Better Decisions Sermon Series
Based on the book by Andy Stanley of the same title, life is all about making decisions. We are where we are because of our decisions. Your future will be determined by the decisions you make. Private decisions almost always have public effects. Join us this Sunday as we start this insightful series to help make your decisions better.
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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.
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Empty Nesters
Are you unsure how to (or how NOT to) parent adult children? Are you in the throes of letting go? Trying to navigate a new normal? Are you looking for your purpose and passion in this next season of life? This study is for you! Join us in learning how to let go and grab God’s hand in navigating this new chapter of life. We will read “Empty Nest, Full Life” and explore practical applications for finding purpose and passion after the kids have left the nest. This study is led by Anna Watts, Amy Young, and Kelly Bottcher and will meet Wednesdays at 4:00 pm.
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The Marriage Course
The Marriage Course is a series of seven sessions, designed to help couples learn to communicate more effectively, resolve differences well, and build strong foundations with one another and God. Celebrate the new year by joining course facilitators Sheila & Phil Sanders and Scottie & Steve Vickery / Jim & Susan Sturdivant and Scott & Tammy Holston / Kym & Johnny Prewitt and Gana & Steve Barrentine as you invest in your relationship and build a stronger marriage. There will be 3 groups that will meet Wednesdays at 6:00 and 7:30 pm in a Zoom format.
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Alpha Are you seeking fact-based answers to faith-based questions? Can you communicate why you believe, what you believe? In Alpha, we will explore challenging questions about life, faith, and God. This study will be led by Kelly Bottcher, Jill Kimbrough, Julie Pappalardo, Mary Watson, Brad Kimbrough, and Chuck Conour. This class will meet Sundays at 9:45 am or 5:00 pm. Three different groups will also meet on Wednesdays at 6:00 pm including one for men only.
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The Book of John Join our two senior pastors, Kipp McClurg and Bill Brunson as they share “The Gospel of John!” in a fun and unique way. These 10-20-minute videos (with accompanying Bible study print-outs) can be used for individual or group studies. Bill and Kipp’s intent is to study John slowly and thoroughly, but to have fun in the process! Using everyday “object lessons,” they will seek to explain what John is up to in his Gospel accounts. This class will meet Sundays at 5:00 pm, Tuesdays at 10:00 am, and Wednesdays at 6:00 pm.
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The Chosen The Chosen is the first multi-season series about the life of Christ, as witnessed through the eyes of those He impacted. Get to know each of the people He walked with, the culture and challenges they faced, and the hope He brought to a world in desperate need of hope. Join us as we discuss the impact Jesus had on the lives of His followers and explore how He continues to transform our lives today. Led by Suzanne Scott Trammell, Samantha Coleman and Kelly and Greg Ellis. This class will meet Tuesdays at 10am, Wednesdays at 6pm, Sundays 9:45am .
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A Year in the Word
2021 will be a Year in the Word at Vestavia Methodist. Throughout this year we will be offering new and different Bible Studies, information on the origins of the Bible, and a plan for reading through the Bible or the New Testament Chronologically. We are offering 3 different reading plans so that you can choose the one that fits where your schedule and your walk with Christ.
- Read through the whole Bible in one year. We are posting the Reading Plan on social media each Sunday and in the link.
- Read through the New Testament Chronologically in 92 days. We are posting the Reading Plan on social media each Sunday and in the link.
- Read through the whole Bible at a different pace using the Reading Calendar developed by Robert Murray M’Cheyne. With this calendar you will read through the Old Testament once and the New Testament and Psalms twice. Download Your Calendar
Our prayer is that 2021 will be a year of transformation for each of us as we allow God’s Word to come to life in us and in our church.
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2021 Daily Devotional
Start the New Year focusing on Jesus’ call. Join others across VHUMC as we embark on a daily devotional journey using Jesus Calling. People all over the world are using these inspired messages from missionary Sarah Young, as she shares God’s peace, love, and presence. Register to get your copy (adult, teen, child) by clicking the link. You can also download the app for iphone users or android users.
We will be hosting a weekly emailed discussion guide to reflect on one of the weekly readings. You can also participate in weekly podcasts featuring celebrities who use this as their daily devotion.
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A Wonderful Month-Long Devotional
We hope that you have been blessed, as we have, with the scriptures and prayers in our NOTES issues during 2020. What a great time to be called to pray in the midst of all the tragedy and uncertainty of this past year.
We have taken 31 of those scriptures and prayers and put them into a month-long devotional guide. You can get it online through the link below or pick up a printed copy in the church office. We are grateful to Jill Kimbrough, Julie Harper Pappalardo, and Kym Prewitt for their time and effort to call us all to pray.
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Farewell Reception for Okai Gates
Okai Gates has been a part of Vestavia Methodist for over three years, as he attended Beeson Divinity School at Samford University. We were excited to see him graduate this past December. Okai worked with us as an intern, helping anywhere there was a need. Running media, greeting, liturgist, preaching, and even marking persons with ashes on Ash Wednesday, with temperatures below freezing - all of it was a joyful opportunity to serve God for Okai. Our Foundation has been blessed to help Okai with some of his seminary cost and he has more than blessed us in return. Later this month, Okai is hoping (assuming travel allows) to return to his home country in Ghana in West Africa, to be married and to begin a life in ministry. For those who would like to say goodbye personally, a socially distanced reception will be held for him on Wednesday, January 13, in the Fellowship Hall from 5:15 to 6:00 pm.
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Welcome Malcolm Prewitt
We are excited to announce that Malcolm Prewitt, known by many as “Coach,” will be joining the staff of VHUMC on April 1 as the Director of our Lighthouse/Recreation Ministries. Malcolm and his wife Amy have been faithful members at VHUMC for over 30 years, raising their three boys here and volunteering in areas such as teaching Sunday School and attending multiple ASP Mission Trips. In March, Malcolm will officially retire from more than 30 years of teaching and coaching Middle School in the Vestavia School system. Malcolm brings with him, among many other things, a Master’s of Education, Physical Education, and Exercise Physiology as well as a passion for people and for VHUMC. When you see him at church make sure to tell him how thrilled we are to have him come on board!
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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.
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Elementary Sunday School in January
We will kick off the new year learning about responsibility! The psalmist wrote, The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. God is the author of creation, and God has entrusted us to care for and cultivate his creation. We do that by taking responsibility. Everything we do in life is filled with moments where we can decide to reflect God’s character, take responsibility, and use what we have wisely. We will learn that when we follow through and do what needs to be done, we can point others to Jesus, the one who took the ultimate responsibility for us and made it possible for us to be with God forever.
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January 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!
January's memory verse is: “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.” ~Luke 16:10
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Thrive Prayer Breakfast is Back
We are excited to announce that our monthly in-person Prayer Breakfast will return on Wednesday, January 20 from 7:00 - 7:30 am! Breakfast will be Chick-fil-a biscuits. Transportation will not be provided by VHUMC to the schools, so parents will need to coordinate transportation for their students.
6th - 12th grade students will meet in the Fellowship Hall for a time of games, devotion, and fellowship with friends. Parents will meet in Tyson Hall with a guest speaker each month. In January we are excited to have Ellery Berryhill, church member, mother of two, and licensed counselor, speaking on trends she is seeing in her practice in children and families. While these sessions will be geared toward parents of teenagers, any parent is welcome!
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COA Spring Registration is Open Claim your spot now for private music lessons or group classes in the arts! Our spring session begins January 4. Online and in-person formats are available. Kindergarten to adults are welcome. Don't see the class you're looking for? Let us know and we'll create it!
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This Week in Prayer
We began 2020 with intentional fasting and prayer. We could have never known what 2020 was to bring, but God knew. He was preparing us to grow closer to Him, to be in relationship with Him, to cry out to Him, to focus on Him, to know Him, to lean on Him. Let us look back on 2020 not as the year that brought much trouble but as the one that brought us closer to the Lord our Savior. Please consider beginning this New Year in the same manner with fasting and prayer.
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23
“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” 1 Peter 5:10
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12
Lord, we praise you for your grace is abundant and your mercies are new each and every morning. No matter what life in this world on earth brings us, you are ever present and all-knowing. It is under your wings that we take refuge. We are comforted by your mercies so that we can extend mercies to those around us. You meet us in every moment with just the right mercies. You are steadfast, never changing. You remain the same – it is us who need changing. Let us not forget the lessons we have learned by turning to you through hardship. Transform us, Lord, individually and collectively. Teach and strengthen us so that we will better know how to glorify and magnify your holy name. In Jesus Christ we pray. Amen
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MLK Mission Day
VHUMC will host its annual MLK Mission Day on Monday, January 18 from 10-12 pm. This year’s event will look a little different, but it will still give you a variety of ways to serve others. We have some hands-on opportunities to serve, but are only listing our drop-off options here. Items can be dropped at the Student Entrance from 10-12 pm on Monday, January 18.
- Blanket Birmingham - Bring your new or gently used twin blankets for us to donate to the Birmingham Warming Stations.
- Food Pantry - Donate any canned or boxed food items to the food pantry.
- Gift Cards Galore - Donate Walmart gift cards to be given to our Car Ministry recipients. They will be able to purchase gas, car accessories, and more for their new vehicles.
- Winter Time Mission Project - Pick up a winter time mission project to assemble at your home and then give away when you see someone in need.
For more hands-on ways to serve, visit www.unitedwayhandson.org and look at the variety of ways to serve under the MLK Day of Service. Registration is on their site.
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Flower Memorials and Honorariums
In light of COVID-19, we have been listing our usual annual floral remembrances in the Notes. Our usual December memorials are:
- In memory of Ginger Scarborough and Bill Yeilding by Ken Scarborough.
- In memory of Ivy Corretti by Phyl Smith.
We have now resumed our floral remembrances with one change. Flowers on the Sanctuary altar in memory or honor of a loved one will be acknowledged on the video screen before that service and in the Notes the week after that service and not listed on the bulletins.
- The altar flowers on January 3rd were given in memory of Janet Taylor's mother, Jane Clark Wilson, on the occasion of her 100th birthday.
To schedule remembrance flowers in the Sanctuary, contact Nancy Remke (769-0107 / nremke@vhumc.org).
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Remembering Loved Ones During the Holidays
This year we paused our usual tradition of placing poinsettias in the sanctuary in honor or memory of someone we love. Instead, many of you gave to the church in honor or memory of your loved ones. Thank you!
Memorials:
Adam Marmurek by Cathie, John, Morgan and Whitney Amos
Andrew Van Long and Phillip Irvine (on the occasion of their December birthdays) by Mitzie Irvine
Barclay Bargainer by Cathie, John, Morgan and Whitney Amos
Braxton Rusk by the Rusk family
Clark Amos by Jerry and Mary Bernheim
Clark Amos by Mom, Dad, Morgan and Whitney
Doc Rusk by Martha Rusk and family
Katie Lipsomb by Cathie and John Amos
Kimberly McClendon by Cathie, John, Morgan and Whitney Amos
Mary Morgan by Cathie and John Amos
Matt McQuiston by Cathie and John Amos
Michael David Luketic by Mom, Dad, Beth, Christopher, Lindsay, Mila, and Lillian Grace
Michael Luketic by Cathie, John, Morgan and Whitney Amos
Mitchell Bernheim by Cathie and John Amos
Mitchell Bernheim by Mom and Dad
Pablo Nunez Valencia by Jerry and Mary Bernheim
Pat Daniels by Fred Daniels
Roy H. and Venoa R. Daniels by Fred Daniels
Honorariums
Beverly McClendon by Cathie and John Amos
Braxton and Mary Bradley Rusk by Mott Mott
Butch Williams by Cathie and John Amos
Butch Williams by the Rusk and Stewart families
Emma, Davis, and Maggie Stewart by Mott Mott
John and Anne Weston Clymer, Emily Weston Clymer, Bret and Elisabeth Clymer Hockersmith, Jeffrey and Brenda Weston, Rebecca Weston, Andrew Weston, and Heidi Weston by Jody Weston
Malia and Charlie Stewart by Martha Rusk
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VHUMC Upward Soccer Clinic
VHUMC will be offering a five-week soccer clinic for boys and girls ages K4-K5 and Grades 1-2. We will meet on Saturdays at the Southminster Presbyterian field from March 6 through April 17. The cost is $35 per player and the deadline is February 15. After that, the cost is $40 per player. Each child will receive a camp shirt and a soccer ball. You can register online only beginning January 11 at. For more information please contact Jim Frazier (jfrazier@vhumc.org / 769-0126).
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Church Burial Traditions
Proper disposal of a deceased body has always been important in the Christian world. Early Christians usually buried a body in the ground or in caves and catacombs. As physical church buildings began to be built, burials under the church, within the walls of the church, and in adjacent cemeteries became common. As cremation became more widely accepted in Protestant churches, columbaria began to be built as part of the building or grounds of many congregations. Our columbarium follows the ancient tradition of providing a sacred place for the remains of those connected to VHUMC. 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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Food Pantry
The Food Pantry team thanks you for the Advent Calendar donations of food. Please take your bags of food to the church office entrance. There is a wooden bin by the print room. We hope your children enjoyed the coloring sheet.
We distributed 1,700 bags of food, plus hams, bread, desserts, and produce in the month of December! We will again be collecting food on MLK day on Monday, January 18 at the Lighthouse entrance. Thank you all for your generous donations to this special ministry.
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General Fund Fiscal Year 2021
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Donations the past week
July & November 2020 Donations Other Income Total Income
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Actual $24,757
$1,392,719 $769,230 $2,161,949
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Targeted -$46,149
+$102,989 +$5,936 +$108,925
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Care and Support Congratulations, hospitalizations, and sympathies
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Prayer Request
Please be in prayer for the following persons:
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{church} | 2061 Kentucky Avenue, Vestavia Hills, Alabama 35216 | {ChurchPhone}
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