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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.
Rev. Keith Elder, singer-songwriter from Nashville, TN will join us in New Traditions worship on Palm Sunday. Keith is an ordained UM elder from the North Alabama Conference. He served many local congregations including Liberty Crossings UMC before moving to the Nashville area to continue his ministry in worship leadership, retreat ministry and songwriting. His gracious spirit and beautiful singing voice will bless us all as we worship on Palm Sunday. He will also be leading the Monday mid-day service on April 2 at 11:30 am in Tyson Hall.
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.
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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
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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 Tyson Hall - New Traditions
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Lenten Highlight: First Light Shelter
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Follow Me...Feed My Sheep
First Light Shelter is a facility in downtown Birmingham providing temporary food and housing for homeless women and their children and a permanent home to nine women with severe mental illnesses. It is a place of hope and a stepping-stone to new beginnings. Their mission is to "work with homeless women and their children to create hospitality in a safe and nurturing community, to encourage them to find hope, to seek opportunity, and to grow spiritually, thereby achieving their full potential."
First Light provides assistance from trained social workers, therapists and job and housing placement resources. However, volunteers are the life-blood of First Light. Volunteers from around the city prepare and serve breakfast and dinner to the 70+ guests every day. A different set of volunteers stay overnight, every night, to distribute laundry supplies and hygiene products to the guests while lending an open ear and heart. Volunteers also organize daytime activities including weekly Bible studies and prayer groups for the women. The shelter could not survive without the love and support of its volunteers and contributors.
Your contributions to the Lenten Offering will help First Light continue to "feed Jesus' sheep" with not only food and shelter, but with hope. You may place your cash or checks in the Lenten Offering envelopes located in the pew racks, or write "Lenten Offering" on your check.
Contact firstlightshelter.org to find out ways you can help "feed the sheep" at First Light or contact Patti Eggers (769-0143 or peggers@vhumc.org) to find out how you can join VHUMC's First Light outreach team.
Please give generously to our Lenten Offering. Our goal is $40,000. Through March 27, we have received $19,894.
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From the Pastor: Holy Week and Easter
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I am looking forward to our Holy Week and Easter worship opportunities and invite you to join us as we take this most blessed journey together.
Come and experience the rich blessing of this holy season by sharing in worship at Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church as we heed the call of Jesus to "Follow Me and Feed My Sheep." Share the joyous anticipation of Palm Sunday's processional and taste the profound love offered by Christ through the sacrament of Holy Communion. Come and share in the mid-day and evening services of Holy week.
No season offers richer ways to connect to God than this one. In the story of Christ's death and resurrection, we find meaning for our lives and community. Come and share this powerful time with us.
A Word Regarding Your New Senior Pastor
I am also looking forward to the wonderful and gifted leadership Bill Brunson will bring to the church as senior pastor. Bill is a good friend and an outstanding leader in our Conference. I am delighted to work with him as we make this transition and move forward together.
Blessings,
Dalton
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Who is Bill Brunson? Part 2
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 Throughout the spring we will be sharing some of the history and perspectives of our coming senior pastor. Bill will take over for Dalton in mid-June.
Bill got a Bachelor's degree in History with a minor in English at Jacksonville State University. He has served churches in Gadsden, Florence and the Birmingham area and was senior pastor of two congregations.
On worship services: "Since the majority of people first experience a church during a Sunday morning worship service, I feel that the planning of worship requires a great amount of attention and care. Every week must involve working with clergy, lay staff, and volunteers to plan inspiring and engaging worship services. For the church to grow, worship must be a high moment in every week, and my goal is to always invest myself in helping to make that happen."
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Kay Twilley is Returning to Bolivia
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Kay is a member at VHUMC and served in Bolivia as a missionary with UMC Global Ministries from 2000 until 2008. Since then, she has been retired and active in the church and with her family. Now, God has other plans. The Bolivian Methodist Bishop has asked Kay to return to Montero, Bolivia and resume her former work - recruiting and guiding short-term work teams to work and minister in that area. Approval by the SEJ Volunteers in Mission program confirmed this calling to Kay. "I feel very blessed to have this great opportunity to return to a place and be with friends that have made a great impact on my life. I would like to ask for your prayers. I hope that VHUMC will also send work teams to help. This church has always been a great support in many ways, and I would like to thank all of you who have supported me in the past."
Kay leaves for Bolivia on April 13. To contact her call 470-1506 or ktwill2@yahoo.com. Kay is paying for all of her own travel and living expenses. If you would like to contribute for her ministry expenses in Bolivia, you can give to the Kay Twilley Bolivia Fund here at VHUMC.
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Vacation Bible Camp Registration
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 Registration begins this Sunday, April 1. Be sure to register your 4K through 5th grader for a great time as we dare to go deep with God for Operation Overboard! Registration forms will be located throughout the church and on our website. Click here to register online. Volunteers are needed in all areas.
Call Ruth Grissom at 769-0124 (Elementary) or Anne Strozier at 769-0127 (Pre-School). Join us June 11-15 for another great week of Bible fun!
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Attention VHUMC Women
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Are you looking for ways to get involved at church other than your weekly SS class? Would you like to fellowship with other VHUMC women? Would you like to be involved in mission opportunities that fit your lifestyle? Circle 5 might be for you!!!
VHUMC Circle 5 is a group of women in their late 20s to mid 40s who meet once a month for fellowship, Christian enrichment on a variety of levels, and involvement in mission opportunities. It is a part of United Methodist Women which, has rich history dating back many years. We sponsor VHUMC's annual bazaar, Magical Marketplace, held each November.
Our next meeting is Tuesday, April 3, at 9:30 am in the Adult Leisure Room. We are excited about our speaker, Lou Lacey. She is the director of Wellness at Children's of Alabama and is a licensed professional counselor with over 20 years experience. Childcare is available with a reservation by contacting Anne Strozier (astrozier@vhumc.org).
For questions, contact Anne Long (longbhm@earthlink.net or 979-6917), Kiley Watson (kileymoon@gmail.com or 705-3154), or Jaimie Livingston (jnl091578@aol.com or 969-1344). We would love for you to join us!!!
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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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| Come Sing with Us | | |
The Singing Devotion group will meet this Sunday night, April 1, at 6:15pm in the Chapel for a time of fellowship, singing old gospel favorites, and a short devotion. Everyone is invited.
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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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Give the Gift of Life
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VHUMC is hosting a blood drive this 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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Green Mailbox Bows
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The Genesis Class is making bows in support of Wes Edgar and his need for a kidney transplant (Kelly green is the designated color for organ transplants). We will have them for sale on Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings or you can see anyone in the Genesis Class. Make your check to Help Hope Live for a minimum $10 donation. Let's all show our love and support for Wes.
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More Opportunities to "Follow me...Feed my sheep:"
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Oak Mountain Mission is in need of good mattresses. If you have an extra set you are not using, please call 685-5757 for a pick-up. Other furniture would also be appreciated. These items are given to families who have had suffered tragedies and are putting their lives back together.
Food Pantry shelves are bare again! We are now serving 80 families, so we need 1,360 food items every Wednesday. For April, we need breakfast items plus fresh fruit and potatoes (delivered Sunday-Tuesday only). Panera Bread is donating leftover items on Friday night. If you can help pick-up, bag, freeze and store these items until the next Wednesday, please let us know. You may volunteer once, or quarterly, or monthly. Call Barbara Porter 444-9793.
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).
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Music & Worship Focus - April 1
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8:10 am Holy Communion
In the Chapel
8:10 am Holy Communion
In the Chapel
8:30 am Traditional Service
Meditation: "Two Parades"
Mark 11:1-11
Dalton Styes
VHUMC Orchestra, Men's Chorus, Chancel Choir
9:45 am Service of Word & Table
"A Fool's Errand"
Mark 11:1-11
Robin Blakemore
VHUMC Orchestra, Nancy Hastings Hornsby and Ashley Roberts
11:00 am Traditional Service
Meditation: "Two Parades"
Mark 11:1-11
Dalton Styes
VHUMC Orchestra, Children's Choirs,
Chancel Choir
11:00 am Contemporary Service
"Something Beautiful for God"
Rev. Keith Elder
5:00 pm Vespers
"Praying the Psalms Through Lent"
Nancy Hastings Hornsby
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Music Notes - Sunday, April 1
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Hosanna!! We welcome the Messiah with shouts of "hosanna (save us)" when we worship this week. Our children will lead us with palms, our orchestra will play exciting music, our choirs will sing, and we will have to opportunity to respond. We will sing hymns such as "Hosanna, Loud Hosanna," "All Glory Laud and Honor," and "Tell Me the Stories of Jesus." The VHUMC Orchestra will play an exuberant medley of "All Glory Laud and Honor" and "Hosanna, Loud Hosanna." The Men's Chorus will lead us at the 8:30 service along with the Chancel Choir. The Chancel Choir will provide music throughout the service from a larger work by Michael Tobias. Tobias's work asks the question "who is this king." We can imagine the people of Jerusalem asking much the same question as Jesus rode into the city. This week in worship we will ask and hopefully find answers to this same question in our own lives.
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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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Wednesday Night Menus
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April 4 - No Wednesday Night Dinner
Apr 11 - Salad, Swedish Meatballs, Egg Noodles, Broccoli, Cobbler
Apr 18 - Slaw, Curried Chicken, Jasmine Rice, Sauteed Veggies, Trifle
Apr 25 - Chicken Salad, Croissant, Fresh Fruit, Ice Cream
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 25:
Worship Services 773
Nursery 83
Sunday School
Adult 339
Youth 51
Elementary 70
Pre-school 70
Financial Items: Actual Budgeted
Last Week (March 21 - 28)
Donations $37,293 $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 $717,548
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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
Beth Ann Higgs
Stephanie Wade Hill
Carolyn and Bobby Lott
Judy and J.B. McKinnon
Amanda Murphy
Belva Steed
Scott Treman
Mary Gordon Turner
Jessica Crumpton West
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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Sympathy to Faye Richards and family in the death of her husband, Charles F. Richards, on March 27.
Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. David Arendall (Emma Howell) who were married in the sanctuary on March 24, 2012
Congratulations to Angel and Jeff White in the birth of their son, Luca David White, born March 26, 2012.
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For more information about VHUMC and its ministries please visit us at
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