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News & Updates
Federated Church of Ashland
118 Main Street
Ashland, MA 01721
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Volume Four: 8th Edition August 2016
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From Larry's Desk....
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Food for Thought
Why do many young families not attend church on Sundays? Has the historical significance of Sunday worship been lost on today's generation?
Has the
3 rd commandment, "Keep Holy the Sabbath" lost its meaning and impact? Have today's younger
generation lost its moral compass and sense of values and have no need of a god to worship on Sunday morning?
In an effort to draw them in, a common response has been to see if we can find a way to make Sunday worship more relevant, more entertaining, give it more pizazz, offer more inspiring music, dynamic sermons, more multi-media presentations and of course more fringe services; nursery care, exciting Christian education programs, better coffee and fellowship, air conditioning, etc. Another common response is to moan and
complain about the cultural shift toward scheduling sporting events and activities on Sunday mornings (as if every child in our community participates in some team sport that meets on Sunday morning coincidentally during the same time slot as our scheduled worship etc.)
I think if we take a look around us, that we may find that today's generation finds its inspiration in "doing good". Walks for hunger, breast cancer research, Alzheimer's disease, the Jimmy Fund etc., all draw record numbers of participants. Even in our own church, we experience the greatest sense of fellowship and inspiration in the many mission and outreach projects that engage us to "do good". Beyond Sunday worship, our own members
and friends roll up their sleeves' to support Family Promise for a week at a time, 3-4 times a year. We actively support monthly Brown Bag Sunday groceries donations for the Ashland Food Pantry, Christmas Gift Giving for needy families in Ashland, the weekly Thrift Shop, once a month meals for the Shadow Program which provide emergency shelter for women, the Pumpkin Patch to raise money for Native American programs, the Church Fair, Habit for Humanity, just to name a few activities that seem to do the best to draw us together as a faith community.
A recent topic of conversation during Deacon's meetings and Church Council meetings, has been to take a look at ways in
which "doing good" inspires us all. A question which is up for discussion has been how might we truly celebrate and be inspired by these activities which draw us outside of ourselves by participating in God's work here on earth? What would happen if we focused a little less on Sunday morning worship, and turned out attention and efforts toward celebrating and worshiping the God who brings out the best in us, and on behalf of the people we serve? Perhaps we could gather for a shared meal and time of worship as our families depart from Family Promise? Perhaps we could gather to prepare a meal in the church kitchen to be brought and served at the Shadow's women's shelter, followed by a time of prayer, worship and thanksgiving in which we share a meal among ourselves? What if we held an outdoor worship service among the pumpkins, (jackets and hats as needed) as we celebrate the harvest as well as pray for our Native American brothers and sisters who will receive a portion of the proceeds? Maybe we already have a way to draw the younger generation in and join with them in worshiping the God of our forebears, the God of all creation, by tapping into the Spirit at work within us!
Blessings,
Pastor Larry
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Sunday August 21st from 2-4 PM
ALL YOU CAN EAT
Ice Cream Sundaes !
LOTS of Toppings! Edible Cones and Bowls !
Tickets will be available after Sunday Worship up to Aug 14st or M-W mornings (9AM -12 Noon) in the Church office or contact Margot (508-881-5242) or Melanie (508-881-7257).
You'll need to buy tickets ahead of time so that we can plan enough ice cream for all of you ice cream lovers.
Adults $10 Children under 13 years $5, and Kids under 3 years FREE!
This event is Hosted by Margot and John at
22 High Street Ext., Ashland
. It is the old gray house at the very end of the road.
Invite your friends and Ice Cream Lovers.
Join the Fun, spread the Love.
All Proceeds Benefit the Federated Church of Ashland
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Brown Bag Sunday (August 21st)
Cheers go out to all those who have continued to remember those in need of food and groceries within the Ashland community. Our Brown Bag Sunday donations have continued to exceed 150 lbs for the months of June and July!!
Please continue your generosity for this month's donations. The Ashland Food Pantry, the recipient of your contributions is asking for help with the following items:
August food pantry needs:
mayo
toothpaste
toilet paper
...
tissues
diapers size 5 and 6
canned pasta
bottled juice
cookies
crackers
bake mixes
snack food
Any non-perishable food items are always welcome!
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A Good Time Was Had By All !!!
Our
Vacation Bible School, organized and inspired by our own
Kim Conner
was a
MAJOR SUCCESS! We had more than 18 kids participate between the ages of 4 and 12. Through activities, stories, craft projects and song the kids had a wonderful time, with many announcing how much they are already looking forward to NEXT years VBS.
A special thanks to Kim, and all those volunteers who helped out and for those who donated snacks, and other items.
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Our church was once again privileged to host four families struggling with homelessness, this past week. We hosted 6 adults and 9 children. While the weather was very hot and uncomfortable we still managed to provide our guest families with home cooked meals, and a safe and comfortable environment.
Thanks to all the volunteers who helped us to host these families.
We will be hosting Family Promise again in another month, due to scheduling needs. Please mark your calendars now for the week of September 25 to Oct 2.
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Pumpkin Patch NEWS
October 2016
This years pumpkins arrive on Saturday, Oct 1st. The tentative arrival of the truck is 8:00AM. Mark your calendar to join us for the great unloading !!!
Tell your neighbors and friends about our
Pumpkin Patch and the fact that all proceeds go to charitable purposes. Each year we have been able to send 2/3 of the proceeds to support
Native American programs in NM who grow and transport the pumpkins to us. The remaining 1/3 is used by the church in support of mission outreach efforts.
Volunteers are need to sell pumpkins throughout the month of Oct. from 12 Noon to 7PM daily.
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WANTED
Do you play guitar or know someone who does? Do you play piano or a keyboard, or know someone who does? Do you play a flute or clarinet, or saxophone, or the violin, or know someone who does?
We are looking for people who can help us revitalize the music and introduce some new sounds to our Sunday Worship Services. We cannot pay much, but we can offer an enthusiastic and grateful congregation, and an opportunity to have fun with us on Sunday mornings.
If you have talent or know someone who does, let us know!!! Spread the word!!!
Please contact the church office at 508-881-1355 and ask for Pastor Larry
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Our Members
Birthdays
August
8/3 Jack Nguyen
8/14 Rani Luwalaga
8/20 Doug Shelburne
8/26 Sue Robertson
Happy Birthday to One and All!!
If we missed your birthday it means we don't have it in our records, please call the church
office and leave your information with Linda - thank you!
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| Federated Church of Ashland
118 Main Street
Ashland, MA 01721-3112
508-881-1355 SUMMER HOURS: CHURCH OFFICE MON - WED 9AM TO 12 NOON Regular Hours begin again on September 1st Church Office: [email protected]
Pastor Larry Iannetti: [email protected]
federatedchurchofashland.org
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