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Family
Lines Newsletter, July 27,
2003
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**"Change?
Me Change? In What Ways?"**
**David Chadwell**
Ephesians 3:20, Now to Him who is able to do far
more abundantly
beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that
works within us . . .
Virtually all the Christians receiving Paul's
letters in our New Testament were first generation Christians. What does
that mean? They did not grow up in Christian homes with Christian fathers
and mothers. They were the first Christians in their
families.
In Jewish families, Christian ethics and morality
were quite familiar. [Ethics concern principles for determining right and
wrong. Morality applies the principles to lifestyle behavior.] Old
Testament Judaism and New Testament Christianity agreed God must be reverenced
and people must be treated properly. For the devout Jewish adult, the big
issue did not involve basic questions of Jewish/Christian ethics or
morality. The big issue involved Jesus' identity. Was Jesus God's
promised Messiah, the Christ?
For people who grew up in pagan families, it was
quite a different matter. Often idolatrous ethics and morality seriously
contrasted with Christian ethics and morality. Among pagan people there
was a genuine clash with Christianity (a) about right and wrong and (b) about
lifestyles [behavior]. For many idol worshippers, becoming a Christian
involved major lifestyle changes [not minor lifestyle
adjustments!].
Paul's letters to congregations primarily were to
pagan people. Since the resurrected Jesus gave Paul a ministry to non-Jews
(Acts 9:15, 16; Galatians 2:8-10), that is understandable. Paul had the
God-given mission of reconciling people to God who did not know God.
A common method Paul used to show pagan converts
the distinction between the lifestyle of a person who does not know God and the
lifestyle of a person who belongs to God can be called the "before and after"
method. What is that? Paul often said, "This is who you were and how
you lived before you were Christians. This is who you are and how you must
live as Christians."
Consider Ephesians 4:17-32. This is a
statement of "you do not live as you used to live, but you now live as people
who belong to God"--a clear "before and after" statement.
Some of the pagan "baggage" they injected into
Christian lifestyle was lying, anger, stealing, anti-godly speech, bad
attitudes, and hate (Ephesians 4:25-32). This lifestyle could not
continue. These practices must be replaced with truth, concern for people,
helping those in need, encouragement, kindness, and forgiveness. Their new
role model for godly lifestyle and Christian behavior: God as
reflected in Jesus.
What a change! What power this change
involved! Where can this "power to change lifestyles" be found? In
God! God always has been the power source for godly lifestyle changes--even
for us! How well does your behavior model Paul's "before and
after"?
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**"Be There"**
**By David Boozer**
Last Thursday morning at 9:30, I received a phone
call from a man who was already drunk for the day. I have known him for
about a year. "I'm at the Garden Lodge," he managed to say with difficulty. "I
need help."
My first thought was to wonder why he had called
me. I was too busy for this! I wanted to tell him in my best Dr. Laura
voice, "Tell you what, pal: you sober up and then call me! I can't
help you when you're drunk!"
But God's Spirit kept me from saying that. Instead,
I went and picked him up. As we were driving around trying to figure out
what to do with him, he told me again that he needed help. "Well, what
kind of help do you need?" I asked, wondering what he would say.
He stuttered around for a bit and then said, "I
need to be around Christian people."
I dropped him off at a place where he could sleep
off the alcohol. As I left, I thought about what he had said--and what he
had not said. He didn't ask for Jule Miller filmstrips. He didn't
ask why the Church of Christ is against instrumental music. He didn't ask
our stance on premillennialism. He simply said he needed to be around
Christian people.
I guess I could have told him that the church meets
at a certain time and place where he could find us every week. But the
more I think about it now, the more I understand that he is not looking for a
worship service; he is looking for the Light. Jesus said that YOU are the
light of the world--you and me! And like bugs on a hot July night, people
are attracted to the light--to us! Our task is to be there and reflect that
Light.
Don't expect opportunities like this to arise at
some worship service. Instead, expect them at an inconvenient place like
the Garden Lodge and at an inconvenient time like 9:30 Thursday morning.
Expect someone to say, in coded language, something like, "I need you because
you reflect the Light." Then, BE THERE!
**Spotlight ON**
**The Car Clinic**
Contacts:
Jack and Janice Lowry; Marvin and Bobbie Hughes; Mike and Mary Burkett
Needs:
Anyone with mechanical abilities is welcome to join this group and help to serve
others!
The Car Clinic began approximately fifteen years
ago and is closely tied to the Widows/Widowers ministry. The actual clinic
is held the first Saturday of the month (except for January and July) at the
annex parking area -- weather permitting. Marvin Hughes, Mike Burkett, and
Jack Lowry do the minor auto maintenance for the Widows/Widowers/60+ group. This
includes oil change, checking fluid levels, checking tire pressure, rotating
tires, etc. There is no charge for this service; however, each person
is asked to bring his or her own supplies and parts. At each clinic
approximately three to eight cars are serviced. In between servicing these
autos, they also service the church vans. The main challenge is working in
"an outdoor garage." That is why the announcements say, weather
permitting.
What a great service this is! Thank you for being
willing disciples for Jesus who are eager to serve others! May God bless this
ministry, and to Him be all the glory and praise forever and ever!
In His Service,
Christy Hesslen
**Gateway News**
Winners for the David I rotation are:
2nd Grade:
Riley Beneux, Bethany Brown, Breck Cogswell, Lauren Hankins, Becca Risley, and
Lauren Willis.
3rd Grade: Amanda Broom, Kate Burkett, Hope Hesslen, Jacob
Holliman, Olivia Kleman, Autumn Pistole, Julie Orrick, Carl Wood, and Brandon
Yowell.
4th Grade: Shelby Armstrong, Kathryn Willis
5th Grade:
Jessica Frost
6th Grade: Rani Abuzeide
We had two grand
prize winners this time: Autumn Pistole and Kathryn Willis!
Congratulations to all the winners. Keep up the good work. The memory
verse for the David 2 rotation is Psalm 23 (New King James version).
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**In Our Thoughts and Prayers**
* Bill Dickey was in St. Edward Hospital with an inner ear problem and is
now home.
* Agnes Ely (mother of Dave Cogswell) had bypass surgery Tuesday in
Kansas City.
* Zach Randall (the grandson of Genneil Nye) has a serious
infection in his foot.
* Janet Jackson is scheduled for surgery on August
22nd.
* Eugene Smith is in Sparks Hospital, room 434.
* Prayer has been
requested for an 11-year old child with leukemia.
* Lucila Lara (mother of
Mickey Mendez) is in Sparks, room 539.
* Caruth Alexander (a former West-Ark
member) is in Sparks, room 692.
* Please continue in prayer for Kathy Monk,
John Hawkins, Anita Maxwell, and Judy Embry.
**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended to the Neal Family in the
death of Mrs. Virgie Neal, the mother of Don Neal, and the grandmother of Barry
Neal, Mike Neal, and Debbie Belote. Funeral services were Thursday at the Church
of Christ in Johnson, AR.
**Double Congratulations**
Congratulations to Paul and Coleen Shirley on
the birth of two grandchildren. Amy Jonette was born July 18 to Allen and
Polly Dehm in Jonesboro. She weighed 7 lbs., 6 ozs. A grandson, Carter
Cowan Scates was born July 20 to Mark and Kerry Scates in Fayetteville. He
weighed 7 lbs., 12 ozs.
**Home Health Worker Needed**
George Stevens is looking for a woman to
stay with his wife, Gayle, during the day Monday - Friday during school hours
for the 2003-2004 school year. This is a full-time paid position. If
interested, please contact George Stevens at 471-5471.
**Note of Thanks**
I love everybody more than they can imagine. I have
never had such love for and from everyone. You have been wonderful beyond words.
So many blessings have come our way through the experience of my illness. Thank
you for your prayers and caring for us.
Janet Jackson
**Baby Shower**
Stephanie McClendon, formerly a member at West-Ark, is
visiting in Fort Smith. Debra Willis is planning a baby shower for Stephanie's
baby daughter (due in October). The come-and-go shower is Friday, July 25, from
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Dr. Willis' office at 5604 Ellsworth. A light lunch
will be provided. Stephanie is registered at Penneys, Toys 'R Us, and Wal-Mart.
**Sunday in Worship**
- Morning -
Christ In Us - Our Hope!
By
David Chadwell
- Evening -
4th Sunday Singing followed by a Fellowship Meal in
the FLC.
Please bring desserts!
**Changes of Address**
Mike and Kathy Goings
116 Valley View
Hot Springs, AR 71901
Phone:
(501) 624-4817
Bill & Cami Stancil
Dalton and Thad
3021 Mt. Zion
Road
Greenwood, AR 72936
Phone: 996-8568
**Happy Birthday**
August 1
Myra Flippo
Pat Beard
Patricia Smith
August 2
Paul Tucker
August 3
Jay Glidewell
Mary Huff
Matthew Jones
Charles
Karr
August 4
Jim Arnold
Barbara Snell
Winston Turpin
August 5
Eric Berger
Judi Green
Louis Mendez
Ben Neal
Sarah
Robbins
Jimmy Rogers
August 6
Jim Pratt
Barbara Smith
August 7
Donna Tyler
August 8
Donnie Abernathy
Wayne Bailey
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**"Volunteers
Make the World Go Round"**
**By: Brad Pistole**
This past week took every ounce of energy I had. We worked on VBS everyday
and three nights we didn't wrap up till after 10 p.m. We measured, cut, nailed,
screwed, built, lifted, loaded, unloaded, and then we built some more. I become
very familiar with the terms hot, sticky, and exhausted.
However, throughout the week, I was reminded of a couple of things: this is
my job and I love my job. Fortunately, I am paid to do something I love. Now, I
must admit, when the 60th hour of the week rolled around, I had to think about
how much I "loved" this. But something deeper kept creeping into my mind: the
volunteers.
You see, right by my side all week long were volunteers. There were
preteens, teens, adults, co-workers, and retired members of our congregation who
put in some long hours, too.
Some came in the mornings. Some came during their lunch breaks. Some came
after work and stayed long into the night. I was reminded all week long that the
church would not survive without volunteers. They are the backbone of our
service to others.
For instance, this year we decided to make everyone a VBS shirt. Dena and
Carolyn found the design. Debbie made some additions to it and scanned it into
our computer system. Myra found a good deal on t-shirt transfers and ordered
them for us. Lynn printed over 200 transfer sheets for us, and various teens and
adults took part in making the shirts. What a great team!
Then comes Shane and Audra Bostnick. Audra has been working with our teens
on the plays for VBS each day and Shane has been nothing short of AMAZING.
Together, they have come up with so many ideas. Shane has designed many of the
physical aspects that will help make VBS happen this year. He has volunteered
his shop, tools and time. And he is playing the part of Jesus in our plays
throughout the week.
All of these people are volunteers. They are people who love Jesus and they
love children. They believe in the words of Matthew 18:1-3. They realize the
greater reward that comes from serving others. I look forward to VBS as always,
but the work that came with going the extra mile this year will bring with it
some great memories that were created because volunteers from this church
decided to take the time to make a difference in the lives of our children.
THANK YOU!
**Nursery for Sunday**
Infants
Berniece Rogers
Gracy Risley
Sharon Faries
Tracy
Risley
Toddlers
Louise Howard
Cami Stancil
P.M. Nursery
Robertta Moses
Laurie Armstrong
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**Schedule of Services**
Sunday Worship (10:30).................630
Sunday Classes (9:30)
.................. 351
Sunday Evening (6:00)...................312
Small
Group......................................15
The Way (4:00)
................................72
Wednesday Worship (7:00)............
324
Sunday Contribution ................$18,219
Laotian
Attendance.............................23
Office Phone (479) 452-1240
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