West-Ark Newsletter, 6 April 2006

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Family Lines Newsletter, April 6, 2006
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2 Timothy 2:14,15 Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

It is easy to indoctrinate. It is hard to teach. Why? Indoctrination only requires that willing people give you their minds for you to tell them what to accept. Teaching requires the student to possess his own thoughts, but to learn how to think. It is harder to teach people to possess their thoughts and think than it is to capture minds of willing people and tell them what to think.

For a number of reasons, I rarely discuss the death of a member in this article. In this article, I make an exception. Richard Hostetler died last Friday in Sallisaw, Oklahoma after a lengthy illness. Richard was a member of this congregation, but had not been able to attend for health reasons for a few months.

Early after I came to work with you, Richardafter hearing a few lessonscame to me to offer what I would call insightful encouragement. Frequently he would specifically encourage me in some matter. His insights were always appreciated.

Since his death, two members of the class he was in stated how much he would be missed. Both commented on his biblical scholarship. One discussed his positive attitude and his insightfulness. Both observed what an addition to the class he was. When was the last time you heard members of a class grieve the loss of a Bible scholar and a positive attitude in their Bible class? Richard, all those who were blessed by you will miss you!

This Sunday Ron Brown will be visiting with us. He is an elder in the Peachtree City congregation in Peachtree City, Georgia. He has served as a missionary outside the USA for 26 years, and 7 of those were in China. He will be the teacher upstairs in room 202 Sunday morning and speak in the Sunday evening auditorium assembly. Basically, he wishes to share with us how the gospel is at work in China. He has made preparation to illustrate his remarks. This will be another reminder of how God is at work in our world.

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**Prayers and Thanksgiving**
Alice Jean Rogers angiogram was good with no major blockages.
Chuck Cunningham had surgery for a reoccurring brain tumor this week in Colorado, and is now home. He is in pain, but doing well a pathology report will come later.
David Hardy (recovering from kidney surgery)
Guy Foster (Lyndells brother) is improving -- read an update in Notes of Thanks.
Hunter Hesslen goes to Arkansas Children's Hospital for his sleep deprived EEG and consultation with the pediatric neurologist on Tuesday, April 11.
Joan Jenkins (cancer treatment)
Joel Prigge (brother-in-law of Louise Howard; cancer treatment)
Malcomb Gordey is in Sparks Hospital, room 694. He is the uncle of Donna Miller, Marilyn Selby and Laura Smith.
Myra Flippo is scheduled for lung surgery on April 10th at Sparks Hospital.
Paul & Marlene Tuckers 15 month old grandson
Raegon Waid (9 ½ week old niece of Patrick and Dana Pruitt)
Ralph James (Garys father) had a minor stroke Saturday that has affected mostly his legs.
Sandy Ahart, aunt of Brian Robbins (lung cancer).
Vicki Anderson (recovering from surgery.

**Bereaved**
We received word that Richard Hostetler died Friday afternoon in Sallisaw. Funeral services were Tuesday in Little Rock. Our love and sympathy is extended to his wife Darlene and daughter Rhonda. If you would like to send Rhonda a card, her address is Rhonda Agent, 2708 King Avenue, Sallisaw, OK 74955.

Our love and sympathy is also extended to Jim Roughley in the death of his wife, Vicki. The Roughleys were in California, where Vicki was having surgery. Funeral services are incomplete at this writing. Vicki is also the cousin of T Kolb.

**Prayer Pagers**
B 441-1734 Jane McGowan
E 441-2591 John & Melody Priester

**Additional Prayer Lists**
Missionary: Thomas Kweekul in Thailand; John Paul & Ruby Lee Hundley in France; our missionaries in Laos and Vietnam; the Wilson Family is traveling and working in Ethiopia.

**Please join us for an Elder Appreciation Dinner**
Tuesday, April 25, 6:30 p.m. in the Family Life Center
There are two ways to RSVP by April 18th!
Sign the list in the Information Center or
Call the church office at 452-1240.

Sometime ago I made the church aware that my brother Guy Foster, who is a member of the Belfont church of Christ, had inoperable lung cancer. I asked that he be placed on West-Arks prayer list. Guy has just finished radiation and chemo treatments. When an x-ray was taken of his lungs last week, this cancer appears to be in remission. This was a very bad tumor, and we all feel prayers made this happen. All of us, especially Guy wish to thank the church for the prayers offered on his behalf and solicit your continued prayers.
Lyndell Foster

Dear Church Family
I want to thank everyone for their prayers for me and my family in the loss of my beloved husband Harold. The prayer pager was a wonderful help to us. It was a great blessing. Thanks to everyone that brought food. A special thanks to the ladies that prepared lunch for us.
May the Lord bless you all
Lola Ballinger & Family

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Page 3 **Please see a printed newsletter to read Jerry Canfield's Mission Report from SE Asia.**
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**Motherly Love Dinner**
Titus 2:3-5
The older women of West-Ark invite the younger women to a dinner on Thursday, April 13, in the home of Donna Beneux from 6:30 9:00 p.m. Please sign the list in the Information Center by April 9. We encourage you to invite your friends and share the evening with us. If you have questions, please call Coleen Shirley.

**Needs in the FLOCK**
God has been so good to the FLOCK! He continues to bless our children, teachers, shepherds and all who help make everything happen. We currently have the following opportunities for you to be involved and blessed in The FLOCK:
1. Wednesday Night Teachers (5 week commitment)
2. Those blessed with the organization gift to work on our Resource Room.
The teachers are provided complete lesson plans as well as all supplies and teach the same lesson to different groups of children for four weeks (five on Wednesdays). We truly try to make these FLOCK jobs as easy as possible just talk to those who are already serving in this capacity!
Please contact Dena Jenkins. Thank you for your help!

**Free Non-Fasting Diabetic Screening**
April 12, 5:00 6:30 p.m. in Room 106
This screening is for anyone. Blood sugar and blood pressure will be checked with educational material available. For more information, call Kathy Monk.

**Guyana Need$ **
Sunglasses and reading glasses are needed for Guyana. We can purchase these in bulk at a cheaper rate so we are asking for donations of money. If you can donate to this need, please give your contribution to Kathy Monk or Glenda Lewis.

**Wedding Announcement**
Andrea Kloske and Heath Huffmaster
will be joined in marriage on Saturday, April 8th, 5:00 p.m. at
Maryland Heights Church of Christ
Maryland Heights, Missouri
Andrea worshipped with West-Ark for two years and moved last fall to Springdale. She was very involved in the lives of kids from the Way. Our family is delighted that she will be married this weekend to Heath (my nephew). ~~Debbie Belote

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**Teens Serve at Elders' Appreciation Dinner, April 25th**
It is always a blessing to serve others, but its a special blessing when you get to serve those who constantly minister to you. The youth group has been asked to help serve at an Appreciation Dinner in honor of our Elders on Tuesday night, April 25th.

We will be meeting at the FLC at 5:30 to help set-up and get ready to serve. We are thankful for this opportunity to say Thank You to those who do so much for us. I hope many of you will want to come take part in this night of fellowship to honor those who serve on our behalf. Please look for a sign-up list on the youth board this week and plan to help out.

**Senior High Devotional, April 9th**
There will be a Sr. High devotional this Sunday night, April 9th, at the home of Travis and Jeanie McDonald after Youth Worship.
We will take a van to the McDonald home in Van Buren and we will return to the building by 9 p.m. Everyone needs to bring a 2-liter.

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 700
Bible Classes 423
Sunday Evening 362
Wednesday Evening 349
Contribution   $16,872
Childrens Home $168
Laotian Attendance 36
Laotian Contribution $179
Iglesia de Cristo
    Attendance 50
    Contribution $196

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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