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Family Lines Newsletter, October 6, 2005
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**Focusing on God’s Concern**
By David Chadwell
 
The concluding verse of the minor prophet Jonah spoke in God’s voice: "Should I not have compassion on Nineveh, the great city in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know the difference between their right and left hand, as well as many animals?”  (Jonah 4:11)
 
Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:43-48)
 
AND "Whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.”
 
AND "Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me."  (Matthew 25:40)
 
Paul wrote, "For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.  For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."  (Romans 5:6-8)
 
The storms have come and gone.  The horrible pictures that filled the TV screen and newspaper for days have been replaced with other concerns of the moment.  Yet, much of the destruction remains.  Homes are destroyed.  People are displaced.  Jobs have vanished.  Folks, just like us, struggle every single day to survive with no income, home, or end in sight.  Their material hopes are the remembrances and generosity of people they will never meet.
 
Hunger is hunger.  No electricity is the same for everyone.  No running water is disaster for anyone.  No sewage system is a nightmare for any family.  No gasoline—what do you mean no gasoline?
 
Keep your hearts open.  Pray for our drivers as they haul supplies to the Gulf.  Help any and every way you can.  Caring for those in need is not all of righteousness, but it is definitely a huge part of it.
 
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**Remember in Prayer**
• Tim and Kristin Smith request your prayers for their newborn son, Dalton. Doctors have a few concerns and are running some tests this afternoon (Thursday). 
• Remember Mark Hite (our disaster relief coordinator), Kevin Vaught, and our CURE truck drivers as they travel and work in the Gulf Coast areas.
• Shannon McCray has been dismissed from the hospital.
• Donna Lindgren continues to recover from neck surgery.
• Anna Ramsey has moved to room 5401 in St. Edward Hospital.
• Florence Cotner is sore and bruised from her car accident. She had surgery on a broken elbow and is now home.
• Marceil Stevens (formerly of West-Ark) will have back surgery on 10/10/05. She would love to hear from her friends here. You may write to her in care of Alice Anderson, 6407 Green Oak, Plano, TX 75023.
 
**Continued Prayers**
(Those who are fighting cancer.)
•  Chuck Cunningham (former West-Ark member) is beginning a new type of radiation treatment for cancer. The treatments are October 12-14.
•  Joan Jenkins (Kerry’s mom)
• Dave Moore, Missy Blasdel’s father
• Barbara Perkins (Janet Jackson’s mother)
• Brian Stone (grandson of G.C. & Margaret)
• Vicki Varvel (daughter of John and Nadine Hawkins)
• Bob Callicott (father of Ann Combs)
• Maile McDonald
 
**Prayer Pagers**
• Maile McDonald, 441-6639
• Joan Jenkins, 1-800-421-5436
• Duane Walker, 441-2593
• Donna Lindgren, 441-1648
 
**Prayers for Men in Service**
Praise! Aaron Bailey has returned to the United States. Please continue to pray for Shane L. Newton, Adam Morrissun, Ronnie Wheat, David Jennen, Jacob Roper, Jackie Luong, Joe Armstrong, Alan Todd, Michael Gooden, Brian Perkins, and Cecil Henry.
 
**Missionaries in Prayer**
• Our missionaries in Laos and Vietnam.
• John Paul & Ruby Lee Hundley in France
 
**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Keli Rothwell in the sudden death of her father, Adriane Maynard.  Funeral services were Tuesday in Nash, Texas. Chuck and Keli Rothwell are new members of West-Ark. Their address is 5100 Zero Street, Apt. 3204, Fort Smith, AR 72903.
 
**Placing Membership**
Russ & Jean McConnell
The McConnells are Sandy Berger’s parents. They are currently living with the Bergers until they buy a home. They are retired from full-time ministry in the New England area.
 
Scott & Cara Hickey
Forrest & Haley
1525 Thistle Circle
Greenwood AR 72936
(479) 996-9419
 
**Address Change**
Greg, Brenda & Alisha Wewers
470743 E. 1125 Road
Muldrow, OK 74948
This change is for 911 purposes. The Wewers have not moved.
 
**Tutor Subs Needed**
Sign up to be a substitute tutor for our regular tutors (on Tuesdays). Call Sheila Vaught – she needs your help!
 
**Blessed Event!**
Congratulations to Tim & Kristin Smith and big brother, Ian, on the birth of Dalton Steven Smith, born October 5th. 
 
**Notes of Thanks**
Dear West-Ark Family,
Thanks so much for your care and support at the death of our mother and grandmother. We appreciated the food you provided, the visits, cards, and beautiful peace lily.
 John, Beverly & Kara Lankford
 Josh, Kim & Noah Bice
 
Thanks so much for the beautiful plant. Thanks for your thoughts, kindness and concern.
 Love,
 Beverly Evans
 Brent Evans Family
 
**Joy Bunch!**
Dress up Halloween party, October 15, 6 p.m. in the FLC.
 
**New Wednesday Night Class**
“Practicing the Spiritual Disciplines”
This class is taught by Gary Brown in Room 203 (following auditorium devotional). Some topics to be discussed include fasting, prayer, meditation, and study.
 
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**Photos for Church Directory**
A Repeat of the Sunday Morning Opportunity
 
Because there was such a great response to last Sunday’s request to have pictures made, we will provide the opportunity again this Sunday October 9.
 
Joe Rosalez and Mat Griffin will be at the building to take pictures before class and after Sunday morning worship service. They will stay as long as it takes.
 
Come to classroom 100 after worship, and they will take your picture at that time. It will not take more than 2-3 minutes per picture.
 
This Sunday, October 9, will be the last scheduled time at the building to take pictures. If you still desire to have a picture taken after Sunday, please call Mat Griffin and he will work out a convenient time for you.
 
Questions? Please call Mat Griffin.
 
Remember Casual dress is ok.  These are family photos.
 
**Suitcases for Evacuees**
We are collecting used suitcases for Hurricane Katrina and Rita evacuees who are carrying their belongings in garbage sacks. Bring your suitcases to the FLC. See Gary Brown or Lynn Dickey if you have questions.
 
$$Disaster Relief Funds Needed$$
The need is still critical for funds to continue our disaster relief efforts on the Gulf Coast. The special contribution funds have been exhausted. Please pray and consider what you can do to help.
 
**Fall Festival**
Thursday, October 29, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
 
**Children’s Worship **
A teacher is needed for Sunday morning Children's Worship, 2 year old class, for the first Sunday of the month.  If you can help please contact Kerry Jenkins.
 
**Happy Birthday**
 
October 9
Jeanetta Falls
Cecil Henry
Billy Yowell
 
October 10
Kevin Vaught
 
October 11
Ellen Seiter
 
October 12
Berniece Rogers
 
October 13
Sheila Bailey
Taylor Hankins
Hannah Watlington
 
October 14
Nancy Smith
 
October 15
Robert Willett
 
October 16
Richard Adams
Parker Bailey
Ann Combs
Jerry Glidewell
 
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**Family Life Ministry**
By Brad Pistole
 
West-Ark Youth Group hosts “Sunday Night Live”
this coming Sunday night, October 9th
from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. in the West-Ark Family Life Center.
We expect 300 area 7th-12th graders from various churches
in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri.
Come join us for a great night of worship and fellowship!
Our teens need to bring a 2-liter and a dessert.
A meal will be provided.
 
**Morning Nursery**
Trish Carson
Morgan Dunavin
Dwonne Cogswell
Vicki Anderson
 
**Evening Nursery**
Terri Jones
Marquetta Walker
 
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 664
Bible Classes  434
Sunday Evening 316
Life Groups 93
Wednesday PM  337
Contribution   $17,850
Children’s Home $228 
Laotian Contribution $197
Laotian Attendance 29
Hispanic Contribution $168
Hispanic Attendance 51

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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