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Family
Lines Newsletter, November 16,
2006
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**God's Fingerprints**
By David
Chadwell
When good things happen, we must
give God thanks! His fingerprints are all over everything good that
happens! When we each do good, good exists because God gave us ability and
opportunity. We utilize, but we never create.
There is no way Joyce and I could
begin to thank you for the many, many kindnesses of last Sunday. The thoughts,
written notes, and vocal expressions of love and appreciation touched us.
We are delighted my mother was here to witness your love and kindness.
Many times she said, This is the best possible place you could be. Thank
you for the love that provided her so much joy and reassurance, and provided us
so much gratitude.
When I think back a decade to the
time we considered moving here, I recall critical blessings. I think of
Duane and Marquetta Walkers role in our coming. They opened the
possibility door. I think of Jim and Deborah Wilsons assurances.
[These four were the only adults we knew in this area.] I think of the
elders constant encouragements and their willingness to hire a 56 year-old
man. I think of the Oxford visit made by the Matt Griffins and the Paul
Shirleys. I think of all the potential for growth and development God
placed here.
As I think of beginning our work together, I think of
Helen Pratts assistance. I think of the countless ways Brad Pistole
helped me. I think of Roy Dunavins encouragements. I think of the
endless help of the secretaries. I think of your personal prayers and
encouragements. I think of how quickly all of you made us feel at
home.
Several asked if we were
leaving. I asked, Do you know something I do not know? Joyce and I
hope to be a part of you for a long time. As the last year and a half has
proven to me, none of us know what lies ahead. At this time, we have no
plans to leave West-Ark. I told several they could nickname me
velcro. I have no doubt that my role will change, but we hope to
continue to be part of you.
We feel blessed and humbled to be
a part of you. We thank God that we have been and are blessed by all who
have been part of our lives the last ten years! No congregation will ever
be perfect, but opportunities always will increase if we are devoted to Gods
purposes in Jesus Christ. Because we are, may God always be praised and
honored!
Ephesians 4:30 Do not grieve the
Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of
redemption.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the
God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and
body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
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**In Our Thoughts &
Prayers**
Belle Wood -- Al sent this note by e-mail this morning
(11/16/06). Belle went to her doctor Wednesday. He said "there is nothing more
that he can do. He has dismissed her as a patient. Please pray for us.
~~Al Wood
Betty Porter is in St. Edward Hospital, Room 3525 for observation
and treatment for an ulcer.
Devin Nelson (no new update)
Edwin Monk
(Genes father) has been dismissed from the hospital.
Elizabeth Monk
(Genes mother) is in a Florida hospital for tests on her heart.
Glenanna
O'Mara (daughter of Larry & Janice Prater and sister of Shanna Davis) is
very ill and on her way to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.
Lance Haines was
dismissed from the hospital on Tuesday.
Naomi Spears (daughter of Pearl
Beam) is in Sparks Hospital. Her heart surgery has been postponed due to other
health concerns.
Randy English & Family (missionary to American
Samoa)
Sandy Chavis requests prayers for Dana Redding.
Sandy Land
Starr Pistole (daughter-in-law of Joe and Peggy) is meeting with her doctors
this week to determine treatment options.
**Prayer Pagers**
Belle
Wood 441-1792
Devin Nelson 441-2379
Starr
Pistole 441-2384
Dial all pagers 441-2395
**Military Prayer
List**
Mitchell Bryant, Adam Morrissun, Jeff Amos, Brian Harris, Kyle Evans,
Charles Hardy, Wes Roper, Michael Gooden, Michael Anderson and Jonathan
Smith.
**Bereaved in Prayer**
Our love
and sympathy is extended to following families:
Ruby Nichols and family in
the death of Carl on Saturday. Funeral services were Wednesday morning at
West-Ark. Memorial contributions may be given to West-Ark Church of Christ or
Peachtree Hospice.
Milton Hendrix, in the death of his aunt, Teresa Barker,
on Friday. Funeral services were Monday in Maquoketa, Iowa.
Sue Hastings in
the death of her uncle, Odis Cook. Services were Thursday (11/16/06) at Agent
Funeral Home Chapel in Sallisaw. (Odis & Juanita have been worshipping with
us for the last three months.)
**Missions
Offering**
Cash $124,465.87
Pledges $
66,603.00
Pledges and donations to date total $191,068.87!!
Thanks
to everyone who participated!
**Prayers for Missions**
Jerry Canfield has been in Nigeria for 2 ½ weeks. He returned home on November
15th.
Thomas and Kindy Kweekul left November 15th for 4 months of mission
work in Thailand.
Continue to pray for our missionary families in Vietnam
and Laos.
John Paul & Ruby Lee Hundley in France.
**Welcome, New Members!**
Phil
& Sandy Chavis
3421 Ramsgate Way
Fort Smith AR 72908
Phone:
648-0064
**Change of Address**
Tom &
Betty Porter
7811 Euper Lane, Apt. B27
Fort Smith, AR 72903
Phone:
651-5345
**Memorial**
The following
audio CDs have been donated by Barry & Connye Neal to the church in memory
of Marcia Dyes mother, Mrs. Conard Hayes.
The Hundred Most Requested Hymns
on Harding A Cappella Chorus Tours, Volume 3 (this CD is in the church
office)
Wedding Favorites by Harding University Concert Choir (in the
Church Library)
Mansions Over the Hilltop by Harding University Concert
Choir and The Dallas Christian Adult Concert Choir (in the Church
Library).
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**Notes of Thanks**
Dear West-Ark Quilters,
Thank
you so much for our beautiful quilt. We absolutely love it. I have
many fond memories of learning to sew in the quilting room, and this quilt
reminds me of those wonderful times. The quilt also reminds us how loved
and blessed we are to have so many wonderful brothers and sisters in
Christ. Thank you for thinking of us during this special time in our
lives.
God Bless!
Ep and Marcia (George) Fletcher
Dear FAMILY!!!
Donna and I are back from Houston after a successful
operation to remove a cancer from inside her mouth!
From the first gloomy prognosis, a piece of bone removed from her leg to
replace a segment removed from her jawbone, 2 or 3 days in the hospital, 4 weeks
on a feeding tube, and some radiation, each visit with the doctors showed
improvement to the point that the operation was actually an outpatient procedure
with no feeding tube and no radiation required!! I believe that if we
could have had a month before the operation the cancer would have been
gone!!
Donna still has a little trouble speaking but it is just due to her mouth
being sore. Her leg is a little sore also where they removed the skin for
the graft to cover the tissue removed during the surgery. The current prognosis
is for a complete cancer free recovery. We will go back to Houston for a
final checkup in six weeks.
We would like to thank everyone at West-Ark who prayed for us so many
times. You really are prayer warriors. The prayer pager that we were
given would not reach to Houston so we left it with Elaine and Chris Hill.
Elaine would tell us each time we talked that the buzzing of the pager was
almost continuous. We really didnt need the audio/visual representation
of your prayers; we could see them at work.
Thanks also for all of the cards and well wishes from so many of you!
God guided us to a wonderful church family!!!
Thanks for everything!!!
The
Jerry Looney Family
**Hope Chest Toy Collection**
Please continue to bring toys (old and
new) for distribution in December by The Hope Chest. Place your toy donations in
the BIG, RED container in the foyer.
**Photos Needed**
We are collecting photos of ladies events from the
past for our Retreat. If you have pictures of past Bible classes, fellowships,
retreats, ladies days, etc. that you can share, please give them to Esther
Gunn, Staci James or Tracy Risley. They will be returned!
**FLOCK Talk**
The FLOCK is in need of empty Kleenex boxes (cube shaped,
please) for an upcoming project. Please put them on the FLOCK table by the
elevator.
**JOY Bunch!**
Potluck on Saturday, November 18th at 6:00 PM in the
FLC.
**Thanksgiving Dinner**
November 23, Noon in the FLC
If you plan to
attend, please sign the sheet in the foyer indicating the number in your family
who will be attending and also what food you will be providing. If you
need further information, please contact Rachelle Pratt.
**LTC Announcements**
A $30 registration fee per child is due by
December 10. If financial assistance is needed, see Clark Risley or Gary
Brown.
**Cupcakes Needed**
Calling all bakers! Gateway's class Faith
Matters will be in need of people to make cupcakes from Nov. 26 through Dec.
24. We will need 2 to 3 dozen plain chocolate cupcakes each week. If you
can help, please sign the list on the bulletin board in the foyer.
**Announcements From Afar**
Former members, Ken and Connie
Tipton have a new grandchild. Kyrien Anli Hardy was born to the daughter and
son-in-law, Kenna & David, on November 4th. The baby boy weighed 6 lbs., and
was 19 ¾ inches long.
Former members Gary & Martha Halford have twin grandsons, Elliott &
Keiffer, born October 19th to their son, Brian and his wife.
**Thanksgiving Schedules**
November 23 (Wed. evening) -- no Bible
classes. All ages will assemble in the Auditorium at 7 p.m. for a
devotional.
November 23 & 24 (Thursday & Friday) the church
office is closed.
We will not publish a newsletter next week (November
23).
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**Family Life Ministry**
By Brad Pistole
As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my souls pants for you, O
God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet
with God?
(Psalm 42:1-2)
O God, you are my God;
earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirst for
you,
my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no
water.
(Psalm 63:1)
One thing I ask of the Lord,
this is what I seek;
That I may dwell
in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty
of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.
(Psalm 27:4)
My eyes stay open through the watches of the night,
that I may
meditate on your promises.
(Psalm 119:148)
God, we thank you for many wonderful blessings!
They are too numerous to
count!
Give us a deep passion for You,
and help us to seek after You
all of the days of our lives.
**Happy Birthday**
November 24th
Emma Adams
Carson Belt
Christi Lyn Peters
November 25th
Bobbye Ferrell
November 27th
Sue George
John Priester
Rebecca Risley
Steve
Williams
November 29th
Kay Cole
Marvin Hughes
November 30th
Lyndon Blackman
Charlie Dye
Anna Roberts
**Nursery Schedule**
Morning
Flora Johnson
Elaine Hill
Evening
Shelia Vaught
Carolyn Hankins
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 650
Bible Classes 470
Sunday Evening
305
Wednesday Evening 330
Contribution $16,094
Childrens
Home $249
Laotian
Attendance & contribution included with above.
Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance 64
Contribution $240
Office Phone (479) 452-1240
Fax (479) 452-5767
office@westarkchurchofchrist.org
www.westark.org------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Making
disciples for Jesus who are eager to serve
others."