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 Regaining Balance in Your Life
We live in a hectic and chaotic world. Most of us have lives where we rush from one place to another: the work place, day care, school drop off and pick up, ballet classes, music classes, ball games, medical appointments. The list could go on and on. Sometimes life feels like we are walking on an endless tightrope with no net below. We long for more balance in our lives. But how do we make that happen? We make it happen together.
On August 12 we'll begin a three-week sermon series called "Regaining Balance." Based on scripture and three terrific Ted Talks, we'll explore ways to enjoy our lives instead of just surviving them one day at a time. We'll take a look at how cell phones and other screens have eroded family life with practical suggestions to carve out a "screen-free" zone. We'll discover how to "make stress our friend" and the answers will surprise you. Finally, we'll take a funny and enlightening trip through the mind of a master procrastinator. We encourage you to watch the Ted talks in advance as you join us for regaining balance in your life.
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Grand Re-Opening and Yard Sign Campaign
 This Sunday be sure to pick up some "Invite a Friend" cards from the worship greeters that you can distribute to all your friends and neighbors. We want everyone to join us at VHUMC as we Find our Christ-centered Lives of Purpose.
Also, be sure to get a yard sign in the Tyson Lobby or in the front office to put out for all our neighbors to see and join us. Please put your yard sign out when you get it and take them up on Sunday, August 19. This campaign will correspond with an August ad in the Vestavia Hills Community News which invites people to join us at VHUMC.
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Sanctuary Construction Update
 Renovations are progressing in the Sanctuary, but they are far from complete. This Sunday, we will have our student/parent Discovery worship service in the Sanctuary, but our 8:30 and 11:00 am services in Tyson Hall. Our 9:45 service will meet in the Chapel. After Discovery Weekend, we will evaluate each week whether the Sanctuary has enough systems effectively running to allow for worship (air conditioning, lights, sound, etc.).
We anticipate completion of our Sanctuary improvements in late September. Check weekly in our "Growing Pains" section below for updates and Sunday worship locations. If we cannot have our traditional 8:30 and 11:00 am Sunday services in the Sanctuary, those services will be in the Fellowship Hall.
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Discovery Weekend Volunteers Needed
 Discovery Weekend is the largest annual event for our students at VHUMC and we cannot make it happen without the help of our volunteers. We are expecting around 300 middle school and high school students to be involved in Discovery here at the church from August 3-5. Click the link for descriptions of the many ways you can help make this weekend a success.
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 3rd Grade Bibles
It is the tradition at VHUMC to give a Bible to all of our third graders each year. This year our Bible presentation will be during the 11:00 traditional worship service in the sanctuary on September 9.
If you are a member at VHUMC, or feel that VHUMC is your church home, we want to make sure that we have your child listed to receive a Bible. We would also like to personalize each Bible by adding your child's name engraved to the outside cover, but we will only be able to do that if you provide us with the information we need by August 6. Please take a moment to click on the link to let us know what name you would like printed on your child's Bible.
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 4th Grade Party
Many of our rising 4th graders will be combining together this year for the first time at Vestavia Hills Elementary Central. We would like to help them take this big step in their life by having them all together for a party. Our rising 4th graders are invited to come to the Lighthouse on Friday, August 10, from 3:30-5:00 for skating, ice cream and games! Please register your child using the link. We are praying for all of our children as they prepare to begin another school year!
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 Sunday Evening Worship
Sherry Harris will lead us in worship this Sunday evening at 5:00 pm in the Rutland-Memorial Chapel. Come as you are and join in singing the old, familiar hymns and join in the warm fellowship of this service. Mark your calendars for August 12 as Jim Frazier & Friends will lead us in a worship service of music.
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 Promotion Sunday
August 12 is Promotion Sunday! Be on the lookout for a postcard from our Preschool or Elementary ministries to let you know your child's class for the 2018-2019 school year. We will all meet in our new rooms on August 12th. Hope to see you there!
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Car Ministry Team Members Needed
 Want to be a part of a ministry where you see God at work all the time? Would you like to meet people where their lives are changed just by receiving transportation? Please join our VHUMC car ministry team. This ministry is growing and so are we. We need individuals who can look at cars, assess them to see if they would be a good fit for our ministry, drive them for repairs, and help in other car ministry ways. This ministry is special because you really get to see lives changed by the stories and the people you hear and encounter. If you are ready to be a part of something like this, please email Rachael Hayes ([email protected]).
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Lemonade Stands for the Homeless
 On Sunday, August 12, we will not only be moving to our new classes for Promotion Sunday, but we will also be helping the Birmingham homeless community. Outside the Tyson Hall entrance and outside the Preschool/Elementary floor, Kid Stands will be set up for donations to benefit Church of the Reconciler. Please make plans to stop by one of the stands after Sunday School or the 11:00 services that day and get a refreshing cup of lemonade. We can only accept cash and checks, so don't forget to bring your change!
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Register for Fall Conservatory Classes
 The Conservatory of the Arts is now enrolling students for our fall session of music, theatre, and art classes. Below are the classes offered and the age constraints of certain classes. Register now as most teachers will typically have a full schedule! If you do not see a certain class you are looking for, please contact Ellen Bryant ([email protected]). Fall session begins the week of August 20.
- Piano Lessons
- String Instrument Lessons
- Brass Instrument Lessons
- Percussion Lessons
- Guitar/Ukulele Lessons
- Voice Lessons
- Wind Instrument Lessons
- Clay Class (ages 10 and up)
- Regular Art Class (finished K - 3rd grade)
- Advanced Art Class (4th-7th grade)
- Musicianship Class (students and adults)
- Theatre Class (grade 3rd and up)
- Photography Class
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 Crimes Against the Elderly
The City of Vestavia Hills is hosting an informational meeting at VHUMC from 1:30-3:00 pm on Tuesday, August 7. It will address crimes, particularly financial crimes, which are being committed against our senior citizens. Recent scams to be addressed include: IRS scams, relative in distress scams, romantic website scams, reverse mortgage scams. All are welcome. Join us to help prevent these types of scams and protect our senior citizens.
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Christmas Year-Round
VHUMC has a group called Christmas Year Round. Have you ever heard of it? It is made up of little angels that provide for others when there is a need. Often, they provide school supplies, eyeglasses, or dental and eye care to children in the Vestavia community. Sometimes they even help someone pay a bill. This past holiday season they provided for over 170 turkeys at Thanksgiving and gifts for 191 families at Christmas. It is really special to provide like it is Christmas all throughout the year. If you would like to learn more about this ministry or how you can donate, please contact Sharon Lovell ([email protected]).
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Designated Giving Policy
Because of our Designated Funds, we publish the following statement twice a year and print it on your donation statements to comply with IRS guidelines:
VHUMC welcomes designated donations for pre-approved items such as benevolence, building, missions, and mission trips. In approving such causes, VHUMC is committed to using the collected funds for the intended cause. In the unusual event of the closure of a designated fund or project for which donations have been accepted, any remaining funds may be transferred to the General Fund or used for a similar purpose. Checks should be made payable to VHUMC, with the suggested designation listed on the memo line or on attached correspondence. Thank you for giving to VHUMC.
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Growing Pains: Renovating for Our Future
 Our Sanctuary renovations are going well. From the bottom of the boiler room to the apex of the ceiling changes are happening to provide more comfort (HVAC) and enhance your worship and meeting experiences (cosmetic changes).
Our student/parent Discovery worship service will meet in the Sanctuary this Sunday at 9:45 am. Our regular 8:30 and 11:00 am services will still be in Tyson Hall. We hope to start having our traditional services in the Sanctuary soon, but will let you know on a week-by-week basis as determined by power, sound, and air conditioning.
Because of a parts delay, we have postponed our week without power to most of the church. We are now planning to be without power the week of August 12 or the week of August 19. The Lighthouse will still have power since they have a separate transformer. We will keep you informed.
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Mission Night and More
Join us as we partner with Canterbury UMC and Trinity UMC on August 29 for a church wide family missions night. We will pack 500 flood buckets to send to Decatur before hurricane season. After last year's hurricane season, we saw that once the season is here and hurricanes have surfaced, supplies are hard to find. This year, the three churches partnered together to be proactive and have the warehouse ready to go if there was a hurricane to provide relief to affected areas.
There are many ways you can be a part of this mission project. Please see the sign-up genius below and pray about where you and your family, Sunday school class will participate. If you have any questions, please contact Rachael Hayes ( [email protected]).
Food Pantry
The Food Pantry is again receiving fruits and vegetables from the Farmers Market as well as donated items from Sprouts. We need flat bottom, medium sized bags with handles to distribute these to families. Please put them in our wooden bins.
Oak Mountain Mission
Oak Mountain Mission can no longer go into homes for pick-ups. Furniture and appliances need to be in basements, garages, car ports, etc. Please call Brenda (685-5757) for pick-up scheduling.
Harvest of Hope Luncheon
The twelfth Annual Harvest of Hope Luncheon will be held on Tuesday, September 11, 2018, at The Club. A silent auction will begin at 10:00 am.
Founded in 2001, Oak Mountain Mission Ministries provides food, clothing, furniture, and financial assistance to those in need in the Greater Birmingham area. Individuals are referred to the Mission from domestic violence and homeless shelters, faith support churches, and social service agencies. Everything is given to screened, qualified clients at no charge. This past year, OMM assisted 6,120 families and the needs continue to grow.
To reserve a place at one of our VHUMC tables, please contact Barbara Porter (444-9793 or [email protected]).
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