West-Ark Newsletter, 23 September 2004

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Family Lines Newsletter, September 23, 2004
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Sermons I heard as a young Christian that made the greatest impression on me were sermons on the Great Commission recorded in Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-16, and Luke 24:45-47. "Go into all the world and preach the gospel ... "

We have all asked or wondered why God gave such a Great Commission to weak, frail human beings when He had powerful, wise and swift servants standing by called angels. It would only have taken them a short time in every generation to evangelize the world. But God didn't commission angels. He commissioned the church; so in an unsure, fearful way, we approach our friends and neighbors. Now we begin to see the wisdom of God. We see how the Great Commission benefits the church.

* One of the first questions the world will ask is, "Are you sure you are saved?" this question calls for self-examination, and as we look at ourselves and the Scriptures (1 John 1:4,7; 5:13), our joy is made full. This joy the world does not have, and when they see it displayed in you, they want it.

* Secondly, when I teach others I am putting myself on display (1 Corinthians 3:2; Matthew 5:16). Because I love my friends and neighbors I make sure my life is clean. I do not want to do anything that will turn them away. I put away all sinful activities as Paul told Timothy, "If a man purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and useful for the master, and prepared unto every good work" (2 Timothy 2:21).

* The mission of the church is right because it gets me deeply involved in Bible study. My friends ask many Bible questions I do not have an answer for, but the Bible does, so I study, my knowledge increases, and my faith grows stronger.

If we obey the Great Commission:
1. We will know we are right with God, and our lives will be full of joy.
2. Our lives will be clean.
3. We will have a good knowledge of God's word.
4. We will be bold in reaching out to those outside of Christ.

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Page 2 [Please e-mail newsletter information to Debbie@westarkchurchofchrist.org or call the office at 452-1240.]
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**Sunday Evening**
Singing night followed by a potluck fellowship meal in the FLC. Drinks will be provided.
Sunday is Curtis McDonald's birthday and our cook & crew have the evening off -
so our fellowship meal will be a potluck. Hint: Sugar-free banana pudding is Curtis's favorite dessert!

**Attention all College Students!**
Lions for Christ invite you to a "Hawg Watch!"
Saturday, September 25 at 2:30 p.m.
West-Ark Church of Christ Annex.
Please join us!
Pizza and soft drinks provided.

**Mark Your Calendars for Fall Festival, 2004**
We are back at it again! Our organizational committee has begun planning for the Fall Festival, and we are looking forward to some new booths and a fun night with the kids! We have scheduled it for Saturday, October 30th from 6 to 8 p.m. To make this year a success we need support from our church family. We will be posting sign-up sheets in the foyer for those willing to volunteer to bring a desert for our cake walks or work a booth. This year we will be putting up a description of the different booths so that you can see what's involved and if you would want to join in the fun and help monitor a booth. Items for the booths are provided -- we just need help monitoring them during the festival. We will also be placing a container in the foyer to collect candy, small toys, and 2 liters. If you have any questions or donations, you can contact Kristin Smith (649-0210) or Tiffany Null (783-4510).

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Page 3 [Except for prayer updates, the deadline for information in the newsletter is 3:00 p.m. on Wednesdays.]
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* Carl Wade is in St. Edward Hospital, Room 4401.
* Leo Atkins is in St. Edward Hospital, Room 5512.
* Gertrude Mize is in ICU, Room 3107 at St. Edward Hospital after suffering a stroke early Wednesday morning.
* Taylor Anders (son of Mark & Christy) will see a pediatric neurosurgeon at Children's Hospital in Little Rock today (Thursday). Doctors have found that his headaches are caused by a Chiari Malformation.
* Adam Jenkins had a brain scan on Thursday in Little Rock, AR.
* Debbie Belote's mother, Norma Williams, is recovering after knee replacement surgery. She will be in rehab for about a week.
* Carlene Payne's daughter-in-law, Hope Payne (age 24), is still hospitalized in North Carolina.
* Larry Treat (chemo treatments)
* Chuck Cunningham is recovering well from surgery and is due to see an oncologist October 6th.
* Anita Maxwell
* Maile McDonald
* Gary & Judi Green
* Don Green

**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Sue George in the death of her mother, Lear May Moody, who died early Monday morning after a long battle with cancer. Funeral services were Wednesday in Lonoke, AR.

Our love and sympathy is also extended to Scott James in the death of his mother, Kathy Eichenberger. The funeral will be Friday, 10:00 a.m. at the Russellville Missionary Baptist Church. Visitation will be Thursday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the church building. Cards may be sent to Scott's step-dad, David Eichenberger, at 32 Abbey Road, Russellville, AR 72802.

**Prayers for Military**
Amanda Daws has requested prayers for her husband, Brandon, who was injured from a roadside bomb in Iraq. He is recovering well and appreciates prayers for his safety and health. If you would like to e-mail Brandon with a note of encouragement, his address is:
brandon.daws@us.army.mil

**Baby Shower**
A shower honoring Kim Lankford Bice is planned for Sunday, September 26th, from 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. in the home of Helen Pratt, 3705 May Branch Lane in Fort Smith. Kim is registered at Wal-Mart and Toys 'R Us. It's a boy.

Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,
Thanks to everyone for calls, cards, and especially your prayers for me and my family during the death of my sister and my granddaughter's husband.
With love,
Geneva Shepherd
[Some cards came to Geneva's old address. She is now living at 3118 S. 98th Street, Fort Smith, AR 72903.]

Dear Quilting Ladies,
We want to sincerely thank you for the boxes full of beautiful things like the quilts, pillows, girls' dresses, items for our sewing room, etc. This will bring much joy to the children. You have blessed us so much.
In Him,
The staff and children at
Southern Christian Home

Our Family would like to thank the children in KFC for their generous donation. They took up a collection and bought many children's books for the church library in memory of our precious son, and their friend, Gabriel Adam Hesslen. May God richly bless them for their servant hearts! A big thank you also to those adults who work and teach selflessly in KFC. To God be all the glory and praise!
We love you,
Kevin, Christy, Hope, Hannah, and Hunter Hesslen

**Widows/Widowers**
We will be hosted Saturday, October 2 by Jim & Helen Pratt. We will leave the Annex at 11:30 a.m. If you need transportation to the Annex call Mary (646-6079); Bobbie (674-5814) or Janice (474-8851).

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*Crosswalk Youth Rally, September 25-26*
While the third week of September may mean "rides and entertainment" to many people in our area, it has meant something totally different to many area teens for more than a decade now.

We helped start Crosswalk Youth Rally 11 years ago and it's still going strong. This rally began in NW Arkansas and then moved to Fort Smith in 1997. We hosted this rally for 5 straight years from '97-'01 and now it's back in NW Arkansas at the Southside Church of Christ.

This event has been great for local churches as they take turns hosting and working together on this event from year to year. Robinson Avenue in Springdale, Southside in Rogers, and West-Ark have all taken turns hosting this event. In addition to this, churches in Fayetteville, Johnson, Bentonville, and Joplin, MO, also take part in the planning and financial support of Crosswalk. This has shown a great example of unity and teamwork to the people and congregations in our area over the years.

Even though this rally always falls on the same weekend as the opening of the Arkansas/Oklahoma State Fair, and almost always on the same day as some big Razorback football game, approximately 500 area teens and parents still choose to join together for a great weekend of worship and encouragement each year. That says a lot about their commitment and love for their Lord!

So, if you're tired of the same old rides and the same old games that you'll forget about in a couple of months anyway, then come join us Sept 25th-26th and make some spiritual memories that will last an eternity.

The theme for Crosswalk '04 is SHINE and there will be classes for teens and adults. Reps from Harding University, Oklahoma Christian, York and Crowley's Ridge will be present as well as keynotes by Mitch Wilburn of Tulsa, OK, and worship led by Watershed Worship from Nashville, TN. Come join us!

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 646
Bible Classes 456
Sunday PM 304
Small Group 23
Wednesday P.M. 340
Contribution $17,422
Disaster Relief $7,946
Children's Home $457
The Way 49
Hispanic Attendance 57
Hispanic Contribution $175
Laotians Attendance 38
Laotian Contribution $215

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