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Family Lines Newsletter, August 16, 2007
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**God Is Not Shallow**
by David Chadwell
 
"Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen."  (Romans 11:33-36)
 
"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen."  (Ephesians 3:14-21)
 
Almost a decade ago, Joyce and I visited the Grand Canyon for the first time.  I have been to numerous places and seen numerous sights, but I have never seen anything that overpowered me as did the Grand Canyon.  I have never seen a picture that did the Grand Canyon justice.  It is simply too big and too vast for my mind to comprehend.  I would love to see it again just to convince myself it is there.  I know it is, but my mind kept asking, "Is that really there?  Can anything that huge be real?"  My reaction to the Grand Canyon is a mere introduction to Paul's reaction to God's accomplishments in Jesus.
 
Paul wrote long after Jesus' death and resurrection.  Prior to his conversion, Paul was quite knowledgeable in God's past works (Galatians 1:14). Yet, with all he knew, nothing (not even God's creative acts!) prepared Paul's understanding for what God did (and does) in Jesus Christ!  Nothing documents God's greatness as do His accomplishments in Jesus Christ!  Nothing documents the enormity of God's love as does Jesus Christ!  One cannot fathom God's greatness until the person begins to see what God did in Jesus.
 
At times, I hear people speak of God and His ways as being simple.  Sometimes I hear people who think they have God all figured out.  When that happens, I shake my head internally.  Is any ignorance greater than not knowing one is ignorant?  The more I seek to understand God and His ways, the more I realize I have far more to understand than I have comprehended.  Never will any of us totally comprehend Him in this life.
 
Always be open to God.  Always listen to Him to understand, even if it means changing yourself.  Let God mold you rather than you attempting to force God to fit your mold.  The object of everyone in Christ is to become more like God.  We are catastrophe!  He is victory!  We are sinful!  He is righteous!  His ways are not our ways.  Our hope is found in being like Him.  Never stop seeing Him "again" -- He is there!
 
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**Prayers & Praises to God**
• Allison McCall (daughter of Ken and Carolyn Johnson, former West-Ark members) had surgery Wednesday (8/15/07) for thyroid cancer.
• Austin Payton (a co-worker of Cathy Breedlove’s) is in a coma at St. Edward Hospital after a motorcycle accident. He is married and has a 6-month old daughter.
• Bob Williams (father of Debbie Belote) is doing very well following two bladder cancer treatments. He will have 4 more treatments.
• Brady Burress (5-year-old son of Chris & Carrie) has an appointment with a neurologist at Children’s Hospital on Friday to find the cause of his headaches and seizures.
• Casey Oliver went to the doctor on Thursday (9/9/07), and he did see new bone growth!  We are still looking at physical therapy once the cast is off to rebuild the nerve damage, but it looks like we will not need surgery again at this point! 
• Chuck Combs is in St. Edward Hospital, room 4417. He is recovering from pancreatitis and gallbladder surgery.
• Eleanor Casey has moved to room 204 at HealthSouth Rehab. She fell Thursday night and broke her hip, and had surgery Saturday morning to set it.
• Geri Standridge has requested prayers for her health issues.
• Glenanna O'Mara (daughter of Larry & Janice Prater and sister of Shanna Davis) is improving, but still receives daily IV antibiotics.
• Inez Hatfield hopes to go home on Friday (8/17/07)! She is taking rehab at St. Edward Hospital, room 5212.
• Ona Dickens is in Sparks Hospital, ICU, room 206.
• Pat Stewart has gone to Mena, AR (where her sister lives) for rehab. She will return to Fort Smith in a few weeks for wrist surgery.
• Patty Kaiser is having complications from the chemo treatments. She is in St. Edward Hospital, room 4317.
• Jerry Selby is recovering at home after gallbladder surgery and doing well.
• Wilburn and Louise Howard request your continued prayers for their son, Rusty Howard, as he fights cancer.
 
**Continued Prayers**
• Billy Dale Harris (friend of Jimmie & Laura Smith)
• Curtis & Vashti Locklear (Judy Walker’s father and mother)
• Harry Smith (Barbara’s husband)
• Lucretia Locklear (Judy Walker's sister)
• Paul Quenin
 
**Bereaved in Prayer**
Kimberly Shawver asks that we remember her sister-in-law, Anafe, and her family in the death of Anafe’s father, Severino Belotendos, Monday night.
 
**Prayer Pagers**
• 441-1722, Casey Oliver
• 441-1648, Chuck Combs
• 441-2384, Paul Quenin
• 441-2395 will notify all pagers at once.
 
**Prayers for Our Military**
Bob Collier
Brian Perkins
Brian Harris
Jeff Amos
Jonathan Smith
Kyle Evans
Michael Anderson
Mike Gooden
Ron Wheat
Stephen McElroy
Stephen Christian
Thomas Lara
Wes Roper
 
**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.
 
**Baptisms**
Trenton Schien, a 10th grader, was baptized Friday after studying with Brad for a while. We’re proud of you, Trenton!
Sarah Jane Gilley was baptized Sunday morning after worship by Brad Pistole. Congratulations, Sarah Jane!
 
**Men’s Bible Class**
We’ll start up our class on Tuesday, September 11, at 10 a.m. in the Annex. The focus will be on Acts, and the class will be taught by David Chadwell and Russ McConnell. All men are invited to attend.
 
**Children's Emergency Shelter**
Boxes have been placed in every classroom for clothing donations. Please bring nice, clean clothes for young children through teenage sizes!
 
**Wedding Invitation**
Mr. & Mrs. Jerry B. Selby
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Katy Lynn to Samuel Bowron Phillips
son of Mr. & Mrs. Samuel H. Phillips, Jr.
on Saturday, the 25th of August
at two o’clock in the afternoon
First Baptist Church
1400 Grand Avenue
Fort Smith, AR
 
Reception to follow
Fianna Hills Country Club
 
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**CURE Work Night**
Monday, August 20, 7:00 PM
Vicksburg Warehouse
We’ll be sorting medical supplies, we can use anyone (ages 12 and up). No lifting, no straining, just sorting!
 
**2007 Missions Seminar**
at West-Ark Church of Christ
featuring Dr. Philip Slate
November 3, 2007, 8:30 a.m. — Noon
Everyone interested in evangelism and
missions is encouraged to attend.
 
**Furnishings for New Church Building**
The list of items needed to furnish the new Iglesia de Cristo building is posted in the foyer on a free-standing bulletin board. To indicate what you or your group are willing to fund, please call Coleen Shirley or the church office at 452-1240.
 
Iglesia de Cristo
5th Anniversary Celebration
August 24 – 26
 
**Library Memorials**
The following books have been purchased by West-Ark for our Church Library as a memorial gift:
In memory of Paul Galloway (father of Ronnie), 1 & 2 Thessalonians.
In memory of Elva McRay (mother-in-law of Linda McRay), Hebrews.
In memory of Teresa Beam (daughter-in-law of Pearl Beam), Revelation.
 
**Wednesday WINGS Deadline**
Sunday is the DEADLINE to contact Peggy Pistole and enroll for the fall WINGS study, "A Light in the Darkness: Elijah and Elisha" by Casandra Martin. The cost of the book is about $12.
 
**JOY Bunch**
Back-to-School Cookout
Saturday, August 18
6:00 PM in the FLC
Bring side dishes and desserts to go with hamburgers and hot dogs.
 
**The FLOCK Needs You!**
We need a teacher for Wednesday nights. Lessons and materials are provided. This will be for only one rotation (5 weeks) – or so long as you desire.  Call Dena Jenkins.
 
**Back-to-School Blessing & Worship Service**
Sunday, August 26, 10:30 a.m.
Join us as we pray for --
• All school children, public, private or home schooled, and
• Everyone who teaches or works in our schools (in Western Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma).
Copies of the invitation/flyer are available in the foyer; OR, you may print your own invitations from the file posted on the church’s web site at http://www.westark.org/members.htm.  You are welcome to share the invitation with students and teachers in the area. All are invited to share in the blessing on August 26th!
 
**Ice Cream Supper and Fellowship**
The Home of Jerry & Meg Canfield
2 Chestnut Court, Fort Smith, AR
Sunday, August 26, 6 p.m.
Everyone is invited! The evening will include a devotional, singing, [communion for those who desire it] and our ice cream fellowship! 
 
Bring a freezer of your favorite ice cream recipe!  If you don’t have a freezer, bring a container of your favorite brand of ice cream or toppings, brownies, cakes, cookies, water, or sodas on ice. Lawn chairs and blankets are also needed (and maybe insect repellant). Come and join in the fellowship!
 
A brief devotional and communion [starting at 6:00 p.m.] will be available at the church building for those who can’t attend the fellowship at the Canfield home.
 
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**Annual Teen/Parent Planning Meeting**
Sunday, August 26th
 
All 7th-12th grade parents are invited to attend a fall planning session from 4:00-5:30 p.m. in the Youth Room in the FLC. We will discuss plans for our youth events for the fall of '07.
 
We will also share the details for all 7th-12th grade fall classes for Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights.
 
Two representatives from each grade, 7-12, will also be present for the meeting.
 
All parents are welcome and encouraged to attend. Your input is very important! Please join us!
 
**Happy Birthday**
 
August 19
Ruth Burns
Louise Howard
Ben Webber
 
August 20
Emily Kamp
Ben Pearson
Tanner Robbins
 
August 21
Samuel Broom
Nolan Marr
Grace Peters
Barry Reagan
 
August 22
Sydney Anders
Leo Atkins
Gary Nolasco
Deborah Wilson
 
August 24
Emily Combs
Robin Harper
Betty Summers
 
August 25
Jack Ferrell
Nicole Wilson
 
**Morning Nursery**
Elaine Hill
Flora Johnson
 
**Evening Nursery**
Tiffany Blake
Sheila Vaught
 
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 705
Sunday PM Worship 286
Bible Classes 474
Contribution   $18,639
Children’s Home $
 
Lao Worship
Attendance 56
Contribution $227
 
Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance 45
Contribution $190
 
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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