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Pastor's Points
 The Associated Press did a study of America’s “Generation Next” and found some interesting findings:
1. General Happiness - The study found that overall, most young Americans (aged 13-24) report being happy with their lives and are optimistic about the future. Sixty-five percent of respondents say they are happy with the way things are going in their lives in general, and 62 percent think they will be happier in the future than they are now. Only one out of five say they are unhappy. (more)
Church-Wide News and Events
HEALING PRAYER SERVICE SCHEDULED FOR MAY 3
In James 5, we are told to bring our requests for healing to our church leaders to receive prayer and be anointed with oil in the name of the Lord. You are encouraged to bring your needs for any type of healing (physical, emotional, spiritual and relational) and receive prayer during a Healing Service Sunday, May 3 at 6 p.m. in Wesley Hall.
MAY 3 IS ORGAN DONOR AWARENESS SUNDAY
Stop by the table in the Atrium this Sunday, May 3 to learn more about organ donation and pick up an organ donor registration form. Organ donor cards will also be available.
PRAY FOR OUR NATION AND COMMUNITY
Frazer will host a National Day of Prayer service Thursday, May 7 at 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. This year’s theme is “Prayer: America’s Hope” and all are encouraged to participate in this community gathering. Congressman Bobby Bright will share his insight as he encourages us to be in constant prayer for our nation. Several local pastors will also be present to lead us in prayer for our state and community. The service also will be televised live on WFRZ.
SAV-A-LIFE “WALK FOR HOPE” SET FOR MAY 9
Sav-A-Life provides hope for the unborn, women with unplanned pregnancies and victims of abortion. You can support this life-saving ministry through the “Walk for Hope” Saturday, May 9 at Blount Cultural Park. Participants are asked to obtain sponsors and walk two miles. Every dollar raised will support the work of the Sav-A-Life Ministry. For more information, stop by the table in the Atrium Sunday, May 3.
SUPPORT WESLEY GARDENS THROUGH FOUNTAIN OF LOVE OFFERING
A special offering will be taken on Mother’s Day, May 10 for the residents of Wesley Gardens Retirement Community. Each of us has the opportunity to help keep the “fountain of love” flowing by giving to this wonderful ministry. Look for the special Fountain of Love envelopes, available during worship services.
CHILDREN’S WORSHIP ARTS SPRING PROGRAM MAY 13
Children’s Worship Arts invites you to their spring program May 13 at 6 p.m. in Wesley Hall. Cherub Choir, JoySong and Purest Praise choirs will each give a special presentation.
GET MOVING THIS SUMMER WITH FRAZER’S ACTIVITY MINISTRY
The Activity Ministry offers a variety of summer sports for adults, students and children. Registration for all sports programs begins May 4. No registration necessary for aerobics classes. For more information, schedules and costs, call the Activity Center at 495-6459 or stop by the desk.
For Adults:
• Men’s basketball league, age 18 and older.
• Adult pick-up volleyball meets Mondays and Thursdays.
• Summer Aerobics classes for adults meet Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Morning and evening classes and classes for older adults (Temple Builders) are available.
For Children and Students:
• Good Mornings for 1-6 graders.
• Volleyball for 6-12 grade girls
• Three on Three Basketball for 6-12 grade boys
NOON SALAD LUNCHEON MAY 12
The May Noon Salad Luncheon will be May 12 at 12 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Dr. Don Hill’s topic will be “Assert Yourself.” Cost is $5. Don’t miss the last luncheon before summer break.
DON’T FORGET!
• Realities Sunday School class bracelet and bake sale for missions May 3 in the Atrium.
• Spaces are still available to sign up for dedicating altar flowers in the Sanctuary. Check the flower calendar near the library for available dates and a request form.
Children & Student Opportunities
SIGN UP FOR SUMMER CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES
Summer Fun Program for Young Children. Register now for a summer nursery program for children, newborn through kindergarten age. The program meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m.- 12 p.m. June 9-July 30. Sign up in the Nursery office, call 279-0271 or go to www.frazerkindergarten.com.
Good Mornings: Rising first through sixth graders are invited to join us for Good Mornings in the Activity Center, June 8- July 30. We’ll meet Mondays-Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon for games, sports, stories, snacks and a daily devotion. Cost is $6 per day (additional $2 for early drop-off at 7:30 a.m.). For more information, call the Activity Center at 495-6459.
Serving & Volunteer Opportunities
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.
A handyman is needed to install cabinet locks. Time is flexible.
For Children’s Ministry: Nursery (birth- 2 years) needs help during 9:30 and 11 a.m. services; Wavemakers Sunday School teachers, 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Become a mentor for the Chess in the Public Schools ministry. No experience with chess is necessary. You will be taught to play the game. We need both men and women to work with third graders beginning this fall. Call E. L. Perry at 514-1461 for more information.
-Meals on Wheels delivery help on Mondays.
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Atrium Welcome Desk, 2-5 p.m., Monday-Friday.
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Activity Center Control Desk, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m., Monday-Friday.
-Sanctuary ushers for all services.
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Sunday School class attendance scanners, Monday mornings.
Discipleship & Fellowship Opportunities
EVERY MEMBER... EVERY STEP
Step Classes meet Wednesdays at 6 p.m. in room 8114. All members, and especially new members, are encouraged to attend Step classes. For more information or to register, contact Diane Klaaren at 495-6332 or dianek@frazerumc.org.
STEP 1: DISCOVERING YOUR CHURCH FAMILY
STEP 2: DETERMINING YOUR MINISTRY
STEP 3: DESIRING SPIRITUAL MATURITY
STEP 4: DEFINING YOUR MISSION
MAY MEN'S PRAYER BREAKFAST
United Methodist Men’s Prayer Breakfast, May 6 at 6:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall with Chaplain Jim Wilson, speaker.
REGISTER NOW FOR OLDER ADULT MINISTRY TRIP TO WILLIAMSBURG
Join the Older Adult Ministry for an exciting trip to beautiful, historic Williamsburg, May 22-30. Don’t miss this wonderful time of fellowship as we enjoy guided tours of Yorktown, Norfolk, Jamestown and Richmond. For more information, call Martha John Allison at 244-0464,
THREADS OF LOVE MEETS MAY 5
Threads of Love ministry meets May 5 from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. to sew for preemies. Call Sharon Hall at 514-3383 or Jan Roller at 260-0680 for more information.
Pastor's Points (Continued)
(Continued from top)
2. Parents, Family and Relationships - Parents are seen as an overwhelmingly positive influence in the lives of most young people. Remarkably, nearly half of respondents mention at least one of their parents as a hero. When asked “What one thing in life makes you most happy?” 46 percent of respondents say spending time with friends, family and loved ones. Thirty percent of blacks and Hispanics identified family as the one thing in life that brings them the most happiness, compared with 15 percent of whites.
3. Religion and Spirituality - Religion and spirituality are an integral part of happiness for most American young people. 44 percent say that religion and spirituality are either a very important or the single most important thing in their lives, with more than one in ten reporting the latter. And those for whom religion and spirituality play a bigger role in life tend to be happier. Eighty percent of those who say spirituality is the most important thing in life say they are happy with life in general, compared with 60 percent of those who say that spirituality is not an important part of life at all.
4. Fortune and Fame - Almost no respondents mentioned anything financial or material as a source of happiness when asked an unaided question about what makes them happy. But many young people report financial woes as a source of unhappiness. In looking to the future, 70 percent say they want to be rich — and nearly half think it’s at least somewhat likely they will be someday—but just 29 percent want to be famous. Only 17 percent think they will be famous.
5. Technology - Cell phones, the Internet, and other technologies are integrally woven into the lives of today’s young people and nearly two-thirds say they make people happier. Half of those young people polled say the Internet alone helps them feel happier. And contrary to popular views of technology as a source of stress, many young people would be more stressed without technology, with nearly half saying they never turn off their cell phones—even when they’re trying to chill out.
Part of our 1,000 Day Strategy is to reach younger generations for Christ —18-35-year-olds, to be specific. Those of us who are older should be inspired to read studies like this one, to understand more about the next generation so we can adapt our ways to reach them.
Congratulations to our Student Minister Brian Word and his fiancée Leslie Harris on their upcoming wedding on May 9 in Winston-Salem, N.C.
We wish for them God’s best!
Dr. Barry K. Carpenter
Senior Pastor
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