Beacon for the week of March 20th

The Beacon March 20, 2022

Welcome to Shalimar UMC We are so glad you’ve chosen to worship with us this week! Hearing assistance devices are available for the Sanctuary. Please see an usher to obtain these aids. All services can be found online at Shalimar-umc.org.

O ur Visio n Christ-centered, multigenerational, family and community relevant ministries through worship, discipleship, and mission.

O ur Missi on REAC H, T EAC H, and SEND We REACH out to our congregation, community, and the world to TEACH the word of God as provided in the Holy Scripture, and SEND our members and missionaries to be witnesses to God’s grace and His promise of eternal life to us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Wors hi p S ervices T rad itions At 8:00am and 11:00 Sunday mornings in the Sanctuary, we celebrate through the rich traditions of our faith such as hymns led by organ and piano, seasonal vestments, and traditional Methodist liturgy. Our Chancel Choir leads the 11:00am service.

Conn ect At 9:30am Sunday mornings in the Sanctuary, we engage in a four-fold service of gathering praise, service of the Word, Holy Communion with candle stations for prayer, and sending forth. The music is a blend of contemporary praise songs and upbeat hymns.

Fre ed om At 11:07am Sunday mornings in the Family Life Center Gym, we worship through modern music, multimedia, and a teaching style message in a nontraditional atmosphere. We come to God as we are to experience the freedom of not having to stay that way.

Here's what you need to know this week.

The Week of Sunday, March 20th •

Easter Fest - Easter Fest will be Sat, Apr 16th, from 10 am-12 pm. Come join us for a day of fun, crafts, games, Easter Egg hunts for all ages, celebrating the coming of Christ's Resurrection, and spending time with those in our community. Volunteers can contact Kathy Curry at kcurry1@cox.net. We are also still collecting wrapped candy and plastic eggs. For more information visit subspla.sh/wwzn3cy.

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Extra Innings - We're partnering with FCA to host a special baseball-themed edition of the 5th Quarter called Extra Innings!

Students in grades 6-12 are invited to join us for fun, fellowship, and a great message after Friday night's baseball game on Apr 1st from 8-10pm. subspla.sh/7vzdpsn

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Easter Musical - Join us for our Easter Musical on Sun, Apr 3rd at the 8, 9:30, or 11am services. Our Chancel Choir and Orchestra will bring an Easter message of spoken word and song. subspla.sh/mh8pfhq

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Youth Choir Dinner Theater - Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages ... It's time to solve a mystery about a traveling circus – Cirque de Champion. Join us for a night of fun as our Youth Choir presents The Circus Charade on Apr 8th and 9th. We invite you to consider purchasing a ticket to support our youth in the choir who are raising money for their mission choir tour this summer. subspla.sh/hqbx4h4

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Attendance - We would love for you to register your attendance with us. You can fill out the attendance card found in the pews and chairs, use the web form found online shalimar-umc.org/ worship-attendance, or send an email to office@shalimarumc.org.

Ministerial Staff Dr. Philip McVay - Lead Pastor Dr. Brad Bradford .................................................................................. Worship Pastor Rev. David Garvin ....................................................................................... Youth Pastor Rev. Matt Langford ............................................................................. Associate Pastor Ben Savage ................................................................... Worship Ministries Associate Dawn Rozofsky ................................................................................... Director of Camp Karen Jadin .................................................................................. Director of Preschool Leigh J. Rice ..................................................................................... Director of Respite Vacant ............................................................................... Children’s Ministry Director After Hours Emergency Pastoral Assistance: Dr. Philip McVay (850) 607-1133 Dr. Brad Bradford (850) 227-4328 Rev. David Garvin (850) 319-0072 Rev. Matt Langford (334) 437-3931 1 Old Ferry Road | P.O. Box 795 Shalimar, FL 32579 (850) 651-0721 shalimar-umc.org | office@shalimar-umc.org Office Hours: Mon - Thu: 8 am - 4 pm | Fri : 8 am - 12 pm

Stay Connected!

Facebook: Shalimar UMC

Visit us online: shalimar-umc.org

THIS SUNDAY IN WORSHIP Sunday, March 20, 2022 Follow Me | Transformation | Matthew 16:21-28

TRADITIONS – SANCTUARY 8:00am – In-Person & Online Message by Dr. Philip McVay Worship Led by Dr. Brad Bradford Gloryland – No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus and Operator

CONNECT – SANCTUARY 9:30am – In-Person & Online Message by Rev. Matt Langford Worship Led by Dr. Brad Bradford The Connect Worship Team Holy Communion Celebrated by Dr. Philip McVay

TRADITIONS – SANCTUARY 11:00am – In-Person & Online Message by Dr. Philip McVay Worship Led by Dr. Brad Bradford Chancel Choir – There Is a Fountain Gloryland – Operator

FREEDOM SERVICE– FAMILY LIFE CENTER 11:07am – In-Person & Online Message by Rev. Matt Langford Worship Led by Ben Savage The Freedom Team

Philip’s Focus General Conference Postponed Until 2024 In case you have not heard the news, General Conference in the United Methodist Church is postponed until 2024. This means that there will not be a General Conference in 2022. The decision to postpone was reached with the aftermath of the Covid world pandemic and the challenge of global delegates obtaining visas in time to travel for the conference.

Our Bishop, David Graves, has written the following regarding the postponement.

“I am aware this decision sparks many emotions.

Some of you are relieved that this allows us to focus on ministry for the next two years and others are disappointed that proposed legislation will not be discussed.”

He also shared some personal thoughts.

“I have preached over the years we move forward in ministry together. The constant discussions about General Conference do not need to distract us. It is doing more harm and distracting us from mission. I was consecrated as a UMC Bishop and will remain one. I see great opportunity in the midst of the chaos of the United Methodist Church. While my prayer has been that each Clergyperson and church live into what God is

calling them to be, I want to encourage you to stay in the denomination. No, we do not know what this will be, but we have many years of history that we will build upon. We are better when we focus on leading than leaving. There is a place for you in the United Methodist Church.”

In my role as your Lead Pastor, I want to affirm these words of the Bishop. The speculation of the General Conference meeting or not meeting and what will happen has been a huge distraction.

I challenge us to share the good news of Jesus like never before! Let’s focus on making disciples of Jesus.

As Jesus said in Matthew, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:37b-38).

In 2022, right now, the harvest is great! So let us get to work!

Shalom, Philip

Dr. Philip McVay, Lead Pastor philip@shalimar-umc.org

Attendance Mar 13, 2022

In-Person Livestream

Children’s Programs (930 & 11)

8:00 Service

9:30 Service

11 :00 Service

11:07 Service

16

77

50

122

97

83

54

73

75

Total: 647

Do you need to talk to a pastor? Is it the weekend and you do not know who to call? Look here! Each week we will update the pastor on call. We are here for you! Call or text.

Fri, Mar 18 - Sun, Mar 20 Dr. Brad Bradford, 850-227-4328

Mar 23rd RSVP: 850-651-0721 by noon Tuesday

Meat Loaf Grilled Chicken No Dinner: Spring Break KIDS: Hot Dogs

April 1st from 10am to 12am April 2nd from 8am to 6pm

Cross Corner Sanctuary Bring a non-perishable food item for the Bread House and snacks to share. For more info contact Pat Brantley at 850-830-1355.

The one+ONE group meets every Monday to go out to eat together. If you are interested in going, call Eileen Cox at 850-428-0714.

SUNDAYS: Student Worship | 5-7pm | FLC Gym Join us for snack supper, games, fellowship, and worship!

WEDNESDAYS: Youth Beach Event | 5-7pm March 20th GET INFORMED: Follow our Facebook and Instagram pages to stay updated on student activities.

Youth@shalimar-umc.org

Celebrating that we had a team visit and deliver 35 Follow Me devotional guides to shut-ins and those who are unable to attend in-person worship at this time.

Sundays Worship and Bible | 9:30am & 11:00am

Welcome!

A Word from SPRC: We have found our Children’s Director (or should I say the Lord has provided)! Sarah Hicks will be starting with us on April 4th, and we are excited! She is coming to us from First Methodist Church of Pensacola, where she has been the Assistant Director of Children and Family Ministries for the past 6 years. Sarah is a “native” from our area, having attended Fort Walton Beach High School. She received her BA in Christian Ministry, with a focus in Children’s Ministry from Laurel University. She has two young adult children – Hunter, 20, and James, 24. In getting to know her, here are a few tidbits she shared: Favorite Verse: Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10 Favorite Hobbies: Basking in the sun at the beach. “Extra free time is spent on the beach. It is my sacred Sabbath! You will find me reading my Bible and additional reading material, journaling, or simply ‘Being’ in God’s Creation.”

She also likes to walk and has recently developed a liking to HIIT (highintensity interval training) workouts.

I encourage you to seek out Sarah once she arrives and share who you are in the family of Shalimar UMC!

If you or someone you know are going through a difficult time contact one of our Stephen Ministry Leaders. Our Stephen Ministers are ready to provide you with focused, confidential, one-to-one Christian care and help you experience the healing power of Christ's love for you.

Sara Michaelson 865-3343; Amanda Harris 651-3888; Cathie Buckman 613-6414; Casey Brennan 461-9008.

Registration Open See Karen - Preschool Director - 651-0721 VPK registrations must have VPK certificate Found at https://familyservices.floridaearlylearning.com/

Shalimar United Methodist Church has set a goal of $9,000 for the 2022 Easter Missions Offering. All proceeds go to support the following missions.

1) Bread House - In April 2020, Shalimar United Methodist Church established a ministry to provide food to the community as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Bread House is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to provide canned food, produce, milk, eggs, bread, and meat for our neighbors in need. Our collaboration with Destin Harvest continues to provide visitors with frozen meat and additional produce.

The Bread House seeks to provide for people experiencing food insecurity by allowing them to visit weekly. To date, the Bread House has served over 93 tons of food to over 21,000 individuals.

2) Cuban Old Folks Home – Since 2014, Shalimar United Methodist Church has provided hands-on support to the Methodist Church in Cuba including building parsonages, churches, or working at the Methodist camp building housing missions’ attendees. SUMC’s hands-on support ended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At this time, no one is allowed to visit Cuba for religious projects. However, we have the opportunity to financially assist the Cuban Old Folks Home, which is across from the Bishop’s church in Havana.

3) Vacation Bible School (VBS) – Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14). The SUMC Missions and Outreach Team’s goal is to offer children in the community the opportunity to attend VBS this summer at no cost. VBS provides a week-long program of Christian education for children featuring lessons, arts and crafts, and recreation in a fun, safe environment. SUMC charged families $10.00 per child to attend VBS for the past several years. Through the generosity of the SUMC congregation, we will share Jesus’ love with children without burdening their families.

Return this form by April 10th

Guidebook for 2022 Guide Book & Directory Advertising Opportunity We are in the process of updating our annual Guide Book & Directory for the church. This book will contain everything pertinent to our church: the various ministries, organizations, committees, activities, functions and events plus a complete directory of all members. This book is being provided and direct-mailed to each family at no cost to our church, and it is again being subsidized by local businesses that advertise. If you own or manage a business and would like to find out about advertising in our book, please call the Church Office.

Recent survey results by Guide Book Publishing show that 92.1% of families would rather patronize a Guide Book & Directory advertiser over a non-advertiser. It “will pay” to advertise in our new Guide Book & Directory.

Update Membership Information Does our Church database have YOUR family membership record correct?

Here is your chance to update YOUR record for our annual Guide Book & Directory (if you haven’t already done so).

It is time for us to update our database with any changes, additions, or deletions that may have occurred in YOUR family over the past year.

Have you changed your phone number? Have you moved? Are you preparing to move soon? Are all of your children still at home and are they all included in your membership record? Do you want your record published?

If you have not already informed the Church Office about changes to your record, please let us know now so that the information in the Guide Book & Directory is correct.

The Church Office number is 850-651-0721 or you can email office@shalimar-umc.org.

Thank you for your help!

Here at MOPS (Mother of Preschoolers), we gather and support moms. We believe in the simple but revolutionary idea that remarkable things happen when we come together, face-toface. If you are expecting or have an infant, toddler, or preschooler, this group is for you!

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In-Person meetings: 2nd & 4th Thursday of each month 9:30-11:30am (with holiday week exceptions) Playdates and Mom’s Night outs

For more information: Call/text Joy Jones at 850-758-0090 or search for our MOPS of Shalimar group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/mopsofshalimar) Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (ESV)

A Request for Prayer In the upcoming months, it will be exciting to be a part of Shalimar UMC. Look in the Beacon and listen to the announcements on Sunday Mornings to see what events are upcoming. However, even doing that will not always give you a complete list because there is so much going on that the entire list cannot be covered in the space available in the Beacon and time available on Sunday mornings.

This all leads me to the focus of this article. There is a great need for all of us to pray for Shalimar UMC, especially during these times. 50 churches in our conference have met and decided to bring in 50 new members each during the 50 days between Easter and Pentecost. That means it will take a lot of bold prayers for this to be accomplished.

I am asking that everyone pray for SUMC to reach our goal.

In addition to prayers for our 50 new members, I ask that 100 people come alongside the Prayer Team to pray for SUMC. (Pastors, events, and programs of the church) From time to time, I will send special prayer emphases by email for special prayers. If you would like to join us in this prayer effort, please email me at jamesbrantley3@cox.net. I will add you to the group.

God has a plan for us. We need to pray to get in tune with what His plan is.

There is no limit to what can be accomplished if we get aligned with His Vision.

Read Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Our Prayer emphasis now is for 50 new members. More will be coming soon.

Please join us. Be one of the faithful 100 to help SUMC be all it can be through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jim Brantley SUMC Prayer Ministry Team Coordinator

Prayer Prayer Room The Prayer Room is always available for your use. The code to enter is 1423. After each Sunday morning service, someone will be present to pray with if you would like. They will also respect your wishes to pray alone. Prayer shawls are available for your use. The Prayer Box with cards is available for you to leave a request for either the pastors or Prayer Team. They will pray for you or a situation you would like lifted up. There have been great reports of use for this special place.

Prayer Chain You can add someone to the Prayer Chain, share an answered prayer or receive prayer requests and praises through email. We are excited to announce the prayer list can now be accessed on the website or app. Please call the office for the password to this page.

If you’d like to start receiving the Prayer List via email, website, or app, please call the church office at 651-0721 or email prayer@shalimar-umc.org.

Prayer Ministry Please contact the church office at 651-0721 if you are interested in becoming involved in one of the following Prayer Ministries: • Prayer Group - meets weekly to share praises and intercessory

prayer for people listed on the Prayer List (both church and personal) • Prayer Room Attendant - Volunteer to pray with those who come

to the Prayer Room after the Sunday morning worship services • Pray in the Prayer Room during each Sunday morning worship

service • Pray for special church functions and events • Participate in the Prayer Chain and Prayer Link

Week 99 Numbers Bags Collected - 228 Bags Given Out - 264 Gift cards Given - 0 Members Served - 270

Total Numbers Bags Collected - 29,693 Bags Given Out - 26,197 (98.2 tons) Gift cards Given - 235 ($8,645) Members Served - 22,625

3 New families visited this week, representing 12 individuals.

Young helpers at the Bread House! These are Wednesday’s team lead, Sandra’s grandkids!

SUPPLIES IN NEED: 1. Paper Towels and toilet paper (a must need each week) 2. Jelly and Peanut Butter 3. Canned Vegetables If you don’t have time to shop, you can donate money to The Bread House by sending a check to SUMC; in the MEMO line, enter “Bread House.”

Questions or want to become a volunteer, contact Janet Norris, 850.598.5399, email norrisjanet59@gmail.com or Pete Peters, 703.395.2437, email fpeters1@cox.net, or stop by.

We’d love to have you!

Blessings for Children Full Circle In the fall of 2018, Blessings for Children started as an idea at Shalimar UMC and was in search of a home. Serving children in need requires both storage and people space, and initially, we hoped that we would open up on the bottom floor of the two-story building of the then newly acquired Presbyterian Church.

On the surface, it would have been ideal (one of the rooms had cubbies!), but upon inspection, that building was found to have many issues that made it unsafe and unusable in its condition. However, God provides.

Our ministry enjoyed serving children in need in our community out of the #10 2nd Street house for over three years. Enter Joe and Sandy Kocanowski, church members themselves on a mission. In May 2021, SUMC started the transformative process of turning the bottom floor of the Cross Corner building into a useable space. They made the rooms into a beautiful, welcoming, comfortable, and useful space that not only our Blessings for Children ministry could serve from but other groups in our church can now gladly make use of it as well. With grateful hearts to our church family, especially to Sandy and Joe Kocanowski, we opened our doors to serve from the new Cross Corner rooms on Wednesday, February 16th where we blessed 40 children.

If you would like to join us in helping our area’s children in need at Blessings for Children, here are some ways to consider: Please pray for the ministry and all who participate. Be on the lookout for families you can refer to us for assistance.

• Consider donating items we distribute to the children: diapers (size

4, 5, and 6 in particular), pull-ups, wipes, school supplies, children sized t-shirts, socks and underwear, children’s toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, lice treatment kits, and toilet paper. A complete list of items we distribute can be found at

shalimar-umc.org/blessings-for-children. You can donate items by stopping by the #10 2nd Street house behind the church any Wednesdays from 11:30am - 3:30pm.

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Children’s bibles, bible stories, and activity books are always a joy to receive and distribute. Spanish language Bibles are always needed!

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A financial gift designated to Blessings for Children through the church allows us to replenish the needed items we distribute weekly.

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New volunteers are always welcome, with no regular commitment required.

For additional information Mary Jane Robertson Email: mjr53@cox.net Visit: shalimar-umc.org/blessings-for-children Phone or text: (850) 499-6173 Open every Wednesday 12 - 3:30 pm

Weekly Schedule Sunday, March 20th Worship Times In-Person Traditions Worship ........ 8:00 & 11:00 am Connect Worship ........................... 9:30 am Freedom Worship ....................... 11:07 am

Worship Times Online Traditions Worship........ 8:00 & 11:00 am Connect Worship ........................... 9:30 am Freedom Worship ....................... 11:07 am

Sunday, March 20th Library .............................................. 9:00 am Children Worship & Bible ............ 9:30 am SS Adults ........................................ 9:30 am SS Youth .......................................... 9:30 am SS Special Buddies ........................ 9:30 am Children Worship & Bible .......... 11:00 am Youth Choir Drama ........................ 2:00 pm GriefShare Zoom ............................ 3:00 pm Youth Choir .................................... 3:30 pm Special Buddies .............................. 5:00 pm Student Beach Trip ....................... 5:00 pm REBOOT Zoom .............................. 5:30 pm

Wednesday, March 23rd Bread House ................................... 9:00 am Splash II ............................................ 9:30 am Library ........................................... 10:00 am Blessings for Children ................ 12:00 pm Gloryland ......................................... 6:00 pm Rejoice .............................................. 6:00 pm Choir ................................................. 7:00 pm

Monday, March 21st Bread House ................................... 9:00 am Library ............................................. 10:00 am Threads of Love ........................... 10:00 am Healed ............................................... 5:30 pm Connect Team Rehearsal ............ 5:30 pm Alanon .............................................. 6:00 pm Lighthouse Rehearsal .................... 6:00 pm Tuesday, March 22nd Joyful Place Grand Opening ....... 10:00 am Joy Ringers Rehearsal ................... 5:30 pm Student Band Rehearsal ................ 5:30 pm Freedom Band Rehearsal ............. 6:00 pm Mission’s Meeting ......................... 6:00 pm Prayer Group .................................. 6:00 pm Finance ............................................ 6:30 pm Men’s Group ................................... 6:30 pm

Thursday, March 24th Joyful Place .................................. 10:00 am REBOOT ......................................... 5:30 pm Freedom AVL ................................. 5:30 pm Stephen Ministry Training ........... 6:30 pm Emerald Coast Barber Shop ........ 6:30 pm Friday, March 25th Bread House ................................... 9:00 am Saturday, March 26th Freedom Pipe & Drape ................ 1:00 pm