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Family Lines Newsletter, September 1, 2005
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**This Congregation "Shakes Me Up"!**
By David Chadwell
 
Monday as I left the office (August 29), Lynn Dickey (with Beth Frederick’s assistance) gave me a prayer pager.  At that time, the office e-mailed members my prayer pager number.  Before I got home, the pager buzzed.  At home, I put the pager on my belt. In seconds I jumped as it vibrated!  With my arm as sore as it is, I promptly decided my belt is not the place for the pager since it is heard and felt! 
 
All evening, the pager vibrated until I turned it off at 10:30 p.m.  A little after 6:00 a.m.Tuesday morning, I turned it on.  Five prayers were uttered for me prior to my turning it on, and it went off in my hand!  (I jumped again!)  I knew I would never get my work done if I jumped every time it went off, so when I got to work I placed it close by.  I hear it every time it vibrates—which is often!
 
I find it very humbling to realize so many offer prayers in my behalf!  I never doubted that fact, but the pager surely puts an underline beneath that fact!  Thank you so much for constantly reminding me (1) of your relationship with God and (2) your loving concern for us.
 
One of the most encouraging, heartening things for me in my “prayer pager experience” is this: receiving specific evidence of how prayerful this congregation is!  Things happen because God acts, not because we are powerful.  God uses us for His eternal purposes!  We do not use God for our momentary purposes!
 
Hopefully you understand that Joyce and I do not care who knows about my health challenges.  While the cause has not yet been determined, we understand (1) the conditions likely will slowly progress; (2) therapy should help symptoms; and (3) I must have considerable training/learning.  Though the situation has just been discovered, it possibly has been progressing for a long time.  It is unlikely anything will happen quickly (which is one reason we have not wanted to give my situation a high profile).
 
In your prayers, I have three requests.  (1) Pray the progression will not rob me of my personality.  (2) Pray I will respond well to therapy.  (3) Pray God’s purposes will be served in ways that honor Him.
 
Thank you for your many kindnesses and thoughtfulness!  Joyce and I are overwhelmed by the caring and love of so many here and elsewhere!  Every day we are surrounded by so many blessings!  Be patient with us—this is a marathon race, not a hundred yard dash! 
 
If I just will not fall again; I hope to cease providing you visual reminders!  Slings tend to attract attention!  Slow movement does not mean I am worse—just that I am trying to be more deliberate in my actions.  Joyce and I both deeply appreciate the prayers and encouragements!  Being in Christ with you is a wonderful experience!
 
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**In Our Thoughts & Prayers**
• Ivy Davenport, Bruce’s father, is in a Little Rock hospital. He has been diagnosed with lung cancer. They found out yesterday, the cancer has spread to his lymph nodes.
• John Richards’ heart tests were fine. He went home Tuesday and will have further out-patient testing.
•  Anna Ramsey is in St. Edward Hospital, room 3516 following surgery.
• Dorotha Turpin, Winston’s mother, was dismissed from the hospital on Tuesday.
• Bob Callicott (father of Ann Combs) is doing better. He has a chemotherapy treatment once a month and is managing pain with the medication. He will be re-evaluated in three months.
 
**Continued Prayers**
• Barbara Perkins (Janet Jackson’s mother) is very ill with cancer.
• Bill Houlker (Roy & Joyce Dunavin’s son-in-law)
• Brian Stone (grandson of G.C. & Margaret)
• Evonne Kelly (mother of Michael Blasdel)
• Lawrence Hankins, Randy’s father
• Vicki Varvel (daughter of John and Nadine Hawkins)
• Will Ed Warren
 
**Prayer Pagers**
• David Chadwell 784-7490
• Maile McDonald, 441-6639
• Joan Jenkins, 1-800-421-5436
 
**Family Update**
Former West-Ark members, Buster & Barbara and Adrianne Herren have returned to survey the damage to their home in Gulf Shores, AL. The lower level storage and AC units were flooded, but the good news is the damage is not as extensive as Hurricane Ivan.
 
**Sympathy**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Rita Brown in the death of her mother, Opal Rachel. Funeral services were Wednesday in Russellville, AR.
 
Our love and sympathy is also extended to John Lankford in the death of his mother, Irene Lankford (age 97). A gathering of family and friends is planned for Sept. 2, 4 p.m. at Gracelawn Cemetery.
 
We received word of the death of a former West-Ark member, Lois Rothrock. She was the widow of Morris Rothrock.
 
**Prayers for Men in Service**
Matthew Faries, Shane L. Newton, Aaron Bailey, Adam Morrissun, Ronnie Wheat, David Jennen, Jacob Roper, Jackie Luong, and Joe Armstrong. Please add to your prayer list Cmdr. Alan Todd (USN) brother of Larry Todd and Linda Davis (6 months in Iraq).
 
**Missionaries in Prayer**
• Our missionaries in Laos and Vietnam.
• John Paul & Ruby Lee Hundley in France
 
**Baptism**
Benedicto Calderon
Phoenix Plaza Apartments
1803 Phoenix Avenue #11
Fort Smith, AR 72901
Benedicto was baptized by Oscar Nolasco on August 25th.
 
**Welcome New Members**
Chuck and Keli Rothwell
Addie and Gracie    
5100 Zero Street, Apt. 3204    
Fort Smith, AR 72903    
Phone 221-0216    
 
**Blessed Event**
Congratulations to the Curtis Family (Kevin, Heather, Trevor, Austin & Kyle) on the safe arrival of Dylan Luke on August 27th. Dylan weighed 9 lbs., 1 oz. and is 21 3/4 inches long.
 
**New Address**
Tammy Cypert
713 North 7th Street, Apt 1
Van Buren, AR 72956
Phone 522-2247
 
**Wedding Shower**
A shower is planned for Erin Mason Kimrey on Sunday, September 11, from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. in the home of Helen Pratt, 3705 May Branch Lane. Erin and Joshua are registered at Wal-Mart and Dillards.
 
**Note of Thanks**
To the West-Ark Church,
Our family wants to express to you our appreciation for the lovely peace lily, kind words to our parents, cards, visits to the hospital, but especially for the prayers offered for Paul and our family over the last seven months. As we walk through this valley of deepest sorrow, we trust that our Father will not leave us there.
Because He lives,
Bruce, Bobbie & Shelley Flippo
 
**Wedding Invitation**
Bob and Niketa Stinchcomb
and
Jerry and Peggy Wiser
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their children
Krystal Dawn and Stephen Andrew
on Saturday, September 17
at two o’clock in the afternoon
Westside Church of Christ
726 McGee, Norman, OK 73069
 
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**Joy Bunch**
We’re planning our “Back to School” party in September. Bring a school picture of yourself and give it to Genneil Nye, Danna or Winston Turpin by September 11th.
 
**Brent Perkins Earns Eagle Scout Rank**
A West-Ark teen, Brent Perkins (son of Brian and Shelley) was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout in a Ceremony Sunday afternoon in the FLC. A brief text and some photos are posted at http://www.westark.org/youth/050828photos.htm  Congratulations, Brent!
 
**Re-Keying Updates**
On September 9 the outside door key will change.  Lynn Dickey will be in Room 106 in the foyer Sunday, September 11th, to issue new keys.  Staff, elders, and other persons at the building during the week, please pick up your key in Lynn’s office after 9/9/05.
 
On September 14 the interior door keys will change and new locks added to Gateway and Flock areas.  Keys will be ready to issue on that Wednesday night.
 
The LFC Campus Center outside door has a new key.  Each semester selected students will be issued keys for the campus center so the students can come in on weekends and evenings through the outside door for their activities.
 
NOTE to each person issued a key: Remember the key is for your use only and is not to be loaned. If you no longer need your assigned key, return it to the office. Do not pass on your key to someone else.
 
**Car Clinic**
Car Clinic will be Saturday, September 3rd in the Annex parking lot from 8 to 11 a.m.
 
**Widows/Widowers**
We will be going to the Williams home for lunch Saturday, September 3.  The bus will leave the Annex at 11:30 a.m.  Call Mary, Bobbie, or Janice (474-8851) if you need transportation to the Annex.
 
**Nursery Workers Needed**
The church nursery has several opportunities for service. Right now, we need:
• Once-a-month workers for the Sunday morning worship service. 
• Teachers (2 times per month) for Sunday morning class OR Wednesday evening class. 
Please call Nancy James or Jo Davidson.
 
**LTC Sign-Up through September 18**
Sheets are posted on the bulletin board in the foyer. If you have any questions, contact Clark Risley or Nancy Smith.
 
**Needs for the FLOCK**
If you can help with any of these, please contact Dena Jenkins.
• 20-25 old long-sleeve men’s dress shirts (to be used as art smocks)
• Tape/CD players
• Bookshelves
• Storage Tubs
• Curtain rods
• 2 dorm-sized refrigerators
• Greenery (especially small, “potted” plants)
 
**Adopt-A-Student Luncheon**
If you signed up to adopt a college student, please join us for a luncheon in the FLC on September 11th right after morning services to meet your student!
 
**Disaster Relief**
We will have a special contribution on Sunday morning, September 11, for Hurricane Katrina Relief.
 
**Happy Birthday**
 
August 28
Kyle Curtis
 
August 29
Randy Hankins
Flora Johnson
 
August 30
Stan Burkhart
 
August 31
Mark Hite
Gail Mason
Al Wood
 
September 1
Mike Mason
Linda McRay
Jacqueline Myers
Brenda Wewers
 
September 2
Bobbie Hughes
Charlotte Pinedo
 
September 3
Norma Jean Breedlove
Dixie Burkhart
Vicki Hardin
Aaron Hite
Brandon Miller
 
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**Family Life Ministry**
By Brad Pistole
 
I know the jam-packed youth schedule for the summer is supposed to end in August when school begins, but over the past few years, September has been filled with some of the best youth events of the year.
 
There are great opportunities for you to grow spiritually this month. Here are some things to mark on your calendars:
 
Sunday Night, September 4th
Youth Activity after p.m. Youth Worship (No school on Monday, September 5th)
 
Saturday and Sunday, September 10th & 11th
Trip to Eureka Springs for the Great Passion Play and Springdale for the Sunday Night Live Youth Series
 
Sunday, September 18th
West-Ark teens host the evening worship service at the Methodist Village Nursing Home at 4 p.m.
 
Saturday and Sunday, September 24th-25th
12th Annual Crosswalk Youth Rally in Rogers, AR
 
You can find the details and the sign-up lists for these events on the youth board upstairs. Or go to www.westarkchurchofchrist.org/youth and click on calendar of events.
 
**A.M. Nursery**
Melissa Walker
Dena Jenkins
Irene Willis
Annette Sharp
 
**P.M. Nursery**
Dixie Burkhart
Gina Williams
 
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 765
Bible Classes  465
Sunday Evening 409
Wednesday PM  325
Contribution   $17,034
Children’s Home   $226
Laotian Contribution $179
Laotian Attendance 38
The Way Attendance 42
 
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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