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Family Lines
Newsletter, July 21,
2002
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**Communication: Transferring Understanding**
By David
Chadwell
For over forty years communication has been the center of my
work. Teaching relies on communication. To me, preaching is
teaching. Teaching communicates insights and understandings. Communication
does more than transfer information. Communication also shares the
insights and understandings information produces. No, I am not a
master communicator. I am a student who hopes to continue learning.
I frequently am reminded that communication is a challenging,
demanding, low success rate commitment. Why?
Some people hear what they expect to hear.
Some
people listen when they decide before hand the information will be
relevant.
Some people hear to react rather than listen to
comprehend.
Some people fear information they have not
considered.
Some people are intimidated by old information that is new
to them.
Some people listen to advance understanding.
None of this is new. The Old Testament and the Gospels
speak of people who illustrate each observation. Most people
misunderstood Jesus. His own disciples struggled with some of his
teachings and actions. Yet, he still taught and did the things they did
not understand. Why? He lived and taught to be people's window to
God.
We Christians teach to be windows to Jesus. When we
point people toward an understanding of Jesus, Jesus points them to an
understanding of God. The best picture of God the Father is seen in Jesus'
life and teachings.
The following are not intended as criticisms, but as
illustrations. (1) Several told me they heard excellent things about my
son Jon's seminar/interaction sessions on personality types Saturday
morning. Some said, "I am sorry I did not come --I did not know I
could." (2) I recently have heard several reports from people who did not
know "Peak of the Week" occurs each Wednesday night. (3) For years I have
been amazed at what some say I said in a lesson [both good and bad
statements].
Communicating is difficult. Why? (1) Sharing
unfamiliar information is difficult. (2) Sharing unfamiliar insights is
equally (maybe more so?) difficult.
Two thousand years ago Jesus quoted a prophet's
writings. The prophet lived hundreds of years before Jesus' birth.
Jesus used the quotation to explain his use of parables. "With their ears
they scarcely hear, and they have closed their eyes, otherwise they would see
with their eyes, hear with their ears, and understand with their heart and
return, and I would heal them" (Matthew 13:15). Communication always has
been difficult, even for Isaiah and Jesus.
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**Excursions in Education**
By Ted Edwards
Growing up as a child I remember looking forward to VBS with
great anticipation.
There were always new experiences that would happen at VBS
unlike the regular routine of Sunday and Wednesday. VBS is a time to make
new friends, learn new songs and Bible lessons in a unique way, and also get
involved in creating a craft that somehow relates to the day's lesson or weekly
theme. And of course, there is always time to enjoy a cup of Kool-Aide and eat
cookies everyday.
Looking back, VBS had a positive impact on my
formative years. The same is true when we look at the children that will attend
our VBS next week. There is still room for adult volunteers to become
involved. See Dena Jenkins or Carolyn Harrell for more information.
VBS - "Journeys For Jesus"
Monday - Friday, July 22-26
9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Age 4 years through 6th grade
Parents, you can register your children at the table in the
foyer, or online at the church web site.
Cookies, we need cookies! The sign-up sheet is in the
foyer.
We need to borrow ficus trees & silk bushes or trees.
Contact Dena Jenkins at 478-6486 or Carolyn Harrell at 646-3328 if you can
help.
Remember:
Due to VBS, there are no Bible classes on
Wednesday night, July 24.
**Caring for our Shut-in and Homebound Members**
This week,
take a moment to send a card, make a visit, or call one of these
members:
Ruth Edwards
10812 Old Harbor Road #2
Fort Smith, AR
72903
Phone: 452-7594
Frances Gilley
Methodist Nursing Home
1915 South
74th
Fort Smith, AR 72903
Phone: 782-2950
Waymon Griffin
Methodist Nursing Home
1915 South 74th,
#26D
Fort Smith, AR 72903
Bertha Glover
c/o Pink Bud Nursing Home
Box
2000
Greenwood, AR 72936
**Singles Organizational Meeting**
Sunday night, July 21,
after services in the Annex, we will discuss service projects, activities, and
trips which singles might like to do together. Bring finger food and a
friend. For more information contact Charlotte Pinedo, Rebecca Holloway,
Carlene Payne, or Glenda Hodnett.
**Happy Birthday**
July 28
Miriam Gunn
Terri Parker
Retha
Wood
July 29
Caroll Robison
Jerry Selby
Deborah
Strong
Bill Yick
July 30
Cathy Harris
July 31
Jerry Aldridge
Anetia Livesay
August 1
Myra Flippo
Pat Beard
Patricia
Smith
August 2
Paul Tucker
August 3
Jay Glidewell
Mary Huff
Matthew
Jones
Charles Karr
**Sunday's Lessons**
Morning: "Let The Little Children Come Unto Me"
By Brad
Pistole
Evening: Acts (Part III): Understanding Our Origin
By
David Chadwell
Please bring your Bibles!
**Nolasco Family**
Home furnishings and a car are still needed.
Please contact
Ted Edwards or David Boozer
if you have items to donate.
If you would like to purchase a gift for the family,
they
are registered at the Wal-Mart Supercenters.
In the registry, search
for
first name = Oscar and
last name = Westark.
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**The Wonder Working Power of Prayer**
*Shirley Holsinger (sister of Louise Howard) is having tests
for problems related to her head and sinuses.
*Shirley Bullard requests prayers for her mother, Kathleen
Yother, who had hip surgery Thursday at St. Edward Hospital.
*Myra Jean Hester (sister of Marceil Stevens and Anetia
Livesay) is recovering from surgery.
*Cindy Ross is in Sparks, room 407.
*Betty Porter is waiting for test results.
**Continued Prayers**
Erma Beshears, Anita Maxwell, Ruth
Choate, Bobbye Hughes, Phil White, Hazel Richards, and Charles
Tummons.
**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Genevieve
Rhodes in the recent death of her sister, Gwyn Talent. Gwyn was a member
of the College Terrace congregation.
**Placing Membership**
Anita Maxwell
The Links
Apartments
5100 S. Zero, #1601
Fort Smith, AR 72903
Anita is the mother
of Laurie Armstrong.
**Baptism**
Callie Walker
907 Lincoln
Van Buren, AR
72956
Phone: 474-1822
Callie was baptized June 30th by Brad Pistole. She
is the daughter of Duane and Marquetta Walker.
**New Arrival**
Congratulations to Amy and Erik Lowry on
the birth of a son, Wyatt Lane. Wyatt was born Friday, July 12, and
weighed 7 lbs., 4 ozs., and was 19 3/4 inches long. Jack & Janice
Lowry, and Debbie & Jimmy Edwards are the proud grandparents; Harold &
Ruth Gouty are happy great-grandparents.
**Inner City Ministry This Weekend**
Saturday, July 20, is
our next luncheon and devotional. Lunch workers meet at 11:15 a.m. across
from Fort Smith Beverage. Workers who sack food and sort clothes meet at 10:30
a.m. at the CURE Building.
**60+ Potluck**
A "summertime" potluck is planned for
Saturday, July 20th at 6:00 p.m. in the Family Life Center.
**Dishes, Dishes**
Has your dish run away with the spoon?
We have lots of dishes left over from various church functions. Look on the
table in the hallway between the Nursery and Library to reclaim your dish. After
August 15th, unclaimed dishes will find a new home.
**Note of Thanks**
Dear West-Ark Members,
Just to say
THANK YOU all for your prayers, cards, and e-mail for my surgery and
recover.
Warren Gardenhire
The family of Maurine Edwards wishes to express special thanks
to all who helped during our time of grief. We appreciate the beautiful peace
plant and all expressions of condolence. There were many expressions from our
family about the beautiful singing, some were hearing our a cappella for the
first time, and they loved it.
Bonnie Marrs.
Note from Myra Flippo:
Helen Needham called the office a
few days ago and wanted the congregation here to know how much they missed
West-Ark, and how much they hold us in their fond memories with
love.
**Suggestion Box**
During our last Family Meeting, it was suggested
that a "suggestion box" be available to the church :-) A box is now in the
foyer on the Information table. Forms are available, and you are encouraged to
present ideas to the elders.
**Weddings**
Mr. and Mrs. Jay Trotter
request the honour of your
presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Leanne Michelle
to
Michael Allen Rainbolt
on Saturday, the third of August
at two o'clock
in the afternoon
First Baptist Church
105 South Spring Street
Searcy,
Arkansas
and afterwards at the reception
College Church of Christ
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Amanda Dawn Moulder
and
Aaron Wade Davis
request the honor of
your
presence at their marriage
Saturday, the third of August
at two
o'clock in the afternoon
West-Ark Church of Christ
Fort Smith,
Arkansas
Reception immediately
following ceremony
RSVP
1-888-538-3030
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**Living Images of God's Healing Truth**
By Brad Pistole
Vacation Bible School is finally here! I must admit, this is one of my
favorite weeks of the entire year. I love being with the children, singing
praises to God, teaching them lessons from the Bible, etc.
I hope you will make plans this weekend, if you haven't already, to take
your children/grandchildren to VBS, 2002. Our theme is Journeys For Jesus, and
we will be talking about some of the missionary journeys Paul and the other
disciples took in order to teach others about Christ.
We will meet in the auditorium each day at 9:30 a.m. After 25 minutes of
singing and a brief skit, we will take the kids through different classes. They
will learn a different story each day and will make a craft that goes along with
their lesson. Then, we will wrap things up in the auditorium from 11:15-11:30.
If you have a 4 year old through 6th grade, you really should allow them to
experience VBS with 175 other young people from our area. They will never forget
the relationships and experiences from this week.
Dont ever forget: Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he
is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6)
**Special News**
On Friday, July 26th, a group of 55 teens and adults
will be leaving for St. Louis, MO for Soul Lift. It is a youth rally thats put
together by Harding University. We will leave Friday at 4 p.m. and we will
return by 11:30 p.m. on Monday. This will provide a great opportunity for our
families to be together for fellowship and worship for three days. Please keep
us in your prayers as we travel.
**Nursery**
Infants: Gail Mason, Tracy Risley, Bo Mason
Toddlers:
Flora Johnson, Missy Blasdel, Christy Abernathy
P.M. Infants: Linda Wear,
Terri Jones
**Schedule of Services**
Sunday Worship (10:30)..............636
Sunday Classes (9:30)
...............449
Evening Worship (6:00)..............354
Wednesday
Worship (7:00)........ 368
Sunday Contribution ............$15,709
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