-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Family
Lines Newsletter, January 22,
2004
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
**Good Things, Not Bad**
By David
Chadwell
My personal joys in being in this congregation are
many! Is it perfect? No. Is it stimulating people to grow and
mature in Christ? Yes. That challenge is issued in a variety of
ways. The call is for each person to grow continuously closer to God
through Jesus Christ. The call is not: "Grow closer to God by submitting
to my personal agenda."
This congregation offers an incredible variety of
stimulating challenges. No, we do not offer enough. Yes, we will
grow and are growing in the variety we offer as God's community. How many
forms of challenge should we offer? How many human needs exist? The
God who knows the number of our hairs always is interested in the "whole
person." Those who recognize their needs can hear His call in
Christ.
We need as many challenges as there are needs
around and among us. Every realized, addressed need opens realizations to
our need for God in our life. Every life reality can focus a person
on his/her need for a relationship with God. Such needs represent an
enormous variety! They also represent enormous spiritual
opportunity!
Never be intimidated by our variety of
encouragements/outreaches. Please consider these insights and, if
possible, make them your own.
- Christians and those who have yet to commit to
God through Christ learn and understand by following different paths.
"Faith" is not confined to one method of learning. "Spirituality" is not
confined to one procedure for understanding what God did and does in Jesus
Christ. "Godliness" is not the result of a single method. If someone
learns truths about God's work in Jesus Christ in a manner that differs from the
route my understanding took, it is okay. Whether my route to understanding
was through lectured understanding or knowledgeable sharing/interacting is
insignificant.
- Thus, paths that arrive at the same genuine
understanding may take different routes. For example, the objective is to
(a) understand that Jesus is the Christ, and (b) to understand how that affects
who I am and how I behave. The route to that understanding is not primary
if I understand he is the Christ and let him be Lord.
- Different Christians travel at different speeds
to a mature understanding. If one is able to travel toward maturity at 70
mph, wonderful! As far as God is concerned, if the best one can do is
travel toward maturity at 10 mph, that is equally wonderful! Speed does not
define the objective! The destination does.
- Thus we always remember Christian variety exists
to encourage, not to rival.
Please accept a warning! Never falsely
assume, "Someone will do it," or, "Our size means it is covered--all I need to do
is enjoy the options." Nothing happens here by "accident." We always
need help. Enjoy the variety, but do something to help sustain
it.
A goal: create hard choices. Oh, that God
would bless our efforts so much that everyone wants to be more places than he or
she can be! Be somewhere as part of something!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page
2
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spotlight On: After School Tutoring
Program
Contact: Jack Lewis
Three years ago something wonderful began at
West-Ark. In February of 2001, an after-school tutoring program began to assist
children in grades K-6 with their homework. Today this ministry is alive and
well. It meets at the Johnson Street building every Thursday from
3:15-4:30. Two vans pick up children from several schools, but the
majority of the students attend Tilles and Spradling Elementary Schools. There
are approximately 20 workers, or tutors, and approximately 20 students. This is
a 1 to 1 ratio. The same tutor assists the same student every week, thus
establishing a personal relationship with the child.
There are many needs and ways in which this
congregation can assist this ministry and help to keep it strong and
effective. Of course, manpower is always needed. This summer there will be
a call for more volunteers to be a regular tutor in this program. The more
volunteers we have, the more students we can assist, thus providing more
opportunity to let our lights shine for Jesus in the Fort Smith community!
If you are unable to volunteer, donations of educational materials, games, etc.
are also needed and greatly appreciated. Ziploc bags, Scotch and masking tapes,
and pencils are also used and need to be replenished often. Also, please pray
for this program and the families of the children involved in this ministry.
The successes of this ministry are incredible! The
personal relationship established between the student and tutor is priceless.
The opportunity to influence a whole family for Christ is also great. Many of
these students attended our VBS last summer and several of the older children
attended church camp for the first time ever! What a blessing! Thank you to Jack
Lewis and all those who are instrumental in making the after-school tutoring
program a reality in Fort Smith. May we all be disciples for Jesus who are eager
to serve others! God bless you and the tutoring program. In Him we
live and serve!
~~ Christy Hesslen
**LTC Practice Schedule **
January 25
*
2:00 Senior High Chorus
* 3:00 Junior High Chorus
* 4:00
Junior High Bible Bowl
* 5:00 Elementary Chorus
* 6:00
Elementary Drama
**Solve the Mystery!**
The pink and blue foam
blocks that our puppeteers use are missing from the attic closet where they were
stored. They are about 12 x 12 x 3 and were stacked on the stairway
landing in November. There are some large red totes on the landing that
were not there in November. If you know what happened to the foam blocks,
please contact Rochelle Brown as soon as possible. It is very important
that we locate them immediately.
**Old Testament Survey Class**
This class begins
Wednesday, February 4 in Room 203, and is taught by Jerry Canfield. The survey
class is for adult students of all ages (especially high school, college aged
and other adults). The written materials used in the class for the first seven
lessons are available in the Information Center.
**Baptisms at Iglesia de Cristo **
Hilario &
Maria Gonzales
3711 Birnie Ave. Apt. # 7
Fort Smith, AR
72904
** "Peak of the Week" **
January 28: Pinnacle
Peak
Our current journey is a call to prayer. The Youth Group is
involved in a similar journey in their class. They will join us the last
Wednesday of each month for "Pinnacle Peak," and we will encourage one another
with our similar experiences in prayer.
"Peak" meets Wednesdays, at 7:00 p.m.
in the Family Life Center.
**Happy Birthday**
January 25
Toka Beall
LaReeca
Herndon
January 26
Jake Jackson
January 27
Jeana Belote
Paul Beneux
Harvey
George
Josephine Johnson
January 28
Gene Monk
Barney
Puckett
Charles Dicks
January 29
Frances Gilley
January 30
Harold Davis
Abbey
Jenkins
January 31
Phillip Burns
**Community Outreach Day**
Tell those in need
about it.
Everyone welcome!
WHERE? West-Ark Church of Christ Family Life
Center
WHEN? Saturday, January 31, 2004, 9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
MEAL
PROVIDED
All clothing and household items are FREE!!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page
3
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
**In Our Thoughts and Prayers**
* Test results indicate Sue George's mother, Lear
Mae Moody, has Stage IV cancer. She started chemotherapy treatments on
Monday.
* Chase Turpin is feeling better and out of the hospital.
* Maile
McDonald and her family.
**Continued Prayers**
* Helen Epton (mother of
Rebecca Holloway) is in Health South.
* Pete Michael (of Valley View Church
of Christ)
**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended
to the following families in their loss:
* Betty Summers in the death of her
brother, Charles Jenson (age 92). Funeral services were Saturday in
Poteau, Oklahoma.
* Margaret Gillian in the death of Leon on Tuesday. Funeral
services are 2:00 p.m., Thursday, January 22, at Edwards Funeral Home
Chapel.
* To the friends and family of Eileen Jones who died Saturday,
January 17. Eileen has been in ill health for sometime and has been unable to
attend worship. Funeral services were 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 21st, at
Srygley Cemetery in Coal Hill, AR.
**Change of Address**
Laurie Roberts
10806
Old Harbor Road #9
Fort Smith, AR 72903
Phone: 459-2569
**Retreat Reminder**
The Ladies' Retreat is
Friday and Saturday, January 23rd and 24th.
**Baby Showers**
A shower honoring Paige Kimbrow
is planned for Sunday, January 25th, from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. in the home of Diane
Arnold, 5004 South Cliff Drive in Fort Smith. Paige is registered at Toys 'R Us
and Blessed Baby.
A shower honoring Jenny Atchison is planned for
Sunday, February 1, from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. in the home of Helen Pratt, 3705 May
Branch Lane. Jenny is registered at Blessed Baby and Toys 'R Us.
**New Arrival**
Congratulations to Patrick and
Ashley Haworth on the birth of a son, Lane Patrick Haworth, on January 5th.
Lane weighed 7½ lbs. and was 19 3/4 inches long.
**Notes of Thanks**
West-Ark Church,
Thank
you for all your prayers and support the past year.
Sarah & Gene
Smith
West-Ark Members,
Words cannot express our
appreciation for your prayers on behalf of Sandy and myself. Thanks for all the
cards, phone calls, visits, and for the food that was provided. It is at
times such as we have experienced over the past year that we truly realize the
value of having brothers and sisters in Christ. Your caring has made a difficult
time bearable.
In Him,
Elvis Thurman
Thanks to all of you who donated home furnishings
or money to the Anna Maxwell family in Greenwood. Anna is home and
gradually improving as she attempts to take more responsibility in caring for
her home and family. She still has difficulty in speech/communication, and her
right arm and hand are paralyzed. Please know that the outpouring of love and
help have made a major difference in this family's life. They have gone from
feeling unlovable to being overwhelmed at so much love to them. They live in a
comfortable house in town, and Freddie has just this week taken a full-time job
in Greenwood. God has blessed this family so much. Thank you for being a part of
this work.
Blake Frost & Rachel Frost
On behalf of
the
Freddie & Anna Maxwell Family
Thank you so much for all the cards, food, flowers,
and most of all prayers, during this very difficult time.
Stan &
Dixie Burkhart
Dear Family,
I do appreciate the beautiful
plant, the cards, prayers, and words of encouragement in the death of my
brother. All these have shown that Christians here have loving, kind
hearts.
Betty Summers
**Gateway Memory Work**
We are studying "The
Sermon on the Mount," and the memory work is "The Beatitudes" Matt. 5:3-10
(NIV).
**Wednesday Ladies' Class**
This is a reminder
to all the ladies in Rita Brown's Bible class. Your class will not meet again
until 2/11/04.
**Sunday, January 25**
Morning: He Has Risen by
Chris Benjamin
Evening: Singing and devotional followed by a Fellowship Meal
in the FLC.
Please bring desserts!
(Curtis M. requests someone to make a
sugar-free banana pudding :~)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page
4
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
**Family Life Ministry**
"Get Your Game Face
On"
By Brad Pistole
After a week like this past week, it's hard for a
Christian to not get overwhelmed. Satan is actively pursuing many of our members
and he is winning many battles.
This past week and weekend, I spent a lot of my
time with families and individuals who are struggling with resisting the schemes
of the devil. I want to remind all of you to never underestimate the power of
our enemy. He is alive, active and he will do whatever he can do to destroy your
relationship with God.
In recent days, I have seen him pick apart
families, discourage parents, fool teenagers, lead leaders astray, and convince
Christians to live lives that focus on total emptiness.
How does he get away
with this, you may ask?
May we realize that he is GOOD at what he does.
After all, he was able to convince Adam and Eve to give up a life of total
comfort, peace, and paradise for a piece of fruit. And don't forget, they had an
all-u-can eat buffet of fruit all around them.
I often work with families that tell me they are
busy living their everyday lives and things seem to be going fairly well.
Then, it seems like "all of a sudden and out of nowhere," Satan rears his ugly
head and starts messing with their life. And much of the time, he reaches out to
them through things that seem so innocent.
But should this really surprise us? It has always
been this way. Have we forgotten Adam and Eve, Abraham, Moses, Samson, David,
Job, Peter, and Saul? Have we forgotten the words found in II Corinthians 11:14:
"And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light." And how
about John 8:44 which reminds us that Satan is the Father of all
Lies.
It shouldn't surprise you when he tries to convince
you that it's just "one innocent little drink," or "one little lie." After all,
"everyone is doing it." And "It's not wrong to have an affair when your spouse
treats you like that..." because everyone knows that "you deserve better" and
"you have to look out for yourself these days."
As you enter a new week that brings all kinds of
situations and decisions to the table, set your focus on Jesus Christ and keep
your eyes wide open. Be wise to the schemes of the devil and remember the words
of Ephesians 6:12, "For our battle is not against flesh and blood but against
the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this present
darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places."
**Nursery**
Morning
Berniece Rogers
Sharon
Faries
Tracy Risley
Evening
Marjorie Blake
Christy
Hesslen
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday A.M. 728
Bible
Classes 458
Sunday P.M. 254
Small Groups
20
Wednesday P.M. 356
Contribution $16,882
Childrens
Home $267
The Way 60
Hispanic
Attendance 54
Hispanic Contribution $177
Laotian
Attendance 29
Laotian Contribution $154
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------