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Family
Lines Newsletter, August 3,
2003
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**What An Encouragement!**
By David
Chadwell
"Now may the God who gives perseverance and
encouragement grant you to be of the
same mind with one another according to
Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may
with one voice glorify the God
and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 15:5, 6).
At times the world surrounds us with discouraging
happenings. Death of a loved one, incurable disease, loss of job,
bankruptcy, divorce, unfaithfulness, injustices, acts of war, acts of terrorism,
international intrigue, inhumanity, and such like things scream at us daily. As
alarm clocks ring, many "steel" themselves for the day with this thought: "If
things can go wrong today, they will." Unfortunately, we are conditioned
to expect bad things. It is as though our world exists in the "desert of
bad happenings."
Suddenly, an oasis appears with its water of life
bringing hope and relief. An incredible vacation Bible school is fashioned
by the volunteer efforts of countless adults. Volunteers serve in an
education program that constantly evaluates the spiritual needs of
students. A growing Hispanic outreach celebrates its first year of
existence with joy and interaction. An inner city outreach touches lives
that a few years ago were regarded unreachable. A new opportunity to begin
a campus ministry work arises with the potential of touching many lives.
Ministries to evangelistic and medical needs are directed to several places in
our world. The widows and elderly are served. Those in need are fed.
Transportation to worship is provided. Quilts are made for gifts.
Projectionists illustrate sermons. Tapes are reproduced and mailed. Short
term mission trips occur. Congregational fellowships are monthly
occasions. Small groups gather. Elders seek "feedback" from the
congregation. Men and women in jail are taught. Individuals quietly
respond to needs they see with a fervent desire to extend hope.
Why? Why does all this happen? Does
someone force all these people to be involved? Is there some "bribe," some
"coercion," some "guilting" that masterfully manipulates? No. Those
so moved seek citizenship in a world where they belong--and this world is not
that place. They see God's goodness and the grace He lavishes upon us in
Jesus Christ. This water of life is not produced through human
accomplishments, but through the divine love that revealed God's seriousness in
Jesus' redemptive, atoning blood. They serve Christ the Lord to the glory
of God the Father. They are His children.
"Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles,
so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of
your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation." (1
Peter 2:12)
"Therefore encourage one another and build up one
another, just as you also are doing. ... We urge you, brethren, admonish
the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with
everyone." (1 Thessalonians 5:11, 14)
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**"The Visitor"**
By David Boozer
She had
never been on West-Ark church of Christ property before. Never been in the
auditorium. Never checked out a book from the church library. And
never been in one of our classrooms. But last week, she walked into the
church office, made a few comments, and left. But before she left, she
handed a check to Lynn Dickey. She said it was a gift to this
church! When was the last time that happened?! What would make
someone from our community give us a gift of hard-earned money?
You see, she has a friend named Angela
Franklin. Recently, this church helped Angela and her children get into a
comfortable home. The teens from this church spent a whole week painting
the house and getting it ready. Many Christians here gave money,
furniture, food, and clothes. Now, none of this was done to solicit
donations. None of it was even done to be noticed, but people can't help but
notice light amid darkness. Angela's friend noticed. By the way, she said
she would be back.
"Now that I've put you on a hilltop-shine!
Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll
prompt people to open up to God," (Matthew 5.16). Our thanks go to our
Father who works through us to accomplish what He wants. May we always
listen for His instructions. He gets all the honor!
**Iglesia de Cristo Celebrates Primer Aniversaro**
Dear West-Ark Family,
It has been a year of great challenges, testing,
and triumphs. With the help of God and you, we have together initiated the
Hispanic church in Fort Smith. We are a congregation with a lot of future. This
Sunday, August 3rd, we will be celebrating our first anniversary. If you would
like to rejoice with us, you are more than welcome!
II Corinthians
3:6
Oscar Nolasco
**Wednesday WINGS**
It's almost time to order
our books for the 2003 Fall-Winter WINGS study! If you are interested in being a
part of this class, plan to attend a fellowship in Room 211 at 7 p.m. on
Wednesday night, August 20, and bring a check to cover the cost of your book. We
prefer payment by check to help with record keeping.
Subject: Cassandra
Martin's book, Paul: By the Grace of God
Cost: Approximately $13.25 per book.
Leaders: Brenda Lenderman, Pat Campbell, Jane Fisher, Patty Null, LaReeca
Herndon, Kathy Monk, Peggy Pistole, & Donna Beneux.
If you want to
participate but cannot be present on August 20, give your check to one of the
leaders before the August 20th fellowship.
**Gateway News**
The memory verse for the David
2 rotation is Psalm 23 (New King James version).
The LORD is my
shepherd;
I shall not
want.
He makes me to lie down in green
pastures;
He leads me beside the
still waters.
He restores my
soul;
He leads me in the paths of
righteousness
For His name's
sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow
of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they
comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my
enemies;
You anoint my head with
oil;
My cup runs
over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall
follow me
All the days of my
life;
And I will dwell in the
house of the LORD
Forever.
**Fall Valley View Church of Christ Golf
Tournament**
Date: Saturday, September 27
Where: Ben Geren Golf
Course
To enter call Niketa Stinchcomb at 996-3001 or the Valley View church
at 996-6040 and leave your name, phone number, and an average score for 18
holes. Check in by 12:15 p.m. Tee off starts at 1 p.m.
**Unused Classroom Furniture**
If you have
furniture in your classroom that is not being used, please call the office so we
can redistribute it.
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**Remember in Prayer**
* Janet Jackson is
scheduled for surgery on August 22nd.
* Eugene Smith is in Sparks Hospital,
room 434. He is improving.
* Lucila Lara (mother of Mickey Mendez) is in
Sparks, room 655.
* Kathy Monk is feeling better and is eating well.
*
Vicki Varvel (daughter of John & Nadine Hawkins). See the related note
below.
* Sandy Bandy requests prayers for her husband, Richard, as he waits
for biopsy results. Sandy's parents, Chuck and Fran Evans (now deceased) were
members at West-Ark.
**Baptism**
Daniel Fagan
21 Vista Hills
Blvd.
Van Buren, AR 72956
Phone: 474-1727
Daniel is the nephew of
Charlotte Pinedo. He was baptized July 20th after worship by Roy
Dunavin.
**Notes of Thanks**
To the West-Ark Family,
I
greatly appreciate the prayers of all regarding my recent surgery. Thanks for
all the cards and other expressions of concerns and best wishes. Please continue
to pray for a good recovery as God wills.
Love,
Jerry
Canfield
Dear Christian Family,
We would like to thank
you for the cards and prayers -- they helped so much! We would also like to ask
you to pray for our daughter, Vicki Varvel. Her cancer treatments have stopped
working, and she is in stage 4. The doctors say only chemo may work, but after
much prayer and studying she has decided not to take chemo again at this time.
She left for Mexico Sunday, July 28 for treatments. Please pray that this is the
right decision.
In Christian love,
John & Nadine
Hawkins
Thank you so much for your prayers and concern for
our brother-in-law, Joel Prigge, who has been released to go back to
work.
Wilburn and Louise Howard
Many thanks for the prayers, calls, and cards in
the loss of my granddaughter, Leighanne. They were greatly
appreciated.
Aline Story & Family
**Bereaved**
Word has been received of the death
of Florence Hooper (formerly of West-Ark). If you would like to send a card to
Clint, his address is: Clint Hooper, 644 McMurray Drive, Nashville, TN 37211. A
note from Clint and Florence's daughter is below.
Dear West-Ark,
Just a note to let the church
know that my mother passed away July 17th. My parents have kept in contact with
some of the members there. My parents talked highly of the church there at
West-Ark. I know they missed the congregation. Please keep my father in your
prayers as he goes through this difficult time.
In Christian
love,
Wanda Sanders
**Box Fans Needed**
Box fans are needed to give
to families who do not have air conditioning. If you have new or used ones to
give, please bring them to the Annex.
**Car Clinic**
Saturday, August 2, at the Annex
from 8:00 to 10:30 a.m. (please note the time change).
**Widows/Widowers Excursion**
We will leave the
Annex on Saturday, August 2, at 10:45 a.m. for a short drive to Brad &
Yvonne Pistole's home. Call Bobbie, Mary or Janice if you need transportation to
the Annex.
**New Great-Granddaughter**
Congratulations to
Janelle Graves Price (formerly of West-Ark) on the birth of a
great-granddaughter, Savannah Rose Palmer. Savannah was born July 22 and lives
in Alma, AR.
**Jule Miller Videos**
If you have Jule Miller
videos you are not using, please return them to the church
building.
**David's Sermons**
Parenting: An Exhausting
Challenge (a.m.)
God's Chosen, Part I (p.m.)
**Happy Birthday**
August 10
David
Pippin
Mary Vampola
August 11
Michael Blasdel
Heather
Curtis
Mitch Harper
John Lankford
August 12
Jason Dockery
Lacy
Jennings
Eileen Jones
Carlene Payne
August 13
Kelvin Kleman
August 14
Janet Cathey
Madaline
Collins
Martha Gooden
Benjamin Huff
James Mason
Kaye
Smith
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**Family Life Ministry**
By Brad
Pistole
What an Incredible week of Vacation Bible
School! I have no doubts: The name of Jesus Christ was lifted high and
taught and praised and worshipped at West-Ark during VBS 2003.
I want to thank all of the helpers, workers, and
planners. I want to thank everyone who donated items and money for VBS. I want
to thank all of those who helped build, setup, tear down, etc. Thanks to all of
the volunteers that helped make VBS possible.
Our young people and teenagers continue to amaze
me. They worked long days and nights the weeks before VBS and they worked many
long hours during VBS. I am thankful for them, for their spirits and for all
they continue to teach me.
I especially want to thank Mark Hite, Shane and
Audra Bocksnick, Dena Jenkins and Carolyn Harrell for their constant dedication
and devotion that made this event take place. They are truly servant-hearted
people.
This was one week I didn't want to end. It was a
great learning environment for all involved. I look forward to the many ways we
will be able to build on this experience in the years to come.
**Coming Event**
As our summer events come to a
close, I want to remind all of our teens about a special day this coming
Saturday, August 2. We will meet at the building at 9:00 a.m. and travel to my
house to cook a meal for our widows and widowers. We look forward to this time together. We will return to the building with the teens by 4 p.m.
**In the Nursery**
A. M. Infants
Paula
May
Sandi Pippin
Melissa Walker
Toddlers
Dena Jenkins
Irene
Willis
P.M. Nursery
Dixie Burkhart
Gina
Williams
**Schedule of Services**
Sunday Worship
(10:30).................572
Sunday Classes (9:30) ..................
364
Sunday Evening (6:00)....................202
Small
Group.......................................10
The Way (4:00)
.................................52
Wednesday Worship (7:00)............
312
Sunday Contribution .................$11,697
Laotian
Attendance............................35
Hispanic
Attendance..........................63
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