The Notes - September 12, 2019

Volume 49

Issue 37

September 12 , 2019

UMCOR Response to Hurricane Dorian

We have all watched the devastation in the Bahamas and our Eastern U.S. coastline by Hurricane Dorian during the past few days. As always, UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) is already responding with much needed supplies and assistance.

District Response Teams to both the Bahamas and the Carolinas will soon be forming, so please contact either Rachael Hayes ([email protected] / 769-0143) or call the church office (822-9631) if you would like to serve in that way. If you would like to make donations, please make your check payable to VHUMC and include UMCOR in the memo line. Or, make your donation online by visiting the link below and choosing Missions-UMCOR in the account field. Thank you!

Church-Wide Assembly
Plan to attend this informative meeting this Sunday, September 15, in Tyson Hall, during the Sunday School hour at 9:45 am. Church leaders will be sharing reports on our fiscal year-end finances, facility updates, ministry updates, and a special report on missions. As always, we will have a time for questions and answers at the end. Coffee and snacks will be available in the Fellowship Hall.

Joining VHUMC
We are blessed with many visitors at VHUMC and would love to welcome our visitors into membership. If you would like to learn more about becoming a member of the VHUMC family, please contact Suzanne Scott-Trammell ([email protected] / 769-0136). We want to include you in our Informal Joining Service on September 22, in the Chapel, after the 11:00 am service. Join us for this brief service with lunch following.

Timely Giving
Our clergy share an "Offering Moment" as a part of each worship service to give you a quick glimpse into one of the countless ministries that make up this vital church. As we prepare to present our tithes and offerings, we hear how those gifts serve all of our missions and ministries. This September, as we begin to settle back into our routines of life, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your faithful giving. We also want to encourage you to consider establishing a monthly electronic gift to allow all of our ministries to receive adequate funding on a regular basis.

Monthly online giving allows us to more accurately budget and distribute funds, allowing for consistent, effective ministry to occur. To schedule your giving, simply visit the link below, log into your church account, and click the green "Schedule Giving" button on the right side of the page. If you have any questions about online giving, or setting up your login, please contact John Sweeney ([email protected] / 769-0101).

September Hilltoppers Meeting
Our next Hilltoppers meeting is next Tuesday, September 17, at 10:30 am, in the Fellowship Hall. The program will be Scam Alerts from the City of Vestavia. 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, September 13. 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.

Whale of a Sale
The Whale of a Sale starts today in the Lighthouse! Please join us and shop our huge selection of toys, baby items, and gently used clothing. Proceeds from the sale support Vestavia Day School, one of the strongest outreach ministries of the church. The sale is open to the public from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm on today, and from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm on Friday (half-price sale on most items all day).

Text for a To-Go Box
You've asked, we've delivered! We would love to have everyone come enjoy dinner and fellowship every Wednesday night, from 5:00-6:00 pm, in the Fellowship Hall. Come grab dinner before classes start at 6:00 pm. However, for those who can't get here by 6:00 pm, please text "gobox" to 205-683-2631 and fill out the form so we can prepare a to-go box with your name on it that you can pick up on one of the tables as you enter the Fellowship Hall. Be sure to tell us how many go boxes you want when you fill out the form. If you have questions, please contact Suzanne Scott-Trammell ([email protected] / 253-8025).

Student Ministry Prayer Breakfast

We are excited to announce that you now have the option to pre-pay a flat fee for breakfast. You can pay by the semester for $65, or for the school year for $130! If you choose to do this, your name will be on a list and you will not have to pay each week. It would include all kitchen food (including orange juice and water), but not beverages from the machines. This is a one-time fee, not a reloadable account. Purchase this pre-pay option using the link below, or make a check payable to VHUMC and put Prayer Breakfast on the memo line.

This prayer breakfast is a perfect option for your middle or high school student. Join us every Wednesday morning, at 6:45 am, on the student ministries hall! If you have any questions, please contact Alice Bell Baker ([email protected]).

Upward Football/Cheerleading Recognition

We want to congratulate and recognize our Upward Football/Cheerleading participants in the 11:00 am Contemporary Worship Service, in Tyson Hall, on Sunday, October 6. If you have a child who participated, please make sure you're there. These budding athletes are fun to watch, as they develop the skills they've been given. We want them to know we support and love them all along life's journey.

COA Art Classes
We still have spots available for the Art Classes during our Fall season. Tuesday classes are for advanced art students (3rd-8th grade) and Thursday classes are for beginning art students (K-3rd grade). Both classes meet from 4:15-5:15 pm. $150 covers 8 classes, including all supplies. There will be an art show held near the end of the season. So make sure to register while space is still available!

New Crafting for Christ Class
Come join us in the Lighthouse for our first Crafting for Christ class! This is a DIY class where you will learn to make a fun framed wall hanging. You will choose stain or paint colors to personalize and make it your own. You can add your favorite fresh flowers or succulent to add a personal touch. All materials are included except for the plants. Join us on Wednesday, September 18, at 6:00 pm, in room 250, as we have some fun making a great piece of art! For questions or information, please contact Alli McGill ([email protected]).

Mother Daughter Paint Party
We invite mothers and daughters (5k - 5th grade) to join us for a Mother Daughter Paint Party! We will meet on Sunday, October 6, from 4:00-6:30 pm, in room 202 for painting, snacks, and fellowship. Each person will go home with a personalized apron and a canvas creation of their very own! The cost is $15 per person with a $45 maximum per family. If you are registering three daughters use the code "child3" to get the discount for the family cap. Space is limited, so register now!

Fall Grief Support Group
All of us experience grief differently. We have a dedicated ministry at VHUMC focused on providing loving care and support to those experiencing grief. We are excited to begin the next installment of our Grief Support Group next week. Participants will learn valuable ways to cope with their grief, with the opportunity to share with the other group members who have experienced the loss of spouses, children, parents, grandparents and siblings.

The group will meet for seven consecutive Wednesday evenings from September 18 until October 30. Registered attendees will gather at the church at 5:30 to eat dinner together. Our sessions begin around 6:00 pm, and we conclude each evening around 7:15 pm. If you or a loved one need grief support and are interested in attending, please contact Peyton Chandler ([email protected]) or Butch Williams ([email protected]). The Grief Support Group is open to everyone, whether church members or not.

Freedom From Addiction Community Breakfast

Dr. Susan Walley will speak on "Vaping - the Gateway to Addiction" at a breakfast presentation to be held next Friday, September 20, at Canterbury UMC. Breakfast begins at 7:30 am, and the presentation will be from 8:00 - 9:00 am at Canterbury Hall, 350 Overbrook Road in Mountain Brook. There is no charge for breakfast or the meeting.

Save the Date for Tablescapes
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.

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). Tickets will be available for purchase very soon!

Looking for Someone with a Helping Heart
If you enjoy helping people, solving problems, and working independently, then we have a great opportunity for you. The Missions Office is looking for someone to help with the car ministry and perform some light office duties. This ministry truly changes lives and is transforming to so many people, but it has a lot of moving parts. We are looking for someone who is detail oriented, enjoys talking to people on the phone, can work independently, and has a heart for missions. If you have some free time and this opportunity sounds like something you would enjoy doing, please pray about it and contact Rachael Hayes ([email protected] / 769-0143).

Matters of the Heart Book/Bible Club

Have you ever read that book that you could not put down and when you finally finished it, you were telling all of your friends about it? Once you start talking about it, you realize they have read that book too. There are many books that people are talking about right now. Some inspire us to do more and after reading them, we want to do more. Some keep us up at night wondering, how can I help?

If you love to read and get inspired, then consider joining us for Matters of the Heart on Monday nights, at 6:00 pm, starting September 16. We will discuss upcoming book selections, times and formats of our evenings, and other important information. This is one you will not want to miss. To register or to get more information, please email Rachael Hayes ([email protected] / 769-0143).

September Memory Verse
Our Elementary Bible Verse memorization program is beginning again! Our 1st-5th graders will be taught a different verse each month, and have the opportunity to recite the verse before or after Sunday School in the elementary office for a sweet treat, and a chance to win a grand prize at the end of the school year! September's memory verse is, "We love because He first loved us." ~1 John 4:19

We hope that these verses help to guide children throughout their lives. Parents, you should have received an email with more information. If you have any questions please contact Jamie Meeks ([email protected]).

Ongoing Outreach

Shredding/Recycle Day at City Hall

The city will host a shredding/recycle day for Vestavia Hills this Saturday, September 14, from 9:00 am -1:00 pm at Vestavia Hills City Hall. Vestavia Hills Police Department will be collecting unneeded medications for disposal. They will also accept electronic items, most household hazardous waste items, computer hard drives and monitors, televisions, etc. See the link below for a complete list of acceptable items.

Food Pantry

Thank you for our recent donations that provide for our monthly purchases from the Community Food Bank. If you have never seen our food pantry, please come down any Wednesday and see this great ministry that your church supports. Thank you!

Oak Mountain Mission

Thanks to everyone who attended the Harvest of Hope luncheon this week at The Club. We had five tables of supporters from VHUMC. We were proud of Mayor Ashley Curry who was this year's speaker.

Wednesday Nights at VHUMC

Classes/Programs starting at 6:00 pm

Men's Bible Study: August 28-November 20 - Room 204
Disciple Bible Study: September 4-November 20
Mysterious Pathways of Joy: September 11-October 2 - Room 202
Crafting for Christ: September 18 - Room 250

Menus

September 18 - Ginger Chicken or Sesame Glazed Pork, Fried Rice, Steamed Mixed Vegetables, Salad, Fruit, Cut Veggies with Dressing. Kids: Pizza
September 25 - Bowtie Shrimp and Pasta, Turkey Tetrazzini, Broccoli, Salad, Fruit, Cut Veggies with Dressing. Kids: Hot Dogs and Chips
October 2 - Pot Roast or Greek Chicken with Artichoke Cream Sauce, Mashed Potatoes with Gravy, Green Beans, Salad, Fruit, Cut Veggies with Dressing. Kids: Chicken Nuggets
October 9 - Spaghetti with Meat Sauce or Chicken Alfredo, Green Beans, Salad, Fruit, Cut Veggies with Dressing. Kids: Spaghetti