West-Ark Newsletter, 21 October 2004

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Family Lines Newsletter, October 21, 2004
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Once again, the myth is shattering. The last half of the 20th century said hope was in humanity. So much we destroyed in World War II we rebuilt. We said to the defeated, "You can begin again! Do not exist in despair! See the world differently!" We said to ourselves, "Surely everyone has learned the value and joy of peace!"

We declared to the world, "Help us sustain our wonderful culture, and we will learn things that will bless everyone. We are not bad! We share! If the world lets us, we will be Santa Claus to everyone. The world would be a much worse place if it did not have us!"

We declared, "People are basically good; only a few are not. However, good people always will prevail in any society anywhere. If they adopt our values, good is certain!"

We believed science was a wonderful savior. It produced wonderful knowledge. It produced fabulous discoveries and inventions. It made possible things undreamed of decades ago.

Then we were introduced to people who believe there are values more important than peace. We met people who do not believe in our goodness or trust us. We came to know people who believe we reject divine authority and are not dedicated to virtue. Instead, they see us as materialists, or pleasure worshippers, or those who use power selfishly, or those who use technology more quickly to destroy than to help, or those who care more about their lifestyle than they care about people.

What began as a slow process is now a deepening realization -- many people in the world just do not like us. Some think they do the world a favor when they kill us. Constantly we are reminded that evil is real. Increasingly, we are aware that we (as a people) are more likely to be remembered for the hurt we cause instead of the good we do. In fact, many say we do good only if our good is self-serving.

We are sobered as we realize that hope in peace is misplaced hope; hope in humanity is misplaced hope; hope in science is misplaced hope; hope in an incredible lifestyle is misplaced hope; and hope in "the goodness of our culture" is misplaced hope.

The only real, enduring hope is hope in the God who knew us at our worst and still loved us. How much did He love us? He loved us enough to give us a Savior to rescue us from evil and ourselves.

Did He love us because we deserve His love? Absolutely not! His love for us comes from His nature, not from our deservedness. Because He is God, He did for us what we never would do for someone like us.

Can we ever transform this world into a "heavenly" existence? To believe we can and will is to be a victim of our own deception! Can we live with the God who, knowing we were sinners, gave us a Savior! Certainly! Therein is hope!

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Page 2 [Except for prayer updates, the deadline for information in the newsletter is 3:00 p.m. on Wednesdays.]
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* Van Drivers
This is a much-appreciated ministry that needs a few more good men (or women). The more drivers we have - the better it is for all. There are no special licenses required, but you must be age 25 or older. Contact the office (452-1240) or Rod Jones (484-1162) if you can help.

* Coordinator for Information Update
Are you a good projects person? Someone is needed to coordinate information updates for the church. This is a project that may take up to a year to accomplish. The job will include gathering updated information and photos of our members.

* Wedding Coordinator
Have you been a wedding coordinator before? Are you good at handling the details of a large social event? Can you direct and communicate with people in a gracious way? If so, please consider being a wedding coordinator for West-Ark brides.

* Manage Wedding Equipment
Through the years, West-Ark has accumulated an assortment of wedding equipment, flowers, greenery, and tulle. Someone is needed to inventory and maintain the wedding equipment which is stored behind the baptistery.

We have had a great response so far with volunteers and are grateful for your willingness to help. We just have a few needs left. If you can help with any of the things below, let me know via email at k_smith9@swbell.net or place your name and the item you are donating on the "donations" sheet on the bulletin board in the foyer. Thanks! ~~Kristin Smith

* People to work booths
We need volunteers for the Lollipop Booth and Treasure Booth (both for younger children). Again, the items are provided -- we just need willing spirits to hand out candy at the booths.

* Items still needed:
5-6 pumpkin buckets
a package of ping-pong balls
shredded paper or the use of a paper shredder
4 boxes of Ziplock bags (quart size)
a "Little Tykes" basketball goal to borrow for the night.

**The LFC's are going skiing!**
January 2-8, 2005
The Lions for Christ are joining the Razorbacks for Christ and three other campus ministries to go skiing in beautiful Keystone, Colorado. There are three packages a person can sign up for. Please see John Priester for more information.

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Page 3 [Please e-mail newsletter information to Debbie@westarkchurchofchrist.org or call the office at 452-1240.]
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**Prayer Requests**
* John Carson broke his leg in a football game Friday night. Complications developed following surgery Saturday morning, and John was in ICU for about 4 days. Many prayers were offered for John, and he is showing good signs of improvement! He was moved Thursday morning from ICU to room 593 in Sparks Hospital.

* Lloyd Summers' grandchildren, Ryan and Brandy Summers, were involved in a head-on collision Tuesday in Ozark, AR. Brandy had injuries to her teeth and mouth. Ryan had some small fractures in his hands and feet. Ryan's best friend was driving the other car and was killed in the collision. Lloyd and Betty request your prayers for Brandy, Ryan, and the Morris Family.

**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Brian Perkins in the death of his cousin, Violet Johnson, on Sunday night. Brian requests prayers for Violet's family also.

Our love and sympathy is also extended to Inez Hatfield in the death of her sister, Billie Lawson. Private graveside services are planned for Thursday afternoon (10/21/04).

**Prayers for Military**
Continue to remember in prayer Daniel Kweekul, Phillip Lux, Johnny Lindgren, Jeff Amos, Brandon Daws, Matthew Faries, Aaron Bailey, Michael Gooden, and Shane Newton.

**Change of Address**
Floy Lee has moved to Willow Brook Retirement Community, Room 11 at 5501 Duncan Road in Fort Smith. She would enjoy visits now and then.

**New Grandbaby!**
Congratulations to David and Jennifer Dotson on the arrival of a granddaughter. Bailey Raelynn Rose Dotson was born 10/15/04 to Darrell and Samantha Dotson. She weighed 8 lbs., 9 ozs. and was 18 inches long. Shay Dotson (age 10) is delighted with her new niece.

**Notes of Thanks**
Dear Church Family,
We appreciate so much all of the prayers, cards, and calls regarding Adam. Unfortunately, we are not going to be able to have the MRI because his congestion has still not cleared up. We have rescheduled the MRI for the 28th, but are planning on keeping the appointments with the gastroenterologist and the feeding specialist on the 20th. Please keep the prayers coming!
Love in Him,
Kerry and Dena

A heart-felt thank you to our sewing ladies. The things you made for the Children's Home were wonderful and much needed. You all will be blessed for all you do.
Jim Hardin

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As most of you know, our theme at West-Ark is "Making Disciples for Jesus Who Are Eager to Serve Others." My question is this, who is that for? Is it for the adults? Is it for the elders and ministers? How old do you have to be to help make disciples for Jesus? While you think about that, let me share a story with you.

Azia Blasdel (a 7th grader from West-Ark) and 3 of her friends recently came up with the idea of starting a prayer group at school. They took their idea to a teacher and asked her about using her classroom and then they spoke to the principal. Everyone they went to gave them their support. The girls have come up with the ideas, a classroom, times and Azia even made business cards to pass out with the information on it.

They took their idea to the school faculty on Monday, September 27th, and they had their first prayer meeting on Thursday, September 30th. They even came up with the name "Classmates-N-Christ" (CNC). Classmates-N-Christ meets every Thursday at the Pocola Middle School from 7:40-8:05 a.m.

Each week they have a short devotional and prayer requests. And if someone is uncomfortable with making a prayer request out loud, they will stay and say a special prayer with that person after the meeting is over.

At their first meeting, there were only 2 empty seats. Several students made prayer requests. A couple of students stayed afterwards, and with the help of the teacher they had a special prayer for them. On Thursday, October 7th, Azia Blasdel led the devotional and helped with prayer requests.

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 612
Bible Classes 418
Sunday PM 297
Small Group 14
Wednesday P.M. 367
Contribution $15,252
Children's Home $144
the Way Attendance 34
the Way Contribution $64
Hispanic Attendance 52
Hispanic Contribution $186
Laotians Attendance 41
Laotian Contribution $144

Office Phone (479) 452-1240
Fax (479) 452-5767
office@westarkchurchofchrist.org
www.westark.org
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"Making disciples for Jesus who are eager to serve others."
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