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Family Lines
Newsletter, August 11,
2002
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**Ultra-Selfishness and God's Forgiveness**
By David
Chadwell
We live in a selfish country existing in a selfish
world. In specific ways, all countries and all ages have been
selfish. Christianity began in a "me" centered society located in a "me"
centered empire. Perhaps saying we are a selfish society indicates no more
than this: today's selfishness continues a long history of human selfishness in
every age.
Evil always makes people selfish. Eve ate the forbidden
fruit to have God's knowledge of good and evil. Cain killed his brother
Abel. Israel built a golden calf in the wilderness. Israel worshipped the
Baals in Canaan. The rich young ruler asked Jesus the "right" question. Ananias
and Sapphira lied about their gift. They all thought what they did was to
their advantage.Selfishness motivated all of them, and resulted in horrible
consequences. What appeared to be "good for me" was disastrous.
Sometimes fear produces selfishness. Sometimes pleasure produces
selfishness. Sometimes the desire for advantage produces
selfishness.
We live in a sexually saturated society that makes sexual
pleasure an American god. Our commercials, our television programs, our
movies, and our Internet all have a significant sexual component.
The more devoted we become to this god, the more selfish we
become. It is not the unselfish relationship of successful marriage many
seek. It is the "rightful" pursuit of personal gratification many
demand. As hunger for selfish sexual excitement grows, marriage
disintegrates, divorce is common, and pornography is a constitutional
"right."
The most devastating result of sexual selfishness is
abortion. For some, discovery of a pregnancy is a worrisome inconvenience
threatening "my" lifestyle. For others, the discovery of a pregnancy is a
time of horrible fear and major anxiety. In both situations, there is a
"simple solution" -- abortion. One person endures the "inconvenience" of
abortion and feels little.
Another person fearfully submits to an abortion and never
forgives herself for destroying a life.Christians have a dilemma. We
are anti-abortion. Yet, we are pro-forgiveness. Please do not allow
the god of sexual pleasure to seduce you. Selfish gratification at the
altar of the god of sex kills.
God did not give us the gift of sexual intercourse to be
selfish. If worshipping at the altar of the god of sex resulted in a
pregnancy and abortion, learn about God's forgiveness. Repent and forgive
yourself by accepting God's forgiveness. Let Him heal your heart and
conscience with His forgiveness.
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**Changing Our Community --
One Thursday at a Time**
By
David Boozer
"Locate a resilient kid and you will also find a caring adult
-- or several -- who has guided him." I think that quote from U.S. News
& World Report holds the key to producing real change in our
community. One Christian adult plus one unchurched child equals
transformation, over time. I simply see no way that this uncomplicated
formula can go wrong. It is not a quick fix solved by a two-day seminar;
it is nothing less than us rolling up our sleeves and just doing it.
Earlier this year, from February through May, twenty West-Ark
Christians became involved with twelve students from Spradling Elementary.
These kids needed some extra help with school work, but they also needed to
observe how followers of Christ acted. Some probably had not encountered
that before. But every Thursday afternoon, that is what they
saw.
Beginning September 5, most of these same children will be
back, seeing the same thing. Already, three new ones have been added, before
school has even started. They were not recruited, they came to us!
These kids want to be with us. Tutors are needed who want to be with
them. From September through December, we will meet with these young
students every Thursday from 3:15 through 5:00 p.m. eating snacks, playing
games, and just talking. The more tutors we have, the more children we
will transform. Are you interested? Are you ready to step out of
your comfort zone? Pick up "THE WAY's Thursday Kids Frequently Asked Questions"
information sheet in the foyer of the church building to find out more
information. Then fill out the "Tutor Information" sheet and get it to
Leslie Holland or David Boozer. Then be prepared to let God use you to
bless our community.
**LTC Sign Up**
Anyone still wishing to sign up for an LTC
event, please call Pam and Hank Watlington at 452-9381.
**New Coordinator**
Our thanks to Misty Floyd who has
agreed to serve as the Bible class coordinator for 2 years old through 1st
grade. Misty, we appreciate your service!
**Peak of the Week Break**
"Peak of the Week" will take a
break for the remainder of August. It will resume on Wednesday night,
September 4th.
**Revelation Class Continues**
The Revelation class for
grades 5, 6, and 7 continues Sunday afternoon at 5:00 p.m. in room
100.
**Note from Nolasco Family**
Dear Family of West-Ark,
Since the first time I came to Fort Smith to visit, you made
me feel like home. Now with my family, we feel we are part of the West-Ark
family.
Thank God we have received so many blessings from you that it
would be difficult to describe them. We have felt so much your love and your
care for us.
Keep praying for us so that we can preach the gospel to the
Hispanics in Fort Smith for which we have been called. Thank you!
This is our address and phone number:
2114 South M Street
Fort Smith, AR 72901
Home phone:
783-8975
Cell phone: 629-5769
Oscar, Alicia, Jeff & Gary Nolasco
**Fellowship for Edwards Family**
This week, Ted Edwards
accepted the position of Involvement Minister at the Southside Church of Christ
in Rogers, Arkansas. The Edwards Family will be moving very soon to
Northwest Arkansas (how we'll miss you!). A fellowship in their honor is
planned for Sunday night in the FLC following worship. Please bring finger
foods and, if you wish to participate in the money tree, give your $$ to Blake
or Colleen Frost. A basket for cards will also be available.
**Women's Jail Ministry**
Women are needed to teach a Bible
class every Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. for one hour in the
Sebastian County
Jail. Will you commit to just one class a month? If you are interested
or have questions, contact Rochelle Brown.
**Wednesday WINGS Sign-up**
Our fellowship is September
4.
The first class is September 11.
The sign-up list is outside the
Library. The book is $6.00.
WE PREFER CHECKS (they make record keeping
easy!)
If you pay cash, please put it in an envelope
with your name on it
and give it to
one of the co-leaders.
**Happy Birthday**
August 18
Venoma Foster
Barbara
Miller
August 19
Thelma Blackburn
Ruth Burns
Rachel
Herndon
Louise Howard
Cecil Knight
Benjamin Webber
August
20
Emily Kamp
Ben Pearson
Tanner Robbins
August 21
Samuel
Broom
Nolan Marr
August 22
Leo Atkins
Deborah Wilson
August
24
Christopher George
Robin Harper
Betty Summers
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**Say A Prayer For**
*Don Neisler will have a heart arteriogram Friday morning at
Sparks Hospital.
*Sandy Berger had a biopsy of a lymph node on her neck taken
Wednesday. She expects biopsy results by the end of the week.
*Virgil Kirchner is scheduled for leg circulation surgery at
Sparks Hospital on Friday, August 16th. He will be in the hospital 3-5 days for
recovery.
*Jacqueline Oliver is home from Children's Hospital. We were
so happy to see Jacqueline in Bible class last Sunday morning!
*Will Ed Warren is scheduled for tests in
mid-August.
*Mildred Lawman (formerly of West-Ark) is doing well after
surgery. If you would like to send her a card, her address is P.O. Box 6930,
Room 213-A, Sherwood, AR 72124.
**Continued Prayers**
Erma Beshears (Patti Anderson's
mother), Anita Maxwell, Jackie Hamilton, Shirley Holsinger (sister
of Louise Howard), Myra Jean Hester (sister of Marceil Stevens and Anetia
Livesay).
**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Bob
Faries in the death of his mother, Bula Faries on Tuesday morning. Graveside
services are Friday at 11:00 a.m. at National Cemetery.
Our love and sympathy is also extended to Glenn Gilley in the
death of his sister, Dorothy Smith. Funeral services were Wednesday in Atkins,
Arkansas.
A private, graveside service was conducted for George and
Hazel Hastings Thursday morning. That was followed by a public memorial service
at 10:00 a.m. at the West-Ark Church. We share the family's sorrow and pray for
God's strength upon all of us. Jerry Hastings informed us that memorials are to
be given to the West-Ark congregation to assist in our community outreach
program. He stated this outreach had great meaning to George.
**Cards for Hastings Family**
If you would like to send a card, we have the addresses for
George and Hazel's children.
Judi Poulos
4557 Normandy Way
Grand Prarie, TX
75052
Jerry Hastings
15214 Camino Del Sol
Houston, TX
77083
**New Pictorial Directories Ready**
Pick up your new
directory from the church foyer. Please change Stan Musick's phone number on
page 23 to 783-8506.
**60+ Potluck**
A potluck is planned for Saturday, August
17th at 6:00 p.m. in the FLC.
**Baby Showers**
A baby shower honoring Melissa Myers is
planned for Sunday, August 11, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. in the home of Paige
Kimbrow, 9601 Darlington Way in Fort Smith. Melissa is registered at Toys 'R Us.
It's a boy!
You are invited to a baby shower honoring Rachel Ann Robbins,
daughter of new members Stephen and Gayle Robbins. We invite everyone (not
just ladies) to come to the Family Life Center anytime between 2 and 4 on August
18 to welcome Rachel and get to know Gayle and Stephen. Rachel is
registered at Wal-Mart and especially needs books, developmental toys, and
12-month plus clothing. For more information, contact Colleen Frost or
Judi Green.
**Bridal Shower**
A shower honoring Jennifer Coleman is
planned for Thursday, August 15th at 7:00 p.m. in the Family Life Center.
**Notes of Thanks**
To the West-Ark Church,
Thank you
for all the West-Ark church has meant to us over the past twelve years. We will
always have a special remembrance of you. We appreciate so many who were able to
attend our reception our Care Group gave for us. The Graymere congregation here
has given us a warm "welcome back." We are enjoying renewing old friendships and
meeting new people. We send our best wishes for West-Ark's continued peace,
harmony and love for the Lord.
We love you,
Sam & Lucy
Roberts
To the Minister and Church family,
We would like to
thank you very much for the use of all your wedding equipment and your support
during our wedding. May God bless and we'll keep you in our prayers.
Mr &
Mrs. Dwayne Zeffer
Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Roberts
**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:
Marie Lile
3614 Roosevelt
Fort Smith, AR 72904
Phone:
782-0447
Oneta Love
4216 Virginia
Fort Smith, AR 72904
Phone:
783-7480
Wilma Mizell
9607 Meandering Way
Fort Smith, AR
72903
Phone: 452-4221
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**Living Images of God's Healing Truth**
By Brad
Pistole
I know it's hard to believe, but it is true: your last week of
summer freedom is starring you squarely in the face. That's right! The 2002
summer break only has one week remaining as the first day of school for most
area teens begins August 19th.
That also means that our frenzy of weekly youth activities
will also slow down a bit. It's time to begin processing what we've learned all
summer and begin putting it into practice in the world we live in from day to
day.
Many of our teens haven't been challenged spiritually this
summer the way they will be when school begins. They've had the opportunity to
grow and sharpen their spiritual skills and now they are better prepared to help
change the world they are a part of on a daily basis.
As the summer comes to
a close, don't forget to check out our website at www.westarkchurchofchrist.org/youth
and click on "calendar" to see our schedule for the fall which begins in only 2
weeks. Jump-start Youth rally is coming soonÂ…August 23-25.
**Sunday Night After Church**
Finally, I want to encourage
everyone to stay after services this Sunday night for the special fellowship for
the Edward's family in the FLC. This will be their last Sunday with us. Ted has
accepted a position with the Southside congregation in Rogers and begins work
there in a couple of weeks.
Please show your appreciation to the Edward's family for all
they've done for us over the past 4 years. We pray for God's blessings upon them
as they begin an exciting new ministry opportunity in Rogers. We love you Ted,
Kathy, Rhiannon, Rayna, and Caleb.
**Nursery Schedule**
A.M. Infants
Trish Carson
Lisa Broom
Misty
Floyd
Toddlers
Jon Huff
Liz Huff
P.M. Infants
Marquita Walker
Molly Walker
Roxie
Benincosa
**Schedule of Services**
Sunday Worship (10:30)................624
Sunday Classes
(9:30) ..................416
Evening Worship (6:00)................. 239
Wednesday Worship (7:00)........... 328
Sunday Contribution
................$20,343
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