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Family Lines Newsletter, October 5, 2006
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**How Would God Have to Say It?**
By David Chadwell
 
If our spiritual priorities are God’s, we should listen urgently to God more than to our concerns.  Often, with all of us, our concerns become our agenda without reflecting God’s purposes.  Unfortunately, in all ages, God’s people assume their concerns are God’s priorities.
 
Jesus said twice in the same sermon: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:43-48)  “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12)  He said again in Matthew 22:39 that the second greatest command God has given is this:  “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”
 
Paul said to a congregation in Rome: “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For this, ‘You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,’ and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” (Romans 13:8-10)
 
Peter said, “Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.” (1 Peter 2:1-3)
 
John said, “Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard. On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining. The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” (1 John 2:7-11)
 
Very high on God’s priority list is loving people made in His image and likeness.  Where does loving people come on your priority list?
 
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**Remember in Prayer**
• Aline Story is at HealthSouth Rehab.
• Belle Wood is home from the hospital. She was feeling good on Wednesday!
• Carl Nichols is in Sparks Hospital, hospice room 689.
• Donna Looney is at MD Anderson in Houston, TX for the remainder of the week. They are evaluating her for cancer treatments.
• Eva Richardson (grandmother of Karen Benjamin) is in the hospital in Hot Springs, and her condition continues to worsen.
• Frances Strawhacker has been in and out of the hospital twice in the last week for heart related problems.
• Hazel Richards is getting better in HealthSouth Rehab and is scheduled to come home Saturday morning..
• Hunter Hesslen has pneumonia. He was air lifted to Children’s Hospital Wednesday. At this writing (10/5/06 a.m.) Hunter was being prepared for surgery to drain fluid from his lung.
• Shirley Austin had fluid drained off her lungs on Monday. She is still in HealthSouth Rehab.
• Suzi Jenneman is scheduled to have labor induced Thursday morning. She requests prayers for herself and the baby.
• Wanda Snow (sister of Toka Beall) is waiting for her pancreatitis to improve; then she will have surgery.
 
**Military Prayer List**
Wes Roper left Wednesday for Mississippi. He will be going to Kuwait at the beginning of the week and will be there for about a year.  Wes’s address (beginning next week) is Spec. Wesley Roper, B Btry, 2nd-142 FA, APO AE09366.
Continue to pray for others who are serving: Lori Dotson, Mitchell Bryant, Shane Newton, Adam Morrissun, Jeff Amos, Jonathan Smith, Brian Harris, Kyle Evans, and Charles Hardy.
 
**Prayer Pagers**
Aline Story 441-2344
Belle Wood 441-1792
Carl Nichols 441-6639
Hazel Richards 784-7490
Hunter Hesslen 441-2386
Suzi Jenneman 441-2381
Rachelle Pratt 441-1648
Sharon Barker (for her mother, Shirley Austin) 441-1791
Dial all pagers at once  441-2395
 
**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Bill Stokes and Debbie Slater in the death of Maggie McElroy, mother and grandmother. Graveside services were in Delight, AR on Tuesday.
 
**Children’s Worship**
Parents, these age groups are merely suggestions. Feel free to take your child to whatever class you feel is appropriate. We’ll have signs posted on Sunday to help you find your child’s room.
Ages         Room
2-3 years 120 (was 128)
4-5 years 106
6-7 years 121
 
**Joy Bunch!**
Saturday, October 21, 6 p.m. in the FLC. Decorate a pumpkin and come to our “pumpkin contest.” Prizes will be given!
 
**Game Day, October 12**
We’ll meet at noon in the home of Meg Canfield!
 
**Widows/Widowers**
A luncheon will be hosted by the Mike Burkett family, Saturday, October 7.  The vans will leave the Annex at 11:30 a.m.  Call Mary or Bobbie if you need transportation to the annex.
 
**The Car Clinic for October is cancelled.**
 
**Van Drivers Needed**
Van Drivers are ~urgently~ needed for all services, plus Tuesday afternoon tutoring and the 3rd Saturday of the month. Contact Rod Jones or Jack Lewis to volunteer for this ministry.
 
**New & Improved FALL FEST**
October 28, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. 
We need your help with the following: Booth Operators, Small Toys, and Cash!
There is truly a place for everyone at Fall Fest.   Sign up today on the bulletin board and join the fun!
 
**Notes of Thanks**
We are grateful for the visits, prayers, food, peace lily plant, and the use of the building for mother’s funeral services.
 The Family of Lois Jester
 
Thank you West-Ark Church of Christ for allowing us (UAFS students) to park in your parking lot. It has provided convenience and opportunity for myself and others. May God bless you for your simple witness & blessing. On behalf of all the students that park here each day, thank you. With love from a child of the King!
 
**Wedding Announcement**
Mr. & Mrs. Bob Davidson
and Mr. & Mrs. Alan Anderson
announce the marriage of
Jennifer Diane Davidson
and Brent Alan Anderson
Saturday, September 23rd
Anthony Chapel, Garvan Gardens
Hot Springs, Arkansas
 
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Page 3   Our Ministry Fair is this Sunday, October 8th!**
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**Things You Need to Know**
 
Back Parking Lot & Valet Parking
The upper back parking lot (behind the Annex and next to the FLC) will be closed with the exception of a few handicap spaces.
If you ~normally~ park in this area, Valet Parking will be available for you. Take advantage of it! 
 
9:30 a.m. Bible Classes (for all ages!)
 
10:30 a.m. Worship
 
Immediately after services, the Ministry Fair booths will open and lunch will be served. There will be games for the kids to enjoy and win prizes!
 
A Special note to Deacons, Ministry Leaders
If you are staffing a booth, please go to your booth during the closing song. Booths need to be taken down Sunday afternoon.
 
Lunch –will be hamburgers and hot dogs.
Desserts and drinks will also be served. We will have a limited amount of seating.
Please allow our older members to be seated for lunch.
 
1:30 p.m. Afternoon Worship (this time is approximate)
 
6:00 p.m. Communion Service Only
Communion will be available in Room 100 (main building) for anyone who desires the opportunity to take of it.
 
**Top Ten Reasons you should find a Ministry to be involved in:**
 
10.  God has picked work for you to do.
 9.   If you don’t do it, who will?
 8.   It will make a difference to someone else.
 7a. You will be modeling service for your kids.
 7b. If you don’t have kids, other kids will still see your example.
 6.   Low pay here … eternal benefits later.
 5.   It can be fun, rewarding, touching, and uplifting -- all at the same time.
 4.   A great way to make new friends.
 3.   A chance to test yourself with new things and become a new you.
 2.  God receives the glory!
 1.  What would Jesus do?
 
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**Family Life Ministry**
By Brad Pistole
 
Throughout the past 15 years, I’ve had the opportunity to attend many different teen activities. You name it – I’ve been to it: basketball games, baseball games, football games, volleyball games, track meets, choir concerts, band concerts, etc.
 
And let’s not forget the more monumental things in life like: baptisms, weddings, and the birth of children. These things are very special. Especially when you
get to assist with the baptism, perform the wedding and be present for the birth of a child.
 
These things mean a lot to me! And this past Tuesday night was no different. I took the opportunity to attend the 7th-12th grade F.S. Schools concert performance that took place on the UAFS campus.
 
Many of our teens from the F.S. schools participated and they did an OUTSTANDING job. I saw at least 8 of our teens from West-Ark participating in the concert and I’m sure there were others.
 
So far this year, I’ve been to Greenwood, Southside and Union Christian football games. I’ve been to Northside and Southside volleyball games. And I’ve been to the F.S. Schools choir concert.
 
Make sure you get me your schedule, and I’ll get the word out and encourage all of our teens to be there and support you in your various activities.  I’ll also do my best to be there as often as possible.
 
I am proud of all of you, and I encourage you to continue to “do all that you do to the best of your ability for the glory and honor of the one who gave everything for you!”
 
Always remember the  power of your witness and your example to those around you. (Matt. 5:16)
 
**Happy Birthday**
October 9
Jeanetta Falls
Cecil Henry
Eugene Puckett
Billy Yowell
 
October 10
Harold Binyon
Kevin Vaught
 
October 11
Ellen Seiter
 
October 12
Berniece Rogers
 
October 13
Sheila Bailey
Taylor Hankins
Hannah Watlington
 
October 14
Nancy Smith
 
October 15
Robert Willett
 
October 16
Richard Adams
Bailey Parker
Ann Combs
Jerry Glidewell
 
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 577
Bible Classes  413
Sunday Evening 332
Wednesday Evening 347
Contribution   $18,084
Children’s Home $173
 
Lao Church
Attendance 29
Contribution $183
 
Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance 57
Contribution $181
 
**Morning Nursery**
Trish Carson
Dwonne Cogswell
Vicki Anderson
 
*Afternoon Nursery** (1:30 p.m. Worship)
Terri Jones
Marquetta Walker
 
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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