Dear Friends,

The world desperately needs men and women whose sole purpose is to glorify God. It is a sad commentary on our church that people can’t tell the difference between church folk and the rest of the world. It reminds me of a story about a French light-house keeper. As he was giving a tour of his lighthouse to some guests, one of them asked what would happen if one of the lights went out. “Never!” he said, “If I permitted that to happen, I would live in fear of a ship crashing into some rocks along the coast!” And then he said, “Sometimes I feel like the WHOLE WORLD is looking at my light.”

I think that’s how we ought to feel as Ashford United Methodist Church … as if the whole world is watching us, looking at our light, checking to see if our light shines brightly for the Glory of God. Jesus said: “Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit.”

Every member should ask ourselves, ARE WE FAITHFUL? Are we really faithful? Then comes the really difficult question …ARE WE FRUITFUL? As a church, are we closely and completely connected to the vine? Are we faithfully fulfilling our God-given mission to connect ourselves to God through Jesus Christ in ways that change hearts and save souls?

Are we FAITHFUL? And as a church …ARE WE FRUITFUL?

God is the Gardener, Jesus is the vine and you and I are the branches. We stay strong when we are closely connected to God. Ashford United Methodist Church’s God-given purpose is to BEAR FRUIT. And when we do, we glorify God. So the question is: Are we doing everything we can possibly do to glorify God?

Here’s another tough question; can we do better?

SUNDAY’S SERMON: CONNECTED TO GOD! This Sunday we will consider John 15:1-17 when we are connected to Christ, we have a source of power, presence and purpose. I hope I see you next Sunday.

Peace,

Pastor Chris

Dear Ashford Family Member and Returning Guests,

For the past several weeks our leadership team has been developing a three-five year strategic plan to chart a promising future for Ashford church. We are intent on reversing a long term decline in the attendance and membership of our church, which reflects a general trend in the larger church community of which we are a part. In other words, we feel God calling us to change the way we do things here at Ashford. These efforts have been led by our Lay Leader, Andy Adams in connection with Mike Duvall and our Finance Team, other ministries at work and most definitely our Ashford Administrative Council led by Stu Corder.

As the life-saving station God expects of Ashford Church our vision provide a nurturing place for new disciples to mature and grow in God’s grace. Our leadership team is committed to love and care for others as Jesus cares for us, and we are developing opportunities for every member to make that same commitment. We trust that with God’s direction and guidance and with every one of Ashford’s Congregation praying and pulling together that we will be able to achieve our goals.

We are currently formulating several strategies to achieve our growth objectives. We want to continue and build upon all the programs we currently offer that have widespread support. But in addition, we are developing new initiatives designed to involve our neighbors in the programs at Ashford. For example, we are dreaming of continuing discipleship classes for all ages, expanding our efforts in risk taking mission, providing transport to church for nearby neighbors who need it, and perhaps offering contemporary worship for those who desire it. Further, we are asking God to lead us in having a new evangelical revival.

For these dreams to come true, we need the support of every Ashford member. This bold and ambitious plan can only be attempted with YOUR full participation and commitment. New growth at Ashford will require the personal investment of time, effort, talent and funding by all segments of our church family, youth included.

On Sunday, March 25 the Church Administrative Council will be hosting An International Pot Luck Luncheon that we might come together as one church and turn our ideas, commitments and goals into action under God’s plan. Everyone is encouraged to attend with positive attitudes that we can turn into action items. Bring a dish your family roots enjoy and share this church meal in Christian love and action.

We ask for your personal commitment to this effort in the following ways:

• A pledge to pray daily for God’s guidance in this effort/Specifically on World Day of Prayer (March 2)
• A promise to focus every day on helping to achieve Ashford’s mission
• A pledge to offer our talents to support the strategies and goals of the plan
• A personal investment commitment, guidelines to be supplied
• A pledge to participate in one or more ministries of Ashford church

Our Finance team has developed a three year Investment for Growth Budget, as part of the five year strategic plan. The key elements are:

• Defined growth goals of 15% for 2013 and for 2014
• Additional funds to support our evangelistic outreach to the community
• Additional funds for Capital/Major Repair Fund
• Additional funds for supporting the existing staff, programs and ministries

Please join us in praying for the support of the entire Ashford family as we plan to reawaken God’s vision for re-growing our church.

Please join us and pray for Ashford United Methodist Church.
Peace,

Pastor Chris

Dear Friends,

There is a story of an ancient king of Babylon who came back to life and visited one of our modern cities. His host showed him the underside of the city: brothels, gambling and drug dens, taverns, and the like. The king was polite but bored. He said, “We had all these in Babylon three thousand years ago, and on the whole, we did it better. Have you nothing new to show me?”

So his guide reversed his field and took his guest to churches, day care centers, libraries, schools, hospitals, public health centers, research laboratories, transient centers, institutions for the disabled, and soup kitchens.

“Ah,” said the king, “all this is new. We didn’t have these things in Babylon.”

No, they didn’t have those things in Babylon because they did not have the church of Jesus Christ. I challenge you to go into any non-Christian nation in this world and find the level of ministry to the intellectual, social, physical, and spiritual needs of people that you will find in those countries in which Christians are the majority. Search out the histories of our great universities, our great hospitals, our great benevolent societies and you will find, more often than not, that they were begun in the name of Christ. The church is an institution unlike any other in this world and the reason is that our founder is still with us. It is he who breathes life into his weary followers; it is he who still beckons with the call, “Follow me.”

We are his body. All of us are important. There is something each of us can do in his service. Most importantly of all, he is alive and he is with us.

Peace,

Pastor Chris