The Notes - January 23, 2020

Volume 50

Issue 4

January 23, 2020

Church-Wide Assembly
Twice each year we have a special gathering during our Sunday School hour to share insights about how VHUMC is doing, our plans for the future, and answer any questions you have. Please plan to join us this Sunday at 9:45 am in Tyson Hall for our next assembly. We will be sharing information on our budget and construction finances, ministry updates, and new ministry initiatives for 2020 and beyond.

Prayer 2020
Our last day of fasting and prayer day will be on Wednesday, January 29. Start the day with a worship and prayer service in Tyson Hall from 7:00 to 7:30 am. Rutland Chapel will also be open from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm to continue our prayers for the ministries of the church as we move into a new year and decade. We will have Holy Communion in the Chapel from 5:00 to 5:15 pm with communion until 6:00 pm for later arrivals.

High School Ski Trip
We are returning to Lake Junaluska over the President's Day Weekend (February 14-17) for great skiing, times of worship, and messages from Rev. Andy Lambert. The trip is $485 and includes transportation, 3 nights lodging, 2 days of skiing, and all meals (except on travel days). Register through the link and use these codes if they apply: "deposit" if you would like to pay half now and the balance later. "siblingdiscount" in order to receive half off of the registration for your second student. All final balances must be paid by January 30.

We are excited about this fun and life-changing event for our students and adults! For information or questions please contact Alice Bell Baker ([email protected] / 769-0137).

New Women's Small Groups
Don't miss these exciting new small groups for women as we learn how God is working in and through our lives individually and collectively. Growing in community and love has always been the call for the church as we share our stories and live our lives together. Please register to let us know the day and time you can attend these weekly meetings. For further information, please contact Suzanne Scott-Trammell ([email protected] / 769-0136).

Pickleball and Pizza
VHUMC Boomers and Beyond will have a fun night of Pickleball and pizza in the Lighthouse tomorrow night, January 24, from 6:00-8:00 pm. We are asking for a $5 donation to help with the cost of the pizza and drinks. This event is for anyone 50 and over. Please be sure and tell your friends. To make reservations or for more information please contact Jim Frazier ([email protected] / 769-0126).

Family Ministry Parent Class
If you have children in elementary school, middle school, or high school, we encourage you to come hear well-known child and adolescent psychologist Dr. Dale Wisely discuss the important issues facing our youth today. In this 2-part series, we will chat about current crises among our youth related to mental health, substance abuse, suicide, and troubled relationships with social media. Most importantly, Dr. Wisely will offer specific recommendations about how all of us who care about our youth can help them survive the risks that our youth confront. Join us on Wednesday, February 5 and 12, 6:00-7:00 pm, in room 202.

Upward Soccer Registration

Upward Soccer Registration is open! This league is for K4-4th grade boys and girls looking to learn soccer basics, teamwork, and have fun through the fellowship in the community. The season will start with evaluations at the Lighthouse gym on February 17/18 from 6:00-7:30 pm. Practices will start the week of February 24 and games will end on May 2.

You can register in person at the VHUMC Lighthouse or online by following the link. Contact Miles Erbe ([email protected] / 769-0134) with any questions.

Student Ministries Missions Fundraiser

We are excited to kick off our annual Student Ministries fundraiser on Sunday, February 23! We will be in Tyson Hall from 6:00-8:00 pm. The evening will include a seated meal, entertainment, silent auction and a live auction. You will want to be there! Tickets are $40 per person or $350 to reserve a table of 8. Please spread the word so we can make this an impactful event for our Student Ministries missions fund! For more information or to help by serving on the committee, please contact Alice Bell Baker ([email protected]).

Bible Pathfinders
We invite our 1st - 5th graders to join us on Wednesday nights, from 6:00-7:00 pm, in rooms 219/221 for our elementary Bible study, Bible Pathfinders. Our focus for this semester will be on prayer. We will use emojis to help us learn that prayer is simply talking to God. Each week, we will focus on something specific we can talk to God about in prayer using emojis as helpful reminders. We can't wait to see all of you! Please contact Jamie Meeks ([email protected]) for more information.

Devoted to Writing
Do you have a favorite devotional book that accompanies your daily prayer time with God? Have you ever considered putting your own experiences on paper so that you, too, could share the Word of God with others? If so, this may be the class for you! Join us for a six-week, fun, light-hearted course designed to help you share your stories of devotion through the gift of writing. Each student is encouraged to bring a notebook, pencils, pens, and a desire to put your creative brain to work. Through brainstorming, language arts skills, understanding the process, and other tools of the trade, we can all discover the joy of devotional writing.

Classes are on Thursdays from 1-2:00 pm starting on February 27 in room 320. Cost for the course is $230. For more information, contact Zoe Wirt (769-0141 / [email protected]) or click the link.

Tanzania Missionary in the States
Our Tanzania UMC missionary, Eric Soard will be in the states the first part of the year. He will be visiting Vestavia Hills in February, and we are delighted to welcome him to come and be a part of our Wednesday night dinner and program. Eric has visited VHUMC in the past and most recently we had a team take a mission trip to Tanzania where they worked with Eric and his wife Liz to help build a church in the Geita District. Please join us, Wednesday, February 12, beginning with dinner at 5:00 pm and program at 6:00 pm to welcome and hear our missionary, Eric Soard.

Matters of the Heart Book Club
Our next Matters of the Heart Book Club will be on Monday, January 27, at 6:00 pm in the VHUMC library. We are kicking off the year by reading Tattoos on the Heart by Father Gregory Boyles. We will discuss other upcoming book club selections at this meeting. Come join us as we begin this inspiring story!

Fidget Mat Sewing Needed
Join us on Tuesday, January 28, as we sew a bunch of activity mats for people with Dementia, Alzheimer's, or other memory issues. We will be in the Fellowship Hall from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. Bring a friend and join in this wonderful ministry! No sewing ability is required in assembling the mats! If you have any questions about this ministry, please contact Peggy Patton ([email protected]).

Daddy Daughter Dance
The Daddy Daughter Dance will be Sunday, February 23, from 6:00-8:00 pm in the Lighthouse gym. The cost is $15 per person (additional daughters are $10). This is an event for 4K-5th grade girls and their father, or grandfather, or favorite uncle! If you have any questions contact Anne Strozier ([email protected]).

Rise Against Hunger Event
Our annual community effort to end world hunger is coming up April 26-28! Our community-wide meal packing event, known as Rise Against Hunger, can make a tremendous difference in the lives of children that go to bed hungry. Over the course of three days we will have 90-minute time-slots that you or a group can sign up for and help pack nutrient rich meals. There is something to do for every age! It will be our 6th year to host, so plan to be a part of this powerful event and help us cross the finish line to end world hunger. Registration will be available soon!

Daily Devotions for 2020
We hope and pray that all our VHUMC family will continue in daily devotional reading and scripture reflection. After going through our January prayer guide together, we hope you will follow Jesus Calling every day starting in February. This daily devotion book that helps draw us closer to God is filled with uniquely inspired treasures from heaven for every day of the year. You can order a copy online and pick it up in the church office, or download the Jesus Calling app on your phone from the app store.

January 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 sensory room next door to 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. January's memory verse is: "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." - Galatians 5:22-23

Sunday Sound Volunteers Needed

Are you eager to get more involved in VHUMC while serving an important role in Sunday worship services? Currently, there is a strong need for volunteers to operate sound during traditional worship on Sundays. We are looking for sound volunteers to serve in the 8:30, 9:45, and 11:00 am sanctuary services. Soundboard operation is very simple, flexible, and easy to learn. Trainings will be offered periodically. If interested, please contact Peyton Chandler ([email protected]) or Nash Osborne ([email protected]).

Designated Giving Policy
Because of our Designated Funds, we publish the following statement twice a year and print it on your donation statements to comply with IRS guidelines:

VHUMC welcomes designated donations for pre-approved items such as benevolence, building, missions, and mission trips. In approving such causes, VHUMC is committed to using the collected funds for the intended cause. In the unusual event of the closure of a designated fund or project for which donations have been accepted, any remaining funds may be transferred to the General Fund or used for a similar purpose. Checks should be made payable to VHUMC, with the suggested designation listed on the memo line or on attached correspondence. Thank you for giving to VHUMC.

Ongoing Outreach

Oak Mountain Mission

Oak Mountain Missions needs extra-large adult coats and jackets, blankets, winter wear, and small heaters. No summer items, toys, or Christmas decorations at this time.

Food Pantry

Food Pantry thanks Vestavia Hills East School and Leadership Vestavia Hills for the 1,100 cans from their 100 Days of School Can Drive. Students showed up with the cans on MLK Day as a service project and unloaded and sorted the cans. Thank you!

Wednesday Nights at VHUMC

Classes/Programs starting at 6:00 pm

Holy Land Study: January 8-29 | Room 203
Prayer Studio: January 15-29 | Chapel
Men's Bible Study: January 15 - May 6 | Room 204
Women's Small Groups: January 15 - May 6 | Room 206 & 208
Disciple Bible - Fast Track: January 15 - May 6 | Room 323 & 203A

Menus:

January 29 - Scrambled Eggs or Boiled Eggs, Bacon / Cheese Grits / Biscuits, Fruit. Kids: French Toast Sticks
February 5 - Ginger Chicken or Sesame Glazed Pork, Fried Rice / Steamed Mixed Vegetables, Salad / Fruit / Cut Veggies with Dressing. Kids: Pizza
February 12 - Bowtie Shrimp & Pasta / Turkey Tetrazzini, Broccoli, Salad / Fruit / Cut Veggies with Dressing. Kids: Hot Dogs & Chips
February 19 - Pot Roast or Greek Chicken with Artichoke Cream Sauce, Mashed Potatoes with Gravy / Green Beans, Salad / Fruit / Cut Veggies with Dressing. Kids: Chicken Nuggets