First, let's always remember that church is not what we do or where we go, it is who we are.  Every Sunday we gather at our Father's table and listen to His words.  We remember our baptism.  We don't leave Him at worship; rather He leads us out into the world He loves.  Knowing who we are - and knowing whose we are - will give us purpose and shape the decisions and commitments we make each week.

Our shepherds have spent time in prayer discerning God's purposes for West-Ark.  You can see one result of that very clearly each Sunday morning when you look to the mission statement banner - "Making Disciples for Jesus Eager to Serve Others."  They have also articulated five statements that express core values and qualitative goals for this congregation's spiritual maturity.  These are: 1) Daily focusing on Jesus and the cross; 2) proclaiming a biblical worldview that is obedient to Christ; 3) nurturing spiritual growth to transform all into God's holiness; 4) increasing love and godly behavior; 5) recognizing our spiritual gifts and using them to glorify God.

Second, you can jump the gap by maintaining your connection to the body of Christ that shares the mission, goals, and values stated above.  This fall we are putting into action some ways to help you "drive it home." Inside this bulletin is a fall schedule for worship and preaching that is based on the five goals above.  Each Sunday morning we will provide a "driving it home" handout that will give you the opportunity to continue the Sunday experience through the week.  This handout will include questions and suggestions for action and application.  I recommend you commit to meeting with others and discuss the items on the handouts.  We are using our Sunday PM options (PM assembly, LIFE Groups, Youth Worship, Kids For Christ, Lions for Christ devotional) to create some of these opportunities.  On occasion, these groups will continue the experience of the Sunday morning assembly through study, discussion, and worship. 

However, sharing in the application of these goals with others need not be limited to these times.  Make commitments to talk with your family about the things we discuss and pray about on Sunday morning.  Ask your children what they are studying in KFC or Youth Worship.  Commit to meeting with a group for lunch or breakfast and make it your purpose to discuss how you can help fulfill the mission and goals.  Meet with your ministry team for prayer and discussion and ask how your ministry fulfills the mission and goals.  Not involved in a ministry team?  We can help you with that.  Get involved in a LIFE Group (a listing of our groups and contacts for the groups is also inside the bulletin) and share with others how you can participate in "making disciples for Jesus eager to serve others."

**KFC will kick off our fall program**
for both KFC I and KFC II on Sunday, September 12th. We're looking forward to a great year of singing, studying, and worship.  Parents, if you have any questions, see Gary Brown.

 

**LTC Information**
Registration deadline is September 15th. There will be a coaches' meeting September 19th at 5:15 p.m. in Room 100.
We are still looking for coaches for several events. Here are some that are needed:
* Children's Book
* Service Challenge (Elementary)
* Teaching Challenge
* Bible Bowl (Elementary)
* Check the LTC table in the foyer for others.
Thank you for your participation in these events!
 ~~Hank Watlington

 

**Wednesday Morning Ladies Bible Class**
Wednesday Morning, 10:00 AM,  September 15, the Wednesday Morning Bible class will start back. A luncheon will follow class.

 

**Tutoring Program**
We will be starting our tutoring program on September 14th, with some twenty students enrolled in the program. We would like to help more children; but we are limited by the number of tutors we have. If you can spare just two hours of your time on Tuesday afternoons to help a child with his school work, call 459-0168.

 

**Special Potluck Dinner**
There will be a special potluck dinner for all those involved in our Inner City Ministry, or the Jail Ministry on Saturday, Sept.11 at 5:30 p.m. If you are involved in The Way, bridge ministry, clothing ministry, or our tutoring program, or if you have an interest in any of these programs, you are invited to bring your favorite dish for a fellowship meal in the FLC. A discussion of our work will follow the meal.

 

**Happy Birthday**

 

September 12
Alex Beneux
Paula May
Travis McDonald

 

September 13
Mary Broyles
Kimberly Davis
Cheryl Hamilton

 

September 14
Ethan Benjamin
Logan Kleman
Lela Neal

 

September 15
Nancy Dockery
Irene Willis

 

September 16
David Beneux
Joann Davenport
Isaac Mobley

 

September 17
Cheryl Byrd
Ann Holland
Matthew Myers
Connye Neal

 

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**Sick**
* Anita Maxwell will soon begin a new and more aggressive chemotherapy regimen. The prayers and thoughts of the church are appreciated.
* Larry Treat's test results are back. He has treatable lymphoma.
* Kathy Lewis from the Hatfield Church of Christ is in St. Edward Hospital. She had surgery Thursday.

 

**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Jim Newton in the death of his mother, Beatrice Jackson. Please remember in prayer those she loved and left behind. Services were Tuesday in Muldrow, Oklahoma.

 

Robert Jones, Geneva Shepherd's grandson by marriage, died unexpectedly last Friday. Please pray for this young family. Geneva's granddaughter has 4 children under ten.

 

**Keep in Your Prayers**
* Kathy Eichenberger (mother of Scott James)
* Maile McDonald
* Judi Green
* Don Green
* Lear Mae Moody (mother of Sue George)

 

**Other Prayer Reminders**
Barbara Miller
Sally Miller
Arista Lindgren
Gary Green
Chuck Cunningham
Donna Miller
Cecil Knight
Floyd Douthit

 

**Prayers for Missions**
* Thomas Kweekul
* John Paul and Ruby Lee Hundley
* Stefann Phomasone
* Roy Dunavin and Jack Harriman

 

**Prayers for Military**
Continue to remember Daniel Kweekul, Phillip Lux, Johnny Lindgren, Jeff Amos, Lori Dotson, Brandon Daws, Matthew Faries, and Aaron Bailey.

 

**Baby Shower for Baby Bice**
Baby shower for Kim Lankford Bice - September 26 - 1:30 to 3:00 at 3705 May Branch.  She's registered at Walmart and Toys 'R Us and it is going to be a boy.

**Senior Game Day**
Senior Game Day will be Thursday, September 16th from 1:00 - 3:00 PM in the annex. Come join the fun!

 

**60+ Potluck**
Potluck will be Saturday, 6:00 PM, September 18th in the annex

 

**Ladies' Day**
Rena Road Church of Christ
Saturday, September 18
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Theme: "First Love"
Speaker: Lee Banks
Lunch will be served.

 

**10th Annual Golf Tournament**
at River Valley Golf Course
Saturday, September 18
4-man Scramble
7:30 a.m. registration,
8:00 tee time (shotgun start)
Mail or drop off the
$100 entry fee to
Randy Coleman Shelter Insurance
P.O. Box 2325
1044 Hiway 64 East
Alma, AR 72921
Phones: (479) 632-3912 (W)

 

**Sunday Morning Sermon**

 

"Making Disciples for Jesus
Eager to Serve Others"
Chris Benjamin, Speaker

 

**Sunday Evening Sermon**

 

"Disciples Make Disciples"
David Chadwell, Speaker

 

**Gospel Meeting**
Spiro, OK
Church of Christ
September 12-15
Speaker: Charles Rose
Congregational Singing
Sunday 2:00 PM
Afternoon Service 3:15
Services Monday-Wednesday 7:00

 

**VBS Bible School???**
That's right.  You read it correctly.  We will be having our first VBS 2005 Meeting THIS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 at 5 PM in ROOM 100.  We will be talking about how things went this year, what we can do differently and how we can improve to make an even better learning experience for our kids (and for us!)

 

Anyone who was involved in VBS this year, has been involved in the past or would like to be involved in the future (yes, that's practically everyone!), please come and join us for a time of reflection and brainstorming!

 

 

 

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**Combining our Efforts for Hurricane Relief**

 

Powerful hurricanes have created a crisis for our brethren in the Caribbean and the Southeast United States.  The potential for further disaster is imminent.

 

Many members have asked about ways to combine our financial resources to help those in need.  Next week on Sunday, September 19, we will have an opportunity for a special contribution.  We will continue to accept gifts for the relief efforts through the end of September.

 

Pray for those who have suffered much in the wake of these storms.  Pray for those who are in the path of coming storms.  Be ready to participate in the Special Contribution on September 19.

 

**Second Sunday Nursery**

 

A.M. Infants
Trish Carson
Jane Dunavin
Morgan dunavin
Dwonne Cogswell
Vicki Anderson

 

P.M. Nursery
Marquetta Walker
Sheila Vaught

 

**Attendance and Contribution**

 

Sunday AM Worship 642
Bible Classes 426
Sunday PM 293
Wednesday P.M.  399
Contribution   $13,587
Children's Home   $293
The Way 55
Hispanic Attendance 45
Hispanic Contribution $174
Laotians Attendance 48
Laotian Contribution $200

 

**Schedule of Services**

 

Sunday Morning Worship, 10:30
Sundy Bible Classes, 9:30
Sunday Evening, 6:00

 

Weekly Classes
Tuesday Morning WINGS, 9:30
Wednesday Morning Ladies
Bible Class, 10:00
Wednesday PM Classes, 7:00
Classes for all ages

 

**Elders**

 

Michael Cole, Bill Dickey,
Roy Dunavin, Earl Flood,
Bob Null, Joe Pistole

 

**Ministers**

 

Chris Benjamin
David Chadwell
Roy Dunavin
Brad Pistole
Oscar Nolasco
Thomas Kweekul
Jack Lewis

 

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