The Notes - March 7, 2019

Volume 49

Issue 10

March 7 , 2019

Lenten Sermon Series: Soul Keeping
Far too often we think of Lent as one of those "church" things we have to do. We know it to be a necessary journey towards the cross, but we travel dragging our feet and keeping our heads down. We are mistaken. Lent is not something we have to do; Lent is something we get to do, and best of all, we travel together.

This year, our Lenten sermon series will be based on a life-changing book, Soul Keeping: Caring for the Most Important Part of You. Our world is plagued by depression, anxiety, and loneliness: symptoms of a soul that has lost touch with its life source. As we move through Lent together, we will rediscover our souls, our most important connection to God, and find our way out of the spiritual shallows into the deep waters of grace. This is a journey you do not want to miss. Mark your calendar for this Sunday, March 10, as we begin soul keeping together.

Daylight Savings Time
Yes, the biannual changing of the clocks is upon us! Don't forget to wind your clocks forward an hour before going to bed Saturday evening. Daylight Saving Time starts Sunday morning.

Lenten Offering for Rise Against Hunger
The next time you head to the pantry for a chocolate chip cookie, think about the children in Haiti. In a country where malnutrition is the leading cause of death among children, girls and boys are eating mud cookies to stave off hunger pains. The cookies are a mixture of dirt, salt, and oil or vegetable shortening and are baked on tarps by the hot sun.

This year's Lenten Offering will help to change that. For every 29 cents we receive, we can pay for one more meal of rice, barley, and soy enriched with 23 vitamins and minerals. Please give as generously as you can, using the Rise Against Hunger envelopes in the pews.

It's Time to Rise Against Hunger
Ray Buchanan, a United Methodist minister, envisioned a world without hunger and decided to do something about it. A former Marine, he knew that accomplishing a mission required "commitment to something larger than yourself." Nearly 20 years after he founded Rise Against Hunger, more than 180 million meals have been distributed to hungry people in 65 countries.

It's our turn to make a big commitment. Over the past four years we have packed 1,121,196 meals at VHUMC. Join us as we work together to package another 300,024 meals April 28-30 during our Rise Against Hunger event. You can volunteer for a shift by visiting the link below.

A Brief Update on General Conference
General Conference has come and gone. While the news and social media have discussed it at length, the reality is that nothing changed related to how the church does ministry or our welcome that extends to all people. The changes that were made (and will take effect on January 1, 2020) have to do with various parts of the covenant among clergy.

On Wednesday, March 20, at 6:00 pm, in Tyson Hall we will briefly walk through what passed, and point out the few items that will be reviewed by Judicial Council. As we have said many times before, our goal is that our church will continue doing the ministry that God calls us to do, connecting to our community in real and relevant ways, and nothing from General Conference changes any of that.

Hiking to the Cross
Join the VHUMC clergy at McCallum Park (on Rosemary Lane) on Saturday, March 16, at 9:00 am, as we take a leisurely hike together. We will stop periodically to remember each of the 14 stations of the cross (the events that happened to Jesus from the Last Supper until His resurrection on Easter Sunday). Invite your friends as we enjoy a beautiful spring morning. For more information please contact Jim Frazier ([email protected] / 769-0126).

Easter Egg Hunt
Neighbors and friends, mark your calendars to join us for the VHUMC Easter Egg Hunt! We will gather Saturday, April 13, at 10:00 am, in the Fellowship Hall. All toddlers thru 3rd grade are invited to bring a basket and camera to take pictures with the Easter Bunny and of course have fun with each other as we hunt eggs together!

You Asked and We Listened
Many of you have requested more weekend hours in the Lighthouse! So, beginning in March, the Lighthouse will be open on Saturdays from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm and we will now be open Sundays from 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm. If you aren't already a Lighthouse member, stop by and see all the activities we have to offer including Fuel Exercise classes, Yoga, Barre Sculpt, D1 Bootcamp, and Pickleball!

PB&J Club at VHUMC
Did you know that we have a Peanut Butter & Jelly club at VHUMC? We do and here's the scoop: In the colder weather months, Birmingham opens up Boutwell Auditorium as a warming station for those who are homeless. About a year ago, one of our members realized that making PB&J sandwiches for those at Boutwell would be a great family missions project. Since then, we have had a number of our members, from very young to very old and all in between make sandwiches and serve the homeless - even from their own home.

All you need to do is follow our VHUMC Missions and Outreach page on Facebook or email Rachael in the mission's office to tell her you would like to be on the PB&J list. As soon as we hear that the warming station is opening, we send a text to anyone interested in making sandwiches, and post it on our Facebook page. This is a great opportunity for you to serve with your children, a parent, friends, or a small group. Sandwiches should be individually wrapped and delivered to the main church office. We will get them to the warming station for you.

So, sign up today to be a part of this small ministry that serves so many! For more information, contact Rachael Hayes ([email protected] / 769-0143).

Get a Fidget Mat for Your Loved One

In 2018 VHUMC launched the fidget/activity mat ministry which has delivered over 500 mats for those with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Severe Macular, and end-of-life issues. They give comfort to every recipient and help enhance focus and concentration for many.

This year we want you to be able to give these to your elderly loved ones and friends. If you know of someone who would benefit from a fidget/activity mat, please contact Peggy Patton ([email protected]). We have a team of women who have lovingly sewn these mats and want to put them in the hands of our elderly brothers and sisters to be blessed by this ministry.

March Memory Verse
Our 1st - 5th graders are taught 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 and chance to win a grand prize at the end of the school year. We hope that these verses help to guide them throughout their lives. March's memory verse is: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God." Ephesians 2:8

Ongoing Outreach

Food Pantry

The Food Pantry needs quart-size Ziploc bags for sweets from Panera Bread. Since we no longer receive produce from Sprouts, any fresh items (oranges, apples, potatoes, carrots, etc.) you would like to donate would be great. Thank you!

Oak Mountain Missions

Oak Mountain Missions needs working appliances: washers, dryers, refrigerators, stoves and microwaves. Please call 685-5757 for pick-up. Linens and cookware are always needed, which may be put into the three bins around the church. Thank you!

Wednesday Nights at VHUMC

Classes/Programs

Soul Keeping: March 13 - April 24 * 6:00 pm * Room 203
General Conference Update - March 20 * 6:00 pm * Tyson Hall
Spring Break: March 27 * No dinner or programming
Holy Week: April 17 * No dinner or programming
Music and Arts Concert: May 1 * Tyson Hall

Menus

March 13 - BBQ Pork, Mac and Cheese, Baked Beans, Steamed Broccoli, Salad or Fruit (Healthy Option: Baked Fish or Chef's Salad)
March 20 - Chili, Baked Potato Bar, Salad or Fruit (Healthy Option: Chicken Salad or Chef's Salad)
April 3 - Tacos, Black Beans, Rice, Salad or Fruit (Healthy Option: Grilled Chicken or Chef's Salad)
April 10 - Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Cheese Grits, Fresh Fruit (Healthy Option: Boiled Egg or Chef's Salad)
April 24 - Sesame Glazed Pork, Rice or Mac & Cheese, Steamed Vegetable Medley, Salad or Fruit (Healthy Option: Ginger Chicken or Chef's Salad)
May 8 - Orecchiette with Bolognese, Marinara, or Alfredo Sauce, French Bread, Salad or Fruit (Healthy Option: Baked Chicken or Chef's Salad)