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Family Lines Newsletter, January 25, 2007
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**People-Centered Leaders**
By David Chadwell
 
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.  He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.” (John 3:16-21)
 
God loves sinners!  Incredible!  He always has!  He asked Jonah, “Why should I not love the Assyrians?” (Jonah 4:11).  Isaiah said Israel was to be a light to the nations [non-Jewish people] (Isaiah 42:5-7). Jesus said there was more rejoicing in heaven over 1 sinner who repented than 99 righteous people who needed no repentance (Luke 15:7).  Paul said Christ died for people while they were still sinners (Romans 5:8).  God loves sinners!
 
We live in difficult times that are likely to become more difficult.  The times create enormous concerns for us.  We are more likely to demand that our leadership be more concerned about our anxieties than God’s priorities—especially when our anxieties clash with God’s priorities.
 
God’s priorities demand that leadership be concerned with two matters: (a) rescuing those outside of Christ and (b) spiritually preserving those in Christ.  Elders should be spiritually mature!  Elders should think!  Elders should grow! 
 
If elders do that by virtue of study and exposure to people problems, what will happen?  If you take the most spiritually mature men in the congregation, and stimulate them to continue to mature, they often “out grow” the majority in a congregation.  When a congregation confuses faithfulness to championing anxieties rather than faithfulness to promoting God’ priorities, major problems develop.  That is why (a) elders never cease to communicate with a congregation and (b) constantly seek to explain “whys” for their decisions.  Never make elders of men you do not trust!  Always make men you can confidently follow elders!  Just as in good parenting, trust issues are enormous!
 
It is not easy to let God be the model of concern for people!  It is not easy to incorporate and involve the penitent lost in a congregation!  If we grow, there will be those whose backgrounds are different, whose values are different, whose problems are “messy,” whose lifestyle is different, whose “spiritual learning curve” is challenging.
 
Leaders must realize what was successful 50 years ago may be irrelevant now. They must understand the difference between fads and substance.  They must search for ways to help us effectively “love the unlovable”—because that is what God does!  
 
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**Wonder Working Power of Prayer**
• Coleen Shirley has received a diagnosis of breast cancer.  She will see an oncologist 1/25/07 in Fayetteville. Coleen has prayer pager 441-2379.
• Hunter Hesslen -- recovery from pneumonia
• Inez Hatfield -- continued health problems
• Jess Huff  (hospice care)
• Mary Broyles had out-patient surgery Tuesday to remove a skin cancer.
• Mary Vampola is suffering from neuropathy in her legs and feet. She fell down the stairs Monday, but thankfully, had only bruises and nothing broken. 
• Mitch Harper is recovering from thyroid surgery  (1/24/07).
• Patti Kaiser sees her surgeon 1/25/07 for a checkup. She will then have a PET scan and see an oncologist. Patti has prayer pager 441-2387.
• Good news! Richard Broyles' biopsy results were negative. 
• Starr (daughter-in-law of Joe and Peggy Pistole) -- is very sick from the chemo treatments. 
 
**Sympathy**
Our sympathy is extended to Helen Walker and her daughter, Angela, in the death of father and grandfather, LeRoy Champion.
 
**Staying in Touch**
A call or card would be encouraging to these ladies who are getting better each day, but still mostly confined to home.
Grace Peters, 452-1975
5800 Grand Avenue, Apt. 502
Fort Smith, AR 72904
 
Patti Kaiser
1119 South 21st Street
Fort Smith, AR 72901
 
Genevieve Rhodes, 484-7328
5800 Grand Avenue, Apt. 306
Fort Smith, AR 72904
 
Naomi Spears
Legacy Health and Rehab Center 3100 North 50
Fort Smith, AR 72904
(Naomi is the daughter of Pearl Beam.)
 
**Welcome, Shane & Natalie!**
Shane & Natalie Hughes
808 North 36th, Apt. 2
Fort Smith, AR 72904
Phone: (325) 829-8749
Shane is our Campus Minister for the Lions for Christ.
 
**Welcome, New Members!**
 
Rhonda Burgess
Rheva Burgess (teenage daughter)
P.O. Box 345
Sallisaw, OK 74955
Phone: (918) 774-5397
 
Wendal & Lila Hull
300 Ark Valley Road
Pocola, OK 74902
Phone: (918) 626-3768
 
**Change of Address**
Leo Atkins
5800 Grand Avenue, Apt. 213
Fort Smith, AR 72904
Phone: 478-8831
 
Treva Hill
17750 Quays Road
Cameron, OK 74932
Phone (918) 721-3574
 
Mark & Debra Willis
Kathyrn, Lauren & Madelyn
319 Free Ferry Landing
Fort Smith, AR 72903
Phone: 452-3354
 
**Sunday, January 28**
6:00 PM Family Meeting
followed by a Fellowship Meal in FLC!
Please bring desserts!
 
**Flock Talk**
We have several opportunities for service and donations for the FLOCK. Please contact Staci James, Dena Jenkins or Melody Priester if you can help with any of the following:
• Wednesday Night Teacher (beginning 1-31).  All materials and supplies will be provided.
• Large, utility shelving (for our backstage area)
• VCR/DVD Player
• Christian Children's CD’s (a capella or split track, please)
• Split track CD player
• Small speakers
 
**Attention -- All FLOCK Grownups!!**
We invite you all to come to our very special Celebration this Sunday in the FLC during class time.  Each child will receive a special blessing and certificate from the elders and will also participate in other related activities as we begin our study of how Jesus blessed the children.  Come join us and share this experience with your child.  To Him be all the glory!  ~~Dena Jenkins
 
**CURE Work Night**
Monday, January 29
7:00 PM
Vicksburg Warehouse
Men & women needed!
 
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**Elder Selection Timeline**
 
Jan. 28 – Feb 4  
All members should submit signed nomination forms.  Forms (on blue paper) may be found at the information desk in the foyer and should be returned to the designated drop on or before Feb 4.  Unsigned nominations will be discarded.
 
Feb. 5 - 10
Current elders will review the nominations and consult with men who receive the largest percentage of nominations.
 
Feb. 11
Qualified nominees with the greatest percentage of nominations and a desire to serve will be announced as candidates for shepherds.
 
Feb. 12-18
Concerns about any candidate should be submitted in writing to the elders for review.  Unsigned letters will be discarded.
 
Feb. 18 - 25
Affirmation of candidates. Forms (on gold paper) may be found in the foyer and should be returned to the designated drop box on or before Feb. 25.
 
March 4 
Dedication of elders
 
**LTC for Sunday, January 28**
4:00  Elementary Signing
 High School Quiz Bowl
5:00 Elementary Chorus
 Secondary Chorus
6:00 Elementary Drama
 
**Ladies’ Retreat**
February 16 & 17
Mount Sequoyah in Fayetteville, AR
The cost is $50 per person for rooms with two or more individuals. For those wanting to room alone the cost is $60. If you are attending Saturday only, the cost is $25. There is a registration table set up in the foyer. Online registration is available at www.westark.org/retreat.htm . Please sign up and pay by January 31st.
 
**Top 10 Reasons to Attend Ladies’ Retreat**
10. Self Reflection
9. No responsibilities for 24 hours
8. Eat chocolate
7. Pamper yourself
6. True personalities are revealed through games
5. Late night bonding
More to come …
 
**Retreat Prayer Warriors Needed!**
As the Ladies’ Retreat draws near and the months of prayer and planning come to fruition, we ask for prayer warriors to lift this event up to the Father to make it what He wants it to be.   Husbands, boyfriends and others who are unable to attend the retreat are welcome to sign the list in the foyer, committing to a time of prayer on behalf of the planning team, our speaker, and all who attend.   Most importantly, we ask for prayers that God’s will be done and that His name will be glorified in it all.
 
**Widows/Widowers**
We will have a red, pink & white luncheon in the Annex, Saturday, February 3rd at noon.  Come dressed accordingly! Call one of these ladies if you need a ride:  Bobbie Hughes, Mary Burkett, Janice Lowry.
 
**Car Clinic**
Saturday, February 3
8 to 11 a.m. in the Annex parking lot
(weather permitting)
 
**Tutor Needed**
One more tutor is needed for the Tutoring Program. If you are available Tuesdays from 3:30 to 5:00 PM, contact Sheila Vaught.
 
**Engagement Announcement**
Amy Shewmaker & Casey Benincosa
The parents of Amy Lynn Shewmaker of Bentonville, AR, announce her engagement to Casey Benincosa. Casey is the son of Tom & Roxie Benincosa, all former members of West-Ark now living in Searcy, AR.  A June 2nd wedding is planned at Heritage Baptist Church in Bella Vista with Brad Pistole officiating.  Amy and Casey both attend Harding University.
 
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**Family Life Ministry**
By Brad Pistole
 
*REAL LOVE*
 
It is RELEVANT! It is REALISTIC! It REALLY happened for a REASON! Because we were REBELLIOUS, we needed a REDEEMER. We needed to be RECONCILED.  We needed to be RECOVERED. We needed to be REGENERATED.  Jesus was REJECTED so that we could have a RELATIONSHIP not a RELIGION! We need to REMEMBER what Jesus did to REMOVE our sin to RENDER Satan powerless, to RESCUE us. Jesus was RESPONSIBLE for giving you REST.  As a result of his death, He RETIRED your debt.  Because of this, some will be REPULSED, some will REFUSE to believe, some will be RELUCTANT, and some will think you are RIDICULOUS in believing that death was REQUIRED to set you free.  But the truth is--the RESULT of sin has been REVERSED!  And now, through faith in Christ your REWARD is eternity.  And now you are RIGHTEOUS before God, because you have RECEIVED Him as the RULER of your life!
 
What a REVOLUTIONARY and RADICAL solution to REDEEM mankind!
 --Author Unknown
 
**Happy Birthday**
January 28
Charles Dicks
Gene Monk
Barney Puckett
 
January 30
Harold Davis
Abbey Jenkins
 
January 31
Phillip Burns
 
February 1
Brandon Combs
Carolyn Harrell
Ashley Haworth
 
February 2
Fran Wade
 
February 3
Jared Hollomon
Jane Newman
 
**Nursery Workers**
Morning
Bernice Rogers
Sharon Faries
Kristin Smith
 
Evening
Angela Dunavant
Denise Lusby
 
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 695
Bible Classes  495
Wednesday Evening 270
Contribution   $18,638
Children’s Home $225
 
Lao Worship
Attendance 27
Contribution $158
 
Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance 63
Contribution $223
 
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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