West-Ark Newsletter, 1 February 2007

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Family Lines Newsletter, February 1, 2007
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Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you. (Hebrews 13:17)

I suspect every flock had some contrary individual sheep. This one tended to wander off and get lost. This one tended to fall into trouble regardless of how hard the shepherd sought to produce a safe environment. This one looked at the shepherd as an enemy, no matter how hard the shepherd tried to befriend it. This one never understood a dangerous situation. It constantly was in life-threatening situations.

Congregations are no different. This member consistently wanders off and gets lost. This member forever gets himself/herself into trouble. This member always sees any leader as an enemy. This member never sees danger.

A hard question: Does a man willing to be an elder, be a congregational shepherd, do so in spite of you, or because of you? Though never an elder, I spent a segment of my life in elders meetings. Once when asked to speak to a gathering of elders, I started by noting that I likely had attended more elders meetings than most of them had.

With that exposure, I have seen a bit of everything. A tragedy I witnessed [more than once] involved caring elders seeking to address trying members without all the facts. Congregational leaders are at a disadvantage when they know confidential things they cannot reveal. Nothing is ever as simple as it looks on the outside!

I once knew a group of men who were to be new elders. They were certain they could make needed changes in 6 months. When they became elders, they became aware of conditions they did not know. The only answer for their changes was to slaughter some sheep. Is it the role of the shepherd to destroy the flock? Thankfully, the chief Shepherd seeks to save, not destroy!

Selecting additional elders is a time for personal reflection as well as evaluating lives. It is too easy to expect others to do and be what we never intend to do or be! It is too easy to criticize and hard to be encouraging! It is too easy to discourage and hard to be a source of the joy!

We do not need to decide we, personally, will make leadership more difficult! Satan will take care of that! We need to be part of the joy! Only we can take care of that.

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**Wonder Working Power of Prayer**
Coleen Shirley will see an oncologist this week for a treatment plan. Her foot surgery is healing, but still quite painful at times. Coleen has prayer pager 441-2379.
Harry Smith (Barbaras husband)
Mary Vampola is suffering from neuropathy in her legs and feet.
Patti Kaiser has been to the doctor and will have several other appointments before her chemotherapy begins (in about 2 weeks). Patti has prayer pager 441-2387.
Retha Wood had back surgery earlier this month (Jan. 19) and is making a good recovery. She is very appreciative of your prayers, cards and visits.
Starr (daughter-in-law of Joe and Peggy Pistole) was able to resume chemo treatments this week. She is a bit anemic, but otherwise much better.

**Sympathy**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Peggy Pistole and family in the death of Peggy's cousin, James Cooper on Thursday morning at Sparks Hospital.

**Note of Thanks**
The love that I have felt through the many cards, phone calls, visits, flowers and prayers can not be defined. The outpouring of love is beyond measure and I have been thoroughly encouraged by my brothers and sisters at West-Ark. God truly blesses us during our weakest moments through His strength of peace. Thank you so much for all that you have done and are doing on my behalf.
In Christian Love,
Patty Kaiser

**Ladies Retreat**
February 16 & 17
Mount Sequoyah in Fayetteville, AR
If you have not yet paid, please do so Sunday at the table in the foyer.
These are the final days to register!

**Attention LTC Families**
If your family is going to Tulsa, please check the LTC Bulletin Board this Sunday. Elizabeth Evans has posted a list with the sizes of t-shirts she will be ordering for each family. Please make sure those sizes are correct.

**Congratulations**
Bob and Charlotte Rye are grandparents! Andrew Preston Rye was born January 18 to Andy & Ruth Rye. Andrew weighed 7 lbs., 13 ozs. and was 20 inches long.

**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:
Sunday and Wednesday Night Teachers. All materials and supplies will be provided.
Large, utility shelving (for our backstage area)
Christian Children's CDs (a capella or split track, please)
Split track CD player
Small speakers

**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
4. Eat more chocolate
3. Get to know your sisters in Christ better!
More to come next week!

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**Need for Prayer Warriors**
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 Gods 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 Cancelled**
Our February Car Clinic is cancelled due to the snowy weather. Well have a clinic in March, when hopefully, the weather will be better!

**Quilters Report**
Our West-Ark Quilters were busy as bees in 2006!
Here is the inventory of good things stitched or quilted by them in the past year.
Clothing bags for Childrens Shelter, 352
Quilts for the Hope Chest, 29
Brides quilts, 6
Clothes for Southern Christian Childrens Home, 126
Clothes for City of Children, Mexico, 44
Pillow cases, 193
Pillows, 17
Lap robes, 125
Bed sheets, 6
Tablecloths, 1
Curtains, 1 pair

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 placed in the drop box on or before Feb 4. Unsigned nominations will be discarded. The form may also be printed from the West-Ark web site at http://www.westark.org/benjamin/2007/elder_nomination_form2007.doc

Feb. 18 - 25
Affirmation of candidates. Forms (on gold paper) may be found at the information desk in the foyer and should be returned to the designated drop box on or before Feb. 25.

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****WINTER RETREAT CANCELLED*****
Due to the weather Winter Retreat has been cancelled.
We are trying to reschedule it for mid-March.
Details will be coming soon.

Communion Workers for February
David Burns
Bruce Davenport
Greg Dockery
Charley Douglas
Jerry Glidewell
John Glidewell
Wilburn Howard
Curt Jackson
Kerry Jenkins
Jaythan Johnson
John Kamp
Randy Moss
Barry Owens
J. T. Smith
John Bradley Smith
Larry Todd
Dawson Urrutia
Mark Willis

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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