West-Ark Newsletter, 8 September 2005

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Family Lines Newsletter, September 8, 2005
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Ephesians 3:8-10 "To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places."

Abraham was a nomad. Isaac was blind. Jacob lived with frustration of having two wives who were jealous sisters. Moses endured the ceaseless complaining and discontent of an entire people. Samuel knew the sting of rejection. David lived the life of a fugitive. Isaiah was to prophecy until there was total devastation. Jeremiah delivered messages no one wished to hear. Jesus died the death of a criminal.

Paul understood God is not a one dimensional God. God did the unthinkable through ways that defied believability. Though He promised Abraham that He would bring a blessing to all humanity (Genesis 12:3), not even the angels understood what God sought to accomplish in Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:10-12).

What was this incredible thing God did? He unleashed a power on earth that could allow any man or woman (regardless of culture, education, or background) to become one of the called out people of God. Any man or woman who had the courage to allow God to teach him or her the purpose and focus of life could belong to God. Those who have the courage to be the called out for God are to be living testimonies to Gods great wisdom and power.

Could God free slaves from one of the worlds most powerful nations? Yes! Could God make a nation from those slaves? Yes! Could God send His son through that nation? Yes! Could God provide the atonement for all the evil humanity commits through the blood of His son? Yes! Could God raise His son from death? Yes! Could God forgive anyone who accepts His sacrifice and trusts His promises? Yes! Can God forgive you? Yes!

That is the mystery God revealed in Jesus Christ! The astounding thing is not what we have done! The astounding thing is what God has done! Astoundingly, God did it through a death and resurrection!

This was not just any death. It was the death of a son totally devoted to Gods will. It was not just any resurrection (resurrections had occurred before through Gods power). This resurrection was unique. It was the permanent defeat of death. It still stands as the proof that death is never the end of the man or woman with the courage to belong to God.

No one but God can defeat OUR death. Let all human power take noteonly God defeats death permanently! God demonstrated this truth in Jesus resurrection!

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**In Our Thoughts & Prayers**
All those who are hurt, displaced, and grieved from the hurricane and its impact.
Ivy Davenport (Bruces father)
Joan Jenkins (Kerrys mother) had her second chemotherapy treatment this week.
Anna Ramsey is still in St. Edward Hospital, room 3516 following surgery.
Mary Winfrey of the Pleasant Valley church has a brain tumor and requests your prayers.
Lynette Purvis
Ryan Dockery (son of Greg and Nancy) fell and broke his arm Friday night.
Barbara Perkins (Janet Jacksons mother)
Brian Stone (grandson of G.C. & Margaret)
Evonne Kelly (mother of Michael Blasdel)
Vicki Varvel (daughter of John and Nadine Hawkins)
Bob Callicott (father of Ann Combs)

**Sympathy**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Joyce Dunavin in the death of her uncle, Fisher Starks, of Amarillo, TX. Funeral services were Wednesday in Amarillo.

We received word Tuesday of the death of Glenda Roberts' mother. If you would like to send Glenda a card, her address is 2228 Independence Drive, Odessa, Texas 79762. Glenda is a former West-Ark member.

**Prayers for Men in Service**
Matthew Faries, Shane L. Newton, Aaron Bailey, Adam Morrissun, Ronnie Wheat, David Jennen, Jacob Roper, Jackie Luong, Joe Armstrong, and Alan Todd. Please add to your prayer list Michael Gooden and his family. Michael was deployed 8/31/05 to an unknown destination.

**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.

**Congratulations**
Congratulations to Bob and Sharon Faries on the arrival of a granddaughter, Asher, born 9/7/05 to Jacob and Elizabeth Faries. Asher weighed 6 lbs., 3 ozs.

**Tutors Needed on Tuesdays**
Tutors are needed for (adorable) children with ages ranging from kindergarten to 6th grade. Tutors arrive at the FLC no later than 3:40 p.m. and depart at 4:45 on Tuesday, except when school is not in session. We can not take additional children unless we sign up more tutors. Call Sheila Vaught if you can help. Tutors will meet Sunday in room 100 after morning services.

**Note of Thanks**
For the plant, the cards, the visits, we are so grateful. Your love, prayers and concerns for mother and our family will be remembered forever.
Rita & Dale Brown

**Adopt-A-Student Luncheon**
Sunday, September 11, after morning worship in the FLC!
If you signed up to adopt a college student, please join us for lunch and meet your student.

**Wedding Invitations**
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 oclock in the afternoon
Westside Church of Christ
726 McGee
Norman, OK 73069

Together with their parents
Loretta L. Head and Jerry W. Webb
request the honor of your presence
at their marriage on Friday, September 23
at seven oclock in the evening
West-Ark Church of Christ
RSVP on or before September 15
1-479-674-1056

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Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief (Page 3)
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**Special Contribution**
We will have a special contribution on Sunday morning,
September 11, for Hurricane Katrina Relief.
We need to collect at least $100,000.
All money collected will be used in the areas listed below.

1) Attend to the needs of approximately 40 families who are hurricane victims stranded in Fort Smith.
West-Ark is providing a hot meal each evening as long as its needed.
Food coordinators are Curtis McDonald and Jim Pratt.
a. Help teach the children after we have fed them. Volunteers are needed to offer their time and love for children. No special talents or gifts are required simply the love of children and the desire to help teach them Gods word. If you are willing to help, please contact the church office (452-1240) or Dena Jenkins.
b. Homemade cookies are needed daily! Please package your cookies into baggies (about 5 cookies in a sandwich bag). Bring your packaged cookies to the church office any Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

2) Assist CURE with collection and distribution of urgently needed hurricane relief supplies.
Please bring your donations to the Family Life Center.
Check http://www.westarkchurchofchrist.org/members.htm for periodic updates.
There is an ongoing need for the following:
     baby items -- diapers, wipes, formula, food, powder and oil
      toiletries (shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste)
      NEW underwear for all ages.
     Nonperishable food items, particularly ready-to-eat foods such as granola bars, cereal bars, etc.
      Boxed juice pouches for kids (boxes of 12, 24, etc.)

CURE has the ability to purchase in bulk. Please consider giving cash. This will allow case quantities to be purchased. It also helps in the handling/shipping process. For more information on CURE (Compassionate Utilization of REsources) go to http://www.westarkchurchofchrist.org/cure/ .

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**Re-Keying Update**
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.

On September 14 -- all the interior door keys in the main building will change and new locks added to Gateway and Flock areas.

**LTC Sign-Up**
You can sign-up through September 18. Sheets are posted on the bulletin board in the foyer. Contact Clark Risley or Nancy Smith if you have questions.

**Recycling for Hurricane Relief**
Thad Stancil and the Cook Elementary 2nd Graders are collecting and recycling old cell phones, empty printer ink cartridges, and laptop computers. A collection box is in the foyer. Proceeds will benefit a Hurricane Katrina Relief fund.

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When extreme tragedies take place around us, we are reminded of our need to completely rely on God. Sometimes we fail to realize this when things are going well for us and we tend to think our good fortune is due to our own abilities and hard work.

This past week has reminded us that God is in control of everything. Things can change in the blinking of an eye. Hopefully, these experiences will put our focus back on Christ and lead us into deeper dependence on Him.

We have a great weekend planned for our teens and families this Saturday and Sunday that is designed to help focus us completely on our Savior and what he has done for us. We will be taking about 35 teens and parents from West-Ark to two different events in NW Arkansas.

On Saturday, we will travel to Eureka Springs for the day. Most of our group has never been to the Passion Play. Those of you who have seen it know how much of an impact it can have on your spiritual life. It helps you visualize the story of Jesus Christ from his triumphal entry into Jerusalem all the way through his death, burial and resurrection.

We will spend the night in Eureka and worship together on Sunday morning. Then we will travel back to Springdale. The Robinson Avenue Church of Christ in Springdale will be hosting the first Sunday Night Live Youth Series of the fall. We will join about 300 area teens and adults for a night of worship and fellowship. We will return about 9:00 p.m. on Sunday night.

I am thankful for weekends like this that enable our families to get away from the busyness of the world around them long enough to focus as a family on their Savior Jesus Christ. I hope you all return inspired, uplifted, and ready to make disciples for Jesus who are eager to do go works.

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 603
Bible Classes 450
Sunday Evening 319
Wednesday PM 305
Contribution $17,290
Childrens Home $268
Laotian Contribution $213
Laotian Attendance 28
The Way Attendance 35
The Way Contribution $90
Hispanic Contribution $213
Hispanic Attendance 28

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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