West-Ark Newsletter, 13 October 2005

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Family Lines Newsletter, October 13, 2005
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This fall we are working to cultivate the fruit of the spirit in our life together at West-Ark. We have examined ways to cultivate love, joy, peace. Below is a schedule of the remaining descriptions of the fruit of the spirit. Also on the schedule is our Mission Sunday (Nov. 6). This is our opportunity to make a special contribution for mission efforts supported by this congregation.

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**The Wonder Working Power of Prayer**
Dave Moore, Missy Blasdels father, will move to the Sparks Hospital Hospice unit today (10/13/05).
Russ McConnell (Sandy Bergers father) is in Sparks Hospital for tests.
Reba Shaddox (Rochelle Browns mother) is in the hospital in Fayetteville having tests.
Shirley Webb is in HealthSouth, Room 214A.
Anna Ramsey is in room 5401 in St. Edward Hospital.
Jess Huff has shingles around his chest and is in a great deal of pain. He is in isolation at Methodist Nursing Home.
Wendell Fenton (father of Natalie Nelson) had his second stem cell transplant on 10/12/05 and will be in Little Rock for about 4 weeks.
Leo Atkins has been dismissed from the hospital.

**Continued Prayers**
Chuck Cunningham (former West-Ark member)
Joan Jenkins (Kerrys mom)
Barbara Perkins (Janet Jacksons mother)
Brian Stone (grandson of G.C. & Margaret)
Vicki Varvel (daughter of John and Nadine Hawkins)
Bob Callicott (father of Ann Combs)
Maile McDonald

**Prayers for Military**
Shane L. Newton, Adam Morrissun, Ronnie Wheat, David Jennen, Jacob Roper, Jackie Luong, Joe Armstrong, Alan Todd, Michael Gooden, Brian Perkins, and Cecil Henry.

**Notes of Thanks**
Dear Church Family,
Thanks for all the cards, calls, prayers and food sent to me during my eye surgery. I know in time God will bless me with good sight. May God continue to bless all of you.
All my love,
Retha Wood

Dear Church Family,
Thank you so much for the visits and prayers while I was in the hospital. Also thanks to the ones who sent food. We really appreciated it. The prayer pager was a real comfort and blessing to me. Thanks again for all the calls and prayers.
In Christian Love,
Donna Lindgren

**Childrens Worship Need**
We still need a teacher for 2 years old children's worship. This is only a commitment of one week per month. Please contact Kerry Jenkins if you can help.

**Fall Fest Fun Fellowship**
Fall Fest is Saturday, October 29, from 6:00-7:30 pm. It's not too late to sign up to help! We still have booths available, so sign up today on the bulletin board in the foyer. Being responsible for a booth simply means that you will set up the booth (everything will be provided for you) and man it (or get someone who will.) If you are unable to help with a booth, we need cupcakes for the cake walk and other donations will gladly be accepted! Contact Tiffany Null or Dena Jenkins with any questions.

**Baby Clothes Needed**
Oscar Nolasco is collecting baby clothes for someone who is expecting a baby girl in 6-8 weeks. If you have baby clothes new or used, please bring them to the church office.

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**LIFE Groups for Fall and Spring 2005-2006**
You can still get involved in any of our eight LIFE groups. The LIFE Groups are studying the same material that we are using on Sunday morning Life on the Vine. LIFE Groups are a great opportunity for you and your family to build relationships with others and grow in your study of Gods word. If you have an interest in any of these groups, please contact the group leader family.

Number Leader/Family Meeting Place Meeting Time
Group 1 Blake Frost & Hank Watlington 1313 North 58th Terrace, Ft. Smith 6 PM
Group 2 David Barker 2502 Dexter St., Arkoma 6 PM
Group 3 Mark Anders & Larry Roper 1606 Broken Hill, Van Buren 5 PM
Group 4 Glynn Parker & Tim Parker 3963 Westwood Hills Dr., Rudy 6 PM
Group 5 Joe Pistole & Bob Null Rotates, call for info 6 PM
Group 6 David Dickey & Chris Benjamin 2922 Ionia, Ft. Smith 5 PM
Group 7 Jack Lewis West-Ark bldg, Room 203 6 PM
Group 8 Greg Null West-Ark bldg, Room 222 6 PM

**Lions for Christ (LFC)**
The Lions for Christ Fall Retreat will be October 21-23 at Green Valley Bible Camp. Randy Daughtry will be our guest speaker. Cost is only $10.
The LFC's are going skiing! John is now collecting ski deposits from college students who are interested in joining us the first week of January. First deposit is $60 and is due by October 23rd.

**Were Cleaning Up Our Act!**
... Or at least the Resource Room. If you have items that have been stored in the downstairs Resource Room, please contact Dena Jenkins by this weekend. Any items that remain unclaimed will be either discarded or put into the Resource Room inventory.

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Are there certain weeks/dates on the calendar each year that make you stop and reflect on your life? If youre like most people, Im sure there are at least two or three occasions like this each year.

This might be a time of joy like a special holiday, a birthday, or a family reunion when you celebrate with families and friends. These times remind us of how important others are to us and they remind us to be thankful for our blessings.

It could also be a time of sorrow like the memory of a major illness, the death of a close friend, of a family member, or the memory of a tragedy that has occurred in your life or in the life of someone close to you. These times remind us of how fragile life is, and we often realize the need to make the most of the time God has given us.

There are several times like this for me each year. When the calendar falls on certain dates, the people who really know me know these days will hold certain memories for me. They can expect me to be different on these days. These are the days that put everything into perspective for me.

This week I am reminded of many things. I remember the call I received on Friday night one year ago, when Trish Carson called me about John and told me about his accident in a football game in Harrison. I remember the whirlwind of emotions that came the following week as we sat with John in ICU praying for God to heal him.

I also remember this weekend as the date when two different people that I dearly love lost someone very close to them. And it feels as if I were experiencing that loss with them. (I Cor. 12:25-26)

These events and these dates can be life-changing if we learn to put them in Gods hands and let Him use them as He continues to mold and shape us. May we learn to look upon our times of joy and our times of sorrow as blessings because we understand that through our faith in God he will use these experiences to make us who He wants us to be. (Psalm 34:8, 136)

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 630
Bible Classes 484
Sunday Evening 433
Life Groups 79
Wednesday PM 365
Contribution $14,472
Childrens Home $178
Laotian Contribution $211
Laotian Attendance 29
Hispanic Contribution $152
Hispanic Attendance 40

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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