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Family
Lines Newsletter, October 12,
2006
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**The Power of Christian Encouragement**
By David Chadwell
But encourage one another day
after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be
hardened by the deceitfulness of sin (Hebrews 3:13).
Those were the good old
days! Ah, what wonderful memories of past times! When only Jews and
proselytes were Christians (Acts 2:10), there was not all the 'baggage' those
gentile Christians who were former idol worshippers brought into the church.
There were only us Jewish and proselyte Christians who knew who God was and
understood His spiritual priorities! Now those were the days when you
understood the need for suffering and solidarity with fellow believers (see
Hebrews 10:32-34).
But times change! Now the
Jewish community wants to force us Jewish Christians completely out! Back
in the good old days it was tough, but we could be both Jews and
Christians! No more! Now we must make a choicewe must be one or the
other, but not both! There surely is a lot to lose if we are ostracized
from the Jewish community!
We separated ourselves from the
Christian communitywe did not associate with Christians, go to Christian
fellowships, or even worship where Christians were (Hebrews 10:25). Though we
were sacrificial Christians, it reached the point it just was not worth
it. We were so discouraged we seriously considered quitting the Christian
community completely!
There has never been an age or a
culture/society in which it was simple and easy to commit to Jesus Christ!
In all ages at all places there were moments of powerful discouragementeven in
the early church!
Every Christian has two
responsibilities to fill in commitment to Jesus Christ. The first:
be a living example of what it means to place faith in Christ. Let your
life be a model to those who do not believe, do not just tell them or say Amen
when others tell them. The second: encourage those who are committed and
those who struggle with their commitment. We struggle in an evil world
that at times seems to have the advantage. We have enough to contend with
without having to contend with each other. All of us need encouragement from
each other, not discouragement.
Our Ministry Fair last Sunday was a powerful
avenue of encouragement! What an obvious pooling of talent and
gifts! It took no imagination to see the multitude blessed by all those
efforts! Please use your gifts and talents to benefit others! Not
only will those needing help be blessed, but those who are committed will be
encouraged. And the cherry on top is this: God will never forget what you
do!
For God is not unjust so as to
forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having
ministered and in still ministering to the saints (Hebrews 6:10).
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**In Our Thoughts &
Prayers**
Alice Rogers is scheduled for knee surgery on Friday.
Aline
Story may be dismissed from HealthSouth soon.
Belle Wood
Carl Nichols
is in Sparks Hospital, hospice room 689.
Jerry & Donna Looney returned
home Wednesday afternoon! They will travel back to MD Anderson in Houston
for Donnas surgery, which is scheduled for Friday (10/20/06). After surgery,
they will stay in Houston for about a week. Donna has prayer pager
441-2387.
Hunter Hesslen is at Arkansas Childrens Hospital in Little Rock
with a severe case of pneumonia. He had surgery to remove an abscess from his
lung on Tuesday. At the time of this writing (10/12/06 AM), Hunters chest tube
had been removed and he was resting comfortably. ACH has provided a journal for
Christy (mom) to write in and keep us updated. For the most current info on
Hunter, visit this site: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/hunterhesslen. There is also a link
from the member's section of the church web site, http://www.westark.org/members.htm.
Marie Branch (aunt of
James Anderson) was diagnosed with cancer on Monday. She is seeing doctors to
determine treatment.
Shirley Austin was released from HealthSouth last week
and has returned to her home. The family request prayers that she will gain
strength daily.
Wanda Snow (sister of Toka Beall)
We have received
word that Aline Phillips (a former member) is extremely ill and not expected to live much
longer.
**Bereaved**
Please comfort,
encourage, and pray for those who have lost loved ones in the past week.
Karen Benjamin in the death of her grandmother, Eva Richardson. Funeral services
were 10/9/06 in Hot Springs, AR.
Joyce Dunavin in the death of her aunt,
Pauline Starks on 10/05/06. Funeral services were Monday afternoon in Amarillo,
TX.
Cara Hickey in the death of her grandmother in Kennett, Missouri on
Friday morning (10/6/06).
Allie Whitaker in the death of her mother, Allie
Green yesterday. Services are pending with Lewis Funeral Home.
Mat Griffin
in the death of his brother-in-law last week. Burial services were
10/11/06 in Oklahoma.
**Prayer Pagers**
Aline
Story 441-2344
Belle Wood 441-1792
Carl
Nichols 441-6639
Donna Looney 441-2387
Hazel
Richards 784-7490
Hunter Hesslen 441-2386
Suzi
Jennemann 441-2381
Shirley Austin 441-1791
Dial all pagers at
once 441-2395
**Military Prayer
List**
Mitchell Bryant, Shane Newton, Adam Morrissun, Jeff Amos, Brian
Harris, Kyle Evans, Charles Hardy, and Wes Roper. Praise! Lori Dotson has
returned to the United States.
Jonathan Smith, son of Eugene and
Sarah Smith, is now in Kuwait in the advance team. The Smiths would
appreciate encouraging cards and e-mail be sent to Jonathan. His addresses
are:
SSG. Jonathan Smith
HHB, 2-142nd FA
APO AE
09337
Jonathan.smith3@us.army.mil
Please add to this list:
Michael Anderson (nephew of James Anderson) who is serving in the Army and is
stationed in South Korea. He has been there for several weeks, and is scheduled
to be there for 1 year.
Michael Gooden (son of Benny & Martha) who has
once again been deployed to parts unknown.
**Welcome, Blessed
Baby!**
Congratulations to two young couples who had baby girls born to them
last week!
Abigail Grace was born to Suzi & Stephen Jennemann on October
5th. She weighed 7 pounds, 5 ounces and is 19 1/2 inches long.
Lillie Eden
was born to Brandon and Amanda Daws on October 6th. Lillie weighed 8 lbs.,
3 ozs. and is 20 1/2 inches long. Tammy Cypert is the happy grandmother and
Tiffany Morphew, an aunt!
**Joy Bunch News**
The Joy
Bunch excursion to Branson in late October has been postponed, due to the health
of Winston's mother. She is very unstable after her hospitalization for
pneumonia. We will make plans at a later date. DO make plans to attend our
regular meeting on Saturday, October 21, 6:00 p.m. in the FLC! It should be a
lot of fun -- start decorating those pumpkins!! Prizes will be
given!
**Missing Items**
Decorative
wire rack from the Womens 2nd floor restroom.
Basket for loaves of bread
from the Visitor Center in the foyer.
Fabric cutter from the Quilting Room
it looks like a paper cutter.
If you know the whereabouts of any of these
items, please call Lynn Dickey at the office 452-1240.
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**Note of Thanks**
Thank you
for the World Bible Commentary placed in the Church Library in memory of my
parents. It is appreciated.
Terri Parker
**LTC 2007 Registration**
There
are paper copies by the LTC bulletin board in the foyer and a link at www.westark.org if you wish to register
on-line.
**Coming Events**
October 23-25
Gospel Meeting at
Sallisaw Church of Christ
7:00 PM Monday-Wednesday
Speaker: Peter
Persson
October 27, 28, 29
Charles
Hodge of Duncanville, Texas, will present a series of special lessons at Heritage
Addition Church of Christ in Booneville, AR.
Friday, 7 PM Going By the
Book
Saturday, 7:30 AM Leadership (during Area Wide Mens Prayer
Breakfast)
Saturday, 7 PM Loved in the Church
Sunday, 1 PM
Providence
**Tamale Cooking Lesson**
Are
you interested in learning how to make tamales? Norma Luna is going to teach us
how on November 4th in the Family Life Center. A sign-up sheet is posted in the
foyer. Call Glenda Lewis or Donna Lindgren for more information.
**"Adopt" a Child**
1. Have him/her sit with you
during church.
2. Get to know him/her.
3. Try to do something special
with
the child every once in a while.
4. Do something
special for his/her birthday
and/or Christmas.
5. Most
of all, take an interest in him/her.
We feel this is the most effective
way to show the children that come on the van that we love them and care about
them. Many of them have never been to church so we want them to learn about
worship and showing reverence for God. This is much easier to accomplish one on
one than a few people taking care of all of the children. Can you help our
kids learn about Christianity? Call Jack Lewis.
**New! Overcomers Bible
Class**
Begins October 15th in Room 106
The topic is Christianity and
Recovery: How and why the twelve step method works to change lives.
The class will be beneficial to ~anyone~ interested in reducing
vulnerability to sin through improving the quality of spiritual life, and/or the
New Testament origins of the 12 step method begun in the late 1930s by
Alcoholics Anonymous.
**New & Improved Fall
Festival!**
Mark your calendars for October 28 from 6:30 8:00 PM. We
are changing things up this year by having all of our fun-filled booths
Bible-based. The kids can have fun while remembering some of their favorite
Bible stories! This will be a wonderful time of fun, food, and fellowship
for our entire church family & friends, but we need your help with the
following:
Booth Operators -- All supplies and instructions will be provided.
We need YOU!
Small Toys -- from fast food, birthday party leftovers,
etc.
Cash $$ -- So we can purchase some things in bulk!
There is truly a
place for everyone at Fall Fest.
Sign up today on the bulletin
board in the foyer and join the fun!
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**Family Life Ministry**
By
Brad Pistole
There are several Junior High and
Senior High events that are schedule for the remainder of this month, so make
plans now to participate so that you will continue to grow in your relationships
with God and your Christian family.
Here are the details for whats
coming in the next couple of weeks.
October 22nd Area-wide Youth
Worship at Clarksville
Leave at 4:30 and return by 9:00 p.m.
Supper is
provided and there is no cost to you. Sign-up and bring a
friend!
October 28th Jr. High Hayride
hosted by the Prater and Davis families.
More info about time coming
soon.
October 28th Senior High
students are encouraged to help serve with the Fall Festival at the West-Ark
FLC.
October 29th Senior High
devo/cookout at Brad and Yvonnes house
Leave at 3:30 and return by 9:30 p.m.
Supper is provided and there is no cost to you.
Sign-up and bring a
friend!
**Happy Birthday**
October 18th
Shelly
Robbins
October 19th
Janice
Prater
Alisha Wewers
Mark Willis
October 20th
Kathryn
Willis
October 21st
Karen
Benjamin
Amanda Broom
October 23rd
Paul
Quenin
October 24th
Alex
Logan
October 25th
Mary King
Jacob
Null
October 26th
Farrell
Graves
Cyrus Haworth
Hope Hesslen
AM Nursery
Flora
Johnson
Elaine Hill
PM Nursery
Sheila
Vaught
Carol Hankins
**Attendance and Contribution
Count**
Sunday AM Worship 632
Bible Classes 438
Sunday Evening
NC
Wednesday Evening 335
Contribution $17,188
Childrens
Home $252
Lao Worship
Attendance
35
Contribution $194
Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance
70
Contribution $125
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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