Staying Connected
November 6, 2026
This Sunday with Pastor Anna
Title: God as Bridegroom
Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13
“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten young women took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those young women got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet, and the door was shut. Later the other young women came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ Keep awake, therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour."
Opportunities this Week:
Sun, 10:30 am: Worship
In the sanctuary and online
Tue, 1:00 pm: Talk 'n' Thought
In the Fireside Room
Wed, 6:30 pm: ImBible Study
In the Fireside Room and online
All Church Work Party
November's ACWP is this Saturday, Nov 7, from 10:00 to noon. There are indoor tasks (cobwebs!) and outdoor tasks (leaves!) – something for everyone. Bring your leaf rake and tubs to take yard waste home. Let’s make our property welcoming for the visitors we will have at the bazaar.
Youth Meeting
We are very excited to welcome our new Youth Director, Sam Keel! Sam will be meeting with youth, their parents, and anyone else who is interested, this Sunday after worship in the Fireside Room. Sam’s contact info is on the back of the bulletin and at the bottom of this email.
Fireside Friends
Our Monday night quilting group will have a special meeting this Monday, Nov 9, from 6:00-8:00 pm in the studio downstairs to finish our quilts for the holiday bazaar. Please join us if you enjoy hand sewing.
Intergenerational Sunday
Please bring a printed photo of yourself when you were young, to the intergenerational service on Sunday, Nov 15.
Come, Lift Up Your Voice
An Advent Choir is being formed with Gail M as choir director and Rebecca S as accompanist. Your voice is needed, even if you can only participate part of the time. Advent Sundays are Nov 29, Dec 6, 13, and 20, with Christmas Eve service on Dec 24. Choir rehearsals are every Sunday following worship, beginning this Sunday. Come join us!
Holiday Bazaar is Coming!
Our annual holiday bazaar, Crafted in the Hills, will be on Saturday, Nov 21, from 10:00-4:00 pm. Elizabeth B is busy securing vendors and volunteers for the event. If you are proficient with social media, we need you! She will also need volunteers to help with signage before and after the event, and with assembling/disassembling the tent that day. Contact Elizabeth to help. If you, or someone you know, is interested in selling their handicrafts, please email bazaarVHUMC@gmail.com.
IMIrJ Needs
The Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice (IMIrJ.org) has published a list of needs for their free food mercado. You can find the full list here. The greatest needs include:
Rice
Dried beans (pinto, black, red)
Arinapan, masa, maseca
Cooking oil
Sugar (brown or granulated)
Dry whole milk (Nido or similar)
Shelf-stable boxed milk
Ketchup
Dried Chiles: Puya, Japones, California or guajillo
Meats to freeze (Ground Beef, Chicken Breast and Fish)
Frozen vegetables
Laundry detergent
Toothpaste, Shampoo, Conditioner, Deodorant
Baby wipes and Diapers (especially sizes 5 - 7)
Baby oil, baby rash creme
NIDO
Please bring what you can to the church this month.
Holiday Bazaar is Coming!
Our annual holiday bazaar, Crafted in the Hills, will be on Saturday, Nov 21, from 10:00-4:00 pm. Elizabeth B is busy securing vendors and volunteers for the event. If you are proficient with social media, we need you! She will also need volunteers to help with signage before and after the event, and with assembling/disassembling the tent that day. Contact Elizabeth to help. If you, or someone you know, is interested in selling their handicrafts, please email bazaarVHUMC@gmail.com.
Fireside Friends
Join us on Monday, Nov 2, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm in the studio downstairs as we finish our quilts for the holiday bazaar. Plenty of room for everyone!
All Church Work Party
November's ACWP is on Saturday, Nov 7, from 10:00. There are indoor tasks (cobwebs!) and outdoor tasks (leaves!) – something for everyone. Let’s make our property welcoming for the visitors we will have at the bazaar!
Last Chance! Diana Butler Bass
Historian, author and public theologian Diana Butler Bass will visit Portland Nov. 6-8 as part of the Seeking Sacred Wisdom Speaker Series at Rose City Park Presbyterian Church. The three days include a Friday evening lecture and book signing, a half-day Saturday workshop and Sunday worship. Tickets, ranging from $20-70, for the Friday and Saturday events are available through Eventbrite.
Night Strike
We continue our connection with Night Strike, a ministry to the houseless, under the Burnside Bridge. Our usual evening is on the third Thursday of each month. Slots fill very quickly. You can register at cityteam.volunteerhub.com/vv2/lp/nightstrike (the link is also at the top of this email.)
Vigils
There are ongoing vigils at the Portland ICE building, 4310 S Macadam Ave, from 2:00-2:45 pm every 1st and 3rd Thursday. Grab your group and peacefully protect our democracy.
Easy Giving
Donate online
Fred Meyer Rewards program, code SY323
CarEasy.org to give 70% of vehicle sale to VHUMC
Contact the church office with any questions.
Calendars
Receiving 2027 calendars that you won't use? You can leave them on the Welcome table and Donna will make sure they get to Neighborhood House for those who need them.
Talk N Thought
The ‘dynamite’ ladies of TnT meet every Tuesday, 1:00 - 3:00 pm, in the Fireside Room to read and discuss together. Contact Linda Miller at raylindamiller@comcast.net for more info.
Prayer Chain
Email your prayer requests to PrayerVHUMC@gmail.com. If you do not have access to email, you may call Linda Miller at 503.699.8628. The ‘Prayers of the People’ is crafted weekly from this information; please indicate if your prayer is private.
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