The Notes - October 17, 2019

Volume 49

Issue 42

October 17, 2019

Community Wide Fall Festival
Join us this Sunday, October 20, from 4:00-6:00 pm for another amazing evening filled with family entertainment, food, and fun with the entire community. There will be free popcorn, cotton candy, water, and cokes! The parking lot will be filled with games, inflatables, pony rides, face painting, and music! Admission is totally free, but we hope you will bring new socks that will be donated to families/individuals in need through a local non-profit organization! Please join this amazing event in the heart of this community and invite your friends and neighbors to join us as well!

October Sermon Series
Artificial Intelligence, social media cues, and our human need for acceptance are a combination that is impacting all of our lives - often in a negative way. Software developers often push the same psychological buttons used by magicians and the gambling industry to keep us connected so they can increase their advertising income. Join us this Sunday morning, October 20, as we continue "Technically Persuaded" and discuss these tactics and consider choices grounded in the values of God, and not "big data." Video and small group discussions are available on our website by visiting www.vhumc.org/studies, as well as the small groups section of our app.

Mae Mae's Hugs
Over the past four years, VHUMC has partnered with the family and friends of Maegan Moore to create a warm coat ministry in her memory. We are thankful that over 3,500 coats have been distributed to children and adults that have received a warm, loving hug from Mae Mae and VHUMC! This year, Mae Mae's Hugs has set a goal to provide all new warm coats. We will be accepting any size new coat during the month of October dropped off at Anne Strozier's office. Another way you can help is by providing monetary donations that are needed to purchase the new coats. Donations can be made online. Follow the link, select missions, then Mae Mae's Hugs in the drop downs. Thank you so much for supporting this ministry!

Upcoming Annual Stewardship Campaign

As we move into Fall, our Annual Stewardship Campaign is on the horizon. This year's theme "Gratitude" will feature a sermon series, powerful messages from some of our laity, and an opportunity for each of us to celebrate God's presence in our lives by committing to a pledge for 2020. Our campaign will officially kick off on October 27, but I invite you to join us in praying for this campaign and how your family will respond to a commitment to support our church financially for 2020.

Persuasive Technology and Children Seminar
In conjunction with our preaching series entitled "Technically Persuaded," John Douglass, Licensed Counselor and chair of our Student Ministry Council, will lead a discussion for parents on the use of persuasive technology by social media, gaming, and search software companies. The session will be held will be held next Wednesday, October 23, at 6:00 pm, in room 202. Preview of the videos and discussion questions are available using the link below.

Upward Basketball and Cheerleading

Come join us for a great season of basketball and cheer in a family focused and friendly environment. Kids will learn to play the game as a team as well as developing skills to take their game to the next level! This league is for kids K4-8th grade. First practices are the week of November 4, and the first game is on November 16. The season will go through early February with a break for Thanksgiving and Christmas / New Year holidays.

Registration is $105. You can register online at the link below or in person at the VHUMC Lighthouse. We are looking forward to seeing your family participate with us this fall! For any questions about the league or season, please contact Miles Erbe ([email protected] / 769-0134).

Boomer & Beyond Pickleball and Pizza

If you are 50 years or older, please plan on coming by the Lighthouse on Friday, November 1, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm for a fun evening of Pickleball and Pizza. Alli McGill will be available to show us how to play Pickleball. We will have plenty of free pizza and drinks in the lobby. Please make reservations by contacting Jim Frazier (769-0126 / j[email protected]).

Boomer & Beyond Lucy Show Bible Study

The Boomer & Beyond Bible Study will be studying the Lucy Show Bible Study on 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 (769-0126 / [email protected]).

Fidget Mat Sewing Bee

Please join us in the Fellowship Hall next Tuesday, October 22, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm for the last Fidget Bee of 2019. We are taking November and December off, and will regroup in January of 2020. Come for a visit and create a Fidget Mat for someone special!

Welcome First Time Guests
Welcome to VHUMC! If this is the first time you've joined us, we'd love to connect with you and provide more information about VHUMC, as well as bring you a free gift. You can either fill out the blue pad in the attendance pews during worship OR text the word Welcome to 205-683-2631. Thanks for being here; we look forward to getting to know you better!

Welcome New Members
Let us welcome two new families that recently joined our church:

Katie and Ross Kingery, with Owen (8) and Lane (5). Katie and Ross are in the Believers Sunday school class, and their kids are plugged into Elementary Ministries. They attend the 11:00 am traditional worship service.
Ashley and Mary Michael Neese, with Landon (16), Lucy (10), Lynlee (9), and Lawson (4). The kids are already plugged in to student and kids' activities, and the parents are involved in the Agape Sunday school class. They attend the 11:00 am contemporary worship service.

Let's give them a warm VHUMC welcome!

Carnegie Project
The VHUMC Chancel Choir is partnering with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra Chorus and five other churches to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City next April. The newly formed ensemble "Birmingham Voices" consists of singers from Trinity, Cahaba Heights, St. Mark's, and Clanton UMC's, Vestavia Baptist, and the ASOC.

There will be a series of concerts in the Birmingham area to prepare for the Carnegie debut. The first concert will take place at VHUMC on Sunday, November 3, at 6:30 pm, in the Sanctuary. It will feature composer K. Lee Scott's Gloria as well as other selected smaller works. The choir will be conducted by Dr. Quint Harris and accompanied by Karen Krekelberg and the Cathedral Brass ensemble. This is a free event to the public but donations to help cover costs for instrumentalists are accepted and appreciated. For more information contact Quint Harris ([email protected]).

Charcuterie Class
The holiday events and parties are just around the corner. Would you like to wow your family and friends with your culinary prowess? If so, join us on Wednesday, November 6, at 6:00 pm, in room 202 to master the art of charcuterie. Participants will receive a hand-crafted cutting board and all the essentials to make your own beautiful display to take home that night. There will also be a drawing for two door prizes: a chocolate charcuterie and a breakfast charcuterie. The cost is $35 and you can register online using the link below.

Tablescapes Tickets
Join us on Tuesday, November 5, for Tablescapes! We have lots of fun to look forward to at this event as hosts decorate each table with brilliant themes. The doors will open at 10:30 am to view the tables, with lunch beginning at 11:30 am. Our wonderful guest speaker is women's interest and lifestyle publisher, Phyllis Hoffman DePiano. Tickets will be available for purchase using the link below, or from the main office!

You can also sign up to decorate a table of your own. Tables can be really simple, and our committee is happy to help you decorate. For more information about decorating a table, please contact Cheree Carlton ([email protected] / 979-1837).

Travel to Holy Land
Join Dr. Bill Brunson and Rev. Jeremiah Stone on a once-in-a lifetime trip to experience the Holy Land and see your faith come to life! We all know the importance of serving as the hands and feet of Christ in our world, but we want to invite you on another faith journey during spring break, March 21-29, 2020.

Walk where Jesus walked, sit and hear the stories from the Bible in the places where they actually happened, and experience a trip that will help you take a deeper step in your relationship with our Risen Lord. For more information please contact Jim Frazier ([email protected]). We have families, couples, friends, and individuals already signed up, but there is still room to join the group.

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).

October Memory Verse
Our 1st - 5th graders are taught a different Bible verse each month. They 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! October's memory verse is: "In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets." - Matthew 7:12

Honoring Church Membership
Some of you have wondered how we handle priority registration for Vestavia Day School and some of our events when we anticipate that available slots will fill up quickly. We always want to make sure that our faithful, active members don't miss the opportunity to participate.

Some time ago, we adopted a policy (that is very similar to other churches of our size) that gives priority registration to a member who has:

Been a member of VHUMC for at least one year.
Had their attendance recorded in Sunday School or the worship service pew pads 1/4th of the time.
Given a minimum of $1,000 a year to the church as a donation (not as payment for services).

This seems a fair measure to use in giving priority registration to our members. For those who have (or plan to have) children involved at VHUMC, we highly encourage you to register your attendance and if you contribute in cash, please use an offering envelope.

If you have questions about this policy, please contact Gary Wyatt ([email protected] / 769-0108).

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

The Food Pantry always needs spaghetti sauce and jelly. Thanks to our high school helpers last Tuesday who unloaded 18,000 pounds of food from the food bank. Our order comes every second Tuesday if you would like to volunteer to help.

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 for a pick-up at 685-5757. They are open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 am until 1:00 pm.

Help Still Needed In Lee County

There is still much work to be done restoring property and assisting the grieving people in Lee County after the March tornadoes that killed 23 people. A special thank you goes to all who sent gift cards to help those in that area; however, the need for help is still there.

If you are interested in helping "hands on," let us know. We need volunteers to travel to Lee County and assist with the rebuild. To learn about certification or volunteering, please contact Ginny Slay ([email protected]). She is our Team Coordinator for Disaster Relief.

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
Artificial Intelligence, Social Media, and the Human Brain: October 16 - Room 202
Halloween and All Saints - What's the Connection?: October 30 - Room 202
Charcuterie Boards: November 6 - Room 202

Menus

October 23 - Meatloaf or Baked Ham, Mashed Potatoes, English Peas, Salad, Fruit, Cut Veggies with Dressing. Kids: Pizza
October 30 - Baked Turkey or Pork Loin, Mac and Cheese, Crowder Peas with Snaps, Onions, Salad, Fruit, Cut Veggies with Dressing. Kids: Chicken Nuggets and Mac and Cheese
November 6 - Greek Chicken Leg Quarters or Swedish Meatballs w/ Gravy, Lemon Rice, Greek Green Beans and Tomatoes, Salad, Fruit, Cut Veggies with Dressing. Kids: Pizza