Philip’s Focus

Short Month Filled with Events & Ministry Through Shalimar UMC

We have some wonderful plans just ahead for Shalimar UMC. November, December, and now January has been filled with church and ministry highlights. We have had a meaningful time of remembrance of baptism and our saints, we consecrated commitments to move FORWARD into 2023, the most people in Christmas Eve worship since Covid, preaching on the parables of Jesus, a lay leadership orientation, an open house, and three denominational task force gatherings to name a few. The month of February is the shortest month but packed with exciting church and ministry opportunities.

January 30 – February 4 we will have a MISSION TEAM representing our congregation to reestablish some of our relations in Cuba, after a few distancing years from Covid. This team will be reconnecting with the Cuba Bishop and others to continue to build relationships with Methodists in Cuba. The team will also be preparing for future mission trips.

February 5 we will be hearing from our MISSIONARIES during the Sunday School hour. We do not mention them in print by name or location, as they are missionaries in a culture that does not embrace Christianity. We hope you will come and hear them on this special day beginning at 9:30 in the Family Life Center.

CONFIRMATION CLASS begins on February 5. Confirmation is for students in the sixth grade and up. This class will meet during Sunday School at 9:30 AM. The Confirmation Class will be received into membership on March 12th at 11:07.

February 9 Joyful Place will host a SOUPER BOWL lunch at noon. Also, February 14 Valentine’s Day, are Glamour photos sponsored by the Shalimar UMC MOPS group. On February 21, there will be a Mardi Gras Party.

On February 11, our youth will host a VALENTINE’S DAY BANQUET at 6PM. The Banquet will be hosted by students of our youth who want to say “thank you” to our congregation for their support throughout the year. Please make reservations by February 8 and plan to enjoy a free evening of entertainment, great food, and celebrating with your spouse. Nursery care is provided. RSVP on our website, shalimar-umc.org/youthvalentines

February 12 will also be the Super Sub Sale lunch. Our youth choir sells sub-sandwiches on Super Bowl Sunday each year to raise funds for youth choir tour. Tickets are available through February 8 and subs will be sold on that Sunday if there are sandwiches still available.

February 14 will offer something extra special, A GRAND VALENTINE’S NIGHT. With entertainment from a renowned concert pianist, Randall Atcheson. We will also hear about the Stegall Scholarship Foundation and the impact they are making on young seminary students. Dr. Karl Stegall, founder, will also be present for the evening. This special event is free and open to the church and community. You can read more details in Church Life.

Ash Wednesday will be February 22. We will have worship at Noon and 6PM. The gathering begins our 40- day Lenten Journey and is the most intergenerational worship service of the year. Ashes will be imposed for all worshippers.

The I AM sayings of Jesus will be our sermon series focus for Lent. The series begins on February 26. There are six I AM sayings recorded in the Gospel of John. We will teach the Kingdom lessons of Jesus for each one.

On February 28, we will offer a church-wide study for Lent the SEVEN DEADLY SINS. This study will be offered twice each Tuesday at 9AM and 6:30PM. Our pastors will work in tandem during this study.

As you can see February will be filled with church and ministry highlights. Let’s make the shortest month of the year extra special by participating in these opportunities!

Shalom, Philip

Lead Pastor

Dr. Philip McVay

philip@shalimar-umc.org