CRAVE-Youth Ministry
More than 70 youth attended this year’s Covenant retreat, where speakers share truth on sexual purity. Here’s a report from this year’s speaker, Frazer UMC Youth minister Bryan Levangie:
“Guardrails. They’re everywhere, but they don’t really get much attention . . . until somebody hits one. And then, more often than not, it is a lifesaver. Ever wonder what it would be like to have guardrails in other areas of your life—areas where culture baits you to the edge of disaster and then chastises you when you step across the line? Maybe your greatest regret could have been avoided if you had established guardrails. This past weekend at Covenant, the Crave staff and volunteer leaders challenged over 70 students to establish boundaries in their life to guard their heart. Sexual purity is our desire in the lives of our middle and high school students. Sunday night concluded our weekend with a special service where students committed to live sexually pure this coming year.”
Smile Ministry
Frazer’s Smile Ministry showed the love and warmth of the Frazer Family to those who attended the BTW Show Band Concert. Volunteers in our Media Ministries helped tape the event so it can be shown during the week of Christmas on WFRZ-TV. On Election Day, the Smile Ministry greeted those who came to vote with a cup of coffee, bottle of water and cheerful hello. Although we could not openly pass out information about Frazer and its ministries, we made the information available on the table beside the coffee. Many people took copies of the Following Jesus and Connections magazines. A new resident of Montgomery called yesterday to say he voted at Frazer and found the church to be very inviting. He asked about the service times and indicated he plans to visit us this Sunday.
Smart Giving
Frazer launched a new, convenient way of giving to the church. Through SMART giving, we can tithe to the church or make a special offering with a simple text message. Frazer’s ministers, Dr. Tim Thompson and Patrick Quinn demonstrated this opportunity during morning services and 68 people responded on this first day, giving more than $6600 to Frazer UMC. A simple text to 45777, indicating an amount and the word Frazer, gets the job done! The first time you try this, you will be prompted to fill out a short form online, after that it’s a simple text to 45777 with your amount and Frazer and it goes straight to the church! Feel free to use this method during the morning offering as the plate is passed—it’s the one time you won’t get in trouble for using your phone in church!
International Missions
You may recall last June we prayed over Brian and Kathryn Jones as they prepared to enter the mission field as full time missionaries in Moldova. Here’s an update from Kathryn:
All is well here in Moldova. God is so good. Our weekly English class with the boys is going so well and we are getting to know them so well. Our guys are just SO amazing!!! They have all been working on different trades. Right now, several of them are learning leather working and they make some beautiful pieces from wallets to bracelets to iPad covers. They are just amazing young men and Brian and I treasure our time there. This week we had a group of missionaries come who brought us almost everything we need food wise to do an American Thanksgiving and Christmas. I am pretty excited about it! I can’t wait to cook for 100 of my favorite young people!
We miss you and love you!!!
Brian and Kathryn Jone
This is just some of the Breaking Good News happening in our Frazer Family! Stay tuned for more details of how God is moving through Frazer UMC.