West-Ark Newsletter, 17 November 2002

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Family Lines Newsletter, November 17, 2002
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Jesus gave this directive after speaking about the uselessness of anxiety. He said it was pointless to worry about tomorrow. Anxiety is counter-productive. He said life's objective was to learn to trust God for life's necessities as we yield personal life to our sovereign God's rule. "Reality" in our physical world changes in the "blink of an eye." Realities in God's kingdom are eternal. Jesus' directive: neither trust nor depend on "realities" that are certain to change; trust and depend on the changeless.

Each year the week before Mission's Sunday, Joyce and I visit our parents in Crossville, TN. Joyce's Dad is 88 and her Mom is 85. My Mom is 86. All three live in their own homes. Those two homes are separated by only four miles. (Joyce and I called those houses "home" when we were kids). Usually we also have opportunity to see my only brother and sister-in-law, their children, and some of Joyce's cousins and aunts. We visited Crossville last week.

This morning we learned several tornadoes touched down in that area. Then we learned these storms touched down in the vicinity of our families. After confirming our immediate families and their homes were okay, we learned all of them lost electrical service, most of them lost telephone service, and so many trees were down that some of them could not get out of their driveways.

While their homes had no damage, some of their neighbors' homes were severely damaged. My sister-in-law's comment was, "We will never live long enough for Pigeon Ridge Road to look the same." [That is right: Pigeon Ridge Road. I grew up on Grassy Cove Road with Turkey Oak Road behind me. My brother lives on Coon Hollow Road. Joyce is prestigious -- she grew up on Wells Road, and she is a Wells!]

How strange to realize places so familiar to us, places robed in fall beauty just last week, are now scenes of a disaster that produced fatalities and destruction. What seemed so secure only a week ago is now damaged or destroyed because uninvited circular winds blew. The security produced by electrical power, telephones, and road access was imprisoned by circular winds and uprooted trees.

Electrical power will flow again. Telephones will ring again. Driveways will be cleared. Damaged houses will be repaired. Many destroyed houses will be rebuilt. And the uprooted trees? For years uprooted trees grimly will testify to the insecurity of trusting in the unreliable.

What happens to you when powerful winds blow within? What happens when the rains descend, the floods come, the winds blow, and burst against your life? Does it stand or collapse? (Matthew 7:24-27) Does trusting the wrong things imprison you? Does trusting God transform your insecurity to security?

**Life Group Leader Training**
Anyone interested in becoming a LIFE group leader can attend training Sunday, November 24, from 3 - 5 p.m. in room 203.

**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.
* Blossom Mahan, Brentwood Manor, #7 West, Van Buren, AR 72956.
* Mildred Saxton, Beverly Health & Rehab, 228 Pointer Trail, Van Buren, AR 72956.
* Cecil & Robbie Knight, Medi-Homes Nursing Home, 4613 Rogers, Room D-10, Fort Smith, AR 72903.
* Thelma Blackburn, 3901 North 50th, AR 72904 (782-2680).
* Ada Ferguson, 1903 North 45th Circle, Fort Smith, AR 72904 (783-7122).

**Welcome and Congratulations**
Congratulations to Glenda Hodnett and Jack Lewis who were married earlier this week. Jack wishes to be recognized as a member of this congregation. He and Glenda are living at 4117 North 32nd, Fort Smith, AR 72904.

**Family Devotional Night**
Friday, November 22, in the Family Life Center
for Grades 6 and down
6:15 - 7:00 Devotional
7:00 - 8:00 Parent Meeting
Parents: At our meeting we will discuss the various programs
for our children and how we can be more effective.
Please mark your calendars and plan to be a part of the discussion.

**Patriotic Dinner for 60+**
Hosted by Brad and the Teens
Saturday, November 23
at 6:00 p.m. in the FLC.
Don't miss this opportunity to share an evening with our teens and be a part of the fellowship.
A sign-up list is posted in the foyer outside room 100.

**Did you serve in the Armed Forces?**
If so, please give information about your dates of service to
Charley Douglas, Brad Pistole or Sara Word.

"You have given your blessing to the earth, watering it and making it fertile; the river of God is full of water: and having made it ready, you give men grain. You make the ploughed lands full of water; you make smooth the slopes: you make the earth soft with showers, sending your blessing on its growth. You crown the year with your goodness." (Psalm 65:9-11)

* Helen Branum had surgery on Monday to repair a valve in her heart. Everything went well. If you would like to send a card to Helen, the address is: Helen Branum, Wimberly at Deer Road, 9727 Touchton Road, Apt. 1802, Jacksonville, FL 32246

* Virgil Kirchner will be scheduled for surgery in the near future. If you would like to send Virgil a card, the address is: Virgil Kirchner, 1823 Applebutter, Springdale, AR 72764.

**Sympathy**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Bennie Hedrick in the death of her sister, Tula Hughes, on Monday from injuries in a car accident. Funeral services are Saturday in Texas.

**Wedding Shower**
A shower honoring Shawndra Sanders and Bart Jones is planned for Sunday, November 17, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. in the Family Life Center. This shower is for couples and a special invitation is extended to the youth group. Bart and Shawndra are registered at Wal-Mart, Dillards, and Linen and Things.

**Notes of Thanks**
Dear Church,
Thank you all for your kindness and prayers. I could not have done this by myself. I am incredibly blessed to have all of you.
Naomi Greene & Family

Our Dearest Friends,
I just wanted to let all of you know that Dad passed away Friday evening at home. He had requested a graveside service, which we conducted earlier this afternoon. Although he was not blessed with a recovery, he was certainly blessed with prayers from close friends and other Christians that did not even know him. For this, we will forever be indebted to each of you. Please share our thanks with your prayer groups. We remember you in our prayers, that our Father will strengthen and bless you and your families for your efforts in assisting Dad with prayer over the last year. If I can ever be of assistance, please contact me.
In Christ,
Scott Horton for the
Family of Jerry Horton
Bokoshe, Oklahoma

**Coats and Warm Items Needed**
We really need coats, warm socks and gloves in ALL SIZES.
If you have items to donate, please call Kathy Rosalez at 452-2157 or bring your things
to the Windsor Drive building on Saturday morning (Nov. 16), between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m.

**3rd Annual West-Ark Family Thanksgiving Dinner**
on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, at 1:00 in the FLC
The last two years, some members at West-Ark
who do not have families coming for "turkey day"
have pooled their meals and enjoyed food, fun, fellowship, and games.
Anyone who would like to come is invited.
We need to know if you are coming and what you plan to bring.
A sign-up sheet is posted in the foyer!

I hope everyone has made plans for a great night, Saturday, November 23rd. Our teens have been working hard for the past month to put together a great night of fellowship and appreciation for our 60+ group.

We will meet in the FLC on the 23rd from 6:00-7:30 p.m. to celebrate the joy of the relationships we share through Christ. We will be giving special honor to those 60+ and parents who have served in the military.

We want to invite all 60+ members, our elders and their wives, and the families of our teens to join us for a great night. If you would like to help with the dinner in any way, please see Brad or Sara Word.

We have a good group of volunteers, but could always use a few extra hands decorating, cooking, setting up, cleaning, or making desserts for the dinner.

This Sunday I want to encourage everyone to be present this Sunday morning, November 17th. Ron Lenderman, David Chadwell and I will be presenting some of the information from our recent Congregational Needs Analysis and how it will affect our future plans for ministry here at West-Ark.

*In the Nursery**
Infants: Gail Mason, Bo Mason, Tracy Risley
Toddlers: Flora Johnson, Missy Blasdell, Christy Abernathy
P.M. Nursery: Linda Wear, Terri Jones

**Schedule of Services**
Sunday Worship (10:30)............. 675
Sunday Classes (9:30) .............. 459
Sunday Evening (6:00)................196
The Way (4:00) .......................... 47
Spanish......................................20
Wednesday Worship (7:00)........ 332
Sunday Contribution ............$14,779