The Chimes Newsletter    
                                  
  
Federated Church of Ashland 
118 Main Street 
Ashland, MA 01721-3112
  
                                                               
~ March 2019 ~
  
Ash Wednesday is March 6th 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.
 
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Lenten Series Bible Study
  
Rejoice in the Lord always - even during Lent!
 
Join us as we walk through a joy filled six week study of The Letter of Paul to the Philippians and help one another discover reasons to rejoice this Lenten season.  
 
We will meet for an hour after church on Sundays, beginning March 10th.  Materials will be available on Sunday, March 3rd, including the study guide written by Max O. Vincent "Because of This I Rejoice."  Please be sure to sign up so we will have enough study guides.  More information is available in the centerfold section of The Upper Room Jan-Feb 2019. 
(e-learning available).
 
"The focus is not what we give up (for Lent) writes Vincent, or even how many spiritual disciplines we observe.  The focus of Lent is joyfully growing our connection with God.  It is not about committing to some spiritual practices to increase our joy, but joyfully engaging the practices."
 
So, please join us as we journey through Philippians this Lent joyfully!

Vickie Mancini

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Thank you!
 
Thank you to everyone who baked or donated goodies for our Valentine Care Packages!  
  
Special thanks to Yucchi and the Sunday School kids for making the cute Valentine's cards!
  
Because of your kindness, sixteen people's days were brightened, plus all the women at Shadow's Shelter and staff at a memory care facility.  Most people enjoyed a parishioner's visit with the goodies, and packages were mailed from Maine to California! 
 
What an overwhelming wave of love sent out from the Federated Church of Ashland!
 
Thank you,   Vickie Mancini     
  
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globe
One Great Hour of Sharing

Our annual mission offering, received during Lent, is scheduled for Sunday, March 31st.  Your gifts will 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.  When we share our  resources through One Great Hour of Sharing, we will change lives, bring joy to others and to God. Please plan to give generously.  Thank you!
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To My Federated Church Family, 
  
I would like to express my sincere thanks for all the prayers, love and support for me and my family during these last few months. My Mom had a long and blessed life and she fought quite a battle from mid November until her passing on February 8th. Knowing that you were keeping us in your hearts was a comfort to all of us. 
  
Blessings to all from Pam and the entire family of Ginny Smith


Thrift Shop
  
The Thrift Shop is OPEN...
 
Wednesdays 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
AND
Saturdays 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM

We have new items arriving every week.
Please stop by ... you never know what you will find!

Thank you for your support! 

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Daylight-Saving Time Begins
Sunday, March 10th
DON'T FORGET TO TURN YOUR CLOCKS AHEAD BEFORE YOU GO TO BED ON SATURDAY, MARCH 9th 
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Brown Bag Sunday
March 17th  
  
On the third Sunday of every month, we collect and bless the donations placed inside the bins in the Narthex of the Church.  

With Easter fast approaching, would you please consider picking up a few extra non-perishable food items while you are doing your 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!   
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 First Day of Spring - Wednesday, March 20
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"We Are ALL On God's Team"
                                
Please mark your calendars ... July 8-12!
 
It's going to be a sports themed week with lots of games and activities!
  
We are inviting children ages 4-11 to join us for a full week of Vacation Bible School from 9 AM - 12 Noon.  Please call the Church Office and Linda will send you the forms needed for registration. 
  
If you have any questions, please contact Kim Conner at [email protected]     Thank you!
~~ St. Patrick's Day -  Sunday, March 17th ~~
   
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Our Member's Birthdays
 
              
  March
  
3/10     Tina Kingsbury
3/15     Leslie Kendall
3/16     Janet Lawson
3/29    Yucchi Cote
3/30    Nicole Wenzell
3/31     Ben Walker

                 April
 
4/13     Phyl Shelburne
4/22    Jane Woodward
4/25     David Wenzell
4/29     Lois Tougas



"It is one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade."                                                                 -Charles Dickens

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:   [email protected]

     Web Site:   federatedchurchofashland.org

 Follow us on Twitter @FCOAshland
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