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Family
Lines Newsletter, December 21,
2006
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------**HOPE IN DESPAIR**
By David Chadwell
1 Corinthians 15:12-19 Now if
Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you
say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection
of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised,
then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. Moreover we are even found
to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised
Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the
dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been
raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who
have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this
life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.
Now for many is the time for
renewed hope. We are accustomed to life in a world of failed
expectation. We need someone who can do something about it. No matter
what the age we examine, war continues; poverty is a part of existence;
injustice flourishes; sickness rages; and death is inescapable.
We have grown so accustomed to
these realities that we no longer expect an end to war, poverty, injustice,
sickness, or death. When a war ends, we know another will arise (does
anyone remember WWI?). When one case of poverty ends, several more replace
it (around 600 people came Saturday to the Hope Chest). When one form of
injustice ends, others appear (the cigar-filled room that often controlled a
political process is replaced with technological injustices). When a
sickness is conquered, others arise (remember a world without AIDS?).
Physical death is the ultimate reality for all physically born (contrast a 1996
church directory with the 2006 church directory). If hope is based on any
of these ceasing in physical existence, all that occurs is
disappointment.
Hope always comes at a
price. The hope we place in the infant Jesus ended in physical death in a
Roman execution. Hope did not die. Jesus died. Hope continued
in his resurrection. The baby became a man who physically died. That
was hopes price.
Do not expect a physical existence
of no war, no poverty, no injustice, no sickness, or no death. The hope of
his birth was the hope of his cross. The hope of his cross was the hope of
his resurrection. The hope of his resurrection was our hope of life in
Gods presence. In that place there is no war, no poverty, no injustice,
no sickness, and no death.
Gods hope is not the hope of
wishing. It is the hope of expectation. Anticipation must be a
factor in Christian hope! Because we are good? NO! Because
the good God gave us hope in all He did in Jesus death and
resurrection!
Often this week I heard Joyce say:
Why should I want to live my life over? I am closer to heaven now than I
was in my past. Why should I want to go back?
Because of Jesus, you can live
with God. You cannot go back. Do what is possible!
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**Say
A Prayer For**
(Alphabetical order by first name)
Dave Cogswells mother,
Agnes Ely, was taken to the hospital Wednesday morning in Olathe, Kansas. Her
oxygen levels are very low and she was placed on a ventilator. Mrs.
Cogswell has advanced lung cancer.
Betty Hatcher recovering from surgery on
a broken wrist.
Betty Porter continued to take rehab at Methodist Village,
room 196.
Darold Wear is very ill with pneumonia and congestive heart
failure. Darold is in the hospital at Paris, AR.
Janet Jackson is home
following surgery this week.
Jess Huff is under hospice care.
Marie Cook
recovering from surgery.
Naomi Spears, daughter of Pearl Beam, is still in
Sparks Hospital, room 641.
Randy English & Family (missionary to American
Samoa)
Starr Pistole will start chemotherapy as soon as she heals from
surgery.
Wayne and Melissa Tygart were
involved in an auto accident in Springfield. Wayne has been released from the
hospital. Melissa will return today (12/21) and enter the hospital here to
complete her recovery.
**Prayers for Bereaved**
Our
love and sympathy is extended to the families who have lost loved ones this
week.
Al Wood in the death of Belle on Sunday evening. Funeral services are
Friday (12/22/06) in San Angelo, Texas.
Roy Dunavin in the death of his
brother Muriel. Funeral services are Thursday (12/21/06) in Amarillo,
Texas.
Margaret Stone in the death of her brother, Leon Galloway, on Monday
evening. Funeral services will be in Boyd, Texas.
**Prayer Pager**
Sharon
Barker 441-2386
**Military Prayer List**
Sarah
Smith requests prayers for her nephew, Stephen McElroy, who is in a very
dangerous place in Iraq. If you would like to encourage him, you may send a note
or card to:
Stephen McElroy, Charley Co.
2/27 Infantry Unit
#70096
APO/AE09338
Continue to pray for Mitchell Bryant, Adam Morrissun,
Jeff Amos, Brian Harris, Kyle Evans, Charles Hardy, Wes Roper, Michael
Gooden, Michael Anderson, and Jonathan Smith.
**Prayers for Missions**
Thomas
and Kindy Kweekul are in Thailand.
Continue to pray for our missionary
families in Vietnam and Laos.
John Paul & Ruby Lee Hundley in
France.
**LTC Announcement**
We are
greatly in need of a coach for the Junior and Senior High Drama groups in LTC.
Please contact Nancy Smith if you can help.
**Inner City Ministry**
Dont
forget -- it is West-Arks turn to serve the meal at Hope Park Pavilion on
December 30th.
**Carton to Cameroon*
May we
all give thanks to God. The carton we sent to Cameroon has been released intact
to Eugene Elangwe Baloko. We thank all of you who helped to get it to the
destination.
**Congratulations on Your
Retirement**
Bill Dickey retired from the Trane Company on December
22 after 35 years of service! Bills plans are to do all the things he
hasnt had time to do in the last 35 years :~)
Myra Flippo-Puckett
We all know
people who have always been there for us. One of those is Myra
Flippo-Puckett. For over 25 years Myra has served as secretary for
West-Ark. In fact, she has "been there" for West-Ark before it ever
began. Myra started out with the College Terrace Church of Christ.
She was part of the transition when Windsor and College Terrace merged.
She was there when our current facilities were being built; which means she kept
her ordinary responsibilities but she assisted with the special responsibilities
involved in a new construction project. Myra is a wonderful resource for wisdom
and history, and though we will miss having her insights and information so
close at hand we wish her the best in retirement. You are welcome to come by the
church office on Wednesday or Thursday of next week (Dec. 27 and 28) to bless
Myra and honor her years of service. We will also have a reception in her honor
on Jan. 7th. (More about that reception in the January 4th
newsletter.)
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**The Hope Chest**
Toy Giveaway last Saturday, Dec. 16
The face of a child tells the
story! The toy giveaway at The Hope Chest on Saturday morning was a great
success! Over 600 adults and children took part in the day. Thank you to all the
dedicated Hope Chest volunteers who carefully sorted and displayed all the
wonderful toys and to everyone else who came to help on Saturday.
**Hope Chest Container**
The
Hope Chest toy container now has a new purpose a holding place for ANY
DONATIONS (except furniture) to the Hope Chest. Please bring your household
items or clothing and place them in the container. Thank you for ~not~ leaving
bagged items in other parts of the building (like the Annex, FLC, or office).
**Happy Anniversary!**
John and
Hazel Richards, 60 Years on December 26th.
Jess and Mary Huff, 60 Years on
December 24th.
**Worship Schedule **
Sunday,
December 24th
Morning and evening worship at regular time. Sunday evening,
KFC and Youth Worship will not meet.
**Wednesday, December
27th**
Normal schedule
**Sunday, December
31st**
Morning and evening worship at regular time. Sunday evening -- KFC
will not meet. Youth Worship will coincide with their New Year's Eve
activities.
**Church Office Schedule**
The
church office will be closed December 25, 26 and January 1. We will not
publish a newsletter on December 28th, the week of Christmas.
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**
Family Life Ministry**
By Brad Pistole
**THE
U IN JESUS**
Before U were thought of or time had begun,
God stuck U in the name of
His Son.
And each time U pray, youll see its true
You cant spell out
JesUs and not include U.
Youre a pretty big part of His wonderful name,
For U, He was born;
thats why He came.
And His great love for U is the reason He died.
It
even takes U to spell crucified.
Isnt it thrilling and splendidly grand
He rose from the dead, with U in
His plan?
The stones split away, the gold trumpet blew,
And this word
resurrection is spelled with a U.
When JesUs left earth at His upward ascension,
He felt there was one
thing He just had to mention.
Go into the world and tell them its true
That I love them all Just
like I love U.
So many great people are spelled with a U,
Dont they have a right to
know JesUs too?
It all depends now on what U will do.
Hed like them to know,
But it
all starts with U.
**Happy Birthday**
December 26th
Bill Brazelton
Ben
Goode
Rodney Jones
Mary Beth Oliver
Kathy Rogers
December 27th
Hope Frost
December 28th
Hannah Hesslen
Natalie Nelson
December 29th
Mack Farris
Patrick Pruitt
December 30th
Lyndell Foster
December 31st
Bob Davidson
Christy Puckett
**NURSERY WORKERS**
4th Sunday
Morning
Bernice
Rogers
Sharon Faries
Kristin Smith
Evening
Angela Dunavant
Denise Lusby
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 718
Bible
Classes 471
Sunday Evening 332
Wednesday Evening
301
Contribution $27,054
Childrens Home $537
Laotian
Attendance 34
Contribution $184
Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance 63
Contribution $205
"Making disciples for Jesus who
are eager to serve
others."
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