The Notes - September 7, 2019

Volume 49

Issue 45

September 7, 2019

Raising Awareness Through Orphan Sunday

This Sunday VHUMC will recognize Orphan Sunday along with many other churches around the world. Isaiah 1:17 says, "Defend the cause of the fatherless." On this Sunday we will ask ourselves "how is God calling us to care for orphans around us?" and to remember, pray for, and act on behalf of the millions of vulnerable children around the world.

Did you know that there is an orphan crisis in the world today? As God's people, we cannot ignore the crisis of so many children in need. Continuing through the end of the year, we will bring awareness to orphan and foster care ministries in our world. On the first Sunday in Advent, we will recognize the United Methodist Children's Home with a special offering for White Christmas. In January, you will have the opportunity to hear more ways you and your family can get involved with orphan and foster care to make a difference in a child's life.

Please think and pray for God to show you how you can make an impact in the lives of the most vulnerable children. If you would like more information, or to be a part of this team, please contact Kristin Mizerany ([email protected]) or Andrea Barrett ([email protected]).

5-Minute Mission
Join us this Sunday, November 10, in the coffee hour for our next 5-Minute Mission. We will have a table set up with key volunteer leaders to chat about Orphan Sunday and new ministry opportunities starting in January. Whether you feel God calling you to adopt, foster a child, provide meals for families, or pray for others, there is a way for you to get involved with helping others through this ministry.

Leftover Halloween Candy
Every year neighborhoods are faced with a bunch of leftover candy after all of the trick-or-treaters have had their fill. So, we have a great idea for all of these sweet treats! Bring any unopened candy and place it in the receptacles at various church entrances. It will be sorted and delivered to several of our local mission organization partners, including our student ministry's Veteran's Day mission to Three Hots and a Cot. Let's give our mission partners a sweet surprise! Make sure to have all candy dropped off by tomorrow, November 8.

New Construction Updates

We have completed the installation of 48 new lights in the Sanctuary with new dimming and control capabilities. We will be "tweaking" the lights over the next month as we find the optimum setting for each event.
New plants and lights have been installed in front of the Sanctuary.
Construction started Monday to repair and modify all four entrances to the parlor portico. Except for Sundays, the portico will be closed to traffic for the next 2-3 weeks .
Construction also started Monday on three new in-class restrooms in the pre-school area. This will expand the number of toilets in an area where potty-training is a primary focus. This project should take about six weeks.

Funding for these projects is provided by some generous donations, insurance payments (for portico damage), NEXT Capital Campaign savings, and the Parent Partners (from Whale of a Sale proceeds). Thank you for your patience as we make improvements to the building.

Magical Marketplace
Magical Marketplace is next Friday, November 15, with great selections from over 80 vendors - some of your favorites from years past and several new vendors! This is a wonderful time to come shop for all of your Christmas gifts from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, in both Tyson and Fellowship Halls. Get your Christmas shopping done early while helping support one of our mission partners. This year's proceeds will benefit Unless U.

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. If you would like to volunteer for the day, please contact Melinda Burnett ([email protected]).

Lucy Show Bible Study
The Boomer & Beyond Bible Study will be studying the Lucy Show Bible Study on Thursdays in November (7, 14, and 21), at 6:30 pm, in room 203. Join us as we watch full episodes of the classic Lucy Show and then learn Biblical truths. For more information please contact Jim Frazier ([email protected] / 769-0126).

Behind the Scenes Church Tour
Our VHUMC building has a lot of secrets that you may not know about. Would you like to see the underground river, indoor pool, tv studio, secret tower, food ministry, pottery kiln, and so much more? Join us for a tour next Wednesday, November 13, at 6:00 pm, starting in the Tyson Hall lobby.

Paint Pouring Art Class
Have you ever wondered how to do a pour painting? Paint pouring is a fun and easy way to create one-of-a-kind works of art. Even if you've never painted before and don't consider yourself an artist, this technique is something anyone can do. All it takes is the right supplies and a little know-how, which you'll learn here. Join us in the VHUMC Lighthouse on Wednesday, November 13, at 5:00 pm for a night of fun, fellowship and fancy art! This class is for ages 16 and up, and space is limited. For more information contact Alli McGill ([email protected]).

Experiential Gratitude
Thanksgiving is just around the corner and many of us will share the Thanksgiving table with family and friends as we count our blessings together. That is a wonderful way to express our gratitude for the good things in our lives, but gratitude cannot be limited to just one day a year. In fact, practicing gratitude can help you make friends, improve your physical health, increase your sense of well-being and happiness, you will sleep longer and better, and be better equipped to overcome trauma and highly stressful situations. With all these benefits to practicing gratitude, your next question might be, "How do I do it?" Join Sherry Harris on Wednesday, November 20, at 6:00 pm, in room 202 as we learn, practice, and experience gratitude exercises and activities together.

Fall Musical
From the same songwriting team that brought you Fiddler on the Roof comes She Loves Me, an elegant romantic comedy about Maraczek's parfumerie and the people who work there. Adapted from the 1937 play that inspired You've Got Mail, The Shop Around the Corner, and In the Good Old Summertime, She Loves Me is a delightful exploration of friendship, anonymity, and, of course, love. Come experience this wonderful musical November 22-24 in Tyson Hall. Tickets are $15.

Family Advent Workshop
We invite families with children ages 3k - 5th grade to join us Wednesday, December 4, from 6:00-7:00 pm, in Tyson Hall for our Family Advent Workshop. Each family will be making their own Advent calendar. It will be exciting to open the drawers each day of Advent to find scripture and a treat for the day! Supplies are limited, so don't wait to register! The cost is $15 per family for this event. Contact Anne Strozier ([email protected]) for more information.

November Hilltoppers Meeting
Our next meeting is Tuesday, November 19, at 10:30 am in the Fellowship Hall. The Harmony Belles 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 15. Please note the price. 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.

Come Share A Bear
All children are invited to bring a new Teddy Bear on "Share A Bear Sunday" for our Fall Mission Project. Please bring the new Teddy Bear to the 8:30 or 11:00 Worship Service on November 24. Our bears will be blessed during the Children's Moment and then given to the children at Children's Harbor. Please contact Anne Strozier ([email protected]) with any questions.

Panama Missionary at VHUMC
Rhett Thompson will be visiting VHUMC on Wednesday November 13. He will have dinner at 5:00 pm and will stay afterwards for a meet and greet to answer any questions about his ministry in Panama. The VHUMC Boomers worked with Rhett in Panama for 4 mission trips. If you have any questions please contact Jim Frazier ([email protected] / 769-0126).

5th Annual Madrigal Dinner

Don't miss our feasting and hilarity, our music and our revelry, at our 5th Annual VHUMC Madrigal Dinner. Our New Life Singers Student Choir will be in full costume and full of clever comedy as we visit a 16th century castle for food, fun, and frolicking. The jester will once again attempt to cause royal mischief and confound the audience with his starring role in "May the Farce Be With You." The dinner will be on Sunday, December 1, at 6:30 pm, in Tyson Hall. Tickets are $25 and must be purchased by November 25. For more information, please contact Quint Harris ([email protected] / 769-0114).

Women's Story Teller Groups
We all have a different story, but we also have a part in the larger story of God's love for each one of us. Learning to tell your story allows you to see the many ways God has moved or is moving in your life. But your story should not be told in isolation because hearing it will allow other women to experience God in fresh new ways.

If you are a woman looking for a small group where you can be vulnerable and authentic, join us in these small groups starting the week of January 12. Please complete the online form to indicate what works best (for childcare choose Sunday or Wednesday night). Books are available as we interact with others' stories on the journey to articulate our own.

We look forward to learning together what it means to tell our story and discover how someone else's story can speak into your life and your heart. This class is for women of all ages and stages of life as we experience God's love through the power of a story.

Disciple Fast Track 2
Don't miss the 2nd in the Disciple Fast Track series. Spring 2020 will focus on going deep into Genesis and Exodus. Participants will purchase a study manual with suggested readings of about 30 minutes/day. Groups will meet weekly for 75 minutes, listening to a video and following with facilitated class discussion. The daily reading assignments are shorter than in Fast Track 1 in hopes more time will be spent practicing the spiritual disciplines highlighted in each session.

Please specify days of the week that work best for you to meet in a small group. We will be putting together leaders and participants, based on these preferences. Books are $16 and can be picked up in the church office prior to class starting. Classes will be the weeks of January 12 - April 26.

Upcoming VHUMC Trips
Two great trips are being planned for VHUMC. We will be going to Ireland November 2 -11, 2020 and on an Australia / New Zealand cruise in February of 2021. We will have a meeting about the trips on Sunday, November 17, at 3:00 pm, in room 316. Please plan on attending if you are interested in either of these trips. For more information, contact Jim Frazier ([email protected] / 769-0126).

November Memory Verse
Our 1st - 5th graders are taught a different Bible verse each month, and have the opportunity to recite the verse before or after Sunday School in the sensory room for a sweet treat, and a chance to win a grand prize at the end of the school year! November's memory verse is: "This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." - Psalm 118:24. If you have any questions please contact Jamie Meeks ([email protected]).

Let's Be Good Neighbors
It is exciting to see our parking lots fill up on Sunday mornings and people parking on the streets to attend our worship and Sunday School meetings. If you find it necessary to park on the street, please be careful not to park on our neighbors' grass. We appreciate their patience with all the cars and do not want to damage their yards in the process.

Ongoing Outreach

Urban Ministry Needs Shoes

Got Shoes? Children involved with the Urban Ministry after-school program needs shoe (ages 4-13). Children so often come with shoes that are worn out or too small. If you have gently used shoes that your children no longer wear, please bag them and put them in the wooden bins around the church. We will see that they get to children that need them. This is a project of UMW Circle One.

Food Pantry

We have a pantry full of food right now, but need donations to purchase turkeys for Thanksgiving. If you would like to help, please make checks to VHUMC marked for food pantry.

Oak Mountain Mission

Oak Mountain Mission needs working washers, dryers, lamps, end tables, night stands,
and working small appliances. They also need children's fall and winter clothing. Call Roddy (685-5757) for a pick-up. They are open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 am until 1:00 pm.

Wednesday Nights at VHUMC

Classes/Programs starting at 6:00 pm

Men's Bible Study: Through November 20 - Room 204
Disciple Bible Study: Through November 20 - Various locations
Charcuterie Boards: November 6 - Room 202
Church Tour: November 13 - Tyson Lobby
Paint Pouring Art Class: November 13 - Lighthouse
Experiential Gratitude: November 20 - Room 202
Thanksgiving: November 27 - No dinner or programming
Family Advent Workshop: December 4
Children's Concert: December 11
Dinner, Caroling, and The Polar Express: December 18

Menus

November 13 - Shepherd's Pie or Chicken Spaghetti, Broccoli, Salad, Fruit, Cut Veggies with Dressing. Kids: Chicken Nuggets and Mashed Potatoes
November 20 - Egg Casserole or Boiled Eggs, Bacon or Country Ham, Cheese Grits, Biscuits, Salad, Fruit, Cut Veggies with Dressing. Kids: French Toast Sticks