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Pastor's Points
 Freedom is God’s intention for all people. We see this throughout the Bible. The Biblical model for freedom is the Exodus. This was God’s attempt to tell the world all people should be free from slavery and bondage.
The conviction that humans deserve to live in freedom is what motivated Americans to fight for our own freedom from the British. It motivated us to fight Nazi Germany and the Japanese during World War II, and against communism during the Cold War. Once people are given freedom, they will fight to protect that freedom against all who are determined to take it away. (more)
Church-Wide News and Events
SUMMER CONNECTIONS NOW AVAILABLE
Looking for a Bible study or other activities this summer? Check out the Summer 2009 edition of Connections, your guide to Frazer’s small group and Bible study opportunities available this summer. Frazer offers a variety of discipleship and fellowship activities for all ages so stop by the Welcome Desk in the Atrium to pick up your copy and get plugged in.
ANNUAL CONFERENCE WORSHIP CELEBRATION
Bishop Paul Leeland will speak Sunday, June 7 at 7 p.m. in Wesley Hall for the opening worship celebration of Annual Conference. Frazer is honored to host this evening, which brings together clergy and lay delegates from across the Alabama-West Florida conference of the United Methodist Church every year. Please be in prayer for this important event in the life of our church. Everyone is invited to the worship celebration.
SPECIAL OFFERING FOR BLUE LAKE CAMPAIGN THIS SUNDAY
Since 1951, more than 500,000 lives have been transformed by a faith experience at Blue Lake, the assembly and campgrounds for the Alabama-West Florida conference of the United Methodist Church. This Sunday, May 24 we will collect a special offering to help Blue Lake continue its mission to be a center of Christian hospitality and learning. Look for the special Blue Lake campaign envelope in the bulletin.
SAVE THE DATE: FRAZER FAMILY FUN DAY AT RIVERWALK STADIUMMark your calendar for Sunday, July 19 when the Frazer Family will come together for a fun-filled day with the Montgomery Biscuits! Riverwalk Stadium will open early that afternoon so the Frazer family can enjoy inflatables for the kids, food and festivities before the Montgomery Biscuits take on West Tennessee at 6:05 p.m. Siran Stacy will also give an inspirational message and sign autographs. Don’t miss this great opportunity to fellowship with your church family. Ticket information and more details coming soon.
CASUAL SUNDAYS THIS SUMMER AT FRAZER
During the summer months, Frazer welcomes the congregation to dress appropriately casual for worship.
DON’T FORGET!
An exploratory meeting for Frazer’s upcoming Holy Land trip will be this Sunday, May 24 at 5 p.m. in room 3105. Call Charles Wise at 495-6319 for more information.
Register now for summer programs in the Activity Center. For children: Good Mornings weekday fun program. For students: boy’s basketball and girls volleyball. For adults: men’s basketball, pick-up volleyball and aerobics classes. To register or learn more, call the Activity Center at 495-6459 or stop by the desk.
Children & Student Opportunities
LAST CHANCE TO SIGN UP FOR CHILDREN’S CAMP
The deadline to register for Children’s Camp is this Sunday, May 24. Rising first through third graders can join Camp Sonshine June 8-10 and rising fourth through sixth graders can join Camp Challenge June 8-12. Brochures are available at the Tugboat in the Atrium. Register online at www.frazerumc.org/camp or return your completed registration form to the Children’s Ministry today.
STUDENT RETREAT PLANNED FOR JULY 6-10
All rising seventh through 12th grade students are encouraged to attend Koinonia: Engage July 6-10. Sign up now through June 21 and don’t miss this exciting retreat where we’ll learn to love each other and our world as Christ loves us. Cost is $350 now until June 4, then goes up to $450. Register now and save $100. For more information, pick up a brochure from the Student Ministry office.
REGISTER NOW FOR VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL, JULY 13-17
Children ages 4 through rising fifth graders are invited to take a thrilling ride across the land down under on the Boomerang Express during Frazer VBS 2009. Join the fun July
13-17 from 9 a.m. to noon. Register online at www.frazerumc.org/vbs or pick up a form at the Tugboat in the Atrium.
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.
Greeters, food service workers and shuttle drivers for the Annual Conference at Frazer June 7-10.
Volunteers are needed the second Sunday of each month to welcome and register new members. We also need neighborhood volunteers to visit first-time guests and potential new members.
Vacation Bible School volunteers, July 13-17.
An Aerobics instructor for Mondays from 6-7 p.m.
Cooks Needed: The Third Annual Taste of Frazer event will be Aug. 5 and 100 volunteer cooks are needed to make their best appetizer, salad, entree or dessert.
For Children’s Ministry: The Nursery (birth-3 years) needs caregivers, Sunday School teachers and Cherub Church leaders; Wavemakers needs Sunday School teachers for fourth and fifth grade classes and leaders for Under the Sea Children’s Church for 4 and 5-year-olds.
Mentors are still needed for the Chess in the Public Schools ministry.
Sanctuary ushers for 8 and 11 a.m. services.
Discipleship & Fellowship Opportunities
FOURTH THURSDAY FELLOWSHIP FOR OLDER ADULTS THIS WEEK
Fourth Thursday meets May 28 in the Fellowship Hall for fun, games, fellowship and food. Doors open at 9 a.m. for games, with caring and sharing with Ann Crew at 11. Lunch will be served at 11:45 a.m. with speaker Don Hill. Cost is $5. Carol Waring will be available at 9 a.m. for blood pressure checks and Medicare/Drug Plan information.
DON’T MISS WOMEN’S MINISTRY ONE-DAY RETREAT JUNE 13
The Women’s Ministry will host a one-day Measureless Love retreat Saturday, June 13 from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. in room 7207. Come for a fun-filled day featuring an inspiring video message from Beth Moore and fellowship over lunch with friends as we learn to recognize and receive God’s measureless love. Cost is $10 and includes a workbook and lunch. For more information and to register, e-mail Sandy Boswell at sandy@frazerumc.org.
Pastor's Points (Continued)
(Continued from top)
Charles Colson states, “Serving in the military is considered such a high calling for Christians—and part of what makes just wars just. Thomas Aquinas in the Summa Theologica puts his discussion of just war in his chapter on charity—the love of God and neighbor. Aquinas applauded those who wielded the sword in protection of the community.”
Reformer John Calvin agreed. He called the soldier an “agent of God’s love” and justly called soldiering a “God-like act.” Why? Because “restraining evil out of love for neighbor” is an imitation of God’s restraining evil out of love for His creatures. And as Darrell Cole, a professor at William & Mary, argued in the journal First Things, the failure to fight a just war may be a failure to love. Fighting just wars, he wrote, “Is something Christians ought to do out of love for God and neighbor.”1
The only thing evil needs to triumph is for good people to do nothing. Christians have been compelled by high and noble values to fight just wars and to oppose freedom threats. Were it not for freedom fighters this would be a world where evil reigned unchecked by justice, and where the strong would prey on the weak.
As you celebrate Memorial Day take time to thank God for those who have fallen in defense of freedom. Pray also for those who are still fighting for freedom around the world today.
1Charles Colson in a Breakpoint radio program |
