West-Ark Newsletter, 7 April 2002

While driving recently, I noticed a street was closed. A large orange sign with black lettering stood at the barricade. It said, "Fresh Oil." I knew exactly what it meant. I was grateful the street was closed--I did not wish to splatter liquid tar on my car. I had no confusion about "why" the street was closed. I had no complaint to make.

However, the sign would confuse those who knew the words but not the meaning. Some would not call the layer of gooey, black liquid recently placed on that road surface "oil." "Oil" is the liquid one places in a car engine, or squirts on a moving part, or uses to be a protective coating, or uses as a fuel (any of you remember "coal oil"?) That gooey liquid often used in road construction is called "tar." "Oil" is fairly easy to remove. Have you removed "tar" from a car's surface recently?

What does "fresh" mean? "Fresh" as contrasted to what? To "stale"? "Oil" or "tar" has an expiration date? Have you ever read an orange sign with black letters at a road construction site that said, "Stale Tar"?

Okay! That is a ridiculous observation. Never mind that "Fresh Oil" and "Stale Tar" contain the same number of alphabetic letters. The point is simple: we know what a "Fresh Oil" sign means at a road construction site. We always have known the meaning of that sign. Some of us learned that meaning "the hard way" before signs were used.

The Christians at Corinth were the kind of church that could fill a preacher with joy one minute and break his heart the next. Paul said to them, "If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 9:2). In another letter to the same Christians, he wrote, "You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men" (2 Corinthians 3:2).

Ouch! What preacher would want people who were not Christians to "read" Christians at a place and conclude he taught them internal rivalry, adultery, law suits, prostitution, mutual contempt, marital stress, and worship wars? What preacher would want people to "read" the church and conclude, "That congregation of Christians threatens our society!"

Christians must realize we do not exist in a vacuum. We must understand others "read" us all the time. Too often we understand ourselves, but to those who "read" us, we look, sound, and act unattractively ridiculous. May our "signs" clearly declare Christ's value.

May we help hasten the day when "Christian" commonly means blessing. As we are "read" by all people, may our "signs" be as clear to others as they are to us.

After months of planning and preparation, the Leadership Training for Christ Convention 2002 is now history. Last weekend was the culmination of a lot of hard work and dedication as more than 100 West-Ark members made the trip over to Tulsa for the annual LTC Convention. It was incredible!

I am so proud of our young people who participated in LTC because they are learning how to look beyond themselves and their own needs in order to minister to others. This is the fourth year that I have helped our congregation involve our 3rd-12th graders in dozens of ministry activities at LTC.

It is especially encouraging for me to see more than 50 West-Ark adults help our kids as coaches and teachers with their LTC projects. You are to be commended for the many hours you spent as a labor of love with our young people. Special thanks go out to our adults who helped because this ministry effort would never be successful without your involvement.

Even though the LTC Convention has come and gone -- it's not over. Sunday evening, April 14th we'll have an LTC Recognition Service at 6:00 p.m. in our auditorium. Our annual awards ceremony and pizza party in the FLC will follow this. LTC participants, parents and coaches please wear your green or gray LTC T-shirt and be prepared to have a great time.

Retreat Reminder
The 3rd - 6th Grade Retreat at Wyldewood Camp in Searcy is April 5-6. We'll leave the West-Ark parking lot at 4 p.m. Friday. Retreat concludes Saturday Night after dinner. Cost for camp is $25. This includes lodging, activities and food while they're at camp. Bring $5 - $10 for Friday night dinner on the way and also snacks.

New Parenting Class
New Parenting Class begins Sunday, April 14th 9:30 a.m. in Room 200. "Parenting by Grace: Discipline and Spiritual Growth" is a class for parents who raising children preschool through teenagers.

Pictorial Directory
New West-Ark Pictorial Church Directory is on the way. This time we are producing the directory in house. Picture updates will be taken at our building Sunday, April 14th, 21st, 28th, and also on Wednesday, April 17th and 24th. Stop by Room 106 (off the foyer) on any of these dates ½ hour before services begin or after services conclude.

Carpet Replaced
The replacement of the carpet in the auditorium will begin next week and last approximately two weeks. The area is enormous, and at some point each pew must be moved. The schedule focuses on doing the job in a manner that will create the least amount of disruption to our worship and study assemblies. Seating should be adequate for each assembly (including Sunday mornings). Sunday evenings and Wednesday evenings may require everyone to move forward. Please cooperate in every possible way.

Suitcases Needed
The Guyana Medical Mission team needs BIG suitcases to use on their trip (they do not need small ones). Just remember, the suitcases will endure lots of rough handling on the trip and, according to Roy, "most likely" will not be returned.

LIFE Group 2nd Anniversary is coming up. The LIFE Group Leaders/Coleaders Celebration Meal will be on Friday night, April 19, 6 p.m. The whole family is invited.

West-Ark Golf Tournament -- 4 Person Scramble, Saturday, April 20. See or call Brad soon to enroll your foursome. Deadline is Wednesday, April 10.

Remember in Prayer
Jack Bew, father of Diane Arnold had quadruple heart by-pass surgery Tuesday morning at Baptist Hospital in Little Rock. He is doing well.

Tyler Ogletree (Jane Choate's 2 1/2 year old great-grandson) is still very ill. Doctors are continuing to search for a treatment for his epilepsy.

Roger Ransom (husband of Betty) is in Sparks Hospital.

Julie Vanderpool (a friend of David Boozer's) is in Sparks, room 418.

We have been informed that the Nelson family in a sister congregation in Clarksville is enduring a deeply distressful time filled with grief as the result of an unexpected death. Your prayers for the Nelsons are requested.

Continued Prayers
Charles Jackson; Wendell Needham; Rebecca Holloway's father, James Epton; Erma Beshears (Patti Anderson's mother); Allie Green (Allie Whitaker's mother).

Missionaries
In Thailand: _____; Thomas and Kindy Kweekul; Jerry Canfield
In France: John Paul & Ruby Lee Hundley

Prayer for Encouragement
Sharon Steward asked for our encouragement and prayers Sunday morning. She wishes to be a part of this congregation. As she explained her decision, she said, "Thank you for not giving up on me." Sharon, we rejoice in your decision and are happy to welcome you as a part of us. Sharon's address is 3814 Southridge Estates, Fort Smith, AR 72916, Phone 646-4855.

Baptisms
Willie Mahone made the decision to belong to Jesus Christ Thursday, March 28. She was baptized into Christ Thursday night. Willie, thank you for your decision! We want to encourage you as you continue your growth in Christ. Willie's address is 309 South 3rd, Apt. 12, Van Buren, AR. She does not have a phone at this time.

Mary Sexton also decided to be baptized into Christ Sunday. Her husband, Jesse, was baptized about two weeks ago. Mary, thank you for your study and your decision. May we encourage each other as we all seek to make Christ our Lord. Mary and Jesse are moving. We hope to have a new address soon.

Baby Shower
A shower honoring Arianna Heras (daughter of Louis and Mickey Mendez) is planned for Sunday, April 14, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the Annex. Arianna is registered at Wal-Mart and Toys 'R Us.

Bridal Shower
A shower honoring Lindsay Barton, bride-elect of Dale Lusby, is planned for Sunday, April 21, from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. in the FLC. Dale and Lindsay are registered at Dillards, Linens 'N Things, and Wal-Mart. Hostesses are Linda Wear, Bea McDonald, Terri Jones & Brenda Lenderman.

Note of Thanks
To my Brothers & Sisters in Christ,
Thank you for your concerns, prayers, calls and wonderful food during our loss. I love you all.
Barbara Smith and Family

60+ Spring Potluck
. . . is Saturday, April 20th at 6 p.m. in the FLC. Come and enjoy our special entertainment. You'll be sorry if you miss it!!

Birthdays (April 14-20)
April 14
Tim Davis
Wilburn Howard
Donald Neisler

Praise be to God for all of his blessings and for his indescribable gift. Memories of good and bad things are blessings as they remind us of who we are and where weve come from. This week is my three year anniversary and reminder of my brain tumor and surgery. I am thankful for all God has done for me since April 99.

Two more reminders are in order this week and both involve our coming mission opportunities in Ensenada, Mexico. First of all, our next Mexico meeting for our entire team is this coming Sunday, April 7th from 12:00-3:00 p.m.

We will meet together in the gym immediately after the morning services. Lunch will be provided. After lunch we will watch a video, discuss several different items concerning our trip, and break into teaching teams and work on our classes and skits. This meeting is mandatory! Well be leaving before you know it.

Second, there will be a 4 person scramble golf tournament to benefit the Mexico Mission on Saturday, April 20th at 1 p.m. at Ben Geren Park. The cost is $40 per person and this includes your green fee. The sign-up list for the tournament is on a table in the foyer. You will find all details about the tournament on the table.

Each team needs to select a team captain and you need to sign your team up no later than Wednesday, April 10th so appropriate plans can be made. Several prizes and awards will be given out and we will have a great time together. Come join us on April 20th for a day of fun and make your tax deductible contribution to the Mexico Mission Team. Checks for your entry fee can be made payable to the West-Ark Church of Christ.

Last year, many of you were gracious and made personal contributions to this Mission team in order to help our team of 32 meet our financial needs. This year, we are taking 47 people from West-Ark and the needs are even greater. We appreciate all of you who make donations to support this work and especially those of you who pray for our safety and for the children in Ensenada. God will bless all of you for your acts of love and kindness. (Matthew 25:31-46 and James 1:27)

Sunday Worship (10:30).............737
Sunday Classes (9:30) ...............478
Evening Worship (6:00)..............287
Wednesday Worship (7:00)........320
Sunday Contribution ............$18,172