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Family
Lines Newsletter, October 5,
2003
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**Faith's Benefits Depend on Jesus'
Resurrection**
By David Chadwell
1 Corinthians 15:12-19 "Now if Christ is preached,
that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is
no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not
even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our
preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. Moreover we are even found to
be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised
Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the
dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been
raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who
have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this
life only, we are of all men most to be pitied."
What are the benefits of trusting the living God
Who: (1) sent His son to earth; (2) allowed His son to stress His priorities and
purposes during the son's ministry; (3) sacrificed His son through execution;
and (4) raised His son from death?
Are they seen in an ideal physical life?
Christ's cross says, "No!" The apostles' deaths say, "No!" Christian
martyrs say, "No!" Poverty stricken Christians say, "No!"
Are they seen in material advantages? Jesus'
teachings said, "No!" (See Matthew 6:19-34.) Paul said, "No!"
(See Ephesians 4:28.) James said, "No!" (See James
5:1-6.)
Are they seen in incredible housing, unimaginable
vehicles, secure retirements, or lavish inheritances? Everything above
says, "No!"
Are they seen in a wonderful spiritual insurance
policy that protects physical life? Death from natural causes, devastating
disease, horrible accidents, random acts of murder, the enterprise of war, the
terrorists' merciless acts, and the ravages of poverty all say, "No!"
Christians die, are diseased, experience accidents, physically suffer when war
occurs around them, are victims of violence, and can lose material
security.
Then what possibly are the benefits of faith in the
living God? Consider some biblical understandings. We understand:
(1) evil perverted all God's intentions in physical existence; (2) the physical
realm is so tainted by evil that God can never achieve His complete purposes in
physical existence; (3) God will achieve His purposes and we will have our
fulfillment when we live with Him; (4) physical death is not an end to life, but
a transition to life as God intended it. Therefore, we confidently use
this life for God in the expectation of experiencing life with God.
Why? We trust God's resurrection of
Jesus. If there was no resurrection, there is no reason to be a Christian,
no benefits of faith in God. If that is the case, Paul said we are pitiful
people who were deceived by lies.
The peace, joy, hope, and strength Christians have
now are built on the foundation of Jesus' resurrection. His resurrection
is the foundation of our resurrection.
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Missions Weekend is November 14-16
**Focus on Bulgaria**
By Jerry
Canfield
As we begin to plan for Missions Weekend in
mid-November, news from a previous West-Ark missions point is encouraging.
God blessed West-Ark with the opportunity to fund the efforts of Tom and Sheryl
Black to move into Sofia, Bulgaria, the first winter after the fall of the Iron
Curtain and for five years thereafter.
A congregation was established in Sofia and other
congregations were encouraged in other Bulgarian cities. From the new
beginning the congregation in Sofia has grown to more than 200 members.
Tom and Sheryl continue to travel three times each
year to Bulgaria to encourage the congregations in Sofia and elsewhere.
Their report from July, 2003 is on a bulletin board in the building entrance
area. The Sofia congregation has always suffered (unless God is using it
as a blessing) for a place to assemble. There are few places to rent (they
met for years in the Communist Party headquarters). Most places can't
accommodate their number, and they have to move often. They were meeting
in a large movie auditorium, but a dispute among the owners recently required a
return to a political club without advance notice. (They could only leave
a member at the one and tell members to come to the old location). At that
morning's first service, approximately 110 squeezed into the club with 40
standing. The room was completely full with the 70 members who attended
that morning's second service.
Thanks to all at West-Ark for responding to a great
opportunity to be involved in an effort which continues to glorify God and the
church of His Son.
**John Clayton and Christian Evidences
Seminar**
John Clayton will be at the Poteau Church of Christ, October 12-14
to present his "Does God Exist" Seminar. For the past 40 years, John has devoted
himself to teaching others through the use of science that God exists. If you
haven't heard him speak, this is a wonderful opportunity!
Sunday, October 12
* 1:00 p.m. Jurassic
Park & Genesis
Monday, October 13
* 7:00 p.m. "Cosmology"
A scientific oriented lecture which examines the question of how the creation
came into being.
* 8:00 p.m. "The Source - Design or Chance?" Scientific
evidence of planning in the creation is given.
Tuesday, October 14
* 7:00 p.m. "God, Man &
Caveman" Science and the Bible are used to define the nature of God and evidence
for man's evolution from apes is examined and opposed.
* 8:25 p.m. "Why Did
God Create Man" Bible statements, science, and logic are combined to explain the
reasons God might have had to create man.
**Warm Clothing Needed**
We are accepting
warm-up pants, shirts and socks for Inner City clothing, all sizes. Please, no
summer clothes. ~~Kathy Rosaelz
**Gospel Meetings**
Rena Road Church of Christ
is hosting a meeting October 6-8 with Bill Banks speaking. Monday through
Wednesday, singing begins at 6:30 p.m. and services at 7:00 p.m.
Valley View Church of Christ in Greenwood is
hosting a meeting October 13 - 15th with Brent Newton speaking on the theme "How
to Grow Spiritually." Monday through Wednesday services are at 7:00
p.m.
**Happy Birthday**
October 5
Sharon Faries
Leslie
Holland
Dena Jenkins
Margaret Moss
Sam Oliver
Kinzey
Rogers
October 7
Paul Flippo
Mickey Mendez
Amber
Pippin
Dawson Urrutia
Carl Wood
October 8
Gertrude Mize
Kevin Roberts
Neil
Roberts
October 9
Jeanetta Falls
Billy
Yowell
October 10
Kevin Vaught
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**The Wonder Working Power of Prayer**
* Maile
McDonald (1 year daughter of Travis and Jeannie) was diagnosed with
Lymphoblastic Leukemia and is in Arkansas Children's Hospital. She had surgery
Monday to put in a subclavian IV and began chemotherapy treatments on Tuesday.
Maile will need treatments for several years. The McDonald family is very
thankful for the visits, prayers, and encouragement given to them. If you would
like to send a card, the address is Maile McDonald, Room 3123, Arkansas
Children's Hospital, 800 Marshall Street, Little Rock, AR 72202.
* Oneta Love
is in Sparks Hospital, room 646. The family requests "no visits, please" for a
while longer.
* Mickey Mendez requests prayers for her sister, Iris Rios, who
has COPD.
* Catherine Smith, sister of Lynn Peters, is very ill with cancer.
* Liz and John Huff request your prayers for their baby (a son due in
November). Ultrasound shows some fluid retention in a kidney.
* Curtis
Hendrix, father of Milton, has a blood clot on his brain.
* Trish Carson's
mother, Mary Smith, began chemotherapy treatments this week.
* Pearl Beam's
daughter, Naomi Spears, will have knee replacement surgery Monday, October 13 at
Sparks Hospital.
* Jerry and Marilyn Selby request prayers for their friend,
Tom Boling of Van Buren, who is traveling back and forth to Houston for cancer
treatments.
* Continue to pray for Vicki Varvel, John Hawkins, Janet Jackson,
Glenanna O'Mara, Joan Jenkins, Judy Walker's mother, and Richard
Bandy.
**Baptisms**
Rubiela Capela
3826 N. Mary
Street
Fort Smith, AR 72095
Phone: 783-5276
Jose David Mercado and
Franklin Americo
Mercado
6909 South 7th Street
Fort Smith, AR 72901
Jose, Franklin, and Rubiela were baptized by Oscar
Nolasco and worship with Iglesia de Cristo.
**Placing Membership**
Dahl & Angela
Dunavant
Son: Seth, age 2
4148 Oliver Springs Road
Rudy, AR
72952
Phone: 474-6010
Dahl is Dwonne Cogswell's brother.
**Baby Showers**
A Shower honoring Robin Simpson
is planned for Sunday, October 5th, from 2-4 p.m. at the home of Jo Griffin,
3320 South 66th, in Fort Smith. Robin is registered at Toys 'R Us. It's a
girl!
A Shower honoring Megan (Canfield) Logan is planned
for Saturday, October 11, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the home of Liz Huff, 4002
South "P" Street. Megan is registered at Toys 'R Us. It's a boy!
**Notes of Thanks**
To all our church family
members,
Donna and I thank you for all the love that you have shown us
through your concern, prayers, cards, words, hugs, and flowers. God's
love, which is so often manifested through his children, does sustain us.
A death of a family member is very heart- breaking and traumatic, but you have
eased the pain more than you will ever know.
Larry & Donna
Roper
**Welcome Mia Elise McClendon!
**
Congratulations to Stephanie, and big brothers Tillman and Holland, on the
safe arrival of their new daughter and sister. Mia was born September 30th
and weighed 8 lbs., 5 ozs.
**Ministry Opportunity**
A woman is needed to
drive the church van to pick up ladies for a Bible Class at Johnson Street on
Wednesday mornings. Class time is 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. The van begins picking
ladies up at 8:30 a.m. and finishes dropping them off about noon. Call the
church office if you can help.
**Fall Festival**
Last year's Festival was a
wonderful success thanks to all those who either volunteered or donated items!
To make this year a success we will again need your support and donations. Sign
up sheets are posted for those willing to help with one of the booths that
evening or donate items (such as desserts) for the cake walk. There is a labeled
container under the sign-up sheets in the foyer for donations of candy or 2
liters. Please sign the list and join in the fun. If you have
questions or would like to volunteer call Tiffany (783-4510) or Kristy
(649-0210).
**David's Lessons**
Sunday Morning: "My God Can
Save!"
Sunday Evening: Great Parallels: Exodus and Jesus, Part
II
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**Youth and Family Life Ministry **
"Hope in the Midst of Trouble"
By Brad
Pistole
It is so easy to miss the forest at times because
of the "trees" that often get in our way. This past week was one of those times.
It seemed like each day of the week held a small
"time bomb" filled with information that would hurt the recipients. Weeks like
this make it hard for us to remember the words found in Romans 8:28. But it is
times like this when we need to cling to the promises that are found in God's
word.
I hated to hear that Ron and Brenda Lenderman would
soon be moving. That means I would soon lose friends, leaders and important
sources of encouragement.
That was followed by personal news that someone I
am very close to is hurting and at a total turning point in their life. It makes
it really hard to feel helpful in situations like this when you are separated by
miles, jobs, situations, etc.
Then, that was followed by a visit from Travis
McDonald telling me they were headed to Arkansas Children's Hospital with his 14
month old daughter, Maile. It seemed the news got worse with each phone call
from him during the weekend.
Times like this can leave you feeling hopeless and
helpless. It's times like these when we need to fall on our knees and worship
God even more. That's right, worship!
May I challenge each of you this week to let the
word of God speak to you and be a source of constant encouragement to you. Take
the time to get into the word and see the reactions of many of God's people when
they were facing times of great struggle.
Who can forget the words of David and Job when they
faced their darkest hours? (II Samuel 12:16-20 and Job 1:20-21) May their words
and examples encourage us this week. (Psalm 34:17-19, Psalm 66:17-20)
**First Sunday Nursery**
A.M. Infants: Paula
May, Sandi Pippin, Melissa Walker
Toddlers: Dena Jenkins, Irene
Willis
P.M. Nursery: Dixie Burkhart, Gina Williams
**Attendance and Contribution**
Sunday Morning
... 677
Bible Classes ... 471
Sunday Night Service ... 292
Small Groups
... 33
Wednesday Night Service ... 326
Contribution ...
$13,800
Children's Homes ... $234
Community Outreach (the Way)
59
Hispanic ... 52 Contribution ... $213
Laotian ... 27 Contribution ...
$154
**Workers for October Communion Service
**
Prayer Leader:Kevin Roberts
Servers:
Clark
Risley
Tom Benincosa
Paul Beneux
Richard Branum
Donald
Neisler
Ralph Harmon
Micheal Smedley
Josh Kimbrow
Farrell
Graves
Brian Perkins
Bill Yick
Casey Benincosa
Daniel
Word
Landon Abuzeide
Matt Jones
Ushers/Nursery Communion:
Jay Woods
Dave
Cogswell
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