PASTOR'S ARTICLE

One attribute I have been contemplating lately is humility. The Scriptures speak so clearly on this trait being a desired one for the Lord's people. "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" is stated in James 4:6 (and a few other places in the Bible as well). We know that it was sinful pride that caused Satan's fall from heaven, therefore many great Christian thinkers have considered pride to be the most dangerous sin of all. (C.S. Lewis' writing on pride in Mere Christianity changed my life!)

I know that I can become prideful - thankfully ministry offers plenty of opportunity for failure. How many times an idea I had proved to be a dud or a sermon that never got off the ground! After being humbled, we learn to pray more and depend on our Lord. And later, we will probably have to learn the lesson again. 

On this topic, I do believe there is a difference in pride and confidence. I personally feel that many Christians aren't living in the confidence of their God or their gifting. The balance is to have a humble attitude about ourselves, and a great confidence in the Lord and how He could use us if we give Him all the glory. One prayer I have found helpful in this aspect is attributed to Thomas Merton, a theologian who died in 1968. I share it with you below in the hopes it would help in this path toward greater humility.  

I am so thankful for this church family.

<><,

Robert

​

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following Your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please You does in fact please You. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that, if I do this, You will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust You always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for You are ever with me, and You will never leave me to face my perils alone. Amen.

– Thomas Merton, Thoughts in Solitude,

Sunday Worship Schedule

9:00 am Worship Service

10:00 am Adult Sunday School

11:00 am Worship Service

​

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.  

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.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

YOUTH ANNOUNCEMENTS​

​​

Vacation Bible School 2022

We are so excited for our "Monumental" VBS celebrating God's Greatness! VBS will be held Monday, July 25th through Thursday, July 28th from 9:00-11:30 a.m. daily at the church.

Please register your child using this GOOGLE FORM. Make sure you fill out this form separately per child.  

We would LOVE to serve alongside you! If you have any questions about what serving at VBS looks like, please reach out to Crystal or Katie. You can sign up for specific areas of VBS (crafts, science, drama, music, recreation, missions, food, decorations, fun!) using this SignUp Genius Link.

If you cannot serve, but would like to help out with supplies, we have created an Amazon Wishlist. We thank you in advance for your generosity!

We cannot wait to see you!! Get ready for a MONUMENTAL week of games, fun, fellowship and God!! If you have any questions, please reach out to Crystal or Katie. We are so excited for a great week of VBS together at Ashford!

CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

​

CARE Team will meet on Wednesday, July 27th at 10:00 a.m.

​

Sunshine Girls for July are Paulina Starkey & Virginia Wells. 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. We are in need of Sunshine Girls for the month of August. If you would like to volunteer, please sign-up on SignUp Genius.

Board of Directors will meet on Wednesday, August 3rd at 7:00 p.m.

Meal For Oconee Firefighters 

Ashford will be providing dinner for 25 local Firefighters on Thursday, August 18th. A SignUp Genius will be sent out in the coming weeks for those who would like to contribute side dishes and drinks.

​

Fifth Sunday Breakfast

The Fellowship Committee is excited to announce the beginning of 5th Sunday Breakfast. During the Sunday School hour (10:00-11:00 a.m.) in a month with 5 Sundays, we will gather together and enjoy breakfast. Our inaugural 5th Sunday Breakfast will occur on Sunday, July 31st. Please click on the link to RSVP and sign up to bring your favorite breakfast or brunch item. We look forward to this time of fellowship. 

​

A Day at Indian Springs Campmeeting - July 18th

​

Join Pastor Robert at one of his favorite spiritual renewal events, the Indian Springs Holiness Campmeeting in Flovilla, GA.

The plan is to rent a van and leave from the Ashford parking lot at 9:00 a.m. on July 18th. We will travel a little more than one hour to the campmeeting, which has occurred every July since 1890. 

Our group will attend the 11:00 a.m. worship service, then enjoy lunch in or around Jackson, GA. After lunch we will attend the 3:00 p.m. worship service, then head home spiritually refreshed through the singing and preaching. We expect to be back at the church parking lot by 6:00 p.m.

Co-host for this trip is Louise Brockinton. Suggested donation of $20 for transportation - lunch is "Dutch Treat." 

Reserve your spot by emailing or calling the church office. Space is limited to the first 14 to register - there are still spots available if you would like to attend.

​

​BIBLE STUDIES

​​

Monday Morning Ladies Bible Study

Our next bible study will be on the book of Hebrews. We will use Jen Wilkin’s book, Better.  It can be ordered on Amazon or Lifeway. We will begin this study on August 15th at 10:00 a.m. in the fellowship hall. Lane Downs will be leading the study. We hope you will join us.

​

Men's Bible Study will meet in the fellowship hall on Thursday mornings at 7:00 a.m. This is an unstructured study with no guides or videos. All you need is your Bible and the desire to study the word of God. Pastor Robert will lead this study which is open to men college age and older. 

Sunday Evening Women’s Group will begin the Kristi McLelland study, The Gospel on the Ground, on Sunday, September 11th. The 7 week study will be held from 5:30-7:00 p.m. Sunday evenings. Dinner will be provided. All are welcome. Let Ellen Elder know if you plan to attend this study.