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Family
Lines Newsletter, December 15,
2002
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**WHAT GOD DID IN JESUS CHRIST WORKED!**
David
Chadwell
People's lives were such a mess! Evil was
everywhere! Typical moral standards were sickening! Those who
considered themselves "experts" in scripture were certain they were "superior"
to most other people. People who knew the attitudes and lives of these
"experts" had no desire to be like them. If the "experts" represented God,
people who knew nothing about scripture wanted nothing to do with the God of the "experts."
The world was such a complicated place! Those who
devoutly declared they belonged to the living God (1) lived in isolation and (2)
looked at everyone else with contempt. They honored one God in a world
that acknowledged many gods. Though they were a small minority, they considered
themselves to be extremely important. "Outsiders" could be accepted if the
"outsiders" agreed to live exactly as the community lived.
The majority of the world believed in, accepted, and
worshipped many gods. This group of people built temples, maintained
priesthoods, and conducted sacrificial worship. They were confident the
gods controlled every aspect of life. Most of them also believed the
objective of worship was to keep the gods happy. Many of them felt a deep
sense of contempt for anyone who believed there was only one God.
Believing only one God existed was dangerous to society, to political stability,
and to economic opportunity!
There were also those people "who just had it" with
religion. They did not believe in any god. Ineffective gods
exploited ignorant people while changing nothing!
Moral conditions
were horrible! Adultery was so common in Roman society that ineffective
civil laws were passed to attempt to curb that problem. Divorce was
common. Some brides were accused of wearing out their wedding veils!
Homosexuality was common in Greek society. Drunkenness was a part of some
religious fellowships. Greed, dishonesty, stealing, and injustice were
merely a part of daily existence.
Slaves were helpless! They faced each day knowing they
did not control their lives or activities. Owners often considered their
slaves as opportunities for sexual gratification. For slaves, saying "no"
to an owner was not an option.
Violence was terrible! One never knew when soldiers
would fight on their farm! One never knew when his family would be caught
in the middle of a violent conflict! Thieves were so bad that (1) you did
not travel at night and (2) you secured your home as best you could at
sunset. For many, the first century was a cruel, unjust
world!
It was in this age and world that Jesus was crucified and
raised from the dead. It was in this world that Jesus became Lord and
Christ. It was to this age that Jesus brought forgiveness, redemption,
hope, and peace. It was a wicked world, but what God accomplished in Jesus
Christ was effective! IT STILL IS!
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**Holiday Schedule**
Next week's newsletter will be the
last one for 2002. Please get information you want published in the
newsletter to the office by noon on Wednesday, December 18th.
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.
**LTC Children's Book**
Please turn in your completed book
to Glenda Hodnett on Sunday, December 15th. There will be an envelope on the
table by the Library to put your book in.
**Remember Our Homebound Members**
During the holidays,
remember to encourage one of our shut-in members by a visit, a phone call, or a
card.
Opal Hewett Dexter, Mercy Crest, 1300 Strozier Lane, Barling,
AR 72923, Phone: 478-3077.
Lois Jester, 2218 Churchill Road, Fort Smith, AR 72904, Phone:
782-2357.
Eileen Jones, Medi Homes Nursing Home, 4613 Rogers, Room C-5,
Fort Smith, AR 72903, Phone: 452-8359.
Marie Lile, 3614 Roosevelt, Fort Smith, AR 72904 Phone:
782-0447.
Oneta Love, 4216 Virginia, Fort Smith, AR 72904, Phone:
783-7480.
Wilma Mizell, 9607 Meandering Way, Fort Smith, AR 72903,
Phone: 452-4221.
Aline Phillips, 6514 South "Q", Fort Smith, AR 72903; Phone:
452-5088.
Madine Rose, 8000 Thayer, #4, Fort Smith, AR
72908.
Bobby Harp, Crawford County Health Care & Rehab Center,
2010 Main, #52, Van Buren, AR 72956, Phone: 474-6885.
Ruby Upchurch, Covington Court, 4500 Old Greenwood Road, Fort
Smith, AR 72903, Phone: 646-5700.
Gordon Wilson, 1411 Rogers Avenue, #4B, Fort Smith, AR 72901;
Phone: 783-1716.
Faye Ramsey, Brownwood Manor, 1404 North 28th, Van Buren, AR
72956; Phone: 474-8021.
**Happy Birthday**
(Through the end of
December)
December 15
Tucker Anders
Michael Jones
December 17
Olan Nincehelser
December 18
Jane Binyon
Nadia Nelson
Allie
Whitaker
December 19
Lloyd Summers
December 20
Dorothy Harwell
Eric Lively
Darrell
Moses
Kathleen Taranto
December 21
Jim Johnson
December 22
John Paul Hundley
Holland McClendon
James
Thompson
Jim Wilson
December 23
Bryan Beneux
Leon Gillian
December 24
Claretta Bartlett
Debbie Belote
December 25
Bill Moss
Frances Tyler
Sheila
Vaught
December 26
Bill Brazelton
Ben Goode
Hope Hesslen
Rodney Jones
Mary Beth Oliver
Kathy
Rachel
December 27
Hope Frost
Kathy Goings
Liz
Huff
December 28
Hannah Hesslen
Natalie Nelson
December 29
Mack Farris
Patrick Pruitt
December 30
Lyndell Foster
December 31
Bob Davidson
Christy Puckett
Sara
Word
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**The
Wonder Working Power of Prayer**
Jean Dicks is home from the hospital after knee replacement
surgery.
Robbie Knight is in St. Edward Hospital, room
5104.
Kathy Monk had out-patient gall bladder surgery Wednesday
morning at St. Edward Hospital.
Judy Halford's surgery has been postponed until Tuesday,
December 17.
Continue to pray for Helen Branum, Anita Maxwell, Erma
Beshears, Sandy Berger, Virgil Kirchner, Kathy Bauer, Vicki Varvel, and Sandy
Thurman.
**Sympathy**
Our love and sympathy is extended to the Roper
Family in the death of Larry's mother, Effie. Mrs. Roper died December 6,
in West Monroe, Louisiana. She was under Hospice Care and had been ill for some
time.
Morris Rothrock, a former member of West-Ark, died December
9th. If you would like to send a card to Mrs. Lois Rothrock, her address is 478
River Ridge Circle, New Port News, Virginia 23608-0700.
**Baptism**
We rejoice with Lisa Hollomon who was baptized
December 5 by her husband, Ken. The Hollomon's address is P.O. Box 1102,
Greenwood, AR 72936.
**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.
**Singles Pot Luck**
Singles will meet in the home of Myra
Flippo for pot luck, Saturday, December 14th at noon. If you need directions or
if you have questions, call 479-928-4347, Maxine Yates, 782-6295 or the church
office, 452-1240.
**Notes of Thanks**
To the Elders,
Thank you so much for the cards and visits
to my Dad during his final months at Alma Healthcare. What a wonderful caring
ministry. He has now gone home to be with our Lord. You were very special to
him. God bless.
The Family of Jewell Wagoner
Cheryl and Bill
Wessels
Thank you so much for your kindness and the beautiful plant
sent to me after the death of my brother, Carl Renae Galloway. West-Ark
Church of Christ is full of wonderful and kind Christians.
Margaret
Stone
**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.
**Coming Events**
Sunset International Bible Institute's
Combined Workshop
January 17-18, 2003; "Lead or be Left Behind"
"Gospel Teaching" at Valley View Church of Christ in
Greenwood, AR
December 16-17 at 7:00 p.m.; Clifford Easley,
Speaker
**5th Sunday in December**
We will not have a fellowship
meal on the evening of December 29th.
**Wedding Invitation**
Mr. and Mrs. Randy Coleman
invite
you to the marriage
of their daughter, Kristin Anita
to Set Gomez
on
Saturday, December 21st
at one o'clock in the afternoon
Pleasant Valley
Church of Christ
Van Buren, Arkansas
Reception to follow
**David's Sermons**
Sunday Morning: The Great
Contrast
Sunday Evening: Building God's Temple
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**Family
Life Ministry**
By Brad Pistole
It's that time of year...no, not for Christmas gifts. It's
time to start planning for our annual trip to Ensenada, Mexico, to the City of
Children.
We have set the date for our first planning meeting for our
trip in 2003. It will take place on Sunday afternoon, January 5th at 5 p.m. in
the Youth Room. Every person interested in going with us to the City of
Children, May 31 - June 6th will need to be present at this meeting. On January
5th we will discuss what is involved in this mission trip and what will be
required of each team member.
There will be some changes in our rules and expectations this
year. There will also be an increased need for adult personal workers this year
as part of our team will be working outside the City of Children each day with
adults in the surrounding towns and villages.
If you are 14 years of age or older and you are interested in
taking part in a great mission opportunity, Mexico might be right for you. We
will fly from Fort Smith and the cost will be approximately $550 per person.
For further information, plan to be with us on Sunday, January
5th in the youth room upstairs in the FLC.
**Special News**
Congratulations to Torrey Bishop, Wade
Pressley, and the Southside Rebels for winning the 5A State Football
Championship this past weekend.
**Nursery**
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)............... 663
Sunday Classes (9:30) .................
439
Sunday Evening (6:00)...................340
The Way (4:00)
...............................48
Spanish............................................14
Wednesday
Worship (7:00)........... 207
Sunday Contribution
................$16,775
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