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Family
Lines Newsletter, May 18,
2006
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**WHY WOULD ANYONE ENDURE SO MUCH?**
By David Chadwell
Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So
am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. Are they servants of Christ?I
speak as if insaneI more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments,
beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received
from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was
stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the
deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from
robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the
city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false
brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in
hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. Apart from such
external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the
churches. Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without
my intense concern? If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my
weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, He who is blessed forever, knows
that I am not lying. In Damascus the ethnarch under Aretas the king was guarding
the city of the Damascenes in order to seize me, and I was let down in a basket
through a window in the wall, and so escaped his hands. (2 Corinthians
11:22-33)
From a materialistic perspective, Paul went from
having it made to losing everything. Before he became a Christian, he
walked with the powerful. After he became a Christian, he walked with the
outcasts and oppressed. Yet, his attitude of compassion and gratitude was
amazing. Though he suffered much, he never stopped rejoicing!
Consider his encouragements to the congregation in
Thessalonica: For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor
with a pretext for greedGod is witnessnor did we seek glory from men, either
from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have
asserted our authority. But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing
mother tenderly cares for her own children. Having so fond an affection for you,
we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our
own lives, because you had become very dear to us. (1 Thessalonians
2:5-8)
Listen to his words when God refused to give him
relief: Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason,
to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a
messenger of Satan to torment meto keep me from exalting myself! Concerning
this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to
me, My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness. Most
gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of
Christ may dwell in me. (2 Corinthians 12:7-9)
Why did Paul accept enormous loss? (1) He
appreciated Gods forgiveness. (2) He valued what God did in Jesus
Christ. (3) He wanted to be part of the eternal.
Why do you endure suffering in order to belong to
Jesus Christ?
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**In Our Prayers**
Celia Looney is in St.
Edward Hospital, room 5217.
Joan Jenkins (Kerrys mom; please read Denas note in Family Update, page 3)
Joel Prigge
(brother-in-law of Louise Howard) had his
final chemo treatment this week.
LeRoy Null
is in St. Edward Hospital, room 5109. He is scheduled for pacemaker surgery
Thursday (5/18), and hopefully, will be dismissed on Friday.
Mary Lewis (of
Roland Church of Christ) will have surgery in June after returning from
West-Ark's Guyana Medical Mission.
Mary Wells (mother of Joyce Chadwell)
went back to the hospital on Wednesday with more congestive heart problems.
Myra Flippo continues to improve at home.
Robin Harper is at M.D. Anderson
Cancer Center in Houston for her annual checkup. Pray that she will remain free
of cancer.
Sylvia Hendrixs (mother of Milton) pacemaker surgery went well.
She is in room 107 at Summit Medical Center in Van Buren.
Prayer Pagers
A 441-1648 Amanda Daws
B
441-1734 Jane McGowan
**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended
to Ken Johnson in the death of his father, Elmore Johnson, last week in Shell
Knob, Missouri. Memorial donations may be made to Lives Under Construction Boys
Ranch (LUC), 296 Boys Ranch Rd., Lampe, Missouri, or the local Hospice.
A memorial service for Jackie Kelly (step-father of
Michael Blasdel) is planned for Thursday, May 18, 3:30 p.m., at Woodlawn
Memorial Chapel on State Line Rd. The Blasdel Family requests your
prayers; this is the 3rd grandparent they have lost in 8 months.
Our love and sympathy is extended to the Ingram and
Stancil Families in the death of George Ingram. Funeral services will be Friday,
1:00 p.m. at Edwards Funeral Home, with visitation Thursday, from 5:00-7:00
p.m. Mr. Ingram was the father-in-law of Beverly Ingram and
grandfather/great-grandfather to Cami, Bill, Dalton, and Thad Stancil. He
and his wife, Virgie Ingram, are members of the 46th St. Church of
Christ.
**Military in Prayer**
Lori Dotson
(daughter-in-law of Jennifer) is shipping out for seven months at sea near
Iraq. Continue in prayer for Mitchell Bryant, Shane L. Newton, and Adam
Morrissun.
**Welcome New Members!**
Josh Loewen
P.O. Box
11073
Fort Smith, AR 72917
Phone: 479 478-6956
Jerry and Donna Looney
2103 Glen West
Way
Fort Smith, AR 72916
Phone: 646-7148
**Notes of Thanks**
Dear West-Ark
Family,
West-Ark's prayer pager ministry is such a tremendous blessing.
The past months have been very challenging yet, through it all, the pager never
ceased to remind my family and me of the love of God and His people. Thank
you for all of the calls, cards, hugs, hand shakes, pats-on-the-back,
encouraging words, and all other expressions of care and concern. How
fortunate we all are to be part of God's family at West-Ark.
Duane,
Marquetta
Callie & Molly Walker
Dear West-Ark Church Family,
It's time for us to
move, and we want to let you know that we love and appreciate you and all the
ways you've supported us in the eight years that we lived in Fort Smith. You
will always have a special home-place in our hearts. Some of you know that for
the last two years, we worked on the weekends with a little congregation in the
Rogers area. Now, Gary has retired again, and we decided that we need to make
this move to be here full-time to work with the congregation and for Gary to
work on a counseling degree. Please make note of our new address and come
see us!
Love, Gary and Judi
Mail: Gary & Judi
Green
PO Box
822
Rogers, AR 72757
House: It is eight miles east of Rogers off of
Highway 12.
#3 Brett Drive
Rogers, AR
72756
To all Brothers and Sisters at West-Ark Church of
Christ,
I would like to say thank you so very much to all of you for your
help, kindness and support during my familys hard time. What you all really did
for us is more than the words can say.
With love in Jesus
Christ,
Lena Phomakay and Family
Dear West-Ark Family,
Vicki and I want to
express our thanks and appreciation for the kindness and love that you gave us
while we were members of West-Ark. You have greatly enriched and blessed our
lives as we have seen the love of God reflected in all of you. I especially want
to thank the elders, ministers, other leaders and all of you for your support
while I was privileged to serve this church as a deacon. Truly West-Ark is a
great congregation of Gods children, and we look forward with great hope of the
joyful homecoming in Heaven one day. Thank you again for showing Christ to us
and helping us to see the blessings of serving and living for Him. Please pray
for us as we start worshipping and serving at a new congregation in Oklahoma. I
pray that all of you will continue to love Jesus.
Jim and Vicki
Hardin
17029 Ridgewood Drive
Edmond OK 73003
Dear West-Ark Church,
Thank you for all your
prayers on behalf of my father during his illness. Youre a wonderful treasure
to me. Thank you for your kindness. May God bless each of you.
In
Christian love
Brenda (Foster) Trice
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**Family Update**
After starting another round
of chemo and experiencing the horrible effects of it, Joan has decided to forego
those treatments. She knows that God is in control, and we all appreciate all of
the loving prayers and cards of encouragement from the West-Ark family. Please
continue to lift her and the entire family up to the Father. To Him be all the
glory and praise! ~~Dena J.
Joan Jenkins
706
Brighton
Paragould, AR 72450
**Wedding Shower**
A shower honoring Jeffrey
Nolasco and his fiancée, Blanca, is planned for Sunday afternoon, May 21, from
2:00-4:00 p.m. in the FLC. Jeffrey is the son of Oscar and Alicia Nolasco.
The couple is registered at Wal-Mart Super Center on Rogers Ave.
**Teen/Parent Meeting**
For all 6th-12th graders
and their parents on Sunday, May 21st at 5:00 p.m. in the large Youth Room in
the FLC. We will discuss plans for the 06 Summer Youth Schedule.
**Joy Bunch**
Our next potluck is Saturday, May
20, 6:00 p.m. in the FLC. Ladies, make a flower arrangement at home with
either fresh or artificial flowers, bring it with you, and win 1st
Prize!!
**Summer Internship**
John Berger has received
an internship this summer in Leominster, Massachusetts. John is a Harding
University student and the son of David and Sandy Berger, and the grandson of
Russ and Jean McConnell. Congratulations, John!
**An Evening of Prayer for West-Ark
Missions**
The elders, ministers and missions committee will engage in a time
of prayer (two hours from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.) on Friday evening, May 19, 2006, at
the building in Room 210. While offered prayer will be directed to God's
continued blessing of present evangelistic efforts, prayer also will focus on
future efforts and leadership. All members of the congregation, especially young
couples and individuals, are urged to participate.
**NEWS from The FLOCK**
Well have a FLOCK NEWS
Meeting this SUNDAY, MAY 21 at 5:30 p.m. in the Library. This is a great
opportunity for those who have children who are in the FLOCK now or will be
soon, those who might want to volunteer or those who are just plain curious!
Come join us as we all strive to learn how we can best be of service to our
little lambs and to our Shepherd.
**VBS 2006 Needs You!!**
June 19-22 is very
quickly approaching, and we need you! We are very appreciative of those
who have volunteered so far, but we are very short of those needed to put on our
VBS as we know it. Below is a list of people who are needed.
Nursery Workers
Preschool Family Leaders
& Helpers
Family Leaders & Helpers
Marketplace Shop Keepers
& Helpers
Please feel free to contact us with any questions.
You may sign up in the foyer or contact:
Dena Jenkins
Carolyn Harrell
PLEASE let us know ASAP if you can help, so that we
can move forward and not have to downsize VBS due to lack of
personnel. We want this to be exactly what God wants it to be
nothing more, nothing less. Please join us as we learn how to Make Room
for the Savior.
**9th Street Church of Christ**
Spring Gospel
Meeting, May 20-24
Sunday afternoon, 3:00 p.m.
Monday Wednesday, 7:00
p.m.
**Blood Drive**
Wednesday, May 31
5:00 to
8:30 p.m.
in the Family Life Center.
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**Congratulations to the Senior Class of
2006!**
This coming Sunday, May 21, we will recognize the
following graduates in a special service at 10:30 a.m. in the
Auditorium.
Zach Barker, Union Christian Academy
John
Carson, Alma High School
Brandon Coggins, Greenwood High School
Adam
Davis, Union Christian Academy
Stacy Davis, Van Buren High School
Jordan
Haworth, Muldrow High School
Lindsey Hines, Van Buren High School
Jaythan
Johnson, Van Buren High School
Caitlin Kleman, Southside High School
Ben
Neal, Southside High School
Jenny Phomakay, Alma High School
Alisha
Wewers, Muldrow High School
We are proud of all of you!! ~~Brad
Pistole
**May 21 Nursery**
Morning
Jennifer Jennen
Flora
Johnson
Kristy Abernathy
Evening
Sheila Vaught
**Happy Birthday**
May 21
John Fowler
Debra Willis
May 22
Charley Douglas
Jacob
Hollomon
May 23
Dustin Byrd
David Myers
May 25
Alexander Keller
May 26
Bonnie Marrs
Brad Moore
Rachelle
Pratt
May 27
Landon Abuzeide
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Morning
Worship 745
Morning Bible class 427
Evening Worship 261
Contribution
$19,715
Wednesday Night 327
Children's Home $202
Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance 45
Contribution
$184
Lao Church
Attendance 27
Contribution
$187
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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