West-Ark Newsletter, 23 February 2003

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Family Lines Newsletter, February 23, 2003
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Are the moments ever uncertain! An orange alert indicates a terrorist attack is a serious possibility [maybe]. Economic struggles suggest some businesses will not survive [perhaps]. The deployment of men and women place lives and families at serious risk [sometimes]. Add to those question marks the loss of jobs, rising family crises, mounting loads of indebtedness, and a myriad of moral struggles, and uncertainty definitely seems to characterize the emotional climate of right now.

If terrorists attack, can Christians suffer and be killed? Yes. If businesses fail, can that include some Christians' businesses? Yes. Can deployments include Christians? Yes. Can a Christian lose his or her job? Yes. Can Christians experience family crises? Yes. Can Christians burden themselves with debt? Yes. Can temptations lead Christians into moral crises? Yes.

Then what is the use of being a Christian? If we regard Christianity to be a form of a spiritual insurance policy, there is no reason to be a Christian. If the primary reason for our being Christian is a desire to purchase a spiritual insurance policy to protect us from "bad physical things" occurring in our lives, we have no godly reason for being Christian. Following Jesus Christ does not prevent struggles. Jesus never promised that protection.

People must become Christians because they believe in Jesus Christ's resurrection. They must become Christians because they believe their resurrection will inaugurate a new existence in a righteous world free from struggle. They trust God's promise of strength as they struggle in this world until they are a part of His world. They should not and must not become Christians because they consider it a form of "physical struggle prevention" in this existence.

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us."

A few sentences later, Paul made this statement to those same struggling Christians (Romans 8:23):

"And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body."

We, as Christians, reflect God as we endure physical struggle because we wish to live with God where there is no struggle. With God's strength and forgiveness through Jesus Christ, we shall!

"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).

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**Jail Ministry Update**
Steve Breedlove had two responses to the gospel of Christ on Sunday, February 2. These two men were baptized Saturday, Feb. 8th, at the Sebastian County Jail. This past Sunday, Mike Williams also had two men step out in faith who wished to be immersed for the remission of their sins. These men will be baptized this Saturday.
In Christ's service,
Dan Cathey

**VBS Needs Your Help**
We can use any solid, stripe, or white sheets or comparable fabric (no florals please). There is a container in the foyer. Our goal is to have approximately 200 new children's costumes.

Volunteers are still needed to cut and/or sew SIMPLE costumes for VBS. Please contact Yvonne Pistole (649-0093) or Joyce Chadwell (646-6879) if you can help.

**RVCS Proposal**
River Valley Christian School has asked that the church consider the following proposal.

In an effort to alleviate overcrowding in the main building and reduce the number of children on the waiting list, the school has asked us for permission to add two additional temporary buildings in the parking lot that contains the existing temporary building.

This proposal is for a 3-year period at the conclusion of which, RVCS has committed to leave West-Ark's facilities.

**Ladies' Night**
With Cassandra Martin
Tuesday Evening, March 4th
West-Ark Church of Christ
Refreshments & Visiting: 6:30 p.m.
Cassandra will begin speaking at 7:00 p.m. on the topic "Living Water for Dusty Souls"
Please come in the front door of the main building.
This is an informal evening.
No sign-up sheets; no cost involved.
Please bring your Bibles, your daughters, your friends, and co-workers.

We will pack gaylords and create manifests, sort through, and throw away.
It's a free dump day in Fort Smith, so multiple trucks are needed since there is a waiting line!
See Bob Fisher or Kevin Vaught if you have questions.

**February 23**
Sunday Morning: "Satisfying the Need" by David Chadwell
Sunday Evening: 4th Sunday Night Singing and Fellowship Meal
All who can, please bring desserts!!

Coming March 9-10
"No Debt, No Sweat" With Steve Diggs
"A Seminar That Changes Lives and Legacies!"

This Seminar changes the way we think about and use our money. With humor and a confessional heart, I show how cultural materialism has destroyed our spiritual vigor.

I teach Christians how to free themselves from the bondage of financial pain. We learn how over-spending is frequently a spiritual issue. Often we are trying to fill the holes in our hearts with stuff. Yet, upon closer examination, we see that these holes are shaped exactly like Jesus -- and, nothing else will fill them.

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Aaron Williams (granddaughter of Bob and Jane Fisher) is in ICU in Lubbock, Texas. She has a bacterial pneumonia.

Tucker Anders has a ruptured eardrum (due to an accident) and may require surgery. Tests are also scheduled later for his hearing.

Continue to pray for Virgil Kirchner, Anita Maxwell, Erma Beshears, Sandy Berger, Kathy Bauer, Vicki Varvel, and Sandy Thurman.

Please remember Marea Sutherland and Sedalia Douglas in your prayers as they continue to sort through and recover from the fire that destroyed Marea's home on February 9th.

**New Address**
Ken and Carolyn Johnson
3008 Heather Oaks Way
Fort Smith, AR 72908
Phone number is same.

**Add To Directory**
Steve and Kay Pressley
2808 Carrington Pointe Road
Fort Smith, AR 72903
Phone: 452-5359

**We've Moved!**
Jeff, Misty, Addi, Erin & Benny Floyd
3401 Baird Drive
Edmond, OK 73013
Phone: (405) 715-4168
No e-mail yet...
(Twins Lucy and Sam due in March!)

**New Grandbaby**
Congratulations to John and Nelda Fowler on the birth of a grandson, John Samuel Gaddis, born February 4th to Steve and Johna Gaddis. Sam weighed 8 lbs., 12 ozs.

**Notes of Thanks**
Vivian and I would like to say thank you for the cards, prayers and expressions of concern during the past several weeks while I was undergoing various heart tests. Your kindness and concern for our family is greatly appreciated. May God continue to bless the West-Ark family.
Earl Flood

**Bridal Shower**
A bridal shower honoring Adrienne Green, bride elect of Kyle Lonaberger, is planned for Sunday, March 2 from 2:00-3:30 at the home of Jana Berryhill, 6800 South "Q" Court. Adrienne and Kyle are registered at Linens and Things. Her colors are:
Living areas -- neutral, taupe
Kitchen - cobalt, navy, neutrals
Bedroom and bath - burgundy, gray, black.
Adrienne is the daughter or Judi and Gary Green. She and Kyle will both be here for the shower.

**Teachers Needed**
Two teachers are needed for Sunday morning 1st Grade, beginning immediately.
1 teacher is needed to help in the 3 year-old class on Wednesday night.
Please call Robin Pratt-Webber if you can help (783-8728).

**Missing from the Library**
Ben Hur (video)
Religion in the South (book)
Please check to see if you have either item and return it to the Library.

**50th Anniversary**
In honour of the Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary of
Mr. and Mrs. Richard A. Branum
their family
requests the pleasure of your company at a Reception
Sunday, the ninth of March
two until four in the afternoon

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Believe it or not, we're already half way through the first quarter of the year. That's right, we're 6 weeks into 2003. So I wanted to take this opportunity to tell you about a new class that will be starting in 6 weeks.

In an effort to provide more information to benefit our families, we have selected the following class for April - June: "Parenting Teenagers for Positive Results."

We will be breaking new ground at West-Ark with this class. Let me explain:

"Parenting Teenagers for Positive Results" will be a class for both Parents and Teens. That's right! Moms, Dads and their teens will all be in the same class.

Has it ever seemed like an oxymoron to you how the church routinely preaches and promotes family unity, yet we divide everyone up the second they walk in the doors.

There are separate classes for moms, separate classes for dads, and there are separate classes for all of the different ages of our children. In addition to this, we rarely even sit together in worship. How did this happen?

In an effort to truly be more "family centered," we're going to put the family together in class as we discuss 6 major ways we can strengthen our family relationships.

The great thing about this class is that it will benefit so many different kinds of families. This class will help the traditional family, the blended family, the divorced family, the separated family, and families that will have teens in the near future.

Please make plans now to participate in this class next quarter. More information and sign-up sheets will be coming soon... (May God bless all of our families.)

**Nursery Schedule**
A.M. Infants: Berniece Rogers, Sharon Faries, Joann Davenport
Toddlers: Sue George, Kristin Smith
Evening : Marjorie Blake, Bennie Hedrick

**Schedule of Services**
Sunday Worship (10:30)..............678
Sunday Classes (9:30) ................. 445
Sunday Evening (6:00)...................N.C
The Way (4:00) ................................51
Spanish Morning Worship.................22
Spanish Evening Worship (6:30)......10
Wednesday Worship (7:00)............N.C.
Sunday Contribution ................$17,523

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