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Family Lines Newsletter, December 29, 2005
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**I Am Proud to Be Part of You!**
By David Chadwell
 
The week of December 18 through 24 had to be one of the saddest in the history of this congregation.  On Monday we said our good-byes to Jeremy Harper after a tragic accident took his life.  We sought to extend our comfort to his parents, brother, sister, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins—many of whom are members of this congregation. 
 
Tuesday we said farewell to George Thompson.  After a long and valiant fight, George surrendered to the devastation of Parkinson’s disease.  Again, we sought to extend comfort to Margaret, his sons, and his daughter.
 
Thursday we still again said good-bye to Thelma Blackburn as we sought to extend comfort to her daughter and extended family.  Thelma at 94 had been sick for years and was unable to be with her spiritual family.
 
For a few hours Friday night, it seemed sadness would visit us again.  Jess Huff in a state of extreme confusion and weakness disappeared.  Thankfully he was found in good condition after many of you spent a nervous period of anxiety.
 
I was proud of all the expressions of concern and outpouring of helpfulness throughout the week—everything from food coordination to visits!  As powerful as all the expressions were on Monday and Tuesday, nothing made me more proud than the support the congregation gave the Blackburn family on Thursday.
 
Jeremy we knew.  He grew up in this congregation.  We saw his family every week.  Roy was a part of the staff here for over 25 years and is now one of our elders.  George and Margaret were here every week.  He and Margaret were a weekly illustration of courage and faith in trying circumstances.  Just their presence gave many of us strength.
 
Thelma was not known by many of us.  She had been seriously ill for years.  The past two years she suffered from Alzheimer’s.  Illness and age prevented her from attending.  And yet many who never met her were present Thursday to extend caring and comfort to the family.  The family wanted her funeral in our auditorium.  The full family numbered considerable less than twenty—in a room that would seat almost a thousand! 
 
I have no doubt that we all were emotionally and physically exhausted that Thursday.  It was a demanding, exhausting week!  Still to come was Christmas day in only three days.  Yet, you still came and in your weariness once again extended comfort by your presence and your words.
 
The biggest message we have to share with our community is who we are by virtue of Jesus Christ’s blessings and influence in our lives.  In today’s realities, that is declared as certainly by our priorities in our lives as by our words. Last week you made a powerful statement by demonstrating your priorities.  Thank you!
 
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**Remember in Prayer**
• Rita Harriman (formerly of West-Ark) is recovering from surgery for lung cancer at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville, AR. If you would like to send Jack & Rita a card, their address is 2130 N. Center Street, Fayetteville, AR 72701.
• Jane Dunavin McGowan had ovarian cancer surgery 12/28/05 at Columbia University in New York. Doctors believe they removed all the cancer, and she will have follow-up chemotherapy after returning home.
• Praise! Brady Burress’s EEG was normal, and he is feeling good this week. He may not require any more tests.
 
**Continued Prayers**
(Alphabetical by first name)
• Bob Klee (father of Georgia Gilley)
• Duane Walker
• Glen Gilley
• Joel Prigge (Louise Howard’s brother-in-law)
• Jim McCartney (Peggy Pistole’s brother)
• Layne Downs
• Luther "Odell" Bryan (father of Karan Tygart)
• Maile McDonald
• Wanda Wooster
• Wendell Fenton (father of Natalie Nelson)
 
**Prayers for the Bereaved**
As David wrote on page 1 of this newsletter, our church family has suffered many losses in the past few weeks. Please seek to comfort the grieving families in every way you can. Our love, sympathy, and prayers go out to the following families:
• Mitch, Robin, Elizabeth & Chandler Harper in the death of Jeremy (age 24) on December 16. Funeral services were December 19 here at West-Ark. The extended family at West-Ark includes Roy & Joyce Dunavin (grandparents) and Kelvin & Julie Kleman (uncle & aunt) and many loving cousins. Memorials may be made to West-Ark Church of Christ Missions or The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 77 West Port Plaza, Suite 101, St. Louis, MO 63146.
• Margaret Thompson and David Thompson & family in the death of George (husband, father & grandfather) on December 17. Graveside services were December 20 at Rose Lawn Cemetery in Fort Smith. Memorials may be given to West-Ark Church of Christ or Parkinson’s Association, 135 Parkinson Ave., Staten Island NY 10305.
• Tom King in the death of his brother, Ralph, who died December 19th in Golden Valley, Arizona.
• Friends of Thelma Blackburn (age 94), who died December 19. Funeral services were December 22 here at West-Ark.
• Many friends of Sam Roberts (former West-Ark elder) who died December 21 in Tennessee after a massive stroke. If you would like to send a card to Lucy Roberts, her address is 1305 Crofton Park Court, Columbia, TN 38401.
 
**Notes of Thanks**
[Margaret gave us permission to share this note from George.]
To West-Ark Family,
Many thanks for all the prayers, cards, and visits while I was in the hospital.
 In Christian love,
 George Thompson
 
Our thanks goes out to all the ladies who hosted us and cooked and served us the lovely meal, many of whom didn't even get to eat it!  Thanks to those who tended our children (husbands especially)!  Thanks for making us feel special and very loved.  We thank you for your fellowship and your examples of servitude.  Thanks to Paula and Wilma for sharing your stories and time with us.  We are blessed!  You are women of Proverbs 31, with much to do, yet you spent your time with us.  We love you.
The recipients of "Motherly Love"  Titus 2:3-5
 
To my wonderful church family:
Thank you all so much for the many cards, phone calls, and visits.  God has worked through so many of you to encourage and care for me & my family.  You have been such a blessing to us.
I especially appreciate all of your prayers.  The prayer pager was wonderful!  There were many times that it would buzz at a moment when I really needed the encouragement.
Please continue to pray for a diagnosis and a speedy recovery.
 Love,
 Staci James
 
**Prayer Pagers**
• Corey Johnson 784-7490
• Duane Walker 441-2593
• Maile McDonald 441-6639
• Brady Burress & Family 441-2591
 
**Prayers for Men in Service**
Shane L. Newton, Adam Morrissun, Ronnie Wheat, Jacob Roper, Jackie Luong, Alan Todd, Cecil Henry and Bob Mason.
 
**Missionaries in Prayer**
• Our missionaries in Laos and Vietnam.
• John Paul & Ruby Lee Hundley in  France.
 
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**LTC Announcements**
LTC Coaches: all materials for Pre- Convention events must be turned into Nancy Smith or Clark Risley by February 3, 2006.
 
Sunday, January 8
• 3:00 Sr. High Chorus
• 4:00 Sr. High Bible Bowl
• 5:00 Sr. High Drama
• 5:00 Elementary Chorus
• 5:00 Sr. High Drama
• 6:00 Elementary Puppets
 
**Reminders**
• There is no Car Clinic or Widows/ Widowers Luncheon in January.
• Church Photo Directories are completed! Please pick up your copy in the foyer.
 
**Women’s Retreat**
Our Women’s Retreat is Feb. 3rd and 4th at Mt. Sequoyah in Fayetteville!  Our theme this year is “Relationships of Women” (Romans 1:12). The cost will be $50 per person for rooms with two or more individuals, and for those wanting to room alone the cost will be $60.  Register online at www.westark.org or at the Information Center. Christy Anders, Jeanie McDonald, and Jennifer Jennen will be collecting the money. 
 
**“Joy Bunch” Ladies**
If you are interested in modeling one of the “fashions” for January’s Fashion Show, please contact Danna Turpin. Approximately 12 ladies are needed. Each fashion requires a minimal amount of preparation. Leave message if no answer.
 
**Harding University Chorus**
Monday, January 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Sallisaw Church of Christ
 
**Adult Bible Classes at West-Ark**
1st Quarter, January - March, 2006
 
Sunday Morning, 9:30 a.m.
 
Location  * Teacher(s) * Subject
Auditorium * Roy Dunavin * Titus
Room 100 * Kevin Roberts * Obedience, God’s Diamond
Room 215 * Michael & Jeannie Cole * Song of Solomon (for young married)
Annex/Conf. Room * Phillip Burns * Young adults class
Room 203 * David Chadwell * Obedience, God’s Diamond
Room 210 * Jerry Canfield, Gary Brown * II Kings and Chronicles
Room 211 * Larry Roper, Bob Fisher * Obedience, God’s Diamond
Annex Fellowship * John Priester * College class
Library  * Bill Dickey * Acts
Room 202 * Thomas Kweekul * Lao men’s Bible Class
Room 206A * Meg Canfield * Lao ladies’ Bible Class
Room 206B * Harold Davis * Lao teens’ Bible class
 
*Wednesday Night, 7:00 p.m.*
 
Location  * Teacher(s) * Subject
Auditorium * David Chadwell * Intensive Bible Study
Room 106 * varies * "Peak of the Week" (NOTE: This is a new location for PEAK)
Annex  * John Priester * College class
Rooms 211/210 * Ladies’ WINGS * David: Echoing His Heartbeat
 
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**Family Life Ministry**
By Brad Pistole
 
As I look back on the year that has just past, I am thankful for so many things. Since one of my favorite verses in scripture is III John verse 4 which says, “I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my children are walking in the truth,” I guess I should start with the new births.
 
We experienced 15 new births into Christ in our youth program in 2005. Praise God for that! I am thankful for the hearts and the commitments of Morgan Dunavin, Dillon Branham, Trevor Branham, Cody Stafford, John Bradley Smith, Courtney Griffin, Jamie Redmond, Reanna Pearson, Emily Glidewill, Alex Tomlin, Azia Blasdel, Troy Mills, Brandon Yowell, Brad Moore, and David Orick.
 
Please continue to pray for these new babes in Christ. I know many of them have suffered through the growing pains that come with being a new child of God, just as we all have, and they need our support. Satan will do all he can to steal their joy and lead them away from their first love.
 
And please continue to pray for all of our young people in their journey through this world. Pray for them to remain focused on Christ and for them to remember the words found in Romans 12:1-2. As a matter of fact, pray that prayer for all of us.
 
Finally, I am thankful for the life of Jeremy Harper. I love him and I miss him! He meant so much to me as he did to all of you! There are so many things I will remember about him every day. His picture is on the wall right above my computer and I thank God for the memories that will come my way each time I look at him.
 
Thank you God for the people and the relationships you send our way to help strengthen us in the journey of life.
 
They lead us closer to you. Help us to follow the words of Paul and remember to be “imitators of Christ” so others can follow.
 
**A.M. Nursery**
Melissa Walker
Dena Jenkins
 
**P.M. Nursery**
Dixie Burkhart
Gina Williams
 
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 633
Bible Classes  284
Sunday Evening 161
 Wednesday Evening NC
Contribution   $14,606
Children’s Home $169
Laotian Attendance 31
Laotian Contribution $173
Hispanic Contribution $193
Hispanic Attendance 35
 
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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