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.
*** As noted with the last edition of the Chimes-Online, we are testing it as 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 Larry's Desk... In a little more than a week, a mere three days after Thanksgiving, the Church enters the Season of Advent. While it may seem to be more like the Christmas Shopping Season, it is a spiritual time of waiting. It is a time of anticipation and preparation. Like the movie Titanic, where we all know the outcome when we watch it, it is easy to approach Advent with that same attitude, as if we think we know how it ends. We think that Advent leads to Christmas, when we celebrate Christ's birth, but isn't it a birth that has already happened, don't we all know the story by heart, haven't we heard the passage from Luke's Gospel that goes; "In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus....So Joseph also went out from the town of Nazareth..."? Well , Advent is more than a prequel to Christmas. It is not only a time when we tell an old story that we've heard before, but it is also a time when we wait for God to reveal to us the Kingdom of Heaven. We wait and get ready to have our eyes opened and our ears listening intently for the sounds and the signs that are all around us, of God at work in our midst. If you want to see the Kingdom of Heaven which is being revealed, let's get rid of the clutter and distractions that have filled our lives, and invite the Lord Jesus to take up residence in our hearts. |
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Extra! Extra! Read All About It!!!
QUIK NEWS UPDATE!!
PUMPKIN PATCH SUCCESS STORY
We had a VERY successful Pumpkin Patch in October, greeting and meeting hundreds of members of the Ashland community. We thanked them, shook their hands and passed out 100's of flyers about our church. Additionally we raised $11,500, two thirds of which will help support Navajo American farm workers, and the balance of $3,800 going to support our own church's mission outreach programs.
61st ANNUAL CHURCH FAIR ON TRACK
We are still basking in the afterglow of another outstanding Church Fair which was held last week, with proceeds approaching $5,000. Almost every member of the church participated in some fashion, making it a great time of fun and fellowship for all who took part. While we don't have a count of the number of attendees, it was clear that those who attended had a fun time.
NEW FURNACES AND ROOF INSTALLED
Following a very successful Capital Fund Campaign which raised approximately $33,000 in this past Spring, we have finally replaced the aging furnace with two new boilers, in addition to replacing the flat roof over the office and hallway area which had been leaking. Your generosity made it all possible ! Many Thanks
BROWN BAG FOOD DRIVE CONTINUES TO AMAZE
You have continued to be generous in your support of the Ashland Food Pantry with your donations of non-perishable food stuffs and groceries each month on Brown Bag Sunday (3rd Sunday of the Month). This past week alone you generously donated over 203 lbs of food stuffs and groceries to be used by the neediest families in our community ! You have clearly taken to heart the Biblical admonition; "When I was hungry you fed me...."
 "Extra Extra, read all about it....
Federated Church of Ashland lives! "
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 Thanksgiving Eve Service
Join us for a special Service of Thanksgiving, Wednesday evening at 7pm.
We know that we all have lots for which to be thankful. What better opportunity to express our collective gratitude to God, than by coming together for a Service of Thanksgiving. The service will include song, proclamation of the Word, an expression of gratitude by all in attendance and afterwards an informal time of fellowship with cider and cookies.
Take a break from your Thanksgiving prep and pause after a busy day of work and join us in the sanctuary to reflect upon God's blessings. We hope to see you there!
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 A Place to Turn... This Sunday
Our Tradition continues...
A group of young people and adults will be dismissed during Worship this Sunday to go shopping and to stuff boxes with grocery items for Thanksgiving Meals to be distributed as part of the annual program run by "A Place to Turn" in Natick which run an emergency food pantry. May they go with our support and our blessings!..
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DECK the Halls
or Rather the Church !
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Saturday Nov. 29th at 9AM
With the beginning of Advent and the Christmas Season, help us decorate the sanctuary and church building for this most holy season. Many hands make light work. We have wreaths and garland and candle and our large manger to set up. Please join is for an hour or so that morning.
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The Mitten and Hat Tree
is coming !
As in past years, we will again be decorating the Christmas tree in the sanctuary with warm hats, gloves, scarfs and mittens which will be given to the residents at the Women's Shelter for Christmas. There was an  overwhelming spirit of appreciation last year by the women who received the gifts. Feel free bring in warm items and hang them on the tree.
ALSO Gifts for children of families here in Ashland, for all those who picked a child and "wish list" gift items after worship the past few weeks, must be received by Mon Dec 8th. Please place the items, unwrapped but labeled under the tree beginning Sunday Nov. 30th.
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November
11/10 Angelina DeBernardo
11/08 Bryan Rivas
11/15 Arlene Ripley
11/23 Pam Dunham
11/28 John Robertson
December
12/13 Dave Hansen
12/14 Brett Walker
12/25 Robyn Lester
12/30 David Bethel
12/31 Laura Conner
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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 Candle Light Christmas Eve
Service at 10:00 PM.
Join us for a special uplifting and joyous service of worship, song and light to celebrate Christmas. Invite your families and friends to join us!
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CHANGE OF MAILING ADDRESS: Please note that effective next month, all mail addressed to the church should be sent to :
118 Main Street
Ashland, MA 01721
We are discontinuing the use of a P.O. BOX |
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