West-Ark Newsletter, 29 July 2004

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Family Lines Newsletter, July 29, 2004
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It is down right unnerving! We are in a society that overwhelmingly is composed of people who chase the American dream. As a society, we believe in the American dream without questioning. We are sure the keys to the "good life" are on the American dream's key ring. Thus, achieving the American dream makes life good!

The American dream gives us the right to pursue happiness. The keys to happiness are wealth, a superb lifestyle, many possessions, limited responsibility, and lots of personal pleasure (as defined by each person).

So we work ourselves to death pursuing the American dream. Why? We are convinced it is essential for the pursuit of happiness. We get money, but we are not happy. The conclusion: we do not have enough money. We purchase the equipment for a superb lifestyle (wonderful homes, "bells and whistles" automobiles, recreational equipment), but we are not happy. The conclusion: "We need something else." Most of us have difficulty listing everything we own (or does it own us?), but we are not happy. The conclusion: "Let's be super consumers who live to possess." We work hard to reach a time when we have little responsibility, but we are not happy (we are bored!). We indulge our pursuits of pleasures only to find devoting life to pleasure is meaningless. The conclusion: we are confused and feel betrayed!

Think! Is it not amazing that so many who pursue the American dream never find happiness? Many (the greater majority) commit to the journey. Yet before "the goal" is achieved, there is a death; there is an illness requiring all one's strength and endurance; there is a divorce; there is a child causing agony; there are dismal detours to "nowhere;" there is financial collapse; or there is the unexpected (and it is horrible!).

We live in an unredeemed world as an unredeemed people. We can become redeemed people, but that does not make the world a redeemed world. What is the nature of an unredeemed world? Injustice. Exploitation. Deceit. Failed relationships. Grief. Suffering. Sorrow. Death. Does the fact that we accept redemption in Jesus Christ protect us from an unredeemed world? No! It did not protect Paul, or Peter, or the twelve, or the Christian martyrs!

Could it be that there is something more important to live for than the American dream? Could it be that Satan has deceived us by getting us to blame God for Satan's work in an unredeemed world?

For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God (Romans 8:20,21).

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**VBS Clean Up**
Thanks to everyone who graciously loaned us household items for VBS. We are ready to return them to you! The hallway outside the Library is "lined" with trees, greenery, baskets, and rugs all waiting to go back home. Plan to come by Sunday and take home anything you loaned. We need to make a clean sweep in this area.

**Mayor's Prayer Breakfast**
Friday morning, August 13, 6:15 a.m.
Fort Smith Convention Center
800 Rogers Avenue
Speaker: S. Truett Cathy
(Founder of Chick-Fil-A)
Tickets are $10.00 and may be purchased at the Fort Smith
Chamber of Commerce.

It's Here!
**West-Ark's Community Outreach Day**
Saturday, July 31, 2004
9:30 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.
in the Family Life Center.
The following items will be available to anyone in need:
* Summer clothing
* Household items
* Furniture
(Lunch is also provided at 11:00 a.m.)
Speakers: Chris Benjamin, Oscar Nolasco, Thomas Kweekul

**Wednesday Night WinGS Bible Class**
It's that time again!! Summer is almost gone and fall is around the corner. Wednesday night WinGS will start September 8, 7:00 p.m. in Room 211. There will be a sign-up sheet in the foyer for those who wish to join us in the study of "The Death and Resurrection of the Messiah" by Ray VanderLaan. This is a book/video study. The cost of the book will be approximately $6.00. Cut off date for the book order will be August 11th. If you have a friend who would like to come, please sign her name so we can order her a book.

**Welcome and Thanks**
Lance Havens and the Youth Group from Woodward, Oklahoma, are here this weekend working in our Community Outreach program. The teens are eager to learn more about serving others in their community and will be assisting Kathy Rosalez & Jack Lewis Thursday - Saturday in the Family Life Center. Be sure and tell them "thanks so much" when you see them Sunday in worship!

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**In Our Thoughts & Prayers**
* Beatrice Neighbors, grandmother of Mitch Harper, is in Sparks Hospital, room 418.
* Maile McDonald
* Judi Green
* Lear Mae Moody (mother of Sue George)

**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Gene Russell in the accidental death of his 4-year old grandson, Devien Russell, on Sunday morning. Funeral services for Devien were Wednesday at Ocker Funeral Home in Van Buren. If you would like to send Gene a card, his address is 2360 Old Uniontown Road, Van Buren, AR 72956.

**Notes of Thanks**
Dear West-Ark Family,
I have been touched by your generosity toward the Center for Christian Broadcasting. We are encouraged by the interest so many of you have shown, and your contributions and prayers are greatly appreciated. Please contact me if you have questions, or if you know of others who might be interested in learning about CfCB. I have sample DVDs if you would like to view them or pass them along to a friend. The "40 Days and 40 Nights" campaign officially ends August 15th, but donations are appreciated at any time. Thank you again for your generous support. May God bless us in our efforts to glorify His name!
With thanks,
Leslie Holland
Note: Dr. Lou Butterfield, Director of the Center for Christian Broadcasting, spoke at our July 11 evening service. You can learn more about CfCB by visiting www.christianbroadcasting.org .

Dear West-Ark Church Community,
Todd Bauer and I were married on June 26th in the presence of God with our family and friends all around us. We felt your support and love there as well. We thank you for your prayers. We also thank you for the beautiful handmade quilt we received just prior to our special day. What a lovely and thoughtful present. We send a special thank you to the quilters who stitched each square with love and care. Todd and I spent our honeymoon in the Dominican Republic and are now back in Chicago enjoying each other and our new home. We will continue to keep the West-Ark community in our thoughts and prayers.
With love and gratitude,
Jennifer J. Bauer

**Children's Library Update**
Nancy Dockery has volunteered to re-vamp the kid's section of the
library and start a Children's Book Ministry here. See her if you have
children's books to donate, etc. Her husband will also be involved in this
work as well as their daughter Landry. Thanks folks! ~~J. Lankford

**Car Clinic**
There will NOT be a Car Clinic for August.

**Widows/Widowers**
We will be hosted by Bob & Patti Null, Saturday, August 7. The van will leave the annex at 11:30. If you need transportation to the annex please call: Mary (646-6079), Bobbie (674-5814) or Janice (474-8851)

**Congratulations **
Isaac & Virginia Mobley on your 70th Wedding Anniversary!
Isaac and Virginia will celebrate their anniversary Saturday, August 7th with a private family luncheon at their home. They were married August 4, 1934 in Hagarville, AR. They both grew up in the Hagarville & Lamar area. They have 3 children, 5 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren. The Mobley's worshipped with the Midland Blvd. congregation and have been faithful working Christians all these years. Congratulations Isaac & Virginia!

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As most of you know, the summer is the main point of emphasis for a Youth Minister. It could be compared to November playoff time for a football coach or March Madness for a basketball coach.

Sure, they work hard during the rest of the year, too, but everything they do all builds up to a certain point of emphasis. Youth Ministry is much the same. The four-month stretch from May to August is the time of year when you try to make everything come together.

Over the past 14 years, I've enjoyed the company and help of a "summer intern" on 5 different occasions. This summer was one of those times. As you know, Aaron and Amanda Davis have been here with us this summer.

He jumped right on board the last week of May and made an immediate impact. He helped us with Senior Week at Green Valley. He went to Uplift with our group. He also got first-hand experience on "braving the waters alone" with Splashdown, GVBC and leading the weekly devotional for the kids at The Way.

To be honest, Aaron endured several 70-hour weeks this summer and simply never let up. He kept his focus and he was able to encourage so many of our young people. I am very thankful to Aaron and to Amanda for their willingness to serve in this way.

**August Communion Servers**
Prayer Leader: Gary Brown
Servers: Donald Green
        Brother Alexander
        Ben Neal
        John Kamp
        Andrew Todd
        Dawson Urrutia
        Mark Willis
        Bruce Davenport
        Harvey George
        Curt Jackson
        Randy Moss
        Greg Dockery
        Wilburn Howard
        Rodney Jones
        Bob Davidson
        Tim Davis
Ushers/Nursery Communion:
        Bill Kamp
        David Berger

**Attendance & Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 580
Bible Classes 352
Sunday PM 223
Small Groups 10
Wednesday P.M. 284
Contribution $11,193
Children's Home $136
The Way 40
Hispanic Attendance 31
Hispanic Contribution $139
Laotians Attendance 33
Laotian Contribution $196

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