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Family
Lines Newsletter, September 27,
2007
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**Faith or Control**
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)
These are difficult days
throughout our society and world. Faith in God is separated from
everything. “Informed” people often regard believing, placing implicit trust in
God, as an expression of superstition used by “weak” people. For the first
time in any of our memories, it is becoming increasingly unpopular to place
primary trust in God.
When faith is under so much stress
in our society, it is easy for us to want to build defenses to protect
ourselves. Rather than seeing opportunity in an increasingly hostile
environment, we are tempted to huddle up with only us, see those who wish to be
a part of us as potential threats, and cautiously welcome those who are totally
in agreement.
Without realizing it, we are tempted to migrate
toward a position of control instead of being a people of faith. We let
“our light shine,” but too often the only time we turn the light of faith on is
when we are inside our closed community.
What is the harm of exercising
control rather than living in faith?
(1) People who are controlled are
not people of faith. Thus when stress occurs, controlled people have little
understanding of how to rely on God.
(2) God’s values in Jesus always
have attacked faithlessness with love and compassion. Christians attract
attention to God through their good works. (See Jesus’ statement in
Matthew 5:16.)
(3) Faith in Jesus advances
through sacrificial service. Jesus became our Savior by dying.
Christians of the first century often found life in him through suffering.
(See Jesus’ statement in Matthew l0:38, and remember that the only use of a
cross then was as a means of execution.)
Jesus died to be Savior. At
his death, not even his disciples (who became his apostles) could see God at
work. At the cross, to them, it looked as if Satan won and God lost.
When Jesus physically rose from the dead, the apostles were elated—but they
still did not see how God would use Jesus’ resurrection to accomplish His
purposes. Yet, today we understand that God’s most significant achievement to
date is seen in Jesus’ death and resurrection. What looked like defeat at
the cost of enormous suffering was actually God’s greatest victory. May God
always work through our suffering to produce His victories! May we dare to be a
people of faith who live by God’s values even in times of stress!
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**In Our Thoughts and
Prayers**
• Bob Williams (father of Debbie
Belote) — for relief of back pain and healing from bladder cancer.
• Chuck
Combs’ CT scan showed some improvement (prayer pager 441-1648).
• Connie
Hixson saw both a radiologist and oncologist on Wednesday. She got good
news!
• Kathy Rosalez has requested prayers for Eric Wilson, who was bitten
by a rattlesnake.
• Eleanor Casey continues to improve with therapy at Ashton
Place.
• John T. Smith, Sr. (JT’s father) is scheduled for lung cancer
surgery on October 6th.
• Patty Kaiser had a kidney biopsy on
Wednesday.
• Ryan Dockery (son of Greg & Nancy) — for improved
vision.
• Tom Mitchell (former member and cousin of Donna Miller, Marilyn
Selby and Laura Smith) is recovering from surgery to remove a brain tumor and
stop a bleed. Tom recently had heart surgery and other health concerns. His
family appreciates the prayers on his behalf.
• Troy Risley (Clark’s father)
is recovering from surgery. His doctor was able to remove all of the tumor from
his tongue. Skin was taken from his arm to rebuild his tongue. He will probably
be in the hospital until next Tuesday (10/2/07).
**Continued Prayers**
• Aline
Story (mother of Farrell Graves)
• Betty Monk (Gene’s mother)
• Casey
Oliver
• Dolores (sister of Donna Hannah)
• Jack Farrell
• Ona
Dickens
• Palmer Richardson (daughter of Scott & LoriAnn, former West-Ark
members)
• Rusty Howard (son of Wilburn and Louise)
• Sarah Hartley is
much better!
**Statement From West-Ark Elders,
Sunday Morning, September 23, 2007**
Your shepherds respond this morning to
affirm our complete and total reliance on God and His wisdom. We know we have
made mistakes in how we have handled our oversight of the Youth Ministry. We are
sorry for that. With God’s help, we will do everything in our power to regain
your trust and our credibility.
We apologize that our response to
Brad’s resignation was inadequate; as a result, this led to misinformation and
confusion. We regret that we have allowed rumors to circulate, and we hope that
by giving you this explanation today, we can move forward. We want you to know
that the shepherds did not ask Brad to resign; it was his decision. We did not
find that Brad was guilty of any immorality.
As your shepherds, we realize that
we must lead this church to reconciliation and rehabilitation. In our response
this morning:
(1) We solicit your prayers on our behalf for wisdom to discern
God’s will and act accordingly.
(2) We express our humble and sincere sorrow
and regret for anything we have done to damage our trust and credibility with
any family member.
(3) We confirm our deep love and commitment to our church
family. We love each and every one of you, and our sincere desire is to be your
shepherds.
**Baptisms**
Katie
Clymer
1400 N. 18th Street
Fort Smith, AR 72901
Phone: 785-5183
Last
Sunday night after worship Katie Clymer (age 12) was baptized, something she had
been planning since she went to Green Valley Bible Camp back in early summer.
Katie is also a part of the tutoring program where she was influenced by Karen
Farris, Meg Canfield, and all who worked in the tutoring program over the past
few years. Katie lives with her parents, Kay and Kurtis Clymer.
Justin Roy
16970 McGinnis
Lane
Spiro, OK
Phone: (918) 962-2838
Monday afternoon a young man named
Justin Roy was baptized. Justin is in need of transportation from his home in
Spiro to and from worship on Sunday. If you can help, call him or Jack Lewis at
459-0168.
**Welcome, Blessed
Baby!**
Congratulations to Kevin & Reynda Allen on the birth of a son,
Walker Lee Allen, on September 19. Walker weighed 9 lbs., 2 ozs. and was 20 1/4"
long. Congratulations to grandparents Jim & Helen Pratt,
great-grandmother, Eleanor Casey, and the whole Pratt Family!
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**Baby Shower**
A baby shower
for Stephanie and Randy Moss is planned for Sunday, October 14, from 2:00 to
4:00 PM in the home of Richard Branum, 2623 South Waldron Road. The Mosses
are registered at Penney's and Wal-Mart. Men are invited to attend. It’s a
boy!
**Baby Shower**
We are planning an "Adoption
Shower" for Rick and Natalie Nelson on October 14, 2:00 to 3:30 PM in the Annex.
It’s a boy named Jake!
**Reading Glasses Needed**
Meg
Canfield is now collecting reading glasses to take to Nigeria. These are not
prescription glass, but the reading glasses that can be purchased in the drug
stores or dollar stores.
*Meg has plenty of men’s neckties
and small toiletries. Thank you!*
**Notes of Thanks**
Fort Smith Public
Schools
September 17, 2007
The Fort Smith Public Schools Homeless
Education program is very appreciative of the support that the West-Ark Church
of Christ has afforded our program. Your gift of school supplies for students
whose families are experiencing homelessness was more than generous. I was
overwhelmed by the quantity of your donation. What a wonderful opportunity these
children will have as a result of your congregation’s benevolence! Please share
with your church members how much our program and the families we serve
appreciate their kindness and generosity.
Sincerely,
Kathryn
O’Brien
Dear Church Family,
Thank you
so much for your love and support for our Casey. Now that the nerve has been
fixed with physical therapy and time, she will be back to her activities!
Thank you again for the prayer pager, cards, and calls.
In His
love,
Sam, Mary Beth & Casey Oliver
Dear Quilting Ladies,
Thank you
so much for the beautiful quilt. Brook and I will definitely need it this
winter. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful church family in Fort Smith.
Thank you so much for your continued prayers as we begin our new life
together.
Love,
Meredith Dye
Thanks to everyone for the food,
cards, and prayers at the loss of my mother. We love
you.
Troy & Linda Sweeten
I would like to say thank you for
the prayers that were lifted up on my daughter’s behalf and for the e-mails,
cards, and get well wishes she received.
Love in Christ,
Becky
Grist
**Hope Chest Work
DAY**
Monday, October 1
9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Please give any time you can
to this project — an hour or two, the morning, the afternoon, or the entire
day. Whatever you can give will be greatly appreciated.
**Fall Festival**
We’re collecting small toys
(think fast-food) to be used as gifts in our Fall Festival. The date is
Saturday, October 20th, 6:00—7:30 PM. Dena Jenkins has placed a “toy box” in the
foyer for your donations.
**Jail Ministry Update**
Saturday, September
22, Chris McClure was baptized into Christ. He was taught by Mike Williams.
Justin Roy was baptized on September 25 by Jack Lewis. May God continue to
bless our jail ministry and all those men and women who work in it.
**Prayers for Our Military**
Brian Perkins
Brian
Harris
Jeff Amos
Jonathan Smith
Kyle Evans
Mike Gooden
Ron
Wheat
Shawn Walker-Bandy
Stephen McElroy
Stephen Christian
Thomas
Lara
Wes Roper
**Prayers for
Nigerian Trip**
On October 2, the following families will be traveling
to Nigeria:
Roy and Joyce Dunavin
Mitch, Robin, Elizabeth and Chandler
Harper
Bud and Jo Harper
Meg and Jerry Canfield.
Please pray for a safe
trip for them. The purpose of the trip is to dedicate the completion of the
medical clinic in MBaise, Nigeria. The clinic will be dedicated in memory of
Jeremy Harper. Many church members donated to the clinic building and supplies,
a house and furnishings, and a vehicle for the clinic use. The families
will return on different days in 2 to 3 weeks.
**Prayers for
Our Missionaries **
• Jim & Deborah Wilson
• Our missionary
families in Vietnam and Laos.
• John Paul & Ruby Lee Hundley in
Belgium & France.
• Steve & Colleen DeLoach, Operation Guyana.
• Evangelists and
their families with whom we work in Ethiopia and Nigeria.
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**COMING YOUTH EVENTS**
September 29-30 – Junior and Senior
High
Crosswalk Youth Rally / J T & Nancy Smith
October 6 – Junior and Senior
High
Widows/Widowers Luncheon / Mike & Mary Burkett
October 14 – Junior and Senior
High
Devotional / Gary & Rochelle Brown
October 20-21 – Senior High
Eureka Springs
Passion Play / J T & Nancy Smith
October 20 – Junior High
Fall Festival (Work
Booths)
Dena Jenkins & Tiffany Null
**In Our Library**
The following books have
been added to the library.
• In memory of Phillip Cooper (brother of Donna
Lindgren) by West-Ark Church,
Commentary on Daniel by
Longman.
• In memory of Agnes Ely (mother of Dave
Cogswell) by Dennis & Vicki Anderson,
Life Application Commentaries:
Galatians by McKnight, 1-3 John by Smith, Timothy &
Titus by Liefeld.
• In memory of Darold Wear by Don & Lela
Neal, Portable Seminary by Horton.
**Happy Birthday**
September 30
Richard Broyles
Mia
McClendon
Luke Nelson
Hazel Richards
Brian Robbins
October 1
Denise Lusby
Melinda
Yowell
October 2
Joe Pistole
October 3
Caroline Campbell
Terri
Jones
Darrell Peters
October 4
Debra Lively
October 5
Sharon Faries
Leslie
Holland
Dena Jenkins
Abigail Jennemann
Margaret Moss
Sam
Oliver
Kinzey Rogers
Dalton Smith
October 6
Lillie Daws
**Morning
Nursery**
Louise Howard
Cristy Pressley
Hannah Pressley
Kay
Pressley
Maddie Pressley
Cami Stancil
**Evening Nursery**
Robertta
Moses
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday
AM Worship 678
Bible Classes 437
Sunday PM Worship 244
Life Groups
19
Contribution $16,656
Children’s Home $266
Lao Worship
Attendance 38
Contribution
$228
Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance
45
Contribution $189
Office Phone (479) 452-1240
Fax (479)
452-5767
office@westarkchurchofchrist.org
www.westark.org------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Making
disciples for Jesus who are eager to serve
others."
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