The Chimes Newsletter 
    
                           
Federated Church of Ashland 
118 Main Street 
Ashland, MA 01721-3112

                                                                 
February  2018










Ash Wednesday is February 14th and is followed by the 40 days of Lent leading up to Easter.  

Our Ash Wednesday Service will be held at 7:00 PM in the Sanctuary.

We will gather for a time of prayer, song, a reflection on the meaning of Lent and for the distribution of Ashes.  

Also, during Lent we will be continue to meet on Wednesday evenings starting February 21st for 4 weeks.  The theme of our discussions will be "Come and Share the Good News".  Please plan to join us! 
From the Deacons

My goodness the time seems to be flying!  Can't believe it is February and we are closing in on Ash Wednesday and Lent.
 
We are pleased to say that we will be holding an Ash Wednesday service on February 14th at 7:00 pm.  We are working on a series of Wednesday evening services and will have more information on the specifics as time gets closer.  We are also working on services for Holy Thursday and Good Friday.  More to come regarding these services.
 
We are so happy to announce that by the time this chimes is published we will      have had another baptism.  Francesca Mateo, daughter of Angela and Jose Mateo and baby sister to Luca, will have been received into our church family.  This is such a blessing for all of us. 
 
This month we will be praying for a safe and informative trip for Emily Wenzell as she heads to Africa on a mission trip with a group of young people from Ashland and Arlington.  We wish her all the best and look forward to hearing all about it when she returns. 
 
As for our church services, we are pleased to say that we have maintained an average of 30-35 people each Sunday despite the extremely cold temperatures.  We are encouraged by the numbers and have even welcomed some new comers.  We ask that if you see a new face that you make a point of introducing yourselves and inviting them to join us for fellowship after the service. 
 
On Sunday, January 14th, the Deacons recognized and thanked Doug Shelburne for his dedication to provide music for our services each Sunday.  Doug has volunteered his time and his talents to our church for more years than we can count.  Not only has he supplied us with service music, but in the absence of a choir director, he has played when needed for anthems.  Please take a minute when you see him to say thank you for all he has done. 
 
Once again we would like to invite anyone with concerns or ideas to join us at our meeting.  This month we will be meeting on February 25th right after the service in the conference room.  We would be happy to add you to our agenda or if you want, just stop by and we will welcome you. 
 
Closing now with great hope for the future of our church,
 
Pam Dunham and Melanie Conner  
Co-Chairs of the Deacons

This year, will be the 50th Anniversary for Walk for Hunger!  Please save the date AND  join our church's team on  Sunday, May 6th for Project Bread's annual Walk for Hunger.  You may walk all or part of the 20-mile route starting and ending at the Boston Common.  You will collect pledges by asking your friends, family, and co-workers to sponsor you.  Your donations will help fund more than 400 emergency food programs and provide struggling families with a hot meal and hope; right in their own neighborhood.  Your walk will help feed children, seniors, people with chronic illnesses, and the working poor, all right here in Massachusetts.  So join us - Together, we can make a difference!  Please sign up on the bulletin board across from the Parlor OR Speak to Sue Wallace for more details.  
 
For more information visit www.projectbread.org/walk.

Brown Bag Sunday
 February 18th 

On the third Sunday of every month, we collect and bless the donations placed inside the bins in the Narthex  of the Church. 
 
There are many families in Ashland that rely on the generosity of others to supplement their limited grocery budget.    
          
Would you please consider picking up a few extra non-perishable food items  while you are grocery shopping?   You may bring them to the Church on Sunday morning OR drop them off at the Church during the week.  All items are delivered to the Ashland Food Pantry.
 
Thank you for your continued generosity.
 
 
One Great Hour of Sharing  
 
Our annual mission offering, received during Lent, is scheduled for
Sunday, March 11th.  Your gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing help with disaster relief, and provide support to health, education, refugee and agricultural initiatives in 138 countries including the United States.  The offering will be administered through the three denominations.  Through the One Great Hour of Sharing, when we share our resources, we will change lives, bring joy to others and to God.  Please plan to give generously.  Thank you!

"God's Love Reaches the Stars"
July 9th -13th

Please mark your calendars NOW!  

Again, this year, we are inviting children ages 4-11 to join us for a full week of Vacation Bible School from  9:00 AM - 12 Noon.  Please call the Church Office  and Linda will send you the forms needed for registration.  Thank you!



Thrift Shop is 
OPEN....

Wednesdays
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM

There are Lots of Hidden Treasures!
All donations may be dropped off on Wednesdays.

Thank you for your continued support!
   
yellow-bday-cake.jpg
Our Member's Birthdays

   February

                    2/13       Henry Carlson
                    2/18       Nancy Hansen
                    2/19       Elaine Bethel
                    2/24       Muriel Mayotte       
                           
                                                                   
 
 
 
 
  
"Love one another and You will be happy" 
 
Federated Church of Ashland

118 Main Street
Ashland, MA  01721-3112
508-881-1355

 

  Church Office Hours:   Monday - Friday 9 AM TO 12 Noon

 

Office Manager - Linda Iarussi

CE Coordinator - Yucchabelle Cote

Organist - Doug Shelburne

 

Church Office:   fcoaoffice@verizon.net

     Web Site:   federatedchurchofashland.org

 Follow us on Twitter @FCOAshland

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