West-Ark Newsletter, 27 May 2004

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Family Lines Newsletter, May 27, 2004
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Beginning Sunday, June 6, and continuing each Sunday through August 15, services at the Way will have a special emphasis.

First, Aaron Davis, our Summer Intern at West-Ark, will spend the first part of the 4:00 p.m. service working with the kids using VBS type songs and Bible drills. Prizes will be given to children based upon attendance and other criteria. There will be four occasions this summer when Aaron will be gone to youth events with our teens from West-Ark, and on those occasions Michael Jones and our college students will be leading the first part of the service.

Second, we will have guest speakers each Sunday from the West-Ark congregation for the adult service following the dismissal of the children. The theme for the summer services is "Walking in the Spirit" (Gal. 5:16) and each speaker will be asked to bring a message around one particular fruit of the Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control (Gal. 5:22-23).

West-Ark members and guests are invited to attend and lend encouragement at any of the summer services at 4:00 p.m. The building is located at 3424 Johnson Street.

Reminder: West-Ark's Community Outreach Day (an inner-city meal and clothing give-away) is Saturday, July 31, in the Family Life Center. Help is needed for this good work to minister to the homeless and needy. Please see Kathy Rosalez for details.

Jack Lewis will be out of the country the week of June 6-13. For assistance during that time, contact Ben Pearson or Earl Flood.

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**Lao Lunch Invitation**
Thomas Kweekul and the Lao church are hosting a national event this week - the Laotian Preacher Workshop. Sunday morning, after worship, a big luncheon is planned with "lots of good Lao food." The Lao brethren extend an invitation to all who would like to come by to visit and eat with them after worship.

**KFC Announcement**
Due to the holiday, we will not have KFC I or II Sunday night. We will present a summer KFC program beginning, Sunday, June 6th!

**Donation$ Needed for Campers**
We still need donations to send 13 kids from The Way to Green Valley Bible Camp this summer (July 4-10). So far, Jack Lewis has received $400. We need $800 to $1,000 more. If you can help send a kid to camp, please let Jack know soon (459-0168).

Another way to help is to purchase needed supplies. A list of each camper's supply needs should be posted by Sunday evening. Thanks for your love and support for our inner city kids.

**Opportunity to Help**
A member of The Way needs medical treatment not covered by insurance. The cost will be about $630. So far, $40 has been donated. If you would like to help, contact Jack Lewis at 459-0168.

**Real Love in the Real World**
Live Marriage Conference
June 5, 2004, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Fort Smith Convention Center

Practical Topics: Whether engaged or celebrating 50 years of marriage, couples will come away with a renewed commitment and effective tools for strengthening their marriage.

Expert Speakers: Smalley Relationship Center has committed nearly 3 decades to learning what makes marriages work! Our team of experts deliver principles that are practical, biblical and easy to apply.

Discover the key to:
* True, biblical romance
* Resolving conflicts
* Building communication skills
* Valuing personality differences
* Dealing with anger ... and forgiveness
* Appreciation of the gift of sex

Register by mail, phone, fax or online.
1482 Lakeshore Drive, Branson, MO 65616
1-800-848-6329 * (Fax) 417-336-3515 * www.smalleyonline.com

**Car Clinic **
,,, will be Saturday, June 5 at the Annex from 8 to 11 a.m.

**Widows/Widowers**
We will have a "bruncheon" in the Annex at noon on Saturday, June 5. Call Janice (474-8851), Mary (646-6079) or Bobbie (674-5814) if you need transportation to the building.

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10).

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**In Our Thoughts and Prayers**
* John Hundley is in St. Edward Hospital, room 4409. He will move to rehab soon.
* Mary Francis Williams (mother of Yolanda Gunn) is in Crawford County Hospital, room 255. She has pneumonia.
* Adam Jenkins' tests at Children's Hospital were negative. The family requests prayers for wisdom for his treatment.
* Sanh Luongvan is in St. Edward Hospital, LT3-1.
* Jamie Loftin (pregnant with twins)
* Maile McDonald
* Judi Green
* Hesslen Family
* Sunny McDonald (brother of Curtis)
* Lear Mae Moody (mother of Sue George)

**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Jon Huff in the recent death of his grandfather in a farming accident in Georgia. Funeral services were Wednesday.

**Military Service**
Remember in prayer Daniel Kweekul, Phillip Lux, Johnny Lindgren, and Brandon Daws who are currently serving in Iraq.

**Notes of Thanks**
Dearest friends and members of West-Ark Church of Christ:
I extend all my thanks for the prayers uplifting me to God. I put myself in God's hands and then in the hands of the doctors and nurses. He saw me through surgery and so far my recuperation has been uneventful. May God bless all of you. Also, thank you for the birthday cards.
Marjorie Blake

Dear West-Ark Family
Thank you for making the loss of my sister a little easier with a peace lily plant, cards and prayers.
May God bless you,
Nolan & Dale Marrs

Super Kid Day was a great success!
Thanks to all who contributed trophies for our students. We had 23 kids -- and 23 trophies were given at our awards assembly Thursday afternoon.
LaReeca Herndon

Dear Quilters,
[Stephanie's note] Thank you so very much for our marriage quilt! It is absolutely gorgeous! It is too wonderful to use so we are going to buy a quilt rack that we can hang up and display so everyone can see our beautiful quilt! Your love and kindness mean so much to us!
[Brandon's note] This will be a quilt we know we will have the rest of our lives. As I know from being around you all for years, you are some of the most well respected and thoughtful people on the planet. I love you all, and I'm sorry I could not have thanked you in person.
God bless you all,
Stephanie & Brandon Pistole

**Wednesday Ladies' Class**
We will meet in room 210 on June 2 immediately following the devo in the auditorium. Come prepared to discuss the first chapter (week) of the Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren.

**Marriage Amendment**
If you're interested in being a canvasser for your neighborhood, contact Mat Griffin at 452-1472, and he will get you the needed information.

**Marriage Announcement**
Congratulations to Jewell Madzey and Ray House who were joined in marriage on April 8th. They are living at 1101 North 40th, Fort Smith, AR 72904. The phone is unchanged.

**Wedding Invitation**
Amy Elizabeth Mason and Patrick Lowell Stinson
Will be joined in marriage on Saturday, May 29
At half past seven o'clock (in the evening)
Immaculate Conception Church
22 North 13 Street
Fort Smith, Arkansas
Reception following ceremony
Fianna Hills Country Club
1 Essex Place

**Pray for the Guyana Mission Team Leaving June 5**
Michael Blasdel
Missy Blasdel
Richard Bullard
Shirley Bullard
Michael Cole
Jeannie Cole
David Dickey
Jenna Dickey
Roy Dunavin
Joyce Dunavin
Colleen Frost
Jim Hardin
Robin Harper
Nancy James
Jack Lewis
Glenda Lewis
Robertta Moses
Charlotte Pinedo
Jill Roberts

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Our final graduates from Northside and Southside High will complete their commencement ceremonies this Thursday and Friday night, May 27th and 28th.

I am so thankful for our seniors for all they have meant to our youth group and to West-Ark. These students have excelled in the classroom, in the band and choir rooms, on the ball fields and on daily mission fields both here and abroad.

I am thankful for the service we shared together this past Sunday. We received many comments from those of you who were touched by the thoughts and expressions of love that were shared because of the bonds we have developed in Jesus Christ.

I am proud of all our teens, and I look forward to the time of transition we face as a group. I look forward to developing and working with a whole new set of leaders. It's always rewarding to watch new growth take place in the lives of our young people.

I pray that all of our families will make the most of this holiday weekend by spending some quality time together. Get some rest and gear up for a great summer filled with events that will build you up spiritually.

**Special News**
I am pleased to announce that Aaron Davis, a Jr.Youth Ministry Major at Harding University and former West-Ark teen, will be working with us as an intern this summer. He will be writing next week's article about his hopes, plans and vision for his work with us this summer.

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday A. M.   669
Bible Classes 402
Sunday Night 281
Small Groups 31
Wednesday P.M. 313
Contribution   $14,708
Children's Home   $303
The Way 38
Hispanic Attendance 48
Hispanic Contribution $194
Laotians Attended with WA
Laotian Contributed with WA

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