Beacon for the week of December 5th

The Beacon December 5, 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 5th •

Hope for the Holidays - The holidays are not joyful for everyone. As the season approaches, we want to take some time and join together for a special worship service for anyone struggling with grief or sadness this holiday season. Don't spend this time alone, wondering how you will survive or dreading holiday events. Join together on Wed, Dec 8 at 4pm in the Sanctuary in worship and give your burdens and sorrows to God. subspla.sh/2mf82mp

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Giving Opportunities - Are you looking to give this holiday season? We currently have three opportunities to donate.

• Angel Tree • Teenage Gift Card ministry • Mission's Advent calendar Learn more about each event on our website at shalimar-umc.org/churchlife.

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Children’s Musical - The Children's Choir will present their musical message, Emmanuel, on Sun, Dec 5th at 6pm in the Family Life Center gym. subspla.sh/bmtck4h

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Chancel Choir & Orchestra Musical - The Chancel Choir and Orchestra will present their musical, Festival of Christmas, on Sun, Dec 12th at 8am, 9:30am, and 11am in the Sanctuary. subspla.sh/wk8583f

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Attendance - We would love for you to register your attendance with us.

You can fill out the web form found online shalimar-umc.org/worshipattendance, or you can send an email to office@shalimar-umc.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 5, 2021 Advent 2 | Dynamic and Powerful | Mark 1:9-13

TRADITIONS – SANCTUARY 8:00am – In-Person & Online Message by Dr. Philip McVay Worship Led by Dr. Brad Bradford Lighthouse – O Little Town of Bethlehem Holy Communion Celebration by Rev. Faith Parry and Dr. Philip McVay

CONNECT – FAMILY LIFE CENTER 9:30am – In-Person & Online The SUMC Youth Choir will present Born Is the King Holy Communion Celebrated by Rev. Matt Langford

TRADITIONS – SANCTUARY 11:00am – In-Person & Online Message by Dr. Philip McVay Worship Led by Charlie Curry Chancel Choir – Meant for Holy Scars Lighthouse – O Little Town of Bethlehem Holy Communion Celebration by Rev. Faith Parry and Dr. Philip McVay

FREEDOM SERVICE– FAMILY LIFE CENTER 11:07am – In-Person & Online The SUMC Youth Choir will present Born Is the King Holy Communion Celebrated by Rev. Matt Langford

Philip’s Focus Pumping the Brakes Advent began last Sunday. This is a season to "pump the brakes," pay attention to our heart more and spend quiet time with God. The season of Advent is a time to prepare to experience the birth of Jesus for the first time or another time. Advent is a time to settle down from the craziness, zaniness, and busyness around us and change our focus. May I suggest we all need Advent, especially this year, for at least three reasons? First, we have so much in our lives that changes each year. Second, the spiritual life of our congregation is recalibrated each year TOGETHER. Third, competing expectations all around us want us to speed up and keep up; when we actually need to pump the brakes!

What is the history of Advent, and why do we designate this time each year? Advent is the four Sundays leading up to Christmas Eve each year.

The length of Advent varies depending on the day of the week Christmas Eve falls. This year's Advent is 27 days. In his book, A Primer for Church Worship, Hoyt Hickman writes, "as early as the fourth century, Christians saw that Christmas-Epiphany needed a preparatory season comparable to what Lent was for the Easter cycle. This eventually became Advent as we know it, which begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and continues to sunset on Christmas Eve. The word Advent means 'coming.'

In Advent, the church has celebrated its hope and expectancy in the comings of Christ- past, present, and future."

Why do we still need an Advent? First, a season of Advent is necessary every year to gain perspective of changes of the last twelve months.

Bishop Leeland used to say decorating a Christmas Tree reminds him of all that has changed since the last time the tree was up and adorned. What changes have happened to us over the previous twelve months? Our families? Our circumstances? Our nation and world? The good news of the birth of Jesus is like an anchor to give us reassurance with all the changes of the last year.

Second, experiencing Advent together as a congregation recalibrates us each year as a church family. There is so much that happens in the life of a congregation each year. This year we have seen more of our people come back from the Covid quarantine days of 2020. We still have some members missing from the in-person worship because of health concerns. However, there is a large group of Livestream viewers that are faithful to tune in each Sunday. When we think of all we have been through as a congregation the last twelve months; Advent helps us recalibrate together. Our common spiritual journey of worshipping Jesus, the newborn King, renews our church family.

Third, we need Advent to calm us, slow us, and yes, "tap the brakes" when our lives are out of sorts. I do not need to convince anyone there is a lot of craziness, zaniness, and busyness swirling around us. If it were not for Advent, we likely would think speeding up and doing more and living into unrealistic expectations are all normal. It is not. It is insane! Advent is essential; otherwise, we might not ever "tap the brakes" and reflect.

May all of you find a way to "tap the breaks" this year during Advent and take care of your heart and soul! Hope to see you this week in person or Livestream for week two of Advent!

Shalom, Philip

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

Parry Family Farewell A Basket will be out in the FLC and Narthex until Dec 5th for cards, gifts cards, or notes anyone would like to leave for Faith, AJ and Abigail to thank them for the time and talents they all shared here at Shalimar UMC.

Dec 8th RSVP: 850-651-0721 by noon Tuesday

BBQ Pork Grilled Chicken Pizza

Attendance Nov 28, 2021

In-Person Livestream

Children’s Programs (930\11)

8:00 Service

9:30 Service

11 :00 Service

11:07 Service

31

76

55

93

104

116

58

75

37

Total: 645

Condolences to family and friends of Janice Hall - Nov 27, 2021 (wife of Dave Hall)

Dec 3rd from 12pm to 12am Dec 4th from 8am to 6pm Cross Corner Sanctuary Bring a non-perishable food item for the Bread House and your own snacks. For more info contact Pat Brantley at 850-830-1355.

Join us for our Christmas season events!

Sunday, December 5 Born Is the King Youth Choir Musical 9:30am and 11:07am Family Life Center

Sunday, December 5 Emmanuel Kidz Choir Musical 6:00pm Family Life Center

Sunday, December 12 Festival of Christmas Chancel Choir and Orchestra Musical 8:00am, 9:30am, and 11:00am Sanctuary

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

SUNDAY: 12/5 Student Worship | 5-7pm | FLC Gym Join us for snack supper, games, fellowship, and worship!

WEDNESDAY: 12/8 Small Group | 5-7PM | FLC Gym Join us for worship, discussion, and fellowship!

GET INFORMED: Follow our Facebook and Instagram pages to stay updated on student activities.

Youth@shalimar-umc.org

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

Week 84 Numbers Bags Collected - 230 Bags Given Out - 247 Gift cards Given - 0 Members Served - 339

Total Numbers Bags Collected - 24,583 Bags Given Out - 22,097 (82.8 tons) Gift cards Given - 176 ($7,525) Members Served - 18,353

11 New Families visited this week, representing 42 individuals.

A Great Thanksgiving Week! We started off Monday with a new record of serving 59 families in one day! The previous record was 37. We still had a good day on Wednesday and some on Friday!

Thanks to everyone for their continued support!

Some friendly neighbors dropped off cases of olive oil, which was a pleasant and welcomed surprise!

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

Angel Tree The Angel Tree Christmas campaign will begin Nov 21st-Dec 16th! For those who may not know, the Angel Tree has been a Christmas tradition at Shalimar United Methodist for decades. Through this campaign, our church members graciously give to those families who need assistance in providing for their young children.

This year, the giving campaign will change from years past. Traditionally, a large Christmas tree is placed in the Narthex of the sanctuary and the Family Life Center with Angel Tags that can be adopted and shopped for. Gifts are then returned wrapped for each child.

This year, after input from many areas of our church and congregation, it was decided we need to change the way The Angel Tree program works and responds to needs of our nominated families.

Instead of focusing on the individual child, we want to include the parents and guardians of the children by providing them gift cards from Walmart.

We are asking that our church family donate Walmart gift cards in the amount of $25.00 each. Depending on your budget, you can donate in $25.00 increments. So, if you would like to donate $100.00, you would purchase 4 - $25.00 Walmart gift cards and return them to the Gift Card boxes in the Narthex or in the church office.

At the end of the campaign, we will distribute the gift cards in equal amounts to the nominated families from our own congregation and those who are associated with our church family.

Thank you for your continued support and generosity at Christmas and always!

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

The young adult ministry at Shalimar UMC is tailored for those ages 18 -35. We hope to create a place where you feel welcomed, heard, and reenergized. In whatever stage of life you find yourself, we will have an opportunity for you to find community, be surrounded and supported by others, and walk through life with others. We will have small group Bible study and discussion, worship nights, fun activities and trips, as well as opportunities to make a difference in our community. We hope you will come and be a part.

REVIVE: Join us on Monday nights from 7-8 at the Cross Corner Fellowship Hall for Bible study and discussion. We will go back to our Wesleyan roots and have a time to meet together, listen to one another, pray for each other, and walk through life together.

Dec: 6

COLLECTIVE: Every 2nd Monday night we will meet from 7-8 at Cross Corner for a time of worship. We will have music led by other young adults from our group and Pastor Matt will share a lesson with us. We will have food and activities on this night and provide an avenue to invite new friends to join us and create a more casual environment.

Dec 13

UNITED: United are the times that we will be out in the community either united together having fun or united in service to our community.

Dec 20: Christmas party

Weekly Schedule Sunday, December 5th Worship Times In-Person Traditions Worship ........8:00 & 11:00 am Connect Worship ........................... 9:30 am Freedom Worship ....................... 11:07 am Sunday, December 5th 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 Band Rehearsal ............... 12:30 pm GriefShare ....................................... 3:00 pm Youth Choir ..................................... 4:00 pm Student Worship ............................ 5:00 pm REBOOT Zoom .............................. 5:30 pm Children’s Christmas Musical ...... 6:00 pm Monday, December 6th 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 Tuesday, December 7th Bell Rehearsal ................................. 5:30 pm Freedom Band Rehearsal ............. 6:00 pm Men’s Group ................................... 6:00 pm Prayer Group .................................. 6:00 pm Chancel Choir & Orch Reh ........... 6:30 pm Wednesday, December 8th

Worship Times Online Traditions Worship ........ 8:00 & 11:00 am Connect Worship........................... 9:30 am Freedom Worship....................... 11:07 am Bread House ................................... 9:00 am Library ........................................... 10:00 am Blessings for Children ................ 12:00 pm Fellowship Dinner .......................... 5:00 pm Kidz Club .......................................... 5:30 pm Youth Small Groups ...................... 5:30 pm Awaiting the Already .................... 6:00 pm Christian Friends ........................... 6:00 pm Gloryland ......................................... 6:00 pm Orchestra ........................................ 6:00 pm Rejoice .............................................. 6:00 pm Choir ................................................. 7:00 pm Thursday, December 9th MOPS ............................................... 9:00 am Barn Meeting ................................. 4:00 pm REBOOT ......................................... 5:30 pm Freedom AVL ................................. 5:30 pm Boy Scouts ....................................... 6:00 pm Stephen Ministry Social ................ 6:00 pm Emerald Coast Barber Shop ........ 6:30 pm Friday, December 10th Bread House ................................... 9:00 am Saturday, December 11th Pickleball .......................................... 9:00 am Chancel Choir & Orch Reh ........ 10:00 am