esperanza. Y esta esperanza no nos defrauda, porque Dios ha derramado su amor en nuestro corazón por el Espíritu Santo que nos ha dado. A la verdad, como éramos incapaces de salvarnos, en el tiempo señalado Cristo murió por los malvados. Difícilmente habrá quien muera por un justo, aunque tal vez haya quien se atreva a morir por una persona buena. Pero Dios demuestra su amor por nosotros en esto: en que cuando todavía éramos pecadores, Cristo murió por nosotros.

Esta es la palabra del Señor.Gracias a Dios.

Prayers of the People Ryan Wilson

Hebrew Scripture Reading — Genesis 18:1–3, 9–15; 21:1–7 Kim Mason

The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them, and bowed down to the ground. He said, “My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant… They said to him, “Where is your wife Sarah?” And he said, “There, in the tent.” Then one said, “I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah

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shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent entrance behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I have pleasure?” The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too wonderful for the Lord? At the set time I will return to you, in due season, and Sarah shall have a son.” But Sarah denied, saying, “I did not laugh”; for she was afraid. He said, “Oh yes, you did laugh.” … The Lord dealt with Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as he had promised. Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the time of which God had spoken to him. Abraham gave the name Isaac to his son whom Sarah bore him. And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. Now Sarah said, “God has brought laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me.” And she said, “Who would ever have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”

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

El SeÑor se le apareció a Abraham junto al encinar de Mamré, cuando Abraham estaba sentado a la entrada de su carpa, a la hora más calurosa del día. Abraham alzó la vista, y vio a tres hombres de pie cerca de él. Al verlos, corrió desde la entrada de la carpa a saludarlos. Inclinándose hasta el suelo, dijo:—Mi señor, si este servidor suyo cuenta con su favor, le ruego que no me pase de largo…Entonces ellos le preguntaron:—¿Dónde está Sara, tu esposa?—Allí en la carpa —les respondió. —Dentro de un año volveré a verte —dijo uno de ellos—, y para entonces tu esposa Sara tendrá un hijo. Sara estaba escuchando a la entrada de la carpa, a espaldas del que hablaba. Abraham y Sara eran ya bastante ancianos, y Sara ya había dejado de menstruar. Por eso, Sara se rió y pensó: “¿Acaso voy a tener este placer, ahora que ya estoy consumida y mi esposo es tan viejo?” Pero el SeÑor le dijo a Abraham:—¿Por qué se ríe Sara? ¿No cree que podrá tener un hijo en su vejez? ¿Acaso hay algo imposible para el SeÑor? El año que viene volveré a visitarte en esta fecha, y para entonces Sara habrá tenido un hijo. Sara, por su parte, tuvo miedo y mintió al decirle: —Yo no me estaba riendo. Pero el SeÑor le replicó: —Sí te reíste….Tal como el SeÑor lo había dicho, se ocupó de Sara y cumplió con la promesa que le había hecho. Sara quedó embarazada y le dio un hijo a Abraham en su vejez. Esto sucedió en el tiempo anunciado por Dios. Al hijo que Sara le dio, Abraham le puso por nombre Isaac. Cuando su hijo Isaac cumplió ocho días de nacido, Abraham lo circuncidó, tal como Dios se lo había ordenado. Abraham tenía ya cien años cuando nació su hijo Isaac. Sara dijo entonces: “Dios me ha hecho reír, y todos los que se enteren de que he tenido un hijo se reirán conmigo. ¿Quién le hubiera dicho a Abraham que Sara amamantaría hijos? Sin embargo, le he dado un hijo en su vejez.”

Esta es la palabra del Señor.Gracias a Dios.

Message “Holy Laughter” George MasonSecond in a series, Beginnings

Sharing of Decisions George Mason

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Invitation to Give George Mason

Your faithful and generous giving to Wilshire is allowing the church to continue its ministries in new and creative ways. Although we’re not in the building, the work of the church continues. Thank you for giving.

Benediction George Mason

Affirmation of Faith Blest Be the Tie dennis

Postlude Festive Trumpet Tune David German

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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) 452-3122Heather Mustain

Minister 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) 452-3152Ryan Wilson

Pastoral Resident(214) 452-3158David 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 leadersKim Mason is married to Senior Pastor George Mason and they have been members since 1989. They have three children and six grandchildren. Kim teaches three-year-olds in Sunday School and second and third graders in Wednesday night Bible Skills. Kim’s mother, Charmaine O’Brien, and her brother, Bibb Whitlow, are also Wilshire members. Kim works as a dental hygienist.

Zoe Moore is one of Wilshire’s summer interns, working under the supervision of children’s choir coordinator Candy McComb. Zoe is a 2017 graduate of Richardson’s J.J. Pearce High School and just completed her junior year at Dallas Baptist University, where she is majoring in music.

Carolyn Murray grew up at Wilshire and joined Wilshire’s staff earlier this year working in the areas of community outreach and member engagement. Her son, Mason, lives in New York and daughter, Lucy Kate, just finished ninth grade at Lake Highlands High School. Carolyn is a deacon, the director of Journey Class and teaches three-year-olds in Wednesday night missions. Her parents are Bob and Charlene Law.

Steven Murray and Katie Murray have been Wilshire members since 2013. They are the parents of Drew, age 3, and Annie, age 2. Steven teaches youth in Sunday School and Katie is a member of Perennial Class. Katie serves on the MOPS Steering Committee and previously served on Wilshire’s staff as Christian Advocacy Specialist.

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Creative Arts Camp

Listen to Your Art is the theme for Wilshire’s Creative Arts Camp, a new summer offering for kids designed for 2020. The mostly-online expe-rience, led by children’s choir coordinator Candy McComb, will be held the week of July 6 and is open to kids who have com-pleted grades 1 through 6. In addition to online music-making, kids will participate in visual arts, movement, cooking, moviemaking, writing, magic and more. There will be a parking lot performance and other live events where social distancing will be practiced. The $30 cost per participant in-cludes a T-shirt and art supplies. Supply bags can be picked up in the north parking lot on Wednes-day, July 1, from 2 to 2:30 p.m. and 6 to 6:30 p.m. as well as Monday, July 6, from 9 to 9:30 a.m. Registration is open at wilshirebc.org/registration.

Good Neighbor Award

This week’s Good Neighbor Award goes to stu-dents Garrett Woodbury, Kathryn Woodbury and Sher Moo Ku in recognition of their service with the North Texas Food Bank and their hearts for justice. You can nominate someone for the Good Neighbor Award at wilshirebc.org/registration.

“This Is My Story” videos

Tune in each Wednesday for prayer, music and an interview with a Wilshire member. On June 17, Ryan Wilson will interview Brian Stinecipher. The weekly videos will be posted on YouTube and Facebook by noon, and the link will be sent in the midweek update email from George Mason.

The Cost of COVID Experience

Wilshire and First United Methodist Church of Dallas are joining for an online educational expe-

rience on Thursday, June 18, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The Cost of COVID Experience helps participants understand poverty, learn how to make the most impact and engage more with community needs. We will look at poverty through a racial equity lens and continue conversations on how the church can grow in antiracist witness and actions of jus-tice. Register at wilshirebc.org/registration. If you are doing this as a family, please consider sharing a computer so you will only need one ticket. Reg-istrants will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom call information. Questions? Contact Abbey Adcox at aadcox@wilshirebc.org.

WOW! Book Clubs

■ The Women of Wilshire Tuesday evening book club now meets via Zoom one Tuesday each month at 7 p.m. Upcoming dates and books: June 16, The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan with discussion led by Marilyn Spaulding; July 14, The Giver of Stars by JoJo Moyes with discussion led by Barbara Peterson. To register, contact Debby Burton at dburton@wilshirebc.org.■ The WOW! Brown Bag Book Club now meets via Zoom the first Thursday of each month. Up-coming dates and books: July 2, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman; Aug. 6, The Tatooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris. To register, contact Abbey Adcox at aadcox@wilshirebc.org or Carolyn Murray at cmurray@wilshirebc.org.

Wilshire 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 available in the library section of the Wilshire app and website. Email bpeterson@wilshirebc.org with “Book Requests” in the subject line and tell her what titles you wish to check out (limit 5). She will work out a safe plan to get the books to you via curbside pickup or delivery.

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 Sundays at 11 a.m. on Wilshire’s website and YouTube channel.

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Student Ministry summer activities

Wilshire’ Student Ministry is active this summer in a variety of ways despite COVID-19 and the forced cancellation of choir tour and camp. Each Wednesday night from 6:30 to 8 p.m., students will gather in Wilshire’s north parking lot for socially-distanced activities and fellowship. In addition, all youth Sunday School classes are meeting via Zoom, Summer Family Groups have been created as a way of staying connected, and Darren DeMent or intern Jacob Leal are posting Monday morning devotionals on the WSM Insta-gram account. If you’re a parent of a youth but are not receiving emails about these activities, contact Carol Cabaniss at ccabaniss@wilshirebc.org.

Missions and Advocacy updates

Here are a few of the ways Wilshire has impacted the community over the last few weeks. We have provided funding for snacks and bottled water for staff at COVID-19 testing sites operated by Project Unity. We have served as host for the Mayor’s Milk Initiative distribution at Dan D. Rogers Elementary, serving up to 600 individu-als each week. Chef Elizabeth Ferguson and the

Wilshire kitchen staff are preparing 275 brown bag lunches each Wednesday during June to help Cornerstone Baptist Church address hunger in its neighborhood. We continue to work with Texas Impact and local faith communities to emphasize the importance of voting. Many of these projects are ongoing; contact Heather Mustain at hmustain@wilshirebc.org to find a place to serve.

Will you keep up the Friday Five?

All Wilshire congregants are invited to continue in an easy pastoral care project called “Friday Five.” Every Friday, commit to contact at least five Wilshire friends in your circle of influence to see how they’re doing. Think first of those who are not your family or closest friends but who would love to hear from you.

New member: Janis Townsend

Condolences to: Christie Grothe on the death of her brother, Jack Marshall, on Saturday, June 6.

Who is My Neighbor? Learning to Love Like Jesus is the theme for our Take-Home Vacation Bible School, a free offering for kids age 3 through 6th grade.

Take-home packets will include all the resources needed to do VBS on your own time. Links to video segments for grades 1 through 6 will be emailed daily.

Optional activities will be held in Wilshire’s north parking lot for families in small groups. Social distancing will be practiced. Registered families will receive an email with details.

Drive through and pick up your packet in the north parking lot at one of these times:Friday, June 19: 9:30–10:15 a.m. or 4:30–5:15 p.m.Sunday, June 21: 4:30–5:15 p.m.Packets may also be picked up in Sachse on Sunday, June 21, at 4:30 p.m. if that’s more convenient.

Register now at wilshirebc.org/registration

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Happy 69th birthday, WilshireOn June 14, 1951, about 65 people gathered in a Lakewood home for the purpose of organizing a

new church. The first public worship service was held in the Wilshire Theatre on June 24, and days later the name Wilshire Baptist Church was officially adopted. below: Wilshire’s first worship space,

now McIver Chapel, opened in 1954 and is shown here in 1964. The current Sanctuary, dedicated in 1967, is depicted below on the occasion of George Mason’s 25th anniversary as pastor in 2014.

Preston AdkinsTanya BensonGina BiddleCayce BrumleyJoni CabanissAnn CossumKaren CotterKelli Culpepper Hall Joannah DeMent Diana EarlyJanda Edwards Linda EggertLinda Garner Linda GregoryRita HamiltonJoey Hamilton

Deborah 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 dispensing 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, lgarner@wilshirebc.org or (214) 452-3151. Food and Supplies Response Team is comprised of volunteers from our Missions and Advocacy 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, hmustain@wilshirebc.org 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 receivers 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, gsbrookshire@gmail.com.

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Nonfiction Books■ Alexander, Michelle. The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindedness.■ Angelou, Maya. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.■ Baldwin, James. The Fire Next Time.■ Brown, Austin Channing. I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness.■ Coates, Ta-Nehisi. Between the World and Me.■ Collins, Patricia Hill. Black Feminist Thought.■ Cone, James H. The Cross and the Lynching Tree.■ DiAngelo, Robin. White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism.■ Garrett, Greg. A Long, Long Way: Hollywood’s Unfinished Journey from Racism to Reconciliation.■ Jones, Robert P. The End of White Christian America.■ Kendi, Ibram X. How to Be an Antiracist.■ Kendi, Ibram X. Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America.■ Lorde, Audre. Sister Outsider.■ Morrison, Toni. Playing in the Dark: Whiteness and the Literary Imagination.■ Rothstein, Richard. The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America.■ Stevenson, Bryan. Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption.■ Thurman, Howard. Jesus and the Disinherited.

Fiction Books■ Baldwin, James. If Beale Street Could Talk.■ Butler, Octavia. The Parable of the Sower.■ Gyasi, Yaa. Homegoing.■ Morrison, Toni. Beloved.■ Morrison, Toni. The Bluest Eye.

Books for Children■ Bryan, Ashley. Freedom Over Me.■ Celano, Marianne; Collins, Marietta; and Hazard, Ann. Something Happened in Our Town: A Child’s Story About Racial Injustice.■ Harrison, Vashti. Bold Women in Black History.■ Higginbotham, Anastasia. Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness.■ Lester, Julius. Let’s Talk About Race.■ Memory, Jelani. A Kids Book About Racism.■ Miller, Sharee. Don’t Touch My Hair!■ Nagara, Innosanto. A is for Activist.■ Pinkney, Andrea Davis. Let it Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters.■ Shabazz, Ilyasah. Malcolm Little: The Boy Who Grew Up to Become Malcolm X.■ Tonitiuh, Duncan. Separate is Never Equal.■ Weatherford, Carole Boston. Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer, Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement.

In light of current events, we have compiled a list of antiracist books, movies and television series, articles, podcasts and social media organizations to read, watch, listen to and follow. Our hope is that you will find something on this list that will help you begin or continue to educate yourself on race, racist systems, privilege and white supremacy. Many of these sources will provide tangible ways to actively engage in antiracist work.

Antiracist resource list

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Articles■ “America’s Racial Contract is Killing Us” by Adam Serwer, The Atlantic (May 8, 2020)■ “My Life as an Undocumented Immigrant” by Jose Antonoi Vargas, New York Times Magazine (June 22, 2011)■ The 1619 Project (all articles), New York Times Magazine■ “The Intersectionality Wars” by Jane Coaston, Vox (May 28, 2019)■ “Who Gets to Be Afraid in America?” by Ibram X. Kendi, The Atlantic (May 12, 2020)■ “It looks like Amy Cooper…is a liberal. That’s important.” By Nylah Burton, The Independent (May 27, 2020)

Films and TV Series■ BlacKkKlansman (Spike Lee, 2018)■ Do the Right Thing (Spike Lee, 1989)■ Get Out (Jordan Peele, 2017)■ Moonlight (Barry Jenkins, 2016)■ If Beale Street Could Talk (Barry Jenkins, 2018)■ Selma (Ava Duvernay, 2014)■ 13th (Ava Duvernay, 2016)■ When They See Us (Ava Duvernay)—Netflix■ Just Mercy (Destin Daniel Cretton, 2019)■ Dear White People (Justin Simien)—Netflix

Podcasts■ 1619■ 1865■ About Race ■ Code Switch (NPR)■ Intersectionality Matters! ■ Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast ■ Seeing White

Organizations to Follow on Social Media■ Antiracism Center■ Audre Lorde Project■ Black Women’s Blueprint■ Color Of Change■ Equal Justice Initiative (EJI)■ Families Belong Together■ NAACP■ RAICES■ Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ)■ SisterSong■ United We Dream

George Mason’s Good God podcast has begun a 12-week summer series of re-released episodes featuring conversations on the subject of race. Episode 1, out now, features Byron Sanders, President and CEO of Big Thought, on racial inequities in Dallas and the ways in which we can help create a better Dallas for the next generation. Other guests in the series include Starsky Wilson, Brian Williams, Michael Waters, Richie Butler, Ron Kirk, Gary Simpson, Gerald Britt, Michael Sorrell, Tim Wise and Greg Garrett. Subscribe to Good God on Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast platform and be notified when a new episode drops each week.