Beacon for the week of December 19th

The Beacon December 19, 2021

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, December 19th

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Poinsettia Project - We have honored or remembered those important to us for years through our Poinsettia Project. This year, the money will go to Safe Connections, Blessings for Children, and Shelter House. You can fill out the form for the Poinsettia Project on the website or under the church app's Advent section.

Please be sure to mark your donation as being for the Poinsettia Project. shalimarumc.org/christmas#poinsettia

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White Christmas - On Christmas Eve, annually, Shalimar UMC has collected a special "White Christmas" offering for two organizations that help house children: Children in Crisis and the United Methodist Children's Home. Both of these organizations serve our local community. You can give to the White Christmas Offerings by marking "White Christmas" as your memo. shalimar-umc.org/ christmas#white-christmas

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Christmas Eve - Christmas Eve Services at Shalimar UMC  Service for children and their families will be at 3pm in the FLC  A service of lessons and carols will be in the Sanctuary at 5pm led by the youth choir and 7pm led by the chancel choir  The Freedom service will be at 11:07pm in the FLC All services will celebrate Holy Communion. The 5pm, 7pm and 11:07pm services will include candle light. All services will be Livestreamed. shalimar-umc.org/ christmas

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Sunday, December 26th - We will only have 1 service the Sunday after Christmas, Dec 26th at 9:30am in the Sanctuary. The service will be in-person and online.

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Events in New Year - We have exciting events happening in the New Year!  Youth Winter Retreat: Jan 7-9, 2022 - The Challenge Weekend is a collaborative winter retreat with four local youth groups. The youth will stay at the Island Hotel on Okaloosa Island for an incredible weekend with huge games, stellar worship, and heartfelt discussion!  Baptism Sunday: Jan 9, 2022 - We will Remember Our Baptism with special remembrances and baptisms in each service on Sun, Jan 9th. We are looking for pictures of your baptism to display during the service. Please send us your photos to office@shalimar-umc.org.

Learn more about each event on our website at shalimar-umc.org/church-life.

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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 Paster Rev. David Garvin ....................................................................................... Youth Pastor Rev. Matt Langford ............................................................................. Associate Pastor Rev. Faith Parry ......................................................................... Communication Pastor Vacant ............................................................................... Children’s Ministry Director Karen Jadin .................................................................................. Director of Preschool Dawn Rozofsky ................................................................................... Director of Camp Ben Savage ................................................................... Worship Ministries Associate 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 Rev. Faith Parry (850) 420-9888 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, December 19, 2021 Advent 4 | Creator and Friend | John 1:1-14

TRADITIONS – SANCTUARY 8:00am – In-Person & Online Message by Dr. Philip McVay Worship Led by Dr. Brad Bradford Joy Ringers – I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day Gloryland – Mary Had a Baby and The Birthday of a King

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 Joy Ringers – I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day Gloryland – Mary Had a Baby Chancel Choir – A Baby Changes Everything Faith Tovrea, soloist

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 The Perfect Christmas for Imperfect People!

In nine days, we will gather for Christmas Eve for worship. As we move through these final days of Advent preparation, I would like to invite us to have a perfect Christmas. How in the world can imperfect people have a perfect Christmas?

We are so far from perfect in our planning for Christmas. We worry too much. Gift buying can take away the joy of gift-giving for others. Our expectations for everything and everyone else can be so unhealthy. In a time that invites us to peace, we can be so stressed out instead. So how do imperfect people have a perfect Christmas?

One story that illustrates imperfect people having a perfect Christmas is my brother David years ago as a youth. David was asked to be Joseph in a live Christmas pageant in our church in Jackson, Alabama. The production included live animals! So you guessed it, there go any hopes of perfection!

David had a simple role in the production. As portraying Joseph, David was to lead Mary, baby Jesus, and a live donkey to the manger at the appropriate time. It was a short twenty-yard walk.

Everyone was ready to walk except the donkey when the cue came to walk. The donkey would not budge! David yanked and pulled, but the donkey would have no part of the short stroll. Minutes passed, and no movement. On this night, in the parking lot of McCann’s United Methodist Church, the donkey never made it to the manger!

This live Christmas production was far from perfect, but somehow the perfect message of Christmas is most remembered. What is the message? Do not forget to make it to the manger! This is our message today amid all the distractions. Do not forget to make it to the manger. When we make it to the manger, we can find the perfect Christmas as imperfect people. A perfect Christmas comes as a gift of God when we bow down and worship Jesus, the newborn King!

As imperfect as we are, I pray that each of us will still make it to the manger and have a perfect Christmas. So let us bow down and worship Jesus the Newborn King!

Shalom, Philip

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

Attendance Dec 12, 2021

In-Person Livestream

Children’s Programs (930\11)

8:00 Service

9:30 Service

11 :00 Service

11:07 Service

31

195

175

196

67

90

52

86

49

Total: 941

Sundays Worship and Bible 9:30am - 10:30am 11:00 - 12:15pm

CHILDREN@SHALIMAR-UMC.ORG

It’s the Christmas season, and the kids are excited! This past week in Sunday school, we read and watched a video about Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. Even though presents are a big part of Christmas, the kids learn that JESUS IS the present – the Reason for the Season! Our focus this Sunday will be on the Shepherds who were the first to receive the Great News! We hope your kids can join us for the Bible story, crafts, and games! We want to fill your children with the JOY of Jesus!

Your Children’s Ministry Team P.S. Don’t forget to bring your kids or grandkids to the Children’s Christmas Eve Service at 3pm on December 24th!

Dec 22 & 29th Roast Beef

No Dinner: Happy Holidays!

Grilled Chicken Christmas Dinner

Here is a creative and unique way to support our direct community ministries of The Bread House and Blessings for Children.

Download an Advent Calendar, get a box, and place the designated items in the box each day.

At the end of Advent, bring them to the church and bless these ministries as they reach out and meet the needs of our community.

Download calendar at shalimar-umc.org/christmas#advent-box

Friday, December 24th Christmas Eve Services (all services include Holy Communion)

3:00pm - Family Life Center Children’s Ministry led service 5:00pm - Sanctuary Service of Lessons and Carols with the Youth Choir and Candlelight 7:00pm - Sanctuary Service of Lessons and Carols with the Chancel Choir and Candlelight 11:07pm - Family Life Center A Freedom Christmas Eve with the Freedom Band and Candlelight

Sunday, December 26th 9:30am - One Service in Sanctuary

Condolences to family and friends of Betty Cassell - Nov 23, 2021

Week 86 Numbers Bags Collected - 425 Bags Given Out - 293 Gift cards Given - 0 Members Served - 277

Total Numbers Bags Collected - 25,538 Bags Given Out - 22,662 (84.9 tons) Gift cards Given - 176 ($7,525) Members Served - 19,188

7 New Families visited this week, representing 30 individuals.

A few of our younger customers! We try to have kid friendly snacks for our young visitors!

ITEMS NEEDED THIS WEEK: 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.

Blessings for Children Blessed are the Givers and Grateful are the Recipients There’s a card I like to send that has the above sentiment; it is meant to be sent in response to one thing we are specifically thankful for, but I believe it is the sentiment that applies to every moment of our lives. We are always recipients, and may we be blessed to be “givers” when we are able. And while we are in the traditional season of giving, Christmas, and have passed through the traditional season of thanks, Thanksgiving, at an active, loving, mission-minded church like Shalimar UMC, we remain year-round in a season of thanks and a season of giving. And we live that out each week at our Blessing for Children outreach ministry for children in need. The givers show up each week with donations of the new items we distribute and with gently used children’s items that are the extra blessings in our Treasure Chests that our families can take home as needed.

The givers volunteer to serve each week to put a face on God’s love as their servant hands and hearts take care of the needs. The givers pray for this ministry and the families that request specific prayers. The givers give to this church so that the missions of this church can be funded. They offer to this particular ministry or other ministries within the church that touch their hearts to support the mission. The givers are the families we serve who receive the items their children need, and then the next time they are in need, they arrive at the #10 2nd Street house with their children’s outgrown clothes or toys or books. These gifts and their blessed givers relive needs, offer a warm welcome and encouraging words, share and pray in a family’s troubles or joys, and are always breathing God’s love over all of us who are the grateful recipients. Thank you for your continued support of our Blessings for Children’s ministry and all the missions that our church undertakes during this Christmas season and every season!

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.

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

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

Weekly Schedule Sunday, December 19th 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, December 19th 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 GriefShare ....................................... 3:00 pm REBOOT Zoom .............................. 5:30 pm

Wednesday, December 22nd Bread House ................................... 9:00 am Library ........................................... 10:00 am

Monday, December 20th Bread House ................................... 9:00 am Library ............................................ 10:00 am Threads of Love ........................... 10:00 am Connect Team Rehearsal ............ 5:30 pm Healed ............................................. 5:30 pm Alanon .............................................. 6:00 pm Lighthouse Rehearsal .................... 6:00 pm Young Adults .................................. 6:30 pm

Friday, December 24th Office Closed

Tuesday, December 21st Bell Rehearsal ................................. 5:30 pm Freedom Band Rehearsal ............. 6:00 pm Men’s Group ................................... 6:00 pm Prayer Group .................................. 6:00 pm

Thursday, December 23rd Office Closes at Noon REBOOT ......................................... 5:30 pm Freedom Full Rehearsal ................ 5:30 pm Emerald Coast Barber Shop ........ 6:30 pm

Children Led Christmas Eve ........ 3:00 pm Youth Led Christmas Eve ............ 5:00 pm Chanel Choir Christmas Eve ....... 7:00 pm Freedom Christmas Eve ............. 11:07 pm Saturday, December 25th Merry Christmas!