PASTOR'S ARTICLE

Thanksgiving and God's Will

There are many times in a pastor's life at which a particular question is asked by a sincere Christian. That question is "what is the Lord's will for my life?" This may be asked with respect to a career opportunity, a relationship, or some decision point that has arisen. While of course, pastors are equipped to help people through a discernment process and how to apply wisdom, there is actually a very simple answer to this question.

The Scriptures give a compelling answer to the question "what is the Lord's will for my life?" in 1 Thessalonians 5. Here we read:

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

This is the answer! It really is as simple as 1) having a joyful attitude, 2) praying all the time, and 3) thanking the Lord no matter what our circumstances are. These practices keep us fully in tune with the Lord, and therefore, His will is carried out in our lives. Even in the darkest and most difficult trials of life, there is an opportunity to be thankful to the Lord.

In this month of November, when we eat turkey and dressing (and maybe a few too many desserts!) and celebrate Thanksgiving, we are carrying out the Lord's will. It has become my favorite holiday. How simple, and oh how meaningful to pause to reflect on our blessings.

The human tendency is to feel entitled, to constantly wish we had more (money and 'stuff'), and to gripe about what we don't have. So, as followers of Jesus, let's counter that with a heart of gratitude, in November, and throughout the year.  

I'm especially thankful that we are able to share in the Christian walk together at Ashford!

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Robert

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.  

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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ANNOUNCEMENTS

Ashford Ushers 

We would like to develop a pool of ushers to serve at the 9:00 & 11:00 a.m. service. If you are interested in serving Ashford in this capacity please contact John Hanley.

Christmas Candlelight Service Practice will be held on Sundays at 5:00 p.m. Services will be held on Sunday, December 18th and Saturday, December 24th.

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, November 30th at 10:00 a.m.

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Ladies Ornament Swap 

This year's ornament swap will be held on Monday, December 5th at 6:00 p.m. at the Oconee State Bank Community Room (located in the new, white building in downtown Watkinsville, next to the main branch) and catered by Trump's. This building has lots of parking, is handicap accessible, and convenient to the center of town. We have chosen their middle-of-the-line, buffet style, menu with a cheesecake bar for dessert. Non-alcoholic drinks will be served. Their staff will set-up, serve the buffet, and handle all the clean-up. The cost will be $50/person. Please RSVP on SignUp Genius.

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Board of Directors will meet on Wednesday, December 7th at 7:00 p.m.

Annual Christmas Cookie Swap will be held on Sunday, December 11th after the Children's Christmas Pageant. We invite the congregation to sign-up to bring cookies & hot chocolate and join us for this wonderful time of fellowship during the Christmas season. A Signup Genius will be sent to RSVP and sign-up.

Sunshine Girls for November are Naomi Beers & Eileen Hale. 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).

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Covered Dish Supper & Cake/Pie Auction

Ashford will host a Covered Dish Supper on Sunday, November 20th at 6:00 p.m. The church will provide the meat. Please RSVP and sign-up to bring a side, salad, dessert, or drink on SignUp Genius. 

We will also have a cake and pie auction!! Following the Covered Dish Supper, the youth will be holding a "Fall Favorites" cake auction fundraiser and are asking for volunteers to bake your favorite fall cakes and/or pies for the auction. The proceeds of this auction will go to support the AMMY Summer Mission Trip in 2023.

This will be a major (and FUN) fundraiser for our youth and we are encouraging all the congregation to participate! Please sign-up on SignUp Genius to bring your favorite cake, pie, or dessert to be auctioned off. 

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Save the Date

• November 20th: Covered Dish Supper & Youth Cake Auction

• December 4th: Watkinsville Christmas Parade

• December 5th: Ladies Ornament Swap

• December 11th: Children's Christmas Pageant & Cookie Swap

• December 18th & 24th: Ashford's Christmas Cantata