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Family
Lines Newsletter, September 21,
2006
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** They would not do that would
they? **
By David Chadwell
When a Christian is active in
Gods family on earth for a many years, he or she experiences many joys and
sorrows. He or she experiences the joys of knowing, being encouraged by,
and witnessing quality people do incredible things. He or she also
experiences the sorrows of seeing some of those same incredible people make some
extremely disappointing personal decisions.
There are moments I remember
feeling justified for doing things that I now deeply regret. There are
moments I remember saying things I thought were profound only to discover later
that they were only stupid. Unfortunately, life does not have a do over
button. When now anxieties justify anxious decisions, later in life
[when hopefully we know better because we have learned more] all we can do is
live with the regret.
I have seen incredible sacrifice,
unbelievable kindness, quiet acts of service, planned thoughtfulness beyond
imagination, and forgiveness only because hearts were touched by God. I
have witnessed Christians take enormous risks to be kind. I have seen
Christians care for people one would not have thought they noticed.
Also, I have seen one elder force
another elder to resign because he is consistently late. I have
had a mature Christian come to my carport before daylight multiple times to put
roofing nails under my tires because he was angry with me. I once saw two
leading men of a congregation prepare to fist fight each other in a business
meeting because they disagreed. I witnessed a congregations leadership
totally alter their decision process to keep one negative person from vetoing
all mission decisions. I have been told by an angry Christian that every
problem existing in a congregation was my fault. [None of these incidents
occurred at West-Ark.]
In all these situations,
Christians felt fully justified in their acts and decisions. Also, all
these Christians did some truly godly things. In my judgment, they just
got more emotional and anxious about matters than God is. Thus, they
decided they were justified in settling matters their way instead of Gods
way.
When we are dead and not even an
asterisk on the horizon, God will still prevail. We need to exercise great
care to assist God and not Satan in our anxieties. High on Gods priority
list is the godless world learning peace from Gods family.
Paul made this statement to Jewish
Christians and gentile Christians who were in such dispute that they treated
each other as enemies: But if you bite and devour one another, take care that
you are not consumed by one another (Galatians 5:15).
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**Remember in Prayer**
Belle
Wood -- continue to pray for her as she is treated for lung cancer. (Late
update: Belle was admitted back into St. Edward Hospital this afternoon.)
Carl Nichols is in Sparks Hospital, room 693. He is still having lots of
pain.
Donna Looney was diagnosed with cancer this week. Her doctors are
considering treatment options.
Hazel Richards fell late Wednesday evening
and broke her right knee. She is in Sparks Hospital, Room 571, and may go to
rehab later.
Rachelle Pratt is scheduled for neck surgery on Friday,
September 29 in NW Arkansas. Dr. Larry Armstrong is doing her
surgery.
Mary Broyles is scheduled for a back procedure on September
26th.
Maggie McElroy, mother of Bill Stokes, is in Sparks Hospital, hospice
care.
Shirley Austin (mother of Sharon Barker) is still recuperating at
HealthSouth, room 206B.
Tammy Flippo (Myras daughter-in-law) is recovering
from back surgery. Prayers for her healing are requested.
Allie Whitaker
requests prayers for her mother, Allie Green, who is in St. Edward Hospital,
room 3314 for dehydration.
Allie also requests prayers for her sister,
Carolina Sue Cecil, and her sisters friend, Charles Weavers. They are both very
sick with the flu.
**Prayers for Bereaved**
Please
remember these families in your prayers:
Sarah Smith and family in the
death of her mother, Lois Jester. Funeral services were Monday at West-Ark with
burial in Paris, AR.
Lois Lancaster in the recent death of her son, Jerry
Buchanan.
**Prayer
Pagers**
441-1792 Belle Wood
441-2290 Carl
Nichols
441-1791 Sharon Barker (for her mother, Shirley
Austin)
784-7490 Hazel Richards
**Military Prayer List**
Wes
Roper, Lori Dotson, Mitchell Bryant, Shane Newton, Adam Morrissun, Jeff Amos,
Jonathan Smith, Brian Harris, Kyle Evans, and Charles Hardy.
**Searching for Photos from the
Past**
In preparation for the Ladies Retreat, we are collecting photos of
ladies events from the past. If you have pictures of past Bible classes,
fellowships, retreats, ladies days, that you can share, please give them to
Esther Gunn, Staci James or Tracy Risley. They will be returned!
**Notes of Thanks**
West-Ark Quilters,
Thank you so
much for the beautiful quilt! It is really neat to have something like this from
people in the church family and for them to remember a special time in our
lives.
Love,
Ashley & Randy Scott
Thank you for the lovely peace
lily and all your prayers and concern.
Bill & Karan Tygart &
Family
West-Ark,
Thank you for the
peace lily you sent for mothers funeral. Your caring service over the past many
years is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Bob Mason
The ladies who were honored with
the Motherly Love Dinner would like to thank the honorable ladies who honored
us! We hope you know how special and how loved you made us feel! Warm thanks to
Margaret, Coleen, Louise, Donna, Barbara, Meg, Vivian, Martha, Janice, Jean, and
Lynn from those who enjoyed your outpouring of love.
Dear Church Members,
I
appreciate so much your kindness in sending the beautiful peace lily to the funeral of my
mother, Florence Hays. I was also touched by those of you who sent me
cards. We are happy to be a part of this church
family.
Sincerely,
Marcia & Charlie Dye
What wonderful people you are.
Thank you for the beautiful flowers at my mothers passing. Thank you also for
the concern for Don.
God bless you,
Don
& Barbara Abernathy
**Life Group Starting**
Bible
study: Philippians
Date: Sunday evening, October 1
Host home: Belotes, 101
N. 51st St.
Study Leader: John Priester
Time: 6:00 p.m. (5:30 for
once-a-month potlucks)
If you are looking for a Life Group, please give one
of us a call!
* John & Melody Priester
* James & Patti Anderson
* Ron & Debbie Belote
**Ladies Restrooms**
Many
ladies have gratefully commented on the decorations, mirrors, and seating that
have been added to our restrooms. After our remodel a few years ago, they had an
unfinished look, but now are welcoming and stylish. Many thanks to our
decorator (who wishes to remain anonymous) for sharing her talent with
us!
**Marys Missing Tray**
Some years ago, Mary Broyles lost a
silver hostess tray that means a great deal to her. The tray is by Tupperware
and is called the Tupperware Rose. Ladies, please check your silver
pieces and see if we can find Marys missing tray.
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**Sunday Night**
Come at 6:00 p.m. for a time of singing led by
Chuck Combs.
Afterwards, we'll have a Fellowship Meal in the
FLC -- all who can, please bring desserts!**
**Top Ten Reasons you should find
a Ministry to be involved in:**
10. God has picked work for you to do.
9. If you dont do it, who will?
8. It will make
a difference to someone else.
Return next week for the numbers
5-7!
**Sunday, October 1**
Elders,
Deacons, Ministry Leaders and all Staff -- and anyone else who may want to
come for a Pot-Luck Lunch
.
* Noon - 1:30 p.m. in the Annex
* This will be a true old fashion pot-luck. We will eat what is
brought with no assignments as to who is to bring what! Bring
something! Drinks will be provided.
**Sunday, October 8**
Worship
Dinner on the grounds
* Hot Dogs, Burgers
* Various
ministries will have displays so you can learn more about what they do.
1:30
p.m. afternoon Worship
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**Family Life Ministry**
By
Brad Pistole
12th Annual CROSSWALK Youth Rally
(for 7th-12th graders)
Rogers, AR, Southside Church of Christ
September 30th October
1st
Saturday (9 a.m. 9 p.m.)
Sunday (8 a.m. 10 a.m.)
Theme: Spoken For (Romans
8:12-17)
Keynote Speaker: Mitch Wilburn Tulsa, OK
Worship led by:
Acappella
(Acappella will also sing on Saturday night)
Skit Group and
Drama Class taught by: Seekers from Abilene Christian University
Classes will
be taught by area ministers: David Scott, Andy Brazle, Brad Pistole, Jimmy
Allen, and Andy Wilson
Our vans will leave at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday morning,
and we will return by 1 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.
**Morning Nursery**
Berniece
Rogers
Sharon Faries
Kristin Smith
**Evening Nursery**
Angela
Dunavant
Denise Lusby
**Happy Birthday**
September 26
Patricia
Campbell
Julie Kleman
Curtis McDonald
Sue Medlock
Noah
Risley
Wanda Wooster
September 27
Gail
Bishop
Patty Kaiser
William Tygart
September 29
Nathan
Griffin
September 30
Richard
Broyles
Mia McClendon
Luke Nelson
Hazel Richards
Brian
Robbins
October 1
Denise
Lusby
Melinda Yowell
October 2
Joe
Pistole
October 3
Caroline
Campbell
Terri Jones
Darrell Peters
October 4
Debra
Lively
**Attendance and Contribution
Count**
Sunday AM Worship 670
Bible Classes 460
Sunday Evening
356
Wednesday Evening 325
Contribution $17,558
Childrens Home
$217
Laotian
Attendance
32
Contribution $158
Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance
55
Contribution $173
"Making disciples for Jesus who
are eager to serve
others."
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