ASHFORD MEMORIAL
METHODIST CHURCH
PASTOR'S ARTICLE
Dear Ashford Family,
Our church has the opportunity to take a trip to the Holy Land in early 2024! The dates for our trip will be January 9-18, 2024. The land of Israel is often called "the 5th Gospel," because it brings to life so much of what we read in the Bible when we see it with our own eyes. I had the opportunity to go in 2011 and am so excited to be returning because of the impact it made on my walk with the Lord.
The company we will be going with is Educational Opportunities (EO), a firm that has been taking groups to Israel for 50 years. Rev. Thom Shafer (father of our choir director Daniel) is a representative of EO and has been helping with our planning.
Below are some of the sites we will visit:
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Capernaum
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Sea of Galilee
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Tabgha (site of the feeding of the multitudes)
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Magdala (home of Mary Magdalene)
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Jordan River baptism site
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Cana
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Nazareth
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Megiddo (Armageddon)
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Qumran
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Dead Sea
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Masada (Herod's fortress)
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Bethlehem
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Garden of Gethsemane
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Mount of Olives
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Via Dolorosa
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Church of the Holy Sepulchre
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Garden Tomb
EO is a top-quality operator and handles all of the details as we tour in state of the art buses. I felt very secure the whole time and the guides were extremely knowledgeable.
The cost for the trip is listed at $3398 (though we may have a slightly higher cost as that is based on departure from New York) which includes all lodging, meals (with exception of lunch some days), entry fees, etc. They do ask that a tip is given to the bus driver and tour guide at the end of the trip.
What to do next:
1. Pray about your participation in this trip
2. Obtain a U.S. passport if you do not have one
3. Prepare to put down a $300 deposit to reserve your spot
Lastly, if you have specific questions, please feel free to ask me and if I don't know the answer, I will get it for you.
Excitedly,
Pastor Robert
MUSIC AND WORSHIP
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.
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.
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.
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, March 22nd at 10:00 a.m.
SUNSHINE GIRLS for March are Eileen Hale, Anne Henderson, Nancy Jacobs, and Virginia Wells McGeary. 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. If you have any questions about becoming a Sunshine Girl, please contact Lonna Hanley.
Save The Dates
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March 21: Athens Pregnancy Center Fundraiser
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March 31: Project Safe Needs
MISSIONS
Ashford Memorial Methodist actively supports many local and international missions. You can view our recent and upcoming activities in our March Missions Newsletter.
Contact our missions coordinator to find out how you can help.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Recommendations:
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www.pureflix.com - Alternative to Netflix that has faith and family movies and TV shows.
Sunday Evening Ladies will be starting the study of Amos, by Jennifer Rothschild. This 8-week study will begin on Sunday, March 5th at 5:30pm. Dinner provided. Please email Ellen Elder if you would like to participate.
Monday Morning Ladies will meet at 10:00 a.m. in the fellowship hall. We are studying the book of Ruth using the book Ruth, by Kelly Minter. If you have not found a Bible Study group yet, please know you are invited to join.
Wednesday Disciple Bible Study will meet on Wednesday evenings from 8:00-9:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall, with the exception of the first Wednesday of the month, when the sessions will be from 8:00-9:00 p.m. in the Murray House due to the monthly board meeting.
Thursday Morning Men meet at 7:00 a.m. 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.
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
THE CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Monday through Friday