The Notes - November 15, 2018

Volume 48

Issue 46

November 15, 2018

Commitment Sunday
We hope you will make every effort to join us this Sunday for the Commitment Sunday of our 2019 Stewardship Campaign "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" We will provide an opportunity in each of our worship services for you to bring your pledge card forward to the Altar. During our Coffee Hour before Sunday School, we invite you to join us in the Fellowship Hall for a celebration of 2018, a glimpse of our amazing Missions team, and some wonderful food and fellowship. Pledge cards will be available on Sunday or you may bring one from home. If you make your pledge online (www.vhumc.org/give), we invite you to bring a card forward simply acknowledging your online pledge. We are thrilled at the church's momentum as we prepare for 2019 and we are immensely grateful for your continued generosity.

Magical Marketplace
Don't miss our Magical Marketplace tomorrow from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. This event will be the one stop shopping you need to start and finish your Christmas list while helping a great organization, Unless U. You will not want to miss all of our new and returning vendors. Also, if you start to get a little hungry, we have wonderful chicken salad and pimento cheese sandwiches available. It will be a fun day for everyone. If shopping is not your thing and you would like to take on another role, then please consider volunteering for this great event. We have many opportunities to fit all schedules. If interested, please contact, Rachael Hayes ([email protected]) or Becky Reamey.

Thanksgiving Week Updates

The church offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 22/23.
We will not publish a Notes next week. Look for our next edition on November 29!

Looking Toward the Future
VHUMC has always been a church that has a deep appreciation for our past, our history, and our heritage - while, at the same time, always looking to the future, and what God is calling us to next. I'm excited to say that still rings true. Recently I met with the leaders of various committees and ministry areas of the church to think through items for our next strategic plan. We believe that our church is poised to accomplish great things for God and with God across the coming years.

In our time together, we discussed what the church represents, and where the church can grow and develop over the next few years. We are a church that believes in the importance of worship. We are a church that believes in the importance of small groups, Sunday school, and growing as disciples. We are a church that loves our community, and seeks to be involved with them in any way possible so that they can know that we love them and that God loves them. We are a church that believes in the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and believes that Jesus has a call and a purpose for each of us.
We know there are opportunities for our church to have a greater impact on our community. We know there are ways for our church to reach and to resource families. We know there are ways for us to reach out and to invite people to worship with us, to experience the love of Christ through our programs and outreach, and to find their place in God's kingdom. We know there are ways and opportunities for us to strengthen our ministries and help connect people to each other and to God.

While the world is changing, and there will always be challenges we face, we trust that as we work together as the body of Christ, loving one another and loving the world around us, responding (not reacting) to whatever comes our way - we will continue to be the tremendous church that we have been for 66 years. It is a great time in the life of our church, and I believe that our best years are coming.

As we continue working to develop the foundational pieces of our next strategic plan, please join with me in praying for our church and our leaders - that God will guide us to be the church He needs us to be in the years to come.

Senior Pastor, Bill Brunson

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 this Sunday, November 18. Our Bears will be blessed during the Children's Moment and then given to the children at The Children's Harbor, Jessie's Place, and Safehouse. Please Email Anne Strozier ([email protected]) with any questions.

Blood Drive This Sunday
VHUMC will be hosting a blood drive this Sunday, November 18, from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm. Please join LifeSouth Community Blood Centers in our main parking lot and roll up your sleeve to save a life. Each pint of blood can save three lives!

A Night in Bethlehem
We invite everyone to join us for an intergenerational event, A Night in Bethlehem. We want to share the "Greatest Story of All Time" through a Christmas experience where you will do more than just hear about the birth of Jesus - you will see, touch, feel, and smell what life was like at this miraculous moment.

Join us in Tyson Hall on Wednesday, November 28, from 6:00-7:00 pm. Journey through the streets of Bethlehem and watch your children make crafts typical of ancient times (appropriate for 3 yrs. - 5th grade). Your evening will not be complete without witnessing Mary, Joseph, and the newborn King in the company of animals in the stable. This is not your typical "living nativity" because you will be able to talk with Mary and Joseph discovering that God used regular people to fulfill His promise.

We hope to see you as we witness the miracle that happened on A Night in Bethlehem.

Christmas Angels
The week of Thanksgiving stop by one of the trees near Tyson Hall or the Narthex to select an Angel off of the Tree. This year we will partner again with Inglenook, Southampton, Piper Place, Birmingham Dream Garden and AID to Inmate Mothers. All Angel Tree presents need to be returned to the church office by December 9.

Boomer Acoustic Worship
Join Jim Frazier, Dale Serrano, Steve Speir, and David Stegall this Sunday evening as they lead worship at 5:00 pm in the chapel. We will be finding God in the music as they play some of your favorite songs from the 60's and 70's by the Beatles, James Taylor, Carol King, and others. This is for anybody of any age that enjoys good music. Please tell your friends to come and sing along. For more information, you can contact Jim Frazier (769-0126 / [email protected]).

Magic City Nutcracker Tickets
Tickets for the Magic City Nutcracker are now on sale and can be purchased by clicking the link below. We are so excited about performing at the historic Virginia Samford Theatre. Performances will be on Friday, November 30, at 7:00 pm; Saturday, December 1, at 2:00 and 7:00 pm; and Sunday, December 2, at 2:00 pm.

Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party
Calling all parents and grandparents! The Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party is an excellent event that supports the Magic City Nutcracker. Please join us this Sunday afternoon, November 18, from 2:30-4:30 pm in the Parlor for all kinds of goodies, crafts, and a meet-and-greet with the Sugar Plum Fairy herself. What a wonderful way to spend the afternoon with your children and get into the holiday spirit! Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the door.

4th Annual Madrigal Dinner
Don't miss our feasting and hilarity, our music and our revelry, at our 4th Annual VHUMC Madrigal Dinner. Our New Life Singers (youth choir) will be in full costume and full of clever comedy as we visit a 16th century castle for food, fun, and frolicking. The dinner will be on Sunday, December 9, at 6:30 pm, in Tyson Hall. The deadline to purchase tickets is Monday, December 3. For more information, please contact Quint Harris ([email protected] / 769-0114).

Family Promise is Back
Construction is almost over and we will be back at the church hosting our friends and guests from Family Promise. Our hosting week will kick off on Sunday, November 25, and we will need volunteers to help spend the night and provide a meal or two. If interested in volunteering, please contact Rachael Hayes ([email protected]).

We Are All Kids at Heart
Even as adults we would love to play on an age-appropriate playground. We have two great playgrounds at VHUMC, but the structures and motion rides are often damaged by older children who are too big for the equipment. Parents, please help us by keeping your children off of the small playground if they are over three years old and off the larger playground if they are over 4th grade. And please, never leave your children playing without adult supervision.

Bible Bearer, Acolyte and Crucifer Training

We love for the Cross, the Word of God, and the Light of Jesus to be carried into our worship services by our children! If your child would like to serve as a Bible Bearer, Acolyte, or a Crucifer we invite you and your child to join us for training in the Sanctuary on Wednesday, December 12.

Bible Bearers (1st-2nd graders) and Acolytes (3rd-5th graders) will train from 3:30-4:30 pm. Crucifers (6th-12th graders) will train between 4:30-5:00 pm. You may leave when your child is finished... no need to stay the full hour.

If your child is a part of Vestavia Day School After School Program and would like to serve contact Jamie Meeks ([email protected]).

We hope that you will consider encouraging your child to participate in this special ministry!

Adult Boot Camp Classes
Introducing adult boot camp classes Monday thru Friday at 9:15 am in the Lighthouse gym! Classes are $10 with a Lighthouse membership. For more information, contact Alli McGill ([email protected] / 769-0139).

Online Advent or Christmas Studies
Check out RightNow Media's list of Advent and Christmas studies by accessing your free subscription. If you haven't activated this yet, click on the link and set up a profile. You can access these and many more Bible studies and conferences (one-time sessions), by topic, season, and interest. Go to the top left bar to access the library and choose Holiday, to look into studies for your family or group to use at Christmas, (for adults, youth, and children).

High School Retreat

Registration is now open for the 2019 High School Retreat, February 15-18, 2019. All 9th-12th Graders are invited to join us at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina for worship and skiing! The cost is $475 which includes the cost of transportation, lodging, skiing, a t-shirt, and most food. Siblings attending together can get type "sibling discount" on the registration. Register online by clicking the link below.

If you are interested in chaperoning this event contact Jeremiah Stone ( [email protected] ).If you are interested in helping to sponsor the registration cost for a student in need of financial assistance please contact Emily Boles ( [email protected] ).

Thrive Serve Night This Week
Our students will be going off site this Sunday night, November 18, to serve at two locations in our city. High School students will be going to the Greater Birmingham Humane Shelter and Middle School students will be going to the YWCA. Everyone will depart from the church at 5:00 pm and return to the church at 7:00 pm. Dinner will not be served so please make sure to eat beforehand. Register by clicking the link below. High School registrations must also complete the waiver form.

Christmas Mission Breakfast
Our student and mission ministries continue their Christmas tradition with our annual Christmas Student Ministry Breakfast. We will be serving breakfast here at VHUMC to families from the Birmingham community on Saturday, December 8. Students and volunteers are invited to help serve breakfast, socialize, share crafts, and help Santa deliver Christmas gifts. If you would like to help, please choose a yellow star from the Christmas trees on the Student Ministry hall after Thanksgiving. Purchase the items listed on the star and return them with the star to the front office or Student Ministry Hall by Monday, December 3. For more information, please contact Anna Watts ([email protected]).

A Bluegrass Christmas

Join Jim Frazier and Friends as they once again kick off the Advent season with some good ol' down-home toe-tappin' bluegrass music. They will be our song leaders in the Contemporary service on Sunday, December 2. Be sure and bring a friend and get ready to sing along to some of your Christmas favorites.

Great Stewardship Numbers
The 2019 Stewardship Campaign is off to a tremendous start! Even before Commitment Sunday, we are thrilled to report the following:

27% of people who pledged in 2018 have already made their 2019 pledge
21% of those who pledged in 2018 have increased their 2019 pledge
We are 31% towards our Pledged Amount Goal for 2019
14% of pledges received to date are new pledges

Please join us this Sunday, November 18, for Commitment Sunday when you and your family will have an opportunity to place your 2019 Pledge Card at the Altar. You may also make your pledge online.

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

Regular Registration = $325 by December 1
Late Registration = $358 after December 1

Growing Pains: Renovating for Our Future

We are almost finished with our renovations. Our new outer Sanctuary Narthex doors will be delivered and installed soon. Most of our "in progress" items are now audio/visual - both in the Sanctuary and some final items in Tyson Hall. Please be patient as we work to get all of those systems working.

Thanks again to our custodial team and all of the pew stewards who cleaned our pews, dusted all of the hymnals and bibles, and got our sanctuary shiny again. We are excited to have all of our spaces fully functional as we prepare to begin the Advent season.

Ongoing Outreach

Food Pantry

Food Pantry needs tote bags for veggies and quart and sandwich size Ziploc bags for our treats from Panera Bread. Our families will all be receiving turkeys next Wednesday, thanks to our generous church members.

Oak Mountain Mission

Oak Mountain Missions needs fall and winter clothing only. No summer items for now. Kitchen items and linens are always needed. For furniture pick-up, please call Brenda (685-5757).

Wednesday Night Menus

November 21 - No Meal
November 28 - Biscuit OR Pancakes, Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Cheese Grits, Orange Slices. Kids: Chicken Nuggets, Mac & Cheese
December 5 - Salad, Donato's Pizza, Baked Ziti, Ice Cream. Kids: Pizza
December 12 - Salad, Pork Loin OR Baked Flounder, Mac & Cheese, Wild Rice, Carrot Soufflé, Bread Pudding. Kids: Chicken Nuggets