West-Ark Newsletter, 1 September 2002

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Family Lines Newsletter, September 1, 2002
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Paul wrote a letter to the Christians in the Roman province of Galatia. Christians there dedicated to spiritual peace, spiritual development, and unity in Christ must have been extremely discouraged. Their preoccupation with "putting out fires" among Christians left little time or energy to devote to peace, development, and unity.

Some Jewish Christians from Judea attacked Paul's message to them [the message that converted them!]. They declared Paul's misunderstanding of the gospel produced a flawed message (1:6-2:10). Paul told non-Jews they could be saved through Christ without coming to him through Judaism. These Christians from Judea said Paul was horribly wrong. They told Galatian Christians (a) they were not saved and (b) their sins were not forgiven. Certainly they could be saved and forgiven. However, that was possible only if they approached Christ by learning to do things the Jewish way.

To make matters more discouraging, the leading Jewish apostle visited non-Jewish Christians in Antioch of Syria (2:11-14). At first his visit was wonderful! He had table fellowship with non-Jewish Christians just as he did with Jewish Christians.

However, when he learned Jewish Christians from Judea were coming to Antioch, he ceased table fellowship with non-Jewish Christians. He feared the Jewish Christians who were coming. Insulting these non-Jewish Christians was not enough! He convinced other Jewish Christians there (including Barnabas, a Jewish missionary to non-Jewish people!) to end their table fellowship with non-Jewish Christians. How depressing to all Christians who were not Jews!

Additional discouragement: some non-Jewish Christians there did not understand the essential importance of allowing God's Spirit to bear fruit in their lives. Their lifestyle still was determined by physical desires instead of spiritual commitment (see chapter 5).

As he closed, Paul wrote, "Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith" (Galatians 6:9,10).

* Evil is always present.
* Injustice is always obvious.
* "Good" people make terrible mistakes.
* "Evil" people continuously create pain and struggle.
* Needs continuously overwhelm best efforts.
* Nothing is "fixed" or "resolved" permanently.

So why try? "We are just plain tired!" Ah, but we forget. What? We do not do good because we can permanently "fix" everything in this world. We do good because God does good, and we are God's children. This world is temporary. God's home is not.

During the middle of the week, are you ...
* Craving more opportunities to praise God with your brothers and sisters?
* Yearning to hear a variety of speakers talk about how they make their lives more like His?
* Simply in need of a little encouragement to stay on course and finish out the week?
Then welcome back to Peak of the Week!

Beginning Wednesday, September 4, at 7:00 p.m., you are invited to assemble with us in the Family Life Center for a fresh opportunity to grow closer to our Father and to each other. Be prepared to sing, pray, read scripture, and be challenged and encouraged by a variety of speakers. Every Wednesday from September through December, we will focus on what it means to live "In His Image." So join us and be inspired to finish out each week as a people striving together to live in His image.

**Tutor Meeting**
This is a special note for ...
* Anyone who has already signed-up to be a tutor.
* Anyone who is thinking about becoming a tutor, but may have some questions about it.
* Anyone who has nothing to do on Sunday evening at 5:15.
If you fit any of these descriptions, then you should come to a short tutor information, question, and answer meeting Sunday, September 1, at 5:15 p.m. in Room 100.

There are more children asking for tutors than there are West-Ark Christians signed up to tutor them. Some of these kids have come to us asking us to spend time with them. Let's not disappoint them. Our first day of tutoring them begins Thursday, September 5, at the Windsor Drive building. Come Sunday evening and get the facts!

**Promotion Sunday**
Children who are 2 years old through 1st grade are promoted to their new Bible classes this Sunday and Wednesday, September 1 and 4.

**L.T.C. News**
Please check the lists in the foyer for correction. Anyone who would like to sign up for an event please add your name. There are four new challenge events for this year's convention. Adults are needed for coaches in these events. There have been rule changes concerning scripture challenge: grades 3-6 (50), 7-9 (80), and 10-12 (100). Everyone planning to attend the convention in Tulsa sign up so we can get a number to start the reservation process. Contact Hank or Pam at 452-9381 if you questions.

**Christmas Gifts for Workers at City of Children**
This year we would like to send Christmas presents to the City of Children workers. Patty, the director's wife, has given the following list of items they cannot obtain in Mexico.

All the workers love T-shirts. The men who work outside prefer long sleeves. Arkansas shirts are a big hit! There is a box in the foyer on the Mexico table if you would like to bring a gift for these workers. Please do not wrap the gifts as we will need to itemize them for shipment. There is a list next to the box that includes shirt sizes. See Roxie or Tom Benincosa if you have any questions.

Sunday Morning: My Origin and My View of You
Sunday Evening: Acts: Understanding Our Origin
This Sunday evening, David will end his sermon series from Acts. Because it is Labor Day weekend, some who have followed this series may be out of town. You can obtain a copy of the lesson by request (tape or printed copy), or from our web site at:
www.westarkchurchofchrist.org

River Valley Tournament in Dyer, September 21
4 person scramble (cost is $100 per 4 person team). There are 2 flights.
Call Jim Bullock at 474-5886 (work) or 632-3097 (home) to enter.
Make checks payable to Jim Bullock, 6020 Kibler Road, Van Buren, AR 72956 (memo: Golfers for Christ tournament). Lunch is included!

Valley View Tournament at Ben Geren, September 28
4 person scramble
Check in by 12:10 with tee off at 1:00 p.m.
Call Niketa Stinchcomb at (479) 996-3001 or Valley View Church of Christ at (479) 996-6040.

Kathy Bauer is Paige Kimbrow's mother and a former member of West-Ark. The cancer in her ovaries was a secondary cancer. The source has not been determined. She will have both chemotherapy and radiation treatments. If you would like to send a card, the address is: Mike and Kathy Bauer, #1 Gelan Court, Little Rock, AR 72223.

David Dodson, husband of Jennifer Dodson, was admitted to Sparks Hospital with chest pains. He has 100% blockage in one artery and 85% in another. He will be scheduled for by-pass surgery soon.

**Continued Prayers**
Erma Beshears, Anita Maxwell, Will Ed Warren, Justin Phillips (nephew of Jane Newman), Shirley Holsinger (sister of Louise Howard).

**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Rebecca Holloway in the death of her father, James Epton, Monday night. Funeral services were Wednesday afternoon in Nashville, Arkansas.

**Notes of Thanks**
To the West-Ark Church,
Thank you so much for all the cards, telephone calls and visits you have made in my behalf these past months. I'm improving, but it seems very slowly. However, I'm not giving up. Thank you for all the prayers you have prayed.
God bless you,
Wilma Mizell

Dear West-Ark Church of Christ,
Thank you for the lovely plant basket with peace lily and mum. Your thoughtfulness and warm kindness has been a great comfort to us all. May God bless you all.
Much love,
The Hastings Family

**Wedding Shower**
A shower in honor of Brian and Andrea Berryhill is planned for Sunday, September 8 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. in the home of Helen Pratt, 3705 May Branch Lane. Brian and Andrea are registered at Linens 'N Things and Dillards.

**Widows/Widowers**
Lunch will be at the Family Life Center at noon. Bring your recipes you want included in the cookbook. Call Janice (474-8851) or Mary (646-6079) if you need a ride.

**Hospice Volunteer Training**
St. Edward Mercy Hospice is offering evening classes for new hospice volunteers starting Tuesday, September 17 and continuing through November 5th. Call Dianne Kitchen at (479) 314-1156 or 1-800-225-9743.

**Singles Retreat**
Camp Galilee on Bull Shoals Lake
October 19 - 20
Cost is $20 which includes one
night lodging and four meals
Hosted by Singles from College & North Church of Christ
Mountain Home, Arkansas
If you are interested in going, please contact Glenda Hodnett.

**Wedding Invitation**
Dr. Bruce and Mabel Coleman
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Jennifer Kay
to Joshua Alan Fortenberry
son of Alan and Patricia Fortenberry
Saturday, the 14th of September at two o'clock in the afternoon
Mulberry Church of Christ
Hiway 64, Mulberry, Arkansas
Outdoor reception following

If you have been reading my article for the past few weeks, you are aware of a shift in the direction of our Youth Ministry at West-Ark. You have heard about a new focus that will be directed more toward "family ministry" as compared to "teen ministry."

The whole purpose of my training through Oklahoma Christian in family ministry is to better equip the entire family in the skills it needs to survive and thrive in today's world. After all, the family will not grow together because of the efforts of one or two family members. Everyone must work together for things to be effective.

There is a growing number of different types of families in our culture today. There are traditional families, divorced families, remarried/step families, single families, widowed families, etc.

Your leadership is committed to doing the best we can do to determine what types of families are represented in our congregation so we will be prepared to meet the needs that exist here.

As a result, in the coming weeks, we will ask you to participate in a CONGREGATIONAL NEEDS ANALYSIS. This will be a brief, 25 question survey that will help us get to know you better.

Through this survey, we will find out what types of families and what type of specific needs exist in our congregation. After we compile the results, we will be better prepared to plan for the types of special classes, seminars, activities, and outreach we will need to provide in order to strengthen our families here at West-Ark.

Your participation in this survey is critical. We need to hear from ALL OF OUR MEMBERS in order to make informed decisions about what will be best for ALL of our families here. More information about the survey and the date for the survey will be coming soon ...

**Schedule of Services**
Sunday Worship (10:30)................690
Sunday Classes (9:30) ..................368
Evening Worship (6:00)................. 323
Wednesday Worship (7:00)........... 383
Sunday Contribution ................$15,418