Happy New Year! A new year has dawned, and I pray that this will be a great spiritual year for us all! Throughout the last several months of 2021, we all began to notice that our sanctuary was almost at 100% capacity, in fact, some Sundays it was uncomfortably full. Experts often say a church is 'full' when the room is 70% full. What a great problem to have! in light of this, our leaders have recommended that Ashford begin to hold two Sunday services each week. The Board has approved this plan, and we plan to start a 9am worship service on Sunday, February 27. The content of this additional service will be exactly the same as our 11am service, with the exception of the choir's participation. It will be a traditional service in style with the hymns and liturgy that are Ashford's hallmark. We will also offer a children's sermon and a nursery as some families with children may want to take advantage of the earlier start time.

Longtime Ashford members will remember that for a period in the 1990's, there were two Sunday services during the tenure of Rev. Richard Hoard. It is exciting that we are in a growth period now. May we all pray for the Lord to bless us with His kind and gracious Presence.

So many of us have been touched by the music ministry offered by Ms. Ann Evans. After decades of playing at our church, Ann would like to step away from the weekly responsibility required as organist/pianist. Reluctantly, the church has agreed to allow her to "retire," though she will continue to play from time to time. Thankfully, the Lord is looking out for our church as we have found an excellent musician to carry on the wonderful musical legacy established by Jane Lowe, Ann Evans, and others. Mr. Tony Wall has been hired as our new accompanist, and we will surely be blessed through his playing as we were with Ann. Tony and his wife Denise have resided in Oconee County for many years and are already known and loved by many in our church family. Please let Ann know how much you appreciate her, and give Tony a warm Ashford welcome!

When I step back and see what the Lord is doing at Ashford, it is undeniable that He is blessing us, and I hope you will join me in offering to Him your sincere thanks and praise.

See you at church,

Pastor Robert

Sunday Worship Schedule

10:00 am Adult Sunday School

11:00 am Worship Service

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Sunday morning services will be streamed through our YouTube page, Ashford Memorial Methodist Church. You can find it at this link: Ashford YouTube Channel.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

YOUTH ANNOUNCEMENTS​

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January 9th: 5:30-7:00 p.m. at the church. We will vote on the mission trip location at this meeting.

January 15th: AMMY will be attending the UGA vs Vanderbilt basketball game on January 15th at 6:00 p.m. Drop off and pick up at the basketball stadium. Please arrive by 5:40 p.m. so we are able to walk in together and get to our seats before the game starts. The cost of this event is $5. Please turn in cash or check to Julianne or the church office. Youth can bring additional money if they would like to purchase concessions at the game. Please RSVP by Thursday January 13th.

January 16th: NO AMMY

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CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

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January 16th Sunday Worship Service will be held at Oconee County Middle School Gym. With the work that will be happening on the roof, we will be unable to worship in the church building.

CARE Team will meet on Monday, January 24th at 11:30 a.m.

Annual Steak Dinner will be held on Sunday, February 13th, at 6:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall. The meal will be provided and prepared by the men of the church. Donations will be accepted. We will also have a cake/pie auction. More information coming on this event.



Sunshine Girls are needed for January and February. 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. Please sign-up on SignUp Genius if you would like to volunteer to be a Sunshine Girl.

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​BIBLE STUDIES

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Sunday Evening Women’s Group invites all women of the church to join us as we read the entire Bible this year. We will start The Bible Recap program on January 1, 2022. The program provides an outline for your daily readings as well as daily podcasts OR written data to explain what you are going to read that day. Please check out this link for detailed information.

If you wish to participate, please contact Ellen Elder. We will have regular check-ins throughout the year to encourage each other and to keep the fires alive. 

Monday Morning Ladies Bible Study 

The Monday Morning Bible Study will begin the 2nd part of Exodus, God of Freedom by Jen Wilkin, on Monday, January 17, at 10:00. Even if you did not participate in the first part, we would love for you to join us. All ladies are invited to attend. The Bible Study will be led by Lane Downs. 

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.