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Family Lines Newsletter, April 29, 2004
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**Helping Others Find the "Hope of Glory"**
David Chadwell
 
Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. (Colossians 1:25-28)

Sunday was exceptional!  Numerous people opened homes Saturday night to the Harding University Singers and returned the chorus to study and worship Sunday morning.  Curtis McDonald and his crew (Bob Fisher, Jack and Glenda Lewis, Joe Parker, Maxine Yates) arrived early Sunday to prepare our fellowship meal.  Though the Family Life Center was the site of a wedding reception Saturday afternoon, the "set up" crew (David Berger, Bruce Davenport, Kerry Jenkins, and helpers) had tables and chairs ready for several hundred people to eat lunch on Sunday. Numerous people brought desserts to go with our meal.

After dismissal Betty Porter fell against a pew and sustained a large cut.  Many immediately came to her rescue. Dr. Larry Armstrong took her to the hospital and attended to her physical needs.  In less than an hour she was home and doing well.

By 12:30 p.m. all were fed (781 were in attendance for worship). A "clean up" crew (including lots of teen help) stored the tables and chairs, then prepared the area for an afternoon birthday party.

The Harding University Singers sang at 1 p.m. to a good audience.

Sunday morning in worship Chris spoke passionately about being a community of God's people living under the cross. [Link to sermon.] We refuse to be an unattached group who merely knows what God achieved in Jesus' cross and resurrection. We choose to be a community who individually and collectively are formed by God's achievements in Jesus' cross and resurrection.

A biblical shift is occurring among us that we need to understand well. The shift: society and the world will be touched by Christ when Christians have the courage to be missional individuals. Past concepts of church growth commonly saw the congregations as super markets. Our goal was to offer better programs than everyone else. People would choose us because we offered "the best programs" to be found.

The missional emphasis: be a person whose whole life belongs to God. Help form a community who reflects God. Call people to a changed existence because of God's accomplishments in Christ.  We exist, not to challenge people to choose us, but to challenge people to choose God. We exist to encourage people continually to come closer to God. We challenge people to serve the Christ, our hope of glory.
 
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**Work Needed**
If you have jobs to be done around the house or yard, please call Jack Lewis at 459-0168. Jack is working with a Hispanic man who can do a variety of jobs.
 
**VBS Needs You!**
Any talent you have, we can use! See Carolyn Harrell or Dena Jenkins. Help us fill our "Marketplace" VBS with people of every tribe and talent.
 
**LTC T-Shirts**
T-shirts have arrived and may be picked up in the foyer Sunday morning. Awards that have not been picked up will also be available.
 
**Transportation Ministry**
Occasionally our members have a need for transportation to a doctor's appointment or a check up. If you would like to put your name on a list to provide this service in the future, please call the church office and let it be known by a phone call or e-mail.
 
**Happy Birthday**
 
May 2
Lisa Broom
Ed Vampola
 
May 3
Missy Blasdel
 
May 4
Lena Hall
Aline Phillips
Danna Turpin
Braden Walker
 
May 5
Sarah Sawyer
 
May 6
Whitney Dotson
John Hawkins
 
May 8
Marjorie Blake
Sara Dockery
 
**Super Kid Day**
Super Kid Day is a special day for the kids in our Tutoring Program. If you have items to donate (see list below), please place them in the labeled box in the Information Center. If you have questions, see LaReeca Herndon.
 
We are collecting:
* kid-sized baseball gloves 
* medallions with red, white, or blue ribbons (like kids receive in track and field events) and
* trophies that can be reused (engraving or names removed).
 
**Sunday in Worship**
Morning
Proclaiming Christ's Reign
By Chris Benjamin
 
Evening
Coming to Christ
Lesson #3
God's Kingdom
By David Chadwell
 
**Am I Ruled By God?**
 
In one consideration, being ruled by God is a simple consideration.  The person, by choice, gives God control of his/her life.  The person makes the will of God the top priority and concern in decisions made, choices picked, and directions taken.  While it is understood that there may be a great amount of thought or discussion about "what is God's will in this matter," God's will is the priority concern.
 
In another consideration, being ruled by God is a complex consideration.  The complexity comes in knowing one's motives.  "Am I doing this for me or for God?  Am I merely conforming to the expectations of my past and other people, or am I surrendering to God?  Am I trying to manipulate God or serve God? Am I trying to make the important people in my life happy or am I seeking to bring joy to God?  Does this arise from faith in myself or faith in God?"  Those are hard questions to answer honestly!  They focus on the truth that response to God must be internal as well as external.
 
Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'  (Matthew 7:21-23)
 
Come be with us Sunday evening as we continue to study Coming to Christ in search for a better understanding of God's rule.
~ David
 

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 **The Wonder Working Power of Prayer**
 
* Maile McDonald went to Children's Hospital Monday (26th) for a chemo treatment and extra tests.
* Sanh Luongvan is in St. Edward LT-3 (Long Term care).
* Margaret Stone is sick at home. G.C. has requested prayers for Margaret.
* Marjorie Blake is going to Tulsa Spinal Hospital on Thursday, April 29, for spinal fusion.
* Lois Jester is in St. Edward Rehab, room 5207.
* Colonoscopy test results for Gloria Jones (mother of Derrick) turned out well, and she does not have cancer.
* Adam Jenkins goes back to Arkansas Children's Hospital on Friday, April 30th for more tests.
* Helen Branum is being treated at the Mayo Clinic.
* Judi Green -- chemotherapy treatments.
* Hesslen Family
* Newborn great-grandson of Genneil Nye (See "prayers for newborn" below.)
 
**Dismissed from the Hospital**
* Leo Atkins
* Bobbie Hughes
* John Hawkins
 
**Prayers for Newborn**
Please remember the newborn great-grandson of Genneil Nye in your prayers. The baby (only survivor of identical twins) was born April 22nd in Fayetteville to Toby Taylor Jones. He weighed a little over 2 lbs. (about 30 weeks). 
 
**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Ava Jones in the unexpected death of Joe last week. Memorial services were Tuesday at Fentress Chapel in Fort Smith.
 
**New Address**
David and Sandi Pippin
6709 Bolton Circle
Fort Smith, AR 72903
Phone: 629-1636
 
Steve and Cathy Breedlove
3215 Osprey Drive
Greenwood, AR 72936
Phone: 996-9712
 
**Bridal Shower**
A shower is planned for Stephanie Gueck, bride-elect of Brandon Pistole, on Sunday, May 2, from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. in the home of Danna Turpin, 2405 Rannoch Lane. Stephanie and Brandon are registered at Dillards, Linens & Things and Wal-Mart.
 
**Widows/Widowers**
We will be going to Fin & Feather for lunch Saturday, May 1.  The van will leave the annex at 10:00 a.m.  Call Mary, Bobbie or Janice if you need transportation to the annex.
 
There will NOT be a Car Clinic for the month of May.
 
**"Something's Coming"**
A six-week discussion type class for ladies on Wednesday evenings beginning June 2nd.  Watch for more information as the time gets closer.
 
**Notes of Thanks**
Dear Quilting Ladies and West-Ark Family,
We who work in the office are blessed in so many ways. It is a joy to interact with our wonderful congregation and staff on a daily basis. Last week during Secretaries' Week was exceptionally so. We received beautiful cards, e-mails, and telephone greetings from many of you. To top it all off, the Quilting Ladies gifted each of us (Lynn, Myra & Debbie) with a hand-made quilt. Your thoughtfulness is beyond measure. May we bless others as you have blessed us.
 Love,
 Myra, Lynn & Debbie
 
The Dynamic Marriage Class (formerly His Needs/Her Needs) would like to thank Mat Griffin and Paul Shirley.  Your devotion and guidance throughout the class made a tremendous impact on all our marriages.  We have all been blessed by your Christian example of serving others through Christ.  Thanks again and may God bless you in all you do.
 

**Needed for Guyana Medical Mission**
Sunglasses, (new or used) and children's vitamins are needed for our Guyana Medical Mission.
You may place your items in the box in the foyer.
 

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**Teen/Parent Meeting Scheduled for May 16**
By Brad Pistole
 
There will be a special meeting for the parents of all 6th-12th graders and their teens on Sunday, May 16th at 4:30 p.m. in the Youth Room in the FLC.
 
This will be the first chance for the parents of our new 7th grade class (who will be promoting from 6th to 7th grade on Sunday, June 6th) to get familiarized with the youth program and all we have planned for the summer.
 
During this meeting, we will talk about our plans for the summer including all events, dates, costs, and details. We will also ask each parent to fill out a current medical release/travel form for their teen(s).
 
This will also be a great opportunity to sign up as a volunteer if you would like to teach in the youth program, travel on various events with the youth group, host a devotional in your home, etc.
 
Please make plans now to be a part of this meeting. It will help set the stage for the entire summer. Your presence and input is important and appreciated.
 
Registration Deadline for Uplift Christian Camp is here. If your teen plans to go to Uplift Christian Camp, June 19th - 25th,  at Harding University with the youth group, the deadline for pre-registration is this Friday, April 30th.   
If you do not sign up and pay your $50 registration fee by this Friday, the cost for camp will go up by $20. We are charged a $20 late fee for every camper that we register with our group after May 1st. Please sign up in the youth group and give me your $50 deposit on or before Friday, April 30th. I will register our group online on Friday afternoon.
 

**Nursery**
A.M. Nursery
Paula May
Sandi Pippin
Melissa Walker
Dena Jenkins
Irene Willis
 
P.M. Nursery
Dixie Burkhart
Gina Williams
 
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday A. M.   781
Bible Classes  451
Sunday Night 182
Small Groups  26
Wednesday PM  258
Contribution   $13,832
Children's Home   $268
The Way  44
Hispanic Attendance 48
Hispanic Contribution $189
Laotian Attendance  31
Laotian Contribution   $207
 
**Communion Servers For May**
 
Prayer Leader
Kevin Roberts
 
Servers
Rick Nelson
Darrell Moses
Jordan Walker
Matt Jones
Clark Risley
Tom Benincosa
Paul Beneux 
Richard Branum
Donald Neisler
Ralph Harmon
Josh Kimbrow
Farrell Graves
Nathan Griffin
Adam Davis
John Kamp
Ben Neal
 
Ushers/Nursery Communion
Mark Hite
Larry Todd
 

Office Phone (479) 452-1240
Fax  (479) 452-5767
office@westarkchurchofchrist.org
www.westarkchurchofchrist.org
 
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