The Notes - November 2, 2017

Volume 47

Issue 44

November 2, 2017

Daylight Savings Time
Don't forget to set your clocks back an hour before going to bed Saturday evening. We would love you to be on time for worship, but not an hour early.

Find Out What's NEXT
This past Sunday, VHUMC kicked off our NEXT Campaign with food, fellowship, and a first look at the renderings for our proposed work to the HVAC, Tyson Hall and the Sanctuary. Bill Brunson reminded us that our last campaign was 17 years ago when we built the Lighthouse. If you missed it, click the video below to see the entire presentation. Bill also shared the exciting amount of early, leadership pledges. As we start the four-week campaign, we have already raised $2,441,325 toward our goal of $5,000,000.

$5 million is an aggressive goal for our church and we have a lot of work to do. To achieve our goal and make the improvements we need, we will need your help. Statistically, we need at least three more gifts of $100,000 or more. We also need everyone to make a NEXT pledge. Often, for a capital campaign, families will pledge from sources outside of their usual income. Pledging from a "second pocket" is common with a gift of stock, an annual bonus, retirement, or other investment funds. John Sweeney, our Director of Stewardship Development, can assist families in mapping successful giving strategies ([email protected] / 769-0101).

Over the next four weeks we will reveal more about our NEXT campaign and our Annual Stewardship campaign (to fund the daily, weekly, ongoing ministries of VHUMC). We will take a few minutes in each worship service to focus on these items:

November 5 - Property Improvements
November 12 - Annual Ministry Budget
November 19 - Commitment Sunday (everyone pledging together for God's work)

Coping with Loss at the Holidays
The holiday season can be a very challenging time for all of us, especially when we have experienced the loss of a loved one. We struggle to find the "new normal," and holiday dynamics with families and friends can be overwhelming at times.

Tonight, November 2, we are hosting a special evening devoted specifically to helping you with those challenges. Preparing for the Holidays will start at 6:00 pm in room 202. We'll have some light snacks and beverages, and members of our Grief Support Ministry Team - all of whom are grief survivors of spouses, children, parents, siblings, and other loved ones - will be there to greet you and share in this evening with you. We'll have a brief presentation on preparing for the approaching holidays, and we'll also provide you with a helpful handout of useful suggestions. After the presentation, we'll spend some time in small groups with others who have suffered losses similar to yours, and then we'll complete the evening with a message from our Senior Pastor (and fellow grief survivor) Bill Brunson.

To register for this free event simply click on the link below. For more information, please contact either Cathie Amos (908-2731 / [email protected]) or Butch Williams (769-0102 / [email protected]). We greatly look forward to sharing this time with you.

All Saints' Sunday
This Sunday, November 5, is an occasion to remember our heritage, those who have gone before us, and recognize our responsibility to carry Christianity forward as the living saints of today. If you would like to honor someone in your life who has been, or is a saint in your faith journey, we invite you to include them in our Bell Banner. Prior to worship on Sunday, we will have a banner in the narthex and outside of Tyson Hall. There will be a table beside the banners which will have baskets of small bells. To remember your loved one, please take a bell from the basket and pin it onto one of the banner streamers. During the processional, the banners will be brought into worship and placed near the front pews. If you don't have the opportunity to place a bell on one of the banners, you may do so after you take holy communion.

At the end of our worship services, our gathering of saints will also go forward to symbolize the witness of those who have gone before us and those living today who remind us to follow Christ in the World.

Bring Loved Ones Photo for Our Table of Saints
While our loved ones are gone from this earth, we know they are not forgotten. If you would like to bring in a picture of a loved one to share with the congregation on All Saints' Sunday, we will have a table set up in the Fellowship Hall so we can all remember the wonderful people who have made a difference in your walk with Christ as well as those who have led our church throughout the years. We know that so many of your family members played a significant role in your life and also in the lives of our church, community and world.

If you would like to participate in our Table of Saints, we ask that you please bring a framed photo to the main church office by Friday, November 3 and pick up your loved one's photo after the 11:00 worship services.

5 Minute Missions
Our next 5-Minute Missions will be this Sunday, November 5, during the coffee hour. Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Fall Festival and brought school supplies. We will be packing those school supplies for other children. This is a great hands-on mission opportunity for any age. You are never too young to learn to serve and give back to others.

Sunday Evening Worship
Come as you are and join us as Mike Harper preaches on All Saints Sunday, at 5:00 pm, in the Chapel. There will be joyful singing and warm fellowship as we remember those saints in our lives. Butch Williams will preach on November 12.

Welcome New Members to VHUMC
Let's give a warm VHUMC welcome to our newest members: Adam & Michelle Inzina, with Anthony (7), Anne Marie (6), and Jacob (3), who was also baptized on Sunday.

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

"Screenagers:" Raising Kids in the Digital Age

Screen time is a hot topic in our society. Join us for this extended class as we watch the movie, "Screenagers," and leave feeling confident to empower your children to best navigate the digital world and find balance. For parents of all ages. November 8, from 5:30-7:00 pm, in room 206. Reservations are required for viewing, childcare, and boxed dinners in case you won't make it in time to enjoy dinner in the Fellowship Hall. For more information please contact Jamie Meeks ([email protected]).

Annual Charge Conference

On November 15, 2017 at 6:00 PM we will have our Church Council meeting. 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.

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.

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 to 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.

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, who will help us step into the Christmas season with ways that will keep us connected to the true joy that comes from celebrating the birth of our Savior. 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]).

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]).

3rd Annual Madrigal Dinner
Don't miss our feasting and hilarity, our music and our revelry, at our 3rd 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).

Middle School Retreat
This past weekend 125 Middle Schoolers and 17 chaperones talked about how we Belong to God! We battled the cold, rainy, and windy conditions, but overall it was one of the best weekends! Throughout the weekend we had worship sessions, small groups, and activities. It was definitely a weekend we will never forget! Thank you to all of the chaperones who helped make the weekend possible! If you are interested in Thrive Student Ministries or would like to serve please contact Juli Hansen ([email protected]).

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).

A New Young Couples Class
We are excited to be starting a new class for couples in their early 30's with small children! If you are not currently in a class and are interested in joining one, come to our meet and greet this Sunday, November 5, in room 201 (Small Dining Room). We will have refreshments and discuss future plans to grow in our faith together! Questions? Contact Lane de Kozan ([email protected]) or Kimberly Robbins ([email protected]). We look forward to our time together!

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%

Krystal 50%
Loco Taco 4%
Marc 1 Carwash 12%
Mudtown 5%
Norton Florist 7%
Over Easy 5%
Pet Vet 3%
Piggly Wiggly 6%

Pump it Up 6%

Shipt 3%

Slice 2%

Soho Sound 5%

Standard Heat/Air 1%

TCBY 3%

The Ridge 5%

Wyndy 10%

Questions About Methodism
Please join us in the Chapel on Sunday, November 5, at 9:45 am, where we will discuss the Methodist denomination. We will tackle topics like how we got our name, what motivated and fueled John Wesley to found this new denomination, and what differentiates us to this day. Dr. Bill Brunson will lead us in this discussion and answer any questions you have. Contact Suzanne Scott-Trammell ([email protected]) for more information.

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
We have a new memory verse for November. 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! October'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.

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]).

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!

Ongoing Outreach

Food Pantry

Thank you to the students at VHHS for their very generous food drive on October 20. We appreciate them remembering us each year. If you have slightly used cloth tote bags, we could use those in the pantry, as well as paper tote bags for fresh vegetables. Spaghetti sauce and peanut butter are always needed. For more information, contact Barbara Porter ([email protected] / 444-9793). Thank you!

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).

Wednesday Night Menu

November 8 - Salad, Roast Beef OR Baked Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, English Peas, Biscuit, Cobbler. Kids: Chicken Nuggets, Mac & Cheese
November 15 - Salad, Turkey & Dressing, Green Bean Casserole, Roll, Chocolate Cake. Kids: Pizza
November 22 - No Dinner (Thanksgiving)