The Notes - October 18, 2018

Volume 48

Issue 42

October 18, 2018

Fall Festival
Join us this Sunday, October 21, from 4:00-6:00 pm for another amazing evening filled with family entertainment, food trucks, and fun with the entire community. This year we are welcoming Lazy Boy BBQ, Greg's Hot Dogs, iCantina, and Bruster's Ice Cream. There will also be free popcorn, cotton candy, water, and cokes! The parking lot will be filled with race car rides, games, inflatables, pony rides, face painting, music, and a trolley ride! Admission is totally free, but we hope you will bring socks that we will be collecting for the homeless! Please join this amazing event in the heart of this community and invite your friends and neighbors to join us as well!

Hurricane Relief Efforts for Michael
Several of you have asked what VHUMC can do to get involved and help with the hurricane relief efforts for Michael. We are taking our lead from UMCOR and have several ways that you and the church can help. Click the link for more information.

Won't You Be My Neighbor
Community unfolds in conversations over backyard fences, in porch swings, and around dining tables. It happens with a kind word and gentle touch at the bedside of a patient. It's intimate, it's communal, and its people. Not from the flat screen radiating from a computer. But from the kind that take our time, effort, our resources, and aren't always convenient.

VHUMC desires to be a large part of the community around you. Not just as a physical building dropped into the center of town, but as a part of your life wherever you are. We want you to be invested in your neighbors, as a friend and as the hands and feet of Christ. That is why we want you to join us each week as we dig in to our new sermon series focused around the stewardship campaign called, "Won't You Be My Neighbor." Come be a part of making our community a better place. A place where hope lives.

5-Minute Missions in Coffee Hour
5 Minute missions are back! After a break for church construction, our 5-Minute Mission projects resume this Sunday, October 21, as we pack Halloween goody bags from 9:30-9:45 for Community Church without Walls. This is a great hands-on mission opportunity for all ages, so please join us Sunday in the Fellowship Hall.

Amazing Generosity
For more years than anyone can remember, we have sought to replace our outdated, upright piano in the Sanctuary choir loft. The right instrument for this large space would be very expensive. A new upright Steinway is $40,000 so it never got included in the music budget.

Recently, in a conversation on our renovations, a church member asked one or our clergy if there were additional needs for the Sanctuary that were beyond the scope of the NEXT campaign. The need for the special piano was mentioned, and that special need definitely "struck a chord" with this donor! The next day we received a check for $40,000!

But, the story gets even better. This particular model of Steinway is in very high demand. Our local dealer located one for sale that was less than a year old and, with the donor's approval, it will be installed in our Sanctuary within the next two weeks - complete with full warranties. Since the "used" piano was less expensive, our dealer is including an additional Steinway piano for the $40,000 for one of our classrooms. As a result, this amazing gift has already multiplied in value!

While the donor wishes to remain anonymous, the story is an important one to share. It speaks to giving in its purest form - unconditional and selfless. This story also serves as a reminder to each of us to seek out ways that we can give to others - our time, talents, and resources are immensely valued, and in quiet, selfless moments, a significant impact can be made.

Clean Out Challenge
It is time to go from Holy Mess to Holiness on October 27 from 9:00-11:00 as we offer our Fall Clean Out Challenge in the big parking lot by Tyson Hall. Bring your clothes for the King's Home, papers for Shred-It, building supplies for Habitat Restore (except paint), coats for Mae Mae's Hugs and other items to drop off and start de-cluttering your life. This year we cannot take paint or computers/printers/electronics. Once you get rid of the external clutter, there will be no more room for internal chaos and more room for God.

No Sunday Evening Worship
We will not have Sunday Evening Worship this coming Sunday. Instead, come with your family and friends to the community fall festival in the large parking lot from 4:00 - 6:00 pm! Mark your calendars to come worship with Sherry Harris preaching on October 28 and Ted Leach on November 4.

Live2Lead Leadership Simulcast
Don't miss the 2018 Live2Lead simulcast at VHUMC featuring John Maxwell, Tyler Perry, Carly Fiorina, Daniel Pink, and Debra Searle. These speakers will share their leadership stories of the importance of the shift in staying on top of these changing and evolving times. Don't forget to register online by clicking the link below. The cost is $25 (includes breakfast and lunch) for this event in Tyson Hall on November 1, 8:30 am - 1:00 pm.

Welcome New Member
Please join me in welcoming Paulette Wysong-Schatz into our VHUMC family. She joins us from Alabaster FUMC and is looking forward to making her home with us. Let's give her a warm VHUMC welcome!

We Need to Finish Strong
Lately we have been celebrating the Church's recent financial successes. Great member participation in the NEXT campaign and ending the church year in the positive on June 30 have been great accomplishments that should make us proud.

Unfortunately, I also need to call to your attention that we have gotten off to a very slow start to this year's General Fund giving and September was the second lowest giving month in the past five years. This currently puts us $165,990 under our budgeted giving at this point in the year - and most of this short-fall is from those that made a pledge for 2018. With this in mind I prayerfully ask that you review your 2018 pledge amounts and help us get back on budget.

Your Finance Committee takes their task to heart and it has been a pleasure to see this group work toward the best interest of our congregation. We have a diverse group of both lay members and clergy who work to ensure that we are being good stewards of your donations in a transparent environment.

Thank you for your contribution of money, time, and talents to the church. Please know that you are helping make a difference.

In addition to Gary, Natalie, and John, you can contact me at any time if you have questions or concerns about our finances ([email protected]).

William Hocutt, Finance Committee Chairman

Sanctuary Hearing Loop Information
Through the generosity of over 100 donors, we are excited to announce that we have installed a hearing loop in the front sections of pews in the renovated sanctuary. Beginning in November, the hearing loop will deliver clear sound from our audio system wirelessly, electronically, and directly to hearing aids, cochlear implants, and other assistive listening devices that have a telecoil (T-coil) input. Most, but not all, hearing aids and cochlear implants already have a T-coil. If you are not sure whether your hearing device has a T-coil, please ask your hearing aid provider the following questions:

Does my hearing aid or cochlear implant have a T-coil?
If so, will you please activate it and show me how to switch inputs from microphone to T-coil and back?

Anyone needing hearing assistance may request a hearing loop receiver with headphones or earbuds from an usher.

Military Pictures for Veterans' Day
Please send any pictures of relatives in military uniform to be used in the "Vestavia Hills Salute to Veterans: Honoring Those Who Served" event at VHUMC on Thursday, November 8, 1:00 - 3:00 pm. These pictures will be inserted into a slideshow during the event. Send them to Cinnamon McCulley ([email protected]).

Pictures of Loved Ones
Sunday, November 4 is All Saints' Day. Please bring framed pictures of your loved ones whom you've lost in the past year, to the Fellowship Hall prior to the 9:15 Coffee Hour to be displayed on tables for all to honor and remember. Please bring them in a frame so they can be set out. We look forward to honoring these precious memories together as a church family.

D1 Bootcamp is Coming
The Lighthouse at VHUMC is partnering with D1 Training to offer you a new Boot Camp Class! D1 has worked with the most elite minds in the industry to engineer a high-performance 54-minute workout that will help your body realize its maximum potential regardless of experience. All we ask from you is the dedication to show up. Contact Alli McGill ([email protected]) for more information or to register. Check out the link below to learn more about D1 Training.

October 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. October's memory verse is: "He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall never be shaken." ~Psalm 62:2

Passion Conference
The Passion Conference will be here soon and we cannot be more excited for our High School Seniors and our College Students to gather in Atlanta for three amazing days of worship. The conference will be held at the All State Arena and we will be staying in a hotel within walking distance. The Passion speakers are amazing and it will be an unforgettable experience.

We have limited space, so register as soon as possible! If your college student will be using their own transportation, please use promo code "mytransportation" and receive $50 off the regular price! Enter "siblingdiscount" to receive half off of your second student.

Early Bird Registration = $275 by October 31
Regular Registration = $325 November 1 to December 1
Late Registration = $358 after December 1

New Yoga Class on Saturdays
Kellyn Garrison teaches in a style that accommodates all bodies and all abilities, regardless of athletic experience. Please join us at The Lighthouse on Saturday mornings at 8:30 am for a one-hour yoga class focusing on foundational poses, alignment, building strength, flexibility, and relaxation. All you need to bring is a mat! Classes are $10 with a Lighthouse membership. For more information, contact Alli McGill ([email protected]).

Lighthouse Volunteers Needed
The Lighthouse at VHUMC is looking for volunteers! If you have an hour or two to spare, we would love your help! We have needs early in the morning, during lunch, and later in the day. Even some night shifts are available! For more information, contact Alli McGill ([email protected]).

Oberammergau Informational Meeting

VHUMC will be offering two chances to see the best Passion Play in the world. This event only happens once every 10 years. Bill Brunson and Jim Frazier will have an informational meeting on Sunday, October 28, at 4:00 pm, in room 316.

The trip dates are:

June 17 - 26, 2020 : The Passion Play and the Best of Switzerland
July 30 - Aug. 10, 2020: The Passion Play and the Romantic Danube River Cruise

We have a limited number of seats and they are filling up fast. For more information please contact Jim Frazier ([email protected] / 769-0126).

Rice and Revelry
We hope you can join us for a little R&R on Thursday, November 1 when we host Rice & Revelry, a fundraiser to support the church's annual Rise Against Hunger meal packaging event. This is going to be a fun, casual evening for adults at the Hoover-Randle Home and Gardens on Tyler Road from 6:00-9:00 pm. We'll enjoy a jambalaya dinner, beverages, live music and lawn games, as well as a live auction and other opportunities to help hungry children in developing countries. Auction items include a beach house in Panama City, an escape package to Chateau Elan Winery and Resort in Braselton, Georgia, and a piece of beautiful jewelry from Steed's Jewelers.

Tickets are only $29, which feeds 100 children, and you can buy them online. Seating is limited, though, so please reserve your spot early. If you can't make it, there's an option on the website to make a donation, so we hope you will consider doing that. You can make a tremendous difference for just $29.

We have also had several Sunday School classes contribute $290 to our efforts, so that they could feed 1,000 children. We would love for your class to accept the challenge and do the same if you can. Most of you have participated in our Rise Against Hunger events in the past, so you know what a rewarding experience it is and how helping the hungry can feed your soul. Thanks so much, and we hope to see you on November 1!

Fidget Mat Sewing Bee
Join us to make more Fidget Mats next Tuesday, October 23, from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, in the Fellowship Hall. We will not meet again until January 22, 2019, so please try and make this meeting. When pulling out holiday decorations, please bring us any mismatched or unloved holiday placemats, stockings, or objects that could be sewn on a fidget mat!

Thanks to the many members of VHUMC who have donated time, talent, their sewing machines, or materials to help create these activity mats for others. If you have any donations, please drop them off at the church office. We have seen proof that the mats help soothe and comfort those who are afflicted with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Macular, or are facing their last days of life.

Canada and New England Cruise
Join Jim Frazier and Margaret Flowers on this cruise of a lifetime as we travel on Norwegian cruise lines September 22-29, 2019. We will be flying from Birmingham to New York where we will board the ship. We will see some of the most beautiful sights as the fall colors are turning. Save $150 if you register by Sunday, September 30 or save $100 if you register by November 30. For more information please contact Jim Frazier ([email protected] / 769-0126).

Growing Pains: Renovating for Our Future

We are excited to reveal our new organ screen in the Sanctuary! After many weeks of construction, we can finally enjoy a whole new look in this space. But, we are not finished yet. We will still be working on some wood staining, new hardwood floors, Narthex crown molding, and the audio/video systems - including the induction loop for the hearing impaired. While providing constant pressure, we continue to tell our contractors to "get it right" over "get it done fast" so we ask for your continued patience. Also, we just found out that our new front Narthex doors will not be ready until mid-November!

We are also excited to have completed renovations to the Adult Education Building elevator. All the moving parts are now new and the interior "car" has new walls and flooring. The vertical speed is still the same, but the doors open much more quickly now. It should give us another 39 years of good service.

Please continue to pray for worker safety and continued progress. We are looking forward to having everything completed and cleaned up soon.

Ongoing Outreach

Food Pantry

We still need tote bags for our fresh fruits and vegetables. We have heard many of our families say they do not get fresh items anywhere but with us, and they really appreciate them. Please remember to pick up a few extra at the store. Thank you for your continued support!

Oak Mountain Mission

Oak Mountain Mission really needs furniture: tables, chairs, chests, sofas, and end tables. Call Brenda for a pick up (685-5757). Winter coats and jackets are also needed. Please put them in the purple boxes or the OMM bins around the church.

Wednesday Night Menus

October 17 - Chicken Parmesan OR Country Fried Steak, Mac & Cheese, Broccoli Amandine, Chocolate Trifle. Kids: Pizza
October 24 - Pot Roast OR Baked Ham, Mashed Potatoes, Braised Carrots, Mac & Cheese, Cake. Kids: Chicken Nuggets
October 31 - No Meal
November 7 - Swedish Meatballs OR Baked Chicken, Mac & Cheese, Green Beans, Ice Cream. Kids: Chicken Nuggets
November 14 - Salad, Turkey, Dressing, Sweet Potato Casserole, German Chocolate Cake. Kids: Pizza
November 21 - No Meal
November 28 - Biscuit OR Pancakes, Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Cheese Grits, Orange Slices. Kids: Chicken Nuggets, Mac & Cheese