West-Ark Newsletter, 19 April 2007

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Family Lines Newsletter, April 19, 2007
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I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:14, 15)

In the elders and ministers retreat this past weekend and in the lesson Sunday morning, Charles Siburt called attention to Holy Manners. He emphasized that in our congregations nation-wide, many Christians do not know how to behave as Christians.

When Paul wrote 1 Timothy, he left Timothy in Ephesus to address situations needing immediate attention (1:3). Though Ephesus was one of the earliest Christian communities with an established eldership (Acts 20:17), some situations needed attention. This was principally a gentile congregation in a large, important city.

Ephesus reputation reached world-wide. It was one of Asia Minors oldest cities, likely numbering in the hundreds of thousands in the first century. The gathering place for Ephesians (the amphitheater) seated 25,000 people.

Ephesus was the home of the goddess known as Artemis [the Roman Diana]. Her temple was the largest building in the Greek world. Her existence in Ephesus produced a fierce loyalty among most Ephesians (see Acts 19:27-29).

Thus Christians existed in an idol-worshipping city where most people knew much more about idolatrous conduct than Christian conduct. Many Christians simply did not know how to act like Christians. They confronted two continuing problems: (1) It was quite acceptable to worship many gods. (2) Christians must not live like, act like, or behave like the majority who did not know or feel loyalty to Jesus Christ.

Christians simply needed to learn how to act like Christians. Idol worshippers acted in ways characterizing people believing in pagan gods. Christians should act in ways characterizing Christians. There were idol-worshipping behaviors and Christ-worshipping behaviors. There were moral standards attached to the gods and moral standards attached to Jesus. Christians must daily know and model the differences. People should be able to determine a Christians commitment by the way he or she lives every day.

In the above text, household meant family. Church referred to who they were 24 hours a day, every day, not a building at an address. It was men and women who believed in the resurrected Jesus Christ all the time. It was the pillar and support of the truth because it literally changed who they were. They learned the new manners of a person belonging to God through Jesus Christ.

American Christians live in a society that worships many thingsmaterialism, pleasure, status symbols, material security, etc. Who we are and what we live for distinguishes us from those who do not know or feel loyalty to Jesus Christ. Questions: Do you know 'Holy Manners'? How does your behavior declare your faith in Jesus?

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**Reception honoring Earl & Vivian Flood for their years of loving service!**
Sunday Evening, April 22, in the Family Life Center (following worship)
Refreshments will be provided.
Well also have a basket for your notes and cards in the foyer all day Sunday! (morning and evening)

**The Wonder Working Power of Prayer**
Eulonda Grist (mother of Ed Grist) is recovering from a stroke. She lives in Sheridan, AR.
John Gardenhire (son of Warren & Elizabeth) is in St. Edward Hospital, room 5101.
Kathleen Nelson is in St. Edward Hospital, room 3320.
Louis Mendez has two herniated discs and is confined to bed rest.
Patty Kaiser is feeling better! She is in St. Edward Hospital, Room 5510 and can have visitors. She may be dismissed as soon as Thursday (4/20/07)
Tim Williams (son-in-law of Bob and Jane Fisher) has been diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer. Please keep the whole family in your prayers.
Prayers have been requested for Donnell Richison of Poteau, OK, who was recently diagnosed with cancer.

**Confined to Home**
Bonnie Marrs and Mary T Kolb are both recovering from strokes and unable to get out much. Please encourage them this week with a card or a phone call.

**Bereaved**
John Priester requests your prayers for his family in Florida. Danielle, his cousins daughter, was killed in a car wreck on 4/13/07. Danielle leaves behind a four-month-old baby girl.

**Prayer Pagers**
Doris Robertson, 441-2384
Roger Dicks, 441-2386
Patty Kaiser, 441-2387
Dialing (479) 441-2395 will contact all West-Ark prayer pagers at once.

**Pray for Our Military**
Please add to this list Thomas J. Lara (nephew of Mikki Mendez), who is serving with the US Marines in Iraq.
Continue to pray for these men:
Adam Morrissun
Brian Perkins
Brian Harris
Jeff Amos
Jonathan Smith
Kyle Evans
Michael Anderson
Ron Wheat
Stephen McElroy
Wes Roper

**Two Baptisms!**
Wednesday morning, Henry Allen was baptized by Jack Lewis. His residence will be changing. Please keep him in your prayers.
Wednesday evening, Jessie Moore, our churchs friendly, hard-working, and accommodating maintenance man, was baptized. All of us who work with Jessie have grown to love and appreciate him so much!
Jessie Moore
4511 High Street, Apt. 6
Fort Smith, AR 72901
Phone: 561-3504

**Bridal Shower**
You are invited to a Bridal Shower honoring Ashlee Johnson (bride-elect of Jeremy Beauchamp) on Sunday, April 22, from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. in the West-Ark Annex. Ashlee is registered at Target, Linens N Things, Wal-Mart, and online at Crate and Barrel, www.crateandbarrel.com. The wedding will be in Kansas City, Missouri.

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Dear Church Family,
Thank you for your many prayers, flowers, cards & calls during my recent hospital stay and recovery at home. We are so blessed to be a part of the West-Ark Church Family. Please continue to pray that tests scheduled to be done in June come out OK.
In Christian love
Jim Selig

We want to thank all of you for the prayers that have gone up to our Heavenly Father on behalf of our son, Roger. Roger spent 4 weeks in the hospital, three of those in intensive care. He is at home now and will have 3 to 4 months of rehab yet to come. We appreciate the visits, but especially the prayers.
In Christian love,
Jean & Charles Dicks

Dear Church Family,
Thank you so much for the many acts of kindness shown to my family during this sorrowful time. We have received so many cards, flowers and food. We are so very thankful to be part of Gods family at West-Ark. The book placed in the Library in Gordons memory means so much. I also want to say thank you to all who offered prayers up on his behalf for so many years. Your prayers have helped greatly.
Family of Gordon Wray
Dennis, Vicki & Benton Anderson

**Missions Opportunity**
Levi and Sara (Word) Sisemore will be at West-Ark on Wednesday night, April 25, to report on their plans to go to Barnaul, Siberia, Russia. They will do a presentation in Room 100 after classes that evening for anyone in the congregation who is interested in their plans.

**Summer WINGS Class**
A Wednesday night "Summer WINGS" class is being planned for the ladies at West-Ark. This 14-week study from Philippians and Colossians will begin May 2. It will be very practical and appropriate for various ages to study together. Would you be interested in being a part of this class? If so, please call Helen Pratt or e-mail her before April 28. It will be helpful to have the approximate number of ladies who will be attending as the leaders begin preparation of the study material.

**Green Valley Bible Camp Meeting**
Well have a short, informational meeting Sunday, April 29, at the front of the Auditorium immediately after services. This is for anyone interested in going to Green Valley Bible Camp this summer with our group (the first week in July). GVBC is in Rogers, AR, and will accept campers who are 11 years of age through high school seniors. Day Camp is available for those who have finished 1st grade through age 11. Questions? Call Rochelle Brown.

**Lions for Christ**
Finals Week Pancake Breakfast
May 7-11, 7 10 a.m.
If you would like to help with breakfast for our college students, please contact Colleen Frost at home or the church office, 452-1240.

**Its VBS Time, and We Need Your Help!**
If you would like to help in any way, there is a place for you! VBS is a very exciting event for ALL ages. Come join the fun June 18-21. Contact Staci James or Dena Jenkins if you can help. To Him be all the glory!!

**Brunch for Graduating Senior Girls**
Saturday, May 12th, 10:00 AM, in the Family Life Center
This brunch will honor our two graduating senior girls, Bailey Williams and Molly Walker. We are blessed to once again have Daisy Powell from Tulsa as our speaker. Please bring a breakfast food. We hope to have ALL WOMEN, no matter what your age, to attend and honor these two fine young women!

**Are These Your Bibles?**
We have a case of unclaimed NIV Large Print Bibles in the church office. If you ordered them, please call Lynn Dickey or Janice Lowry to claim them.

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You don't have to search the Gospels long before you are "knee deep" in the controversy that surrounded Jesus. The controversy followed Him His entire life.

Remember His birth? The virgin birth? Remember the problems that caused for Joseph, Mary, and their relationship? Can you imagine what everyone else must have been saying?

There was His famous "disappearing act" at age 12 that greatly distressed His parents. His selection of 12 "very ordinary" men with no religious education or heritage to speak of. Men who would lay the foundation and be the cornerstones of the church. His choice to heal people on the "Holy Day" which appeared to break the very laws He claimed to establish. His defense of His followers who did numerous things that also seemed against the Law of Moses. His disruption in the temple. Of course, who could forget His numerous public disputes with the religious leaders of His day?

Mike Yaconelli, founder of Youth Specialties and minister for more than 40 years, put it like this: "God help us if the whole world looks at the church and says 'aren't they nice?'"

Jesus was accused of being a drunkard. His own parents thought He was crazy. The religious leaders thought He was a blasphemer. If you want to follow Jesus, you're going to be called a lot of things, and NICE isn't one of them."

He goes on to say, This culture loves nice people. They tolerate nice people. But what they don't tolerate are people who are desperate for Jesus! When you and I get in touch with that desperateness for Jesus, then you better look out, because you never know where it's going to take you."

Have you ever been truly desperate for Jesus? What exactly would that mean? What would it look like? How would you be characterized by others if you were truly desperate for Jesus? Take the time this week to read about one person who was desperate for Jesus and make a list of her characteristics. (Mark 5:24-34)

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 706
Sunday PM Worship 294
Bible Classes 419
Life Groups 43
Contribution $18437
Childrens Home $275

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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