---------------------------------------------------------------
Family
Lines Newsletter, June 8,
2003
---------------------------------------------------------------
**Rejoicing and Groaning**
By David
Chadwell
This congregation brings me joy in many ways.
I see the elders increasingly focus on shepherding human needs. I see
Christians showing compassion with a sense of passion for God. I see quiet
kindness and obvious kindness. I see incredible generosity, in depth
caring, compassionate service, generous commitment, and selfless
sacrifice. I see thoughtful things done for individuals, for families, and
for groups.
Always, I am hesitant to note specifics for fear I
will forget something truly noteworthy. Think of things you know
happen--health clinics in third world countries using equipment CARE collected,
loaded, unloaded, and shipped; school children receiving eye exams and glasses
this fall because of equipment, supplies, and volunteers coming from your
concern; 300 people from the inner city community receiving help here last
Saturday; the inner city community outreach; the Hispanic conversions; 41
members returning from Mexico; a group leaving for Guyana; involvements in
Ethiopia, Nigeria, Thailand, Laos, Romania, France, etc.; the blossoming college
student work; local, active declarations that we care because God shows us how
to love; the struggling encouraged; the hurting to whom we minister; the
confused to whom we provide guidance.
Consider the quilting ladies, the VBS planners and
workers, the quiet maintenance people, the teachers, the projectionists, the
song leaders, etc. I am constantly amazed by the number of caring people
involved in our weekly functions!
Is everything ideal? No! I am equally
amazed at how discouraged some are in the same spiritual environment. Who
is at fault when that occurs? No one! We all have different
background experiences. We all have different needs. We all perceive
differently, learn differently, understand differently, grasp differently, feel
acceptance differently, feel rejection differently, and find purpose
differently. That is not "good" or "bad." It is just real. It
may be just different, but it is absolutely real.
Reality demands God's people in God's kingdom be
flexible, always learn, always grow toward God's purposes, and always
spiritually mature in understanding God's priorities. People are
different. That does not bother God, but it sure bothers us. God can
forgive all who come to Jesus--even if they are different. God can give
grace and mercy to anyone--even if he or she is different. God can make a
son or daughter from anyone--even when he or she is different. Through
Christ, God can place anyone in His kingdom and use him or her--even if he or she
is different!
Should we rejoice when good is done in Jesus'
name? Absolutely! Should we pat ourselves on the back?
Never! Why? For every good thing done in Jesus' name, someone in
need cries for help. Our challenge: be as flexible as God is in meeting
needs and encouraging us who are different.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Page
2
---------------------------------------------------------------
**Spotlight on ... Jail Ministry**
By Christy
Hesslen
Ministry Leaders: Dan Cathey (men); Rochelle Brown
(women)
Needs: Bibles, teachers, and eye glasses
The Jail Ministry began in the early 1980's and
continues to grow since then. Both men and women from West-Ark and sister
congregations meet at the Sebastian County Jail on Sunday mornings at 8:30 a.m.
to teach the men and women who are incarcerated. Dan Cathey and Rochelle Brown
are the willing servants that oversee this ministry. In speaking with both of
them, they wanted the congregation to know that workers are always needed to
plant seeds in the fertile soil of these hearts. "It is not as scary as one
may think," Rochelle stated, and no special training is needed. One just
needs a heart willing to teach the word to these seeking hearts. Dan mentioned
that anyone who wants to observe and see if this field is for them is welcome to
contact him and watch a lesson or two. If one does not want to teach, there is
always a need for donations. Right now reading glasses and large print paperback
Bibles are in high demand. Because of jail regulations, the Bible must meet
certain standards, so contact Dan or Rochelle before purchasing any for this
program.
Much success has come from this ministry. It has
averaged over 400 baptisms in the past five years, and the intrinsic reward and
encouragement gained from meeting with these souls is immeasurable. On the other
hand, the challenges presented in this area are vast, and one must not allow
Satan to discourage their good works in dealing with this ministry. It is
often hard to follow up with new converts because of their release and
relocation. Others battle the demons from their past and easily return to their
old lifestyle of sin. Sometimes, the red tape and bureaucracy is
frustrating. Immediate success is not frequent and that may seem
discouraging to some who teach. However, Dan and Rochelle have not lost sight of
the commandment we have to sow the seed and are encouraged by their
participation in this area.
Thank you to all of you who work to make this
ministry pleasing to God our Father.
**Gateway News**
Second graders, we are so
excited to welcome you to GATEWAY. Your class will meet in The Word workshop
this week. Be sure to be working on your memory verse and bring your Bible to
class. Remember, you also get points for being on time.
The memory verse for
David 1 rotation is: "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at, man
looks at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart" ( 1 Samuel
16:7b).
**Guyana Mission Team 2003**
Remember in prayer
our Guyana Mission Team as they begin their journey early Saturday morning (June
7). They will leave from the Fort Smith Airport at 6:20 a.m. and return on
Sunday, June 15 at 6:50 p.m. Team members this year are:
Richard
Bullard
Michael & Jeannie Cole
Steven & Louise Cole
Roy &
Joyce Dunavin
Vicki Hardin
Gary & Nancy James
Jack & Glenda
Lewis
Robertta Moses
Charlotte Pinedo
Jill Roberts
**Mexico Mission Team **
The City of Children
Mission Team returns to Fort Smith Friday evening, June 6. Flights arrive at
8:05, 10:19 and 10:57 p.m.
**Community Outreach Success!!**
Our Community
Outreach Day was a great success. Over 300 people came by Saturday for the
free meal, clothing, household supplies and furniture. A big thank you to
all the volunteers who worked Friday and Saturday to "put it all
together." ~~Kathy Rosalez
**Happy Birthday**
June 10
Benny Gooden
June 12
Barbara Aldridge
June 13
Randy Moss
June 14
Marcia Dye
Lynnette Purvis
John
Wood
June 15
Beverly Ingram
Jeffrey
Nolasco
---------------------------------------------------------------
Page
3
---------------------------------------------------------------
**Remember In Prayer**
* Margaret Stone is
confined to her home at this time.
* Floy Hamilton (mother of Gary) had a
heart procedure Thursday.
* Kathy Monk is in Little Rock for tests Wednesday
thru Friday.
* Doris Hammack, mother of Sheila Bailey, is in Sparks ICU.
*
Mary and Jess Huff are improving. Jess was dismissed from the hospital Tuesday
and Mary continues to heal following her surgery. They will be with their family
for two more weeks.
* Continue to pray for Vicki Varvel, Sandy Thurman,
Elaine Jordan and Marilyn Ogletree (Jane Choate's daughter).
**Dismissed From the Hospital**
* Helen Branum
and Wanda Jeffcoat are dismissed to home.
* Waymon Wilma Griffin has returned
to Methodist Nursing Home.
**Prayers Requested**
Sunday morning Steve
Williams asked for our prayers. He is committed to becoming a more godly
influence in his family. He would greatly appreciate our encouragement in this
commitment.
**Baptisms at the Way**
Steve Serna, 88 Nelson
Hall Homes, Fort Smith, AR 72904, Phone: 561-3043.
Greg and Sheila Williams,
5401 Jenny Lind #44, Fort Smith, AR 72901, Phone: 561-0828.
**Change of Address**
Charles and Joyce Pippin,
1500 Fianna Way, Fort Smith, AR 72908, Phone: 649-2647.
**New Phone Number**
Kevin & Christy
Hesslen
(918) 435-7020
**Notes of Thanks**
To our West-Ark
Family:
Thank you for your prayers and for every card and kind word during
this difficult time. We are grateful for the love of so many wonderful Christian
brothers and sisters.
The Brian Robbins Family
Your expressions of care and concern while I
recuperated from recent back surgery are greatly appreciated.
Jim
Pratt
I just want to thank everyone for helping make our
reception so nice. The time just went so fast, we didn't get to talk to anyone
very much. I love and appreciate everyone at West-Ark so much. I don't know when
I will get to come back to visit. I went to work at the nursing home here as
bookkeeper the first day I was here. I still don't have all my boxes
unpacked. I have been a part of the church there since October 1958, so I really
miss everyone.
Janelle Graves Price
P.O. Box 284
Norwich, KS
67118
Thank you for the peace lily for Wilma and
family.
The family of Wilma Mizell
**Return Song Books Please**
Additional song
books are needed in the pews. If you have books out, please return them to the
church auditorium as soon as possible.
**Car Clinic**
Car Clinic will be at the Annex
Saturday, June 7, from 8 to 11 a.m.
**Widows/Widowers **
We will leave June 7 at
11:30 p.m. from the Annex to go to the Hughes residence for lunch. Call
Bobbie Hughes, Mary Burkett or Janice Lowry if you need transportation to the
Annex.
**Welcoming Our Babies**
Sunday Morning, June 8,
Mat Griffin will introduce the babies that have been born in the last year at
West-Ark.
The congregation wants to encourage the parents as they seek
to provide them godly guidance.
Please remember the families in your prayers
and encourage them when you can.
**Our Babies Need You!**
Our nursery is growing,
and we are in need of more helping hands -
* Husbands and wives
* Sons and
mothers
not just mothers and teenage girls should feel qualified. You would
be called on to serve one Sunday service a month, or if you want to be more
involved, we have an opening for someone every Wednesday night.
See what a difference a little of your time can
make. Call Jo Davidson, Joann Davenport, or Nancy James for more
details.
**David's Sermons**
Morning: Becoming Spiritual Grown-Ups
Evening:
John Paul Hundley and David Chadwell will speak
---------------------------------------------------------------
Page
4
---------------------------------------------------------------
**Family Life Ministry**
By Brad
Pistole
Finally, the SUMMER has arrived! All of those snow
days and final exams have been accounted for and we can get on with our plans
for SPIRITUAL GROWTH!
This weekend we will welcome an AWESOME new class
of 7th graders into the youth group. We have BIG plans for Sunday night, June
8th.
After we meet for Youth Worship from 6-7 in the
gym, we invite all 7th-12th graders and their parents to stay from 7:00-9:30 as
we welcome our new 7th graders. Food will be provided and everyone needs to
bring a change of clothes. There might even be a Parents VS. Teens volleyball
WAR.
I look forward to the changes that lie ahead. We
have an incredible group of new seniors who are excited and prepared to take
hold of the reins of leadership as they strive to disciple our younger teens in
the group.
The coming year will be full of anticipation and
excitement as our leaders focus on God and all He has done in their lives. Their
goals are set high and they are ready to lead and share with those who are
looking for their example of Christ lived out in their daily walks. I'm glad to
be along for the ride!
**Special News**
Make plans now to bring your
family out for a Father's Day/Evening Celebration at Ben Geren Park on Sunday,
June 15th. We have reserved 3 softball fields and drinks and snacks will be
provided. Bring your ball, bat and glove for a great night of fellowship.
Everyone please bring $1 to help offset the cost of reserving the fields and
lights.
**Pantry Items Needed**
Canned Meat and small
boxes of powdered milk.
**Nursery Workers**
Infants
Trish Carson
Jane Dunavin
Morgan
Dunavin
Toddlers
Bennie Hedrick
Vicki
Anderson
P.M. Nursery
Marquetta Walker
**Schedule of Services**
Sunday Worship
(10:30)................601
Sunday Classes (9:30) .................
384
Sunday Evening (6:00)...................238
The Way (4:00)
...............................73
Wednesday Worship (7:00)...........
343
Sunday Contribution ...............$15,525
Laotian
Attendance..........................27
Hispanic
Attendance........................34
---------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------