The Notes - June 22, 2017

Volume 47

Issue 25

June 22, 2017

"Life, Love, & Laughter"
Our summer theatre production, which was formerly produced by The Parable Players, is presented this weekend by The Conservatory of the Arts. You will enjoy "Life, Love, and Laughter" - a compilation of three one-act plays that embody the ups and downs of everyday life. Join us this Friday or Saturday night, June 23 and 24, at 7:00 pm, in Tyson Hall. Tickets are available by clicking the link or at the door each evening. For more information, contact Sandy Draper ([email protected]).

VBC Was Amazing
We had a fantastic Vacation Bible Camp last week! 507 children attended our "Hero Central" where we learned that we can all be heroes through God. Thank you to the 116 adults and 129 youth who volunteered in many ways throughout the week. We raised $2,500 for our local heroes at the Vestavia Hills Police and Fire Departments and filled eight shopping carts with food for our food pantry. We also had a wonderful time watching many of the children perform songs in worship last Sunday. Thank you to all of you who contribute to our yearly budget and make VBC possible each year!

Coffee with the Pastors
Everyone is invited to interact with our pastors, learn about our church, and hear how to become more involved and engaged in our community this Sunday, June 25, at 9:45 am, in the Fellowship Hall. Please contact Suzanne Scott-Trammell ([email protected]) with any questions.

Join Us for 5-Minute Missions
Our next 5-Minute Missions is this Sunday, June 25, during the coffee hour. We will be packing bags for three of our mission partners: Hope Lodge, Piper Place and Oak Mountain Missions. Grab your friends, SS class and a cup of coffee and join us for a few minutes to help others in need.

Informal Joining and Welcoming Service

We are hosting an informal joining and welcoming service this Sunday, June 25, at 12:15 pm, in the Chapel. We hope you have found our church to be place you would call "home." We also hope you will become active in our ministries - growing in and giving back from the gifts and love that you've been given. This is a brief service in the Chapel, followed by lunch in the Fellowship Hall. Please contact Suzanne Scott-Trammell ([email protected]) if you're interested or have questions.

Sunday Evening Worship

Do you love si nging the old Methodist hymns? Do you enjoy the small church feel of a Sunday evening worship service? Come to the Chapel at 5:00 pm for an uplifting time of fello wship, singing, and preaching! This week Butch Williams will preach . M ark your calendars for a special July 2 evening with our Senior Pastor, Bill Brunson.

Three On A String Next Sunday

Join us in worship on Sunday, July 2, as Three-On-A-String leads us at both the 8:30 and 11:00 am traditional services. This year they will vary their program just a bit and include members of our own music ministry. You won't want to miss this exciting Sunday in the life of our church. During the Sunday School hour there will be a combined class taught by Bill Brunson in the chapel for adults and any others.

Car Ministry Needs
Our VHUMC Car Ministry, founded by Ashley Curry, has been serving the Birmingham community for seven years. With 12 members on our team plus three wonderful mechanics, we gave away or repaired 38 cars in 2016 and have already repaired or placed 20 cars in 2017! This is a vital and growing ministry whose goal is to help the "working poor" and we need your help.

We have almost 30 working families who are currently walking, taking the bus, or begging rides to get to work, school, doctor appointments. or church. Those on our waiting list are praying for just the right car to change their circumstance. Could you prayerfully consider donating that extra car sitting in your driveway and/or telling your family and friends about how their extra car can help this ministry? Every dollar given to the Car Ministry goes directly to buying or repairing a car for one of our carefully vetted applicants. If you can help, call VHUMC's Missions Office at 769-0143.

July 2nd Sunday School
On Sunday, July 2, we will not have Sunday School for preschool, elementary or youth. Your children are all invited to join us in a combined family lesson on "Methodism 101" - fun and entertaining stories about our denomination, in the Chapel. Nursery care will be provided. Adult Sunday Schools will meet as usual, but the "Methodism 101" combined option is also available. Enjoy your 4th of July holiday weekend!

Lighthouse Closed
The Lighthouse gym floors will be resurfaced beginning Friday, June 30. Due to the lengthy process of stripping, sanding, and resurfacing the floors, (and the fumes) the entire building will be closed June 30-July 9. We apologize for the inconvenience, but look forward to sharing the new floors with you! Please contact Megan Drumm ([email protected]) or Melinda Burnett ([email protected]) with any questions.

Parents Night Out Registration
Parents Night Out is a laity-led ministry designed to enrich the marriages of couples with children (ages 3 months through 5th grade) by providing a loving, safe, and fun-filled time for their children while the parents enjoy an evening out together. It's families helping families grow stronger. We are currently accepting registrations for a few more families for the 2017-18 school year. For more information, email Julie Bray ([email protected]).

What's Happening in the Day School

VDS just kicked off our annual summer outreach project supporting the Greater Birmingham Humane Society. We are collecting newspaper, food, old towels/blankets, toys, etc. through Thursday, July 27. Our four and five-year-old students will deliver all the donations and take a tour of the GBHS facility on Friday, July 28. We have collection boxes outside the Day School office, near the Church front office, in Tyson lobby, and in the Lighthouse lobby. Please consider contributing. Thank you!

I Love America Day
Come join us on Thursday, June 29, at Wald Park for this fun community event at 6:00 pm! VHUMC coordinates the children and youth area with inflatables and games. We need more volunteers to work a one- or two-hour shift. Then, enjoy the time walking around, sampling food, listening to music, and interacting with our community. For more information or to sign up for a shift, contact Suzanne Scott-Trammell ([email protected]).

Meet Our Missionary from Tanzania

On Sunday, July 9, we have the privilege of having one of our missionaries speak during the Sunday School hour in Tyson Hall. Eric Soard is a United Methodist missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries assigned along with his wife, Elizabeth, as a church planter and discipleship trainer in the Mara Region of Tanzania. Mark your calendars and come hear about their exciting mission work.

Greater Birmingham Ministries
Greater Birmingham Ministries' TGIF (Thank Goodness I'm Fed) summer food program for children and youth, received 175 lunches this week from VHUMC's Grace Class. Volunteers gathered together each morning to make, pack, and deliver lunches. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, the lunches were delivered to Adelante' Alabama Worker Center. On Tuesday and Thursday, we provided 150 lunches for children/youth at Gwen Elementary School (a camp experience). Our volunteers were able to meet the staff and children, and distribute lunches at each site. Many thanks to everyone who prepared lunches, delivered and served them, or made a financial donation to be the hands and feet of Christ this past week.

Summer Bootcamp with Every Girl Fitness
Stay in shape this summer and join Every Girl Fitness for a summer bootcamp! Classes are held in the Lighthouse gym Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6:00-7:00 pm. The bootcamp runs through August 11 (except when the building is closed June 30-July 9). For more information visit the link below.

Summer HIIT Exercise Class
Join group exercise instructor, Jordan Singletary, for a high intensity interval training (HIIT) class in the Lighthouse gym on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, from 5:30-6:30 pm. The class will not meet when the building is closed June 30-July 9 or on July 25. The cost is $5/class. Contact Megan Drumm ([email protected] / 769-0139) for additional details.

UAB Football Faith Day
UAB Football is back! The UAB Athletics Program is putting on a Faith Day in which local churches are encouraged to come together and enjoy a game at a discounted group price on Saturday, November 25 when UAB will face off against UTEP! Please email Miles Erbe ([email protected]) if you are interested so we can order tickets together.

Upward Flag Football and Cheerleading

Register now for Upward flag football and cheerleading! The season begins with practices the week of September 4 and games begin Saturday, September 16. Games and practices will take place at Southminster Presbyterian Church in Vestavia. Children grades K5-4th are invited to join in the fun! Registration is $105 until August 22. Late Registration is $115. Flag football jersey and shorts or cheerleading outfits are included. You can register at The Lighthouse or online by clicking the link. Contact the Lighthouse (822-9631), with questions or for additional information.

COA Summer Events

Kindermusik

Kindermusik is Here! Summer is a great time to bring your infants and toddlers to Kindermusik classes. While our June classes are in full swing, we still have a few openings for our July classes which will be held in the late afternoon so even the dads can get involved! Sign up now for July classes ($63) or Fall classes which begin in mid-August! Click the link below for more information or to register.

Photography Class

Photography Class Need help learning to take better travel photos? Would you like to learn how to compose better family pictures? Don't lose out on these awesome memories with bad pictures! Enroll in our Photography Class taught over five consecutive Thursday evenings beginning July 13. Bring a family member or friend as well! Click the link to register or for more information.

Summer Grand Camps
If you have a grandchild between the ages of 4 to 9-years-old, then you need to consider taking them to Camp Sumatanga this summer. Jim Frazier will be leading two Grand Camps July 9-11 and July 12-14. You will have the chance to spend quality time with your grandchild while you swim, ride horses, hike, canoe, fish, make crafts, and sing songs around the campfire. Click on the link to register or call 256-538-9860.

BSC Service Canceled
The tribute service in honor of Dr. Ralph M. Tanner, Birmingham-Southern College alumnus and former president, which was scheduled for 1:00 pm tomorrow, June 23, has been cancelled due to family illness and impending weather.

Ongoing Outreach

Food Pantry

A huge thanks to the girls of VHHS Girl Scout Troop 419 who came and worked in our pantry. Thanks also to all the VBC children who brought food every day and filled eight grocery carts with cans, jars and boxes! We still need tote bags to use for our fresh items for our families each week.

Oak Mountain Mission

Oak Mountain Mission desperately needs furniture to be given to families who have lost their homes due to fires, floods, or loss of jobs. Please call Brenda at 685-5757 to arrange a pick-up. They are open Monday - Thursday from 8:30 am - 1:00 pm.