The Notes - February 8, 2018

Volume 48

Issue 6

February 8, 2018

Masquerade Missions Fundraiser

There are still tickets available for our annual Student Ministries fundraiser tomorrow night, February 9! We will be off-site at Park Crest from 7-10 pm. There will be live music by Month of Sundays, hors d'oeuvres and desserts, and a live and silent auction. You will want to be there! Tickets are $50 per person and are available by clicking the link!

Can't attend and still want to contribute? Use the ticket link to give an online donation. Don't forget that this is all to support the mission trips and projects for the students of
Thrive Student Ministries. For more information,
please contact Emily Boles ([email protected]).

Fat Tuesday Celebration
Everyone is invited as VHUMC hosts our fifth annual Fat Tuesday Celebration next Tuesday, February 13, starting at 6:00 pm, in the Fellowship Hall. We'll have pancakes, bacon, King Cakes, and some really hot jazz by the Vestavia Hills High School Jazz Band directed by Jerell Horton. There will not be a cook-off this year - just a lot of fun for your whole family! Tickets are $5 at the door ($20 family max). For questions or more information email Quint Harris ([email protected]).

Ash Wednesday is February 14
Through the centuries, Christians have prepared for Easter with spiritual practices and a recommitment to the journey of faith. We call this forty-day season of preparation, Lent - a time of growing in our faith through repentance, fellowship, prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Some Christians mark the Lenten season by giving up a specific food or activity, and replacing it with something that draws them closer to God. Regardless of one's Lenten practices, the season of Lent is designed to help believers better understand God's redemptive act in Jesus Christ.

Ash Wednesday, February 14, is the official beginning of Lent. On this day of penitence, the ashes are placed in the sign of the cross on your forehead or your hand, reminding us that as Christians we die in Christ and will be saved by His amazing grace. We have three options to give you the opportunity to begin the Lenten season just as Christians have done for centuries and receive the sign of the cross.

Drive-Thru Imposition of the Ashes in the main church parking lot - Anytime between 6-8 am
"Come and Go" Imposition of the Ashes in the Rutland-Memorial Chapel - Anytime between 7-8 am
Ash Wednesday Worship Service in the Sanctuary - 6:00 pm

Drive-Thru on Ash Wednesday

Make sure to come by for Parking Lot Prayers and Ashes from 6:00 - 8:00 amon Ash Wednesday (February 14).
Rain or shine, two clergy members will bestationed in the VHUMC west parking lot, offering to drivers and pedestrians the traditional impositionof ashes and blessing. If a recipient does not want to receive the ashes, a prayer of blessing will be joyfully offered. Tell your friends and neighbors - all are welcome to drive thru that morning!

Sunday Evening Worship
We are excited to have John Sweeney (M.Div., Duke University) join us this Sunday Evening, at 5:00 pm, in the Rutland-Memorial Chapel. John will lead us on Transfiguration Sunday with his sermon, "You Have to Come Back Down the Mountain."

Six Great Sunday Evenings of Lenten Preaching
Come as you are and join us for greatpreaching,spiritedsinging,and warm fellowship as we journey together through the Sundays during the season of Lent.

February 18 - Kipp McClurg

February 25 - Ted Leach (with Friar, the service dog)

March 3 - Mickey Morgan

March 11 - Bill Bostick
March 18 - Sherry Harris
March 25 - Bill Brunson

Choral Iron Bowl Success

Thank you to everyone who attended or participated in the 3rd Annual Choral Iron Bowl on Tuesday, January 30. The event was a huge success with both University of Alabama and Auburn University Choirs participating, along with our friends from Unless U and the Mt. Brook High School Chamber Choir. The event raised over $3,000 for Unless U and our VHUMC Music Ministries. The winner of this year's Choral Iron Bowl was the Auburn Tigers and gives AU the 2-1 historical edge over the Crimson Tide. Look for information about the next Iron Bowl in the future and make your plans to attend.

Come Be a Part of a Vibrant Community!

At VHUMC, we want every person to experience their Christ-centered life of purpose. We also hope you will call to ask ways to connect and/or join our church family. We have an informal service this Sunday, February 11, where you can join in the chapel at 12:15 pm. We also have a list of activities from which you can choose to get involved. Either way, we are glad you're here and want to help you grow with us! Contact Suzanne Scott-Trammell for more details ([email protected] / 769-0136).

Rise Against Hunger-Save the Date

The planning is underway for our 4th Annual Rise Against Hunger event. Please save the dates for our community wide meal packing event scheduled for April 15-17, 2018. The registration site will be up in a few weeks. Make your plans now to join VHUMC and others for this fun three-day event to stop hunger in our lifetime.

Children's Sunday

It was remarkable to hear God's message about love and acceptance from our elementary children last Sunday. Thank you to all who joined us in our 8:30 or 11:00 traditional worship services. May we all be of the same mind that was in Christ Jesus!

A Year of Faith and Faithfulness
I am excited and privileged to be the new Chairman of our Finance Committee. We pledge to keep working hard to make sound financial decisions with your donations and continue being transparent in our reports. I am also pleased to report that we are in a solid financial position as we step out in faith with a major construction project.

As we start the first full year of giving for the NEXT Campaign, we know there will be some confusion between giving and pledging to both the Annual Budget and NEXT. We are excited about all of the 2017 year-end giving for NEXT, but our donations to the Annual Budget were $176,110 short of our December budget. Also, the number of pledges for the Annual Budget is still far below what we received for 2017. We are making needed adjustments, but thought you should know.

Year after year, your faithfulness in giving to VHUMC is what allows us to minister to so many people in so many ways. Let's all work together in 2018 to make it another strong year of ministry and growth for our congregation.

In addition to Gary, Natalie, and John, you can contact me at any time if you have questions or concerns about our finances ([email protected]).

William Hocutt, Finance Committee Chairman

Aid to Inmate Mothers
Did you know there are dedicated volunteers that drive children and caregivers to the prison to visit their mothers who are incarcerated? VHUMC has worked with Aid to Inmate Mothers (AIM) for many years to help fulfill their mission of providing services to Alabama's incarcerated women with an emphasis on enhancing personal growth and strengthening the bonds between inmate mothers and their children.

Suzanne Holmes has been serving this ministry for over eight years! She is moving on to other things and we want to say thanks to Suzanne for the numerous Saturday hours she has given to this cause. Lisa Holloway has also faithfully given of her time and dedication to minister to these mom's. Lisa will be continuing in this effort.

AIM needs more volunteers and would welcome your help. If you would like to know more about AIM, please contact Rachael Hayes ([email protected]).

Not Too Late for Tanzania Mission Trip

The Tanzania mission team is currently recruiting interested

members to serve on this team for our trip June 15-June 30. This is a combined partnership trip with Trinity UMC to work in Tanzania with our missionaries, Liz and Eric Soard. Team meetings are being held once a month alternating between Trinity and VHUMC. Our next team meeting will be at VHUMC on March 11, at 4:00 pm, in the Small Dining room. The application deadline and deposit are due on February 25. If you are interested in going on this trip, there is scholarship money available. Please contact Rachael Hayes for more information ([email protected]).

Hilltoppers Meeting

Our next meeting is Tuesday, February 20, at 10:30 am, in the Fellowship Hall. The Gospel Jubilee Singers will be performing old time gospel music for us. For information or to make a lunch reservation ($6.00) call Harriette Woodring at 822-9318 or Margaret Flowers at 769-0112 or [email protected] no later than 11 am on Friday, February 16. 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.

Unhitching from the Crazy Train

You have a picture of how life should go. We all do. The

dream job. Close friendships. Loving, grateful children. A perfect marriage. But more often than not, life doesn't go according to plan. So, we corral and control, determined to make our picture come true. Our emotional, spiritual, and even physical wellbeing are taken for a crazy ride as our very sanity becomes dependent on how closely reality matches our expectations. No wonder we're exhausted. We're hitched to the crazy train, and we want to get off. But how?

Counselor and teacher Julie Sparkman taught this seminar recently at VHUMC. The book, "Unhitching from the Crazy Train: Finding Rest in a World You Can't Control," has just been printed and is available in our church office for $16.

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!

Summer Art Workshop
This is a wonderful way to explore art this summer for people of all ages. We will meet July 23-27 from 2:00 - 3:30 pm each day for painting, sketching, sculpting, canvas painting, and other art forms. It will be great fun with lots of artwork to take home at the end of the week. The cost is $110 for the week. Register online by clicking the link.

Summer Piano Camp

Our 2018 COA Piano Camp will be June 18-22 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm each day. It will be a fun week of learning with a chance to explore ensemble time with other students, computer theory fun, guest artists, and individual time each day with a teacher. This camp is for all ages and levels of study. Registration is $230 and is available by clicking the link.

Passion Trip

The high school seniors and college ministry had a great time attending the Passion student conference in Atlanta, Georgia over Christmas break. They joined 55,000 other students to praise God and grow in their faith together.

Daddy Daughter Dance

Our Daddy Daughter Dance is coming up Sunday, February 25,

from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, in the Lighthouse gym. The cost is $25 per couple ($5 per additional daughter). This is an event for 4k through 5th grade girls and their fathers. If you have any questions contact Anne Strozier ( [email protected]) .

Upward Soccer Registration
Register your young athlete for Upward Soccer this Spring! 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 $105 through February 13, and $115 after February 13 if space is available. You can register at The Lighthouse or online by clicking the link. Contact Miles Erbe (769-0134 / [email protected]) with questions or for additional information.

February 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! February's memory verse is: And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. ~1 Thessalonians 3:12

What's Happening in the Day School

The Vestavia Day School is currently registering children for Part-Time Children's Day Out. For children ages 18 to 36 months (by September 1) the program is from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm, MWF. For children ages 3-5 years old (by September 1) the program is from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm either MWF or Monday-Friday. Please call 769-0128 to find out more information.

Call in registration for our After School Program will begin on Tuesday, February 13 at 6 pm. Please call 769-0129 and leave the following information on the voicemail: Name, contact phone number, child's name and date of birth, grade and school they will be entering this coming August. Any open spots will be filled by the time stamp of the message.

Whale of a Sale Volunteers Needed

Vestavia Day School is one of the strongest outreach ministries of the church and they need our help. The Whale of a Sale, the school's only fundraiser, is coming up and in need of volunteers. This is a great opportunity for you, your friends, or your Sunday School group to serve our church and community.

Please check your calendars and see if you have two hours free on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, February 21, 22, or 23. Sign up and enjoy sorting and organizing clothing and toys for the sale. And, all volunteers get an early shopping pass at 1:30 pm on Thursday, February 22, before the sale opens to the public! If you don't have time to spare, please consider donating a treat to the hospitality room! If you are interested in helping, email us at [email protected] or visit the link below and select a time and day that works for you!

Lenten Boomer Bible Study
The Boomer Bible study that meets on Thursday nights at 6:30 pm will be studying Adam Hamilton's "24 Hours that Changed the World" beginning February 15. We meet in room 203. For more information please contact Jim Frazier ([email protected] / 769-0126).

Growing Pains: Renovating for Our Future

Demolition is almost complete in Tyson Hall and we got our building permit this week so construction can officially start. We have moved some programming out of the first floor below Tyson Hall where construction on the new HVAC pipes has started.

The Contemporary Service will continue worshiping in the Fellowship Hall or the Gym until Tyson Hall renovations are complete. The Sanctuary Services will also be moving to the Fellowship Hall or the Gym in May or June.

We will give you a "heads up" here for any upcoming programming moves. We do have a lot of construction workers on the premises now, so use caution as you move around the building.

Ongoing Outreach

Food Pantry

Food pantry would love to have fresh items: apples, oranges, potatoes, carrots, etc. Our families appreciate those since we have no farmers market until spring. We receive salad items from Sprouts each Monday and Wednesday. Thank you to Cahaba Heights Elementary for the wonderful food drive last week.

Oak Mountain Mission

Oak Mountain Mission needs volunteers! Retired? Looking for a one day a week commitment? Men are needed to help unload donations and bring out carts of groceries. Ladies are needed to help pack groceries and help families with clothing, linens, and toiletries. The hours are Monday through Thursday 8:30 am until 1:00 pm. Give them a visit and check it out. 685-5757.