Subject: The Notes | March 18, 2020

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Volume 51

Issue 11

March 18, 2021

 

It’s Been a Year - Thank You   

It’s been one full year since the COVID-19 pandemic changed our world as we had known it. Last March we were faced with the difficult decision to close our doors for an unknown period of time, but we held firm to the belief that “ministry never stops.” In this video Dr. Bill Brunson, our Senior Pastor, shares some of the challenges and opportunities of this past year and how VHUMC plans to continue ministry into the future.

 

Debt Free Once Again

We are excited to report that we have paid off the NEXT Campaign Construction Line of Credit and the church is once again debt free! In October of 2017, we began the campaign to replace almost all of our heating/air conditioning systems, completely overhaul Tyson Hall, and make a number of audio/visual and cosmetic improvements to our Sanctuary. We knew that if we did everything that was needed it would cost over $5 million. However, our church leadership made the promise that we would not spend more than you pledged or gave toward the campaign. 

 

You were overwhelmingly generous and pledged or donated $4.8 million. Our wonderful Building Committee was able to hold the spending at $4.65 million. Currently, we still have a few members giving toward their NEXT pledge. The great part about that is, as those funds come in, we will be able to possibly accomplish some of the items we eliminated from the project. It would be wonderful to do things like replace some of the worn carpeting and flooring in the building, paint some areas, replace some failing exterior doors, etc. 

 

Thank you for your generosity and for your love and support of our church.

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Easter Flowers   

Please join the Flower Guild in adorning our worship cross with fresh cut flowers to celebrate the majesty of Jesus’ resurrection. You can participate by making a $20 donation in memory or in honor of a loved one. Please contact Margaret Flowers (mflowers@vhumc.org / 769-0112) by March 29. The memorials and honorariums will be published in the Notes. Printed copies will be available in the main office.

 

Also, please join us in carrying on our beloved Easter tradition of bringing flowers from home to place on our Kentucky Avenue cross to glorify our risen Savior and take a family photograph!

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Lenten Offering 

This year’s VHUMC Lenten Offering will benefit Rise Against Hunger - a growing global movement to end hunger by empowering communities, nourishing lives, and responding to emergencies. RAH meal-packaging volunteers produce millions of nutritious meals annually which are then distributed to partners in countries around the world. VHUMC alone has supported, packed, and shipped over a million meals to those most in need.

 

There are 821 million people in the world that don’t get the food they need to live a healthy life. VHUMC has been actively participating in school feeding programs with RAH for many years, and then the pandemic happened... It is now even more important to give to our meal packing events, so these children can receive the nutrition needed to continue to grow and thrive in a pandemic world.

 

No amount is too small, as our meals cost less than a soda in the United States. Please consider giving to our Lenten Offering to support Rise Against Hunger and its efforts. You can give online, by check, or place your donation in a Lenten Offering envelope and drop it off at the church. Please mark your contribution, “Lenten Offering.” Your contributions will truly change the life of a child!

 

Holy Week for Children and Students

Parents, we have created conversation cards and lunch box notes for you to use with your children and students during Holy Week (March 29 - April 4). Simply print (double-sided), cut, and use them in lunch boxes or around the table with your family. We hope these cards help your family experience Holy Week and the journey to Easter in a meaningful way!

 

Mark Your Calendars

We want you to be aware of these upcoming events to make your Lenten Season meaningful. See our website for more details.

  • Palm Sunday | Sunday, March 28 | Services: 8:30, 9:45, 11:00 am
  • Easter Egg Hunt | Sunday, March 28 | 4:00 pm
  • Lenten Lunches | March 29-31 | 12:00 pm
  • Maundy Thursday | Thursday, April 1 | 6:00 pm
  • Good Friday | Friday, April 2 | 6:00 pm
  • Easter Sunday | Sunday, April 4 | Services: 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, 11:00 am
 

Lenten Lunches 

As we move through Holy Week together, please join us at 12 noon on Holy Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday (March 29 – 31) for a 30-minute noon worship service in Tyson Hall! The services will be brief and followed by box lunches, served in the Fellowship Hall. We have three wonderful speakers (one per day) from our congregation who will be speaking from the collective theme of “Where Did I See God in my Life during the Pandemic?” The worship services will also air via Facebook live-stream for those who prefer to watch from home. These are always meaningful services, so we hope you will take advantage of this opportunity again this year!

 

Monday – March 29 – Kelly Botcher

Tuesday – March 30 – Anna Curry Gualano

Wednesday – March 31 – Jim Sturdivant

 

Be a Part of our Palm Sunday Procession 

Palm Sunday is March 28! We invite anyone who would like to participate, to process into our 11:00 am traditional worship service waving palms high remembering this special day of Holy Week. If you would like to participate, simply go to the back area of the Sanctuary where you will be given palm branches to wave high as we process in. We will end at the altar where our palms will be laid. After you have placed your palms at the altar, you may return to your seat to worship with your friends and family through the rest of the service.

 

If you plan to attend our 11:00 contemporary service there will be a time for children to receive and wave palms during our children’s moment. We look forward to spending this special time during Holy Week with you and your family!

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COVID-19 Plans at VHUMC   

With the state-wide mask mandate expiring on April 9, many questions are arising about how this will change our operating procedures for church ministries. Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have relied on church members in the UAB Public Health community and medical staff to guide the Board of Trustees and Church Leadership Team in our decisions. We also have historically chosen not to be early-adopters of change, wanting to consider recommendations and what is happening in our community before choosing to act.

 

With this in mind, our Board of Trustees, who ultimately have final say in how our church facilities are run, have decided to make no changes in policies related to COVID-19 until at least June 1. By that point, we will have more data. Vaccinations for adults hopefully will be at the peak. However, we have to remember that vaccinations for children and youth may not even be available until 2022 because safety studies are just beginning. CDC guidance (see link below) encourages the following for medium to large gatherings: “...fully vaccinated people should continue to adhere to prevention measures that reduce spread, including wearing a well-fitted mask, maintaining physical distance from others, and washing hands frequently.” Thank you for your continued understanding in this evolving, though currently improving, challenge.

 

Join Us for Worship

All of our Sunday Morning worship services are now open:

  • Pop Up Worship @ 8:30 am (Dick Kelly Park)*
  • Service of Word and Table @ 9:45 am (Sanctuary)
  • Traditional Worship @ 11:00 am (Sanctuary)
  • Contemporary Worship @ 11:00 am (Tyson Hall)

*Look for an email each Saturday to see if weather or COVID-19 will cancel this service.

 

Worship services occurring inside the church building require wearing a mask and social distancing guidelines will be practiced. If you cannot attend in-person, please join our Traditional Worship Livestream at 8:30 am or Contemporary Worship Livestream at 11:00 am.

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VHUMC Grand Camps 2021

Our VHUMC Grand Camps will be led by Rhonda & Jim Frazier on July 11-13 or July 14-16 at Camp McDowell. Grandchildren must be between 4 and 9 years old to participate. We will have swimming, hiking, campfires, singing, and arts & crafts. Click the link to register. For more information please contact Jim Frazier (769-0126 / jfrazier@vhumc.org). 

 

Vestavia Dance Performance Company 

Congratulations to all of our dancers who attended the VIP Competition this past weekend. Vestavia Dance performed five dances and received all Diamond level awards as well as a Judges Choice, Most Entertaining, and a Choreography award. Congratulations to Skylar Holladay and Reese Stevens who received first place overall in their division for their solos. Our senior group placed 7th in their category for Hip Hop, 4th for Jazz and 1st for Contemporary. Way to go students, teachers and parents!!

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Register for Children’s Sunday School

Because of COVID-19, we still need to know if your children will be attending Sunday School in our nursery, pre-school, or elementary school classes. Please review the Sunday School protocol page on our website for instructions, what to bring, etc.

 

Join a Small Group

It’s the best time of year to be supported and encouraged by a small group study. Here are some of the new studies forming this month:

Walk on Water

What does 21st century water walking look like? Join us as we learn to discern God's will, transcend fear, risk faith, and trust God. This six-week study will tap into the incredible potential that awaits each of us when we step outside our comfort zone. The study meets on Sundays at 9:45 am and Wednesdays at 6:00 pm. Childcare is available. Suzanne Scott Trammell leads the study.

The 5 Love Languages

Are you fluent in your spouse's/significant other's love language? How do you understand love from God? Learn how to express and receive love in a way that keeps your relationships thriving. Join Dr. Bill Brunson, Sherry Harris, Butch Williams, John Sweeney, and Kelly Bottcher, as they lead this five-week series on Gary Chapman's book: The Five Love Languages, the Secret to Love That Lasts." Weekly meetings are on Wednesday nights beginning, March 31st, at 6:00 pm (in-person) or 7:30 pm (Zoom only). Childcare is provided for the 6:00 pm class.

 

Sunday Funday

Family Ministries invites you to join us at McCallum Park on Sunday, April 11 at 4:00 pm. We will have waters and frisbees and encourage you to bring blankets, snacks, and riding toys for the kids. It will be a great time of fellowship. Feel free to bring friends! It's a great opportunity to introduce them to our church family.

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5-Minute Missions Are Coming Back in April

We are so excited to be bringing 5-minute missions back to VHUMC!! Our first mission is planned for Sunday, April 18, from 9:00-9:45 am in the Fellowship Hall. We have recently partnered with Vineyard Family Services - a non-profit group out of Pelham that works to feed and supply kids in need on school breaks through their Backpack Buddies program. They also help in other programs to promote responsible fatherhood, help children and families in crisis situations, help homeless/transitional housing children, and single parent home children.

 

We will be packing hygiene bags for these children in a socially distanced, assembly line, fashion. We look forward to partnering with this group and doing as much as we can to help them!

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Happiest Man in Birmingham 

The man who received a vehicle from our Car Ministry us last week announced to those present, “I am the happiest man in Birmingham!” This was a special placement for us. Our recipient received a very nice SUV that was donated by a church member. He had been on our list for a very long time as we had previously tried to fix his older car, but it was beyond repair. Then Covid happened. After many months, he received just the car he was supposed to from our VHUMC Car Ministry. We are incredibly grateful for vehicle or financial donations to this ministry. This donation made this gentleman, the “happiest man in Birmingham.”

 

If you have a car you would like to donate, please contact the VHUMC Missions Office (missions@vhumc.org) for more information.

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Respond in a Fast and Furious Way

Do you respond better on the go or last minute? Do you like to help right away to an immediate need? The VHUMC Missions Office is putting together a group to help as soon as we hear of immediate needs. Sometimes, these needs are within the next few hours, the next day, or within the week when we hear of them. We need an immediate way to get the word out to those that are willing to help. If your schedule allows for “fast and furious” volunteer time, then please consider being a part of our team. This team will be notified either by text or email as soon as we learn of an immediate need in our community or with one of our mission partners. If you would like to volunteer in a “fast and furious” way, then email Rachael Hayes at rhayes@vhumc.org.

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Save the Dates for Upcoming Mission Opportunities

Save the dates for three upcoming mission opportunities in April and May. More details will follow about each event as we get closer.

  • April 18 | 5 Minute Missions are back in the Fellowship Hall
  • April 25-May 17 | Bundles of Hope Diaper Drive in honor or in memory  of all mothers
  • May 22-23 | Rise & Stride - Go the Social Distance Walk/Run for Rise Against Hunger at VHUMC
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The Outpour of Love Was Amazing

VHUMC, we cannot express enough our thanks for how you helped the Lovelady Center. The donations, more donations, and even more donations were incredible! They made over six pick-ups throughout the month of February. I think this has been one of our best hygiene drives ever! Your outpouring of love shown to these women was the love of God. The needs of these ladies were met in every way possible, which gave them the opportunity to focus on themselves and their treatment.

 

Thank you, VHUMC, once again for being the hands and feet of Jesus Christ.

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Costa Rica Virtual Mission Trip

What a week we have had traveling to Costa Rica. A very special thank you to all our team members that participated in our first “virtual” mission trip it was a great trip. Also, thank you to Wil Bailey, our UMC Missionary in Costa Rica for being a part of VHUMC’s trip. If you were not able to be a part of the virtual trip, but would like to make a difference in Costa Rica, then please consider giving to the Costa Rica Mission Project. You can donate online or give a check to VHUMC with Costa Rica in the memo line.

 

We hope this virtual trip gave you an insight to the wonderful work that God is doing through Wil and teams that serve in that area. VHUMC hopes and prays that we will continue this partnership in 2022 as we plan to have a work team travel to support the various projects in Costa Rica.

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No Bible Pathfinders this Week 

Our 1st - 5th grade Bible Study, Bible Pathfinders will NOT meet Wednesday, March 24 due to spring break. We look forward to seeing everyone back on Wednesday, March 31!

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March Memory Verse

Our 1st - 5th graders have the opportunity to learn a different Bible verse each month. Children can either recite their verse in the elementary office before or after Sunday School, or send a video of themselves reciting the verse to Jamie Meeks (jmeeks@vhumc.org). Kids who recite their verse in the elementary office will get a sweet treat, and everyone who recites the verse will have a chance to win a grand prize at the end of the school year!

 

March's memory verse is: “Wait for the Lord. Be strong and don't lose hope. Wait for the Lord.” ~Psalm 27:14

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Easter Egg Hunt

We are thrilled to come back together for our annual VHUMC Easter Egg Hunt! It will take place outdoors on Sunday March 28. We will gather on the Sanctuary Lawn next to Kentucky Avenue at 4:00 pm. Please bring a basket and your cell phone to have a picture made with the Easter Bunny. We are asking that everyone 4 years and older wear a mask please!

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Vacation Bible Camp

We are SO excited to invite our 4K (by September 1, 2020) through 5th graders to join us for an in-person Vacation Bible Camp - Discovery on Adventure Island! VBC will be June 14-18 from 9:00-12:00 each day. Children will be explorers who will explore the way God’s great light shines in the world, and learn how they can reflect that light in their own lives.

 

Due to COVID-19 safety measures, we have limited spots available. Once our registration is full we will not be able to accept any additional children. Walk-up registration will not be available. All children and volunteers will be required to wear masks.

 

What is the Cost of Cremation   

The cost of cremation is not included in our Columbarium contract. However, we regularly gather prices from several local cremation companies and provide that information to anyone who asks. As of last summer, prices ranged from $885 to $4,545. That includes transporting the body, cremation, and delivering the ashes to the church. Considering all the possible costs, cremation costs much less than a traditional burial. If you would like to know more about our Columbarium, please contact Gary Wyatt (769-0108 / gwyatt@vhumc.org) or Melinda Burnett (769-0115 / mburnett@vhumc.org).

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Ongoing Outreach

Food Pantry

Food Pantry received two trucks of food from the food bank last week thanks to your generous donations. Thanks also to our high school helpers who took it all into the pantry for us. We served over 200 families again on Wednesday, who are all so glad that we have continued this drive-thru ministry during the pandemic. We are so grateful for your continued support of this important ministry!

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General Fund Fiscal Year 2021

 

Donations the past week


July 2020 - February 2021
Donations
Other Income
Total Income

Actual
$73,924

 


$2,697,657

$853,312

$3,550,696

Targeted

-$6,812

 


+$6,784

+$27,035

+$33,819

 

Care and Support
Congratulations, hospitalizations, and sympathies

Prayer Request

Please be in prayer for the following persons:

Memorials & Honorariums

 

{church}  |  2061 Kentucky Avenue, Vestavia Hills, Alabama 35216  |  {ChurchPhone}

 

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