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The Chimes Online
Federated Church of Ashland
118 Main Street
Ashland, MA 01721
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| Volume Four, 2nd Edition | May 2014 |
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A Note of Praise!
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
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.
*** 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 L arry's Desk...
In case you haven't noticed, the past month has been an exciting time here at our church. We had a wonderful Holy Week, with special services beginning Palm Sunday with the procession with the donkeys leading us into church and which included a special musical program with a guest trumpeter, clarinetist and guest soprano, not to mention special choral pieces by our choir. This was followed by a Maundy Thursday service in which we partnered with Grace Congregational Church and which was preceded by a shared simple meal of soup and bread. We gathered for a deeply spiritual and meditative Good Friday service only to be followed to a very uplifting and wonderful Easter Sunday celebration, during which time we celebrated the baptism of young (William) Reid Wallace.
During the past month we rolled out our Annual Stewardship Campaign and dedication Sunday, when your pledges were received and blessed. This was followed by a special Mother's Day service during which time we celebrated the Confirmation of Emily Wenzel and Shelby Howard, in addition to welcoming Ruth Hanning as a new member.
Sometimes we may lose sight of the fact that the spiritual life of our church is what enlivens and energizes our mission outreach and the social justice efforts in our community. It is when we gather as a community of faith to sing praises to our God, pray and worship together, and celebrate the special milestone events in one another's lives that we rediscover our own roots and remember that we are all on a spiritual journey together.
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 Annual Meeting and All Church Picnic June 22nd!
Mark your calendars for our Annual Meeting which is coming up on June 22nd, following Sunday worship. Last year our meeting was followed by an all church picnic on the front lawn which was a wonderful social gathering and great success as reported by all in attendance.
Let's keep this tradition going again this year. Being able to gather to conduct the "business" of the church while celebrating our bond of fellowship speaks volumes about where are real hearts are as a faith community.
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 Bakers Needed
We are putting together a list of volunteers who would be willing to bake or provide a dessert for any funeral collations that our Church is requested to help with. We have a few people who are on the list BUT would like to be able to rely on others too. If you are able to help (as needed), please call Linda in the Church Office and let her know. Thank you!
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Exciting Vacation Bible School Program this Summer!
We have an exciting VBS program planned for the week
of July 14-18th
The program runs from 9:00 A.M. to 12 Noon. It is open to all children ages 4-12 and will be held downstairs in the church. The cost is only $25 per child $50 max per family.
The week will include all kinds of activities from Stories to Crafts to Music to Snacks !
Our program is being coordinated by Kim Conner who is a popular teacher in the Ashland schools along with volunteers from our church. The theme this year is "Weird Animals: Where Jesus' Love Is One of a Kind".
Mark the Dates on the calendar and register ASAP as we can plan accordingly. Please contact the church office with any questions:[email protected]
or call 508-881-1355. 
Click Here for Registration Form
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 Family Promise Metrowest After a six month respite, we are hosting the families from Family Promise Metrowest for one week starting Sunday, June 1st. The volunteer signup board will be in the Sanctuary for three weeks beginning May 11th. The success of the program depends on help from our congregation as well as outside groups. Please consider volunteering to prepare a meal, be an evening or overnight host, or sign up to be part of our setup or takedown teams. Linda Russo is our primary coordinator and attends the bimonthly coordinator meetings at the day center in Natick. Assistant Coordinators are as follows: Meal Coordinators - Lisa Colby and Pam Dunham Rooms Coordinator - Kathy Craib Food Supply Coordinator- Karen Wenzell Overnight Coordinator - Kim Conner I am stepping away from my leadership position with Family Promise but will continue to advise and work with the new coordinators and fill in where needed. God bless you all in helping make this program a success. Lois Tougas |
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Our Members
Birthdays
May
5/2 Joanne Scotland
5/25 Doug Scotland
June
6/1 Cris Colby
6/3 Liz Shuter
6/19 Sue Scotland
6/23 Guy Williams
6/25 Busi Maswoswe
6/30 John Ellsworth
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!
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Leaving a Legacy
How many of us have lived our lives with an awareness of the pivotal role that our church has played in it? Whether through your attendance at Sunday worship, involvement with the many social and charitable events and activities offered by our church, bringing your children here for Sunday school, or youth group activities, your participation in the church choir, the deaconate, church council, as liturgist, the church fair or the whole host of ways that our church has enriched your life; you and your family were forever changed and supported by our church over the years.
While so many of you have been generous in your support of our church over the years, have you given thought to the opportunity you have to support our church in the years ahead, even after your passing and you have joined the Lord in the next life? As you make provisions for your final wishes, please consider leaving behind a legacy gift for our church, to assure the continuation of Christ's work here in Ashland.
Making such a gift to our church as part of your final wishes, helps to endow our church with the kind of financial security which will not only provide the ongoing means by which the church continues its mission, but also leaves behind a lasting memorial of your life and your faith.
If you choose to include the Federated Church of Ashland in your estate plans, the standard legal wording for a specific dollar bequest is:
"I give and bequeath to the Federated Church of Ashland, Inc., located at 118 Main Street, Ashland, Massachusetts, the sum of ______________________($__________) for its use and purposes."
For questions or more information, please contact Rev. Larry Iannetti, pastor.
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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
Webpage: www.federatedchurchofashland.org |
Calendar of Events
Adult Bible Study
Held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of every month @ 6:00 PM in the Church Parlor. Please join us anytime!
SAVE THE DATE...Sunday, June 22nd
We will hold our Annual Meeting immediately following our worship service and then gather together for a Church Picnic - Everyone is invited!
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