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Family
Lines Newsletter, January 5,
2006
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**Faith Comes By Hearing**
By Chris Benjamin
How are your New Year's resolutions coming
along? Have you started?
Have you already quit? My hope is that
you will find the encouragement to succeed in every good effort you have
resolved to do. I also hope your resolutions include spiritual
growth. As we begin 2006, let me invite you to participate in an
opportunity for our congregation to grow spiritually.
During the Jan. 1 evening service, our elders
shared their hopes and dreams for the congregation. It was encouraging to
hear them speak about our families growing stronger, our ministries growing
stronger, our enthusiasm for worship and the gospel growing deeper, and all of
us in our thoughts and actions becoming more like Christ. Essential to the
realization of all of these dreams is immersion into and familiarity with God's
Word.
In worship on the next two Sundays (Jan 8 and 15) I
will describe a congregational effort for every member to read or listen to the
New Testament by April 21. Two methods to succeed in a resolution are: 1)
to draw support from others who are striving for the same goal, and 2) to be
intentional and organized with the time required to meet your goal. A
group known as Hosanna has made the second technique very easy. They have
developed 40-day, 60-day, and 90-day reading schedules. Additionally they
have produced audio versions of the Bible on CD and cassette tape in a variety
of versions (KJV, NRSV, NIV, CEV). A set of New Testament tapes or CD's
ranges from $22 to $49 depending on version and format. The convenience of
listening to the Bible gives you the option of hearing God's Word as you drive
to work or school or while involved in your daily routine. You could
listen to the entire New Testament in 90 days if you simply listened 12 minutes
a day. You could do the same in 40 days by listening for just 28 minutes a
day.
I believe in the benefit and importance of everyone
spending time absorbing the Word of God. I believe in it so much that I am
taking a risk championing what could seem like a fundraiser or a sales pitch.
Let me affirm the following: 1) This isn't a fundraiser. Neither
the congregation nor I profit financially from the sale of audio Bibles.
2) No one will be pressured or required to purchase an audio bible to
participate. If you would prefer to read your Bible then the same result
is achieved. If you already have a set of Bible tapes or want to check one
out of the public library, I encourage you to use those. 3) There may be
some who are financially unable to afford even the least expensive audio Bible
but would really like to listen to the tapes. I urge us to be a sharing
congregation. Split the cost with friends and listen to different
portions. If you have the means, consider purchasing an audio Bible for
those who are not able. 4) Hosanna is a nonprofit ministry. I have worked
with their materials before and am pleased by their integrity and
thoughtfulness, but I am not their salesman. I have simply reasoned that
many of us will spend $22 to $49 for a month of cable, attendance to movies, a
sporting event, DVD's, MP3's, or other media and entertainment. Why not
spend the same amount on God's Word and listen to it daily?
Let's do this together. As our families and
congregation share this journey of growth in God's Word I think we will find the
power and passion to live out our mission of . . . Making Disciples for
Jesus Who Are Eager to Serve Others.
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**Remember in Prayer**
• Anita Livesay had
cancer surgery Thursday. She is doing well and is in room 494 in Sparks
Hospital.
• Barbara Miller had cancer surgery Thursday afternoon at Sparks
Hospital.
• Joan Jenkins (Kerry’s mom) received a very good report on her
last check-up. The cancer is arrested, and she will not have chemotherapy for
three months.
• Geneva Shepherd is sick at home with a heart condition.
• Joel Prigge (Louise Howard’s brother-in-law) has had his first round
of chemotherapy. He will be having chemotherapy once a month for a week.
They request prayers that his body will respond to the treatments.
**Continued Prayers**
(Alphabetical by first
name)
• Bob Klee (father of Georgia Gilley)
• Duane Walker
• Glen
Gilley
• Jane Dunavin McGowan
• Jim McCartney (Peggy Pistole’s brother)
• Layne Downs
• Luther "Odell" Bryan (father of Karan Tygart)
• Maile
McDonald
• Rita Harriman
• Wendell Fenton (father of Natalie
Nelson)
**Memorials**
• Memorials for Sam Roberts may be
sent to Columbia Christian Academy, 1101 W. 7th, Columbia TN 38401
**Address Change**
Willie Lyle
715 Bella
Vista Avenue, Apt. 302
Van Buren, AR 72956
Phone 474-3941
**New Address**
Anita Maxwell
4446 Clear
Creek Blvd.
Fayetteville, AR 72704
**Notes of Thanks**
Thank
you for the beautiful Chinese Evergreen plant.
Also, thank you for the
wonderful dinner after our service.
And most of all, thank you, for your
prayers, cards, and love during this time.
In Christian Love,
Margaret Thompson
James,
Mitty, Stephen and David
I want to thank everyone for their turnout when
Jess was missing. Your prayers are greatly appreciated. I think the prayers are
what helped us to find Jess. He is now doing well.
The Jess Huff
Family
Dear Church Friends,
Thank you so much for the
prayers, cards and the beautiful peace lily that we received during our sorrow
for my sister, Hazel Nation, of Morrilton.
Isaac and Virginia
Mobley
Dear Church family,
Thank you for all the love
and support given, for the cards, visits, prayers and coming to visitation and
to mother’s funeral.
Thank you to Roy for his comforting message at the
funeral. Another big thank you to all involved in the family meal that was
served to us in the FLC after the funeral. Also, thank you for the pretty peace
lily.
In Christ,
The family of Zoe Golda Sidler
Doyle and Judy Zoe
Wright
Paul D. and Mary Sidler
Dear Church family,
During the past five years I
have had more than my share of health problems. During that time until now you
have remembered me with cards, phone calls, food, gifts, and prayers. Your love
and encouragement have blessed me so much. May God bless each of us as we all
grow in the love and understanding of Jesus Christ.
Sarah Virginia
Newton
**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, Jacob Roper, Jackie Luong, and Bob Mason.
Ronnie Wheat is back from Iraq for at least 1 year.
God looked after him and answered our prayers. He is my nephew.
Retha
Wood
**Prayer for Missionaries **
• Our missionaries
in Laos and Vietnam.
• John Paul & Ruby Lee Hundley in
France.
**Attention Men**
Special Announcement: On
Tuesday mornings at 10 a.m., February 7, 2006, David Chadwell and Russ McConnell
will begin a men’s class in the annex (by the offices). A study of Luke
will begin this class. That study will lead into a study of Acts.
The class is open to men of any age. If you plan to attend the class,
please call the office
or tell David or Russ.
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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.
LTC January Schedule
Sunday, January 8
• 3:00
Sr. High Chorus
• 4:00 Sr. High Bible Bowl
• 5:00 Sr. High Drama
• 5:00
Elementary Chorus
• 6:00 Elementary Puppets
Sunday, January 15
• 3:00 Sr. High Chorus
•
4:00 Sr. High Bible Bowl
• 5:00 Elementary Chorus & Jr. /Sr.
Puppets
• 6:00 Elementary Puppets
Sunday, January 22
• 3:00 Sr. High Chorus
•
4:00 Sr. High Bible Bowl
• 5:00 Sr. High Drama
• 5:00 Elementary
Chorus
• 6:00 Elementary Puppets
• TBA
• Sr. High Drama
Sunday, January 29
• 3:00 Sr. High Chorus
•
4:00 Sr. High Bible Bowl
• 5:00 Elementary Chorus & Jr. Sr. Puppets
•
6:00 Elementary Drama
**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
February 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 Register online
at http://www.westarkchurchofchrist.org/retreat.htm
or at the Information Center. Christy Anders, Jeanie McDonald, and Jennifer
Jennen will be collecting the money. Women need to sign up and pay by January
22nd.
**“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.
**Happy Birthday**
January 1
Ana Evans
Ron Moreton
Billie
Neisler
Barry Reagan
Charlotte Reagan
Sondra Wiggins
Julie
Wilson
January 3
Dale Mason
January 4
Kindy Kweekul
Casey
Oliver
January 5
Lane Haworth
David
Orick
January 6
Coleen Shirley
January 7
Pauline Alberty
January 8
Patti Anderson
Rex
Mason
January 9
Jessica Frost
Bill Kamp
Marcia
Tomlin
January 10
Russell Burger
Judy
Wright
January 11
Nancy James
Nathan
Kimbrow
January 12
Sam Lively
Tyler
Robbins
Charlotte Rye
January 13
Reynda Allen
Florence
Cotner
January 15
Cathy Breedlove
Seth
Dunavant
Sandra Pearson
**GUYANA MISSION TEAM MEETING**
All those
interested in teaching the Bible or providing health care in Guyana, June 3-11,
2006, please meet in Room 100 at 8 p.m. on Wednesday evening,
January 11th.
If you cannot attend or have questions, please see Michael or Jeannie
Cole.
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**Family Life Ministry**
By Brad
Pistole
*2006 Plans*
As the New Year gets underway, I am busy making
final plans for the summer of 2006. But before we look too far into the future,
I don’t want us to miss out on the great things God has planned for our youth
group in the coming weeks.
I will be the guest speaker at the “Set Your
Sights” retreat in Hot Springs, January 13th-15th and some of our students will
travel with me for the weekend. There will be youth groups present from AR, OK,
TX, and LA. The theme for the weekend is “Pass the Salt” and Terri Davis from
Dallas Christian will also be there to lead Worship.
Then, we will be taking our High School students to
Winterfest in Dallas, TX the weekend of January 20-22. The theme for this year
is “Rock Solid.” We will leave Friday after school and we will return Sunday by
6 p.m.
Finally, we are almost finished with plans for
Winter Retreat ’06, which will take place the weekend of February 3-5 in Siloam
Springs. This is one of the best weekends of the year.
**A.M.
Nursery**
Trish Carson
Morgan Dunavin
Dwonne Cogswell
Vicki
Anderson
**P.M. Nursery**
Terri Jones
Marquetta Walker
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM
Worship 653
Bible Classes 358
Sunday Evening NC
Wednesday Evening
287
Contribution $17,339
Children’s Home $222
Laotian
Attendance 65
Laotian Contribution $250
Hispanic Contribution
$171
Hispanic Attendance 44
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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