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The Chimes Online
 Federated Church of Ashland

118 Main Street

Ashland, MA  01721

Volume Three, 1st EditionMarch  2014 
A Note of Praise!
Angel
 
Join Us for a 
Bible Study
  
We gather in the Church Parlor the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month at 6 PM.  We have been following the Upper Room Devotional which is available at each meeting and is also available in the Church Office.  No prior knowledge is required.  It is informal and casual. Join us for a wonderful time of spiritual fellowship.
  All Are Welcome!
  

 

Office Hours

Phone 

The Church Office is staffed Monday-Friday mornings from 9-Noon. 

 

Larry is in the office as usual, Monday-Thursday and is also available by phone as needed.  

 

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 The Chimes-Online is a way to reach out to members and friends of the Federated Church of Ashland with current and updated news and information about what is happening in our church, some stories and reflections that might inspire you, and to take advantage of the speed and convenience of electronic media, such as email.

Your thoughts and suggestions are encouraged, and any feedback on how we might improve or even articles of interest, are welcome.

It is hoped that we can  all become more familiar with the exciting things happening in our church, maybe inspire your involvement, and provide a means by which you can share this email with your family and friends.  Simply "forward" it by clicking on the link below.
 
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From LLarry 2013arry's Desk...

 Well its Spring....(Thank God!) Unfortunately temperatures have been running 10-15 degrees below normal, there is still snow on the ground most everywhere, and although we have already begun Day Light Savings Time and have gained a bit more light in the evening, there is little incentive to get out and enjoy it.

Despite all the signs to the contrary, we all still know that winter will eventually give way to Spring, the temperatures will warm, the snow will melt and the flowers will bloom. Having faith in God is often like waiting for the Spring that we know will come despite the signs to the contrary.

How appropriate it is that Lent and Easter occur each year during the seasonal transition from Winter to Spring, because it so closely parallels what is happening in the world around us. So often we find that our lives can be overshadowed by discouragement, heartache and disappointment. Struggles in relationships, health problems, financial challenges, or events in the world around us, can leave us wondering how will we manage, how will we get through it all, or when or if the darkness that seems to overshadow us, will be lifted.

As we go through Lent, a time of reflection which has its origin in Jesus' 40 days in the desert, it is faith that tells us that there will be an Easter, a resurrection when we will pass from our times of struggle into a new life, a time of recovery and new beginnings. Spring and NEW life come!

 

 

Special Guests on Maunday Thursday

Members of Grace Congregational Church UCC on Salem End Rd., in Framingham, will join us for a simple supper of Soup and Bread at 6pm, followed by a joint Maundy Thurs.Service of Light and Shadows, in our Sanctuary at 7pm.

Please consider joining in this special evening that we might play host to another congregation by sharing a simple meal and joining together in prayer and worship.

See details below for Maundy Thursday....

(To learn more about Grace Congregational please check out the church's web page by clicking the link: Grace Congregational Church UCC )

                               

Talking About Our Church

If you attended the open church meeting back in January when we discussed the challenges facing our church in the years ahead, a task team was formed of volunteers seeking ways to "get the word out" about our church.

Since then, the task team has been meeting, (4 times already), to look at ways to let people know about our church. Some of the focus has been on utilizing our community newspapers, The Ashland Directions, and the "local town news" publication named "Ashland", both of which are distributed to all households in Ashland.

An extensive article is coming out in the April edition of The Directions, as well as special Federated Church calendar for Lent and Holy Week in the "local town news" Ashland edition.

In addition you will soon see a large banner over the front doors, announcing that, " All Are Welcome Here"

Our weekly broadcast by WACA, the Ashland Cable Access station, will be changing, with an emphasis on a pre-recorded short introduction describing who we are, the weekly scripture texts and sermon and upcoming announcements.

The task team is also looking at the benefits of last Fall's Pumpkin Patch and exploring ways to use it to reach out to the community.

Another way for "the word to get out" relies upon all of us, talking about our church and the people that worship here. Who knows maybe someone will be inspired by our work with Family Promise, the Thrift Shop, our commitment to the Ashland Food Pantry.... Or even talking about what they bring home from Sundays' sermons by our Pastor Larry. 

 Talk about our church...the future depends on it!

 

 

               

Lent and Holy Week

Beginning on Wednesday, March 5th, with our Ash Wednesday Service, our Church entered into the liturgical season of Lent, along with Christians across the world as a time of spiritual reflection and renewal.

Over the following 6 weeks we set aside some time each week for self-reflection, prayer and repentance. During Lent you are invited to join us each Wednesday Evening at 7:00 PM for a 20 minute service of prayer, song and reflection in our Chapel. The Services are offered by the various ministries of our church, and are a way for us to make a small but extra effort to come together and spiritually support each other during this season.

Lent will be followed by Holy Week with our special Palm Sunday Service on April 13th at 9:00 AM when we re-enact Jesus' entry into Jerusalem as we Palm Sunday follow donkeys from Montenegro Square (across from the Library)  and process up to the doors of the church. Once inside we recall the Passion Story and a special musical program as part of Sunday Worship beginning at 9:30 AM.

On Thursday, April 17th at 7:00 PM, also known as Maundy Thursday, we remember the Last Supper and Jesus' betrayal. With a service of light and shadows,

On Good Friday April 18th at 7:00 PM we gather for a meditative service as we recall the Passion and Death of Christ.

 

 

 

Easter Sunday

April 23rd at 9:30 AM we gather to Celebrate Easter and Jesus' Resurrection and our new found hope for eternal life.

It's a special musical service with piano, trumpet, clarinet, a guest soprano, along with our choir and the voices of all in attendance !

Brown Bag Sunday March 23rd...

WE DID IT!!!

While this began as a article in advance of Sundays's Brown Bag Sunday collection time got away...so instead we are grateful to report that we BROKE our own record and collected 286 POUNDS of food and groceries for the Ashland Food Pantry last Sunday.  

As always remember that hunger and need still persist in Ashland. Please remember to bring in nonperishable food and groceries and place them in the large plastic bins in the narthex by the 3rd Sunday of each month.

Blessings to ALL those who contributed.

          

Mark Your Calendars....

For those members of our church who identify with one of the denominational branches of our church, please note that the Annual Branch Meetings

will take place on April 27, 2014

 

American Baptist, United Church of Christ, United Methodist and Affiliated Branches( Those who identify with another Christian denomination).

 

The yearly meetings of the four branches of our church will be held on Sunday, April 27 immediately following the worship service. These meetings are held to appoint Deacons (three are required from each branch), elect officers, vote on transfers of non-participating active members to the inactive non-voting list and any other items that may be brought before the group.

 

We urge EVERYONE to attend their respective branch meeting.

 

Lois Tougas, Clerk

                     

  

 
Our Members
Birthdays
 
 

          March

3/2    Keith Scotland

3/2    Patrick Daly

3/7    Jeffrey Rivas 

3/10   Tina Kingsbury

3/15   Leslie Kendall

3/20  Meredith Daly

3/30  Nicole Wenzell

3/31   Benjamin Walker

           April

4/13   Phyl Shelburne

4/18   Donna Miles

4/22   Jane Woodward

4/25   Dave Wenzell

4/29   Lois Tougas

 

Happy Birthday to One and All !! 

 

If we missed your birthday it means we don't have it in our records, please call the church office and leave your information with Linda - thanks!

 

This newsletter is produced by:

Federated Church of Ashland

118 Main Street

Ashland, Massachusetts  01721

 

The Church Office is staffed Monday-Friday between 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

 

Linda Iarussi, Office Manager

Rev. Larry Iannetti, Pastor

 

Telephone:  508-881-1355     Office: Ext. 21     Pastor: Ext. 25

 

Email: fcoa[email protected]    or     fcoa[email protected]

Webpage: www.federatedchurchofashland.org  

Calendar of Events

 

Lenten Services 7:00 PM - Wednesdays 3/26, 4/2 and 4/9. Please join us in the Chapel. 

 

Palm Sunday with Donkeys at 9:00 a.m., processing from Montenegro Park 

(across from the Library) leading us to our 9:30 Palm Sunday Easter Service.in the sanctuary.

 

Adult Bible Study

Held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of every month @ 6:00 PM in the Church Parlor. Please join us anytime!

 

 

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