West-Ark Newsletter, 19 October 2003

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Family Lines Newsletter, October 19, 2003
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This past weekend Joyce and I were part of the homecoming in a former congregation in Oxford, MS. It was an enjoyable, encouraging, uplifting experience. That congregation fashions its homecoming around its campus ministry. They plan their homecoming to coincide with homecoming at the University of Mississippi. The result is the return of some former students. We not only saw many friends who continue living in Oxford, but we also unexpectedly saw some friends who attended the university.

Every homecoming is filled with memories of the past. All such occasions are filled with memories, reminders, and lessons. For thirty-six hours, I had a heavy dose of all three.

Some were light-hearted and humorous. Several told me that humorous "lie": "You haven't aged a bit!" Because I look in the mirror daily as I shave, I know better! I suspect the problem is more one of "eyesight" than of a "fountain of youth"!

Some existed in the silence of my heart. Mark Parker (of Harding Graduate School of Religion) coordinated an auditorium Bible class devotional. Along with the songs and readings, he requested sharing centered in realizations of past blessings received through that congregation. As some shared, I quietly thought of those now dead but who profoundly touched and blessed me and my family. Though dead, they still speak to me.

There were many lessons! They included reminders of lives blessed by God through His use of you; reminders of your own humanity and weakness; reminders that God can use you but does not depend on you; reminders of the incredible ways your life was blessed; and reminders that one's influence continues to live in one's absence.

The past is the past. One cannot live in it--either in its successes or failures--without wasting the present. No matter how appreciative one is of the past's good and blessings, it is never (ever!) a substitute for the present. Allow the past to bless the present, but never allow it to place a curse on the present. Be grateful, remember blessings, and be encouraged, but keep moving forward. Always be certain to do this: let your memories from the past clear a pathway to humility, not to arrogance.

Philippians 3:13,14 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

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**LTC Announcements**
* Parents need to come by Room 126B and check participant's events.
* Coaches need to come by and pick up the 2004 Rules for their event.
* Girl's Bible Reading will meet in room 100 at 5:30 p.m. this Sunday, October 19.
* Sign up for the trip to Tulsa. Registration fee of $30.00 is due for each participant by Nov. 30th.
* Remember: Service Challenge participants serve under the bridge at 11:15 a.m. Saturday.

**A Young Singles Retreat**
This event is for Christian singles, ages 18 to 35, and will be held on Saturday & Sunday, October 25-26. It is sponsored by the College Avenue congregation in El Dorado, Arkansas, and will be held at the Beech Springs Retreat Facility north of Smackover, Arkansas. The cost is only $19.50 per person, which includes accommodations and all meals. Rick Wood, Singles Minister at the Highland Street church of Christ in Memphis, will be the resource speaker. The theme for the retreat is "Discovering My God-Given SHAPE." During the retreat Rick will lead participants through a personality and spiritual gifts profile. To register, call the College Avenue church at 870-862-1552 or e-mail to cacoc@cox-internet.com.

**GATEWAY Winners**
Winners for the Birth of Jesus and John rotation are:

2nd Grade: Parker Bailey, Bethany Brown, Matthew Beshears, Lauren Hankins, Megan Perkins, Becca Risley, and Lauren Willis.

6th Grade: Morgan Dunavin, John Bradley Smith.

**Warm Clothing Needed**
We are accepting donations of CLEAN, warm clothing for the Inner City work, all sizes. Please, no summer clothes. It is very important to bring your clothing to us clean and smelling sweet! The Windsor Drive building (where we are storing and sorting the clothing) does not have a washer or dryer.

**New Information Center Coordinator Needed**
Have you noticed the new cabinets and bulletin boards in the foyer? Thanks so much to Mark Hite, Tim Davis, Mike Burkett, Stan Burkhart, and Lynn Dickey for the vision to create a new and welcoming Information Center! This area will house information for visitors and as well as keep church members current on ministries and upcoming events.

We are looking for an organized and creative person to keep the Information Center up-to-date and visually welcoming. Do you have these talents? Call Lynn Dickey in the office at 452-1240.

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**The Wonder Working Power of Prayer**

* Maile McDonald's chemotherapy treatments are working for her, but she is very sick with the side-effects of treatment. Please pray for her comfort as well as healing. (See the note from her family in the next column.)
* Naomi Spears (daughter of Pearl Beam) is recovering from surgery. She is at Sparks Hospital until Thursday when she will go into Rehab.
* Wanda Wear had out-patient testing at Sparks Hospital most of the day Thursday, October 16.
* Brenda Lenderman had out-patient knee surgery on Tuesday.
* Janet Jackson has given us an update on her recovery. She goes back to work on November 3rd. She will have a gamma knife radiation treatment on December 12th in Little Rock (one treatment is all she needs).
* Oneta Love is in Sparks Hospital, room 646.

Continued Prayers
* Vicki Varvel (daughter of John and Nadine Hawkins)
* John Hawkins
* Joan Jenkins (mother of Kerry)
* Frankie Dunavin (mother of Roy)
* John Paul Hundley

Mary Broyles reports the recent death of a former member, Bernie Sanders. If you would like to send a card to Bernie's husband, Gradie, the address is:
Gradie Sanders
2142 E. Imman
Springfield, MO 65804

Dear Church Family,
Words could never express our hearts. We are so very blessed to be part of this Christian family. We just wanted to thank each of you for your prayers, visits, phone calls, gifts of kindness, and concern for our family. We have been so touched by so many of you. God's love truly lives in your hearts. I have only one request of you. Please keep our baby Maile in your prayers daily. She so badly needs God's strength to help her through. We have faith that God will see us through this difficult time. He has shown us in so many ways that He is with us.
With love,
Travis, Jeanie, Chelsea & Maile McDonald

**Wedding Shower**
A shower honoring Linda Russell and Harold Davis is planned for Sunday, October 19, from 4-6 p.m. in the Annex. Co-hostesses are Carlene Payne and Debra Willis. Linda is registered at Linens and Things and Kohl's.

**2nd Annual "Trunk or Treat"**
When: Friday, October 31st from 5:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Where: West-Ark's upper parking lot (by FLC).
Who and What: Anyone and everyone is welcome to come and participate as we circle our cars around the parking lot and hand out candy to the kids as they parade around in costume. Bring candy, lawn chairs, and a camera. It's a lot of fun! You don't have to have kids to be involved. We'd love to see our 60+ crowd there!

**New Baby in the Family**
Londyn Olivia was born Thursday, October 9th to Erik and Amy Lowry. She weighed 6 lbs., 14 ozs. Jack and Janice Lowry are the proud grandparents. Harold and Ruth Gouty are the proud great-grandparents.

**Fall Festival, October 25th**
We're making plans for a wonderful evening for families. Sign-up sheets are posted for those willing to help with:
* one of the booths or
* donate items (such as desserts) for the cake walk.
You may also help by donating
* candy or
* 2-liter bottles of soda (put items in the labeled container in the foyer).

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"Christmas for Geraldo"
One of the blessings in working with the City of Children in Ensenada, Mexico, is the opportunity we have to act as the "extended family" to one of the orphans who lives there. For the past two years, we have helped sponsor a young man named Gerardo Diaz.

This past summer, we had the joy and pleasure of giving Gerardo his 10th birthday party. We enjoy sending him cards and letters throughout the year. It's a great way to remind him that the love of Christ can be manifested through his church family in many different ways.

As the holiday season approaches, we are blessed to take part in providing love, joy and gifts for Gerardo. Because of the time and procedures involved with customs, we have to mail our Christmas gifts to the City of Children by no later than Oct 31.

This year, we have asked Gerardo what
he would like to receive for Christmas.
He listed the following items:
* Clothing (Size 14)
* Tennis Shoes (Size 6 or 7)
* A CD player with Christian Music

In the coming weeks, we will be accepting donations and/or gifts for Gerardo. According to customs regulations, if you do purchase him a gift, you must wrap the gift and turn in the receipt with the gift. We have to place everything inside the same shipping container, along with all receipts and a detailed packing list.

For more information, look on the parent's table in the lobby for a current picture of Gerardo along with his Christmas wish list and a letter from the City of Children describing the do's and don'ts for sending gifts to the City. If you would like to make a donation toward the gifts for Gerardo, please see Brad.

"Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this, to visit orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world." (James 1:27)

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday a.m................. 612
Bible Classes .............. 454
Sunday p.m................. 236
Small Groups ............... 53
Wednesday p.m........... 338
Contribution...... $13,140.00
Children's Homes .. $197.03
The Way ..................... 44
Hispanic Ministry ........... 68
Contribution ............. $125
Laotian Ministry ............. 28
Contribution ............ $140

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