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Family
Lines Newsletter, November 9,
2003
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**Always Growing; Always Maturing**
By David
Chadwell
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 "Do you not know that those
who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way
that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in
all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an
imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a
way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so
that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be
disqualified."
How do you react to Paul being
"disqualified"? Unthinkable? Not to Paul! Paul understood the
distinction between "knowing" and "being." Unfortunately, it is not
difficult to encounter Christians who do not understand that
distinction.
"Knowing" enables us to do many things. We
can judge--declare others lacking, inferior, deficient, pathetic, ungodly,
unrighteous, or outcasts. We can teach--"here is how you need to
change!" We can criticize--"you need to know, to realize, to focus, to
redirect!" If we are not extremely careful, we allow what we "know" to
serve as the foundation of an "authoritarian complex." That complex
frequently declares decisions God did not declare or establishes criteria that
God did not present.
Paul frequently challenged Christians to evaluate
their lives and their motives. However, Paul also did two other
things. (1) He made it quite clear that he genuinely loved those he
challenged. (2) He was very open about his own weaknesses and
struggles. Paul "knew" in order that he might "be."
He did not say, "You need to run with God's goal
clearly in mind." He said, "I need to run with God's goal clearly in
mind." He did not say, "You need to stop fighting the air and calling it
boxing." He said, "I must not flail at the air and call it boxing."
He did not say, "You must discipline your body!" He said, "I must
discipline my body."
Why that emphasis? He understood he could
present a needed message to others and experience no personal benefit.
Paul "knew" in order to "be." Regardless of what he knew, if he did not
use "what he knew" to "be," his knowledge did not profit him.
Never forget you do not "know" to teach, but to
"be." The foundation of what we teach must arise from what we are instead
of what we know. When we belong to God, we never "arrive." Instead,
we always mature and grow toward God's nature and character.
Philippians 3:12 "Not that I have already obtained
it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that
for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus."
Why did Jesus Christ "lay hold on you"? Are
you pressing on?
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**SPOTLIGHT On: The Church Library**
By Christy
Hesslen
Contacts: John Lankford, Duane Walker, Joyce
Chadwell, and Nicole Wilson
The church library began as a small cubbyhole the
size of a bathroom and was maintained by an elder, (from the then College
Terrace church) Lester Walker. Lester put in good quality reference books when
possible, but due to a lack of funding, the library did not expand for many
years.
Lester was also a wonderful Bible class teacher.
One of the members of his class was a man (now deceased) named Charles McRay.
Charles did something incredible for the church here. He donated the money to
bring the library up to the status it is now. Thousands of books were added, as
well as tables, enclosures, computers, etc. from this generous donation. From a
cubbyhole, to one of the best content libraries around, is what Charles did in
memory of Lester Walker. He was the type of man who did not want to make known
to the public that he was the person who helped the church library. However,
John Lankford and others who knew him, agree that what he has done for this
congregation needs to be known. With the approval of Lester's wife, Shirley, and
sons, Jerry and Duane, along with Linda McRay, a proposal to put a plaque in the
library honoring Charles for his gift has been made.
The elders
encourage each of us to utilize this library. It is truly a ministry in its own
right. One can usually find John around to help with any questions or challenges
one may have. If anyone wants to study a topic the workers can get a printed
list of ALL the books on that topic, along with brief comments about the book
that may be helpful. John Lankford orders the materials, Duane Walker
processes them on the computer, Joyce Chadwell and Nicole Wilson buy novels and
do book processing. Myra Flippo is our grief-help book coordinator. Also, from
the beginning, Karen Carter helped organize and process thousands of books until
her husband became ill.
The library continues to grow because many have
bought books in memory of, or in honor of, a specific person. Many have donated
books from their personal libraries. If anyone would like to honor or remember a
special someone, a donation to the library is always a good idea.
Besides offering many resources to the
congregation, Bibles can be ordered for a price that is typically less that
bookstore prices. This is a valuable service for the members at West-Ark. Also,
an "INFO TABLE" located outside the library is maintained. There are FREE copies
of Gospel Advocate, booklets, and study materials. Some papers on current topics
of interest are available, many of them authored by people at West-Ark. Thanks
to all who volunteer their time working in our library and to those who donate
to our library. May we be disciples of Jesus who are eager to serve
others!
**Gateway Memory Verse**
Mark 1:10-1, And
immediately coming up from the water He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit
descending upon him like a dove. Then a voice came from Heaven saying "you
are my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased."
**Tablecloths Needed**
If you have table cloths
from the quilting room, please return them ASAP! Thanks.
**Congratulations**
Mark Willis was recently
named "Volunteer of the Year" by the Community Dental Clinic of Crawford and
Sebastian Counties. Thank you, Mark, for all you do!
**Sermons for Sunday**
Morning: Renewal &
Focus, David Chadwell & Chris Benjamin
Evening : Now, But Not Yet by
Chris Benjamin
**Reminders**
* Parents' Night Out, Saturday,
November 8, 5:30 - 10:00 p.m. in the FLC.
* Church Hayride & Cookout,
Friday, November 7, 6:30 at the Prater Farm in Cedarville. A group will leave
the church building at 6:00 p.m. to caravan to the farm.
**Note of Thanks**
Dear Church Family,
Thanks
to everyone for the prayers, visits, phone calls, and food after my recent
surgery.
In Christian love,
Eleanor Casey
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**Remember in Prayer**
* Maile McDonald and her
family.
* Paul Newhouse (father of Cathy Breedlove) went back to the hospital
in Little Rock on Nov. 1st.
* Oneta Love has been dismissed from the
hospital.
* Beatrice Dickey, mother of Bill, will begin radiation treatments
soon.
* Mary Wells (mother of Joyce Chadwell) has been in the hospital in
Tennessee.
* Babs McKinzie (family friend of LaReeca Herndon)
* Richard
Anderson (brother of Dennis) has a brain tumor and his symptoms have worsened.
The family appreciates your prayers.
* Elvis Thurman is in Sparks Hospital,
room 676, following surgery.
* Anna Ramsey is in St. Edward Hospital and
expects to be released soon.
**Continued Prayers**
Vicki Varvel (daughter of
John and Nadine Hawkins); John Hawkins; Trucilla Surratt (mother of Kathy
Rosalez); Fairy Brown (mother of Deborah Wilson); Imogene James (mother of
Gary).
**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended
to Missy Blasdel in the death of her uncle. Funeral services are incomplete at
this time.
Stan Musick requests your prayers for his
relatives, Johnanna & Roy Rush of Longmont, Colorado. Their daughter (age
29) died in a car accident on Tuesday. Another daughter died two years ago of
leukemia at the age of 32.
**Ladies' Retreat **
The list for our retreat is
full. There is now posted a waiting list for those hoping to attend. Please sign
if you want to go, and as changes and cancellations occur, we will contact you.
We are looking forward to our time together, and are so excited we are at
capacity. Thank you!
**New Arrival**
Congratulations to Kevin and
Reynda Allen on the birth of a daughter, Maggie Ruth, on November 1st. Maggie
weighed 6 lbs., 11 ozs. Congratulations also to Jim & Helen Pratt (proud
grandparents) and Eleanor Casey (great-grandmother)!
**Request for Pictures**
If you have pictures of
children that you have taken in the mission field, and you are willing to let us
use them, please put your name on the back and give to Carlene Payne, Meg
Canfield, Jenna Dickey, or Glenda Lewis. They will be returned to you
after the mission banquet.
**Missions Weekend 2003**
November
14-16
Theme: "Jesus Loves the Little Children"
Our Special Contribution is Sunday morning, Nov.
16th.
Our goal is: $196,718
Friday, November 14
Missions Banquet, 6:30 p.m.
in the FLC
Willie Franklin will be our special guest speaker along with
entertainment provided by some of our own children.
Willie Franklin has been a minister and missionary
for over 35 years. Willie is a former NFL football player who saw that the work
of the Lord should be the most important thing in everyone's life. He has
inspired audiences with his direct approach to the Word, and you will be blessed
by his message. Willie will also be our speaker during Sunday morning
worship.
Saturday, November 15
Prayer Breakfast at 8:30
a.m.
Home of Gary and Rochelle Brown
Missions Sunday, November 16
* Combined Adult
Bible Class, 9:30 (Special speakers)
* Worship at 10:30, Willie Franklin,
Speaking
Lunch provided in the FLC. Please bring desserts!
*Afternoon
worship assembly.
**Mission Banquet Count**
In our Sunday Morning
Bible Class on November 9th we will take a quick count of those who plan on
attending our Missions Banquet. If you are not in Bible class and want to attend
the banquet, please call Gary Brown (646-4105) or Mark Willis
(452-1336).
**LTC Chorus Practices**
3-6 grade Chorus will
practice Sunday afternoon, November 9th, at 5:00 p.m. in the
Auditorium.
7-12 grade practices in the upstairs High School
classroom.
November 9, 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
November 16, 4:30 - 6:00
p.m.
November 23 & 30, No practice
**More LTC Announcements**
* Brian Perkins will
meet with the boys who are doing Bible Reading in the Library after worship
Sunday morning. It will only take about 5-10 minutes. Parents, please come
with your son for the meeting, if possible.
* Girls' Bible Reading every
Wednesday, 6:45 p.m. upstairs in room 222.
* Coaches' Meeting, November 9,
5:30 in room 100. Coaches, please contact participants and bring an updated list
to the meeting.
* All parents of participants: please come by room 126B and
sign up for the trip to Tulsa. We need an accurate number so we can start
planning for rooms.
* Deadline for payment for the participants is November
30th.
**Happy Birthday**
November 9
Sandy Berger
Charlotte
Botteicher
Jordan Wear
November 10
Angie Hines
Eugene Smith
Sarah
Smith
November 12
Tyler Dunavin
Sara
Neal
November 13
Curtis Jackson
Dalton
Stancil
November 14
Dennis Anderson
Grayson
Cogswell
Bill Dickey
Don Neal
November 15
Steven Breedlove
Richard
Bullard
Kaitlynn Burk
Ruth Choate
Autumn Pistole
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**Family Life Ministry**
By Brad
Pistole
Information about our new Youth and Family
Class
Coming Soon on Sunday mornings in the FLC
January 4th - March 28th,
2004
9:30-10:15 a.m.
"Keeping the Promise" by Dr. Kevin Lehman
Taught
by Brad Pistole
Class Topics Include:
The Original Designer Genes
God's Design for
Marriage
The Submission Mission
"What's Wrong?" - "Nothing"
Her Needs
are Met
How to Affair-Proof Your Marriage
A Marriage That's Great for Your
Kids
Living in a Blender
*This will be a 13 week class as some topics will
require 2 weeks of study/discussion.
**Nursery Schedule**
Morning Infants
Trish
Carson
Jane Dunavin
Mogan Dunavin
Morning Toddlers
Vicki Anderson
Evening Service
Marquetta Walker
Sheila
Vaught
**Schedule of Services**
Sunday Morning
Worship 10:30
Sunday Morning
Classes 9:30
Sunday Evening
Worship 6:00
Wednesday Evening
Classes 7:00
Weekday Classes
Tuesday Morning
Wings 9:30
Wednesday Ladies
Class 10:00
**Attendance and Contribution**
Sunday Worship
(10:30).................623
Sunday Classes (9:30) ..................
456
Sunday Evening (6:00)....................271
Small
Group......................................11
The Way (4:00)
.................................63
Wednesday Worship (7:00)............
N.C.
Sunday Contribution .................$22,884
Laotian
Attendance............................33
Laotian Contribution
......................$184
Hispanic
Attendance..........................42
Hispanic
Contribution....................$121
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