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Lenten Highlight: West End Community Gardens
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Follow Me ... Feed My Sheep
West End Community Gardens is a program of Urban Ministry. Their vision is to revitalize the community's lifeblood, body, mind, and spirit through growing and sharing naturally grown foods. The ministry has developed land that it owns in West End into produce gardens. Neighbors come together to plant, nurture, and harvest the produce. A lack of grocery stores in the areas has left residents with mainly poor food choices. The gardens are not only bountiful and beautiful; they help have dramatically increased resident's access to fresh, healthy produce. Garden tours and volunteer workdays are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays from Noon to 4:00 pm.
West End Gardens is truly a transformative ministry. It also offers classes on preparing good healthy meals on a small budget, provides employment opportunities, and develops community. Your generous contributions to the Lenten offering will support this ministry in achieving its goals of feeding more people and developing more leaders in the West End community.
In addition to giving financially to the Lenten offering, West End Gardens needs some specific resources. Please contact Patti Eggers (769-0143 or peggers@vhumc.org) if you are able to donate any of the following: a mini-van, garden benches (wood or cement), a lawn mower, an outdoor produce washing station (3-compartment), a portable hand-washing station, a professional scale to weigh produce, and a swing set.
West End Community Gardens embraces every aspect of feeding God's people! Please help this effort continue to thrive by giving to our Lenten offering. You may place checks or cash in the Lenten offering envelopes located in the pew racks, or write "Lenten Offering" on your check.
Lenten offering goal: $40,000 Received through March 20: $17,286
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Holy Week Activities
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Sunday, April 1 - Palm Sunday
8:30 am Sanctuary - Orchestra & Chancel Choir
9:45 am Word and Table
11:00 am Sanctuary-Children's Choirs will sing and process
with palms. Orchestra & Chancel Choir
11:00 am New Traditions-Singer-Songwriter, Rev. Keith Elder
will join us with a message in song.
Palm Sunday Vespers
All are invited to Palm Sunday Vespers-The Psalms for Holy Week. We will be joined by the Rev. Kay Mutert who will lead a small ensemble of women's voices in singing choral arrangements of psalms that will lead us into our Holy Week journey. The ensemble, including members of our choir and community, will be accompanied by the dulcimer, flute and piano. It will be a holy and meaningful experience as we pray and sing together.
Mid-day Worship and Lunch: Monday - Wednesday at 11:30 am in Tyson Hall followed by a light lunch at noon for $7 (no reservations required).
Monday, April 2
"Forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing."
Rev. Keith Elder, Singer-Songwriter from Nashville, TN
Tuesday, April 3
"Woman, here is your son."
Rev. Kay Q. Mutert, Director of DaySpring Ministry
Wednesday, April 4
"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
Rev. Herb Robertson, Coordinator Pastoral Care, Brookwood Medical Center
Maundy Thursday Service: April 5, at 6:30 pm in Tyson Hall
"I am thirsty."
The Servanthood of Jesus-A Service of Communion and Foot/Hand Washing planned by the Hands of Christ Outreach Team
Good Friday Service: April 6, at 6:30 pm in the Sanctuary
"It is finished."
The Sounds and Silence of Good Friday-a service of scripture and music bringing our focus to the cross. Chancel choir will lead with musical offerings.
The Rutland-Memorial Chapel will be available for prayer and meditation throughout the week. The artwork, scripture passages and prayer stations will change each day, focusing on the different words of Christ.
Sunday, April 8 - Easter Services of Resurrection
7:00 am Sunrise Service - Columbarium
8:30 am Sanctuary - Orchestra, Bells & Chancel Choir
9:45 am Sanctuary - Orchestra, Bells & Chancel Choir
11:00 am Sanctuary - Orchestra, Bells & Chancel Choir
11:00 am New Traditions
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Join Us To Pray For Our Church
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During the season of Lent there will be a meeting each Sunday to pray for our church and its leadership. Please join us in room 316 (Becomers class) from 12:00-12:30 pm each Sunday. Childcare for 5K and under will be extended until 12:30 and elementary children will have adult shepherds on the playground. Everyone is welcome.
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Easter Flower Orders
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In celebration of Easter, the Flower and Altar Guilds will be adorning the worship services with fresh cut flowers and some potted flowers. You can participate by donating flowers in memory or honor of a loved one for $20. There will be a limited number of potted plants available to be picked up after either of the 11:00 services. The Gardening Committee will plant the other potted plants in the church gardens as a living tribute. If you wish to purchase flowers in memory of or in honor of a loved one, please contact Margaret Flowers no later than Thursday, March 29, at 11 am (mflowers@vhumc.org or 769-0107). Order forms are also available in the church office.
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Easter Egg Hunt
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Join us on Saturday, March 31, at 10:00 am for an Easter Egg Hunt for toddlers through 2nd graders. We will gather in the Fellowship Hall and arrange for a hunt inside or outside depending on the weather. There is no cost, but be sure to bring a camera and a basket!
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Help for Young Mothers and Pregnant Teens
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Birmingham Babies First provides residential group care for teens who are pregnant and young, single mothers and their babies. It is part of The United Methodist Children's Home. You are invited to their Annual Benefit Luncheon on Saturday, March 31, from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm at 4820 Overton Road, Birmingham 35226. The cost is $15. For more information, contact Robin Schultz at robinschultz@att.net.
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Give the Gift of Life
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VHUMC will host a blood drive on Sunday, April 1 from 9:30 am until 2:00 pm in Fellowship Hall. This is an opportunity to give of yourself so that others might live. Contact David Yother at dcyother@charter.net or 266-0423 if you have questions.
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Steeple 2 Steeple 5K Run/Walk May 19
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VHUMC and Vestavia Hills Baptist Church are co-sponsoring the Steeple 2 Steeple Community Run/Walk between our churches on May 19 at 8:00 am. The cost is $20 for those ages 11 - 64 and only $10 for everyone else. There will be a Friday night cookout and Bluegrass Band concert at VHBC. To register you can go to www.vhumc.org or contact Jim Frazier at 769-0126 or jfrazier@vhumc.org.
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2012 Summer Camps
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Our menu of summer camps is on the website. Register your kids today!
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| Join Us | |
If you are ready to make VHUMC your church family,
JOIN US!!! Joining VHUMC is more than just putting your name on a roll; it is uniting your heart with the mission of the church - sharing Christ with others! Join at the end of any worship service by meeting the pastor near the front during the last song.
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More Opportunities to "Follow me...Feed my sheep:"
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Car Ministry Success Our car ministry a great "behind the scenes" example of how our members are active every day. A recent client sent this thank you note: "Words can not express how grateful I am for your help. Your kindness is so appreciated. This money order is to go back to the ministry. I will make a payment every month to pay my blessing forward to help someone else. Thank you very much for being so kind." Donating a car is tax deductible. Contributions help us repair cars. For more information, contact Ashley Curry at macurry@bellsouth.net.
VHUMC Clothes Closet needs your donations. As you clean out for spring, please bring your excess clothing to the bins by the church library. We need children's, men's, women's clothes and shoes. You can leave the clothes on hangers or put them in bags. All usable clothing will go to someone in need.
Bunny Aid Share the love of Jesus and joy of Easter with a child or youth who would not normally receive an Easter basket. Fill a basket or bucket with goodies, wrap it in cellophane or netting, and drop it off in the front office. Include things like shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, body lotion, lip balm, books, devotionals, toys, healthy snacks, and, of course, candy. Baskets should be dropped off at the church office by April 1. Baskets will be delivered to local shelters through Hands On Birmingham - an official helper of the Easter Bunny.
Habitat House Blessing More than 100 members of the VHUMC youth group, the Thursday Habitat Group, and the Vestavia Hills High School Habitat Club have been building a house from the ground up. Everyone is invited to the house dedication on Sunday, March 31, at 2:00 pm. Meet at the Lighthouse at 1:15 pm or contact Cynthia McGough for directions (mcgough.cynthia@gmail.com).
Gas Stove Needed The church is in touch with a family who needs a gas stove. If you have one you're willing to donate, please contact Patti Eggers (769-0143) or Margaret Flowers (769-0112).
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Worship
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Music & Worship Focus - March 25
8:10 am Holy Communion
In the Chapel
8:30 am Traditional Service
"When Your Heart is Troubled"
John 12:20-33
Dalton Styes
Ashley & Steve Roberts
9:45 am Service of Word & Table
"When Your Heart is Troubled"
John 12:20-33
Dalton Styes
Ashley & Steve Roberts
11:00 am Traditional Service
"When Your Heart is Troubled"
John 12:20-33
Dalton Styes
Chancel Choir
11:00 am Contemporary Service
John 12:20-33
"Seeing-Serving"
Nancy Hastings Hornsby
5:00 pm Vespers
"Praying the Psalms through Lent"
Nancy Hasings-Hornsby
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Music Notes - Sunday, March 25
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"Whoever serves me must follow me." John 12:26. We hear these familiar words of Christ this week as we continue to search our hearts on this Lenten journey. We also hear text that calls us to recognize Christ as the son of God. Hymns such as "Jesus Shall Reign," "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus," and "Take Up Thy Cross" will be sung corporately. Ashley and Steve Roberts will join us at the early services to bring us "If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee." This is a text that has been set to music by both Bach and Mendelssohn. The Roberts will offer it as a new jazz arrangement. The Chancel Choir will guide us to the familiar Psalm 51 as they sing "Create in Me a Clean Heart" by Mueller. We hope that you are able to search your heart this week and follow Christ both in our worship and beyond.
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Wednesday Night Menus
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3/28 Slaw, Gumbo, Rice, Streamed Veggies, Bread Pudding
Join us each week on Wednesday from 5:00 to 6:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. The cost is $6/adults, $4/children with a $20 family max. Call Margaret Flowers (769-0107) by noon on Monday to make reservations.
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Our Time and Resources
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Attendance for March 18:
Worship Services 744
Nursery 55
Sunday School
Adult 355
Youth 34
Elementary 49
Pre-school 54
Financial Items: Actual Budgeted
Last Week (March 14 - 20)
Donations $62,108 $74,000
February Year-to-date Summary
Income $524,831 $511,800
Expenses $567,018 $617,392
Net ($51,187) ($105,592)
VDS and Dance Net $64,737 $24,776
Total Net $13,550 ($80,816)
Current building loan balance $729,316
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| Prayer Requests | |
Prayer Requests
Careline: 205-822-9336
Weekend Emergencies: 205-914-3121
Please be in prayer for the following persons:
Martha Drewry
Cortez Harden
Stephanie Wade Hill
Carolyn and Bobby Lott
Claire McJunkin
Judy and J.B. McKinnon
Amanda Murphy
Ginger and Ken Scarborough
Shannon Styes
Scott Treman
Mary Gordon Turner
Ann Williams
Jessica Crumpton West
Belva Wolbach
Russell Yarbrough
In an effort to keep the prayer request list current, names will be listed for two weeks unless we are otherwise notified. VHUMC will not publish the names and/or concerns of persons known to be minors (18 years of age or younger) without the permission of said minor's legal guardian. Thank you.
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This Week in Our Congregation
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Hospitalizations as of March 20 -
Hollis Hayes and Charles Richards
Sympathy to friends of Betty Saunders Todd who died March 1 in Venice, FL. Betty's family requests any memorials gifts to be to VHMUC.
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For more information about VHUMC and its ministries please visit us at
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