The Notes - September 5, 2019

Volume 49

Issue 36

September 5 , 2019

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.

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).

Church-Wide Assembly
Plan to attend this informative meeting on 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.

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!

September Hilltoppers Meeting
Our next Hilltoppers meeting is 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.

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 next 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 ([email protected] / 769-0126).

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. Our first meeting is this 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 this Sunday, September 8, at 4:00 pm on the Thrive Student Ministries Hall. For questions or more information contact Alice Bell Baker ([email protected]).

Whale of a Sale
The Whale of a Sale starts next Thursday, September 12, 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 Thursday, September 12 and from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm on Friday, September 13 (half-price sale on most items all day). Follow the link below to purchase your early hour tickets!

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]).

New Photography Class
Beginning September 10, COA will be offering a new five-week Photography Class on Tuesdays at 6:00 pm. The class is perfect for high school aged students and adults alike. Students of all ages have attended and learned from this class over the past five years. It will cover the basics of composition, using available light, travel photography, photographing people, and basic editing. Classes will be taught by Sherri Griffin, a local photographer. Sign up now using the link below.

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 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 ([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 3 daughters use the code "child3" to get the discount for the family cap. Space is limited, so register now!

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 ([email protected]) if you plan to attend or have any questions.

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 ([email protected]) or Butch Williams ([email protected]). The Grief Support Group is open to everyone, whether church members or not.

Travel to the Holy Land
Join Dr. Bill Brunson and Rev. Jeremiah Stone on a once-in-a lifetime trip to experience the Holy Land and see your faith come to life! We all know the importance of serving as the hands and feet of Christ in our world, but we want to invite you on another faith journey during spring break, March 21-29, 2020.

Walk where Jesus walked, sit and hear the stories from the Bible in the places where they actually happened, and experience a trip that will help you take a deeper step in your relationship with our Risen Lord. For more information please contact Jim Frazier ([email protected]). We have families, couples, friends, and individuals already signed up, but there is still room to join the group.

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).

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 ([email protected] / 529-1262) if we can pray for you or your new baby or if you would like to join our prayer team.

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]).

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 ([email protected]) 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
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 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
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