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Family Lines Newsletter,  November 1, 2007
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**WHAT YOU DO NOT WANT TO BE**
By David Chadwell
 
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.  (1 Timothy 1:12-16)
 
One of the results of being “strange” is looking at and listening to things a bit differently.  I find that to be a powerful source of learning and self-evaluation.  Often, the lives of others cause me to see things about myself I had rather not see or know.
 
Recently while we were taking a relaxation trip, we visited an impressive congregation in an extremely small town.  It was a much larger congregation than one would expect to find in such a small town and sparsely populated terrain.
 
It was a very active congregation that was both community-focused and foreign mission-focused.  Their contribution and their projects/programs were nothing less than astounding.  Obviously, instead of feeling sorry for themselves (as many congregations do in their setting), they were actively involved in helping others and ministering to Christ’s family.
 
Significant in the congregation were a number of retired, much experienced elders and ministers.  The level of talent and experience in that small congregation was truly impressive.  Though they did not comprise the bulk of the congregation, they were active, prominent, and significant in the congregation’s work.
 
Such people form “living mirrors” who challenge us to examine ourselves.  Time transforms us all in small, silent ways.  I find those transformations are not obvious until we look at ourselves reflected in such “living mirrors.” 
 
Perhaps this transformation is best understood with an illustration.  It is the soul of the meaning of, “He/she seems so much younger than he/she actually is.”  In a positive way, he or she does not act his or her age.  He or she refuses to allow physical aging to change “who I am.”
 
To mature spiritually, two things are necessary:  (1) Know who you want to be.  (2) Know who you do not want to be.   The two are not the same. You know who you want to be by looking at Jesus Christ and scripture.  You know who you do not want to be by (a) backing off from yourself, (b) being honest with yourself, and (c) seeing yourself in your actions and attitudes.  We must know both who we are and who we do not wish to be.  Instead of justifying ourselves, we examine ourselves—and that is demanding!
 
From Paul I learn it is as important to be honest about who I am (absent God’s grace) as it is to have confidence in whom Christ Jesus made me (with God’s grace) to be.
 
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**Time Change This Weekend!**
 There’s an extra hour of sleep Saturday night! Make plans to attend the combined adult Bible class Sunday morning in the Auditorium at 9:30 AM.  Our guest speaker is Dr. Philip Slate. His topic is “Evangelism as the Purpose of God Starting From Genesis.”  (See page 3 for details on our weekend Missions Seminar.)
 
**In Our Thoughts & Prayers**
• Betty Monk (Gene's mother) has finished rehab, and is home and walking with a walker.  Please continue to pray for her comfort and improvement.
• Bill Seiter (father-in-law of Ellen Seiter) required further surgery Tuesday evening to stop abdominal bleeding. He is in stable condition at UAMS in Little Rock.
• After eight weeks in the hospital, Donna Hannah's sister, Dolores, has been moved to rehab.  There she will receive therapy twice a day.  She still has a long way to go. Donna is very grateful for continued prayers. 
• Joel Prigge (brother-in-law of Louise Howard) got test results Friday showing the pancreatic cancer has returned.  He will go to the Mayo Clinic for a second opinion and to decide the course of treatment.
• Praise! Kale George Fletcher (newborn grandson of Harvey & Sue) was released to go home with his mom and dad on Monday!
• Starr Pistole (daughter-in-law of Joe and Peggy) had reconstruction surgery on Wednesday in Little Rock. It went very well, but this kind of surgery can be painful, so please remember her in your prayers.
• Tanya Smith (sister of Angela Dunavant) is suffering back pain from a herniated disc.
• Tom Porter is in St. Edward Hospital, room 4505.
 
**Continued Prayers**
• Ada Light (Ben Pearson's mother)
• Bob Callicott (father of Ann Combs, prayer pager 441-1792)
• Bob Williams (father of Debbie Belote)
• Chuck Combs (prayer pager 441-1648)
• Jack Ferrell
• Joe Clark & Family (friends of Jim Wilson family)
• Margaret Stone
• Ona Dickens
• Rusty Howard (son of Wilburn & Louise)
 
**New Address**
Harold & Ona Dickens
Culpepper Place Assisted Living
672 Jones Road
Springdale, AR 72762
Cell phone (479) 595-9507
 
**Prayers for Our Military**
Brian Perkins
Brian Harris
Mike Gooden
Mitchell Bryant
Ron Wheat
Shawn Walker-Bandy
Stephen Christian
Thomas Lara
Praise God for answered prayers!
• Kyle Evans (son of Elizabeth) has returned home safely from Iraq!
• Brian Harris (son of Cathy) has also returned home! Cathy would like to thank everyone for their prayers!
 
**Welcome, Jackie!**
Jackie Sofio began working Monday as Administrative Assistant for Youth & Family Ministry!
Her office hours are Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Her e-mail address is: Jackie@westarkchurchofchrist.org.
We asked Jackie to tell us about herself and a little something extra just for fun.
Anthony & I were married on May 18, 2007. We just moved here in June and are excited to be a part of this church.
I'm originally from Irving, Texas, but graduated from Coppell High School in 2003.  My parents are John and Linda Mikalik and both work for Verizon. I have a brother, step-sister, and step-brother.
I graduated in May (2007) from Harding University with a degree in Advertising.  In 2005, I was blessed to have the opportunity to study abroad in Florence, Italy, for a semester.
In my free time I am working on starting my own business creating and printing wedding invitations online.
Just for fun :~) Anthony and I like to play with our new pet, a hamster named Boxley. He's crazy and likes to sleep upside-down in his tubes! 
 
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**MISSIONS WEEKEND SCHEDULE**
NOVEMBER 3-4, WITH DR. PHILIP SLATE
 
The Missions Committee would like to invite you to our Missions Seminar this weekend (see details below).
 
Dr. Slate currently serves as the Missions Minister with the North Boulevard Church in Murfreesboro, TN. He has served as a missionary in Great Britain for ten years. Also, he has taught missions at Harding Graduate School of Religion and served as Chairman of the Department of Missions at Abilene Christian University. He has never left his love of missions and continues to serve by traveling and equipping churches in missions.
 
We are excited about the opportunity to hear Dr. Slate discuss ways to encourage foreign evangelism in our churches. 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.
 
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 Class
• 10:30 AM Worship Dr. Philip Slate, Guest Speaker
 
**MISSION OFFERING -- SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11**
OUR GOAL: $217,920
 
**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.
 
**Note of Thanks**
Thanks so much for your prayers, your visits, your encouraging notes, and get well cards while I was in Sparks Hospital for surgery to repair my broken hip, and in Health South and Ashton Place for therapy and rehab.  I received more than 150 cards and very few days passed without a visit from some of you. I feel so blessed to be a part of this caring congregation.
Eleanor Casey
                                    
**Note from Helen Pratt**
For the next few weeks Mom will be getting further therapy at our house.  During this time "our home will be her home," and you are invited to visit (3705 May Branch Lane) or call her.  Most of her appointments are in the mid-morning. 
 
**Hope Chest Needs Coats**
The evenings are getting cool – this means we are getting lots of requests for warm clothing and coats at the Hope Chest. Coats for kids are needed, too!  Please bring your donations to the large container in the foyer (outside the Library).
 
**Widows/Widowers**
We will be hosted Saturday, November 3rd by Marvin & Bobbie Hughes. We will leave the Annex at 11:30 AM and return when we are no longer hungry! Don’t miss this great time of fellowship. Call Mary or Janice if you need a ride to the Annex.
 
Will we not have a Car Clinic for the month of November.
 
**Thanksgiving Day Lunch**
If you don't have plans for Thanksgiving, you are invited to join us in the Family Life Center, Thanksgiving Day, from 12:00 noon until we all leave. Please sign the list in the foyer to let us know what you plan to bring and how many of your family will be attending.  Contact Rachelle Pratt as soon as possible if you can provide a ham or turkey.  Bread and drinks will be provided.
 
**Baby Boy Shower**
A giggle, a coo, a sweet little smile
A baby boy’s coming in just a while!
Let’s shower with love
Melody Priester
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.
 
**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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**YOUTH EVENT**
Who:     Junior High (Senior High is welcome to come help)
What:    Hayride & Dinner (provided)
When:   Saturday, November 3
             Vans are leaving the building at 4:16 PM (exactly) and will return by 9:00 PM           
Where:   Praters’ Farm / hosted by Shanna Davis
 
**Serving at the Lord's Table in November**
Richard Bullard
Dan Cathy
Blake Frost
Benny Gooden
Kevin Hesslen
Kenny Holloman
Stephen Jennemann
Jaythan Johnson
John Kamp
Ted Knight
Barry Owen
John B Smith
Tim Smith
Dawson Urrutia
Kevin Vaught
Michael Wear
Jay Wood
 
**Happy Birthday**
November 4
Blake Broom
Gary Brown
Tammy Cypert
Edith Embry
 
November 5
Mathew Griffin II
 
November 6
Warren Gardenhire
Donna Miller
Amber Robison
 
November 7
Ron Belote
Betty Hatcher
Bill Miller
Margaret Stone
 
November 8
Dana Pruitt
 
November 9
Sandy Berger
Charlotte Botteicher
Jordan Wear
 
November 10
Angie Hines
Sarah Smith
 
**Morning Nursery**
Dena Jenkins
Suzie Jennemann
Melissa Walker
 
**Evening Nursery**
Gina Williams
Tammy Cypert
 
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship  617
Bible Classes  401
Sunday PM Worship  257
Life Groups 8
Contribution   $16,241
Children’s Homes $221
 
Lao Worship
Attendance  37
Contribution  $272
 
Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance  56
Contribution  $206
 
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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