West-Ark Newsletter, 26 August 2004

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Family Lines Newsletter, August 26, 2004
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Acts 2:46,47 "Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people."

What happened? Something did! We cannot pretend a "before" and "after" did not happen! If we try to hide it, it haunts us. Things are different, and we know it--and it is more than disliked change! It is like being frustrated and (a) not knowing what to blame OR (b) blaming the wrong things.

Whose fault is it for changing life? We want things to be the same--but they are not. We prefer "life like it was"--but it is not. We prefer the old problems, not the new ones confronting us--but we cannot choose which set intrudes in our lives and forces decisions.

9/11 has been over-worked, over-analyzed, over-blamed, and over-discussed. It is not the "ghost in the closet" to blame all bad things on. It was a transition point, not a creator. It did not create the cracks. It merely exposed them by giving everyone x-ray vision. It put the stress and strain on existing fractures to transform hair-line factures into obvious breaks. Now we are forced to examine obvious ugliness honestly.

Before 9/11, when we were told the world was shrinking, most said, "It is the same size it always has been." When we were told that evil was a real force in this world, most said, "No it's not!" When we were told there were those who hated us so much they would gladly kill us, most said, "That cannot be right--we are the world's good guys." When we were told that some people regarded influence from American culture as disastrous, most said, "What are they talking about?" When we were told that societies devoted to religious rule considered us a society of atheists, most said, "Ridiculous! We have church buildings all over the place!"

Oh, how 9/11 changed the answers, not the questions! Had "in church" surveys been conducted prior to 9/11, members would say, "Our hope is in God and our dependence is on God!" After 9/11, we find ourselves trying to define hope and dependence. We do not like being forced to do that. Perhaps we are forced to acknowledge the unthinkable--we were more materialistic in our hope and dependence than we cared to admit. As long as our lifestyle, security, future, opportunities, and materialistic ambitions were intact, our hope was in God on Whom we depended. Placing hope in and dependence on God was one thing. Changing our lives is quite another issue! Before 9/11 the two subjects were minimally related. After 9/11 we wonder.

In a world filled with uncertainty, injustice, and poverty, the first people who understood God's action in Jesus were filled with an incredible joy. Because the world was no longer uncertain? No! No longer unjust? No! Poverty was eradicated? No! Then why? They understood a purposeful God was active in the affairs of humans producing salvation. Their joy was not humanity-based, pleasure-based, possession-based, or money-based. Their joy was God-based. So, where is our joy? Is there a connection between being God's light, salt, and leaven in an uncertain world and finding joy in God?

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**Tutoring Program**
School has started and Labor Day will soon be here. We will be starting our tutoring program on Sept. 14th just a week after Labor Day with some twenty students enrolled in the program. We would like to help more children; however, we are limited by the number of tutors, we have at present. If you can spare just two hours of your time on Tuesday afternoon, to help a child with his school work, and make a difference in the future of America, and eternity itself, contact the church office about after-school tutoring, or call 459-0168.

Our Under The Bridge ministry seems to be growing. We had 129 at the bridge last Saturday including 18 workers from West-Ark. More importantly we had several responses; three came to worship on Sunday afternoon at the Way, staying around to ask questions afterwards and two Bible studies were set up. Please pray for this work as well as other work of the inner-city ministry.

There is a family in the inner city in need of a high chair and two families in need of a kitchen table and chairs. If you can help call 459-0168.

**Wednesday Children's Devo**
Starting this Wednesday night we will no longer be able to offer our children's devotional in classroom 100. We have been seeking adult volunteers to work with this program and have not found the right person yet. Parents, please remember that classes do not start until 7:15 and your children need to stay in your care until that time. If you are interested in filling this position (two adults are needed) or have other questions please contact Gary Brown.

**Parking Rules**
"Do for others what you would like them to do for you." Matthew 7:12

During worship assembly times, practice the "Golden Rule" and reserve the back parking lot for those who need the handicap entrance and also for our senior members. The rear double-glass door entrance (between the FLC and Annex) provides a handicap ramp, level ground, and easy access to the building. Please reserve this parking lot for those who need it.

**Preschool Teachers**
There will be a meeting this Sunday, August 29th in Room 100 for all who have taught 2 year olds through 1st grade in the 12 months and those who will be teaching in the upcoming quarter.

**Widows/Widowers**
We will be hosted by Marvin & Bobbie Hughes Saturday, September 4. We will leave the Annex at 11:30 a.m. Call Mary (646-6079), Bobbie (479-674-5814) or Janice (474-885) if you need transportation to the annex.

**Library News**
FOUR New LIBRARY TABLES will be in real soon! Linda McRay donated 3 in memory of Charles, her husband who built this library. Someone from Bill Dickey's class donated another. What a great thing!!!

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* Larry Treat remains in St. Edward Hospital for tests.
* Shelley Flippo is in back pain. Please pray for her comfort. Shelley is the granddaughter of Robert and Loretta Loudermilk and Myra Flippo.
* Gary Green will enter St. Edward Hospital soon to receive a week of IV treatment for a reoccurrence of Hairy Cell Leukemia. Hospital visits are limited while Gary is in treatment. The Greens request prayer that the treatment is effective and the leukemia goes into remission.
* Clark Risley will enter St. Edward Hospital Monday for tests.
* Pete Mendez has been dismissed from the trauma center in Puerto Rica and hopes to be moved to a hospital in Miami.
* Louise Howard is recovering from a broken wrist and sprained ankle.
* Lear Mae Moody (mother of Sue George) is in Hospice Care and Sue is caring for her.

**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Dwonne Cogswell and Dahl Dunavant in the death of their grandmother, Lorena Dunavant, on Monday, August 23rd, after suffering additional strokes. Funeral services were Thursday (8/26) at 2:30 p.m. in Floydada, Texas, at the West Side Church of Christ.

Janice Bates of Elkins, Arkansas, sister to Jerry Canfield, passed away Tuesday night. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 28, 2004, at the Mt. Olive Cemetery Chapel in Elkins. The Beard Funeral Home of Fayetteville is handling arrangements. The children of Ms. Bates and the Canfield family would appreciate your prayers for the family and for the safety of those traveling for the funeral.

**Keep in Your Prayers**
Keep in prayer those who have on-going cancer treatments.
* Kathy Eichenberger (mother of Scott James)
* Maile McDonald
* Judi Green
* Don Green is taking an aggressive form of IV treatment.
* Anita Maxwell is awaiting test results and decisions on treatment.

**Prayer Meeting**
There will be a general discussion and prayer meeting with emphasis on the missions programs, Sunday afternoon, August 29, 1:30 p.m. in the Annex. All are invited to attend and participate.

Dear West-Ark Family,
The family of Brandon Beshears acknowledges with deep appreciation your kind expressions of sympathy. Your cards, words of love, memorial contributions, and most especially your prayers are of great comfort as we mourn the loss of our beloved Brandon. Please continue to remember Brandon's family in your prayers.
In Christian love,
Patti and James Anderson
(Brandon's aunt and uncle)
Adriane and Todd Martin
(Brandon's cousins)

To our Church on behalf of the entire Russell Family:
I would like to say thank you so very much for your many different acts of kindness shown to us during the loss of our son, grandson, and brother, Devien (Bubie). You pulled together during our time of need. James 4:14 says that your life is as a vapor that is here for a little while and then vanishes away. Sometimes we cannot be certain why things happen the way that they do. So all that we can do is live life to the fullest and love to the fullest and live each day as though it is our last... and in doing this let it be done in memory of those we have lost. Even though there are things we still do not understand, we know with your continued support and your prayers, a greater understanding will come. Once again, thank you for your kindness and thoughtfulness. May God bless each and every one of your lives.
Sincerely,
The Russell Family
August 18, 2004

I want to thank the Quilting ladies for the donation they made to the church building fund in memory of our loved one, Elvis Ingram. Just knowing so many care helps us in our time of grief. Please continue to pray for us.
In Christian love,
Ollie Amos & Family

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It's hard to believe this is the last article I will write in the month of August. After all, it's just now beginning to feel like summer outside. While our calendars have been full of normal summer youth activities, our weather has played tricks on us and has made us think it was a different time of year.

Things seem to slow down a bit and if you listen close enough, you can hear God calling out to you for more time alone with Him. He wants it. He desires it. What a great time to get back into daily conversations with the One who made you and knows you better than anyone else!

One change for this fall will begin this coming Wednesday, September 1st.
Our teens will begin new "Girls Only/Guys Only" classes that will help focus them specifically on their need for deeper one-on-one relationships with God.

There are a lot of great things you could do this fall and you probably already have some big plans for them. I hope you include your Creator in those plans. He has specific plans for you and He wants to be the focus of your attention. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Sunday AM Worship 736
Bible Classes 448
Sunday PM 311
Wednesday P.M. 307
Contribution $18,716
Children's Home $261
The Way 47
Hispanic Attendance 45
Hispanic Contribution $344
Laotians Attendance 34
Laotian Contribution $180

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