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 Clean Out Challenge
Life is a balancing act, and the more stuff we have in our lives the more that can get in the way. This year, as part of our stewardship campaign, we want you to focus on removing the clutter from your life. To help make this step possible we are organizing the best companies and organizations to help take the "stuff" off your hands. On Saturday, October 22, we will have vendors set up in the large parking lot to take electronics, building materials, household items, clothing, and documents needing to be shredded. So, over the next few weeks begin to find the things that clutter your life and set them aside as we make more room for God's abundance. For a full list of vendors and items you can drop off visit www.vhumc.org. |
 Fall Festival
Join us on Sunday, October 16, from 4:00-6:00 pm for another amazing evening filled with family entertainment, food trucks, and fun with the entire community. This year we welcome Eugene's Hot Chicken, Greg's Hot Dogs, iCantina, and Steel City Pops. The parking lot will be filled with train rides, games, inflatables, pony rides, and live music. Admission is free, but we are also collecting school supplies for one of our partner ministries. Please consider a donation as you join this amazing event in the heart of this community. Invite your friends and neighbors to join us as well!
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 Join Us for Sunday Evening Worship
Come as you are and join us for a spirited evening of worship this Sunday, in the Chapel, at 5:00 pm. Butch Williams will preach "Only Ten Percent?" from Luke 17:11-19. On October 16 we will not have worship as we join with our community for the Fall Festival from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm. Bring a friend or neighbor and join us!
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 Defying Gravity
Finding the Spiritual momentum to live above the gravity of our world is no easy task. In the Contemporary Service, we will consider our stewardship by utilizing the book Defying Gravity, by Tom Berlin each Sunday, October 9-30, at 11:00 am, in Tyson Hall. Come consider ways to break from the never-ending financial orbit to which so many in our culture are tethered. |
Serving in September
September was not just about football in Vestavia Hills. It was also about serving others at VHUMC. Our members have such servants' hearts and passion and it really shows each month in missions. That passion was especially strong in September. Our congregation had "hands and feet" in so many areas that we don't have room to list them all. Here are some of the ways you helped:
- 200 - Christmas Shoeboxes completed
- 170 - Flood Buckets completed
- 150 - Families served through our Food Pantry each week
- 120 - People served at Hope Lodge
- 75+ - Served at Church of the Reconciler
- 70 - Women were served dinner at First Light and 36 were served in temporary housing
- 65+ - People served at Children's Harbor
- 45+ - VHUMC members served with Helping Hands in the Hills
- 7 - Children tutored for reading from Hemphill Elementary school (at Urban Kids)
- 4 - Car placements in September
- 4 - Tables filled at Oak Mountain Missions Fundraiser
- $13K+ - Donations to help flood victims
Thank you for your continued willingness to help and serve others not only in the month of September, but always!
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 Kairos Cookies
Each spring and fall, teams of volunteers conduct a Kairos Prison Ministry weekend at William E. Donaldson Correctional Facility. Similar to the Walk to Emmaus, our next weekend will be October 13-16 and we need homemade cookies! The fact that somebody cares enough for them to actually bake them cookies touches the hearts of these men in ways that you cannot believe. We ask that you minimize the use of fruit in the cookies and not bring any "store bought" cookies. Place the cookies in a one-gallon, clear zip-lock bag. No other containers are allowed through the prison security check. Please bring cookies to the church office no later than Wednesday, October 12.
You can also help this ministry effort through prayer. If you would like to pray for this Kairos #64 weekend, a prayer vigil web site (Bamakairos.info) has been established where you can sign up for a particular slot. For more information, contact Mike Patton ([email protected]) or Butch Williams ([email protected]). |
 Fitness Changes That Work
We are excited to continue our "Creating Positive Life Change" wellness series with a night focused on Fitness Changes That Work! Participants of all ages are invited to dress comfortably and join us on October 13, at 6:30 pm, in the VHUMC Lighthouse, where three experienced exercise professionals will discuss and demonstrate fun, easy exercises that work. Paula Windle and Leigh Karagas of Every Girl Fitness will share their expertise on the scientific benefits of exercise, as well as demonstrate and teach exercises that can easily be done outside of the gym and in the comfort of your own home. In addition, long time VHUMC member and current exercise instructor, Barbara Lee, will share her expertise regarding posture, breathing, and balance and how these things can bring about changes to your body and mind.
Join us each Thursday at 6:30 pm as we focus on what it means to truly live a balanced life:
- 10/13 - Fitness Changes That Work with Paula Windle, Barbara Lee, & Leigh Karagas
- 10/20 - Spiritual and Mental Changes That Work with Sheri Ferguson
For more information on each of these classes please visit www.vhumc.org. We look forward to seeing you there! |
 Every Girl Fitness
Don't miss out on our women's group exercise class! Every Girl Fitness is a boot camp style workout for women of all ability levels. Classes begin on Monday, October 10 and run through Wednesday, November 16 on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6-7 pm in the Lighthouse. The cost is $90 for the six-week session. Childcare is available with a reservation. Contact Megan Drumm ([email protected]) for childcare or if you have questions. Sign up by clicking the link below! You don't want to miss this great workout!
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Fasting - What is That Anyway?
Join Stu Enloe, Prayer Coordinator at Church of the Highlands, on Wednesday, October 12, at 6:00 pm in room 202, as he leads us in a discussion on prayer and fasting. Fasting is a biblically-based spiritual discipline that is not often discussed. Let's learn what Jesus says and how to incorporate this discipline into our prayer lives.
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 5-Minute Missions
Join us for our next 5-Minute Missions on Sunday, October 23, during the coffee hour in the Fellowship Hall. We will pack assorted mission bags for Church of the Reconciler, Family Promise, and New Life United Methodist Church in Anniston. This is a great time to come together as a family, small group, Sunday school class, or just yourself and help make a difference in the lives of others in just five minutes. |
 Hilltoppers Meeting
Our next meeting is Tuesday, October 18, at 10:30 am, in the Fellowship Hall. The Gospel Jubilee Singers will be performing for us. For information or to make a lunch reservation ($6.00) contact Frances Cook (822-2013) or Margaret Flowers ([email protected] / 769-0112) no later than 11:00 am on Friday, October 14. 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. |
 Prayer Bracelets
The ministries and missions at VHUMC are undergirded with prayer, so join us in wearing a "Begin with Prayer" band suitable for all ages! Prayer is being emphasized in our Children's Bible Pathways, Youth Prayer Breakfasts, Men's Prayer Breakfasts, and Developing a Life of Prayer series. Come to the office to get prayer bands for yourself and your small group/Sunday school class as a reminder to begin all that we do with prayer and thanksgiving.
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Balanced Parenting In a Wobbly World
 We are once again honored to have Dr. Dale Wisely leading us for three Sundays in October (16, 23, and 30) from 10:00 -10:40 am, in Tyson Hall. This will allow any Sunday School classes joining the discussion to meet first for 15 minutes, or join up at the Coffee Shop.
Dr. Wisely is a Psychologist and Director of Student Services for Mountain Brook High School. He is a person of faith and understands the real-life dilemmas of parents in our community.
- 10/16 - There is Nothing Wrong with the Teenage Brain
- 10/23 - Teens, Underage Drinking, and Drugs: What Parents Can Do
- 10/30 - The Digital World and Your Child
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How Many Ways Can You Pray
For many of us, prayer is an activity that we have done one way most of our lives; however, there are many rich methods of prayer we can learn from Christ followers who have gone before and from traditions different from our own. Join Dr. Kipp McClurg on Sunday, October 9, at 9:45 am, in Tyson Hall to learn about and experience a variety of prayer techniques. |
We Did It
A huge thank you to all the individuals, children, Sunday school classes, Circle groups, and families that helped pack Christmas Shoeboxes for children around the world. We reached our goal of 200 boxes to send to our missionaries and given to children of all ages. It was truly a wonderful thing to see all those shoeboxes coming in daily over the last few weeks, knowing that each one will give a child something special. We had so many groups contribute to this ministry whether it was buying supplies, packing the boxes, shopping for individual children, or helping pay for the shipping costs. VHUMC members really made it happen. Thank you for making a child happy over the holidays! |
 October Memory Verse
Our 1st - 5th graders have a new memory verse for October. It is: "Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long." ~Psalm 25:5
Children can recite the verse in the elementary office before or after Sunday School for a sweet treat and a chance to win a bike at the end of the school year! |
What's Happening in the Day School
 It's hard to believe another month is behind us. We had our annual re-licensing visit this past month and it went very well. Our representative from the state gave our classrooms a perfect report! We are so proud of our teachers and very thankful they choose to share their gifts with the students at Vestavia Day School.
We also had our first fire drill of the school year. We were out of the building and to our safe places in record time! We appreciate the extra helping hands from the clergy and church office staff who assisted the infants and held doors for the preschoolers. As always, you can reach us at 769-0128 if you have any questions or need information on anything related to VDS. |
 Passion Conference 2017
The Passion Conference is around the corner and we could not be more excited about the ability to take 40 high school seniors and college students to Atlanta for this amazing three days of worship. The conference is January 2-4 and the cost is $275. The deadline for registration is November 1. This year we will be staying at the Westin Peachtree Plaza - within walking distance to the Georgia Dome. The Passion speakers are unforgettable and this year we will be breaking out into community groups where our kids will be in small group worship with others from all over the U.S. It is an experience that all will want to be a part of. We have limited space, so register soon.
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Youth Floor Volunteer Opportunities
.jpg) Want to help out and be a part of the youth program at VHUMC? We have many opportunities for all members of our congregation to help our youth with activities, retreats, missions, food, etc. Please click on the link for volunteer opportunities! We are building and would love for you to be a part of it! If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Lovell ([email protected]).
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 Middle School Retreat
Come join us November 18-19 as we go to Camp Lee in Anniston to worship, eat, chill out and enjoy some of the camp activities like the ropes course and zip line. The retreat is open to all current 6th-8th graders. The cost is $130 and the deadline for registration is November 1. We will meet at the church on Friday at 4:00 pm and will return on Saturday around 10:00 pm. To register please click on the link below.
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Second Annual Choral Iron Bowl
 You won't want to miss this! The University of Alabama Singers and the Auburn University Singers are going to have a sing-off at VHUMC. Last year's performance was fantastic and talked about well beyond the event. Come see who wins the preliminary to the real Iron Bowl. The choirs will square off on Sunday, October 23, at 6:30 pm, in the Sanctuary. Make sure to wear your team colors! The winning side raises the most money for our music ministry intern program. |
 Sunday Sermon Podcasts
Each week we publish audio podcasts of the Sunday sermons from our 11:00 am traditional and contemporary services. Every Sunday afternoon they become available and can be very helpful to listen to a service that you missed or to listen again to remember and deepen your understanding of what was said. You can subscribe to our podcasts through iTunes, or visit www.vhumc.org. Contact Nash Osborne if you have questions ([email protected] / 769-0117).
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Finding God in the Movies
Jim Frazier will be leading a 6-week study on Christian themes and Biblical truths that we can find in secular movies. The class will meet at 6:00 pm on Wednesday nights in room 203A.
- 10/19 - The Blind Side
- 10/26 - Frozen
- 11/2 - Shawshank Redemption
- 11/9 - The Wizard of OZ
- 11/16 - Captain America: Civil War
- 11/30 - A Christmas Story
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Sunday Morning Options
Every Sunday morning, we are offering new adult education opportunities during the Sunday School hour (9:45-10:45). Each class will be held in the Tyson Hall.
- 10/2-9 - Developing a Life of Prayer
- 10/16-30 - Balanced Parenting in a Wobbly World
- 11/6 - Facility Improvements Q&A
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 Come Share A Bear
All children are asked to bring a new Teddy Bear for our Fall Mission Project. Please bring the new teddy bear to the 8:30 or 11:00 worship service on November 20. Our teddy bears will be blessed by our ministers before they are donated to children at Children's Harbor and the YMCA. If you have any questions, contact Anne Strozier ([email protected]). |
Mae Mae's Hugs Coming in October
 Mae Mae's Hugs collects and distributes new and gently worn coats to our ministry partners across the state. If you are cleaning out or have coats that are the wrong size, please consider cleaning them and bringing them to the church for this ministry. Or, if you are purchasing new coats please consider purchasing an extra coat for this effort.
During October you can place coats in the large, bright, purple covered boxes around the church. Coats of all sizes are needed for children and youth. You can also make a financial donation by writing a check to the church with "Mae Mae's Hugs" on the memo line. It's our hope that through this ministry, the children in Jefferson County and across the state, can receive winter coats to keep them warm, as if receiving a warm, loving hug from Mae Mae and VHUMC. If you have any questions, please contact Anne Strozier ([email protected] / 769-0127).
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 Upward Basketball and Cheerleading
Upward Basketball and Cheerleading registration is open! The cost is $95 through October 18 and $105 after. K5-4th grade play on Saturdays, and 5th-8th grade play on Friday nights. Practices begin the week of November 14 and games begin Friday, December 2. Games and practices are held at VHUMC in the Lighthouse gym. Sign up by clicking the link below.
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Magical Marketplace is Coming Your Way
 Get a head start on your holiday shopping at our 18th Annual Magical Marketplace on Friday, November 18, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Shop for art, jewelry, baked goods, stationery, clothing, baby gifts, holiday goodies, and much more. Many of your favorite vendors will be joining us and we will also welcome 17 new vendors!! Boxed lunches are available for $7. Proceeds from the sale this year will benefit the Mitchell's Place Scholarship Fund. |
 Memorials and Honorariums
Click on the link below or visit www.vhumc.org to see the memorials and honorariums given last month. Thanks to everyone who has given to help the church in recognition of a loved one.
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Outreach Corner
Food Pantry
Food Pantry still needs plastic grocery bags, preferably doubled. Food items needed are jelly, pancake mix, and syrup. We are able to get spaghetti noodles from the food bank, but always need spaghetti sauce. Thanks to our new volunteers for Wednesday food distributions! We appreciate everyone and their support of our Food Pantry.
Oak Mountains
Oak Mountain Missions will have a truck here at the church for donations on Saturday, October 22 from 9:00 until 12:00. Let's all start cleaning out and be ready for collection day. Children's clothing and adult clothing XXL and larger are needed. No summer clothing at this time. Linens, kitchen items, new or like-new toys, and furniture are needed. No mattresses. Only useable items please.
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Wednesday Night Menu
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Oct. 12 - Salad, Braised Beef Tips OR Turkey a la King, Egg Noodles, Peas, Roll, Brownie. Kids: Chicken Nuggets, Mac & Cheese.
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Oct. 19 - Salad, Orecchiette w/ Bolognese Sauce OR Chicken Alfredo, Sautéed Veggies, Cobbler. Kids: Chicken Nuggets, Mac & Cheese.
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Oct. 26 - Salad, Chicken Parmesan OR Country Fried steak, Egg Noodles, Broccoli Amandine, Bread, Cherry Trifle. Kids: Chicken Nuggets, Mac & Cheese.
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Worship & Music Focus
8:30 am Traditional Service
"What Still Can Be"
Matthew 19:16-26
Bill Brunson
9:45 am Service of Word and Table
"The Other Nine"
Luke 17: 11-19
Butch Williams
11:00 am Traditional Service
"What Still Can Be"
Matthew 19:16-26
Bill Brunson
11:00 am Contemporary Service
"Orbiting Two Suns"
Matthew 19:16-26
Kipp McClurg
5:00 pm Sunday Evening Worship
"Only Ten Percent?"
Luke 17: 11-19
Butch Williams
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Our Time and Resources
Donations this past week
August YTD Summary
Donations
Other Income
Auxilary Ministries Net*
Total Income
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Actual
$55,725
$2,176,694
$144,709
($30,479)
$2,290,924
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Targeted
+$1,725
-$59,979
+$8,449
+$80,864
+$29,334
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(+) Better or (-) worse for the church than our target
* Includes COA, Summer Days, VDS, and Vestavia Dance
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Care and Support
Congratulations, hospitalizations and sympathies |
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Prayer Requests
Careline: 205-822-9336
Weekend or After-Hour Health Emergencies: 205-914-3121
Please be in prayer for the following persons:
Gussie Arnett
Bill Brasher
Margean Brasher
Virginia Crawford
Chris Dibble
David Dixon
Angie Elias
George Gromwell
Sharon Gromwell
Kendra Haddock
Charlotte Hamilton
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Charlotte Hamilton
Donald Hamilton
Fay Harbin
Larry Hill
Tommy Holmes
Ed Meloy
Mary Morgan
Paul Noto
Mary Owens
Bill Phillips
Jonah Pruitt
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Jim Sanders
Diane Sausen
Sandra Sims
Stan Sims
Dr. Charles Smith
Laura Smith
Betty Talley
Holly Tenison
Sarah Williams
Wallace Williams
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In an effort to keep the prayer request list current, names will be listed for two weeks unless we are otherwise notified. VHUMC will not publish the names and/or concerns of persons known to be minors (18 years of age or younger) without the permission of said minor's legal guardian. Thank you.
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