Hello on this wet, wet Tuesday afternoon! This will be a really short WOW-Zine this week, as we're letting you mostly concentrate on Christmas, your family, and keeping dry!
We do plan on having our Women's Bible Studies this week and next before stopping for Christmas break. Jody is providing goodies for The Perk on Thursday morning at 9:30, and Lauren has provided a snack for Common Grounds at 6:30 Thursday night. I hope you can join us at one of those times at the church as we continue our way through Colossians 2.
We won't take down the Christmas decorations at church until Friday, January 8th. (It's always faster/easier to take down than put up!) We'll meet at 6 PM that evening for pizza and dismantling, followed by a game night. If coming at 6 for pizza doesn't work for you, please just show up around 7 for games. (Bring some!) Please let me know if you'll be there for the pizza and tear down, so I know how many pizzas to get. A contribution of $5/person is greatly appreciated.
And that's all for this week! Hope to see you at a Bible study, "the good Lord willin' and the creek don't rise!" as Tennessee Ernie Ford always ended his television program with when I was a kid. I know, most of you won't even know who I'm referring to!!
Until next time,
Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@gmail.com 971-285-6699
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
Monday, November 30, 2015
Monday, November 30, 2015 WOW-Zine
Welcome to as-close-as-you-can-get to December without it being December! This is a busy month for most of us, with lots of things going on in our homes, as well as plenty to participate in with church events. I hope you're able to attend several of our activities.
This Saturday is the long-awaited WOW Christmas party--The Joy of Christmas. The dinner and party begin at the Rusaw's at 6 PM. (An optional cookie exchange will begin there at 5 PM. Bring 2 dozen cookies and an extra empty tray to pile your selections on to take home.) Car pooling is heavily suggested, so if you'd like to do that, meet behind the church at 5:30. We'll leave from there no later than 5:40. (Please bring slippers/socks to wear inside.)
We're asking that everyone bring a favorite food for our dinner. Please sign up with what you'd like to bring at http://www.perfectpotluck.com/meals.php?t=FXCY2214
Wear some Christmas finery and bring a $10 present for our gift exchange. It will be a casual, relaxing evening with friends. Remember, our women's events are for those girls who are seniors in high school, and above. Your men and children will need to fend for themselves that evening!
After taking a break for Thanksgiving, our women's Bible studies will resume this Thursday. The Perk meets at 9:30 AM at the church. Nicole P. is bringing snacks, and we do have childcare available. Thursday evening at 6:30 at the church Common Grounds will meet. We don't have childcare for the night meeting, but we DO have goodies, brought to us this week by Lauren. Feel free to join us at any time!
Please remember to pray for Carol Fones, who has been in ICU at St. Vincent's with extremely high (nearly 1000!) blood sugar levels. She is doing better today with her numbers lowering to around 225, though that is still way above normal.
Thanks to those of you who looked through the Lost and Found box at church yesterday, and also checked out the dishes, etc. that have been left in the kitchen. I think you still have a chance to go through them this week, but after that they'll have somehow found their way to the Gaston Food Bank.
And a big thanks to those of you who came out Saturday morning to decorate the church for Christmas. Your help made a big difference!
Until next week,
Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@gmail.com 971-285-6699
This Saturday is the long-awaited WOW Christmas party--The Joy of Christmas. The dinner and party begin at the Rusaw's at 6 PM. (An optional cookie exchange will begin there at 5 PM. Bring 2 dozen cookies and an extra empty tray to pile your selections on to take home.) Car pooling is heavily suggested, so if you'd like to do that, meet behind the church at 5:30. We'll leave from there no later than 5:40. (Please bring slippers/socks to wear inside.)
We're asking that everyone bring a favorite food for our dinner. Please sign up with what you'd like to bring at http://www.perfectpotluck.com/meals.php?t=FXCY2214
Wear some Christmas finery and bring a $10 present for our gift exchange. It will be a casual, relaxing evening with friends. Remember, our women's events are for those girls who are seniors in high school, and above. Your men and children will need to fend for themselves that evening!
After taking a break for Thanksgiving, our women's Bible studies will resume this Thursday. The Perk meets at 9:30 AM at the church. Nicole P. is bringing snacks, and we do have childcare available. Thursday evening at 6:30 at the church Common Grounds will meet. We don't have childcare for the night meeting, but we DO have goodies, brought to us this week by Lauren. Feel free to join us at any time!
Please remember to pray for Carol Fones, who has been in ICU at St. Vincent's with extremely high (nearly 1000!) blood sugar levels. She is doing better today with her numbers lowering to around 225, though that is still way above normal.
Thanks to those of you who looked through the Lost and Found box at church yesterday, and also checked out the dishes, etc. that have been left in the kitchen. I think you still have a chance to go through them this week, but after that they'll have somehow found their way to the Gaston Food Bank.
And a big thanks to those of you who came out Saturday morning to decorate the church for Christmas. Your help made a big difference!
Until next week,
Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@gmail.com 971-285-6699
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
I hope you all know how truly grateful I am for each one of you. I'm thankful for the many friendships I have, for the way we're able to support and encourage each other, and for all the opportunities we have to "do life" together.
Even though we'll all probably eat too much tomorrow, realize you'll most likely be hungry again by Saturday morning, and nothing but Janet's cinnamon rolls will be able to satisfy! Bring your own hot drink (we'll provide the goodies) and meet us at the church at 10 AM to transform it into a beautiful space in which to celebrate the meaning of Christmas throughout the month of December.
Coming up the following Saturday, December 5th, is our WOW Christmas party. This year our theme is The Joy of Christmas.
If you'd like to participate in the cookie exchange at 5 PM, bring two dozen of your favorite cookies and an extra tray. Our dinner and party will begin at 6 PM. Both events will be at Amy Rusaw's. Wear some Christmas finery (how fine is completely up to you), and bring a favorite Christmas food item. To make sure we don't get an overload of sweets, please check what is needed and sign up at
Are you missing any dishes, bowls, baking dishes, etc? There are several items that have been left behind in the church kitchen. Counter space is very limited there, as you know, so if things aren't claimed in the next week or two they will be given to the Gaston Food Bank. The same is true for items that are in the Lost and Found box by the sound booth. Please check to see if anything of yours has been misplaced.
The combined 4s, 5s, and Kindergarten Sunday School class (which averages around 14 children each week) is in need of another teacher or two to help out in that class. It only takes one week a month, so you're still able to be in the main service most of the time, but have the opportunity to serve each month. Let Janet know if you're able to fill that need.
Both The Perk and Common Grounds (women's Bible studies) will resume next Thursday. Nicole P. is bringing treats to The Perk at 9:30 AM, and at this point no one has signed up for Common Grounds at 6:30. Let me know (contact info is always at the end of the WOW-Zines) if you'd like to provide a treat for that. If not, it certainly won't hurt us to not have something to go along with our tea and coffee!
Until next week,
Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@gmail.com 971-285-6699
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Tuesday, November 17, 2015 WOW-Zine
Good morning! It's been nearly a month since I last sent out a WOW-Zine, so it's time to get you caught up on a couple of things. Thanks so much for your prayers for my brother Daniel as he fights prostate cancer. He has a really rough road ahead of him, but is so thankful that he doesn't walk through this alone. It was my special joy to be in Southern California with him and his wife during this time. But it's certainly good to be back with you now!
Here are some up-coming dates to keep in mind:
Saturday, November 28th, 10 AM--Do you love to decorate for Christmas? Here's your chance to get a head start on doing so. Join us at the church to to help make it look festive for the Christmas season. I'm good at dragging out boxes of decorations from the closet, but not much else. So I'll do the grunt work and you can do the beautification part! Please bring your own hot drink.
Saturday, December 5th, at the Rusaw's--Women's Christmas Party--The Joy of Christmas!
Don ye now your favorite Christmas apparel, bring a wrapped $10 favorite gift, and your favorite Christmas food for our potluck. (A link to PerfectPotluck will be available next week, so we can make sure we have a savory combination of main dishes and sweets.) Please bring slippers or socks to wear inside.
Time: 5 PM for Cookie Exchange at Amy's--bring 2 dozen of your favorite Christmas cookies, along with an extra tray.
Time: 6 PM for the party. Carpooling is encouraged. We will meet behind the church at 5:30 for riding together to the party.
It was great to be back for our Bible studies last week. This week Carol R. has signed up to bring treats for Thursday morning at 9:30, and Anita for Thursday night at 6:30. We will not meet next week due to Thanksgiving. We almost finished Colossians
chapter 1 last week!In verse 24 Paul talks about the suffering of Christ and we had a good discussion about the suffering we experience in this life. I shared some things I'd gotten from desiringgod.org, talking about Christian suffering. A quote from a guy named David Powlison spoke to our hearts, and that's what I'll leave you with today. He said:
When you've passed through your own fiery trials, and found God to be true to what he says, you have real help to offer. You have firsthand experience of both his sustaining grace and his purposeful design. He has kept you through pain; he has reshaped you more into his image. What you are experiencing from God, you can give away in increasing measure to others. You are learning both the tenderness and the clarity necessary to help sanctify another person's deepest distress.
Until next time,
Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@gmail.com 971-285-6699
Here are some up-coming dates to keep in mind:
Saturday, November 28th, 10 AM--Do you love to decorate for Christmas? Here's your chance to get a head start on doing so. Join us at the church to to help make it look festive for the Christmas season. I'm good at dragging out boxes of decorations from the closet, but not much else. So I'll do the grunt work and you can do the beautification part! Please bring your own hot drink.
Saturday, December 5th, at the Rusaw's--Women's Christmas Party--The Joy of Christmas!
Don ye now your favorite Christmas apparel, bring a wrapped $10 favorite gift, and your favorite Christmas food for our potluck. (A link to PerfectPotluck will be available next week, so we can make sure we have a savory combination of main dishes and sweets.) Please bring slippers or socks to wear inside.
Time: 5 PM for Cookie Exchange at Amy's--bring 2 dozen of your favorite Christmas cookies, along with an extra tray.
Time: 6 PM for the party. Carpooling is encouraged. We will meet behind the church at 5:30 for riding together to the party.
It was great to be back for our Bible studies last week. This week Carol R. has signed up to bring treats for Thursday morning at 9:30, and Anita for Thursday night at 6:30. We will not meet next week due to Thanksgiving. We almost finished Colossians
chapter 1 last week!In verse 24 Paul talks about the suffering of Christ and we had a good discussion about the suffering we experience in this life. I shared some things I'd gotten from desiringgod.org, talking about Christian suffering. A quote from a guy named David Powlison spoke to our hearts, and that's what I'll leave you with today. He said:
When you've passed through your own fiery trials, and found God to be true to what he says, you have real help to offer. You have firsthand experience of both his sustaining grace and his purposeful design. He has kept you through pain; he has reshaped you more into his image. What you are experiencing from God, you can give away in increasing measure to others. You are learning both the tenderness and the clarity necessary to help sanctify another person's deepest distress.
Until next time,
Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@gmail.com 971-285-6699
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Friday, October 23rd
7 PM
Karen's House
(1999 Phillips Road, Gaston)
This Friday night, hop in your
and go to Karen's house
to gather with friends.
Bring a simple snack to share ...
and be sure to wear comfortable shoes.
Remember ...
On a completely different note, I will be in Southern California for the next two weeks to help care for my youngest brother as he undergoes surgery for a very aggressive prostate cancer. He and his wife are strong believers and would appreciate all the prayer you'd like to give!
I will be here to lead our Bible studies this week, and others have volunteered to step in for the next couple of weeks. A big thank you to Janet, Carol G., and Natalie! I'm not sure if I'll be able to get a WOW-Zine out while I'm gone, so if you don't hear from me just remember that both studies are still meeting! This week Jaimie is bringing a treat for The Perk (Thursday from 9:30-11 AM) and Janet is taking care of goodies for Common Grounds (Thursday from 6:30-8 PM.)
Until next time,
Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@gmail.com 971-285-6699
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Tuesday, October 13, 2015 WOW-Zine
A happy Tuesday morning to you! The fog we've started off the days with lately really remind me of one of the verses we looked at in Bible study last week. In Isaiah 44:22 God says, "I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist." Just like the morning fog burns off, disappears, and can be found no more, so God deals with our confessed sin. We can live in a guilt-free zone!
Coming soon, to a home theater near you, is our WOW Movie Night at Karen Fordyce's home. Not this week, but the following Friday, October 23rd at 7 PM. We'll be watching the new movie of Cinderella. We understand this is something your daughters would probably want to watch too, but this is a WOMENS' NIGHT IN! Instead of your daughter, bring a snack to share and if you want a soda, BYOD. (Bring Your Own Drink.) If you rearrange those letters you can spell BODY, which we also want you to bring!!
Don't forget to join us at one of our weekly women's Bible studies, which meet on Thursdays. The Perk gathers from 9:30 to 11 AM, and Nicole P. will bring a treat to go along with our coffee and tea. That evening from 6:30 to 8 Common Grounds will meet, and Jody is providing something to nibble on during our study. We'll be looking at more verses in Colossians chapter 1, beginning with verse 15.
I'd like to leave you with this devotional I found:
Until next week,
Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@gmail.com 971-285-6699
Coming soon, to a home theater near you, is our WOW Movie Night at Karen Fordyce's home. Not this week, but the following Friday, October 23rd at 7 PM. We'll be watching the new movie of Cinderella. We understand this is something your daughters would probably want to watch too, but this is a WOMENS' NIGHT IN! Instead of your daughter, bring a snack to share and if you want a soda, BYOD. (Bring Your Own Drink.) If you rearrange those letters you can spell BODY, which we also want you to bring!!
Don't forget to join us at one of our weekly women's Bible studies, which meet on Thursdays. The Perk gathers from 9:30 to 11 AM, and Nicole P. will bring a treat to go along with our coffee and tea. That evening from 6:30 to 8 Common Grounds will meet, and Jody is providing something to nibble on during our study. We'll be looking at more verses in Colossians chapter 1, beginning with verse 15.
I'd like to leave you with this devotional I found:
SIGNS OF CHANGE ~
Read Philippians 3:7-16
Fall has arrived. The signs have been around us for days. The hydrangeas are fading. Already I'm sweeping up oak leaves on the patio. Pumpkins and mums dominate displays in floral shops. Razorback red (my home team; name your own), candy corn and Halloween costumes are out in full force, beckoning us to buy.
Instead of four hummingbirds, now 20+ compete for a place at our feeders as they prepare for the long flight South. One morning soon we'll wake up and they will be gone.
I must confess at first I resisted the thought of fall. It's been too hot. Where did summer go? I'm not ready. But it doesn't matter whether I'm ready or not. The hummers will fly south, and fall will come as surely as the sun will rise and set each day.
I don't want to be left behind, so I'm coming round. I've pulled out a wreath of autumn leaves and a fat little pumpkin. So far I've resisted the candy corn, but it sure tastes good with cocktail peanuts.
I don't always recognize when God is bringing a change of season into my life, but He is patient. As evidence stacks up, I'm learning to embrace the freshness and excitement of something new.
What about you? Can you remember a time when you suddenly realized He was bringing change to your life?
Change can be scary because only He knows what new paths will open before us. I hope we will all accept changing seasons and concentrate on what is next instead of looking back with longing. Remember, our God is trustworthy, and isn't change part of what makes life with Him so exciting?
Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
Isaiah 43:19
This post originally appeared in Reflections from Dorothy’s Ridge http://www.reflectionsfromdorothy.blogspot.com
Until next week,
Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@gmail.com 971-285-6699
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
Tuesday, October 6, 2015 WOW-Zine
Happy Tuesday to each of you! I hope you've already found some joy in your day and are ready to share it with others.
This week Aimee is bringing treats for The Perk (our Thursday morning, 9:30, Bible study) and Anita signed up for Common Grounds (Thursday evening at 6:30.) We are all enjoying taking our time going through the book of Colossians.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
The monthly Craft Time is scheduled for Monday, October 19th, from 3-5 PM at the home of Carol Gross. (40080 SW Nelson Drive in Gaston. ) Bring any craft project you're working on and enjoy a relaxing time with each other.
Movie Night, Friday, October 23rd at Karen's. Wear comfy end-of-the-week clothes, bring a goodie to share, and enjoy an evening with friends.
Until next week,
Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@gmail.com 971-285-6699
This week Aimee is bringing treats for The Perk (our Thursday morning, 9:30, Bible study) and Anita signed up for Common Grounds (Thursday evening at 6:30.) We are all enjoying taking our time going through the book of Colossians.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
The monthly Craft Time is scheduled for Monday, October 19th, from 3-5 PM at the home of Carol Gross. (40080 SW Nelson Drive in Gaston. ) Bring any craft project you're working on and enjoy a relaxing time with each other.
Movie Night, Friday, October 23rd at Karen's. Wear comfy end-of-the-week clothes, bring a goodie to share, and enjoy an evening with friends.
Until next week,
Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@gmail.com 971-285-6699
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)