The Notes - September 20, 2018

Volume 48

Issue 38

September 20, 2018

New Mid-Week Worship Service
We live in a very hectic world with lots of choices. Let's face it, coming to church on Sunday morning can seem like one more thing to check off our list.

That is why every Wednesday night we have a guilt free worship service in Tyson Hall. It starts at 6:05 pm and ends promptly at 6:50 pm so you can pick up your children or your students from their Wednesday night activities. Each week you will hear from one of our preaching pastors and the 45 minutes we share will be very different from our Sunday morning worship. We don't want anyone to feel guilty about missing Sunday worship, we just want you to have the space and time to reset and breathe in the middle of the week. Our goal is for everyone to walk out of worship with a renewed spirit and some practical applications. Consider joining us for Mid-Week Worship so we can all hit the reset button together.

Free Gift from VHUMC
VHUMC has a gift for every member and visitor that are a part of the church! We are offering free access to RightNow Media, a resource that has over 20,000 discipleship videos for kids, youth, and adults. It's kind of like the Netflix of Bible studies! If you haven't gotten the email in your inbox, no worries! Just click on the link below to create a profile and get started. Also, don't forget to download the app to watch on your phones anytime during the day/night. We are looking forward to learning and growing together as we experience our Christ-centered lives of purpose.

New Class for 20's-30's
We have a brand new young professional class for our 20's - early 30's as we meet, eat, and greet this Sunday, September 23, at 9:45 am in the small dining room (across from Tyson Hall). Come ready to discuss days of week, times, location, etc. that will allow us to grow together in our faith. Please join us and spread the word among your family and friends.

Grief Support Group
If you're struggling with the loss of a loved one, we invite you to participate in the "Give It To God" grief support group. The group will meet each Wednesday evening from September 26 through November 7. Dinner will be provided each Wednesday at 5:30 pm followed by the group meeting from 6:00 pm until 7:15 pm in room 242 of the Lighthouse. If you would like to participate in this six-week session, or if you wish to learn more about the group, please contact Peyton Chandler ([email protected] / 306-3591).

Current Financial Report
We have posted an updated financial report below covering the first two months of our fiscal year. Over that period, our donations have been below average and below our budget (target) numbers. We are not overly concerned, but wanted to point out the current needs. If you can give more of your pledge early or give an extra amount to the General Fund, it would really help. All of our ministries and missions depend on your generous monthly giving.

Blessing of the Pets
Our pets are a blessing to us, join us in blessing them. Bring those special pets to the north lawn of the church so they can receive a blessing from our clergy on Saturday, October 6, at 10:00 am. Make sure to circle the date on your calendar! Also, if you would like to volunteer to help with this service, please contact Peyton Chandler ([email protected] / 306-3591) or Butch Williams ([email protected] / 769-0102).

Calligraphy and Penmanship Skills Needed
We are excited about our upcoming community-wide Blessing of the Pets event on Saturday, October 6th from 10:00 - 11:00 am at VHUMC! For each pet that is blessed we have a nice certificate of blessing upon which we want to insert each pet's name. If you have calligraphy talents or very nice penmanship we can use your help! We'd like to have 5-10 people adding the names to the certificates on site, so if you can help please contact Peyton Chandler ([email protected] / 306-3591) or Butch Williams [email protected] / 769-0102).

Follow Us On Facebook
If you haven't already, head over to the VHUMC Facebook page and hit the "Like" button. That way you will see our latest updates and powerful stories each week as ministry continues to happen throughout this community. We also try to keep the latest news of the church on there as well as some of our funniest video updates. So head over and follow us on Facebook!

Middle School Retreat
We are so excited to announce a new location for our Middle School Retreat! We will be spending the weekend at Timberlake Ministries in Millport, AL. Register now through October 2. Late registration will continue through October 11 with a 10% late fee with no guarantee of a t-shirt. After October 11, we will only be able to add students to a wait list. No exceptions, so register early! There is a sibling discount of 50% off the registration price! Enter promo code: "siblingdiscount" when registering your students.

We also need chaperones! This is a first come, first serve basis so please let us know asap if you would like to chaperone by emailing Juli Hansen ([email protected]).

Seniors Only 2019
Seniors Only has begun, but you can still be a part! Join us for this monthly meeting to help prepare our senior students for college. Seniors will meet in the Student Ministries Cafe on the first Tuesday of every month at 7:00 pm. The next meeting is October 2. The cost is $50 and includes dinner and materials.

Live2Lead Leadership Event
Bring your work team and friends for this half-day event at VHUMC on November 1 (lunch provided). Check out the powerful lineup for this simulcast discussing "The Art of the Shift," how to stay agile and effective in a changing world. For more information, and registration, visit the link below.

Join a Bible Study or Class
We want to help you get involved with a Bible study or Sunday School class. Access the current classes and Bible studies being offered via the link or let us know if you want to start your own by contacting Suzanne Scott-Trammell ([email protected]). We have lots of resources now via RightNow Media (leader's and participant's guides with questions already available), as well as other places, so you will get help leading your own study. Let's grow together as we live out our Christ-centered lives of purpose.

Sound System Volunteers
We are looking for sound system volunteers for all of our Sunday services, as well as special services throughout the week. A good sounding service is crucial to making a memorable worship experience. Many weeks we risk having services with no one behind the sound board so we need your help more than ever. With the improvements we are making to all of our worship spaces we want to make sure we are good stewards of our progress and have volunteers we can call on to make our sound systems run well. It is very easy, and does not require any experience whatsoever. If you want to be a part of this wonderful team them please contact Peyton Chandler ([email protected]).

Men's Ministry Survey
We are always looking for ways to improve what is being offered at VHUMC. The Men's Team would like to know what you think about the men's ministries that are being offered and what ministries you would like to see us offer. Please take a minute and click on the link and help us improve the ways we reach out to our church and community through men's ministry. For more information, please contact Jim Frazier ([email protected] / 768-0126).

2019 Jesus Trail Hike Informational Meeting

Join Jim Frazier this Sunday, September 23, at 4:00 pm, in room 316 for videos and information about the exciting Jesus Trail Hike coming up April 2-10, 2019. This will be a once in a lifetime trip as you leisurely hike around the Sea of Galilee, spend a day in old Jerusalem, and another day in Bethlehem and the Jordan River. Space is limited. For more information contact Jim Frazier ([email protected] / 769-0126).

Conservatory Transport Volunteers Needed
The Conservatory of the Arts is in need of a few volunteers willing to offer their service in transporting children to and from lessons. Our children's safety is so important and what a blessing it is to assist in the broadening of the human spirit through the Arts. If you are interested in helping out in this ministry please contact Matthew Wall ([email protected]). Thank you!

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.

Save the Date for Some R&R
Mark your calendars and save the date for our first ever fundraiser to benefit our very own Rise Against Hunger Event. Join us on November 1 for a little R&R (Rice and Revelry) at the Hoover Randle Home and Gardens on Tyler Road. We will have a fun evening for hunger relief benefiting our meal packing event in April 2019. More details coming later, but go ahead and mark your calendar. Tickets are only $29 - which will feed 100 children. Tickets are limited so be on the lookout for when registration opens in a couple of weeks.

Canned Food Drive for Bridge Ministries
VHUMC is hosting a canned food drive for our ministry partner, Bridge Ministries. Bridge Ministries is our main referral resource for those who need benevolence assistance such as rent and utility payments. The canned food drive is a great way for us to help this ministry that has been such a blessing for us. Their food pantry is getting low on some specific items. The needed foods are:

Canned meat
Vegetables with low sodium and/or no salt added
Fruit with no sugar added
Glucerna and Ensure
Full sized hygiene products

Please drop off your canned goods in the church office by September 30. If you are interested in helping deliver the items to the ministry, please contact Rachael Hayes ([email protected] / 769-0143).

August Memorials
Click on the link below or visit www.vhumc.org to see the memorials and honorariums given last month. Thanks to everyone who has given to help the church in recognition of a loved one.

Growing Pains: Renovating for Our Future

We can foresee the end of our construction project, but we still have a few weeks left. It is exciting to see improved items in our Sanctuary and Narthex. Please continue to pray for worker safety and continued progress as we complete the Sanctuary Organ Screen, boiler room HVAC, and other items. We are looking forward to having everything completed and cleaned up soon.

Work is now in progress to renovate our Adult Education Building elevator. The elevator is currently out-of-service until Friday, September 28. We apologize for this inconvenience. The end product will be a more reliable elevator for everyone.

Ongoing Outreach

Food Pantry

The Food Pantry needs tote bags with handles for fresh veggies. Even though the farmers market has closed, we are still receiving items from one of the vendors. We also need fresh oranges, apples, etc. Thank you!

Oak Mountain Mission

Oak Mountain Mission only needs adult plus-size fall and winter clothing, boy's jeans, and children's jackets and coats. No other clothing at this time please. They always need dishes, glasses, pans, silverware, and linens. For furniture pick-up, please contact Brenda (685-5757). Remember, furniture needs to be in the basement, garage, carport, or outside. Thank you!

Table of Hope to Benefit Urban Ministry

We'd love to see you at Table of Hope on Thursday, October 4! This year is incredibly special as it marks Urban Ministry's 40th anniversary. Join us to participate in our silent auction, enjoy fine dining, and share a one-of-kind evening with our esteemed guest City of Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin. To purchase tickets, visit the link below.

Wednesday Night Menus

September 26 - Salad, Baked Potato Bar, Soup OR Chili. Kids: Chicken Nuggets
October 3 - Salad, Hamburger OR BBQ, French Fries, Ice Cream. Kids: Pizza
October 10 - Salad, Orecchiette w Bolognese OR Marinara, Sautéed Veggies, Cobbler. Kids: Chicken Nuggets, Mac & Cheese
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