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Family Lines Newsletter, May 17, 2007
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**Holy Manners: Encouragement**
By David Chadwell
 
“We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.”  (1 Thessalonians 5:14)
 
In an earlier work, I spent years teaching, counseling, urging, associating with, and encouraging people seeking recovery.  They came from all levels and involvements in life.  All they had in common was a desire to recover.
 
This weekend I was in the mall late Saturday afternoon.  I did not see one person I knew in the hour I was there.  Nor did I identify with anyone in the sea of humanity flowing by me.  I had the same feeling I had in the past when in a culture I did not know.
 
My point: if you asked people in either situation to name the top five sources of encouragement in our society, the church would not appear in their lists.  I know so in my first example.  I have specific memories of encouraging tearful people to come into a church building to a group meeting.  Why were they crying?  In their minds, church buildings were places they associated with pain, not for help with their struggles.
 
I confess at times I wearied of hearing about the thoughtless things Christians did or said in “the name of Christ.”  I also find it troubling to read of Jesus spending time with people who lost hope.  Helping struggling people is always complex.  Yet, God cares about those we are often tempted to “write off.”
 
It IS difficult to be a godly person in this society.  Because of persecution?  No!  There is little persecution here.  In this society (1) it is easy to be self-centered; (2) it is easy to substitute society’s emphasis for God’s values; and (3) it is easy to do both.  In spite of all the New Testament’s examples of sufferings and hardships, it is easy to conclude that “going to church” will result in having a “good life” (as defined by the individual).
 
The church in Thessalonica had significant problems. (1) They misunderstood Christian suffering (3:3).  (2) They needed to grow in love for each other (3:12; 4:9, 10).  (3) Some were sexually immoral (4:3).  (4) They needed to improve in their treatment of unbelievers (4:12).  (5) They misunderstood the meaning of death (4:13).  (6) They misunderstood when the end would come (5:1-11).  (7) They did not respect spiritual leaders as they should (5:12, 13).
 
The interesting thing was Paul’s solution.  It was not “sweep house and rid yourself of troublemakers.”  Paul’s solution: “encourage the struggling.”
 
All of us have moments and situations of discouragement.  God never gives up on us.  Please may we not give up on each other.  When we struggle, we do not need added discouragement.  We need encouragement!  May we as God’s people be known for our ability to encourage others!  May the weak look to you for strength (Romans 15:1).
 
Thank all of you who are involved with things like the Hope Chest, CURE, tutoring, youth work, college work, mission efforts, the sick, visitors, and the timid.  Investments in people are eternal.  May we all arrive in heaven because of each other, not in spite of each other.  May your holy manners be many people’s spiritual strength!
 
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**In Our Thoughts & Prayers**
• Prayers are requested for Brenda Howard, who was recently diagnosed with colon cancer.
• Corey Savage, Jewell Madzey House's 14-year-old grandson, has been dismissed from the hospital. He is still recovering from pneumonia, but improving!
• James Winchell will move out of ICU today to a room at Baptist Hospital in Little Rock. He is much improved!
• Missy Blasdel requests prayers for Janet Tabor and her family. Janet has recently been diagnosed with brain cancer.
• Prayers are requested for Mack Lyon (In Search of the Lord’s Way). He is scheduled for heart surgery on Friday.
• Marie Lile broke her leg and is in a cast.  She would appreciate prayers, visits, and phone calls.
• Mary "T" Kolb is in St. Edward Hospital, room 5419.
• Patty Kaiser
• Donna Lingren's brother, Phillip Cooper, has been diagnosed with cancer of the liver.
• Randy English 
• Tim Williams
• Toka Beall is recovering at home from a mini-stroke.
• Fran Wade's 15-year-old grandson, Travis, went to UCLA where doctors confirmed a diagnosis of WPW Syndrome. Travis is scheduled for a corrective heart procedure on May 31st at UCLA.
 
**Special Prayers**
• Remember in prayer the families of Samantha Kingkithisak and Cody Pierce.
• Continue to pray for Jenny Phomakay and Emmett Reedy, as well as the rest of the LFC students, as they grieve the loss of friends in the accident on the Mulberry River.
 
**Prayer Pagers**
• James Winchell, 441-2386
• Patty Kaiser,  441-2387
 
**Missionaries in Prayer**
• Our missionary families in Vietnam and Laos.
• John Paul & Ruby Lee Hundley in France.
• Steve & Colleen DeLoach, Operation Guyana
• Evangelists and their families with whom we work in Ethiopia and Nigeria.
 
**Prayers for Military**
Adam Morrissun
Brian Perkins
Brian Harris
Jeff Amos
Jonathan Smith
Kyle Evans
Michael Anderson
Ron Wheat
Stephen McElroy
Thomas Lara
Wes Roper
 
**Change of Address**
Kent & Rachel Snider
2513 Red Oak Drive
Van Buren, AR 72956
Phones are unchanged.
 
**CONGRATULATIONS SENIOR CLASS '07!**
Senior Graduation Services are this Sunday, May 20th at 10:30 a.m.
Come celebrate and join us in worship to our Amazing God!
 
Nathan Davis - Cedarville
Will Domer - Home School
Naya Sipathoum - Northside High
Stephen Tomlin - Muldrow
Molly Walker - Southside High
Bailey Williams - Southside High
 
**Sunday Night -- Guest Speaker **
Nathan George will be with us on Sunday Night from Camp Caudle (north of Russellville, AR). Camp Caudle is available to churches of Christ in this area as a summer Bible camp for kids and a retreat center for families or churches. Nathan will tell us about future plans for the camp and show us (in pictures) the activities of a week at Bible camp.
 
**Baby Bottle Campaign**
Don’t forget about your baby bottle from the Heart to Heart Pregnancy Support Center. You have until June 3rd to fill it with your spare change. Your donation will help them continue the wide variety of services offered to women, babies, and families in our area. 
 
**JOY Bunch – Change of Plans!**
The Branson trip has been rescheduled to June 2-3.  We need 25 people to go because of an $800 non-refundable deposit. The cost is $70 per person, and pays for your room, evening meal, and a show.  THIS TRIP IS OPEN TO ANY AGE.  Please see Genneil Nye or Winston & Danna Turpin if you would like to join in the fun!
 
Due to rescheduling our Branson trip, the JOY BUNCH will have a Potluck in the Family Life Center, Saturday, May 19, 6 PM.
 
**Diapers for the Bices**
We are “showering” the Bice Family with diapers! The baby needs size 1, but any size from 1 to 4 can be used.  A table is set up in the foyer for your gifts. 
 
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**Note of Thanks**
Dear West-Ark Ladies,
Thank you all so much for the graduation brunch on Saturday.  We are overwhelmed at the kindness and generosity that you continue to show us.  We greatly appreciate the Christian women we have as role models at West-Ark as well as the inspirational message through song and words from the United Ladies of Tulsa.  It is a blessing to be part of this church family.
 In Christian Love,
 Molly Walker & Bailey Williams
 
**VBS is June 18-21!**
“Catch Jesus in Action!”
 
**VBS Needs YOU!**
We are so excited about all of you who have committed to VBS 2007.  We truly feel that it will be a huge blessing to the children as well as to you.  We need SHOPKEEPERS for the following:
• rope making shop
• jewelry making shop
• fisherman’s hut
 
We also need:
• 3 family leaders
• preschool helpers
• nursery workers
• helpers in all areas!
 
Please see the bulletin board in the foyer for more information or to sign up. To God be all the glory!!
• Dena Jenkins and Staci James
 
**VBS Registration is Now Open!**
Please register SOON either at the VBS table or online at http://www.westark.org/vbsregis.htm
 
**Kids for Christ 7th Annual Banana Split Extravaganza!**
This Sunday evening, May 20th, we will celebrate the end of classes with our 7TH ANNUAL WORLD'S LARGEST (that we know of) BANANA SPLIT. All KFC kids, come and bring your appetite! We’ll meet upstairs first, and then go to the FLC.
 
**Was Lost, But Now Is Found**
A ladies’ ring was found in the parking lot two weeks ago.  Please contact Lynn in the office, 452-1240, and describe the ring. We will be happy to return it to you.
Also, a small girl's ring was found in the foyer women's restroom several weeks ago.  We would like to make some little girl happy by returning it to her.
 
**CD’s Available**
Donna Roper still has some of the CD's by Steve DeLoach and Rodney Britt.  The price is one for $15 or 2 for $25. The proceeds go to the work in Guyana!
 
**FLOCK Fun**
The FLOCK still needs sports equipment for upcoming lessons.  We specifically need football gear and any other sports gear that is used for safety (helmets, pads, etc.). Please contact Dena Jenkins if you have any of these items to donate or loan.
 
**Wedding Invitation**
Colonel & Mrs. Daniel Shewmaker
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Amy Lynn to Mr. Casey Evan Benincosa
son of Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Benincosa
Saturday, June 2
at two o’clock in the afternoon
Heritage Baptist Church
501 Highlands Boulevard
Bella Vista, Arkansas
Reception immediately following ceremony
 
**Metro Christian School Reunion & Cookout!**
Saturday, June 16 (Father’s Day weekend)
11 AM until ?? at Ben Geren Park (look for signs)
Cost for cookout is $5 per person or $20 per family of 4 or more. Dinner will be on your own – make arrangements with friends for even more catching up!  This invitation is for all students, faculty, teachers, and their families. This is the formal invitation!  We are just trying to get the word out to anyone and everyone who has EVER attended MCS.
For questions or to register (by June 1) contact:
• Tracy Griner, tracey.griner@verizon.net (972)307-7925
• James Cole, enviropest@suddenlink.com (479) 857-0559
 
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**Family Life Ministry**
*Jesus – He’s So Nice, Part 7*
By Brad Pistole
 
When you get right down to it, all of these discussions about Jesus and who He really was and who He really IS, leave me with one major question.
 
I don’t know that I’ve ever heard anyone ask it, but I’ve been asking myself this question for quite some time now.
 
A year ago, I spent 52 weeks studying the Life of Christ with our teenagers.  We walked through Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, taking an in-depth look at Christ from the perspective of all four Gospel writers. I realized that I didn’t know Him very well, and I have been a Christian for more than 20 years.
 
I learned that my concepts of Jesus had come from a combination of many different sources.  I found that most of those sources, though they may have seemed “reliable” and “accurate” because they were steeped in religion and years of tradition, weren’t that reliable and accurate at all.
 
I found that most of my concepts about Jesus had been shaped by the opinions of men.  Men often paint a very inaccurate picture of Jesus … you know … blond hair, blue eyes, perfect skin, flowing robes …
 
I found that NOTHING can replace opening your eyes and ears and listening to the voice of God and what He reveals to you through His Word and through His Spirit (I Corinthians 2:1-16).
 
This is what I realized:  that the RELIGIOUS people who surrounded Jesus HATED Him. They thought He was a fraud and a troublemaker from day one. They attacked Him from every possible angle, and they did not stop until He was totally and completely humiliated, stripped of all human pride and hanging on a cross.  They did not stop until He was DEAD!  As a matter of fact, even that didn’t stop them.
 
I also learned that SINNERS absolutely LOVED Him. They were captivated by Him. They couldn’t get enough of Him. They were DESPERATE for Him. They did whatever it took to get closer to Him. They left everything behind, went without food, walked for miles, climbed trees, tore through rooftops, fought through the crowds, left jobs and families behind and risked everything they had … just to be with Him.
 
This leaves me with one MAJOR question … (to be continued)
 
**Happy Birthday**
 
May 20
Virginia Oliver
Luke Roberts
 
May 21
John Fowler
Debra Willis
 
May 22
Charley Douglas
Jacob Hollomon
 
May 23
Dustin Byrd
David Myers
 
May 25
Alexander Keller
 
May 26
Sharon Barker
Bonnie Marrs
Brad Moore
Rachelle Pratt
Morea Wade
 
**Morning Nursery**
Elaine Hill
Flora Johnson
 
**Evening Nursery**
Tiffany Morphew
Sheila Vaught
 
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 742
Sunday PM Worship 262
Bible Classes 471
Life Groups 56
Contribution   $15465
Children’s Home $234
 
Lao Worship
Attendance 41
Contribution $255
 
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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