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Pastor's Points
 In 2007, we marked the 200-year anniversary of the abolition of the British slave trade under the leadership of William Wilberforce. A wonderful movie called “Amazing Grace” chronicles the life of Wilberforce and his relentless pursuit of the liberation of a nation from slavery.
While we celebrate the advances that brought about the abolition movement, there are more than 27 million slaves in our world today. That is more people than were extracted from Africa during the 400 years of the trans-Atlantic slave trade (Kevin Bales, “Disposable People”). (more)
Church-Wide News and Events
CELEBRATE THE EASTER SEASON AT FRAZER
Frazer has a variety of new and traditional events planned for this Easter season. Make plans now to join us as we celebrate the greatest truth in history- Jesus is alive! For complete details on the following events, go to www.frazerumc.org/easter.
Sunday, March 29: Chette Williams speaks in Wesley Hall at 6 p.m.
 Auburn University football team chaplain Chette Williams will speak Sunday, March 29 at 6 p.m. in Wesley Hall. Come hear Chette share what the cross has meant to his own life and to the players he's influenced during his years as "spiritual coordinator" and head of Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Auburn.
Palm Sunday, April 5: “Remember the Cross” Easter musical
5 & 7 pm
 Frazer will present "Remember the Cross" Palm Sunday, April 5 at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary. This multimedia experience will combine a choral concert, dance, contemporary drama, ensembles, the praise band and singers, and a full orchestra. Nursery will be available for children ages 3 and under. Don't miss this celebration of the greatest truth in history- Jesus is alive!
Maundy Thursday, April 9: Stations of the Cross Experience
6- 7:30 p.m. in Wesley Hall.
Good Friday, April 10: Tenebrae Service of Darkness
7 p.m. in the Sanctuary
Easter Sunday, April 12: Sunrise Service at Winton Blount Cultural Park
6 a.m. (Regular Sunday morning worship services at Atlanta Highway and Asbury campuses.)
YARD CROSSES FOR EASTER AVAILABLE MARCH 29
Crosses for Easter can be placed in the yard anytime during Lent and draped with the purple cloth but be sure to put out your cross by Palm Sunday, April 5. If you would like a yard cross or need a replacement, a limited number of crosses will be available in the Atrium Sunday, March 29. This outward sign can be a powerful witness and a reminder to our neighbors of the significance of this holy season. For more information, please call Joyce Lee at 272-4100.
FRESH GREENERY & FLOWERS NEEDED FOR EASTER
Frazer’s special decorations team needs your help to decorate the church for Easter. Please bring ivy, greenery and fresh cut flowers to the Sanctuary doors near the Chapel between 8-9 a.m. Saturday, April 11. Suggestions for flowers include azaleas, boxwoods and magnolias.
Easter Candy Donations Needed
Frazer is holding a family Easter Egg Hunt for children up to third grade on Saturday, April 11 from 9:30-11 a.m. Please help us make this event fun for Frazer children by donating bags of individually wrapped candy (no nuts due to food allergies). Boxes have been placed in the Atrium; candy is needed by Wednesday, April 8.
Family Easter Egg Hunt
Frazer families with children up to third grade are invited to an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, Apr. 11 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on the soccer fields (Atrium in case of rain). Egg hunts will be divided into age-appropriate areas. The event will also feature fun activities including face painting and Easter crafts and a performance by our fabulous puppet team.
CHECK OUT SPECIAL PROGRAMMING ON WFRZ
 “Departures,” a series of six half-hour programs on death and dying, will begin airing Monday, March 30 on WFRZ. Dr. Don Hill is the host and the series will cover hospice care, wills, organ donation, spiritual readiness and other important topics. The programs will run each week as follows: Mondays- 6 p.m., Wednesdays - 8 p.m., Fridays- 11 p.m., Saturdays - 4:30 p.m. and Sundays - 5:30 p.m.
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS DUE BY MARCH 31
Frazer’s Charitable Trust is now accepting scholarship applications for a limited number of grants for the 2009 year. Applications are available in the church office and must be returned no later than March 31.
ALPHA & OMEGA CLASS SPRING BAKE SALE APRIL 5
The Alpha and Omega Sunday School class will sponsor its first Spring Bake Sale Sunday, April 5 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Atrium. Come shop our selection of cakes, cookies, candy and Easter basket goodies. All proceeds will help fund missions projects.
SIGN UP NOW FOR APRIL CPR CLASS
A CPR class will be offered Monday, April 20 from 6 - 9 p.m. in room 8153. This class is for the general public and will include training in the use of Automated External Defibrillators and adult, child and infant CPR. Certification is valid for two years. Registration is $20 and includes a snack supper. Space is limited so call the Activity Center at 495-6459 or stop by to register today.
PRAYER FOR DEPLOYED MEMBERS
If you have family deployed overseas, please let us know so we can pray for them. Call Bob at 495-6345 or e-mail bob@frazerumc.org
Children & Student Opportunities
HAVE FUN THIS SUMMER WITH FRAZER’S CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
This summer, Frazer’s Children’s Ministry will offer elementary camps at Camp Chandler for rising first-third graders and rising fourth-fifth graders, the week of June 8-12. Your child will have a blast swimming, canoeing, hiking, doing arts and crafts, making new friends and spending time with the Lord. For more information, pick up a brochure at the Tugboat in the Atrium or register online at www.frazerumc.org.
Parents, save the date: Frazer’s Vacation Bible School for rising 4-year-olds through fifth graders is scheduled for July 13-17. Watch for more details in the coming weeks.
REGISTER FOR YOUTH CONFIRMATION RETREAT BY APRIL 1
 If you have not yet registered your student for the Confirmation retreat planned for April 17-18, the last day to sign up is April 1. All Confirmation students are required to attend this overnight retreat at Frazer in order to fulfill their Confirmation requirements. Cost is $20 and you can sign up for this time of fun, food and fellowship by calling the C.R.A.V.E. Student Ministry office at 272-8622.
Serving & Volunteer Opportunities
CAN YOU LEND A HELPING HAND? VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR SEVERAL AREAS
Several ministries have an immediate need for volunteers at this time. If you are interested in serving in one of these areas, please call Beverly Harwick, Volunteer Coordinator, at 495-6336 or e-mail beverly@frazerumc.org.
Atrium Welcome Desk volunteers are needed to fill slots from 8-10 a.m. and 2- 5 p.m., Mondays through Fridays.
Activity Center Control Desk volunteers are needed Mondays through Fridays. Hours are flexible.
Men are needed Sunday, April 12 at 5 a.m. to set up at Winton Blount Cultural Park for the Easter Sunrise Service.
The Children’s Ministry needs Aqua Zone Check-In Desk volunteers at 8 a.m. on 4th Sundays and Wavemakers Sunday School teachers for the 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. hours.
Discipleship & Fellowship Opportunities
MEN’S MINISTRY APRIL PRAYER BREAKFAST THIS WEEK
The United Methodist Men will hold their monthly prayer breakfast Wednesday, April 1 at 6:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. John Duncan is the speaker and all men are invited to join us for this special time.
WOMEN’S STUDY AND FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Sign up now for the women’s Bible study Pilates/“Enjoy: A Thirst-Quenching Look at Philippians” by Tianne Moon. The study meets April 2-May 14 from 9-11 a.m. in room 8114 and offers an enduring biblical perspective on the meaning and source of true joy. We’ll learn how the reality of everyday life can erode our happiness unless we have a foundation of joy from seeing life through God’s perspective. Cost is $12. Call Sandy at 495-6391 for reservations.
Mark your calendars now for the United Methodist Women’s Annual Mother, Daughter and Friends Brunch “The Tie that Binds,” Saturday, April 25 at 10 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Gifted, spirit-filled speaker, worship leader and vocalist Donna Allen will lead us in a time of fellowship. Don’t miss this opportunity to be spiritually energized by sharing in friendship, love and hospitality. Tickets are available for $8 in the Frazer Bookstore.
PRESENTATION ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING APRIL 8
Jackie Vickers of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Montgomery will speak on the topic of human trafficking Wednesday, April 8 at 6 p.m. in room 3101. The discussion is part of the ongoing “The Bible Says...” study and anyone interested in learning more about this important subject is encouraged to attend.
DEVELOP A PRACTICAL, BIBLICAL PLAN FOR PARENTING
Want to become more effective parents who work well together as a team? If so, join Mike and Lisa Conn Sunday, March 29 at 9:30 a.m. in room 3202 for an overview of their eight-week Character-Centered Parenting Course. For more information, call Mike at 462-5227 or e-mail mike.conn@familyteamsforchrist.org or call Lisa at 462-8792 or e-mail lisa.conn@familyteamsforchrist.org.
Pastor's Points (Continued)
(Continued from top)
Human slavery may be outlawed in many nations, yet it is not extinct. It has simply taken different forms. Human trafficking is the modern day practice of slavery. Human trafficking is one of the fastest growing criminal industries in the world, based on the recruitment, harboring and transportation of people solely for the purpose of exploitation. Every year traffickers generate billions of dollars in profits at the expense of victimizing millions of people around the world. Victims of human trafficking are forced into labor or sexual exploitation. Labor trafficking is widespread in a variety of situations that encompass domestic servitude and small-scale labor operations, to large-scale operations such as farms, sweatshops and major multinational corporations.
Sex trafficking is one of the most lucrative parts of the illegal trade in people, which involves exploitation in prostitution, pornography, bride trafficking and the commercial sexual abuse of children. An estimated 17,500 foreign nationals are trafficked annually in the United States alone. The number of U.S. citizens trafficked within the country is even higher. An estimated 200,000 American children are at high risk for trafficking into the sex industry each year. Despite this staggering reality, governments around the world are only beginning to address the problem. In many countries, traffickers operate with almost total impunity, even in severe cases.
As Christians, we serve a God who is passionate to rescue the oppressed. He has given us a mandate to “seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, and plead for the widow” (Isaiah 1:17).
I encourage Frazer Christians to become more aware, more concerned, more involved and more prayerful about this human tragedy. “Lord, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them. You will bring justice to the orphans and the oppressed, so mere people can no longer terrify them” (Psalm 10:17,18).
A lay leader in our congregation, E.L. Perry, currently leads a class called “The Bible Says” Wednesday evenings at 6 p.m. in room 3101. The study deals with poverty, domestic abuse and human trafficking. On April 8, Jackie Vickers of the U.S. Attorney’s office in Montgomery will be a guest speaker on the issue of human trafficking. I encourage you to be informed and consider how you can make a difference.
For more information about a Christian response to Human Traficking visit the Internation Justice Mission or check out the books Not for Sale or Disposable People.
Dr. Barry K. Carpenter
Senior Pastor | |
Current Series
Teaching Pastors
Sanctuary Service
Barry Carpenter- Worship Guide
8:00, 9:30, 11:00
Contemporary Service
John Schmidt- Worship Guide
8:00, 9:30, 11:00
Asbury Campus
Robert Spicer - Worship Guide
9:30, 11:00
Hispanic Worship
Mario Aman
10:00
Chette Williams at 6pm in Wesley Hall
View Last Week's Message
"I Am The Good Shepherd"
Barry Carpenter | John Schmidt
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Wednesday supper Menu
April 1
Baked chicken, rice & gravy, vegetable, carrot salad, roll and dessert.
Kid’s Meal: Cheese/pepperoni pizza
Heart Healthy Meal: Grilled chicken salad and sugar-free Jell-O pudding
Sign up using the tear-off in the Sunday Morning worship guide
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