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Family Lines
Newsletter, April 21,
2002
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**THIS AND THAT**
David Chadwell
A huge thanks to all those who made this years Leadership
Training for Christ an influential tool in the lives of our children and
teens! Sunday evening the young men were completely in charge of our
evening assembly. After dismissal, singing groups, a puppet group, and two drama
groups shared presentations. Thanks to all for their continued involvement!
Thanks to Hank and Pam Watlington for assuming the coordination of this program
for then next two years! That work blesses the lives of our children. It
blesses the church right now as we grow toward the future.
Next week five area congregations will host Round Robin.
Each evening, Monday through Friday, we are invited to assemble with five
different congregations.
Five speakers, ministers of each of those congregations, will
speak on the theme, "The Restoration of New Testament Christianity."
Monday the Mulberry church hosts us as Jim Boatright discusses "Restoration
Facts."
Tuesday the Valley View church (Greenwood) hosts us as N.D.
Meador discusses, "Continuing Restoration."
Wednesday we are the
host as I discuss, "Gods View of Restoration."
Thursday the Alma
church hosts us as Merrill Pense discusses "Jesus and the Restoration
Principle."
Friday the Roland church hosts us as Phil Smith
discusses "The Hope of Restoration."
Each evening begins (6:30
p.m.) with a thirty-minute period of singing. Each evening the speaking
assembly begins at 7:00 p.m. Each evening concludes with a fellowship
gathering. We urge all to attend as many evenings as possible.
The elders announced Sunday that Oscar Nolasco will begin
working in the Hispanic community of Fort Smith late this summer. He and
his family will move to Fort Smith from Hondurus. He and his wife have two
sons, one who begins his freshman year at Harding University this fall, and one
who is in the 7th grade.
1 John 1:5 states God sent Jesus into our physical world to be
light. He was such a powerful light that the strongest effort of evil
(darkness) could not overpower him or Gods light that shone through him.
Let Jesus light shine through you this week. Never allow evils darkness to
overpower Jesus light in your life.
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Excursions in Education
By Ted Edwards
"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve
others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone
speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves,
he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be
praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and
ever. Amen" (1 Peter 4:10-11).
Great Leaders are made, not born. It takes time along with
nurturing in order for a child to develop into a great Leader for Christ. LTC is
one of the ways that the West-Ark congregation is using to help our young people
in grades 3-12 find their gifts and develop their talents for the Lord.
We are in the process of expanding this ministry throughout
the entire year. Currently, we are in need of adults who will serve as coaches
and mentors to help our kids work on various ministry projects. No experience is
necessary, and you'll have plenty of help and guidance along the way.
If
you'd like to find out how you can serve in the Leadership Training for Christ
Ministry at West-Ark, see our new coordinators for LTC 2003 -- Hank or Pam
Watlington. Ted Edwards or Gary Brown are also available to answer any questions
that you might have.
**3-6 Grade Overnight Retreat**
Make plans now to join us
for a great time filled with friends, food, and fun in the LORD. The sign-up
sheet is in the foyer.
WHERE: West-Ark FLC
DATE: May 3-4, 2002
WHEN:
6:00 p.m. Friday Night to 10:00 a.m. Saturday Morning
WHY: To have fun in
the LORD
COST: $5 (covers pizza Friday night and breakfast Sat. morning)
**Have Your Picture Made -- It's A Snap!**
Work on our new
West-Ark Pictorial Church Directory is now in progress. We are producing the
directory "in house." If you would like to have a new picture made for the
directory, stop by Room 106 (the two-year-old class, off the foyer) on any of
the dates below ½ hour before services begin or after services conclude.
Sunday, April 21st, 28th, or
Wednesday, April 24th.
**No Bible Classes**
No adult or children's Bible classes
(except the Nursery) will meet Wednesday night, April 24, during the Round Robin
Fellowship series. The Nursery will be available.
**Round Robin Fellowship**
After services on Wednesday,
April 24, we'll host a fellowship in the FLC. We need EVERYONE to
bring LOTS of FOOD (finger foods of any kind -- (sandwiches, chips, dips,
vegetables, fruits, desserts, etc.). Remember, whether you are staying or not,
we need you to bring food. We'll be hosting around 500 folks! Drinks will be
provided.
**Note from the Barkers on LTC in New Mexico**
Dear Friends at West-Ark,
We thought that we would write
you a short note and tell you about our LTC. Gallup Church of Christ and
Manuelito Navajo Children's Home have never participated in LTC. Well, little
did they know that was fixing to change. :o)
When we moved here we only had about 3 months to prepare, but
prepare we did, we had 100% participation. We entered 6 events: poetry, Bible
reading, chorus, live Christian drama, bulletin boards, and Christian art. We
had 14 children participating this year, and we brought home 54 awards
!!!!!!! WOW, isn't that awesome !!!
It has changed the children here -- especially at the home in
a lot of ways. They are on fire for God and can hardly wait until next
year. They want to enter all the events, in fact, we are having our first
organizational meeting on the 21st of this month. Dave and I were the
church coordinators and drama and chorus coaches for the older children. We had
so much fun. God is sooooo good to us.
Thank you all for your support of the children here at
Manuelito. God is alive and working here with many young lives (and old ones
like us too, haha). We love everyone there, big hugs to you all.
In Christ we live,
Sharon and Dave Barker
Zach, Spencer,
Caleb,
Chris and Brooke
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**In Our Thoughts and Prayers**
Janice Prater is recovering from knee
surgery done on Tuesday.
Tom Blake (husband of Marjorie) had surgery on Wednesday and is doing fine.
He is in Sparks Hospital, room 532.
Dot Turpin (Winston's mother) has been dismissed from the hospital.
David Harwell is in St. Edward, room 4320.
Waymon Griffin (Mat's mother) is in Health South Rehab, room 210A.
Roger Ransom (husband of Betty) is in Sparks Hospital, room
634.
Mary Broyles' tests were all normal.
Julie Vanderpool is in Sparks, Intermediate ICU, bed 6.
Erma
Beshears (Patti Anderson's mother) had a chemotherapy treatment this
week.
Jewell Madzey requests prayers for her friend, Harry Rice
(heart and related problems).
**Missionaries**
In Thailand: _____.
**Change of Address**
Jessie and Mary Sexton
P.O. Box 592
Fort
Smith, AR 72902
Phone: 561-1732
Jessie and Mary are new members.
**Notes of Thanks**
Can't express how much the West-Ark family has blessed us over the last
twelve years. We are so thankful God led us to this place, the people we have
worked with on several projects, and all those who were just part of the family.
Thanks to our care group for the wonderful reception and for all the gifts of
love. We truly miss each one of you. Please call when you are in Northwest
Arkansas, and we will do lunch or dinner.
In Jesus,
Virg & Dorotha
To my West-Ark Family,
Words fail me to express my appreciation for
the love and support shown me and my family in prayers, visits, cards, food, and
flowers during the illness and death of our loved one Charles Jackson. May God
bless each of you.
Mary Frances Jackson
and Family
The nursery staff would like to say thank you to John Lindgren and his
brother in law, Timmy for laying the new carpet in the nursery. We also want to
thank Mark Hite who coordinated the whole project; and a big thank you to Brad
and the youth that helped move the furniture in the nursery so the carpet could
be laid.
The Nursery Staff
(If you would like to send a thank you card to Tim Naylor, his
address is P.O. Box 173, Cameron, OK 74932.)
**VBS Meeting**
COME ONE, COME ALL!!
Can you believe it?? It's time
to have our first meeting for VBS 2002! We will be meeting THIS SUNDAY, April
21, in Room 100 at 5 p.m. This year's VBS will be July 22-26.
We will be traveling with Paul on his missionary journeys and learning
about all of the different peoples who made up the first century church! It will
prove to be an exciting journey for us all - both teachers and children
alike!
If you want to help with VBS but will be unable to attend the meeting,
please contact Carolyn Harrell (646-3325) or Dena Jenkins (478-6486) or e-mail
at
denaj@swbell.net.
We are looking forward to hearing all of your wonderful ideas!
**Children's Vitamins Needed**
We are needing donations of
children's multiple vitamins (of any brand name) to take to Guyana. Tuesday
WINGS will divide them up into bags so that we can give each child a 30 day
supply. Donations may be placed in a box in the foyer labeled "Vitamins for
Guyana."
**Bridal Showers**
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 & Things, and Wal-Mart.
A shower honoring Mandy Russell, bride-elect of Darren Chilton, is planned
for Sunday, April 28th, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the Annex. Mandy is registered
at Linen & Things, Penneys, and Crate & Barrel.
**Pantry Needs**
tuna
canned meat products including spaghetti,
ravioli, (but not chill)
milk (dry or evaporated)
snack crackers
(other than saltines)
cookies
**David's Sermons**
"In Salvation's Recipe, There Is No Substite for
Faith" (a.m.)
"It's A Different World" (p.m.)
**Birthdays**
April 29
Jim Selig
April 30
Rebekah
Broom
Matthew Carson
May 1
Evan Foley
May 2
Lisa Broom
Hunter
Canfield
Ed Vampola
May 3
Melissa Blasdel
May 4
Lena
Hall
Aline Phillips
Danna Turpin
Braden Walker
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Living Images of God's Healing Truth
By Brad Pistole
Jesus knew what he was doing when he taught others about the importance of
service in a person's life. He knew what would happen to the individual that
served with a pure heart. Evidence of that has been everywhere the past three
weeks.
Beginning the week of Spring Break, Mark Hite, John Lindgren and several
teens and adults from the Mexico Mission team began work on the building. Their
goal was to move the furniture and recarpet the downstairs classrooms in the
elementary wing of the building.
I agreed to help organize the work by getting volunteers together for the
project and knew that it would mean several long days and late evenings.
However, what I've seen happen over the past three weeks has been well worth all
of the time it has taken.
We were supposed to complete the first leg of the work by Wednesday night
so all of the classes could meet. However, several people didn't think we could
be done by then. Much to everyone's surprise, we were finished by Tuesday
afternoon.
In fact, we worked together so well, they asked us to help with the nursery
(we were only supposed to help with the classrooms.) We thought we were finished
with the work, but we were only getting started. After we finished the nursery,
John asked us to help with the hallway and the auditorium. He and Mark thought
we could do it in two weeks.
When we started the long hallway just outside of the auditorium, servants
appeared on the scene from everywhere. People that had not even been asked to
help started coming early and staying late each day. People were lifting,
pushing, and organizing pews. Others were pulling, cutting and rolling carpet.
It was hard work!
I saw people with skinned knuckles, smashed fingers, and bloody ankles (the
bolts from the pews stuck out everywhere and it was quite humorous watching
everyone take a turn tripping over them.) However, people did not stop. We
finished the auditorium in just one week.
Attitudes were great. Hearts were touched. Relationships were built. Things
were accomplished that would not have been without the services of many
volunteers. Thank you for your kindness. Thank you for being like Christ. Thank
you John! Thank you Mark! You will reap what you have sown!
**Nursery**
A.M. Infants
Gail Mason
Erin Mason
Tracy
Risley
Toddlers
Flora Johnson
Missy Blasdel
Christy
Abernathy
P.M.
Linda Wear
Terri Jones
**Schedule of Services**
Sunday Worship (10:30).............735
Sunday Classes (9:30)
...............480
Evening Worship (6:00).............. 305
Wednesday
Worship (7:00)........ 390
Sunday Contribution ............$20,543
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