West-Ark Newsletter, 17 February 2005

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Family Lines Newsletter, February 17, 2005
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The Lord was with Joseph, so he became a successful man. And he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian. Now his master saw that the Lord was with him and how the Lord caused all that he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal servant; and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he owned he put in his charge. It came about that from the time he made him overseer in his house and over all that he owned, the Lord blessed the Egyptians house on account of Joseph; thus the Lords blessing was upon all that he owned, in the house and in the field (Genesis 39:2-5).

What a rotten, lousy break! How horribly unfair! Dont tell me the Lord is blessing me! Dont challenge me to see good in this unjustifiable situation! That easily could have been Josephs response to his fall. He was an undesirable teenagerprobably the families arrogant tattletale. He was a rich mans favored son. His father was married to two wives. Joseph had the wonderful situation of being the son of the favored wife.

In the older brothers experiences, Joseph was a pain in the neck, an intolerable threat to their future. The solution: catch Joseph away from Dad, sell him into slavery, and forever be rid of this brash, favored son who was an arrogant tattletale.

The undesirable teen brother quickly became a faith-filled slave. His owner prospered because of Josephs faith and relationship with Godand he knew it! Unthinkable choices for the teenager were faith choices for the slave! Josephs relationship with God was real! Because of Josephs attitude in grossly undesirable circumstances, God could and did work through him. Though Joseph knew he was a victim of injustice and forgetfulness, his faith in God unquestionably blessed others.

Many things happen in our world and families that we prefer not to happen. Sometimes we are filled with grief because we cannot "fix" a situation. Sometimes we are filled with despair when situations force us to face this truth: we have no power. In such moments we feel quite useless.

The power lies in God, not in us. God is the source of the power. In grace and mercy He gave us His son to lead us back to Him. It is through Jesus that a person grasps the nature, the character, and the power of God the Father.

What significance is that understanding? Our most powerful influence for good on those we care about arises from who we are, not what we can do. We are never the power to a permanent fix! We are merely encouragers who know what it means to be. When we have the faith to be, we allow God to work in and through us. A Christians greatest resource and power is the power of prayer. Through prayer, through faith to be, turn God loose to work through you! Joseph learned a person does not have to be the son of a rich man to trust God. A slave can do that!

"First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity" (1 Timothy 2:1, 2).

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Fred and Janet Jackson returned to UAMS in Little Rock on Wednesday morning (2/16/05) for a meeting with the surgeon and radiologist. Fred needs another surgery; but for now the aneurysm is not leaking, and he is resting a while. Janet will call UAMS every 2 or 3 days and keep them posted on Freds condition. Their prayer pager number is (479) 441-2593. If you would like to help with food for the family, please contact Debbie Belote at the church office or at home (452-1617).

Fred and Janet Jacksons daughter-in-law, Jamie Richardson, has suffered a miscarriage. Please remember Stephen and Jamie Richardson in your prayers. If you would like to send a card, their address is 4201 Kinkead Avenue, Apt. 58, Fort Smith, AR 72903. The Richardsons send this message: Thanks for the prayers and concern of the church family during our loss. It means so much.

Mary Wells (Joyce Chadwells mother) fell and broke her ankle. She is recovering from Tuesdays surgery and will remain in the hospital until her medication is adjusted. She hopes to go to a rehab center for recovery.

John and Nadine Hawkins request that we keep their daughter, Vicki Varvel (of Texas) on our prayer list. Cancer has reoccurred in her bone marrow, but is not in any vital organs.

Alan Nelson (Ricks father)
Jim Boatright (Adinas father)
Paul Flippo
Maile McDonald
John Hundley
Marea Sutherland
Anita Maxwell
Adam Jenkins
Don Green
Larry Treat
Chuck Cunningham

**Prayers for Men in Service**
Matthew Faries, Shane L. Newton, Daniel Kweekul, Aaron Bailey, Philip Lux, Adam Morrissun, and Ronnie Wheat.

**Baptisms**
Moises Rivas (from El Salvador) was baptized February 10th by Oscar Nolasco. Moises, his wife, and two sons are worshipping with Iglesia de Cristo at Johnson Street.

Robert Moore was baptized February 10th. Robert is staying with Elwood Hansen and attending The Way. You may send him a card at 1829 North 13th, Fort Smith, AR 72904.

Winter Retreat had a big impact on our teens.
We have had three baptisms since returning from this spiritual weekend. ~~Brad Pistole

John Bradley Smith
10716 St. Michaels Court
Fort Smith, AR 72908
John Bradley is the son of J.T. and Nancy Smith. He was baptized 2/16/05.

Courtney Griffin
2316 Fianna Way
Fort Smith, AR 72908
Courtney is the daughter on Don and Carolyn Griffin. She was baptized 2/16/05 also.

**Address**
Caruth Alexander
1326 North 56th Terrace
Fort Smith, AR 72904
Phone: 561-2333
[Caruth has been worshipping with us a while, but we missed publishing his address.]

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**CURE Work Crew Needed**
Saturday, February 19 at 10:00 a.m.
Fort Chaffee, Building 320
Well be sorting teaching materials going to Cameroon, West Africa.

**LTC for Sunday, 2/20/05**
1:00 Bulletin boards, banners and art group will meet in the Annex.
4:00   Jr. High Bible Bowl
5:00   Elementary Puppets
6:00   Elementary Drama
6:00 Jr. and Sr. High Puppets

**VBS Need**
We need fabric for 100 VBS biblical period headgear measuring 27 X 45. Please give your materials to Sheila Vaught or leave it in the coat closet located behind the auditorium.

**HU Groups to Perform **
The Harding University Jazz Band and the Harding Wind Ensemble will soon be on tour and are giving a free performance at the Fort Smith Convention Center on Thursday, February 24th. Please note that the corrected performance time is 7:00 p.m. John Berger (son of David and Sandy Berger) is in the Jazz Band.

**The Next Season of Worship and Preaching at West-Ark**
"Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD!" -- Psalm 89:15

This week we move into a new season of worship and preaching. Building on the theme of mission, we will explore what it means to worship God. There is a vital link between worship and mission, and this Sunday our theme will be Worshipping God for the Sake of the World.

I am convinced, and I am sure that you are too, that being a good worshipper is a little more involved than just showing up. The Psalmist who wrote the line above believes this also. The good news is that we can learn what it means to collectively acclaim the Lord and be good worshippers.

One of the highlights of this season of focusing on worship will be our guest speaker and song leader Tom Chapin. Tom is a minister with the Windsong Church of Christ in Little Rock. He will visit with us on Sunday, March 6, to teach our 9:30 a.m. class, speak at our 10:30 a.m. worship and again at our 6:00 p.m. assembly. Tom will join us one more time on Wednesday, March 9 for an evening of worship and teaching at 7 p.m. The youth and college groups will join us in the auditorium at all these times. The elders request that all adult classes and LIFE Groups join in Sunday, March 6 at 9:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 9.

Stay in touch for more details and information about this event. We will be blessed as we learn to acclaim the Lord!
~~ Chris Benjamin

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Spring Fever anyone? Its not often that you walk outside to 80 degrees in the month of February, but today is one of those days. Its really hard to adjust to when just a week ago, 40 of us from West-Ark froze all weekend during Winter Retreat in Siloam Springs.

Believe it or not, winter has almost passed and Spring Break will be here before you know it. But before that happens, we have one more Winter Event that will take place on Saturday, February 26th.

CHRISTeens Youth Rally at the West-Side Congregation in Russellville has been blessing teens for many years. We have not been able to attend the past few years, so we look forward to getting together with more than 1,000 teens for a weekend of praise and worship.

The theme for this year is Here to Please taken from Galatians 1:10. Guest speakers and worship leaders will include Buddy Bell, Randy Harris, Robert Cox, Terry Davis, and Acappella.

We will be leaving on Saturday morning, February 26th at 7:15 a.m. and we will return by 9 p.m. that night. Registration is limited at CHRISTeens and we have 15 spots available to us. Please sign the list on the youth board upstairs and get your $12 turned in by this Sunday.

The Lord has blessed us so much in 2005 as 6 teens have committed their lives to Christ. I pray for a great weekend at CHRISTeens and for God to continue to work in the lives and hearts of our young people.

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday morning Worship 712
Bible Classes 469
Sunday Evening 241
Small Group 25
Wednesday evening 349
Contribution $18,842
Childrens Home $263
Hispanic Contribution $157
AM Hispanic Attendance 61
PM Hispanic Attendance 10
Laotian Contribution $240
Laotian Attendance 24
The Way Contribution $29
The Way Attendance 29

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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