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Providing for Those Who are NEXT
As a church community, we are blessed to experience life together. Our church home provides a unique place to collectively celebrate in the birth and baptism of a child, experience the children's choir and confirmation, watch mission trip slide shows, celebrate graduations, weep at beautiful weddings, pray through the good times and the bad, hold each other when we lose a loved one, and experience countless other moments of life together.
Our church home provides a place to experience life together. We gravitate to a certain seat in a worship space, we refer to "our Sunday School room," we visit the niche or a loved one entombed in our Columbarium. Our collective life takes place in the home that God has provided for us at VHUMC. Now we have a moment within our life that we are called to step forward and take care of that home.
We know the founders of VHUMC prayed for the future of this church. As they sketched the plans for the Sanctuary, they hoped for the collective life to share in this worship space for decades to come. During this NEXT campaign, we have the opportunity to join their voices in hoping for decades of lives to be lived collectively in these sacred spaces. We add our hopes and dreams to theirs for VHUMC's future. Your participation in the NEXT campaign promises a future just as those promised for us 65 years ago.
As you prayerfully consider your contribution to the NEXT campaign, we hope you see it as another opportunity for all of us to again experience life together. We can create a solid future for the home that was provided for us.
Please join us on November 19 for our Commitment Sunday - an opportunity to bring our pledges forward to honor God who has provided for us. If you are unable to join us, you may click the link to make a pledge to both the NEXT campaign and the annual ministry budget.
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Our NEXT Prayer Walk
As our church family continues with our NEXT campaign, we lift our prayers as we each consider how our giving can change the facilities that we all enjoy. Join us this Sunday, November 12, for a church wide Prayer Walk beginning in the Fellowship Hall, immediately following the 11:00 services. We will walk through the building together, taking time to pray at major points for God's good work to continue. |
Halloween Candy for Veterans Day
 Our Student Ministry is asking everyone to bring leftover Halloween candy to the church by 10:00 am tomorrow, November 10. Our students will be assembling baskets of candy for nurses and doctors at the VA as a part of their Veterans Day Mission Project. Bring any unopened candy and place it in the receptacles at various church entrances.
If your student would like to participate tomorrow, we will meet at the church, in the Fellowship Hall, at 10:00 am. We will also be making cards for veterans. Afterwards, we will walk to Moe's to eat lunch. |
 Magical Marketplace
Magical Marketplace is coming November 17 with great selections from over 80 vendors (including some of your favorites from years past and 17 new vendors)! This is a wonderful time to come shop for all of your Christmas gifts.
This year our proceeds will assist Unless U. Unless U is committed to serving adults with developmental disabilities and their families through continuing education, life skills, and social skills. Their services create an environment that promotes independence. The students of Unless U will even be sponsoring a booth themselves with their beautiful items for sale and providing workers throughout the day!
Unless U has been leasing space from Shades Mountain Baptist for the past three years and is working toward their own building so the organization can grow and flourish! Donations from this event will go towards making that dream a reality.
We will also feature a wonderful bake sale and we would love to have your specialty items to sell. If you are able to help us by baking cakes, cookies, pies, or any other specialty goody, we would love to benefit from your skills and tasty creations. Baked items can be dropped off anytime on Thursday, November 16, in the front office. |
 Sunday Evening Worship
Butch Williams will lead us this Sunday evening in the Rutland-Memorial Chapel at 5:00 pm, so come as you are and share in a joyous time of worship, singing, and fellowship! Also, mark your calendars for November 19, when Sherry Harris will be preaching. |
 Preparing for Retirement Class
On Wednesday, November 15, we will be hosting a Preparing for Retirement class at 6:00 pm in room 206. This class will help you better understand your options for housing and home care, make you aware of legal must-haves to eliminate expenses, and the steps you need to take now regarding your finances. Charlie Carlton, from the North Alabama Conference, will lead the class. |
 3rd Annual Madrigal Dinner
Don't miss our feasting and hilarity, our music and our revelry, at our 3rd Annual VHUMC Madrigal Dinner. Our New Life Singers (youth choir) will be in full costume and full of clever comedy as we visit a 16th century castle for food, fun, and frolicking. The dinner will be on Sunday, November 26, at 6:30 pm, in Tyson Hall. Tickets are available online by clicking the link, at the church office, or via a New Life Singer. The deadline to purchase tickets is Monday, November 20. For more information please contact Quint Harris ([email protected] / 769-0114).
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 Share A Bear Sunday
Come share a bear! All children are invited 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 19. Our bears will be blessed during the children's moment and then given to children at Children's Harbor, Jessie's Place, and Safehouse. For more information, contact Anne Strozier ([email protected]). |
 Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party
Please join us on Sunday, November 19, from 2:30-4:30 pm, in the Fellowship Hall, for a fun filled event for boys and girls. Enjoy goodies and activities and meet members of the Magic City Nutcracker cast. You can also bid on auction items such as a years' tuition for one child at Vestavia Dance, a two-bedroom condo in Orange Beach for a week, or a three-night stay in a Walt Disney World resort. You must be present to win. Tickets are $20 at the door. |
Family Advent Workshop
We invite families with children ages 3k - 5th grade to join us Wednesday, November 29, from 6-7 pm in Tyson Hall for our Family Advent Workshop. We will be making a Jesse Tree craft! During Advent, families will use this tree along with scripture, stories, and ornaments to take a trip through the Bible that will point to the birth of Jesus Christ.
Please register your family online by clicking the link. Supplies are limited, so don't wait to register! The cost is $15 per family for this event. Contact Anne Strozier ([email protected]) for more information.
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Live2Lead Success
Last Thursday VHUMC and the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce co-hosted Live2Lead, a leadership simulcast with internationally renowned leadership experts. Of the 74 attendees in the Fellowship Hall, 62 were new to VHUMC, so the outreach was tremendous! Thanks to all of you who helped make the event possible and to Panera Bread who provided bagels and lunches. |
5- Minute Missions Thank You
Thanks to everyone who contributed school supplies at the Fall Festival. We were able to pack 100 bags with the donations we received to send to children who were recently affected by hurricanes. Our bags will go to the UMCOR disaster relief warehouse where they will be distributed to the areas of greatest need. Excess items will also be donated to our mission partners who help with tutoring. Once again, thank you VHUMC for your continued generosity and support of our mission efforts. |
A Strong Financial Perspective
I am happy to report that the church had a very good third quarter financially. Contributions exceeded our budget goals and expenses are well within budget. With a surplus in all four auxiliary ministries, we finished the quarter with an overall church surplus of $53,668.
Along with a strong balance sheet, this puts us in a great position to start our NEXT Capital Campaign concurrent with our annual General Fund Stewardship Campaign. It is exciting to think of all we can do as a church when our financial position is strong.
I would ask you to keep us strong with generous giving through the end of 2017, a faithful pledge to our General Fund for 2018, and a three-year NEXT pledge to help make critical improvements to our church home. Thank you for your commitment to our church and its ministries through your time, energy and resources. Together this congregation can continue to do amazing things to positively impact our community and our world.
Jim Harper, Finance Committee Chairman |
 November Blood Drive
A small gift can move mountains! A gift of a blood donation can save three lives. Give this gift to others on Sunday, November 19, from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm, in the Fellowship Hall. You can schedule an appointment by following the link or simply show up. Contact Megan Drumm ([email protected]) for more information or questions. We look forward to seeing you there!
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Annual Charge Conference
On November 15, at 6:00 pm, we will have our Church Council meeting in room 323. In this meeting, we will hear reports from the various ministry areas of our church. We will also hold our annual charge conference to submit all of the paperwork and reports required by the North Alabama Conference. |
 Angel Tree
VHUMC will once again partner with Birmingham communities, Inglenook School, South Hampton School, Dream Garden, Aid to Inmate Mothers, and Piper Place by providing for their physical, spiritual and emotional needs at Christmas. You can help by taking an angel from the Christmas trees on November 19, writing your name on a green tree ornament, leaving it in the box, then purchasing the items listed on your angel. Items need to be turned into front office unwrapped with the yellow angel by December 10. For more information, please contact Hazel Eddins ([email protected]). |
 What's Happening in the Day School
VDS will be hosting its fall Scholastic Book Fair next week, November 13-17, in the preschool wing. Come shop for books daily from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm with extended hours Wednesday night to 7:30 pm. You can also on-line (for both children's and adult titles) November 8-28. Go to www.scholastic.com/fair and follow the prompts to access Vestavia Day School. VDS will receive 50% of the proceeds in books for our VDS classes and the VHUMC libraries. |
 Tablescapes with a Twist
It is November! Are you already thinking about the busy season of Christmas? We have just the thing for you! Find seven friends and decorate a Christmas table for our Christmas Around the Table event, Tuesday, November 28, from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. The room will be filled with the joy of Christmas as each table will highlight the beauty of the season. We will enjoy a great lunch, and then hear from our speaker, Rev. Monica Harbarger, with stories to keep us connected to the true joy that comes from celebrating the birth of our Savior this Christmas. Don't miss this wonderful event! Email [email protected] to secure your table of friends today! Childcare may be reserved (lunch not provided) by emailing Ann Strozier ([email protected]).
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Men's Hiking Ministry 15th Anniversary Dinner
 On Monday, November 13, we will be celebrating 15 years of 'The Wesley Wanderers" men's hiking ministry with a potluck dinner at 6:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. If you have ever hiked with us or are interested in learning more about the ministry, then you are invited to join us. Contact Jim Frazier ([email protected] / 769-0126). |
 Lighthouse Girls Basketball League
Registration is open for Lighthouse Girls Basketball on the VHUMC website! This league is for 6th-8th Graders, and will be running from December 4 through February 2, with a break for the holidays. The cost is $105 and the deadline to register is November 14. Please contact Miles Erbe ([email protected] / 769-0134) for any questions.
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Free Money to Help End Hunger
 Many of the places you currently shop and dine with are part of Planet Fundraiser. These merchants will give a percentage back to your charity of choice. Download their app, and select VHUMC-Community Wide Event, Rise Against Hunger. It is so simple! Each time you shop or dine at one of the participating merchants, take a picture of your receipt and upload it to the app. You can also just turn receipts into the mission's mailbox, and we will do it for you. All of the contributions go to our Rise Against Hunger event which is helping to end hunger in our lifetime.
Anthony's Carwash 2%
Babalu 2%
Breakout B'ham 5%
Cantina Grille 7%
Complete Cleaners 5%
Donatos 7%
Jackson's 8%
Jimmy Johns 5%
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Krystal 50%
Loco Taco 4%
Marc 1 Carwash 12%
Mudtown 5%
Norton Florist 7%
Over Easy 5%
Pet Vet 3%
Piggly Wiggly 6%
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Pump it Up 6%
Shipt 3%
Slice 2%
Soho Sound 5%
Standard Heat/Air 1%
TCBY 3%
The Ridge 5%
Wyndy 10%
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Capture that receipt! We uploaded the receipts that were brought to the Missions office in just one week and received enough funds back to provide numerous meals to children through our Rise Against Hunger event.
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November Hilltopper Meeting
Our next meeting is Tuesday, November 14, at 10:30 am, in the Fellowship Hall. Ray Reach, jazz pianist, will be performing for us. For information or to make a lunch reservation ($6.00) contact Harriette Woodring (822-9318) or Margaret Flowers ([email protected] / 769-0112) no later than 11:00 am on Friday, November 10. Please note the price change 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. |
 November 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! November's memory verse is: ... Oh Lord, I love the house in which You dwell, and the place where Your glory abides (Psalm 26:8) At the end of the school year we will give a grand prize to one boy and one girl. We hope that these verses help to guide them throughout their lives. |
A Thanksgiving Meditation Guide
Thank You: A Way of Seeing and Being is the title of Joe Elmore's latest Gracebook. Rather than occasional words spoken, Thanksgiving is seen as a way of living. Themes include: Seeing Jesus, Distractions, First Steps, Loving Neighbor, and Gratitude that Transforms. Copies are available from Margaret Flowers ([email protected]). A gift to VHUMC's Grace Fund (helping the sick, poor, and prisoners) is requested. |
Student Ministry Christmas Breakfast
Our student and mission ministries continue their Christmas tradition with our annual Christmas Student Ministry Breakfast. We will be serving breakfast to families from the Birmingham community on Saturday, December 9. Students and volunteers are invited to come serve breakfast, socialize, share crafts, and help Santa deliver Christmas gifts at VHUMC. If you would like to help, please take a yellow star from the Christmas trees on the youth floor and throughout the church on November 19 and return with the star to the front office or youth floor by Monday, December 4. For more information, please contact Anna Watts ([email protected]). |
 Student Ministries Parent Meeting
Please join the Thrive Student Ministry Staff and Council for a Student Ministries Parent Meeting on Sunday, December 3, at 9:45 am, in Tyson Hall or at 5:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. This will be a time to discuss our upcoming Christian View of Sex (CVS) program that will take place on Saturday, January 6. We feel strongly that parents of students who plan to attend be at this meeting.
We would also like to discuss our summer mission opportunities for our students and the dates of these events. We are excited to get these going and hope that you will be there to learn more about them! |
Annual Student Ministries Fundraiser
Save the date for The Student Ministries Annual Fundraiser on Friday, February 9, 2018. This fundraiser helps supplement our mission trips for all of our students. Due to the coming construction, we will be off-site! We hope that you will be able to help support our students by attending this great event! For more information or to help by serving on the committee, please contact Emily Boles ([email protected]). |
 Run Mercedes with VHUMC
Lace up your running shoes, grab a friend, and join the VHUMC Runners during the Mercedes Marathon Weekend. Runners from the group will be participating in the relay and half marathon on Sunday, February 11. Not interested in running a half marathon? Join or form a marathon relay team. A 5-person running team will cover two 5K legs (3.1 miles), two 10K legs (6.2 miles), and one 12K leg (8 miles). Grab a friend, join a team, and run with us! Training plans, support, and group runs will be provided to each runner beginning on Monday, November 20. No prior running experience is required to join the group! Contact Megan Drumm ([email protected]) for additional details. |
 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. |
Ongoing Outreach
Food Pantry
Food Pantry needs quart size Ziploc bags, cloth bags, and tote bags for the fruits and veggies. November is a busy month with Thanksgiving boxes and turkeys being given to our families. Monetary donations are wonderful! Thank you for your continued support. Our 500+ families also thank you. They all say they are so blessed to have found our church.
We Need Your Vote
Community Food Bank (where we purchase our food at discounted prices) has a chance to win $5,000 from Regions Bank along with 100 volunteer service hours. We need everyone's help by VOTING for them at https://regions.doingmoretoday.com everyday through November 30. Vote on your iPhone, iPad and computers. Scroll down until you see the CFB logo and vote. They are in second place and we need help to get them to the top. Thank you for your help.
Oak Mountain Mission
Oak Mountain Mission needs kitchen items and linens. Boys slightly used jeans are needed, as well as adult clothing XXL or larger. No knick-knacks, seasonal decorations small adult clothing, or summer clothes at this time. Thank you! For furniture pick-up, please call Brenda at OMM (685-5757).
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