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Family Lines Newsletter, August 10, 2006
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**A Small Piece Brings a Huge Machine “to Life”**
By David Chadwell
 
(Romans 5:1,2,7,8) Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.  ... For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
 
Years ago I was deer hunting in a remote area with my usual success—none!  The hunting lease was at least five miles from the nearest house.  This was long before cell phones!  As usual, I hunted until dark—I could not see.  I had a long walk through the woods back to my truck.  Upon arrival, I shockingly realized I had no key!  There I was beside a huge machine.  However, because I had no key, it was useless to me!
 
This morning as I started my truck after working out at a rehab gym, I again considered that small piece of metal that could bring a big machine to life.  I probably had $50 of gasoline in the tank, a few miles of wiring, a six cylinder engine, air conditioning (yes, it is hot enough now to need it early in the morning), new tires, a radio, and hundreds of pounds of metal, plastic, and cloth before me.  Yet, none of it worked without that small key.  Again I sat in awe as I considered that such a small thing allowed such a complex machine to function.  The key did not give the machine its potential.  It merely allowed that potential to roar into usefulness.
 
Grace is a small word.  Basically it shows kindness and consideration when there is no call for kindness and consideration.  Yet, what potential it unleashes!  A useless being roars to useful life because that small word grace is utilized.  Examples?  Consider:
 
1. A little encouragement can turn a person’s outlook around.
2. A little kindness can cause a person to replace worthlessness with worth.
3. A little thoughtfulness can move a lifeless person to discover life.
4. A little hope moves some from idle despair to successful effort.
                   OR
1. A little discouragement causes a person to quit.
2. A little unkindness convinces a person he or she has no value.
3. A little thoughtlessness plunges a person to ‘the point of no return’ in the depths of lifelessness.
4. Hopeless words turn idle despair to utter despair.
 
Thank God for giving us Jesus Christ when we are not worth the cost!  Thank You for seeing our potential when we saw none!  Thank You for giving us life when we were truly lifeless.   Without Your grace, we are nothing.  May we give as we received!
 
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**Remember in Prayer**
• Suzette Todd had out-patient shoulder surgery Wednesday. Suzette has prayer pager 441-2591.
• Shirley Austin’s heart surgery has been postponed. She has an infection that needs treatment first. Shirley is the mother of Sharon Barker.
• Henry Strawhacker, husband of Frances, is in Sparks Hospital, room 507. He is having tests.
 
**Continued Prayers**
• Belle Wood
• Bobbie Bolinger, aunt of Rochelle Brown
• Brandon Brock (Harding University student)
• Buddy Green, brother of Allie Whitaker
• Mary Leigh Peterson, sister of G. C. Stone
• Norma Jean Breedlove
• Trucilla Surrat, mother of Kathy Rosalez
 
**Bereaved in Prayer**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Isaac and Virginia Mobley in the death of a brother-in-law (James Jones). Funeral services were Friday in Tahlequah, OK.
 
Our love and sympathy is also extended to Terri Parker in the death of her father, Jack Cochran. Funeral services were Wednesday at Wheeling Church of Christ with burial at Salem Cemetery.
 
**Missionaries in Prayer**
• John Paul & Ruby Lee Hundley in France
• Our missionary family in Vietnam.
 
**Baby Showers**
A baby shower is planned for Heather (Wilson) Carroll on Sunday, August 13, from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. in the home of Rochelle Brown. Micah Quinn Carroll was born July 4th. Hostesses are: Yvonne Pistole, Rochelle Brown, Carlene Payne, Meg Canfield, Sheila Vaught, and Paula May.  Heather is registered at Wal-Mart and Toys-R-Us.
 
Meg Canfield and Lynn Dickey are collecting (money) gifts to be sent to our missionary family in Vietnam. The funds will be wired September 1st. Please get your gift to Meg or Lynn by August 27.
 
**Military Prayer List**
Wes Roper, Mike Russell, Lori Dotson, Mitchell Bryant, Shane Newton, Adam Morrissun, Jeff Amos, and Jonathan Smith.
 
**New Phone Number**
Joyce Cox, 648-9534
 
**Fond Farewells**
David and Jenna Dickey have relocated to the Northwest Arkansas area. New opportunities opened up for them there. Their current address is P.O. Box 610, Springdale, AR 72764. Their temporary home is in Springdale, but they soon will be purchasing a house. Email addresses are:
David: davis5433 @ cox.net
Jenna: jennadickey @ cox.net
They want everyone to know they miss their church family at West-Ark.
 
**Fun & Games Day!**
Thursday, August 17
12 noon in the Annex
Come and join in the fellowship!
 
**New Arrivals**
Jim & Deborah Wilson have another grandchild+ added to the family tree! Cole Isaac Wilson was born Thursday morning (8/10/06) to their son and daughter-in-law, Bill & Paige Wilson in Monroe, LA. The baby is healthy and weighed 5 lbs., 11 ozs. The Wilsons are grateful for the many prayers offered to God on behalf of Paige and the baby.
 Bill & Paige Wilson
 1806 Cole Avenue
 Monroe, LA 71203
 
David and Jennifer Jennen e-mailed us from Georgia to announce the birth of their daughter, Samantha Michelle on August 7th. Samantha weighed 6 lbs., 2 ozs.  Everyone is healthy and happy.
David & Jennifer Jennen
325 Windsong Way
Woodstock, GA 30188
 
**Birthday Invitation**
The family of Barbara Miller invite you to attend her
75th Birthday Celebration on August 17,
6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Annex.
Cards and good wishes are appreciated …
no gifts please.
 
**Men’s Bible Study**
Tuesdays at 10 a.m., starting
September 5 in the Annex
All ages are invited. Teachers are Russ McConnell and David Chadwell.
 
**FLOCK Talk**
The FLOCK (ages 4 years through 1st grade) is in need of teachers.  This is a 4 week commitment. Although, you would be welcome to do more!  The lessons are written and all supplies are provided.  We simply need YOU!  Please prayerfully consider how you may be able to help with this need and contact Dena Jenkins if you have any questions.  To God be all the glory and praise! ~~Dena
 
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**“Gearing Up” for Tutoring**
Our Tutoring Program needs 25 tutors, 12 substitute tutors, 7 Bible-story tellers, and snack providers for 25 famished children (K-6th grade) for 28 Tuesdays, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. beginning September 19 through May 1. When school is on holiday, we are too! Many say they are afraid of the math, but don’t worry, we have Matt Thomas (in house) and a “phone-a-friend” when we are stuck. Our children’s first needs are love and encouragement, then comes reading and math. Jack & Glenda Lewis in conjunction with Gary James and local school teachers do a fabulous job of selecting personable students with great potential for improving their grades. Please sign up in the Information Center or call Sheila Vaught.  ~~Sheila Vaught
 
**Wednesday Night WINGS**
Wednesday Night Wings begins September 6th, in room 211 at 7:00 p.m. We have chosen the study "God, Pass by Me: Seeing God's Glory Through His Names, Titles and Descriptions” by Casandra Martin.  Cost of the book will be approximately $10 - $12.  For enrollment, contact Peggy Pistole. Deadline for enrollment is Sunday, August 20th.
 
**Tuesday WINGS **
Orientation on September 12th
9:30 a.m. in the FLC
This year we are using a study of the book of Judges written by our own ladies. Be sure and join us!
 
**Joy Bunch!**
Do you play an instrument, sing, recite poetry? Can you do book reviews, tell jokes or stories? How about card tricks or magic? The talent show is scheduled for August 19th, and we need entries!! Musical accompaniment and/or special props can be provided. Please contact Danna or Winston Turpin.
 
**Sunday Night Speakers in August**
• August 13, Kevin Roberts
• August 20, Russ McConnell
• August 27, David Chadwell will speak and give a survey.
 
**“Back to School Blessing” Needs Your Help!**
Please proof the lists in the foyer.  We want the names of all students and teachers or workers with any school. 
All we need is their name to be included in the blessing. We don’t want to miss anyone!
 
**Back to School Blessing & Worship Service**
Sunday, August 27, 10:30 a.m.
Join us as we pray for --
• All school children, public, private or home schooled, and
• Everyone who teaches or works in our schools (in Western Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma).

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**Family Life Ministry**
By Brad Pistole
 
If you were here this past Sunday, you probably saw some people in the “teen section” that looked a little different than normal.
 
You might have seen Shanna Davis, Michael Blasdel, or some of our “Wilderness Trek teens” moving a little slower than normal. That tends to happen when you sleep outside on the ground 5 nights in a row, after staying up for 24 hours straight (twice) while driving 15 hours to Colorado and back.
 
Oh, and did I mention the fact that they hiked over 20 miles last week, UPHILL most of the way, with a 60-pound pack on their back, at an altitude of over 13,000 feet?
 
To quote Shanna Davis, “I’d rather give birth to a child before doing something like that again.”
 
Without a doubt, the physical aspect of Wilderness Trek Christian Camp was one of the most difficult things I have ever done in my life. It was definitely the most difficult thing many of our teens have ever done in their young lives. But it was also one of the most rewarding things we have ever done as a group. Just ask anyone who went and they will explain why. We prayed and worshipped together every single day…many times each day. There were devotionals, prayer times, singing sessions, separate boys and girls discussions, and personal time set aside for time alone with God.  All in the midst of the most incredible scenery you can imagine.
 
I am so thankful to God for all that our group experienced together through Trek. For more info and a deeper look at our trip, visit our youth website.
 
**August 13 Nursery**
 
Morning
Trish Carson
Dwonne Cogswell
Vicki Anderson
 
Evening
Terri Jones
Marquetta Walker
 
**Happy Birthday**
 
August 13
Kelvin Kleman
 
August 14
Janet Cathey
Martha Gooden
 
August 15
Amy Bailey
Susan Doyle
 
August 16
Dan Farris
Cyndi Glidewell
Daphne Israel
Jack Lowry
Todd Martin
Brock Slater
Allison Thompson
 
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Morning Worship 677
Morning Bible class 448
Evening Worship 290
Contribution $22,523
Wednesday Night 254
Children's Home $241
 
Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance 75
Contribution $274
 
Lao Church
Attendance 32
Contribution $179
 
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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