Saturday, June 9th
11:00am – 4:00pm
in the Fellowship Hall

We are looking for quality items to be donated to the church for this event.

Beginning May 19, 2012, we will be able to pick up your items.

Please contact the church office for further inforrmation.

Available Downloads:

VBS Children’s Program Night is on Thursday at 7:00 pm in the AUMC Sanctuary

All children in the community from 4 years of age through 5th grade are welcome.

Older youth are encouraged to volunteer as helpers.

Want to help?

Contact  Carol Greenslate,  Coordinator

Check out the fun:

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

LADIES NIGHT OUT: ALL WOMEN IN CHURCH AND COMMUNITY
ARE INVITED TO JOIN US AFTER THE 7 PM PRAYER SERVICE

Dinner at Great Khan Mongolian Grill

2150 Hwy 6 north of Westheimer

A time of Fellowship Sponsored by the creative ladies of Visionary Women

NOTICE!!! Ashford’s 7th Annual Dinner/Auction Fundraiser at Lakeside Country Club

has been postponed. More information coming soon.

COMING IN JUNE:

June 25-29

Vacation Bible School – “Babylon, Daniel and the Lion
For all children of the community through ages 5th grade.

Check the Church Calendar for all events this month

The Youth Group participates in many activities and events throughout the year:

Our youth group is preparing representatives to serve on some of the church ministry teams to learn leadership and about how they serve the congregation.

Here’s what coming up:

Choir camp registration ends in April so if you need forms or more information, please contact me.

• May 5 ~ Youth Pool party hosted at the Hastings-James home
• May 6 ~ Kenyan Girl Scholarship Car wash directly after 11:00 am service
• June 25-29 ~ Vacation Bible School – Monday – Friday
• July 9-13 ~ District Lakeview Summer Camp
• Aug 19 ~ Back to school Concert/Party with Holy Covenant, St Peters and First UMC Katy

Blessings,

Carol Greenslate, Youth Director
youth@ashfordumc.org

Prayer Partner available Mon. – Wed.
9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Telephone Prayer Partner available Wed. – Fri.
8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p. m.

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

Going north on Dairy Ashford, we are right after Piping Rock Dr.

Going south on Dairy Ashford, we are after Whittington Dr.

Get directions: Google Maps

Please check the current church calendar for the date of the next service. (click on the orange ‘special event’ link in the calendar legend).

Wholeness service is generally held on the first Tuesday evening at 7:00 pm of each month.

We’ll share a time of Worship and engage in Healing Prayer with Anointing.

Everyone in church and community who is struggling with any situation in life is invited to join us as we gather to pray and support one another.

For more info, contact: adultministry@ashfordumc.org

Cindy Serio

Scripture strongly affirms ministries of healing.  The root of the word healing in New Testament Greek, sozo, is the same as that of salvation and wholeness.

Spiritual healing is God’s work.  Persons find balance, harmony, and wholeness of body, mind, spirit, and relationships through confession, forgiveness, and reconciliation between God and humanity, among individuals and communities, within each person, and between humanity and the rest of creation.

Healing is not magic nor is it “cure” in this context, which is why we prefer the word wholeness.   Underlying healing and wholeness is the great mystery of God’s unfailing love for each one of us.

God does not promise that we will be spared suffering but God does promise to be with us in our suffering.   When we are able to trust that promise, we can recognize God’s sustaining presence in pain, sickness, injury, and estrangement.

A Service of Prayer for Wholeness provides an atmosphere in which healing can happen.  The greatest healing of all is the reunion or reconciliation of a human being with God.  When this happens, physical healing sometimes happens, mental and emotional balance is often restored, spiritual health is enhanced, and relationships are mended.  For the Christian, the basic purpose of spiritual healing is to renew and strengthen one’s relationship with God in Christ.

Anointing the forehead with oil is a “sign-act” which invokes the healing love of God.  The oil points beyond itself and those doing the anointing to the action of the Holy Spirit and the presence of the healing Christ, who is the “Anointed One.”

Laying on of hands show the power of touch, which plays a central role in the healings recorded in the New Testament.  Touch is a tangible expression of the presence of the Christ the Healer, working in and through those who pray in this way.

Excerpts and adaptation of UM Book of Worship, 613-614

It’s a great way to show your smiling face and say “Hello” to all coming for church.

Please don’t let this opportunity pass you by. Get involved.
Email the Church Office
or call Glenda Johnson at 281-496-4218