West-Ark Newsletter, 4 March 2004

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Family Lines Newsletter, March 4, 2004
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The impact of the movie "The Passion of the Christ" has created an important opportunity for believers to consider and discuss the core of their faith. This discussion involves believers and non-believers alike as Christians strive to know more about their Lord Jesus Christ and as seekers want to know why the story of his suffering is good news.

In March and April the emphasis of our worship assembly will be on the gospel. The story of Jesus Christ is not merely a set of propositions that non-believers accept. Rather, it is the invitation to enter into the life of Christ and participate in God's kingdom. Disciples continue to experience the good news as they discover daily what it means to live by the wisdom of the cross (1 Cor. 1:18). Just as believers and non-believers alike have been affected by the film, so also the gospel story of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection "evangelizes" all of us. I encourage everyone to make it a priority to participate in our worship throughout March and April. Please welcome your friends, especially those who may have questions about Jesus Christ, the church, or the film "The Passion of the Christ."

The sermons from March 7 to April 4 will dialogue with a question that individuals in the film ask Jesus. This will be a starting place to learn more about the person of Jesus Christ as he is revealed to us through the apostles' witness in scripture. Each question challenges us to explore how the story of Christ is good news and how this good news speaks a word of hope, mercy, reconciliation, worth and love from God into our world. As each Sunday draws near, more about the theme of our worship will be announced. To give you a sense of what to expect, the first five sermons are titled as follows:

March 7 - "Are You a King?" [Pilate's question]
March 14 - "What is Truth?" [Pilate's question]
March 21 - "Whose Son are You?" [Satan's question]
March 28 - "Why Do You Embrace Your Cross?" [The thief's question]
April 4 - "Can One Man Bear the Sins of the Whole World?" [Satan's question]

This emphasis on the gospel will continue throughout April and the first week of May (April 11 - May 2). On those four Sundays we will strive to experience in worship what it means to be the church; because a clear understanding of the gospel and a clear grasp of the nature and mission of the church are interrelated. Our identity and mission as the body of Christ is rooted in our awareness of how the gospel gives birth to the church and how our life together in Christ as his church proclaims and bears witness to the good news from God.

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**Vacation Planning Meeting**
Our planning meeting for VBS 2004 (July 19-22) is Sunday, March 7th, at 4:30 p.m. in room 100 for all who are interested. If you cannot attend this meeting but have suggestions or want to help, please contact Dena Jenkins or Carolyn Harrell.

** "Bridge" Worker's Meeting **
There will be a meeting of those working in the "under the bridge" ministry on Saturday, March 13, 6:00 p.m. at the home of Jack and Glenda Lewis, 4117 N. 32nd Street in Fort Smith. Directions:
* go to the Apple Market at 6th and Spradling
* turn north on Mussett Road
* go four blocks to Emrich Street
* go one block to 32nd Street
* and north to 4117.

**LTC Practice Schedule **
March 7
* 1:30 Senior High Chorus
* 3:00 Junior High Chorus
* 4:00 Junior High Bible Bowl
* 4:45 Elementary Drama
* 5:00 Junior High Drama
* 6:00 Elementary Chorus
"From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise ..." (Psalm 8:2).

RVCS is proud to have this opportunity to bring
Chief Justice Moore to the greater Fort Smith Community.
Chief Justice Moore was removed from his elected position as
Chief Justice of Alabama Supreme Court because of his refusal to obey an unlawful order to remove the
Ten Commandments from the rotunda of the Alabama Judicial Building.
Tickets ($25.00 each) are available at
the RVCS Administration Office (4720 B Rogers Avenue)
The Solid Rock Book Store
and Christian Family Center

**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.
Wednesdays
7:00 - 8:15 p.m. in the Annex
(We will be using Roy Dunavin's office for our meetings.)

**Lions for Christ (LFC)**
Upcoming March Events
* 6th -- Parents' Night Out (5:30-10:00 p.m. (see information below
* 9th - Devotional, West-Ark FLC
* 27-28th, Spring Retreat, "I Want to Know Christ"

**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
Questions??? Contact Derrick Jones at 452-1240 or e-mail
Derrick@westarkchurchofchrist.org

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**Our Love and Prayers Go Out To**
* Oneta Love has returned to Methodist Nursing Home under Hospice Care.
* Jane Choate broke her wrist and had out-patient surgery Tuesday.
* Christy Hesslen is in St. Edward Hospital, 3rd floor, AP Bed 1, with complications in her pregnancy.
* Robin Murphy continues to recover at home from her automobile accident, resulting surgeries, and pneumonia.
* Ada Ferguson is in Sparks Hospital with pneumonia, and her condition is critical.
* Maile McDonald and her family.
* Oleta Mitchell (sister of Leon Medlock) is in St. Edward Hospital where she had hip surgery Tuesday after a fall. Van Mitchell (her husband) also had hip surgery and is in St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, OK.
* Please remember Tim & Kristin Smith as they attempt to bring order and peace to their home which was burglarized last weekend. Very little was stolen, but the contents of the house were trashed.

**New Arrival**
Congratulations to Jake and Jenny Atchison on the birth of a daughter, Grace Nicole, on February 27. Grace weighed 8 lbs., 12 ozs. And was 21.5 inches long. Jerry and Marilyn Selby are the proud grandparents.

The family of Mildred Saxton acknowledges with deep appreciation your kind expressions of sympathy. I would also like to express my thanks to the ladies who prepared our Saturday lunch. Thank you for your most generous help.
Bill Saxton

Dear Church Family,
Thank you so much for all of the love and support you have shown me over the course of my mom's illness and after her passing. I can't tell you what a blessing you have been to me. I felt God taking care of my family through all of you. You were a light during my darkest days. Thank you for showing me God's love. I love you all so much.
In Him,
David, Melissa, Jacqueline, Rebecca and Matthew Myers

**60+ Potluck**
Our next fellowship is Saturday, March 20th in the Annex at 6:00 p.m. Bill Brazelton will have a slide presentation of his trip to the South Pole.

**Car Clinic**
Saturday, March 6, 8:00 - 11:00 a.m. in the Annex parking lot (weather permitting).

**Widows/Widowers**
We will be hosted this month by Terri & Joe Parker. The van will leave the building on Saturday, March 6, at 11:30 a.m. Call Bobbie (674-5814), Mary (646-6079) or Janice (474-8851) if you need transportation to the building.

**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!

**Teachers Needed**
Please call Robin Pratt-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

**Wedding Invitation*
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.

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Let me explain. Many Christians proclaim their faith in God. They tell others that God can do anything. They preach "prayer" to everyone around them, claiming that God can do ANYTHING that we ask him to do in faith. Yet, while they do believe in prayer, deep down inside, they may have serious doubts about whether or not God would choose to "intervene" and tackle some of the "bigger" problems we face in life.

After all, some things seem to be a little "too messy" for God? For instance, some marriages simply seem to be beyond the point of repair, right? I mean, God is powerful, but how can he help a liar, adulterer and porn addict? Or better yet, would God restore a child molester and then use him to influence others in His church and community? How about an alcoholic? A rapist? A murderer?

This past week, God has reminded me that He is in charge! He has reminded me that NOTHING is out of his reach. He has reminded me that a great price was paid when Jesus shed his blood and that blood can change the life of ANY person who is willing to be changed. He has reminded me that He can use ANYONE, including a person like Saul of Tarsus, in a very public way to influence others for His cause.

I am reminded of the following words from Isaiah 1:18:
"'Come now, let us argue this out' says the Lord. No matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can remove it. I can make you as clean as freshly fallen snow. Even if you are stained as red as crimson, I can make you as white as wool."

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM   647
Bible Classes 483
Sunday P.M.   201
Small Groups NC
Wednesday P.M. 352
Contribution   $14,367
Children's Home   $166
The Way 49
Hispanic Attendance 64
Hispanic Contribution $261
Laotian Attendance 25
Laotian Contribution   $168

**Communion Servers for the month of March.**
Prayer Leader: Gary Brown
        Servers:
        John Wood
        Doyle Wright
        Curtis McDonald
        Greg Null
        Mike Burk
        Rick Nelson
        Joe Parker
        Ben Pearson
        Darrell Peters
        Bill Moss
        Kelvin Kleman
        Gene Monk
        John Carson
        Ben Neal
        Dawson Urrutia
        Michael Jones

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