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Family Lines
Newsletter, September 15,
2002
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**We Are Not Alone**
By David Chadwell
Last Sunday morning I shared this thought: we must not
discourage God's influence in our lives. Along with several Bible
statements, I called this one to your attention:
Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed
for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30)
Consider this part of the statement: "... by whom you were
sealed for the day of redemption." The "sealed" Paul used illustrated the
fact that Christians at Ephesus must not "grieve the Holy Spirit" whom God
allows to live in His people. It referred to a well known practice in that
day. Persons of position or importance possessed signet rings. These
rings made imprints. An imprint declared something was a person's or from
him.
For example, when such a person wanted to send a private
letter to someone, he "sealed" the letter. Sealing wax was softened by
heat, closed the message, and was imprinted [while soft] with his
insignia. When the wax hardened, a broken "seal" was obvious.
What was the insignia's purpose? It said several
things. (1) "This is from me." (2) "I intend this message for you
personally." (3) "This message belongs to me. It is my property given
to you." It protected a private, personal message.
Consider the contrast. A message not sealed belonged to
anyone who wished to read it. They did not have our modern forms of mail
service. Often a message passed from person to person before final
delivery. If unsealed, everyone handling it could have it read.
Ownership of the message was questionable (a great way to start false
rumors!)
I think Paul made this point to those Christians: "You are
God's property, and God verifies that fact. His seal is the Holy Spirit's
presence in your lives." What did God's seal verify? (1) It verified
they were God's because they were in Christ. (2) It verified that their
relationship with God was individual and personal. (3) It verified that
their lives, their existence were God's property. They BELONGED to
God!
What was their responsibility? They must understand they
belonged to God. God's ownership was to be obvious in them internally --
in heart, in emotions, in dedication. God's ownership was to be obvious in
them externally -- in words spoken, in behavior, in habits. No one
associating with them should fail to be aware that they belonged to
God!
This statement includes an extremely important
encouragement. God was at work in their lives. His influence
actively worked in them to move them closer and closer to God. God's
influence within them must not be discouraged. They must not want to
discourage His influence. Why? This influence meant THEY WERE NOT
ALONE!
The person in Christ is not on his or her own! WE ARE
NOT ALONE!
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"3424 Johnson Street and a Place to Lay Hearts"
By David
Boozer
Everyone needs a place to lay their head; even foxes have
holes and birds have nests. Eight months ago on Sundays, a very small
group of people began "laying their heads" in a classroom at 4301 Windsor Drive
to study the Bible. Over the next few months, some dedicated West-Ark
Christians began helping. Then a few children started coming. Soon,
thirty to forty people were assembling together every Sunday evening at 4:00 to
sing, pray, study, and eat; in other words, we were assembling as the
church.
Last Sunday, this church of 46 people, the Way, crowded into
that Windsor Drive classroom for the last time. Beginning next Sunday,
September 15, the Way will begin meeting in a vacant church building at 3424
Johnson Street, just off of Midland Boulevard. The building is clean and
just the right size; it has soft, cushiony pews and a working central air
unit. But we have learned in the last eight months, that home, at least
the kind that most of us are looking for, has nothing to do with four walls and
a roof because home is where our hearts are, under whatever roof there may
be. And while we assembled at Windsor Drive, our hearts did not lodge
there during the week; they lodged with each other. That is becoming most
obvious by the way we get involved in each others' lives. And as much of a
blessing as 3424 Johnson Street is -- and believe me, it is a tremendous
blessing -- our hearts will not reside at that address either. As the Way
continues to grow closer to each other and the God that we serve, we continue to
learn that every person needs a place, not just to lay their head, but to lay
their heart.
**LTC Announcements**
1) L.T.C. coaches meeting 5:30 p.m.
Sunday in Room 100. Please come to pick up updated rules and participant lists.
2) L.T.C. Chorus (Grades 3-6). Practice begins Sunday,
September 15th at 6:30 p.m.
3) Chorus will meet each 1st and 3rd Sunday at 6:30 p.m.
Reminder: Sunday the 15th is the last day for sign-ups for
L.T.C.
**Christmas Gifts for Workers at City of Children**
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.
**Singles Retreat**
Camp Galilee on Bull Shoals Lake,
October 19 - 20. The cost is $20. If you are interested in going, please
contact Glenda Hodnett.
**High Chairs Available**
We have six new highchairs in the
Family Life Center for children who need them.
**Worship Advisory Committee**
The following committee has met
twice.
Dawson Urrutia, Youth
Daniel Word,
Student
Michael Jones and Melinda Griffin, Young Adults
Judi
Green, LaReeca Herndon, David Burns and Kevin Roberts; Family
Adults
Mary Broyles and Tom Porter; Seniors
Worship Goals & Objectives
Promote an environment that motivates
people to worship God:
* Hearts touched
* Spirits
moved
* God praised
If you have ideas or suggestions on better accomplishing these goals,
'
please contact an Advisory Committee member.
**Sermons**
Sunday Morning: Kevin Roberts, Speaking
Sunday Evening:
Gary Brown, Speaking
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**Say A Prayer For**
Sandy Berger began chemotherapy last Friday. She will have a treatment
every two weeks for the next six months.
Colleen Shirley will have a heart procedure on September 19th at Washington
Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville.
Kathy Rosalez had a CT scan on Thursday. She will also have a colonoscopy
October 1st.
Pat Campbell requests your prayers for her dear friend, Pat Hughes and her
family. Pat Hughes' son, Jeff, has been in St. Edward Hospital on life
support for a week.
Cecil Knight is in St. Edward, room 5214.
Martha Gooden is home from the hospital.
Don Neisler is in Sparks, room 584.
Herb Brasher is in St. Edward, room 3302.
Patricia (Vincent) Bishop is in Sparks intermediate ICU.
Erma Beshears and Kathy Bauer as they continue cancer treatments.
**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Willie Lyle in the
death of her daughter, Marcia Jones on Sunday. Graveside services were Wednesday
in Paris, Arkansas.
**60+ Potluck**
Our September potluck is Saturday, the 20th at 6 p.m. in
the Family Life Center.
**Sewing Need**
We need someone to do some light sewing and embroidery
work for items to be used in the Tabernacle for grades 2-6. Please call Carolyn
Harrell at 646-3325 if you can help.
**Baptism**
Bailey Williams
5014 S. 92nd
Fort Smith, AR
72903
Bailey was baptized Sept. 1. She is the daughter of Steve and Gina
Williams.
**Prayer Responses**
Jill Roberts
2304
Dundee
Fort Smith, AR 72908
Terry Robertson
1701 Churchill Road
Fort Smith, AR
72904
David Harwell
131 North 49th
Fort Smith, AR
72903
**Notes of Thanks**
Dear West-Ark Church,
Words cannot express the
deep gratitude we feel for every act of kindness bestowed upon us during the
long illness and death of our beloved father and husband, James Epton. We
appreciate so very much the flowers, plants, cards, phone calls, visits, prayers
and every word of love and comfort.
Rebecca Holloway & Helen
Epton
Dear West-Ark Family:
You all are like the Energizer Bunny. You
just keep on giving, caring and sharing your love, compassion and gifts.
Thank you so much for all your prayers, concerns and visits during my surgery,
and thank you so much for all the snacks, Dorotha didn't get hungry at all. They
were great. Everything was so much appreciated.
Love to all In
Jesus,
Virg Kirchner
Dear West-Ark Family,
The peace and strength we have received by the
many expressions of love and support you have sent is immeasurable. The shock of
my diagnosis and then our sudden loss of my Mother has been made so much easier
to bear because of your kindness. I realize that although we have basically been
away from West-Ark for almost two years that we still have the power of your
prayers to sustain us. What more could we possibly need? Only a continuation of
your prayers. Thank you.
In faith, with love,
Kathy and Mike
Bauer
**Fall Gospel Meeting**
September 23-25
Church of Christ in
Alma
45 Railroad Street
(479) 632-2659
6:30 p.m. for Singing
7:00
p.m. for Lesson
Theme: The Gospel of Isaiah
Merrill Pence, Speaker
**Birthdays**
September 22
Susan Berryhill
Jamey Burkhart
Jordan Haworth
September 23
Aaron Davis
Michael Doyle
Opal Hewett
Molly
Walker
Shirley Webb
September 24
Annona Burns
Randy Lenderman
September 25
Melinda Griffin
Darlene Hostetler
September 26
Patricia Campbell
Julie Kleman
Curtis McDonald
Sue
Medlock
Noah Risley
September 27
Gail Bishop
Patty Kaiser
William Tygart
September 28
Robbie Knight
Aspen Ruddick
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**Family Life Ministry**
By Brad Pistole
As most of you know, we are taking a break from hosting the annual
CROSSWALK Youth Rally that has taken place here the past 5 years.
This year, the rally will take place in Rogers, AR the weekend of September
21-22. The theme for this year will be "Get Your Game Face On," and we will be
focusing on I Corinthians 9:25 which says, "Everyone who competes in the games
goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we
do it to get a crown that will last forever."
Because of this, we walk from day to day with a specific purpose.
Everything we do is with eternal things in mind. We want our focus to be very
clear.
We will leave Saturday morning at 7:30 a.m., and we will return Sunday by 1
p.m. We would love for as many parents as possible to travel with us to Rogers
for the weekend. Just like last year, we will have a special class for all of
the adults which will be led by Dan Stockstill, a teacher from the Youth
Ministry department at Harding University.
If you cannot stay through Sunday, you can follow us up and return on
Saturday night. Please take the time to be a part of your teens life for the
weekend. See first hand and experience worship, prayer, classes and
relationships through Christ with your family.
If you are interested in going with us, you can find more information on
the Youth website at
www.westarkchurchofchrist.org/youth.
You may sign up on the youth information board upstairs in the hallway leading
into the gym.
**Nursery Care**
A.M. Infants: Gail Mason, Bo Mason, Tracy
Risley
Toddlers: Flora Johnson, Missy Blasdel, Christy Abernathy
P.M.
Nursery: Linda Wear, Terri Jones
**Schedule of Services**
Sunday Worship (10:30).................
633
Sunday Classes (9:30) ................. 421
Laotian
Attendance.......................33
The WAY (4:00) .........................
46
Evening Worship (6:00)................. 351
Wednesday Worship
(7:00)............... 347
Sunday Contribution ................$16,956
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