West-Ark Newsletter, 26 October 2006

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Family Lines Newsletter, October 26, 2006
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Dont forget the time change this weekend! Set your clocks back 1 hour at bedtime on Saturday night.
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How easy it is to take things for granted! What if you woke up one morning to no free press or broadcast (by newspaper, radio, e-mail, or TV broadcast)? What if the right to vote ended and all candidates were pre-approved for you? What if you had no choice, and opinions were suppressed with violence?

I once visited two countries that regarded personal opinions as dangerous. In one, people were reserved in public. In the other, people were publicly muteeven people in large cities walked silently as if they had no friends (they were privately warm and gracious). Many could cause harm, but no one could help you. Thus, publicly, it was best to say nothing.

I once observed voting where all candidates were pre-selected and pre-approved. The vote only said a citizen agreed with the choice. Though many could not vote, over 95% of the population agreed with the selections. In the absence of voter registration, voters were marked with water soluble ink easily washed off outside a polling site.

A good friend, a citizen, explained the situation in this way: We are not ready for two-party Democracy, so we just have one party. No one wants to vote twicewhy would he or she do so? When I asked what happened if you disagreed, the friend said you might disappear. Thus the only choices were agree or keep silent.

Imagine living in such places! If we did, situations would change quickly and radically! We think too little about our freedoms and their contribution to our daily lives. When was the last time you were literally afraid to voice an opinion? More people live in the three situations I described than in our situation! Yet, we seem to endorse apathy.

West-Ark is far from perfect, but it is often unique as we seek to grow towards Gods priorities and concepts. One such uniqueness is having a leadership who values our input. Their task is enormous! Often important factors in a decision are not evident. Perfect men? No! Caring men? Yes! Men who carefully consider what you say? Yes!

In a lifetime of preaching, the most constant complaint I heard regarding leaders was this: They never want input! They never listen to the congregation! At least four times yearly your leaders provide opportunity for public input. They want and seek it as they listen! The purposes of the Family Meetings are two fold: (1) to inform you; and (2) to solicit your input. Is it at times less than stimulating? Yes, but so is leading. Rarely will it be Hurrah material. Often it is direction material. Always, your input is wanted.

Please do not respond with apathy and silence. Come not only this Sunday night, but to all Family Meetings. Say, Thanks, with your voice and your presence! Ignorance is the same whether uninformed, apathetic, or unlearned. Ignorance is ignorance, regardless of its cause. Your leaders say you matter. What do you say?

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**Prayers and Praises**
Belle Wood has started radiation treatments in the hope that they will help reduce her pain.
Carl Nichols is in Sparks Hospital, room 689.
Praise! Jerry and Donna Looney are leaving Houston this afternoon (10/26/06) to come home! Donna's stitches are out, and she is able to eat. They are doing really well and are so thankful to be coming home -- especially with such wonderful results.
Marie Branch (aunt of James Anderson)
Edwin Monk (father of Gene) is scheduled for heart bypass surgery Thursday morning (10/26/06) in Florida.
Hazel Richards
Praise! Hunter Hesslen continues to improve daily, is eating well and playing again!
Samantha Zody (cousin of Rochelle Brown) has a doctor appointment on Monday. Rochelle asks for prayers for Samantha's comfort while waiting and good test results.
Sharon Barker is very ill with pneumonia.
Wanda Snow (sister of Toka Beall)

**Military Prayer List**
Mitchell Bryant, Shane Newton, Adam Morrissun, Jeff Amos, Brian Harris, Kyle Evans, Charles Hardy, Wes Roper, Michael Gooden, Michael Anderson and Jonathan Smith.

**Baptisms**
Congratulations to Allison Todd and Hannah Watlington who were both baptized Wednesday night after Bible classes. Allison is the daughter of Larry & Suzette Todd. Hannah is the daughter of Hank & Pam Watlington.

**Note of Thanks**
Dear Members of West-Ark,
Thank you so much for all the expressions of concern while mother was in the hospital. All the phone calls, cards, prayers, and love were very much appreciated by mother and myself.
Sincerely,
Debra G. Hatfield

**Thanksgiving Day Lunch**
Thank you, Rachelle Pratt, for agreeing to coordinate Thanksgiving Day Lunch in the FLC! This tradition was started for folks who have family in other parts of the country and would like to join other families here for the day. Anyone can participate. Just visit with Rachelle or look for her sign-up list -- to be posted soon!

**Widows/Widowers**
Our luncheon will be hosted this month by David and Carenda Cobb on Saturday, November 4th. The van will leave the Annex at 11:30 for the Cobbs home. Call Janice or Mary if you need transportation to the Annex. Thank you, Cobbs!

**Cruise to Alaska?**
Are you interested in joining a group of the West-Ark Family on an Alaskan cruise of 7 days, starting May 25, 2007? If you would like to know more, please call either Ann Selig or Martha Walker.

**Wedding Announcement**
Mr. and Mrs. Harvey George and
Mr. and Mrs. Larry Fletcher
are happy to announce the
marriage of their children
Marcia Elizabeth George
and
Ernest Preston "Ep" Fletcher
October 13, 2006
Bonneville House
Fort Smith, Arkansas

**Showers on the Calendar**
October 29
A wedding shower honoring Marcia (George) Fletcher is planned for Sunday, October 29th, from 1:00 to 3:00 in the Annex. Marcia is registered at Wal-Mart, Linens N Things, Pier 1, Home Depot (online) and Target.

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Heres what we need:
1) Workers to set up booths and decorate Friday night, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM in the FLC.
2) Pumpkins for decorations! If you can donate pumpkins, bring them to the FLC Friday at 6 PM.
3) Finger foods for snacks!

Notice a trend in what is needed?? Thats right people. We need YOU! Please contact Tiffany Null or Dena Jenkins if you can help. Lets all work together to make this a wonderful evening of fun for all!

**Special Lesson Series**
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-Making Lessons**
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.

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First of all, we are thankful for the Prater and Davis families who are opening up their homes and their farm in Cedarville for the next two weekends. They are hosting a Jr. High Hayride this coming weekend, October 28th, and a Sr. High Hayride next weekend, November 4th.

We will leave the building at 4 p.m. this coming Saturday and everyone needs to bring $5 with them to help with the cost of food. We will enjoy a BIG FIRE and hot dogs, chips, hot chocolate, marshmallows, and several other kinds of junk food that are great at events like this! Yeah! Parents, we will return to the building at 9:30 p.m. (You are also welcome at the hayride if you want to come.)

On the same night, October 28th, our annual Fall Festival will take place at the West-Ark FLC for our elementary students. Our Sr. High students are encouraged to help out with the various booths and games.

After the Festival, Gary, Rochelle, and Meredith Brown will be hosting a get together at their house for the Sr. High. There will be food, games, a movie, etc. It will be a great night for service and fellowship, so please participate.

For more information about the Fall Festival and the get-together at the Browns', call Rochelle. (Thanks again to the Praters, Davises, Browns, and all of the volunteers at the Fall Festival and Jr. High hayride who are making these events possible for our young people and their families.)

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."