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Family
Lines Newsletter, February 26,
2004
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**Focusing On Our Purpose As A Congregation**
By David
Chadwell
Permit me to begin by
asking some questions we do not often ask. What are the purposes for
convincing men and women that they should "enter Jesus Christ" and have "Christ
in them?" What purposes do men and women who are "in Jesus Christ"
have? Why do we exist as a congregation? Are there purposes in being a
congregation? Are those purposes ours or God's? Do they exist
because of our concerns or God's priorities?
Do we exist as Christians merely to exist? Do we exist
as a congregation merely to exist? Is the purpose of being "in Christ" no
more than staying out of hell? Is the purpose of being a congregation no
more than survival?
If those
questions seem trivial, "too thoughty," or too concerned about issues you never
consider, may I give you a guarantee. The guarantee: any elder who takes
serious his role of leadership in a congregation never regards any of those
questions trivial, "too thoughty," or focused on insignificant
matters.
This Sunday morning as we
consider God's importance to our lives in the worship of our physical and
spiritual Creator, our shepherds/leaders will challenge us. It will not be
a business meeting. It will be worship. These men thought long and
hard about God's purposes in us as individuals and a congregation. They
want to briefly share their thoughts with us. Their sharing will be in the
form of challenges rather than the form of directives. They will seek to
lead us rather than control us. They will focus on our purpose and our
goals to the glory and honor of God, Christ, and the Spirit.
Our Purpose:
Making disciples
for Jesus who are eager to serve others.
Our Goals:
To daily focus on Jesus and his cross.
To nurture spiritual growth to transform all into GodÂ’s holiness.
To increase love
and godly behavior.
To recognize our spiritual gifts and use them to glorify
God.
To proclaim a biblical worldview that is obedient to
Christ.
These men sacrifice much to
be our shepherds. They want to share with us what these things mean to
them. They want us to think and focus as we make God the core of our daily
lives. They want us to think and focus as we seek to be God's
people-nothing more and nothing less. See you Sunday as we honor God by
thinking about who we are!
"Let us
consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds..." (Hebrews
10:24)
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**Be an Encourager**
By Derrick Jones, Campus
Minister
How many of us go through a whole day, if not several days, and all
we hear are criticisms and condemnations, and never a needed word of
encouragement. Too many spend all their time being discouraged. They are told
when they "blow it," and when they fail, but seldom receive a deserved
compliment.
Timely encouraging
statements can be the spark that ignites unbelievable results. God has told us
to ''...encourage one another daily...'' (Hebrews 3:13; 10:25). We need to build
up one another (I Thessalonians 5:11). What helps one to encourage others? We
must be willing to find something good in others, think before we speak, and
learn to be positive.
Let's seek
ways to be positive encouragers. May we be determined to spend a whole day
saying nothing but helpful things to people and avoid the snare of negativity!
Then, we can make this the habit of our lives.
**Lions for Christ (LFC)**
Upcoming March Events
* 2nd
-- Devotional at UAFS (5:30-9:00 p.m.)
* 6th -- Parents' Night Out
(5:30-10:00 p.m. (see information in next column)
* 9th - Devotional,
West-Ark FLC
* 27-28th, Spring Retreat, "I Want to Know
Christ"
**LTC
Announcement**
Christian Art all ages, bring your completed project to
morning church service March 28th. If you have questions, call Shanna Davis at
474-7260.
**LTC Practice Schedule
**
February 29
* 1:30 Senior High Chorus
* 3:00 Junior High Chorus
* 4:00 Junior High Bible Bowl
* 5:00 All Puppets
* 6:00 Elementary
Chorus
* 6:00 Junior High Drama
**Driver Needed**
The "widows" van needs a driver one of every four
Wednesday nights. To volunteer, please call the church office or Rod Jones
(484-1162. Your help is needed and appreciated!
**Grief Recovery Support Group**
"Your journey from mourning to joy."
GriefShare is a special weekly seminar/support group for
people grieving the death of someone close. It's a place where you can be around
people who understand how you feel and the pain of your loss. At GriefShare,
you'll learn valuable information that will help you through this difficult time
in your life.
Starting Wednesday, March 3rd
7:00 - 8:15 p.m. in the
Annex
(We will be using Roy Dunavin's office for our
meetings.)
**Lions for
Christ**
Parents' Night Out
Saturday, March 6
5:30 - 10:00
p.m.
Family Life Center
Ages: 2 years old through 6th grade
Please sign
the sheet in the Information Center in the foyer by Wednesday, March
3rd.
Questions??? Contact Derrick Jones at 452-1240 or e-mail
Derrick@westarkchurchofchrist.org
**Coming Events**
Dayton Church of Christ
Men's Prayer Breakfast
Saturday, March 6,
7:30 a.m.
For further information
Call Larry Bridges
(996-2625).
No Debt, No Sweat
A
Free Financial Management
Seminar with Steve Diggs
Sunday, March 7, 6:00 -
8:45 p.m.
Monday, March 8, 6:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Southside Church of
Christ
919 S. Dixieland, Rogers, AR
For more information call
636-1156.
Ladies' Day
Poteau
Church of Christ
Saturday, April 3rd
Registration begins at 8:45
Guest
Speaker: Billie Buchanan
of Waxahachie, Texas
Brunch will be
served.
Dismissal at 12:30 p.m.
Annual Spring Golf Tournament
Sponsored by Valley View Church of
Christ
Saturday, May 1
Tee time is 1:00 p.m.
Ben Geren Golf
Course
4-man scramble
(Teams will be drawn at 12:30 p.m. the day of the
tournament.)
Call Niketa Stinchcomb (996-3001) to
register.
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**Remember in Prayer**
* Pearl Beam is in Sparks Hospital,
room 677.
* Robin Murphy is in St. Edward Hospital, room 3521. She has
developed pneumonia.
* Ada Ferguson continues to do well following her
surgery and returned to the nursing home on Tuesday.
* Oneta Love is in
Sparks Hospital, room 436.
* Kate Burkett (daughter of Mike and Mary)) had a
tonsillectomy and ear tube surgery Monday morning.
* Maile McDonald was able
to complete her series of chemotherapy treatments at Children's Hospital.
Remaining treatments can now be done on an out-patient basis.
* Bobbye
Ferrell's sister, Dorothy Manly
* Helen Epton, Rebecca Holloway's
mother
**Bereaved**
We extend our
love and sympathy to Melissa Myers in the death of her mother, Patricia Lively,
after a long illness. Private funeral services were at Edwards Chapel on
Tuesday.
We also extend our love
and sympathy to LeRoy Null and the Null family in the sudden death Monday night
of Lois. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday at the Southern Oaks Church
of Christ, 3320 South 16th in Chickasha, OK.
**Baptisms**
Heather Jones
1331 Shadowalk
Van Buren,
AR 72956
Heather was baptized by David Chadwell February 19. Please add her
to your church directory.
Argentina
O. Klein
39 Northwood
Fort Smith, AR 72904
Argentina was baptized
February 18 by Oscar Nolasco and will be worshipping with Iglesia de Cristo at
Johnson Street.
**Moving
Days**
This week, we are saying farewell to two families. Kevin, Deborah
& Courtney Strong are moving to Norman, Oklahoma where Kevin will be working
for York International. (We don't yet have a new address for
them.)
Stan and Whit Musick are
moving to Mississippi where Stan will do a residency in anesthesiology. Stan and
Whit's new address is 201 Crestview Cove, Ridgeland, MS 39157. You may e-mail
them at cafmustang@yahoo.com
**Teachers Needed**
Please call Robin Webber if you can
fill any of these positions (783-8728). A teacher for Sunday mornings is also
needed.
Wednesday Night
* teacher for age 3
* helper for age 2
*
teacher for 1st grade
**Note of
Thanks **
To all who sent Valentines to me ...
I want you to know that I
was surprised and overwhelmed with such a large number of cards. Your
thoughtfulness meant a lot to me. Thank you for sending a part of your hearts my
way. You are all sweethearts ... and again, I thank you for your prayers.
In
Christian love,
Bobbye Ferrell
Let it be known throughout the land
Maiden Amanda Washburn has
consented
to join with Sir Daniel Edwards
In this blessed union of
marriage.
The honor of thy presence
is hereby humbly requested
for
this long awaited occasion
Saturday 13th day of March
At eleven-thirty in
the morning
West-Ark Church of Christ
The couple requests no
gifts.
There will be a wishing well at the reception for any gift cards or
donations you may like to give
to help the couple start their journey
together as husband and wife.
**Sunday in Worship**
Morning
West-Ark's Purpose & Goals
Elders, Chris
Benjamin
Evening
Family Meeting
followed by
Fellowship Meal in the FLC
Please bring
desserts!
**"Peak of the
Week"**
Wednesday, March 3
"The Lord Who Heals"
Exodus 15:26, Psalm
103
7:00 p.m. in the FLC.
**Happy
Birthday**
March 1
Justin Boozer
Nathan Davis
Leon Medlock
Karan
Tygart
March 2
Joann
Griffin
Kristin James
Lindsey Smith
March 3
Ruth Martin
March
4
Hunter Hesslen
March
5
Norman Cole
Vivian Flood
Ron Lenderman
Ashleigh
Miller
March 6
Netsy
Lynn
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**The Passion of the Christ**
By Brad
Pistole
This past month, I read
basically every review I could find about the new Mel Gibson movie that was to
be released on Wednesday, February 25th. I heard all kinds of reviews, both
positive and negative. I watched interview after interview with the director and
with those who had previewed the film. As a result, I felt prepared for what I
would see.
But nothing could have
possibly prepared me for what I saw this past Tuesday afternoon. I was able to
view "The Passion of the Christ" the day before its release. Words simply cannot
describe what I saw and what I felt. The spectrum of emotions I felt on that day
ranged from extreme anger to uncontrollable grief.
Simply put, besides scripture, nothing in my entire life has
ever given me the visual perspective of what realistically happened to Christ
like this movie did. As I watched the film in absolute grief, I was reminded of
the following scriptures:
Isaiah
52:14 "Many were amazed when they saw him - beaten and bloodied, so disfigured
one would scarcely know he was a person." 53:3-6 "For he was despised and
rejected - a man of sorrows, acquainted with bitter grief. We turned our backs
on him and looked the other way when he went by. He was despised, and we did not
care .Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him
down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God for his own
sins! But he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we
might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed! All of us have strayed
away like sheep. We have left God's paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid
on him the guilt and sins of us all." 8. "...But who among the people
realized that he was dying for their sins - that he was suffering their
punishment"? 11-12 "...And because of what he has experienced, my righteous
servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear
all their sins. I will give him the honors of one who is mighty and great,
because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among those who were
sinners. He bore the sins of many and interceded for
sinners."
Now that I have faced the
reality of what my sin did to Jesus, only one question remains for me: What will
I do now?
Have you seen the movie?
Have you come face to face with the reality of the price Jesus paid for your
sins? If you have, I ask the same of you: What will you do
now?
**Fifth Sunday
Nursery**
A.M. Nursery
Cristy
Pressley
Kay Pressley
Hannah Pressley
Louise Howard
Cami
Stancil
P.M. Nursery
Robertta
Moses
Laurie Armstrong
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM
681
Bible Classes 479
Sunday P.M. 278
Small
Groups 32
Wednesday P.M. 310
Contribution
$17,350
Children's Home $272
The Way 51
Hispanic
Attendance 33
Hispanic Contribution $196
Laotian Attendance 38
Laotian Contribution $164
Office Phone (479) 452-1240
Fax (479) 452-5767
office@westarkchurchofchrist.org
www.westark.org
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