Volume 49
Issue 35
August 29 , 2019
              
Upcoming Sermon Series
Joy is something all of us want in our lives, but it's elusive. Joy does not follow a magic formula, and it rarely is present when we would have predicted. Objects and events that should bring joy often don't, and then the simplest of experiences can cause a flood of joy that overwhelms us. Join us, starting September 8, as we encounter The Mysterious Pathways of God's Joy each Sunday based on the new book by Kipp McClurg. Also, follow along with our video discussions that can be used for personal or group studies.

Dr. Kipp McClurg's New Book
We are excited to have Kipp's first book, "The Mysterious Pathways of Joy," available for purchase online through Amazon (paperback and Kindle versions) and a small quantity in the church office for $8. It is designed for small groups and Sunday school classes to study the same themes that will be covered in our Sunday Worship Services. Kipp plans to complete a second book, "The Tic-Toc Paradox," for another sermon series in February.

Kipp will also be leading a small group discussion on this material each Wednesday from September 11 to October 2, at 6:00 pm, in room 202.


Labor Day Holiday
The church will be closed for all programming on Monday, September 2, as our staff and members enjoy the Labor Day Holiday.
Joint Sunday School
Join Suzanne Scott-Trammell and Kay Davis this Sunday in the Fellowship Hall as we share the stories behind some of our favorite and familiar hymns. The words become even more meaningful when we learn about the author and the inspiration behind their creation. Come and let's join our souls in singing these stories of faith.
Christmas Shoeboxes
Thank you VHUMC for your continued support of our Christmas Shoebox Ministry through UMCOR. We have packed over 200 shoeboxes and this would not be possible without everyone's help. It is exciting to see so many groups, individuals, and families participating! We will deliver all of the shoeboxes on Tuesday, September 3, to our hub office at Birmingham Southern College. Please make sure all shoeboxes are delivered to the missions office by tomorrow, August 30.
Music and Arts Registration is Open
Now that school is back in session, our VHUMC Music and Arts program is too! Music and Arts is for all children K-5th grade every Wednesday, from 2:30 pm-5:00 pm, when Vestavia Schools are in session. Children will have the opportunity to be creative with choir, drama, visual arts, and percussion. We offer transportation from Vestavia East, West, Dolly Ridge, and the Vestavia Day School. We are also in great need of volunteers to drive vans, shepherd students between classes, and provide snacks each week. We hope to see your child with us when we kick off next Wednesday!

Crazy Bible Facts You Never Knew
Would you like to dazzle your family, friends, and members of your small group or Sunday school class? If so, our Wednesday night class on September 4, at 6:00 pm, in room 202 is made for you! Three of your pastors, Bill Brunson, Kipp McClurg, and Sherry Harris, will be on hand to share obscure, startling, and enlightening crazy Bible facts that you never knew. Here are just a few hints. Do you know why we should say, "Jesus and his merry band of teenagers" instead of Jesus and his disciples? Has anyone ever told you that the story of David the underdog and Goliath the giant isn't true? Why is Balaam the Prophet best known as the "Donkey Guy?" Join your pastors for a night of fun Bible facts that might sound crazy but will still teach you more about God.
Please Welcome New Members
Please join me in welcoming new members to our church community:
  • Ken Riley, new to Vestavia Hills with his 2 sons: Evan & John Harold; Ken is currently looking for a Sunday School class and attends traditional worship in the sanctuary.
  • Brian Kirk, active at VHUMC with his wife Brandy and kids: Leyden, Cooper, and baby Wilkes. They are members of the Believers Sunday School class.
  • Lindsey Evans, with her husband Martin, long time member of VHUMC just coming back. They attend the 9:45 worship service, yet are seeking a Sunday School class.
Wednesday Night Men's Small Group
Join Jonathan Handey, Bill Flowers, and Jay Evers in a new young men's bible study that meets on Wednesday nights at 6:00 pm, in room 204. Come for fellowship, encouragement, and inspiration as we help each other work through life issues with Biblical truth. They will begin with the study "Stepping Up: A Call to Courageous Manhood" that can be found online through Right Now Media.

VHUMC Prayer Breakfast
VHUMC will be hosting a Prayer Breakfast on Wednesday September 11, at 6:45 am, in the Fellowship Hall. Our guest speaker will be Auburn Baseball Coach Butch Thompson. Breakfast is $5/person. This event is for men and women, members and non-members. Invite a friend to hear Butch share his faith journey. To make reservations please contact Jim Frazier (jfrazier@vhumc.org / 769-0126).
You're Invited
Faith in Film is one of the many groups who meet regularly at VHUMC. Over coffee and pastries they listen to a speaker and discuss God in the movies. They are opening their next meeting to all interested parties on Tuesday, September 10, at 8:00 am, in room 202. Guest speakers will be sharing ideas on how to feature the life-changing mission of Big Oak Ranch on video. Please RSVP to Barbara Fowler (barbara@fowlerdavis.com) if you plan to attend or have any questions.
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 included except for the plants. So 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 (amcgill@vhumc.org).

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 in just a few weeks. 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 (pchandler@vhumc.org) or Butch Williams (bwilliams@vhumc.org). The Grief Support Group is open to everyone, whether church members or not.
Seniors Only 2020
It's time to register for Seniors Only - a great program for high school seniors to discuss post high school graduation, college, and life-related topics that will help you grow in your faith and prepare for your next steps in becoming adults. We will meet the first Monday of each month at 7:00 pm in the Student Ministries Café. Due to the Labor Day Weekend our first meeting will be Monday, September 9. The cost is $50 for the entire year and covers all food and expenses. Register online for this great program. In addition, there is also a parent meeting on September 8 at 4:00 pm on the Thrive Student Ministries Hall. For questions or more information contact Alice Bell Baker (abbaker@vhumc.org).

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 (erichere@bellsouth.net / 979-1837). Tickets will be available for purchase very soon!
Help VHUMC With Planet Fundraiser
Throughout our area, you can give to VHUMC every time you make a purchase. With the Planet Fundraiser free app, you can easily have a portion of each dollar donated through the generosity of our local vendors. Simply download the app, take a picture of each of your receipts, and help your church! If you connect the app to your checking account, it happens automatically. Be sure to select "VHUMC Community Wide Meal Packing Event-RAH" and continue spending.

Download the app to see a list of participating merchants and what percent of your purchase they will contribute to VHUMC. If you have any questions, please contact Rachael Hayes (rhayes@vhumc.org).

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 (rhayes@vhumc.org / 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. This will start at 6:00 pm on 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 (rhayes@vhumc.org / 769-0143).
Walk to Emmaus
If anyone has been considering going on the Walk to Emmaus there are several opportunities remaining in 2019:
  • September 19-22 Women's Walk
  • October 10-13 Men's Walk
  • November 14-17 Women's Walk
If you are interested in trying to attend one of these Walks or just want more information about Emmaus, please contact Harry Dinken (hdinken@bellsouth.net) and he will be glad to help with information or the application and sponsorship process.
Hannah Prayer Team
The Hannah Prayer Team has been praying for our moms and their new babies for five years. We are praying now for two sets of twins and three other babies due this fall. Please contact Ty Howell (satyrahowell@gmail.com / 529-1262) if we can pray for you or your new baby or if you would like to join our prayer team.
Upward Flag Football and Cheer Registration
Upward Flag Football and Cheer registration has begun! This league is for boys and girls K4-4th Grade that want to play flag football or cheer and learn the basics of the sports experienced in a Christ-centered atmosphere. Practices will be once a week on either a Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday evening starting the week of September 2. Games will be on Saturday mornings starting on September 14. The cost is $105 per participant and includes uniforms. The league also offers multi-child family discounts.

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 (merbe@vhumc.org / 769-0134).

3 Questions About Leadership
Have you ever wondered how someone becomes a great leader? In the Just 3 Questions series, we've asked some of today's top leaders three simple questions about leadership.

Francis Chan is a best-selling author and was the founding pastor of Cornerstone Community Church in Simi Valley, CA. In this first video, he answers, "Who is the best leader you have ever sat under and why were they so good?"

Be sure to register for this free resource! Text rightnow vhumc to 41411 to get your link to create a profile. Then watch 2,000+ Bible studies, talks, kids shows, youth studies, and movies. You can also contact Suzanne Scott-Trammell (sstrammell@vhumc.org) if you have questions.

Ongoing Outreach
Food Pantry
The Food Pantry needs tote bags for vegetables and cloth bags for groceries. We especially need monetary donations for our monthly Community Food Bank purchases (payable to VHUMC marked for Food Pantry). Thank you!

Oak Mountain Mission
Please join us for the annual Harvest of Hope luncheon at The Club on Tuesday, September 10, at 11:30 am with a silent auction at 10:00 am. This is the only fundraiser for the mission each year, so let's help with our donations. The keynote speaker this year is our own Ashley Curry, so we want VHUMC to be well represented. Call Barbara Porter (444-9793) to reserve a seat. Thank you!
Wednesday Nights at VHUMC

Classes/Programs starting at 6:00 pm
  • Men's Bible Study: August 28-November 20 - Room 204
  • Crazy Bible Facts You Never Knew: September 4 - Room 202
  • 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 4 - BBQ Pork or BBQ Chicken, Baked Beans, Slaw, Salad, Fruit, Cut Veggies with Dressing. Kids: Cheeseburger and Chips
  • September 11 - Scrambled Eggs or Boiled Eggs, Bacon, Cheese Grits, Biscuits, Fruit. Kids: French Toast Sticks
  • 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 
Worship This Sunday

8:30 am Traditional  Service |  Sanctuary
Jeremiah 1:4-10
"Hazard Lights!"
Butch Williams

9:45 am Service of Word and Table |  Chapel
Luke 14:25-33
"In or Out"
Sherry Harris

11:00 am Traditional Service |  Sanctuary
Jeremiah 1:4-10
"Hazard Lights!"
Butch Williams

11:00 am Contemporary Service |  Tyson Hall
Luke 14:25-33
"In or Out"
Sherry Harris

5:00 pm  No Sunday Evening Worship
Attendance for last week: 855
Our Time and Resources
 

Donations this past week

July 2018 - June 2019
Donations
Other Income
Total Income
Actual
$39,964


$3,889,771
$138,435
$4,028,206
Targeted  
-$28,860


+$5,801
-$1,683
+$4,118
 
(+) Better or (-) worse for the church than our target
Care and Support
Congratulations, hospitalizations, and sympathies

Prayer Requests
Please be in prayer for the following persons: