A NOTE FROM OUR PASTOR

"He has risen." Matthew 28:6 (NIV)

Three English words. Just one in Greek - "Egerthe." So much rests on the validity of this one word. If it is false, then the whole of Christianity collapses like a poorly told joke. (Max Lucado) And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. (St.Paul, I Cor 14:14) Yet if the angel was correct, Christ rose from the dead and ascended into heaven as we affirm in the Apostle's Creed.

Let there be no confusion, He was not raised from sleep or stupor or slumber. He was not spiritually raised from the dead; He was "physically" raised. The men and women did not see a phantom. They saw Jesus in the flesh. "It is I myself!" He assured them (Luke 24:39). This means everything to the Christian faith. He who believes in Me, though they die, yet shall he live. We will spend the next six weeks celebrating this Good News.

Happy Eastertide,
- Larry -
Lowrie J. Welton, Pastor

MUSIC AND WORSHIP

FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

UPDATE ON ASHFORD'S RESPONSE TO COVID-19:

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Over the past year, we are thankful that Ashford has been blessed by God to be able to continue in-person worship while also providing an online viewing option. We are aware that some churches are worshipping fully with no COVID-19 precautions while other churches still have not resumed in-person worship. At Ashford we have devoted a great deal of analysis, deliberation, and prayer to help us walk a fine line of remaining safe during the pandemic while still offering a meaningful worship experience to praise our Lord.

We discuss our church's COVID-19 response weekly and give it intense attention at each monthly board meeting. Our goal is the same as all of yours- to get back to full unrestricted worship with singing, choir, no masks, and no spacing. As case numbers go down and more people get vaccinated, please know that we are very carefully taking steps to get Ashford back to unrestricted worship.

Below is an update on our current COVID-19 response guidelines:

1. No sign up is required to attend worship services going forward. Please feel free to attend any service with your entire family, including children and guests.
2. Children's Church and the Nursery have restarted every Sunday. Children's Church now starts at 11:00 when the adult service starts, so feel free to bring your child down to the Fellowship Hall before church starts. Masks will be worn at Children's Church.
3. We are no longer blocking off every other row in the sanctuary. We just ask that you and your family try your best to distance from other families by 3 feet if possible.
4. Masks continue to be required in the sanctuary during Sunday service. No one is going to come over and ask you to put on a mask, but we humbly request that you cooperate with this request. We are looking to a date in the future for masks to be optional, but we are not there yet.
5. We are still not singing during worship, but Ann and Tyler continue to provide spiritually uplifting music every Sunday.
6. Offering plates remain available by the doors as you exit.
7. We continue to offer viewing of Sunday service live on YouTube, but we hope that as you feel more comfortable, you and your entire family will get back in the habit of attending in person and sharing in the fellowship of worshipping together.
8. Sunday School for all ages is planned to resume on April 25 at 10:00am.

We fully understand that some members desire a more open worship experience with no restrictions, and conversely some members are still not comfortable gathering indoors in a group even with masks and no signing. Please know that we appreciate all of you, and your perspectives are very important to our church. We are trying our very best to help Ashford serve God's glory by reaching as many members as possible in a safe and spiritually fulfilling manner. We hope that you will continue to support our church and its mission through your attendance, service, gifts, and most importantly prayers.

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.

Pastor Welton, the care team, and the entire congregation is available for support, encouragement, and prayers. Pastor Welton is available by email at

MONDAY MORNING LADIES BIBLE STUDY will meet on Monday mornings at 10:00 a.m. The name of the study is "Elijah" by Priscilla Shrier. We will meet in the church fellowship hall with masks and socially distanced. If you have any questions, please contact Beth Kraps.

CARE TEAM will meet Wednesday, April 28th at 10:00 a.m. in the fellowship hall.

RESUMPTION OF SUNDAY SCHOOL

We are excited to announce that we will be resuming our Sunday School activities on Sunday, April 25th at 10:00 a.m. All Sunday School classrooms for elementary aged children will be downstairs with signage on the door to indicate the particular age(s) included. Sunday School meets from 10:00-10:50 each Sunday. Our Sunday School classes will meet until the end of May and will then break for the summer months, though our monthly children's events will continue throughout the summer. Masks are required.

APRIL CHILDREN'S EVENT

For our April event for children grades K-5, we are planning another afternoon of fun on April 25th from 4:00-5:00 p.m. Social distancing will be practiced and masks are required. While parents are welcome to drop their children off for the event and then return at 5:00 to pick them up, parents are invited to stay and have a fellowship of their own during this hour.

YOUTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Julianne Blackburn leads AMMY each week on Sunday evenings. If you have any questions about AMMY please email Julianne. AMMY will meet on Sunday evenings from 5:30-7:00 p.m.

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In March the Board of Directors approved work to be done inside the Walter T. Evans, Sr. Annex. This space is used by the AMMY group and the middle and high school Sunday School class. The building has been updated with fresh paint, new flooring, cabinetry, and heating and air system. Thanks to all who worked on this project.

CONTACT US

1 South Main Street
P.O. Box 344
Watkinsville, Georgia 30677

Office (706) 769-6928
Fax (706) 769-0995

ashfordchurch@bellsouth.net
ashfordpastor@bellsouth.net

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THE CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Monday through Friday