The Notes - January 5, 2018

Volume 48

Issue 1

January 5, 2018

Serve at VHUMC
What does it mean to serve? For some it's teaching a Sunday School class, for some it's greeting worshipers or serving a hot meal, and for others it's going on a mission trip. At VHUMC, we have many ways to grow in your faith by serving others. Please mark your areas of interest by clicking the link or completing the form in your church bulletin. You will be contacted soon with some next steps.

God has called each of us to serve, so won't you prayerfully consider where you can serve so together, we can minister to our neighbors and experience our Christ-centered lives of purpose? You will be blessed!

The New Year on Sunday Evenings
Come as you are for warm fellowship, fun singing, and a message of hope for the New Year. Butch Williams will preach from Genesis 1:1-5 on "That Which is Good."

Bike Drive for Trips for Kids
VHUMC Missions and Health & Wellness are teaming up 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!

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!

Missions in January
Join us for our Missions Fair next 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 next Wednesday, January 10, and continue each week through the end of February. Please contact Megan Drumm ([email protected] / 769-0139) for more information.

Dragons, Beasts, and Lambs, Oh My

The last book of the Bible is known for its frightening, other-worldly images that often scare people away from its study. "Dragons, Beasts, and Lambs, Oh My!! - What the Book of the Revelation Says About God" will avoid the "end-time" speculative approach, but thrive on the incredible truths in the Revelation: hope against all odds, the prevail of God's Kingdom, the meaning of history, the nature of evil, the fragrant role of prayer, numbers as symbols, and Old Testament images in a new setting. Many of the vibrant images of the book also have a deeper meaning which adds a richness to its study.

Join us for this four-week study, by Rev. Kipp McClurg, starting January 17, on Wednesday evenings, at 6:00 pm.

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 (769-0134 / [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 this 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.

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.

Mission Trip to Tanzania
In the summer of 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 at VHUMC, on Sunday, January 21, at 4:00 pm, in the Small Dining Room, for an introductory meeting.

Church-Wide Assembly
Plan to join us on Sunday, January 21, at 9:45 am to hear about our upcoming renovations, a recap of 2017, and our new plans as a church for 2018.

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. A special thanks to Biohorizons for their recent food drive. Ever wonder what goes on in the food pantry? Come down any Wednesday and check it out.

Oak Mountain Mission

Oak Mountain Mission is open again for donations. No Christmas decorations, toys, or summer clothing, please. They always need linens, kitchen items, working appliances, and furniture. Please call Brenda (685-5757) for pick-up of large items.

Wednesday Night Menu

January 10 - Salad, Beef Tips OR Shrimp Creole, Rice, Steamed Broccoli, Bread,
Ice Cream. Kids: Pizza
January 17 - Salad, Chicken Pot Pie OR Tamale Pie, Broccoli, Roll, Chocolate Cake
January 24 - Biscuit OR Pancakes, Scrambled Eggs, Smoked Sausage OR Bacon, Cheese Grits, Orange Slices. Kids: Pizza
January 31 - Salad, Meat Loaf OR Baked Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, English Peas, Biscuit, Cake. Kids: Chicken Nuggets, Mac & Cheese