West-Ark Newsletter, 16 December 2004

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Family Lines Newsletter, December 16, 2004
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**Let the Reflections Begin!**
By David Chadwell
Right about now daily life becomes so hectic that our focus is on surviving until December 25th, not on reflecting. Maybe that is a significant, contributing reason for the depression this time of the year. All the advertisements show smiling faces at smiling gatherings of families or friends or both. Yet, those advertisements do not depict many peoples reality. Too often this important commercial time of the year tries to remind people of what they do not have, not what they do have.

The same commercials deliberately (for commercial purposes) send a false message. The false message: (1) Give people what they want and they will be happy, or (2) If you give this for a gift you can be sure the person will be happy. The annual reminder arrives: happiness is not found in possessions. We often think possessions are a substitute for caring, loving relationships. How quickly things bore us. Things are a distraction with an extremely short life of effective distraction. Caring, loving relationships grow in meaning and often endure a life time.

Perspective is the engine of reflection. In recent days, a conversation, an e-mail, and a letter fueled my reflection. The conversation came from a missionary forced home because of a medical necessity. His comment: For the first time, I am experiencing reverse culture shock. Reverse culture shock occurs when you re-enter the home culture and feel like you do not fit. Why is he experiencing reverse culture shock? Here this season is so commercial! Its focus is on business, not on remembering!

The e-mail came from a Christian in another part of our world. In this region Christianity is looked upon with great suspicion. Powerful people regard Christians as evil people who are a dangerous threat to society. In simple eloquence, the person spoke of the hopelessness of many. They had only the here-and-now perspective. They struggled daily in a sense of personal desperation as existence became increasingly futile.

The letter came from a Christian friend working hard in an area so poverty stricken that the simplest medicines are unavailable. The average person cannot even obtain a Bible. In the past, he has written me often of the difficulty of helping people find hope in Jesus Christ when they do not even have a Bible to read.

This is a wonderful time of the year to show love. Please, never rely on things to declare your love. Show your love through your kindness and caring. Show your love through a living, continuing relationship. Because you are who you are in Jesus Christ, touch lives of others by allowing God to teach you how to love in every relationship. May it be evident in the way you treat others that God living in you through Jesus Christ makes the difference that cannot be ignored. May an accurate, grateful perspective on your countless blessings enlarge your perspective! May your perspective drive your relationships! Your memories and awareness are the fuel for your love!

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**LTC Announcement**
There will be a short meeting for all those involved with LTCs drama, puppets, and chorus on the elementary level this Sunday, December 19, at 5:30 in room 100. Scripts and music will be available, so please be there.

**Congratulations to the Tucker Family**
Paul and Marlene Tucker have a new grandson, Putman Ray Tucker, born December 14th to Debbie and Stanley Tucker. The baby weighs 7 lbs., 13 ozs. and is 20" long.

**Christmas for a Child**
Christmas is a wonderful time of the year for most people. But to the inner-city poor it can be very depressing just to know that there is not enough money to pay the bills, let alone buy gifts for children. We can help out if we are willing to share a little with those in need. On the bulletin board in the foyer are envelopes with names of children in need of Christmas. It is an excellent opportunity to minister to those in need, invite the poor to be a part of us, and share the gospel.

**Teens Host Christmas Dinner for 60+ Group**
Saturday, December 18
6:00 7:30 p.m. in the Family Life Center
Come and join us for a great night!
(See Brads related article on page 4.)

**The Church office will be closed Thursday and Friday, December 23 & 24, and Friday, December 31, 2004.
Our next newsletter will be published in two weeks -- on Thursday, December 30, 2004.**

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**Say A Prayer For**
Kathleen Taranto is sick at home with pneumonia.
Charles Rogers is in Sparks ICU.
Anita Maxwell is waiting on test results.
Carl Wades leg surgery was Wednesday. Doctors say everything looks good. Carl is in room 2511 at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center in Little Rock. He hopes to go home on Monday.
Taylor Anders is scheduled for surgery in Little Rock on December 20th.
Tim Williams (son-in-law of Bob and Jane Fisher) is scheduled for surgery on December 27th to remove a brain tumor.
Beatrice Neighbors (grandmother of Mitch Harper) is in room 580 in Sparks Hospital.
Janelle Graves has had hip surgery and is in St. Edward Hospital, Room 3505.
Debra Gail Hatfield requests prayers for pain relief for her mother, Inez Hatfield.
Casey Beshears, (Patti Anderson's nephew) has been in the hospital. He was dismissed Wednesday.
Betty Porter is having an MRI on her back December 17th.

**Continue to Prayer For**
Eleanor Casey
Leo Atkins
Darrell Wear
Joann Davenport's mother.
Wilma Son
Bob Donahue (Melody Priesters father)
Eddie Hamlett
Don Green
Larry Treat
John Hundley
Chuck Cunningham

**Prayers for Men in Military Service**
Please add Adam Morrissun (grandson of Florence Cotner) to this list. He is serving in Korea.
Matthew Faries
Michael Gooden
Shane L. Newton
Brandon Daws
Daniel Kweekul
Aaron Bailey
Philip Lux
Johny Lindgren

**Update on Adam Jenkins**
Dear Church Family,
We wanted to give you a brief update on Adam and solicit your prayers once again. We will be going back to Childrens Hospital Thursday (12/16/04) for his full spinal MRI and CINE study as well as a visit with the Genetics Clinic. We are so grateful that God has kept him healthy so that we can go then. We are so very grateful for all of the concern, expressions of kindness and especially the prayers. Please keep them coming as the next 6 weeks or so will be especially critical for potential answers for our Little Bud.
God bless you all!
We love you,
Kerry & Dena Jenkins

**Notes of Thanks**
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
As 2004 comes to an end, we want you to know that you continue to be a tremendous blessing to us. You seem to love and care with abundance just like Jesus!
Gary and I are doing well. Garys recent bone marrow test came back clear, which is very good news. He is working his regular, part-time job now. I am finishing my radiation treatments soon and feel that your love/prayers and Gods blessings have provided me with a shield from many side effects and difficulties. To God be the glory in all things!
We love and appreciate you more than we will ever be able to say. You are and will always be so special in our hearts as you graciously demonstrate John 13:34-35.
Gary & Judi Green

Thanks so much for your prayers, cards, calls and visits while my mom, Eleanor Casey, was in the hospital. She's at her house now regaining her strength and looking forward to resuming her normal activities. Please continue to keep her in your prayers and she would enjoy your calls and visits.
Helen Pratt

Thank you for the visits, the cards, and your prayers. I am doing much better now. You are wonderful Christian helpers in time of need. Thank you so much.
In Christian love,
Del Choate Ingram

**Childrens Home Ministry**
Another load of items was recently taken to the Childrens Home. Fleece throws, pajamas, and bedding were made or donated. The staff at SCH was thrilled at the amount given. They were so grateful for every item. Thanks to everyone who made clothing, the ladies from WINGS who bought throws, and the bed pads that were donated. This is a great example of the Christians at West-Ark who are eager to serve others.
Jim Hardin

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We have a great weekend planned for our 60+, teens, and families this Saturday and Sunday, Dec 18th-19th. The annual 60+ Dinner, hosted by our teenagers, will take place this Saturday from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.

Our teens will be setting up, decorating, cooking, and entertaining us for the evening. It will be a great night to show appreciation for those who do so much for the kingdom of God.

If you are a 60+ member and you didn't get a chance to sign up, don't let that stop you. Come join us anyway. If you have volunteered to make a dessert for the dinner, you can drop it off at the office Friday afternoon or any time after 3 p.m. on Saturday. All teens that are helping with the dinner need to be at the FLC by 3 p.m.

Sunday will also be a day full of fellowship and fun for our families. We will have a Christmas party for all 7th-12th graders and their families that will begin at 2 and go until 10 p.m. Our worship service will take place from 6:30-7:30 in the FLC Youth Room.

Details for the Christmas Party can be found on the Parent's Information Table and the Teen Sign-up board. Everyone needs to bring a wrapped gift (under $10 value) which should be placed under the tree when you arrive at 2:00.

And since there is no bulletin next week due to the Christmas Holidays, let me take this opportunity to invite you to a special "Worship Celebration" on Sunday night, Dec 26th at 6 p.m. Our focus will be on giving praise to the God who has given us the Savior. We will share several scriptures together, and we will be learning some new songs we hope to begin singing on Sunday mornings in the near future.

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 740
Bible Classes 465
Sunday Evening 235
Small Group 19
Wednesday PM 362
Contribution $15,799
Childrens Home $237
Hispanic Contribution $139
Hispanic Attendance 41
Laotian Contribution $312
Laotian Attendance 32
The Way Contribution $51
The Way Count 47

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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