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Family
Lines Newsletter, October 13,
2002
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**Do I Know Who I Am?**
By David Chadwell
Some individuals know who they are. Some do not.
Some individuals comfortably ask themselves, "Who am I?" and comfortably,
honestly answer the question. Others avoid that question and go to extreme
measures to flee its answer.
At any moment, "who I am" is determined by a curious mix of
influences combined with "my choice." First, consider the "curious mix of
influences."
What is my language or languages? What value system
directs me? On what do I base my understanding of good or bad? What
everyday factors determine importance? What should a husband be? A
wife be? A parent be? What is my work ethic? What is the role
of money in a person's life? Or entertainment? Or pleasure? Or
people? What is my definition of success?
When a person answers those questions, what is the "curious
mix of influences"?
One's culture
One's family of origin
One's present
immediate family
One's peer group
One's significant commitments
One's
significant involvements
We each combine influences from these sources with personal
choice. These influences do not overpower personal choice unless a person
allows them to exchange roles with choice.
For personal choice to exercise full significance as I learn
who I am, I must realize that my choice is greater than any of those influences
in my life. Choice is greater than any combination of those influences,
greater than the sum of all those influences.
What is the basic difference between a "victim outlook" and
"survivor outlook"? This is the basic difference: the realization that
choice has the primary role in deciding who I am.
The victim's mind says, "I have no choice. I am only the
collection of influences on my life. Whoever I am, I had no choice.
Whatever I do, I have no choice. I must be what I am because the
influences in my life make me who and what I am."
The survivor's mind says, "I have a choice, and I will
exercise it. I am more than the influences around me. In spite of
those influences, I use choice to determine who I am and what I
do."
What is the greatest power to support and sustain the power of
the individual's choice? God. God transforms victims into
survivors. God says, "Choose, and I will help."
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**The
Truly Rich**
I Timothy 6:17-18
By Oscar Nolasco
We realize that all we possess comes from God, and that it is
to enjoy while we live on the earth.
But it is important to know in this Bible passage that God
gives us the opportunity in His church to be spiritually rich through practicing
our faith and doing works for the benefit of others. Part of the spirituality of
the Christian is learning how to share. The experiences we can practice in
our spiritual life are "be rich in good works," "generous," and "willing to
share."
The goal of all Christians should be to make a firm
foundation for the future and "lay up treasures" in heaven by using the material
and spiritual blessings we have now for the Lord. We all think of tomorrow in
our physical life, but the spiritual life will be for all eternity. We think
eternity is far away, but it could be closer than what we can imagine. Let
us lay hold of eternal life while we live.
**LTC Announcements**
* Signing begins this Sunday, October
13th and will continue each 2nd and 4th Sunday from 6:30 - 7:00
p.m.
* Chorus is each 1st and 3rd Sunday from 6:30 - 7:00
p.m.
* Bible Art team will complete their boards and have a pizza
party from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 19 in the FLC.
* Young Men's Bible Reading. Be prepared to read the verses
for October 6th this Sunday (Oct. 13th). Brian Perkins will be in the
foyer before classes Sunday morning if you have questions.
All LTC participants need to come by room 120 (4 year old
class) to pick up your registration form to complete this Sunday morning before
class.
**Ladies' Retreat**
Attention, Ladies!
Mark your
calendars now for an upcoming Ladies' Retreat, January 24-25, at the Ozark
Conference Center in Morrilton. Space is limited. Stay tuned for
updates!
**Clothing Room Needs**
Needs until further notice are
coats, jackets, sweaters, work shoes and tennis shoes, blankets and large
towels. Please do not bring soiled or dirty items. It is very helpful for items
to be on hangers. For additional information, contact Kathy
Rosalez.
**Fruit Needed**
Kathy Rosalez is teaching some ladies from
The Way how to can fruit. They would like to put up pears. If you have a pear
tree and could donate the fruit, please contact Kathy Rosalez at 452-2157. They
will come and pick the pears if needed.
**Caring for our Shut-in and Homebound Members**
Being
homebound or in a nursing home can become quite lonely. This week make a visit,
a phone call, or send a card to someone on the list.
* Bertha Glover,
c/o Pink Bud Nursing Home, Box 2000, Greenwood, AR 72936
* Lena Hall,
Methodist Nursing Home, 1915 South 74th, room #6, Fort Smith, AR
72903.
**David's Sermons**
Morning: God Made The Whole
Person
Evening: A Look At God's Testing
**Peak of the Week**
Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. in the
FLC
October 16th - Reaching Out Globally: In His Image, Jerry
Canfield
**Happy Birthday**
October 20
Kathryn Willis
October 21
Amanda Broom
October 22
Sandi Pippin
October 23
Kevin Davis
Paul Quenin
Lexi
Sewell
October 25
Janelle Graves
Mary King
Joyce
Pippin
October 26
Shari Coleman
Farrell Graves
Cyrus
Haworth
Shirley Washburn
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**Remember in Prayer**
* Phillip Burns had back surgery
Wednesday at St. Edward Hospital (as an out-patient).
* Jay Wood has been in
Little Rock for tests. He is home now and will follow up with his doctor for
further treatment.
* Blossom Mayhan is at St. Edward Hospital, room 4317 and
will move to a nursing home soon. She can have visitors.
* Rose Daniels is
presently living at Willow Brook Retirement Community in Fort Smith.
* Andrew
Pippin had his tonsils and adenoids removed Wednesday morning.
* Nancy
Dockery's father, Doy Wilkins, is scheduled for heart surgery at St. Edward
Hospital on October 18.
*Continue to pray for Anita Maxwell, Erma Beshears,
Sandy Berger, and Kathy Bauer in their treatments for cancer.
*Pauline
Alberty is home from the hospital.
**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended to the many
friends of Herb Brasher, a former member of West-Ark. Bro. Brasher died
Saturday, October 5th in Fort Smith.
Word has been received that Mark Howell's mother, Allene
Howell, died Tuesday morning. Mark and Kathy Howell are former members of
West-Ark. If you would like to send a card to Mark, the address is 1702
Goldsmith Court Drive, Collierville TN 38017.
Mark Howell's father, Smith Howell, enjoyed visiting with this
congregation on many occasions. If you would like to send him a card (in the
death of his wife), his address is 7194 Golden Oaks Loop E., Southaven, MS
38671.
**Placing Membership **
Aric Mitchell
3500 South 74th
Street, Apt. G3
Fort Smith, AR 72903
Phone: 452-6546
**Notes of Thanks**
A huge "thanks" to the Singles group
for a beautiful and delicious luncheon. Special thanks to David, Maxine, Myra,
Carlene, Charlotte & Glenda. We appreciate your examples of service!
The
Widows/Widowers Group
Dear Friends,
We have been deeply touched by your kindness
during my father's illness and recent passing. We appreciate and have been
overwhelmed by your support with cards, phone calls, visits, prayers and
flowers. A special thanks to Connye Neal, Paula May, and the ladies who prepared
the luncheon. You have been a true source of loving Christian support during
this painful time in the life of our family.
In Christian love,
Rick,
Rosanne, Jana & Jordan Wade
I want to thank everyone for the visits, cards, flowers, and
especially your thoughts and prayers during my operation. I always continue to
cherish your prayers.
Don Neisler
** 60+ **
Our Halloween potluck is Saturday, October 19, at
6:00 p.m. in the FLC. Come and join us for good food, fun, and
fellowship.
**The Congregational Needs Analysis Forms (Surveys)**
must be
completed and turned into Brad, the office,
or one of the elders on or
before Wednesday, October 16th.
**Wedding Announcement**
Thomas and Kindy Kweekul
request the honour
of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Phonesanong Angel
Kweekul
and
Lee Eric Omo
son of Gene and Judy Omo
on Saturday, the
twelfth of October
at twelve o'clock in the afternoon
West-Ark Church of
Christ
Reception immediately following
the ceremony in the FLC.
**Fall Festival **
Saturday, October 26 in the FLC!
A safe and fun
evening for families in our church and community.
Donations and workers
are ~urgently~ needed.
Can you help? We need:
* homemade cakes and
desserts
* workers for the booths
* donations of candy or 2-liter soft
drinks
(a basket is in the foyer).
If you have intended to sign
up, please don't delay!
E-mail Kristin Smith at:
k_smith9@swbell.net or sign the list
posted in the foyer.
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**Family Life Ministry**
By Brad Pistole
We have successfully
completed the first leg of beginning to minister to every different type of
family at West-Ark. This past Sunday, every member age 13 and above participated
in our "Congregational Needs Analysis."
As I write this, the office staff is busy compiling the results from the 25
question survey. If you were unable to be here on October 6th and 9th, you still
have 2 opportunities to fill out a survey.
You can find blank copies on the table just inside the front doors to the
main lobby. You have this Sunday, October 13th and this coming Wednesday,
October 16th to get them completed and turned in. You can place your survey in
the box in the lobby or give it to Brad or one of the elders.
We will not accept any surveys after October 16th as we will be finalizing
all results by Friday, October 18th. The information from the survey will be
placed into several different categories based on age, sex, and family type.
This will allow us to get a good overall picture of the many different types of
families and needs represented in our congregation.
The elders and staff will spend two weeks following October 18th reflecting
on the information gathered from the analysis. Then, we will spend the day
together on November 2, discussing plans for the future and praying about ways
to better meet the needs of all of our families.
Please take the time this week to fill out and turn in your survey. We want
to know you better in order to serve you and help your family grow in
Christ.
** Nursery**
A.M. Infants: Trish Carson, Misty Floyd
Toddlers: Jon
Huff, Liz Huff
P.M. Nursery: Marquetta Walker, Molly Walker, Roxie
Benincosa
**Schedule of Services**
Sunday Worship (10:30)..............
691
Sunday Classes (9:30) ............... 429
Sunday Evening
(6:00)..................367
Laotian
Attendance........................36
The Way (4:00)
............................
43
Spanish....................................... 12
Wednesday Worship
(7:00).......... 365
Sunday Contribution ..............$18,814
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