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**Holiday Wishes**
By David Boozer
The holiday season is a great time to relax, spend time with friends and
family, and eat. It is also a great time to evangelize. The
possibilities are endless: talk to someone about exactly who Jesus is (after
all, much of the world is focused on his birth right now) or ask God, in such a
way that they can hear you, to bless individuals (for example, "May God bless
you"). Another way is by giving gifts in His name, especially to people
that you may not even know. The Way and Thursday Kids Tutoring have a very
simple way for you to do this. Between 25 and 30 kids, most of whose only
ties to West-Ark are through the Way and tutoring, have let us know of some
needs and wishes that they have for Christmas. God has blessed us at
West-Ark with the means to grant these needs and wishes.
Beginning this Sunday on a bulletin board in the foyer of the West-Ark
building, each of these children will be represented by a picture and a
letter. The letter will give the child's needs, wishes, and other
information. Pull the letter off of the bulletin board and take it home
with you. Based on the list of needs and wishes for your child in the
letter, determine what you would like to buy for them. After you have bought the
gift, take it to him or her, but make sure that they know in whose name you are
doing this. This is powerful (and simple) evangelism for these kids and their
families! Granting holiday wishes -- in His name! If you have any
questions, contact David Boozer.
**Holiday Schedule**
On Wednesday, December 25th, and Wednesday, January
1st, the congregation will assemble in the auditorium for a devotional. We will
not have Bible classes on those evenings.
**LTC Drama and Puppets**
There will be a mandatory meeting on Sunday
night, December 15, for all those participating in LTC drama and puppets. This
very important meeting will not last more than 30 minutes, but is necessary to
lay the groundwork for upcoming events.
**Auditorium Class Resumes**
The Auditorium class will resume its study
in 2 Corinthians, chapter 2 on Sunday morning, Dec. 8th.
** Widows/60+ **
The bus and vans will leave the church parking lot 5:30
p.m. Saturday, November 7, to see the Christmas lights. We will have desserts in
the FLC after returning. If you need a ride call Mary, Bobbie or Janice.
**In the Library**
We have seasonal books displayed on the table in the
Library for you to check out. Don't forget to leave the card!
We have an entire section devoted to bereavement, pain, suffering and
related issues. Myra is the "sponsor" of this section and would be happy
to help suggest a book for your needs. -- John Lankford
**Address Needed**
If you know Neal Massey, please contact the office to
help us find a current address for him. He has been receiving tapes through our
tape ministry.
**Caring for our Shut-in and Homebound Members**
This week, why not take
the opportunity to encourage one of our shut-in members by a visit, a phone
call, or a card.
Waymon Griffin, Methodist Nursing Home, 1915 South 74th, #26D, Fort Smith,
AR 72903
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.
Darlene Hostetler, 2707 E. King Avenue, Sallisaw, OK 74955, Phone (918)
774-0740.
**Birthday Tea**
All widows having birthdays in:
September, October,
November or December
are invited to a Tea
at the home of Martha
Walker
on Thursday, December 12
from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.
Transportation
from the
church building is provided.
Please be at the Annex by 1:45.
Call Martha at 646-5041 if you plan to attend.
**Happy Birthday**
December 8
Bob Rye
December 10
Josh Kimbrow
Brent Perkins
December 11
Lacy Layman
Doris Robertson
December 12
Bill Beall
David Boozer
Breck Cogswell
Earl
Flood
Nadine Hawkins
Stephen Tomlin
December 13
Brian Hite
December 14
Ken Johnson
Brenda Lenderman
James Roughley
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**The
Wonder Working Power of Prayer**
* Jean Dicks is in Sparks Hospital, room 597. She had knee replacement
surgery Tuesday and hopes to be released by the weekend.
* Charles Dicks' brother-in-law had cancer surgery Monday in Little Rock,
AR.
* Cyndi Glidewell was in the hospital over the Thanksgiving holidays with a
virus. She is now home.
* Amanda Washburn requests prayers for the family of Michael Norton (a
friend who died last week).
* Continue to pray for Helen Branum, Anita Maxwell, Erma Beshears, Sandy
Berger, Virgil Kirchner, Kathy Bauer, Vicki Varvel, Effie Roper, and Sandy
Thurman.
**Sympathy**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Joyce Chadwell in the
death of her sister-in-law, Thelma Wells, on November 26. Joyce's brother,
Jerry, lives in California.
Jewell Wagoner died early Sunday morning. Jewell worshipped with us for
several years, but had physically been unable to attend services for some time.
Funeral services were Wednesday in West Helena.
**Baptism**
Marcelina Rodriguez was baptized November 19 by Oscar
Nolasco. Her address is 1511 S. 12th Street, Apt. 3, Fort Smith, AR 72901,
Phone: 783-1270.
**Welcome to West-Ark!**
Wayne & Sheila Bailey
3216 Ashbury
Point
Greenwood, AR 72936
Wayne and Sheila have 3 children: Amy (age 15);
Adam (age 13), and Parker (age 7).
**New Arrival**
Congratulations to Dena and Kerry Jenkins on the safe
and healthy arrival of a son, Adam Lane. Adam was born December 2 and weighed 5
lbs., 8 ozs. Eddie and Carolyn Harrell are the happy grandparents.
**Ladies Retreat Sign-Up**
Please mark your calendar for the Ladies'
Retreat in Morrilton on January 24 & 25. The sign-up sheet is on the Library
window.
**New Van Fund Drive**
Many ministries have the need of reliable
transportation. We would like to purchase another van to be utilized by our
various ministries. To date, we have raised $10,000. If you would like to
make a donation, please give a check to any staff member, elder, or BMT member.
Our goal is $35,000. We would like to reach this goal this month.
**Wednesday Bible Class**
Wednesday morning Ladies' Bible class will
have a luncheon following class on December 11th. Class will resume January
8th.
**Singles Pot Luck**
Singles will meet in the home of Myra Flippo for
pot luck, Saturday, December 14th. If you need directions or if you have
questions, call Maxine Yates, 782-6295 or the church office, 452-1240.
**60+ News**
There will not be a 60+ potluck for December. Our
next supper will be January 18.
**Notes of Thanks**
Dear Christian Friends,
The beautiful peace lily
you sent in memory of Durell was deeply appreciated. Thank you for your kindness
at this difficult time. He loved the Lord so much and his life was spent in
service to Him.
In Christian love,
The Family of Durell Putman
West-Ark Quilters,
thank you all so much for the beautiful handmade
quilt blanket. The blanket goes perfectly in one of our bedrooms. We are so
blessed to receive this special gift.
Thank you and God bless,
Angel &
Lee
Thank you so much for all the prayers, cards, calls and visits while Bill
was in the hospital. We really appreciate all the offers of transportation since
he is temporarily unable to drive. A special thank you to our care group for the
beautiful poinsettia and all of their prayers and support. We are blessed to be
part of the wonderful "West-Ark Family."
Bill & Margaret Moss
**Renew Vows**
Jessie & Mary Sexton will renew their marriage vows
at 3424 Johnson Street this Sunday at 3:00 p.m. All are invited.
**Poinsettias for the Auditorium**
This time of the year is often difficult for people who have lost loved
ones. The staff has a thought about how to make this loss a source of comfort.
We would like to give members the opportunity to purchase a poinsettia in memory
of a loved one. The poinsettias will be used to decorate the auditorium during
the holidays, and after the holidays, the poinsettias are yours to take
home.
A poinsettia table will be in the foyer on Sunday, Dec. 8 and Wednesday,
Dec. 11 to give you a convenient place to register your gift. The cost is
$10 for the red poinsettia from Parks Brothers Nursery in Van Buren.
We will publish the list of memorials in our January newsletters.
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**Family Life Ministry**
By Brad Pistole
*The Importance of a Father*
Men, youve heard it said time and time again how important it is for you
to be involved in the lives of your children. I know its easy to get caught up
in all of the things that compete for your time, but the statistics dont lie.
Some things have got to be placed on hold in order for you to spend
adequate time with your children. In the overall scheme of things, cars and
boats and football games just dont measure up against an incredible
relationship with your children.
The church needs to step in and help in any way possible and thats just
what were going to do. In the coming months, we are going to encourage you as
fathers to set aside special times with your children.
December 14th and 15th will be one of those times. We have a Father/Son
camping trip planned for the 14th-15th. We will leave at 1 p.m. on the 14th and
well return around 2:30 p.m. on the 15th.
Weve made everything easy for you. All you have to do is sign-up and show
up in order to begin creating memories that your children will never forget.
This weekend is for all 3rd-12th grade boys and their fathers.
Please find the sign-up lists on the Parents Information Table in the
lobby or on the Youth Board upstairs in the hallway between the main building
and the gym. Also, you can look online at
www.westarkchurchofchrist.org/youth
and click on fall calendar for more details.
Sign-up for this weekend has been low. If we dont have at least 10 people
signed up by this Sunday, December 8th, we will plan it for a better weekend in
the near future.
**Nursery**
Infants
Paula May
Sandi Pippin
Melissa Walker
Toddlers
Dena Jenkins
Irene Willis
P.M. Nursery
Dixie Burkhart
Gina Williams
**Schedule of Services**
Sunday Worship (10:30)...............
633
Sunday Classes (9:30) ................. 384
Sunday Evening
(6:00)...................228
The Way (4:00)
...............................43
Spanish............................................16
Wednesday
Worship (7:00)........... 151
Sunday Contribution
................$16,503
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