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Family Lines Newsletter,  October 25, 2007
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LISTEN TO KNOW?  LISTEN TO DO?
By David Chadwell
 
Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.  (Matthew 7:24-27)
 
Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things. But do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS: … (Romans 2:1-6)
 
For “THE NAME OF GOD IS BLASPHEMED AMONG THE GENTILES BECAUSE OF YOU,” just as it is written.  (Romans 2:24)
 
In grief-filled fascination, I realize the American Restoration Movement began about 1800 as a unity movement.  In time, the movement transitioned to a defensive movement.  In less time it transitioned to an isolationist movement.  Now it is fragmented. One large fragment seeks to understand God’s purposes with scripture as the source.  Another large fragment identifies “the right to exist” with a desire to declare everyone’s error inside or outside the movement.
 
It is difficult to learn from others’ mistakes.  Jesus said to a Jewish audience in Palestine, “Do not listen for the wrong reason.  Listening to learn what is wrong with people you resent is the wrong reason.  Listen to transform your lives. Life is full of moral and ethical floods.  The real issue: ‘Will your life stand after your floods come?’  Do not listen for others.  Listen for yourself.  Listen to act.  Listen to change yourself rather than listening to discover what is wrong with others.”
 
Paul was upset with the Jewish people who thought they were experts in knowing others’ errors.  He was concerned because these self-appointed judges were as ethically deficient as those they condemned.  People who were supposed to be God’s people were a significant factor in idol worshippers not considering the living God seriously.  Thus, one of God’s obstacles was the misimpression created by those who claimed to represent Him.  Evidently, Paul often had to teach godless people about God by dismissing the example of those who declared “I am who I am because of God.”
 
Do you find Jesus’ and Paul’s declarations frightening?  Why?
 
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**In Our Thoughts & Prayers**
• Bill Seiter (father-in-law of Ellen Seiter) was scheduled for surgery on Wednesday (10/24) in Little Rock to remove a tumor from his pancreas.
•  Bob Callicott, Ann Combs’ father, is in Room 5516 at St. Edward Hospital.  He has prayer pager 441-1792.
• Jack Farrell is in Sparks Hospital, room 554.
• Jim Wilson requests prayers for his brother's friend, Joe Clark and his family.  Joe has multiple end stage health problems.
 
**Continued Prayers**
• Ada Light (Ben Pearson's mother)
• Betty Monk (Gene’s mother)
• Bob Williams (father of Debbie Belote)
• Chuck Combs (prayer pager 441-1648)
• Eleanor Casey
• Joel Prigge (brother-in-law of Louise Howard) will get biopsy results on Friday and decide on a treatment plan.
• Melissa Meeker (niece of Jeff Loftin)
• Ona Dickens
• Rusty Howard (son of Wilburn & Louise) is better and back in classes.  He goes to Little Rock on Tuesday to find out about chemo treatments.
• Stephen McElroy, nephew of Sarah Smith
 
**Bereaved in Prayer**
Our love and sympathy is extended to the Bill & Freddie Path (former West-Ark members) in the unexpected death of their daughter, Penny.  Penny was a special education teacher at Northside High School. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Alma Church of Christ with burial at Gracelawn Cemetery in Van Buren under the direction of Ocker Funeral Home.
 
**Prayers for Missionaries**
• Our missionary families in Vietnam and Laos.
• John Paul & Ruby Lee Hundley in France and Belgium.
• Steve & Colleen DeLoach, Operation Guyana.
• Evangelists and their families with whom we work in Ethiopia and Nigeria.
 
**Prayers for Our Military**
Brian Perkins
Brian Harris
Kyle Evans
Mike Gooden
Mitchell Bryant
Ron Wheat
Shawn Walker-Bandy
Stephen Christian
Thomas Lara
 
**Welcome, Blessed Baby**
Congratulations to Harvey & Sue George on the birth of their grandson, Kale George Fletcher, born to Ep & Marcia (George) Fletcher on October 20th. Kale weighed 4 lbs., 11 ozs. Since he arrived a little early (he was due Dec. 4th) he will remain in St. Vincent’s Hospital in Little Rock for a couple of weeks until his lungs are more developed and he gains some weight.
 
**Baby Boy Shower**
A giggle, a coo, a sweet little smile
A baby boy’s coming in just a while!
Let’s shower Melody Priester with love
Sunday, November 4
2:00 to 3:30 PM
in the home of Dwonnne Cogswell
6809 Duncan Circle, Fort Smith, Arkansas
Melody is registered at Toys ‘R Us, Wal-Mart & Target.
 
**Fall Fest Is Here!**
Bring your treat bag, finger foods, drinks, and family-friendly costumes and join us this Saturday, October 27, from 6:00-7:30 PM in the FLC for some great family fun!  
 
We appreciate so much all who have donated and volunteered so far.  We still need several people to help with/work booths and will welcome any who would like to help set up Friday evening beginning at 6 PM.  Let’s all work together to make this a fun event for our church family and friends!
 
**Treats for Tutoring**
We need candy and toothpaste to give our children at Halloween. Please give your donations to Deborah Wilson or Sheila Vaught.
 
**SHHH! – Can You Keep A Secret?**
A surprise birthday party honoring Edith Embry
is planned for Saturday, November 3rd
2:00 to 4:00 PM in the Activity Room of
Butterfield Place, 8420 Phoenix Avenue, Fort Smith, AR
 
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**Reminder: Youth Ministry Planning and Consultation This Saturday**
Parents and Teens: Don’t forget Robert Oglesby, Director of ACU Center for Youth and Family Ministry, will be with us on Saturday (10/27/07). There are three sessions: one for parents and two for teens. The schedule is on page 4.
 
**Weekend Schedule for November 3-4, 2007 with Dr. Philip Slate**
 
Saturday, November 3
• 8:00 AM  -- Donuts and Coffee
• 8:30 – 9:30 AM -- “Developing a Thoughtful Approach to World Evangelization”
• 9:30 – 9:45 AM Break
• 9:45 – 10:45 AM -- “The Values and Mechanics of a Missions Committee”
• 10:45 – 11:00 AM Break
• 11:00 – Noon -- “Creating Missions / Evangelism Awareness in the Congregation”
 
Sunday, November 4
• 9:30 AM -- Combined Adult Bible Classes
“Evangelism as the Purpose of God starting from Genesis”
• 10:30 AM Worship -- Dr. Slate, Guest Speaker
 
We believe this weekend will be a great blessing to anyone who is interested in spreading the Good News of the Kingdom. Area congregations are invited to attend.
 
Mission Offering is Sunday, November 11
Mission contribution needed is $ 217,920.
See the printed newsletter for details of the mission budget for 2008.
 
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**October 27 -- YOUTH MINISTRY PLANNING & CONSULTATION**
With Robert Oglesby, Director, ACU Center for Youth and Family Ministry
 
Parents’ Session
8:00 AM in Room 106 with Breakfast
Please come to discuss the future of Youth and Family Ministry at West-Ark.
 
2 Teens’ Sessions
10:30 AM or 12:30 PM in FLC (upstairs classroom)
We strongly encourage teens to bring their dreams and observations to share with Robert at one of these sessions.
 
Robert will continue to serve West-Ark as we plan for the future of a vital ministry that God has entrusted to us. 
 
**Library Memorials**
 
• In memory of Leroy Null by Inez Hatfield:
Left Behind? by Efird
 
• In memory of Leroy Null by Don and Becky Danley:
Four Portraits, One Jesus by Strauss
 
• In memory of Gordon Wray by West-Ark Church of Christ:
The IVP Introduction to the Bible by Johnson
 
**A Very Happy Birthday To**
 
October 28
Sue Hastings
 
October 29
Bo Mason
Jay Wood
 
October 30
Kate Burkett
Terry Overbey
 
October 31
Chris Benjamin
Frances Quenin
 
November 1
Maggie Allen
Niketa Stinchcomb
Hank Watlington
 
November 2
Noah Bice
Brett Goode
Ralph Harmon
Chris Hill
Kaylee Lindgren
 
November 3
Shanna Davis
Jack Lewis
 
**Morning Nursery**
Sharon Faries
Berniece Rogers
Kristin Smith
 
**Evening Nursery**
Angela Dunavant
Denise Lusby
 
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship  607
Bible Classes  366
Sunday PM Worship  270
Life Groups 11
Contribution   $16,645
Children’s Home  $268
 
Lao Worship
Attendance  40
Contribution  $217
 
Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance  61
Contribution  $227
 
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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