Posts from 2019 (Page 2)
Elder Nominations
One of the exciting changes this year at Ashworth is the addition of Elders to our leadership structure. This change allows us to empower our Deacons to care for the families in the church while the Elders tend to the mission, vision, and oversight of the church. After prayer and discussion, the following individuals are nominated to serve as Elders at Ashworth Church: Jude Ashwanth Don Peck Elizabeth Carman Suki Joseph Jerry Chapman All five individuals are either currently serving…
Preparing for Christmas Day 9
Take a look at this picture and reflect on the following: The Annunciation was painted by the Italian Renaissance painter Fra Filippo Lippi in the mid-fifteenth century. It pictures two kneeling figures opposite one another. Mary, on the right, is holding a book, symbolizing the Word of God becoming flesh. Gabriel is holding a lily symbolizing purity. Take in the painting. Notice the structure, placement of people and objects, the use of light and shadow. What catches your attention? What thoughts…
Preparing for Christmas Day 8
“The incarnation means that for whatever reason God chose to let us fall . . . to suffer, to be subject to sorrows and death—he has nonetheless had the honesty and the courage to take his own medicine. . . . He can exact nothing from man that he has not exacted from himself. He himself has gone through the whole of human experience—from the trivial irritations of family life and the cramping restrictions of hard work and lack of money to the worst horrors of…
Preparing for Christmas Day 5
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.2 See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples,but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.3 Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.” Isaiah 60:1-3 Pray for those who will come to see the lights at Celebration of Lights Sunday evening at 5 PM that they will encounter the Light of the World.
Preparing for Christmas Day 4
How’s your soul this week? Do you feel a bit frantic? Hurried? Many things in our lives, like technology, entertainment, or activities can be great tools to be used and enjoyed. But they can quickly become tyrannical masters of our lives if we aren’t careful. What is exerting control over your life right now creating anxiety or hurriedness? If possible, find 5 minutes today to sit in silence, reflect on the birth of Christ, and BREATHE. As you sit in…
Preparing for Christmas Day 3
Listen to the song “Light of the World” by Lauren Daigle. Reflect on the lyrics especially the name Emmanuel which means God with Us.
Preparing for Christmas Day 2
Take a look at this picture and reflect on the following: The Nativity was painted by the seventeenth-century French painter Georges de La Tour. It pictures the Christ child, Mary and Mary’s mother. Take in the painting. Notice the structure, placement of people and objects, the use of light and shadow. What catches your attention? What thoughts and emotions does this image invoke within you? How does this image relate to the passage we read yesterday in Isaiah 9:2? Copied…
Preparing for Christmas Day 1
Advent is a season of waiting, expecting, and hoping. It is from the Latin word “coming.” The season of waiting gives us the opportunity to prepare our hearts for Christ. Today, read Isaiah 9:2. How has the light of Jesus impacted your life personally and your circle of influence? What areas of your life do you need the light to shine in now? Isaiah 9:2 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great…
Welcome, Jordan!
As a part of our 2020 Ministry Plan and Budget presented in June, we shared our desire to add a new staff position in the area of worship to the church this ministry year. I am excited to announce that we have hired Jordan McDonald as our Worship Director. Jordan and his family have been a part of the Ashworth family and worship team since moving to Des Moines in August. Jordan comes to us with several years of experience…
What to Expect
As you come to church week in and week out, you may notice minor changes here and there. Artwork in the coffee area gets changed depending on the season or special emphasis. The stage is modified now and then. A sign appears telling guests where to park. The kids’ check-in station is changed. While most of the time, we try to keep the changes to a minimum, in the coming weeks and months, more noticeable changes will be coming in…
Of and For the Nations
Ashworth Missions Emphasis Month 2019We are extraordinarily blessed at Ashworth Church to have many nations represented in our church body! As a way to celebrate this unique gift and to highlight our commitment to the nations locally and globally, we want to do something a little different for Missions Emphasis Month this October. Our $15,000 goal this year is to support mission work in each of the countries represented within our church body. We have 11 nations represented at Ashworth…
A Long Road Together
For many teenagers, learning to drive and getting your first car is a turning point in your transition to independence. But for some youth, the journey is not so easy. Because of busy parent schedules and insurance issues or not having access to a car, some youth struggle to move towards reaching that important milestone of obtaining a license. Here’s where one incredible (and patient) youth worker took the opportunity to step in and help a youth reach that milestone.…