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Family
Lines Newsletter, October 7,
2004
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**Purpose in Confusion**
By David
Chadwell
1 Corinthians 9:23, "I do all things for the sake
of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it."
The first century world was confusing for the
person who dared to be a Christian. In a hostile place, the constant
threat of physical abuse loomed--with no one to come to your aid. In pagan
society, many things were outside Christian existence that previously were part
of daily life. In pagan society (even matters that we would classify as
political), events included (often prominently) honoring a god or goddess. In
Jewish society, acceptance of Jesus as the Christ increasingly was regarded as
the act of a traitor against Judaism. Opportunities for being
misunderstood were enormous!
It was rather common in pagan society to exploit
weak people, to get drunk, to engage in sexual acts outside of marriage, to
sexually violate marriages, or to be self indulgent in numerous ways. A
Christian converted from paganism did not fit in pagan societies!
It was common in Jewish society to take
advantage of the defenseless, to use religion as a means of control, to get
angry with those who disagreed, or to hurt those who were a perceived
threat. A Christian devoted to God's holiness did not fit!
Almost every relationship was complicated through
conversion to Jesus Christ. Christian slaves were to act differently
toward owners (1 Peter 2:18-21). Christian owners were to treat slaves
with a kindness that did not threaten (Ephesians 6:9; Philemon). Imagine
the changes and confusion when one spouse in a pagan marriage became a
Christian! The challenge: demonstrate through behavior that conversion to
Christ makes a person better, not worse (1Timothy 2:1-4). Public opinion
declared conversion to Christ made people worse: slave, masters, wives,
husbands, citizens, laborers! The only way Christians could change public
opinion was for their behavior to defy common expectations. That is a hard
and harsh demand!
Today's American Christian lives in an increasingly
complex situation. Our society has become steadily self-indulgent. A
common tactic used in advertising is, "You are worth it!" Selfishness
often transforms itself into entitlement. "What is in it for me?" are many
people's priority consideration. Personal feelings are an important
measurement of validity. We so value "feel good" and "fun" that the world
easily could conclude Americans believe that "feeling good" and "having fun" is
life's purpose.
Too often the Christian man or woman finds himself
or herself asking questions about "me." "Who am I?" "What is my
purpose?" "Is the moment all that is important in my life?" "Can
anything that is truly good cause pain?" "Can anything that brings me
pleasure be truly evil?" "Should I permit other people to decide the
meaning and the worth of my life?" Perhaps those are easily answered in
theory for others, but they are hard questions when one is personally
confronting difficult circumstances.
No matter how confusing your personal world is,
allow no one but God to teach you who you are. Life in this society may be
confusing, but purpose is found in Jesus' cross.
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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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**Plan Ahead Calendar for LTC**
* Convention in
Tulsa, Oklahoma, March 25-26, 2005
Be sure and check your family's
calendar for Easter weekend to make sure you have not over committed for that
time frame. Many schools in our area will be in the second weekend of Spring
Break this year. Please see Clark, Nancy, or any of our LTC leaders if you have
concerns.
* Pre-Convention Deadline is January 26, 2005
All entries must
be received or postmarked by this date.
**KFC II**
KFC II is off to a great start this
year. The kids are learning and praising God during each time together. Parents,
we ask for your help in two ways. First, we use our Bibles every week. Please
help your child remember to bring one. Second, we take up canned goods for the
pantry. Please send something when you can. Thanks for letting us spend this
time with your children.
**Note to Gateway Kids**
At the beginning of the
summer, I made a request that you and your families would make an effort to
learn the books of the Bible in order. I want to congratulate so many of
you who made the effort to memorize them. Thanks to all who helped you, and to
you for your diligence! In order to know Jesus, we must know His Word!
Because of Jesus,
Mary Burkett
**Happy Birthday**
October 10
Kevin Vaught
October 12
Berniece Rogers
October 13
Sheila Bailey
Taylor
Hankins
Hannah Watlington
October 14
Nancy Smith
October 15
Bob Willett
October 16
Parker Bailey
Ann Combs
Jerry
Glidewell
**Ladies' Day**
Rita Brown will be speaking on
the theme "For Such a Time As This" on Saturday, October 9th, at Charleston
Church of Christ's Ladies' Day. The event runs from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon
with registration at 8:30 a.m. A salad luncheon will be provided. The
Charleston Church is located at North Logan and 3rd Street.
**Fall Festival**
Saturday, October 30th
6:00
to 8:00 p.m.
Family Life Center
Please check the bulletin board in the
foyer for ways you can help. Sign-up sheets are posted for those willing
to volunteer to bring a desert for our cakewalk or work a booth. Contact Kristin
Smith (649-0210) or Tiffany Null (783-4510) if you have questions.
**Teen Scene**
7th-12th graders,
Mark your
calendars for Sunday Night Live!
West-Ark Church of Christ
October
10
5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Theme: Hope
Speaker: Andy Wilson
Worship led by
Mark Crain
Drama by "Theatron" from
Harding University.
Representatives
will be here from
Harding University and Oklahoma Christian University.
Free food and Great fellowship!
**Special Contribution for Hurricane Relief totaled
$9,352.**
Thank you!
The funds were distributed as follows:
* $2,500 to
White's Ferry Road World Relief.
* $6,852 purchased chain saws for CURE to
take to Gulf Shores, Alabama, and the Orange Avenue congregation in Eustis,
Florida.
* CURE also took 528 rolls of insulation, cleaning supplies, linens,
milk, drink products, and paper products.
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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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**In Our Thoughts and Prayers**
* Jean Dicks had
some important tests this week and is waiting for the results.
* Melvin
Burge fell and broke his foot. He had surgery Wednesday morning and will be in
Sparks Hospital, room 584 until Monday.
* Carl Wade will have more surgery on
his leg Wednesday, 10/06/04. He will be at St. Edward Hospital for 4 or 5
days. He asks for your prayers.
* Anthony Abuzeide (father of Philip
and grandfather of Landon) is recovering from surgery. He lives in St. Louis,
Missouri. (See thank you note in next column.)
* Taylor Anders
* Adam
Jenkins
* Larry Treat
* Chuck Cunningham
* Don Green
* Darrell
Lane (cousin of Rochelle Brown) (see note in next column)
* Barbara Atha
(aunt of Louise Howard) is recovering from injuries received in a car accident
in Tulsa, OK.
* Clarence Reed (father of Louise Howard) is recovering from
pneumonia.
**Prayers for Military**
Continue to remember in
prayer Daniel Kweekul, Phillip Lux, Johnny Lindgren, Jeff Amos, Lori Dotson,
Brandon Daws, Matthew Faries, Aaron Bailey, Michael Gooden, and Shane
Newton.
**Change of Address**
Lois Jester
Hope's
Creek Retirement Living Room 135
2502 Fayetteville Road
Van Buren, AR
72956
Phone: (479) 410-5459, ext. 135
**Notes of Thanks**
Dear Family
Thank you so
much for the love you have shown me during the last three weeks concerning my
cousin, Darrell Lane. He is much better, but still has a long way to
go. All of his injuries are closed now and healing. He is still on a
ventilator and facing additional surgeries. The last few days he has been
responsive and infection free. Please continue to pray for him and his
parents.
Rochelle Brown
(via e-mail 10/4/04)
Dear West-Ark Church,
Thanks so much for your
response. My father's surgery went well. He was able to come off of the
respirator, but the doctors are still monitoring his kidneys. They initially
shut down on him, so it is a concern God is watching and answering. His
wonders never cease. As is the case of the love and warmth of our family at
West-Ark. May God continue to bless you all.
Philip
Abuzeide
(via e-mail 10/1/04)
**Welcome, New Baby!**
Congratulations to Rick
and Natalie Nelson on the arrival of a son, Luke Richard, born September
30th. Luke weighed 6 lbs., 13 ozs., and was 20 1/2 inches. Nadia and
Mia are delighted with their baby brother.
**60+ Potluck**
The next potluck supper is
Saturday, October 16 at 6:00 p.m. in the Annex. Come and join us for good
food and fellowship.
**Sunday Morning**
Proclaiming a Biblical
Worldview, Part 1
Chris Benjamin, Speaker
**Sunday Evening**
Seeing This World As God
Does
David Chadwell, Speaker
**Peak of the Week**
In coming
weeks "Peak" will include stories and prayers for the following mission
points:
Oct. 13 - Laos and Vietnam (We know that God and his ways
have faced opposition in Laos! The Canfields will share stories and
news. Members of the Lao Church of Christ will be
present.)
Oct. 20 - Guyana Medical Missions (How can the healing
arts become evangelism in the name of Jesus? Michael Cole will speak about
this work.)
Oct. 27 - Iglesia de Cristo in Fort Smith (The mission
of God is directed at the entire globe - not only overseas. God has been
working in mighty ways among the Spanish-speaking population in Ft. Smith.
Oscar Nolasco and some members of the Iglesia de Cristo will share news of God's
mission among the Spanish-speaking population in Fort Smith.)
Nov.
3 - Thailand (The Wilsons will bring us
news from Thailand -- Lord willing, Deborah will be back in time from her recent
visit to Thailand.)
Nov. 10 - Prayer Lab for Missions This
will be our opportunity to be in prayer for God's mission and His role for
West-Ark in that Mission. We will also send cards and other encouragements
to all those we have heard about this month.
Everyone is welcome to
Peak! Your children are welcome to join you during the first 15 minutes
before they go to their classes. ~~ Chris
Benjamin
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**Family Life Ministry**
Brad
Pistole
Our time to host the area
Sunday Night Live is finally here. We've known since last
December that we would be the host church for SNL in October,
2004.
When the N.W.Y.M.A. (Northwest Arkansas Youth Minister's Association) met
last December to plan the theme and schedule for 2004, we were a bit surprised
at the response. We had originally planned on having 5 Sunday Night Live events
from Jan-May, but so many churches wanted to get involved that we expanded it to
8 Sundays.
Churches from Joplin MO, Bentonville, Rogers,
Springdale, Johnson, Fayetteville, Van Buren, and Fort Smith all participated
this year. It looks like we might expand even more in '05. That is
great!
We expect at least 200 area teens and adults to
visit us this Sunday Night, October 10th. We will meet from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. in
the FLC for singing, a lesson on "Hope" by Andy Wilson, Christian drama by
Theatron of Harding University, and a fellowship meal will follow.
If you are wondering how you can help, there are
two ways: 1) We need our teens and parents to bring their favorite dessert with
them on Sunday. 2) We will need volunteers to help clean up and put up
tables and chairs at the end of the night.
We are blessed to host an event like this that
challenges and encourages so many area young people and their families. Through
this event, we are taking our mission to a much larger community. We are
encouraging our brothers and sisters in Christ to help take part in making the
people in their communities "disciples for Jesus who are eager to serve
others."
**Nursery**
A.M. Infants
Trish Carson
Jane
Dunavin
Morgan Dunavin
Dwonne Cogswell
Vicki Anderson
P.M. Nursery
Marquetta Walker
Sheila
Vaught
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday
A.M. Worship 594
Bible Classes 403
Sunday P.M. NC
Small Group
18
Wednesday P.M. 341
Contribution $15,732
Children's
Home $239
The Way NC
Hispanic Attendance 56
Hispanic
Contribution $151
Laotian Attendance 36
Laotian Contribution
$239
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