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Family
Lines Newsletter, March 16,
2003
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**Two's Company, Three's a Crowd -- Bring on the
Crowd**
By Ron Lenderman
Many of us who have children fall into one of three
categories: 1) we have experienced the anxiety of sending our children off to
college, 2) we are experiencing the anxiety of sending our children off to
college, or 3) we will experience the anxiety of sending our children off to
college. Our anxiety typically has something to do with concern about how our
children will make decisions when they don't have the benefit of our input. Will
they be able to find Christian friends?
Thanks to the
foresight of several employees of the University of Arkansas Fort Smith
(formerly Westark College), there is now a church of Christ affiliated
organization on the campus of UAFS that can help our students identify and
associate with Christian friends. These Christian men and women had the
vision to help get this organization established on campus in advance of the
anticipated growth in the student population. With the construction of
student housing scheduled for completion in time for the next school term, it
couldn't have come at a better time.
There has also been a group of adults at West-Ark
who have been involved with our college age men and women for the last two
years. They have been involved as teachers, friends, planners, leaders,
helpers, and encouragers for these young Christians, but they and your elders
recognize the need for more to be done. There needs to be a consistent
effort made to help these students experience spiritual growth. We can't
do it alone. It demands the combined efforts of all area
churches.
Your elders have invited area church leaders to a
meeting on Thursday evening, March 27, to discuss the need (should I say
requirement) for a college focused ministry for UAFS. We have invited
Chuck Shaffer from Tahlequah, OK, to come speak about this subject because he
has been involved in helping start this kind of ministry in several
communities. We feel a ministry like this is long past due, and we cannot
afford to wait any longer.
How important is it? From a personal
perspective, it is vitally important. I called our son Randy tonight to
ask him his opinion on this matter. You should first know that when he
decided to transfer to the U of A after his freshman year at the University of
Central Arkansas, I was nervous to say the least. While I always had
confidence that he could make good decisions, I was very concerned because of
the reputation the U of A had as a party school. I had heard enough horror
stories about what happened to some kids who went there to make me anxious to
say the least.
Instead of getting involved in the party atmosphere
at the school, he got involved in a group called Razorbacks for Christ, an
on-campus church of Christ sponsored student organization. No, it was not
a forgone conclusion that he would make that decision. However, because
they were there and he did choose to give it a try, he developed relationships
with like-minded young people. His relationship with Jesus has grown in ways I
can't begin to describe for you. It is especially good that he had that
foundation on which to stand because he is not surrounded by a group of
like-minded people in his current environment.
I asked Randy if he could think of a good scripture
that would summarize the value of having a campus focused ministry and he
suggested Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. I couldn't have thought of a better one
myself.
"Two are better than one ... if one falls down, his
friend can help him up. ...A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."
Please pray for this effort and for all young men
and women whom we can influence at UAFS.
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**"7 Kids, 7 Days, and 1 Savior: Part
2"**
By David Boozer
"Satan is poised to pounce, and would like nothing
better than to catch us napping," (The Message, I Peter 5:8). And haven't
we been napping, at least in one sense? As a church, haven't we been
ignoring Ft. Smith's inner city children? Yes, there was that joy bus fad
back in the 70s when we bused gobs and gobs of inner city kids into our Sunday
schools once a week. It was a great effort, but it went out of style with
bell-bottoms and disco.
Now, the Spirit is leading us to the children of
these former joy bus riders, but with one major difference: We are no
longer trying to bless "gobs" of children; instead, we are working with a small
handful. One way of doing this is by taking seven (possibly nine) inner
city children to Camp Wyldewood this summer (June 8-14). But there are
some obstacles: Their families can't pay their way; they can't supply their camp
supplies; they can't transport them. In order for these kids to go to
camp, we must provide all of these things.
Camp Fees: The total camp fees for all seven
children are over $1100. God, working through some special, anonymous
Christians, has already provided for this! Thank-you!!
Camp Supplies: Each of these children will
need a CAMP CARE PACKAGE which will include all of their camp supplies such as
sleeping bags, a disposable camera, towels, etc. If your gift is shopping,
checkout the bulletin board in the West-Ark foyer this Sunday for how you can
help with this.
Transportation to camp: Transportation to
Camp Wyldewood in Searcy will be on one of the church vans. I will drive
them and spend the entire week with them.
Every Sunday at the Way, these kids walk closer to
Jesus Christ. Camp Wyldewood will be an important part of their journey
toward Him. May He bless these seven kids those seven days as they get to
know the one Savior better.
**Parenting Teenagers for Positive
Results **
This class for parents of teens and preteens begins
on Sunday morning, April 6th, in the FLC. It is an interactive class that
teaches how to be a more godly, effective parent. For more information please
visit the table in the foyer, and sign-up as soon as possible so workbooks can
be ordered.
**LTC Announcements**
Convention Coaches need to
pick up participant ID numbers from Room 126.
**LTC Practices**
4:00 Chorus
5:00
Drama
6:00
Puppets
PLEASE be in attendance. Time is running out for
practices.
**Guyana/Evangelism Class**
Roy Dunavin and
Michael Cole continue the weekly Guyana Mission Team preparation classes in Room
211. Everyone interested in learning how to better teach the Gospel
locally, as well as in Guyana, is welcome to attend.
**2nd Annual City of Children Golf Tournament/Fund
Raiser**
It's time for our 2nd annual, 4 person scramble golf tournament to
raise funds for our Mexico Mission trip. The tournament will once again take
place at Ben Geren on Saturday, April 5th. Tee times will vary from 11-12:30
p.m. The cost will be $40 per player and will include your green fee. Men and
women are encouraged to play. Please find a sign-up sheet in the foyer by the
Mexico Mission Bulletin Board. Teams must be registered NO LATER than Sunday,
March 23rd.
**Sunday's Speakers**
Richard Hostetler,
a.m.
Kevin Roberts, p.m.
**Ladies' Day**
Saturday, April 5
Poteau
Church of Christ
Theme: "A Cup of Friendship"
Guest Speaker: Sharon
Ackerman
of Edmond, Oklahoma
Singers: "One Voice"
Registration 8:45
a.m.
Dismiss around 12:30 p.m.
Lunch is provided.
RSVP Mary Scott (918)
647-4873
Childcare provided for children under 5 years.
**Happy Birthday**
March 17
Bertha Glover
Marie
Lile
March 18
Evan Dunavin
Meredith Dye
Caitlin
Kleman
Suzette Todd
Brad Walker
March 19
Marie Arnold
David Berger
Shirley
Bullard
Meg Canfield
March 20
Blake Frost
Amanda
Washburn
March 22
Linda Allen
Debra Gail
Hatfield
Donna Roper
Greg Wewers
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**In Our Thoughts and Prayers**
Braxton William Perkins (newborn grandson of Donna
& Larry Roper) is on antibiotics at Washington Regional Hospital in
Fayetteville. His family hopes he will be able to go home by the
weekend.
Dylan Roper (son of Wes & Kristin) had
outpatient surgery Thursday morning at St. Edward Hospital.
Marion Hastings (Sue's father) is in Sparks
Hospital. He had heart by-pass surgery Thursday morning.
Oneta Love is in Sparks, room 560.
Gail Stevens remains in room 5419 in St. Edward
Hospital.
Mary Huff was scheduled to see the doctor in
Nashville this week.
Allen Wells (Joyce Chadwell's father) has shown
some improvement this week.
Erma Beshears (Patti Anderson's mom) is having lots
of pain in her legs.
Vernon Varner (Myra Flippo's uncle) has a bone
infection and will possibly need an amputation below the knee. He is 89 years
old.
Michelle Boozer had out-patient surgery
Wednesday.
Harold Binyon was in the hospital and is now
home.
Jenna Frederick, Ken and Beth's baby, has been in
the hospital and is now home.
Continue to pray for Virgil Kirchner, Sandy Berger,
Kathy Bauer, Vicki Varvel, Sandy Thurman, and Fred Goebel.
**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended
to Oneta Love and Marie Lile in the death of their sister, Lessie Garner. Lessie
was a former member of West-Ark. Funeral services were last week in
Texas.
**Change of Address**
Jason & Sara
Dockery
1612 Holly Circle
Fort Smith, AR 72908
Phone:
648-9266
**Birth Announcement**
Congratulations to Larry
& Donna Roper on the birth of a grandson, Braxton William Perkins, born to
their daughter Randi and her husband Lloyd on 3/6/03. Braxton weighed 7 lbs., 13
ozs. and is 20 1/2 inches long.
**"No Debt, No Sweat" Books**
If you would like
to purchase one of Steve Diggs' books, they are available in the church office
for three weeks. 1 book is $18; 2 books are $30; 3 books are
$43.
**Note of Thanks**
Dear Church Family,
We are
truly thankful for the beautiful peace lily sent to the service for Jim's
mother. A time like this is very hard and the visits, cards, and prayers help us
very much. Thank you.
Jim & Janie Wyatt
**New in the Library**
Come To the Table has
been placed in the Library in memory of Robbie Kilmer by Kevin & Sheila
Vaught.
**Bible Class Song Project**
We would like to
learn 15 to 20 new songs this year. To select these songs in such a way as to
provide the widest possible input and diversity of song styles, we are asking
each Sunday morning class from the 7th grade through Adults to select one new
song. New doesn't necessarily mean when the song was written, but a song that we
haven't been singing at West-Ark.
Teachers: Please ask your class to work on
selecting a new song and have a decision made by Sunday morning the 23rd of
March.
Elders and Worship Committee
**Wedding Reception **
A reception in honor of
Jack & Glenda (Hodnett) Lewis
is planned for Sunday, March 30th, from
4:00 - 6:00 p.m. in the Annex.
This is also a great opportunity to
meet Jack and welcome him to this congregation.
No gifts, please, but
donations to Jack & Glenda's Guyana Mission trip are welcomed.
Please
call Christy Puckett or the church office if you have questions.
**Wedding Bells**
This day I will marry my best
friend,
the one I laugh with, live for and, love
Karen Angela Coleman,
daughter of
Randy & Linda Coleman
and Jeffery Wayne Pointer
son of
Harold and Dianna Pointer
hope that you will join in this
celebration on
Saturday, March 15
at two o'clock in the afternoon
Pleasant Valley Church
of Christ
6020 Kibler Road
Van Buren, Arkansas
**Pantry Items Needed**
*Small boxes of powdered
milk
*Canned meats
Donations may be placed in the foyer or brought to the
church office between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
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**Family
Life Ministry**
By Brad Pistole
Several of our pre-teen parents have asked the
following questions concerning our new "Parenting Teenagers for Positive
Results" class: Can we participate in the class and should we bring our
pre-teens with us?
The first answer is yes. This class is definitely
for parents of pre-teens. If you have a child age 9-12 or a teen, this class
would be perfect for you. However, in regard to the second question, the class
is not designed for pre-teen students. If you have a child age 9-12, they can
attend their regularly scheduled class.
Another repeat question has been: "What if my teen
doesn't want me in the class?" That is a definite sign that you need to be in
the class. Our 7th-12th graders will be in this class as it is the only class
being offered to them next quarter. Please don't force your teen to take the
class alone. They need the support of their family. Remember, anything that has
worth requires effort and hard work. If you want a great family, you need to do
your part to make sure it happens!
I want to continue to remind all of you about this
new class, "Parenting Teenagers for Positive Results" that will begin in just 3
weeks. Our first class will take place in the FLC on Sunday, April
6th.
There is now a sign-up sheet for this class in the
foyer next to the Parents' Information Table which is found against the nursery
wall. (Look for the bright posterboard.) It is very important that each family
sign-up as we need to order workbooks for each class member.
It is possible for families to share a copy of the
book, but it would be best if each family member had their own copy as we will
be working in various groups throughout the 13 week class. Workbooks will be $10
each.
Come join us as we study the following 6 lessons:
1) Attitude is Everything
2) Self-Image Struggles
3)
Communicating With Your Kids
4) Navigating Sexuality
5)
Developing Media Discernment
6) Helping Your Teenager Grow
Spiritually
**Nursery Schedule**
A.M. 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) ..................
468
Sunday Evening (6:00)....................N.C.
The Way (4:00)
.................................41
Spanish Morning
Worship.................23
Spanish Evening
Worship.................13
Wednesday Worship (7:00).............273
Sunday Contribution .................$18,436
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