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 Magic City Nutcracker
Returning for its fifth year, the Magic City Nutcracker will delight children and adults alike with this heartwarming holiday tale. Our community and volunteer based cast and crew create an annual magical event for Birmingham families to enjoy. Performance dates are this Friday-Sunday. Tickets are $15 for regular seating and $25 for preferred seating.
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NEXT Campaign Update
Our NEXT campaign has graciously received $3,700,227 in pledges. This is incredibly exciting and will allow us to fully replace our failing HVAC systems, which are critical to the ministries of VHUMC. We are thrilled at the commitment, dedication, and ownership that members have for our church home. If you haven't yet made a pledge, it is not too late! The Building Committee meets next week to finalize the full scope of work we are able to achieve based on our pledges. If you are interested in making a pledge toward the NEXT campaign, please do so by noon on Monday, December 4. You can simply click on the link below to make a pledge or contact John Sweeney (
[email protected] / 769-0101), Director of Stewardship Development for more information. Now is the time to be a part of what God is doing NEXT at VHUMC!
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 Angel Tree
VHUMC is once again partnering with Birmingham communities, Inglenook School, South Hampton School, Dream Garden, Aid to Inmate Mothers, and Piper Place by providing for their physical, spiritual and emotional needs at Christmas. You can help by taking an angel from the Christmas trees around the church, writing your name on a green tree ornament, leaving it in the box, then purchasing the items listed on your angel. Items need to be turned into front office unwrapped with the yellow angel by December 10. For more information, please contact Hazel Eddins ([email protected]). |
Student Ministries Parent Meeting
 Please join the Thrive Student Ministry Staff and Council for a Student Ministries Parent Meeting this Sunday, December 3, at 9:45 am, in Tyson Hall or at 5:00 pm, in the Fellowship Hall. This will be a time to discuss our upcoming Christian View of Sex (CVS) program coming up. We feel strongly that parents of students who plan to attend be at this meeting.
We would also like to discuss our summer mission opportunities for our students and the dates of these events. We are excited to get these going and hope that you will be there to learn more about them! |
 Sunday Evening Worship
Join us in the Chapel, at 5:00 pm, this Sunday Evening as Mike Harper preaches on "He Will Never Give Up On You." Also, make plans to join us in Tyson Hall, on December 10, for a very special family Christmas music service at 5:00 pm featuring The Four Docs and our music staff. We'll also have a few surprises for a fun Christmas evening for all ages! |
A Bluegrass Christmas
Join Jim Frazier and Friends as they lead us in some down-home Bluegrass Christmas songs this Sunday, December 3, at 11:00 am, in Tyson Hall. Kipp McClurg will be preaching and communion will be served as we worship God in new and different ways. |
 Join the VHUMC Family
If you are not officially a church member and would like to join, please contact Suzanne Scott-Trammell ([email protected] / 769-0136) to discuss our Informal Joining Service option this Sunday. This is a brief service in the chapel after the 11:00 am worship services end, followed by a quick lunch. Suzanne looks forward to discussing your spiritual development needs and plugging you into the VHUMC community. |
Children's Christmas Concert
Come one, come all! Don't miss more sounds of the season as our Children's Choirs present their annual Christmas Concert on Wednesday, December 6, at 6:00 pm, in the Sanctuary. Admission is free. |
Student Ministry Christmas Breakfast
Our student and mission ministries continue their Christmas tradition with our annual Christmas Student Ministry Breakfast. We will be serving breakfast to families from the Birmingham community on Saturday, December 9. Students and volunteers are invited to come serve breakfast, socialize, share crafts, and help Santa deliver Christmas gifts at VHUMC. If you would like to help, please take a yellow star from the Christmas trees on the youth floor and throughout the church and return with the star to the front office or youth floor by Monday, December 4. For more information, please contact Anna Watts ([email protected]). |
Christmas Flower Memorials and Honorariums
 In celebration of Christmas, the Flower and Altar Guilds will be adorning the worship services with poinsettias and fresh cut greens. You can participate by donating flowers in memory or honor of a loved one for $20. There will be a limited number of poinsettias available to be picked up after the last Christmas Eve service.
If you wish to make a memorial or honorarium tribute, you must contact Margaret Flowers by Monday, December 11. (769-0112 / [email protected]). Order forms will also be available in binders on the desk counter in the church office. |
 Advent Devotional Guides
An annual favorite, this booklet of daily devotions is designed for every family or individual to have a copy. It contains brief readings for each day in Advent, including a passage of Scripture, a short devotion, and a closing prayer. Donald K. McKim leads us along an Advent journey as people who live in darkness and are awaiting God's great light. Day by day, we get closer and closer to the light as we take time to read and reflect on Scripture throughout the Advent season. This calendar of devotions will help us focus on the Incarnation in the midst of so many distractions we face as we prepare for the birth of Christ. |
 Raising Dough for Children
Everyone enjoys homemade cookies! But what if those cookies went to help children? Next Tuesday, December 5, there will be a homemade cookie sale in the Small Dining Room from 4:00 - 8:00 pm. The proceeds of the sale will be going directly to San Jorge and Al-Rantisi Children's Hospitals. For more information on the sale contact Lana Kurtz ([email protected] / 617-233-6330). Come snatch up some of the wonderful cookies that will be for sale. The French, American, Italian, and Middle Eastern cookies will make great gifts. |
 Family Christmas Music Celebration
Come as you are for our 3rd annual Sounds of the Season, a joyous time of community worship through Christmas singing on Sunday, December 10 at 5:00 pm in Tyson Hall. Music will feature performances by The Four Docs and the VHUMC Music Staff, and will also include sing-a-longs! |
 Hilltoppers Meeting
Our next meeting is Tuesday, December 12, at 10:30 am, in the Fellowship Hall. After Class will be performing Christmas music for us. For information or to make a lunch reservation ($6.00) call Harriette Woodring (822-9318) or Margaret Flowers ([email protected] / 769-0112) no later than 11:00 am on Friday, December 8. Please note the price and, if possible, have correct change or an extra dollar bill.
Vestavia Hilltoppers is a VHUMC-sponsored organization for persons of retirement age, which meets each month for lunch and a program. They also sponsor trips and other activities that are publicized at meetings. Guests and new members are welcome. |
Service of Healing and Light
The holly-jolly Christmas atmosphere can be difficult if we are experiencing the recent loss of a loved one or a significant life-changing event. We need the space to acknowledge our grief and hold it up to the light of the Christmas message: God is with us. Come be a part of this very special service on Thursday, December 21, at 6:00 pm, in the Chapel! |
 Run Mercedes with VHUMC
Lace up your running shoes, grab a friend, and join the VHUMC Runners during the Mercedes Marathon Weekend. Runners from the group will be participating in the relay and half marathon on Sunday, February 11. Not interested in running a half marathon? Join or form a marathon relay team. A 5-person running team will cover two 5K legs (3.1 miles), two 10K legs (6.2 miles), and one 12K leg (8 miles). Grab a friend, join a team, and run with us! Training plans, support, and group runs will be provided to each runner beginning on Monday, November 20. No prior running experience is required to join the group! Contact Megan Drumm ([email protected]) for additional details. |
 White Christmas Offering
This Sunday, the first Sunday in Advent, has always been known as the White Christmas offering Sunday in the Methodist Church. It is designated to help the United Methodist Children's Home of Alabama. As you plan to give this year at Advent, please remember all the children you will be helping by donating the first Sunday in Advent. Please mark your check with "White Christmas" or "Children's Home" on the memo line. Join us in one of our traditional services this Sunday for an update on the ministry from a UMCH representative. |
New Sunday Evening Class for Young Professionals
If you're in your 20's-early 30's and looking for a community to serve and learn, please join us at 6:30 pm, this Sunday, December 3, in Room 202. We will hear from eight different Mission Coordinators (homelessness, car needs, cancer support, children's needs, disaster response, food provision, and international missions) about ways to serve. Pizza and drinks will be provided as we learn about these ministries. For more information, please contact Suzanne Scott-Trammell ([email protected] / 253-8025). |
Coming Sunday Morning Events
- December 24 - Both the Traditional and Contemporary services will be at 10:00 am. We will not have Sunday School.
- Christmas Eve services will be at 2:00 and 4:00 (Sanctuary and Tyson); 6:00 & 8:00 (Chapel); and 11:00 (Sanctuary)
- December 31 - We will have one service in the Sanctuary at 10:00 am and no Sunday School.
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Confirmation Registration is Now Open
 January is right around the corner and each new year brings with it new opportunities, adventures, and challenges. One of those opportunities and adventures for our 6th graders is the Confirmation process!
Confirmation 2018 begins on Sunday, January 21, in the Fellowship Hall. Each lesson will be on a Sunday night from 5:00 - 6:30 pm, includes dinner, and is facilitated by one of our clergy members. Click on the link for a schedule of when we will meet. We will hold a parent meeting on Sunday, January 7, at 5:00 pm, in the Fellowship Hall.
Our Confirmation Retreat is scheduled for February 2-3 at Camp Sumatanga. This is truly a transformational retreat where the students learn more about themselves, each other, and the United Methodist faith. The total cost for Confirmation is $115 and includes the retreat, 8 dinners, and a t-shirt. Register online by clicking the link.
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Confirmation Mentors Needed
On January 21 our 6th graders will begin a discernment process of their faith through the journey known as Confirmation. This is a significant event in their life, and we need mentors who will make their journey richer by listening, guiding, and enjoying the process with them. If you are interested in serving as a Confirmation Mentor to walk alongside these 6th graders, please contact Jeremiah Stone ([email protected]). Mentors will lead family group discussions of 6-8 students with another mentor. They are asked to commit to each Sunday night of the Confirmation semester and also participate in one family group outing. Thank you for being a part of our students' lives!
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Giving a Little Extra at Christmas
It is that time of year when our hearts are full and our giving spirit is on overload. You feel that pull of "where else can I give," or "who else can I help." If you want to give a gift for someone in need, or make a donation to one of our mission ministries at the church, or just want to do something nice for someone this time of year, please let us know. The missions' office has several options to continue the spirit of Christmas this holiday season. Please email Rachael Hayes ([email protected]) for more details and how you can help this holiday season. |
 Kindermusik
COA is proud to be offering Kindermusik to the Vestavia community. Kindermusik with Michele & Friends has a passion for educating young families through music! In every Kindermusik class, your child is welcomed into a playful and nurturing environment where they will sing, move, play instruments, and hear stories-all while developing social skills, problem-solving skills, pre-math skills, and a foundation for reading. Our research-based curriculum focuses on whole-child development and helps you understand how your child is developing musically, cognitively, and socially. Kindermusik is the world's leading music and movement program for children birth through pre-instrumental with the 6 years old. Don't miss out on this spectacular program!
Registration opened this week for the winter/spring session. Classes will be held on Sunday afternoons and Monday mornings. Check us out on www.kmwithmichele.com or call 568-6702. |
 December Memory Verse
Our 1st - 5th graders learn a different verse each month, and have the opportunity to recite the verse before or after Sunday School in the elementary office for a sweet treat! December's memory verse is: For a Child has been born for us, a Son given to us (Isaiah 9:6). At the end of the school year we will give a grand prize to one boy and one girl. We hope that these verses help to guide them throughout their lives. |
College Scholarship Opportunity
Dick Kelly Scholarship Fund is one of our Foundation Funds with the purpose of "providing college scholarships for church members." We have developed new guidelines over the past year for giving up to $5,000 total each year. If you are a student or have a student already attending college or entering college next fall, we invite you to submit an application. Applications are available through the link and completed applications should be sent or given to Gary Wyatt ([email protected]). Awards will be based on both merit and need. The deadline for applications is January 10. Donations are also welcome to continue replenishing the fund.
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Extra Safety and Security
Beginning this Sunday, December 3, we have invited a member of the Vestavia Hills Police Department to be here on Sunday mornings and worship with us. We are very excited about our relationship with VHPD and their willingness to partner with us. The extra-duty officer will be in uniform, will park a police vehicle in our parking lot, and will be moving throughout our building during worship and Sunday School. Please greet them and make them feel welcome as you would any guest. |
 Inclement Weather Plans
Before we get our first big cold front, we wanted to remind you of our inclement weather policies. Any time that Vestavia Hills Schools close, our Vestavia Day School, Vestavia Dance, Lighthouse, and Conservatory of the Arts will also close. The Kitchen will also close for breakfast meetings (although lunches and dinners may still be served). In some instances, these church departments may close when schools are still open. If so, all parents will be notified. School closures do not necessarily mean that church services or meetings are cancelled or that the offices are closed. Look for notices of closure by email, on our website, social media, or on local TV stations (ABC, CBS, and NBC). Always use caution and common sense going to and from church. Our Vestavia "Hills" become dangerous quickly with moisture and freezing temperatures. |
Julian Family Recital
The Julian family would like to invite you to their annual Family Recital in the Sanctuary, on Tuesday, December 19, at 7:00 pm. The evening will feature Rachel Julian and Katrina Julian Booth on the organ, Karl Julian on the piano, and Kyle Julian on the French horn. A reception will follow the performance in the church parlor. |
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Gospel Jubilee Singers
This Sunday our Gospel Jubilee Singers will gather in the Chapel at 4:00 pm, before Sunday Evening Worship, to sing some of the great songs of our faith. We hope to see you there!
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Soups and Stories is Coming
Our annual Soup and Stories luncheon with Dolores Hydock will be on Sunday, January 28, at 12:15 pm. If you would like to help, please contact Barbara Porter ([email protected]). Tickets will be sold the first week of January. |
Ongoing Outreach
 Food Pantry
424 turkeys! That's how many the food pantry gave away last week to all of our families for Thanksgiving. Thanks so much to a generous church member who made this happen. Thanks also to Vestavia West and Central schools for the great food drives before Thanksgiving! We are still shelving the cans donated. We certainly appreciate your continued support every year!
Oak Mountain Mission
Oak Mountain Mission is a non-profit mission demonstrating Christ's love by helping clients referred by shelters, social service agencies, and faith-support churches. Everything belongs to God and is provided to clients free of charge. Thank you for your donations. Needed items are linens, kitchen items, new toys for Christmas, and boys' jeans. For furniture pick-up, please call Brenda at OMM (685-5757).
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