The Notes - April 19, 2018

Volume 48

Issue 16

April 19, 2018

The Revelation in Contemporary Worship

Our Contemporary worship sermons through May 27 will be based on the book of the Revelation. The last book of the Bible is known for its frightening, other-worldly images that often scare people away from its study. But there are incredible truths in the Revelation: hope against all odds, the prevail of God's Kingdom, the meaning of history, the nature of evil, the fragrant role of prayer, numbers as symbols, and Old Testament images in a new setting. Come hear the story of Jesus told from a kaleidoscope of images and word pictures at 11:00 am in Fellowship Hall.

April 22 - The Lamb - Revelation 5: 6-14
April 29 - No More Sea - Revelation 21:1-5
May 6 - What is Not in Heaven - Revelation 21: 1-14; 22-27
May 13 - The Tree of Life and the Gardens - Revelation 22: 1-7
May 20 - The Spirit - Revelation 1:10; 2:7
May 27 - Evil & The Unholy Trinity - John 12:18 to 13:18

Dinner Cancelled Next Wednesday
Because of construction plans we will NOT have our usual Wednesday night dinner on April 25. See the "Growing Pains" article below for what groups will be meeting that night. We will have dinner on Wednesday, May 2 as planned.

Sunday Evening Worship
Jesus said, "I am the Good Shepherd," and that will be our focus this Sunday Evening in the Chapel at 5:00 pm. From that we'll affirm our faith, sing some of the old, great hymns, and Butch Williams will preach on "Hired Hands & Wolves!" Come as you are. All are welcome!

Confirmation Worship Service
Over the past two months, our 6th graders have been learning what it means to be a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. They now come to a decision time on their commitment to this call. On Sunday, April 29, at 5:00 pm, in our Sanctuary, our Confirmation Class will commit to faithful discipleship in Jesus Christ. We hope you will be with us as we celebrate the call God has placed on the lives of these 53 Confirmands. Please be in prayer for each of these youth, their faithful mentors, and for our church to help each of them faithfully follow their call.

National Day of Prayer
Join us Thursday, May 3, for the 67th Annual National Day of Prayer. Our Chapel will be open from 7 am - 5 pm for prayer. This year's theme is "Unity" based upon Ephesians 4:3 which challenges us to mobilize unified public prayer for America. Prayer guides will be available for you to use as you enter the Chapel. Don't miss this important day of repentance and petition for us and our country. If you have any questions please contact Ruth Grissom ([email protected] / 822-9631).

Vacation Bible Camp
Calling all campers! Vacation Bible Camp is coming up on June 11-15 and this year our theme is Rolling River Rampage. We will be experiencing the ride of a lifetime with God! Children grade 4k (by September 1st) through 5th grade are invited to register for this fun filled week filled with music, exciting science, creative crafts, fun recreation, and memorable Bible stories. Join us as we discover that God is always with them as they ride the rapids of amazing grace!

We are also looking for group leaders for 5k through 5th grade, as well as helpers in elementary crafts. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Jamie Meeks ([email protected]) or Anne Strozier ([email protected]). If your 6th - 12th grader would like to volunteer as a student helper please contact Kathryn Groat ([email protected]) before May 25.

Van Training
We will have van training on Tuesday, April 24, at 5:30 pm, in the Small Dining room. If you are driving a van this summer for any of our mission trips and you have not had van training, you will need to attend. Please contact Melinda Burnett ([email protected]) to make a reservation to be a part of van training.

April 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! April's memory verse is: Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in Me, even though they die will live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die" (John 11:25-26). 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.

Fidget Mat Items Needed
It's Spring cleaning time! We are collecting items that might allow our fidget mats to have texture. The purpose of the sensory/tactile mat is to help those with dementia to stimulate their minds.

We need scraps, or objects, that will allow them to stretch, clip, button, move, squeeze, slide, etc. Items like lace, corduroy, shoelaces, old belts, ties, elastic, buttons, keys, puff balls, zippers, pockets, etc. Please bring what you might have and place in the collection bins located around the church.

And if you want to help assemble, come join our Sewing Bee on May 1, 10:00 am-2:00 pm in room 207A. Snacks and drinks will be available. Please rsvp to Peggy Patton ([email protected]). We'll have lots of fun for a great cause!

Family Promise
VHUMC is hosting Family Promise in April and August. Due to construction, our guests will be spending the night off site during these two weeks they are usually here. This temporary arrangement will give our guests a change of scenery at an Extended Stay hotel off of Lakeshore. Our first week to host will begin on April 29.

We are looking for creative ways to help make our guests feel the same hospitality as they would receive at the church and also off-set some of the costs of the hotel rooms. The hotel rooms have mini kitchens where they will be able to fix breakfast and lunches. We will supply their kitchens with the necessary foods that are needed for these meals.

We still need volunteers to be dinner hosts during these weeks. We are also asking for volunteers that have been involved with Family Promise and have a passion and a heart for this ministry to please prayerfully consider giving financially to help with the room costs, laundry, and other food expenses. This is a great opportunity for individuals, families, and Sunday School classes. Any other creative ideas and suggestions are welcomed. Thank you for your continued support of this long-time ministry of VHUMC.

For more information, or to volunteer, contact Rachael Hayes ([email protected] / 769-0143).

Welcome New Member to VHUMC
Please join me in welcoming Jean Fields (Hunter Carroll's mom) into our membership. She joined during the 11:00 am Contemporary Service, where she will be attending. Please check out the bulletin board outside the front office, were you will see our 2018 new members and baptisms.

ASP Parent Meeting
This Sunday we are having a required parent meeting for all students going on the 8th-12th grade ASP summer mission trips. The meeting will be at 9:45 am in the Fellowship Hall. All balances are due at this meeting. If you do not know your balance, then we will have it for you. If you have not completed paperwork, please come 15 minutes early to fill out the forms before you enter the meeting. Juli is a notary and can notarize your paperwork. Don't forget that you will need to give us a copy of the front and back of the health insurance card covering your student. During this meeting, we will discuss the details of the trip and talk about the required Tool Time meetings for your students.

Attention 5th Grade Parents
Plan to attend an important meeting for parents of 5th grade students, on April 29, during the Sunday school hour (9:45 - 10:45) in the Fellowship Hall. Jeremiah Stone, Assistant Director of Student Ministries, will be discussing the transition from Elementary Ministries to Thrive including some important summer trip and event dates! You don't want to miss out on this important informational meeting!

Ministry with the Poor
As part of our conference's priority of ministry with the poor, we have partnered with Quad W to provide missional internship experiences for young people throughout our conference. Students in Birmingham will work at East Lake UMC and Restoration mission. In Anniston, they will work with Community Enabler and New Life UMC. The students will live in intentional community at both sites.

We are helping people connect with the interns by taking them dinner and joining them for a meal one night. They will be living in a house that Restoration owns right across the street from Restoration UMC. Sign up through the link if you are interested in helping.

Growing Pains: Renovating for Our Future
We are feeling the good, but difficult, effects of our renovations. Tonight, the power is out for most of the church as they prepare electrical connections for the new Adult Education Building Chiller. That Chiller will be installed next week and we hope it will be working by next weekend. HVAC unit replacements are happening on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the Adult Education Building. Until further notice, all mid-week meetings from 6 am to 3 pm will be relocated to other rooms. Be sure and check the room lists as you enter the building.

Duct cleaning will take place all of next week and has caused us to cancel our Wednesday night dinner. Most all of our programming is also cancelled for that night except Music and Arts, Grief Support (will meet in 207A), and Support Groups.
We will have our Wednesday morning breakfast and meetings on April 26.

Tyson Hall is now painted and the new light "clouds" will begin to be installed soon. The new 8" water pipe for fire-sprinkling has been installed just south of Tyson Hall. Digging and rock pounding went better than expected. Work in the Sanctuary/Narthex areas will begin on May 7.

The Contemporary Service will continue worshiping in the Fellowship Hall until Tyson Hall renovations are complete. The Sanctuary Services may be moving into the Fellowship Hall if needed this summer.

Ongoing Outreach

Food Pantry

Thanks to those from the Seekers class who helped unload our monthly delivery trucks. We really need two more volunteers with trucks to help us monthly. Thanks also to our Food Pantry volunteers: 12 who pack 360 bags of food every Monday, 20 who distribute food on alternate weeks every Wednesday morning, 5 who distribute food every Wednesday afternoon, 6 who drive trucks once a month, 8 others who unload the trucks, and 12 who helps shelve it all. Finally, thanks to everyone who continues to support the Pantry with food and monetary donations!

Oak Mountain Mission

OMM needs new or like-new washcloths and hand towels. We are also helping to replenish their toiletry supply (soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, etc.). Bins are located around the church. Furniture is really needed. Call Brenda for pick-up 685-5757.

Wednesday Night Menu

April 25 - No Dinner
May 2 - Salad, roast pork loin OR roast beef, au gratin potatoes, green beans, ice cream. Kids: chicken nuggets, mac & cheese
May 9 - Salad, chicken cacciatore OR shrimp creole, rice, broccoli, bread pudding. Kids: pizza
May 16 - Hamburger OR hot dogs, french fries, toppings, ice cream