Community Worship: Bishop David Wilson

Lakeside welcomes Bishop David Wilson as Preacher of the Week Aug. 6-10. This week’s preacher is supported by the Rev. Dr. Bud Cox Endowment. 

Wilson, a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, holds the distinction of being the first Native American elected to serve as a bishop in the history of The United Methodist Church.

Wilson will lead the 10:30 a.m. Chautauqua Community Worship Service on Sunday, Aug. 6 in Hoover Auditorium. His sermon is titled “Connected in the Image of Creator,” based on First Corinthians 12:12-27. Watch the livestream at lakesideohio.com/stream on the day of the service. Download the Sunday Bulletin. 

Michael Shirtz, the Chautauqua Choir and and Kirsten Kunkle, mezzo-soprano, will provide gospel musical leadership during the service, while liturgy will be led by Rev. Dr. Charles Yoost, Senior Director of Religious Life & Pastoral Care. Worship music for the 2023 summer season is supported by James E. Beardsley and Doris F. Beardsley.

Following the opening prayer, children (ages 5-11) will proceed to Bradley Temple for Children’s Church with Chip Richter. There will be a message by Richter, songs, crafts, lemonade and cookies to share. Preschoolers are welcome if accompanied by an adult.  

Wilson has served as Resident Bishop of the Great Plains Conference of The United Methodist Church in Topeka, Kansas, since January 1, 2023. He was elected to episcopal office November 1, 2022, on a historic vote by the South Central Jurisdiction’s delegates, when Wilson was one of three people elected on the first and only ballot needed to fill bishop vacancies. 

Prior to election, Wilson served as Assistant to the Bishop of the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference (OIMC), which is comprised of 81 Native American churches in Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas. He previously served as the OIMC Superintendent for 18 years.  

Wilson was ordained as an elder in 1995 and served charges in Tahlequah and Norman, Oklahoma. 

Wilson received his associate degree in mass communications from Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton, Oklahoma, and is a 1990 graduate of Oklahoma City University, with a Bachelor of Arts in mass communications. He earned his Master of Divinity degree from Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1994 

In his personal time, Wilson enjoys running and studying history. His grandfather, Calvin Wilson, was one of the Choctaw Code-Talkers from World War I. Wilson resides in Topeka, Kansas. 

Join Wilson for Faith for Living Hour at 9 a.m. Monday-Thursday in Orchestra Hall. Wilson will give the sermon at Vespers by the Lake at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Steele Memorial Bandstand. 

Guests are welcome to attend Community Worship free of charge by requesting a complimentary Church Pass between 7:30-10:30 a.m. Sunday; valid until 1 p.m. The pass includes admittance for guests and auto. This pass must be presented to the gate attendant upon departure. If the time allotted is exceeded, the guest(s) will be charged a fee. This pass does not include access to the Grindley Aquatic & Wellness Campus pool. Complimentary passes are available for all worship services and Faith for Living Hour.