------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Family Lines Newsletter, March 10, 2005
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
**The Width of Separation Between Compliment and Insult Is Small!**
By David Chadwell
 
Years ago when I served as a missionary in a foreign country, I needed a gift to present to local dignitaries.  The basic purpose of the gift was to show honor and respect for the person and his office.  Generally speaking, men and women who do mission work in third-world countries are not respected.  Few people feel they need missionaries to teach them how to live!  Frequently missionaries are seen as those who destroy a culture and rob a people of their identity.  I was eager to prove our group was an asset to the area.
 
A knowledgeable friend suggested “proof sets” of American coins as a suitable gift.  A “proof set” of coins is a valuable collection of specially minted coins.  With confidence I presented my first “proof set” of American coins to an important person in the area.  With delight, he immediately asked, “What are these coins worth?”  I misunderstood his question.  The correct answer was, “Only your banker knows the worth of the set.”  However, I thought he asked about the common value of the individual coins.  As I explained the common value of individual coins, he obviously was offended.  Delight instantly turned to contempt.  A gift intended to honor quickly become an insult.
 
Humans and God radically differ.  Humans frequently misunderstand intent.  God always knows motives.  God knows the difference between worship coming from the heart as an expression of appreciation, and worship “going through the motions” to satisfy a perceived demand.  God knows when a person worships Him and worships for self!  God easily is honored by expressions of faith rising from a heart of gratitude.  God quickly is insulted by a heart devoid of faith and gratitude.  What God wants from His children is simple: profound respect arising from deep appreciation.  Because he expressed His love for us in Jesus’ death, we rejoice in His blessings and proudly honor Him.
 
Tom Chapin will guide us as we consider the HEART OF WORSHIP this Sunday.  Please be a part of our combined class at 9:30 a.m. and our worship assembly at 10:30 a.m.  Tom also will share with us at 6 p.m. Sunday and at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
 
Grow in your understanding of how to honor God in your worship!  Never insult God!  Always honor God!  May He and we be delighted when we praise Him!
 
**Heart of Worship**
Sunday, March 13
• 9:30 a.m. – Grades 7-12, College, and all other adult classes assemble in the Auditorium for a combined class.
• 10:30 a.m.  – Worship (There will not be a separate Children’s Worship service.)
• 6:00 p.m. – Grades 7-12, Adults and LIFE Groups worship together.
 
Wednesday, March 16
• 7:00 p.m. -- Grades 7-12, College, and adult classes in the auditorium.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 2 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
**In Our Thoughts & Prayers**
• Del Ingram had additional surgery at Sparks Hospital on 3/8/05. She will be there for about 4 days.
• Brooklyn Howard, 5-year-old daughter of Rett and Lana, was in the hospital with pneumonia and dehydration. She was dismissed on March 8th.
• Frances Quenin is at home following spinal surgery.
• Opal Hewitt Dexter is in Sparks Hospital, room 490. She had gall bladder surgery last weekend.
• Therese Wieser is in Sparks Hospital following surgery on her ankle.
• Shirley Austin (mother of Sharon Barker) is scheduled for a heart cath Friday morning (3/11//05) at Sparks Hospital. Shirley has prayer pager 784-7490.
• Taylor Burress (4-year old daughter of Chris and Carrie)
• Good news update! Lexi Bennett (Edith Embry’s great-granddaughter) was sent to Children’s Hospital for what was thought to be cancer, but no cancer was found.
• Chuck Cunningham starts back on chemotherapy this week. (Chuck is a former member who now lives in Colorado.)
• Adam Jenkins
• Fred Jackson
• Vicki Varvel (daughter of John and Nadine Hawkins)
• Paul Flippo
• Maile McDonald
• Eddie Hamlett
• John Hundley
• Anita Maxwell
• Don Green
• Larry Treat
• Aaron Canfield Logan (infant son of Coby and Megan)
 
**Missionaries in Prayer**
• __________ in Laos
• Thomas & Kindy Kweekul in Thailand and Laos
• __________ in Vietnam
• John Paul & Ruby Lee Hundley in France
• Roy and Joyce Dunavin in New Zealand
 
**Prayers for Men in Service**
Matthew Faries, Shane L. Newton, Daniel Kweekul, Aaron Bailey, Philip Lux, Adam Morrissun, Ronnie Wheat, and David Jennen.
 
**Welcome New Members**
Charles and Carolyn Hankins
5502 Geren
Fort Smith, AR 72916
Phone: 646-0441
E-mail: chankins@cox-internet.com
 
**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Martha, Gary, and Janet Gunter in the death of Martha’s father, Aubrey Walden. He will be greatly missed by so many of us at West-Ark. Bro. Walden was our oldest member (age 99) and widely known and loved in the Fort Smith Community. Funeral services were Wednesday morning at Edwards Funeral Chapel.
 
** “Aubrey Moments” **
Contributed by Brad Pistole for the West-Ark Teens
Over the past few years, the West-Ark teens have spent a lot of time with Aubrey Walden. We painted his house, cleaned up his yard, took him out to eat, etc. We truly enjoyed our times with him. Aubrey taught us a lot of things about life,and we took the time to write down many of the things he taught us. We believe they are worth sharing with those of you that know and love him. We hope you enjoy what we like to call ... Aubrey Moments.
 
December, 2002
• On life in general. "You know, all a person could ever hope for is a good church where everybody takes care of each other. Nobody has any problems with each other. They just take care of each other. God has blessed me with a church like that. How could I ever complain about anything?"
 
• On Kentucky Fried Chicken. "This place has it all. There's good food. It's clean. Everybody is nice. You could just about stay here all day. Everything you need is right here."
 
• On being kind to others. "I am so thankful for people like you coming to take me out to eat like this. It sure is a nice treat for me. I have people that love me and that's all that matters."
 
• On talking to his neighbors about church. One day when I took some teens to pick up Aubrey for lunch, he saw a neighbor out in his yard. Aubrey yelled across the lot to him and said, "You know, if you would find a church like this, they would come take you out to eat too." Then after getting in the van he said. "He won't ever do it. Even food won't change his mind."
 
January, 2003
• On living to be 97 years old. When asked, “Aubrey, when you were 7 years old, did you ever think you would live 90 more years?” Aubrey responded by saying, "You know, God has been so good to me all of my life. I would have to say that God should get 90% credit for taking care of me and the other 10% would go to the church."
 
• On having a healthy family. One day Aubrey asked how my family was doing, and I said "fine." He responded by saying, "You know, we don't really know how to appreciate how good God has been to us by giving us a healthy family. If our family is all healthy, that should be good enough by itself. We take it for granted too often."
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 3
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
• On his health. One cold January day when the high was in the upper 20's, I called Aubrey to ask how he was doing. He responded by saying, "Brad, I'm just like an old race horse. If you just put me out in the pasture and give me some hay, I can make it alright for a long time."
 
• On jokes. Aubrey loved to tell the joke about an older gentleman that decided to move to Alaska. Just a few months after moving there, he suddenly passed away. They decided to cremate his body since he had no family members. On the day of the funeral, they took the lid off the vase and asked if anyone had anything to say before they sprinkled his ashes on the ground. The old man in the vase replied, "Yeah, I do. Put that lid back on there, this is the first time I've been warm since I've been up here."
 
January, 2005
 
• A final memory. One of my last memories of Aubrey came from one of his favorite places on earth. Golden Corral. As usual, Aubrey made his way to our table to visit. He asked my kids if they had enjoyed church services that day. He asked them if they knew the song "Amazing Grace." He told them it was his favorite song and then he sang it for them.
 
All of the people in our section of the restaurant stopped eating long enough to listen to a 99 year old man sing the first and last verse of “Amazing Grace.” That's pretty amazing in and of itself!
 
We're going to miss you, Aubrey! Thank God for you and for the amazing grace that has set us all free! Save us all a seat close to the throne. We hope to see you soon!
 
**Gateway Announcement**
All Gateway kids (2nd – 6th grade) should meet in Room 100 at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday evenings.
 
**LTC Announcements**
Friday, March 11
• 5:30 -- Rehearsals for Elementary Chorus, Elementary Drama, and all Puppets. 
• 6:00 -- Junior High Chorus
We will serve pizza to the kids and show the movie “The Book of Luke” during the break for pizza.
 
Sunday, March 13
• Art -- Deadline for all projects.
• 2:00  Junior High Chorus
• 3:00  Senior High Chorus
 
Wednesday, March 16
• 6:30 Senior High Chorus
 
**Senior Game Day**
Thursday, March 17
Please bring your desserts and be at the church at 11:30 a.m.
to help serve lunch to the college students. Hope to see you there!
 
**CD Players Needed**
The Preschool Department is in need of 2 portable CD players.  These can be new or used, donated or loaned – we’re not picky!   Please contact Dena Jenkins, if you can help with need at 478-6486 or denaj@swbell.net.
 
**Preschool Teachers Needed**
We have the following teaching/helping opportunities for our preschool department:
 
WEDNESDAY NIGHT, 1ST GRADE (ASAP)
WEDNESDAY NIGHT, KINDERGARTEN TEACHER (ASAP)
 
We also need several people to be on a substitute list for all of the preschool classes (2 year old – 1st grade). If you can help with any of these, please call Dena Jenkins at 478-6486 or email her at denaj@swbell.net.
 
**60+ Gathering**
Our next potluck supper is Saturday, March 19, at 6:00 in the Family Life Center
 
**Ladies’ Days **
 
Saturday, April 2
Poteau Church of Christ
8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Singing groups: The Gospel Harmonizers and One Voice
Lunch will be served.
 
Saturday, April 16
9th Street Church of Christ
9 a.m. until noon
Theme: Time Is Running Out
Speaker: Norma Gilkey of Tulsa, Oklahoma
 
**Happy Birthday**
 
March 18
Linda Shank
 
March 20
Blake Frost
 
March 21
Courtney Griffin
 
March 22
Linda Allen
Debra Gail Hatfield
Donna Roper
Greg Wewers
 
March 23
Diane Arnold
Kimberly Layman
 
March 24
David Dickey
Jamie Loftin
 
March 25
Wilma Son
Larry Treat
 
March 26
Larry Prater
Mike Burk
 
** “Written Without Ink” **
Chris Benjamin's web journal.
http://www.westark.org/benjamin/blog.htm
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 4
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
**Family Life Ministry**
By Brad Pistole
 
In just a matter of days, our world will literally change before our very eyes. The flowers and trees will begin to bloom, grass will begin to grow again, and the colors of spring will start popping up everywhere.
 
What looked so “dead” just days ago will now be full of color and life. It’s pretty amazing how things seem to change over night. But isn’t life the same way?
 
In the first two months of 2005, many of our teens have experienced a similar transformation. Yet this one is much more important.  What was once dead is now full of life!
 
Praise God for Ian Gilley, Adam Bailey, Aaron Hite, Morgan Dunavin, Dillon Branham, Trevor Branham, Cody Stafford, John Bradley Smith, and Courtney Griffin, who have all experienced new birth in Jesus Christ.
 
May we continue to pray for these young people and the new journey that lies ahead of them. We are all part of that journey and they need our help along the way! Do what you can to encourage them this week.

Special News:

Congratulations to Zach Barker, one of our 11th graders, for being selected to attend Boy’s State this summer at UCA.
 
There will be a meeting this Sunday afternoon at 5 p.m. in the Youth Room for everyone interested in participating in “The Heifer Project” this June 24th-27th.
 
**Second Sunday Nursery**
 
A.M. Infants
Trish Carson
Morgan Dunavin
Dwonne  Cogswell
Vicki Anderson
 
P.M. Nursery
Terri Jones
 
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worsip 667
Bible Classes  463
Sunday Evening 315
Small Group 6
Wednesday PM  NC
Contribution   $18,905
Children’s Home   $232
Hispanic Contribution $138
AM Hispanic Attendance  39
PM Hispanic Attendance  12
Laotian Contribution $244
Laotian Attendance 27
The Way Contribution $43
The Way Attendance 45
 
Office Phone (479) 452-1240
Fax  (479) 452-5767
office@westarkchurchofchrist.org
www.westark.org
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Making disciples for Jesus who are eager to serve others."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------