West-Ark Newsletter, 18 August 2005

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Family Lines Newsletter, August 18, 2005
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Are you ready for school to start? Have you bought all your school supplies? Have you been to the open house to meet the teacher? Have you signed-up for activities? There are many items to be checked off the list when school starts, but dont worry they will all get done.

In the whirlwind of activity that accompanies the beginning of the school year none of us wants to leave Gods blessings in the dust. As a congregation we are going to take action to make sure that our students, teachers, and school personnel know that they may go back to school with Gods blessings.

Sunday, August 28 at 10:30 a.m. is our Back to School Blessing worship service. Please invite your friends and family. During the service we will pray for two groups. First, we will pray for all of our school children. This includes all grades and all schools public, private, and home school. No one is excluded. The second group we will pray for are the people who work and teach in our schools. This includes all areas of service and all schools. This is a perfect opportunity to invite those who teach and serve at your childrens school. If you work in a school invite your co-workers. If you go to school invite your fellow students. Simply share with people that there is a church that wants to be a blessing to them.

The blessing continues after the Sunday worship service. After we are sent out we will all have an opportunity to pick up a refrigerator magnet that bears the name of a student, teacher, or school worker. When you take this magnet, understand that you are taking on the ministry of prayer for the duration of the school year. Keep that magnet and pray for the people named all year long. You do the praying; God knows how to do the blessing. If you want to submit your name or the name of someone you know for the magnets, please place it on the sign-up lists in the foyer this Sunday.

In a world so full of complaining, cursing, and negativity we have a wonderful opportunity to make a difference by sharing Gods blessing. Lets respond to the awesome charge we have to be stewards of the words of life!

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life. Phil 2:14-16

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**In Our Thoughts & Prayers**
Lynette Purvis is in St. Edward Hospital, room 5414. She is feeling better, but will probably be there through the weekend.
Maile McDonald had a spinal tap and aggressive chemotherapy treatment on Monday. Mailes prayer pager is 441-6639.
Joan Jenkins (Kerrys mom) had her first chemotherapy treatment on Monday. Her prayer pager is 1-800-421-5436 (free call).
Palmer Richardson, daughter of Scott and Lori Ann, is improving, but still in Childrens Hospital in Little Rock. For complete updates, read http://www.palmerrichardson.com/

**Continued Prayers**
Larry Schluterman
Ted Edwards
Evonne Kelly (mother of Michael Blasdel)
Jimmy McCartney (brother of Peggy Pistole)
Bill Houlker (Roy & Joyce Dunavins son-in-law)
Bob Callicott (father of Ann Combs)
Vicki Varvel (daughter of John and Nadine Hawkins)
Lawrence Hankins, Randys father

**Sympathy**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Alyssa Beneux in the death of her cousin, Leah Bokerman (age 27), following complications after the birth of a baby. Funeral services were 8/18/05.

**Address for Cards**
Evonne Kelley
25156 Highline
Spiro, OK 74956
Michael Blasdel says prayers and cards for his mom would be appreciated. Mrs. Kelley was baptized August 10th and is beginning cancer treatments.

Prayers for Men in Service
Please add to your list Joe Armstrong, a friend of the Belote and Priester families. Continue to pray for Matthew Faries, Shane L. Newton, Aaron Bailey, Adam Morrissun, Ronnie Wheat, David Jennen, Jacob Roper, and Jackie Luong.

**Building Being Re-keyed**
On September 2nd the key to the main building will be changed. If you presently have an M key that opens the door by the nursery and have a need to continue to access the building, please sign the request in the Information Center. We will need a complete list in order to know how many new keys to order.

**Notes of Thanks**
Thank you for the flowers and to David and Roy for attending the funeral. Please continue to pray for me. I appreciate the support of my friends at West-Ark.
Anna Ramsey

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Your love and prayers show the desire and dedication of being Christ's disciples. The Church has a great prayer pager program. Many people that visited me were very amazed at the number of prayers coming in. Thank you so much for your visits and prayers.
In Christian Love,
Jim and Patsy McCartney & Family

**Bridal Shower**
You are invited to a bridal shower honoring Krystal Stinchcomb, daughter of Niketa Stinchcomb on Saturday, August 27th, 2:00 p.m. in the Family Life Center. Krystal is registered at Wal-Mark and Bed, Bath & Beyond.

**Opportunity for Service**
Our Tutoring Program for students from Tilles and Spradling Elementary Schools is scheduled to begin Tuesday, September 13 at the West-Ark building. If you were unable to attend the meeting last Sunday evening and are willing to help in any capacity, please meet with Jack Lewis and Shelia Vaught immediately after worship Sunday, August 21, in Room 100.

**School Supplies and Clothing **
If you have clothing your kids have outgrown and you would like to pass it on to kids who can use it, please do so through Jack Lewis (459-0168). School supplies (pencils, backpacks, paper, crayons, scissors, etc.) can be left in a box on the table in the foyer.

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**FLOCK NEWS**
Teachers/Shepherds Meeting
There will be a meeting this SUNDAY, August 21, for all FLOCK Teachers and Shepherds in the Library at 5 pm. This will be a time to get all of the information needed for your position as well as to get all of your questions answered! If you have any questions prior to the meeting or if you are unable to attend, please contact Dena Jenkins. Thank you for you commitment to teaching and being involved in the lives of our children. To God be all the glory!

Needs for the FLOCK (3 year olds 1st grade)
The following are items/services that are needed to help get The FLOCK off the ground. If you can help with any of these, please contact Dena Jenkins.
Painters (this includes simply painting walls, lettering and cartoon-type drawing/painting)
2 dorm-sized refrigerators
Bookshelves/storage bins
Clothes rack
Curtain rods

**Wednesday Night WINGS**
Enrollment deadline is August 21. To enroll, e-mail or call Peggy Pistole.
Join us for refreshments and book distribution on August 31st!

**CARE GROUPS** provide another opportunity for small meetings on a monthly basis within the larger body of Christ at West-Ark. The small groups function as a caring community, building Christian relationships, meeting the needs of individuals, and helping them become incorporated into the church family. Care Groups meet at a time and place determined by the group. Care Groups range in size depending on the group. If a group decides to rebirth and build a new group, they do. To start a new group is simple: invite someone into your home for a time of fellowship and a meal once a month. Encourage new members to meet with you and share the joy of building new relationships in appreciation for what God did for you through HIS son on the cross. Youre on your way!

C = Caring and compassion for one another.
A = Assimilation into the life and work of the church.
R = Relationships that are strong and enduring.
E = Evangelism to win and disciple others for Christ.

Visit with any of the following group leaders/coordinators, and they will be happy to answer any questions and help you assimilate into a group or start a group.

**Adopt a LFC Student**
Please sign up to adopt a Lions for Christ College Student for the 2005-06 school year. A sign-up sheet is located on the LFC message board in the main building foyer and another is being passed around in the Sunday evening Life Group meeting. If you have any questions, please call John at the office or send an email to John@westarkchurchofchrist.org

**Lions for Christ Calendar (August 22nd - September 2nd)**
Monday 8/22 Wednesday 8/24 Pass out bottled water on UAFS Campus
Tuesday 8/23 Cookout/Devotional 7 p.m. LFC Student Center
Wednesday 8/24 Basketball 8:30 p.m. LFC Student Center
Thursday 8/25 Ping-Pong Tournament 7 p.m. LFC Student Center
Friday 8/26 Giant Twister Game 7 p.m. LFC Student Center
Saturday 8/27 Scavenger Hunt 7 p.m. LFC Student Center
Tuesday 8/30 Cookout/Devotional 7 p.m. LFC Student Center
Wednesday 8/31 Volleyball 8:30 p.m. LFC Student Center
Thursday 9/1 3 v. 3 Basketball Tournament 7 p.m. LFC Student Center
Friday 9/2 Movie Night LFC Student Center

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**Family Life Ministry**
By Brad Pistole

As you face these challenges, consider the words written by Steven Curtis Chapman years ago. May they bless you this week:

In the spring of 1519 a Spanish fleet set sail.
Cortez told his sailors this mission must not fail.
On the eastern shore of Mexico they landed with great dreams.
But the hardships of the new world made them restless and weak.
And quietly they whispered, "Let's sail back to the life we knew."
But the one who led them there was saying,

"Burn the ships, we're here to stay.
There's no way we could go back,
Now that we've come this far by faith.
Burn the ships; we've passed the point of no return.
Our life is here...so let the ships burn."

In the spring of new beginnings a searching heart set sail.
Looking for a new life and a love that would not fail.
On the shores of grace and mercy we landed with great joy,
But an enemy was waiting to steal, kill, and destroy.
Quietly he whispers, "Go back to the life you knew."
But the one who led us here is saying,

"Burn the ships, we're here to stay.
There's no way we could go back,
Now that we've come this far by faith.
Burn the ships; we've passed the point of no return.
Our life is here...So let the ships burn."

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 724
Bible Classes 465
Sunday Evening 295
Wednesday PM 354
Contribution $14,352
Childrens Home $373
Hispanic Contribution $173
Hispanic Attendance 50
Laotian Contribution $224
Laotian Attendance 19
The Way Attendance 40
The Way Contribution $85

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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