West-Ark Newsletter, 2 December 2004

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Family Lines Newsletter, December 2, 2004
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After Jesus' encounter with Satan in the wilderness, Matthew generalizes the beginning of Jesus' ministry with this statement: "Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people" (Matthew 4:23). The good news (gospel) Jesus declared was that the kingdom was coming soon.

As Jesus continued his ministry, this was a basic message: "Jesus was going through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness" (Matthew 9:35).

Near the close of his ministry, Jesus emphasized God's kingdom in this manner: "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come" (Matthew 24:14).

To equate "the kingdom" as a simple substitute for "the church" (in our concept of "church") is an oversimplification. In the context of Matthew, Jesus being on earth, Jesus' mission in Israel, and Jesus' message cannot be separated from "the good news of the coming of the kingdom."

The concept was not based on an organization or membership in an institution. The concept was based on serving a king. Most Americans do not consider being a part of a monarchy as "good news." How can serving a king to advance and champion his purposes be good news? We view a monarchy as restrictive and freedom-destroying. We consider democracy as liberating and "freedom-giving" -- to us democracy is good news!

Jesus' basic message for Israel and the world was strange. The "good news" is that people can make God their ruler? The "good news" is that anyone anywhere can make God his or her ruler? The "good news" is that God ruling a person is not a matter of ancestry, or functions based on traditions or rules, or the cultural religious rites of a specific people? The "good news" is that a person can come to God and make Him ruler by allowing Jesus to be the way, truth, and life as he guides us to God (John 14:6)?

The ultimate question when we give an account of how we used physical life on earth will not be, "Where did you go to church?" Or, "How often did you go to church?" Or, "What did you do to support the church?" Or, "Did you do worship correctly?" As essential as worship is, it will not be the foundation of the ultimate question. The foundation of the ultimate question: "Who ruled your daily life as you lived on earth?"

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**LTC Registration Re-Opened**
To increase the participation level of our children, LTC was asking each attendee to participate in three convention events to be eligible this year. While we still encourage our young people to participate in multiple events, we have re-opened registration to allow for those that wish to participate in fewer convention events to be a part of the group traveling to Tulsa on Easter weekend.

If you are currently registered for LTC (Grades 3-12) and want to change your events, there is a table in the lobby through December 5th. Please go to this table and make the appropriate changes to the events you have signed up for.

Due to the team nature of many events, various coaches may have rules requiring participants to be at a minimum number of practices. If you are unsure of the commitment time an event may require, please check with the coach of that event.

**Help Needed**
We are in need of an adult who wants to put their talents to work teaching three year olds on Wednesday night. We have been searching for the right person for several weeks and have not discovered them yet...are you the one? If so, please contact Gary Brown or Dena Jenkins.

**Reminder to Parents**
Parents, please remember that class time on Wednesday night is 7:15. Please help our teachers by keeping your children with you until that time. Our teachers, like many of us, find Wednesday to be very busy and need those last few minutes between 7:00-7:15 to make their final class preparations.

**Good News for 2's!**
Starting Sunday night we will have a class for our two year olds available during the evening worship time. Thanks to Donna Lindgren and Elizabeth Evans for volunteering to take this job on!

**Thank You, Teachers!**
Have you said "thank you" lately to those that take the time to teach our children in Bible classes? Why not go a step further and volunteer to teach in one of our programs. See Gary Brown, Dena Jenkins or Carolyn Harrell if you are interested.

**New Session of GriefShare Begins **
GriefShare recovery seminar and support group meets at West-Ark Church of Christ annex each Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. A new session begins this month. It is a weekly video seminar featuring nationally recognized experts on grief and recovery topics. Seminar sessions include:
* When Your Dreams Fall Apart
* The Seasons of Grief
* Emotions of Grief
* When Your Spouse Dies
* Your Family and Grief
* Growing Through Grief.
The church provides an audio tape for class members who miss a session.

GriefShare is for people grieving the death of someone close. It's a place where you can be with people who understand how you feel and the pain of your loss. You can expect to gain a better understanding of your feelings and how to deal with the changes in your life. People who really need a support group sometimes hesitate about attending. They think they are showing weakness when they attend a support group. If someone you know needs to come to this seminar, please consider coming with them. It is a journey from mourning to joy.

Healing occurs when people have the opportunity to talk about their grief and hear others who are dealing with similar problems. The weekly support group session is designed to follow viewing of that week's video, allowing an opportunity for discussion of the content of the tape and a time of personal sharing for group members.

This program is recommended by the staff and elders of the West-Ark congregation, at no cost to the ones who attend. For more information, call Myra at the church office (452-1240).

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**Please Be Praying For ...**
* Leo Atkins is in St. Edward Hospital, room 3115 ICU.
* Anita Maxwell will have a CT scan Friday, 12:30 p.m. at St. Edward Hospital. She appreciates your prayers very much for this scan. If the results are good, she could be a candidate for a new procedure to remove cancer cells or lesions.
* Del Ingram is in Health South Rehab, room 2B.
* Eleanor Casey is in Sparks Hospital, room 400. She had a pacemaker put in Wednesday.
* Wilma Son is in St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, OK recovering from surgery.
* Jean Dicks' surgery on November 23rd went well and the tumor was benign.
* Jill Roberts is recuperating from out-patient knee surgery a few weeks ago.
* Sandy Rodiguez is in St. Edward Hospital, room 3205.
* Bill Gann (from Valley View church) is in Sparks Hospital, room 453.
* Bob Donahue (Melody Priester's father) has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and is looking at treatment options.
* Taylor Anders is scheduled for surgery in Little Rock on December 20th.
* Eddie Hamlett began chemo and radiation treatments on November 22nd in Little Rock.

**Widows/Widowers**
The vans will leave the Annex, Saturday, December 4 at 11:30 a.m. We will be hosted this month by Paul & Coleen Shirley. If you need transportation to the Annex call Janice (474-8851), Mary (646-6079) or Bobbie (479-674-5814).

**Wedding Shower**
A shower honoring Vance and Debra Payne is planned for Sunday, December 5th from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the home of Robin Harper. Vance and Debra are registered at Dillards. If you wish, you may purchase holiday decorations for their home.

**Guyana 2005**
Won't you go teach the Gospel with us in Guyana, South America? We're taking our 15th medical mission team on June 4-12. First $500 deposit will be due by January 15. We'll help you raise the money. Please talk to Michael or Jeannie Cole if you want to join us.

**Ladies' Christmas Party**
Please sign the list in the foyer if you plan to attend the Christmas party and potluck supper Saturday, December 11, 5:30 p.m. in the FLC.

**Anniversary Reception**
Mr. and Mrs. Billy W. Miller request the pleasure
of your company at a 30th Wedding Anniversary
drop-in reception on Sunday, December 5, 2004
from 2 to 4 o'clock, Fort Smith River Park, East Room
121 Clayton Expressway, Fort Smith, Arkansas.
No gifts please

**Thank You, Charley!**
The elders want to thank Charley Douglas for twenty years of servant leadership in the 60+ ministry. Effective Jan. 1, 2005, Charley will step aside as deacon and ministry leader of this excellent work. As he puts it, "It's been a good 20 years but the time has come for me to be a guest instead of the host." The elders and all of West-Ark, especially the participants in the 60+ ministry, appreciate all the vision, energy, dedication, and love that Charley and Sedalia have demonstrated in this ministry.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The elders and the 60+ ministry seek a new ministry leader to build on their work. If you have an interest, please contact any of the elders.

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We took a much needed break from all of the events the past 6 weeks to rest and to allow for the natural transition from summer to school and all that comes with it. I hope everyone has enjoyed the change of pace and the excitement of football, volleyball, basketball, band, and new friendships.

That's where our parents come in...We will need volunteers to help make these events possible. Activities in December will include a special cookout and worship service, the teen/60+ dinner, an all day Christmas Party, and a New Year's Eve Lock-in.

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 672
Bible Classes 448
Sunday Evening 209
Small Group 24
Thanksgiving Eve 159
Contribution $15,241
Children's Home $185
Hispanic Contribution $174
Hispanic Attendance 42
Laotian Contribution $258
Laotian Attendance 48
The Way Contribution $30
The Way Count 41

**Communion Servers for December**
Prayer Leader: James Anderson
Servers: Kevin Roberts
         Jordan Walker
         Matt Jones
         Clark Risley
         Paul Beneux
         Richard Branum
         Donald Neisler
         Ralph Harmon
         Josh Kimbrow
         Farrell Graves
         Brent Perkins
         Ben Neal
         Adam Davis
         Dawson Urrutia
         Stan Burkhart
         Micheal Wear
Ushers/Nursery Communion
         David Berger
         Jay Wood

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"Making disciples for Jesus who are eager to serve others."
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