The Notes - December 21, 2017

Volume 47

Issue 50

December 21, 2017

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 tonight, December 21, at 6:00 pm, in the Chapel!

Christmas Eve at VHUMC

We would love for you to join us this Christmas for a powerful evening of worship, prayer, and celebration as we honor the birth of Jesus Christ. Services will be held at a variety of times throughout our campus, so find which time works best for you!

2:00 pm - Candlelight Communion Service | Sanctuary | Children's Choir
4:00 pm - Candlelight Communion Service | Sanctuary | Chancel Choir
4:00 pm - Candlelight Communion Service | Tyson Hall | Ensemble
6:00 pm - Candlelight Communion Service | Sanctuary | New Life Singers
8:00 pm - Chapel Communion Service (30 Minute Service) | Chapel
11:00 pm - Candlelight Communion Service | Sanctuary

This year Christmas Eve is on a Sunday. We will have two services that morning, both at 10:00 am in Tyson Hall and the Sanctuary. There will be no Sunday School. We also will not have services on Christmas day, December 25.

The following Sunday, December 31, we will have one service in the Sanctuary at 10:00 am and no Sunday School.

Church Offices Closed
Our church offices will be closed on Monday, December 25; Tuesday, December 26; and Monday, January 1 for the holidays.

See You Next Year
We will not have a Notes edition next week. Look for your next Notes on Thursday, January 4.

A Special Delivery
VHUMC will once again be delivering goodie bags to the workers at Brookwood Hospital and area police and fire stations on Christmas Eve. We will meet in the Lighthouse lobby at 7:30 pm and ride together to the hospital. This is for all ages, but an adult must accompany anyone under 18. For more information, please contact Jim Frazer ([email protected] / 769-0126).

New Tax Bill and End of Year Giving
People are asking how the new tax bill might impact charitable giving. "Six Ways to Make the New Tax Bill Work for You" (www.bloomberg.com) has some great advice, "This year, beefing up your charitable giving could be even more effective. If your tax rate is falling in 2018, your deductions are more valuable if claimed against this year's income. Giving to charity, a tax deduction that's preserved under the tax bill, is an effective way to boost your 2017 deductions on short notice.

And even if your tax rate is going up next year under the new bill, you may still want to make a bunch of charitable donations in 2017. Most deductions, including the charitable one, can only be claimed if you itemize your tax return. The bill sharply limits the number of taxpayers who benefit from itemizing: First it raises the standard deduction... and second, it limits other deductions-most famously for state and local taxes-so it's harder for taxpayers to reach the threshold where itemizing makes sense."

If you have questions regarding your NEXT pledge or Annual Ministry Budget pledge, please contact John Sweeney ([email protected] / 769-0101). All gifts and pledges received in our mail slot by midnight on December 31 will be processed as 2017 giving.

Gifting Matured Stock
As we find ourselves in the midst of a record stock market, there are simple ways to make a charitable gift of matured stock to the church. Gifting matured stock that has been owned for more than one year can easily be transferred to VHUMC while avoiding any capital gains taxation. End of the year stock transfers are great ways to make payments towards existing pledges or to provide a one-time gift. Matured stock gifts can be used toward both our Annual Budget campaign and our NEXT Capital campaign. For more information, please contact John Sweeney ([email protected] / 769-0101), Director of Stewardship Development, or see our website for how to give stock.

Christmas Day Lunch Celebration
The Christmas Day Lunch at 11:30 am is a holiday meal with fellowship and sharing for anyone who will not be with family on Christmas Day. Turkey, dressing, rolls, and beverages will be provided. Please bring a dish to contribute to the meal. Members and visitors of all ages are invited. Also, if you would like to volunteer in any way please let us know.

Bike Drive for Trips for Kids
VHUMC Missions and Health & Wellness are teaming up after Christmas for a bike drive to benefit Trips for Kids. Please recycle any used bicycles, biking equipment, or biking clothes and donate them at the Lighthouse between Sunday, January 7 and Sunday, January 14. Trips for Kids uses bicycles for lessons in confidence building, achievement, health, fitness, environmental awareness, and simply having fun!

Missions in January
Save the date and join us for our Missions Fair on Wednesday, January 10, from 5-7 pm. This will be a great opportunity to find out more about our internal ministries as well as our mission partners in the community. What a great way to kick off the New Year. Come have dinner and visit with our mission groups. 2018 could be the year that you answer that little nudge of where God is calling you to serve.

Craving a Healthy Lifestyle Change
A new year is upon us and with the beginning of the new year comes the desire to correct unhealthy habits and refocus on a healthy lifestyle. Join the Health, Wellness, and Recreation Ministry for a 7-week bible study that will help lead you closer to God and your weight loss goals. Together we will learn about craving God vs. food in Lysa Terkeurst's "Made to Crave." The study will begin Wednesday, January 10, and continue each week through the end of February. Please contact Megan Drumm ([email protected] / 769-0139) for more information.

Welcome New Members to VHUMC
Please welcome our 12 newest members to VHUMC:

Frank & Marti Buck
Kyle & Katie Duett
Rachel & Bill Flowers
Maggie & Sarah Gann
Ava McPherson
April Phillips
Jeffery Terrell
Okai Tweneboah

As Bill often says, "we are stronger now with these new members than we've ever been!" So, welcome them into the VHUMC family.

Upward Soccer Registration
Upward Soccer is open! The season begins with practices the week of February 26 and games begin Saturday, March 10. Games and practices will take place at Southminster Presbyterian Church. Children in grades K5-4th grade are invited to join in the fun! Registration is $95 before January 15, $105 from January 15-February 13, and $115 after February 13 if space is available. You can register at The Lighthouse or online by clicking the link below. Contact the Miles Erbe at the Lighthouse by phone (205)-769-0134 or email [email protected], with questions or for additional information.

Parents of 6th Grade students, don't forget to register your student for Confirmation 2018! 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. We will hold a parent meeting on Sunday, January 7, at 4:00 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.

Confirmation Mentors Needed
Do you have a passion for working with students and want to help them grow in their faith? Serving as Confirmation mentor might be the right role for you! We are currently seeking Confirmation mentors to serve for the 2018 Spring semester. Confirmation is typically for our 6th grade students and mentors help by facilitating discussions around the topics the clergy will be teaching each Sunday night. If you are interested in serving as a mentor please contact Jeremiah Stone ([email protected])!

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.

Lighthouse Christmas Holiday Hours

Come visit us to play basketball, workout, walk the track, play in the game room, or just hang out. Our holiday hours are posted below. Please call 769-0100 for gym availability.

Thursday, December 21 (6:30 am - 9:00 pm)
Friday, December 22 (7:00 am - 5:00 pm)
Saturday, December 23 (8:00 am - 12:00 pm)

The Lighthouse will be closed Sunday, December 24 through Monday, January 1. We will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, January 2. We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Boomer Bible Study
In the fall of 1960, America was introduced to the town of Mayberry and in many ways, we've never left. When reflecting on The Andy Griffith Show most people say that the show represented a time to which they would like to return. However, even a casual look back at the decade in which the series originated reveals a very turbulent time in the history of our country. We will be watching one episode per week and looking at how it relates to the Bible and what lessons we can learn. The class will meet on Thursdays at 6:30 pm, in room 322, from January 4 - February 8. For more information please contact Jim Frazier ([email protected] / 769-0126). Join us as we find our way back to Mayberry!

Mission Trip to Tanzania
In 2018, VHUMC will partner with Trinity UMC to visit our missionary friends in Tanzania. Last summer we had the privilege of hearing Eric and Liz Soard speak about their efforts and the ways that God has called them to be missionaries in Africa. We will be offering a new mission trip to Tanzania in 2018 to see their work first hand and to work with them in the Geita district. If you are interested in hearing more about this trip, led by Paulette West, please mark your calendars and join us on Sunday, January 21, at 4:00 pm, for an introductory meeting.

Mother and Son Dinner
Come be a part of our Mother and Son Dinner on Thursday, February 8, at 6:00 pm. Tickets are $15 per person. This is an event for 5k through 5th grade boys and their mothers. If you have any questions, contact Anne Strozier ([email protected]). The deadline to register is February 1.

Ongoing Outreach

Food Pantry

The past two months have been busy for the Food Pantry. We gave away 2,880 cans of food and other items to at least 150 families every week. We also used 720 plastic grocery bags every week. Ever wonder what goes on in the food pantry? Come down any Wednesday and check it out.

Oak Mountain Mission

Oak Mountain Mission is closed until January 2, but will welcome your donations after that. Please, no Christmas decorations, toys, or summer clothing. They always need linens, kitchen items, working appliances and furniture. Please call Brenda (685-5757) for pick-up of large items.