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Family
Lines Newsletter, February 2,
2003
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**The
"Who" and "What" Of Our Identity**
David Chadwell
A common challenge faces each of us as individual
Christians and all of us collectively as a congregation of Christians.
This challenge causes each of us to struggle as a person in Christ and as a part
of a congregation dedicated to Christ. What challenge? It is
understanding that the questions of "who we are" and "what we are" are different
questions. To treat the "who" and the "what" questions as if they are
identical questions is to invite painful crises into our spiritual
objectives.
Look at the "who" question from the all too common
view of "who" we say we are. The problem is created when our dedication to
"who we say we are" differs from our dedication to God's objectives in His
people. If we are not quite careful, human determinations of
"faithfulness" may be based on our concerns instead of God's concerns.
Giving "approval" may be more concerned about our standards than God's
standards. It may have more focused on "our" criteria than God's
forgiveness and mercy.
An example? Sometimes we can be more
concerned about being "Church of Christ" than we are concerned about being
Christian. Question: "Speaking religiously, who are you?" Answer: "I
am Church of Christ."
It is impossible to imagine Peter, Paul, Silas,
Timothy, Titus, Lydia, Philip's daughters, Phoebe, Dorcas, or Aquila and
Priscilla spiritual identifying themselves as "Church of Christ" to those
inquiring about their spiritual identity. It is biblical to imagine each
of them referring to themselves as Jesus Christ's disciples, saints, those
redeemed by Jesus Christ, those "called out" by God through Jesus Christ, or
Christians.
Today those who are dedicated to being "Church of
Christ" frequently identify themselves by referring to "Church of Christ" things
and ways. Those things and ways may or may not be God's things and
ways.
We have a rich, wonderful spiritual heritage.
That heritage is based on seeking to be God's people and seeking salvation in
Jesus Christ's atonement. It is a heritage that has been unafraid to
understand the Bible. It is a heritage that began as the commitment to be
"Christians only." It is a heritage that not only was willing to examine
God's full teachings, but a heritage that was willing to make spiritual
corrections when God's objectives were better understood. It is a heritage
that always placed ultimate and final leadership in God's hands as He directed
us through Jesus Christ.
To understand what we are, a person must
know who God is, who Jesus Christ is, who the Spirit is, and the message of the
Bible. Never be content to be "Church of Christ." May your life's
objective in all its aspects be this: "I am a Christian. That is all
I want to be. I want God through Jesus Christ, His Spirit, and His word to
control my life."
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**Jail Ministry Update**
We are pleased to
announce that there were a total of 58 baptisms at the Sebastian County Jail in
the year 2002. So far there have been three baptized in January, 2003. Mike
Williams taught two men and Niketa Stinchcomb taught one lady. They were all
baptized Saturday, January 25th.
We want to thank all those who
labor for our Savior Jesus Christ in our Jail Ministry. ~~ Dan
Cathey
**LTC Announcement**
Starting Sunday, February
2, Chorus will practice each Sunday from 6:15 until 7:00 p.m. (on the second
floor).
**Teachers Needed**
These positions need to be
filled as soon as possible. Please call Robin Pratt-Webber at 783-8728 if you
can help.
Kindergarten teacher for Wednesday night. This is for a
6- month period beginning in March and ending in August.
Two teachers are
needed for the three year old class on Sunday morning.
**Some Furniture Needed**
David Boozer needs the
following furniture.
kitchen table
chairs
couches
living room
chairs
TV's
full or queen bedding
Please call him at 459-1449 if you
can help.
**Harding Concert Choir **
Harding University's
Concert Choir will be at the Sallisaw Church of Christ on Friday, February 7, at
7:00 p.m. This is a free concert and everyone is welcome.
**IT'S VBS TIME????**
Absolutely! The
actual date of VBS, of course, isn't until July 21-25, but we are getting a jump
start on our NEW & IMPROVED version for VBS 2003. We will be meeting
THIS SUNDAY, February 2nd at 5:00 p.m. in Room 100 for all who want to be a part
of this exciting event unlike any we have ever attempted. If you are
unable to attend but still want to be a part, please call Carolyn Harrell at
646-3325 or Dena Jenkins at 478-6486. It is really important that we get
an early start this year, so please come with an open mind and an open heart to
teach our young people about God's Chosen!
**Men's Area Wide Prayer Breakfast**
. . . is
planned for Saturday, February 8, 7:30 a.m. at Valley View church of Christ in
Greenwood, AR.
**Coming March 9-10 **
"No Debt, No Sweat"
A
Life-Changing Seminar Teaching
God's Way of Handling Money.
Make plans now
to attend.
**GOT KIDS??**
Let Us Keep You Out of the Dog
House This Valentine's Day!
Mexico Mission Team Babysitting
Friday,
February 14
6:00 - 10:00 p.m.
in the FLC and Nursery.
Food and fun
provided!
Donations Appreciated!
Sign up at the Mexico Mission table in
the Foyer.
Walk-ins welcome!
**"Computer Event"**
to benefit the Mexico
Mission Fund.
Saturday, February 1st
8 to 11 a.m. in the Annex
We have
assembled an assortment of computers
(486 to Pentium), monitors, printers,
parts, and software
that are no longer used by the church.
These items
are available for a donation to the Mexico Mission Fund.
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**Say A Prayer For**
* Earl Flood is
scheduled to have stint surgery on January 31st at Sparks Hospital.
* Marion
Hastings (father of Sue) is in Sparks Medical ICU (217).
* Paul
Newhouse (father of Cathy Breedlove) is in Arkansas Heart Hospital in Little
Rock. He has several blockages around his heart and is scheduled for surgery
January 30th.
* Mary Gates (mother of David Gates) will have surgery
February 6th at St. Edward Hospital.
* Stella Foster (sister-in-law of
Lyndell Foster) is in Health South Rehab following a stroke.
* Iris
Rios (sister of Mickey Mendez) is home from the hospital.
* Gail
Stevens is at St. Edward Hospital and has shown improvement.
*
Continue to pray for Virgil Kirchner, Anita Maxwell, Erma Beshears, Sandy
Berger, Kathy Bauer, Vicki Varvel, Sandy Thurman, and Nadine
Hawkins.
**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended
to Ron Lenderman in the death of his brother-in-law, Carl Kelley. Funeral
services were January 29th in Little Rock.
**Mission Work & Travel**
John Paul &
Ruby Lee Hundley are in France.
Jerry Canfield is traveling to Nigeria at the
end of January.
Thomas & Kindy Kweekul are in Thailand.
Chris &
Heather Carroll are in Thailand; Deborah Wilson is visiting them; Jim Wilson is
in Ethiopia.
**Changes of Address**
David Gates
2517
Whitney Lane
Alma, AR 72921
Phone (479) 632-4710
Greg & Robin Simpson
7211 Blackjack
Fort
Smith, AR 72916
**Note of Thanks**
Many, many thanks for the
inquiries, cards, visits, and especially prayers for my husband during his
hospitalization and illness. He is doing much better, but still has several
medical problems to overcome. I would appreciate your continued prayers for
him.
In Christian love,
Sarah Smith
We would like to express our thanks for the many
cards, food, and prayers during our illness. We know they are helping our
recovery time.
In Christian love,
John & Nadine
Hawkins
**Widows/Widowers**
Widows and widowers will be
hosted by the Singles group at a noon luncheon on Saturday, February 1st, in the
Family Life Center.
**Car Clinic**
Car Clinic will be Saturday,
February 1st at the Annex, 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. -- weather
permitting.
**New Arrival**
Congratulations to Bruce and
Mabel Coleman on the birth of a grandson, Carson Luke Moxley. Luke was born
January 20th and weighed 8 lbs., 5 ozs.
**Poteau Ladies' Day**
Poteau Church of Christ
is planning a Ladies' Day for Saturday, April 5th. The theme is "A Cup of
Friendship."
**David's Sermons**
Sunday Morning: The
Goal
Sunday Evening: "Skip Over" Scriptures:
Romans 16, Part
I
**60+ Valentine Potluck**
Don't miss out on this
special night of fun!
February 15th, 6:00 p.m. in the Family Life
Center.
**Wedding Invitation**
The parents of Ashley
LeAnne Chitwood
and Timothy Scott Coleman
request the honour of your
presence
at the marriage of their children on
Friday, February 14th
at
seven o'clock in the evening
Pleasant Valley Church of Christ
6020 Kibler
Road, Van Buren, Arkansas
**Happy Birthday**
February 3
Jared
Hollomon
Van Lee
Jane Newman
George Thompson
February 5
Crystabella Jones
February 7
John Glidewell
February 8
Megan Perkins
February 9
Austin Curtis
John Holley
Mike
Williams
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**Family Life Ministry**
By Brad
Pistole
It has finally arrived. That's right, the much
awaited and much anticipated "Winter Retreat" is upon us. Each year, our teens
look forward to Winter Retreat as much as any event we have all year long.
Why, you ask? My response would be "go ask
the teens." It would be better coming from them. However, my guess would be
because of the environment of spiritual growth that is always present on this
weekend.
Winter Retreat 2003 will take place the weekend of
February 7-9 in Siloam Springs. Parents, if you've been waiting for that perfect
opportunity to get involved in the spiritual part of your kid's lives, wait no
longer! This weekend is the perfect opportunity to do just that. Our
theme for this year is "GOING FOR BROKE." It's clear that our culture is
teaching us to "go all out" for everything we do: dress, physical conditioning,
sports, sex, etc., regardless of the risk involved.
Our culture also does a great job of disguising
what they have to offer. So often, we're willing to "SELL OUT" for that look or
physical appearance or fame or boyfriend/girlfriend or job or money ... yet we
fail to realize that we're selling out for things that won't last!
I want to encourage all of our teens and their
families to consider going with us to Winter Retreat, February 7th-9th. This may
be exactly what your family needs to get you back on track and to help you
refocus on what really matters in this life.
For more information, please look at the Youth
Information Board upstairs in the hallway between the main building and the gym.
Or, go to the website at www.westarkchurchofchrist.org/youth
and click on the calendar of events.
Come join us as we learn to make godly decisions
about what it really takes to "GO FOR BROKE."
**Nursery Schedule**
Infants
Paula May
Sandi Pippin
Melissa Walker
Toddlers
Dena Jenkins
Irene
Willis
P.M.
Dixie Burkhart
Gina
Williams
**Schedule of Services**
Sunday Worship (10:30)................620
Sunday Classes (9:30) ................. 413
Sunday Evening
(6:00)...................144
Wednesday Worship (7:00).............311
The
Way (4:00) ................................49
Spanish Morning
Worship................13
Spanish Evening Worship (6:30)......25
Sunday
Contribution ................$16,948
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