ASHFORD MEMORIAL
METHODIST CHURCH​
PASTOR'S ARTICLE
How blessed we all are to be part of the Ashford Memorial Methodist Church family! The Lord has blessed us in so many ways, and we are sure that He will continue to do so.
This year marks the 40th year of Ashford's ministry. As a way to give glory to God for what He has done, and to mark the heartfelt dedication of our members, we will soon be holding a 40th Anniversary Celebration at Ashford. This celebration is scheduled for Sunday, October 15, and we want to make sure you are in attendance!
The celebration will begin with worship at 10:00 am as we praise our Lord together. We will also be inviting former pastors to participate and share reflections from their tenures. After church we will take a photograph of the whole church body in front of the church, then have 'dinner on the grounds' with a catered meal. Even though we have many wonderful cooks and willing servants in the congregation, we want people to enjoy this day of fellowship rather than have to prepare and serve the meal.
This celebration will also kick off our fall revival under the theme of "A Beacon on the Hill," with services on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday nights of that week. Our prayer is that all will be refreshed and revived, and that we are sent forth by the Holy Spirit to continue faithfully in ministry as we move into the future with great excitement. May the next 40 years be filled with joyful obedience!
When we read the letters that are books of our New Testament, often there are personal names listed. For example in the book of Romans, the Apostle Paul mentions Christian believers named Phoebe, Apelles, Tryphena and Tryphosa, and quite a few others who were so special to that church.
Then, as now, the Christian church places a high value on the dear people within her fellowship. We want you to know that YOU have a special place in the heart of Ashford Memorial Methodist Church, and we are thankful that the Lord joined us together as part of the Ashford family. Please join us on
October 15 as we celebrate!
To help us adequately prepare for the meal and festivities, please send your RSVP by October 8th.
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Your friends in Christ,
The 40th Anniversary Committee
MUSIC AND WORSHIP
Sunday Worship Schedule
9:00 am Worship Service
10:00 am Adult Sunday School
11:00 am Worship Service
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Ashford offers two traditional worship services at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. The format of these services are identical, with the exception that there will not be a choir or children's church offered at the 9:00 a.m. service.
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The 9:00 a.m. service offers Holy Communion on the first Sunday of each month for those who wish to partake of the sacrament on a more frequent basis.

The 11:00 a.m. service will be streamed through our YouTube page, Ashford Memorial Methodist Church. You can find it at this link: Ashford YouTube Channel. The 9:00 a.m. service
WILL NOT be streamed on YouTube.
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CHRISTMAS CANDLELIGHT SERVICE REHEARSALS will be on
Sundays from 5:30-7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary beginning on
Sunday, October 1st. We would like to invite you to sing with the choir as we prepare another wonderful program to celebrate the birth of Christ. We have many different experience levels represented within our choir, and we are always excited to welcome new singers. We will have our dress rehearsal with the orchestra on Wednesday, December 13th at 6:00pm, and our two performances the evenings of 12/17 and 12/24. Please reach out to Daniel if you have any questions!
TITHES AND OFFERINGS
Thank you for continuing to support Ashford financially. We are blessed to be able to continue to support our missions, service people, and ongoing church expenses.
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Ashford now has a PayPal account. If you choose to use PayPal, please use the donate button below. As always, checks can be mailed to P. O. Box 344, Watkinsville, GA 30677.
CONTACT US
Physical Address: 1 South Main Street
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 344
Watkinsville, Georgia 30677
The Ashford Church Office has moved into the Murray House (the yellow house across the parking lot). As a reminder, the church office hours are Monday-Friday 9:00-3:00 with an hour lunch break.
Office (706) 769-6928
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THE CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Monday through Friday
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Prayer Shawl Ministry will meet the first & third Wednesday of each
month in the fellowship hall from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Anyone interested in
this ministry is welcome. You don't have to be an advanced knitter.
Those who crochet are always welcome, too.
CARE Team will meet on Wednesday, August 23rd at 10:00 a.m. Sunshine Girls for August are Ellen Elder, Lonna Hanley, Judy Murrow,
and Mary Jo Wright. The Sunshine Girls provide meals to Ashford families in times of death, birth, or illness. Please keep the church office informed of anyone needing a meal. If you would like to volunteer, please sign-up on SignUp Genius (link at bottom of newsletter). If you have any questions about becoming a Sunshine Girl, please contact Lonna Hanley.
Men’s Lowcountry Boil - SEPT 25
Ashford will be having a men's lowcountry boil on Monday, Sept 25 at
6pm. Men and boys 6th grade and up are invited to join us for a time of food, fellowship and a message from Bill Dando of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Please call (706-769-6928) or email (office@ashfordmemorial.org) to
sign up to attend so that we can prepare enough shrimp. Location is the home of Reese Benson (1030 Crystal Hills Court).
Christmas Float for the Oconee Christmas Parade
This year the Christmas Float Committee will be church wide. Please
email the church office if interested in being apart of this committee.
Building, decorating, coordinating, walking, riding, etc. All are invited.
Please email or call the church office (706) 769-6928 or
office@ashfordmemorial.org
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CONSITUTION DAY CELEBRATION
Please join the Reverend John Andrew Chapter NSDAR and the Watkinsville Junior American Citizens for CONSTITUTION DAY 2023 on September 17th, at 3:30 p.m. at Ashford Memorial Methodist Church. We will celebrate the 236th anniversary of the signing of the US Constitution with patriotic music and singing, bell ringing and a youth-led history program, all of which will feature the oratory and musical talents of several AMMY members. After the program, guests will enjoy a cookie reception, musket salute and cannon fire finale behind the courthouse. Please pray for clear skies as we celebrate the sound of freedom.
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SNOWBIRD MARRIAGE CONFERENCE 2023
October 20-22 or October 27-29
The Snowbird Marriage Conference is the perfect mountain getaway for you and your spouse. You’ll leave refreshed, refocused, and motivated to keep Christ at the center of your marriage. This three-day conference offers four main sessions and several breakout
sessions that focus on the biblical purpose of marriage and practical ways to grow in your relationship with the Lord and your spouse.
For more information and to register go to https://swoutfitters.com/marriage-conference/
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AMMY - Ashford Memorial Methodist Youth
AMMY will meet on Sunday evenings from 5:30-7:00 p.m. in the youth
house and will be led by Ellie Wooten.
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September: 17th & 24th (5:30-7:00)
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October 1st 5:30-7:00
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October 8th (No AMMY- OC, AA, and WCA all on fall break)
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October 15th- 5:30-7:00
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October 22nd Trunk or Treat
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October 29th 5:30 - 7:00
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November 5th & November 12th- 5:30-7:00
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November 19th- AMMY Cake Auction (AMMY Meet at 5:00 for dinner at 6:00 & auction to follow)
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November 26th- No AMMY Thanksgiving Break
MISSIONS
Ashford Memorial Methodist actively supports many local and international missions. You can view our recent and upcoming activities in our September Missions Newsletter.
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Contact our missions coordinator to find out how you can help.
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SEPTEMBER MISSIONS
Operation Christmas Child Drive
The Missions Committee is hosting an Operation Christmas Child Supply Drive during the month of September for items to be used in our annual Operation Christmas Child Shoebox project. Please see the below SignUp Genius to donate: www.signupgenius.com/OCC
Appreciation Baskets
Ashford will be providing Appreciation Baskets for our 15 local schools during the month of September. Please see the below SignUp Genius if you would like to help deliver to one or more schools. www.signupgenius.com/Baskets
Sparrow’s Nest
Our AMMY group will package 60 sack lunches to be given to The Sparrow’s Nest on Friday, September 29. Please see the SignUp Genius if you would like to financially donate to this mission.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Sunday Evening Parenting Bible Study
Pastor Robert, along with his wife Kate, will be leading a study of Tony Evans' book Raising Kingdom Kids, beginning on August 20. Sessions will be on Sunday nights at the Murray House from 5:30 - 7:00 pm. Childcare and dinner will be provided for this 6-week study. Wherever you are in the parenting journey, you will benefit from a Scriptural foundation and fellowship with other Christian parents. Please email or call the church to sign up. office@ashfordmemorial.org or 706-769-6928.
Monday Morning Ladies will begin the next Bible Study on Monday, September 18th at 10:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. We will be studying John 1, 2, and 3. The name of the Bible Study is Abide by Jen Wilkin. We will study John 1 and 2 until the week of Thanksgiving. We will not meet the week of Thanksgiving. We will then finish the study
covering John 3 the week of November 27.
Thursday Morning Men meet at 7:00 a.m. weekly. Led by Pastor Robert. Bring your Bible.
THE BIBLE RECAP PLAN
The Christian Education Committee would like to invite all members of Ashford to join us in reading the entire Bible this year using The Bible Recap plan. This chronological plan includes daily Bible readings as well as a recap or explanation of the Scripture. If you have any questions, please contact Ellen Elder or Julie Lucas.