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Family Lines Newsletter, December 20, 2007
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**Beginning Again**
By David Chadwell
 
"For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it."  (1 Corinthians 9:19-23)
 
I wonder how the Paul of Acts 8:1-3 and 9:1, 2 dealt with being a Christian evangelist?  How did he feel when he walked Jerusalem’s streets past the houses where he arrested people?  How did he deal with past words of threats and murder?  Even he was mystified by God’s grace that forgave his violence (1 Timothy 1:12-16)!
 
How did Paul deal with his past failure?  How could he be so committed to a religious tradition of destruction and become an effective missionary among the hopeless?  (1) He put his past in the past.  (2) He forgave himself by trusting God’s forgiveness.  (3) He committed himself to serving God’s purposes instead of his own fears.
 
All of us commonly refocus each January 1 as a new year begins.  The New Year is fresh—a time for hopes and dreams.  The old year is worn, threadbare.  Though the old contained good, it also created opportunities for our flaws to tower over us as they controlled our lives’ direction.  So, inwardly tired and troubled, we resolve to deal with our flaws as we are inspired to reach for productive new heights.
 
The following are some resolutions I hope we find worthy of consideration.

  1. I will seek to be more Christ-like in my mind, emotions, behavior, and consideration each day I am privileged to live.
  2. I will make serious efforts to understand God’s purposes and values instead of assuming my purposes and values are God’s.
  3. I will allow God to continue to “renew my mind” so my God will continue His transformation process in me.
  4. I will listen to understand before I speak.
  5. I will show the compassionate mercy I wish to receive.
  6. I will forgive as I wish God to forgive me.
  7. I will seek spiritual growth quietly, humbly as God’s servant by deliberately shunning arrogance.
  8. I will understand my credibility as Christ’s representative is enhanced by both my behavior and my words.
  9. I will dedicate myself to being a person of faith, and reflect faith in my character.
  10. I will put my faith in the Savior instead of the saved.

"Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you" (Ephesians 4:32).  Happy New Year!  May God be glorified in us! 
 
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**Prayer List**
• Bob Ziegler (Aubrey's dad)
• Becky Hargrove (daughter of Marjorie Blake)
• Betty Monk (Gene's mother)
• Bob & Norma Williams (parents of Debbie Belote)
• Chuck Cunningham (former West-Ark member) is scheduled for surgery on a brain tumor early Thursday morning in Denver, Colorado.  Chuck has had several seizures which made this (3rd) surgery necessary.   Prayers for Chuck, Karen, and their family are greatly appreciated.  Notes of encouragement may be e-mailed to them at Karen’s address: karenkirbyc [at] yahoo.com .
• David Moore has pneumonia.
• Donna Wheeler (friend of Tammy Cypert)
• Dorothy Green (Danna Turpin’s sister-in-law) is having outpatient surgery on 12/20/07. Prayers for benign biopsy results are requested.
• Gerald Jones & Family (friends of Karen Carter)
• Harry Smith (Barbara’s husband) is weak, but showing some improvement.
• Jena Roberts broke her leg and will have out-patient surgery today.
• Jim Bynum (brother-in-law of John & Nelda Fowler) is recovering from surgery.
• Joel Prigge (Louise Howard's brother-in-law)
• Melissa Meeker (Jeff Loftin's niece)
• Margaret Stone
• Mary “T” Kolb
• Morris Walker (Jordan's father) has swelling in his hand and arm from a previous heart surgery.
• Palmer Richardson received a bone marrow transplant on Nov. 30th. She is at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital in Nashville.  Read the daily updates posted by her family at www.prayforpalmer.com.
• Rusty Howard (son of Wilburn & Louise)
• Vicki Varvel (daughter of John & Nadine Hawkins and sister of Robin Murphy)
• Danna Turpin’s cousin, Virginia Freeman, is currently receiving chemo treatments.
 
**Prayers for Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended to:
• Harold Dickens and family in the death of Ona on Tuesday evening. Funeral services are Friday, 2:00 PM here at West-Ark. Visitation with family and friends is Thursday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Edwards Funeral Home.
• Kay Pressley in the recent death of her mother, Estelle Phillips.  Services were December 10th in Sikeston, Missouri.
• Ed Grist in the death of his uncle on Monday night.  Ed asks us to pray for his mother, Eulonda Grist, who has lost all three of her brothers within the last three months. It is a difficult time and prayers for comfort for Mrs. Grist and the whole family are needed.
 
Prayer Pagers
• Donna Wheeler, 441-2378
• Greg, Dena & Caitlyn Russell, 441-2387
• Bob Callicott, 441-1792
 
**Prayers for Our Military**
Brian Perkins
Danny Kweekul
John Clark
Michael Priester
Mike Gooden
Mitchell Bryant
Ron Wheat
Shawn Walker-Bandy
 
Missionaries in Prayer
• Our missionary families in Vietnam and Laos.
• John Paul & Ruby Lee Hundley are back from France for the holidays at their Fort Smith home (17th & Grand Ave.).
• Evangelists and their families with whom we work in Ethiopia and Nigeria.
• Steve & Colleen DeLoach, Operation Guyana.
 
**Change of Address*
Brandon & Amanda Daws
202 S. 15th St
Van Buren, AR 72956
 
**Notes of Thanks**
Thank you so much for the cards and prayers I received while I was so sick, both at home and in the hospital. The doctors think everything will be all right once I get my strength back.  Hope I don't have to miss anymore church.
 In Christian Love,
 John & Nadine Hawkins
 
To my West-Ark Family:
Thank you for your many prayers and thoughts for Becky & family. The doctor here is referring her to a doctor in Indianapolis – he just does difficult aortic surgeries. May God richly bless all of you. You reach out to many ones in need.
 With God’s love,
 Marjorie Blake
 
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**Operation Guyana Update**
The Missions Committee would like to announce that Steve DeLoach and Operation Guyana have a new overseeing congregation.  The Jacksonville Beach congregation in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, has agreed to oversee Steve and his work effective January 1, 2008.  West-Ark is still committed to the work in Guyana and will continue to support the Bible School on a monthly basis as well as continue our annual Medical Mission in early summer.  If you have any questions regarding this matter, please see John Priester or Michael Cole. 
 
**“Caught In the Middle”**
1st Quarter Adult Bible Study by David Chadwell.
Available in classrooms 100, 203 and 211.
Additional copies are in the Information Center.
Teacher’s Study Guides are in the Library.
The study is posted online at www.westark.org/chadwell/caughtinthemiddle
 
**Car Clinic**
There will not be a Car Clinic for the month of January.
 
**Widows/Widowers **
There will not be a luncheon for the month of January.  Our next luncheon will be February 2 hosted by Glenda Lewis and Maxine Yates.
 
**Hope Chest News!**
The 3rd annual Hope Chest toy giveaway was a tremendous success.  Toys were distributed to approximately 275 adults for them to give their children.  We appreciate each of you who donated toys, and a big thank you to the many volunteers who came for the work nights and the actual giveaway.  Kevin Goodson loaned us a tent which was much needed to protect everyone from the rain.  When you are at Goodson’s On Towson, express to him your appreciation for his generosity.  We also want to thank the C.U.R.E. staff for transporting the toys and other items.
 
Plans are already underway for the 2008 giveaway.  When you clean out toy boxes and closets to make room for new toys and games received by your children this Christmas, please bring those old, but nice, useable items to the church building.  Place them in the big container in the foyer, and we will separate them at the Hope Chest.
 
We desperately need DEPARTMENT STORE BAGS (bigger than the ones you get at the grocery store). 
They can also be placed in the container.
 
Thank you again for applying the words of our Lord Jesus, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35
 
**Baby Girl Shower**
A baby shower honoring Darren & Mandy Chilton is planned for Sunday, December 30, from 2:00 to 3:30 PM in the home of Dwonne Cogswell.  IT'S  A GIRL (Brooklyn Marie)!  Mandy is registered at Wal-Mart and Toys ‘R Us.  She is the daughter of Linda & Harold Davis.
 
**Spring into Tuesday WINGS! **
Tuesday WINGS will be starting its spring semester on January 8th with a review lesson and pizza party. Fellowship is at 9:00 a.m., and our lesson begins at 10:00 a.m.  Childcare is provided.  If you would like to join WINGS this is a great opportunity.  If you have any questions please contact Shelly Robbins.
 
**Holiday Schedules**
• Kids for Christ will meet on December 23 & 30.
• All Wednesday night Bible classes will follow a normal schedule on Dec. 26 and Jan. 2. 
 
**Serving at the Lord’s Table in January**
Harold Binyon
Charley Douglas
Bruce Davenport
Charles Hankins
Randy Hankins
Bill Kamp
John Lingren
Jack Lowry
Curtis McDonald
Travis McDonald
Greg Null
Brent Perkins
Andrew Todd
John Wood
Doyle Wright
 
**Print Benefits Missions**
If you are interested in having a full color print depicting Jesus blessing the children, please see John Lankford or Marcia Tomlin. An example is available in the foyer.  You may purchase one for a donation to either China or Russian missions.
 
**Request from Office Manager**
When you check out/borrow any item, PLEASE return it to the same room or place it was taken from.  
 
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YOUTH GROUP NEWS
 
**60+/Joy Bunch Dinner and Christmas Party Success!**
Thanks to those who helped with the 60+/Joy Bunch dinner hosted by the teens last Saturday. We had a great turn-out and even had to bring out more tables.  

The teens had their annual Christmas party last Saturday. We had a great time playing Christmas games and rubbing Vaseline and cotton balls on some of the teens’ faces! A great time was had by all! Thanks to all of those who made it happen!
 
**All-Region Band Contest**
December 8th, Spencer Barker, Eric Berger, Jenapher Burnett, Uriel Cedillo, Rose Davis, Jessica Frost, Forrest Hickey and Chelsea McCollom competed in the Junior High All-Region band contest in Dardanelle.
Eric Berger placed in the 1st band/12th chair on trumpet.
Rose Davis placed in the 1st band/1st chair on alto clarinet.
Jessica Frost placed in the 2nd band/1st chair on flute.
Forrest Hickey placed in the 2nd band/9th chair on trombone.
Congratulations to all!
 
**New Year’s Eve Party**
Monday, December 31st
8:00 PM ‘til we ring in the New Year
Family Life Center
Sign-up on the bulletin board upstairs
– It’s going to be fun!!!
 
CLASS SCHEDULE
Junior and Senior High will have combined classes in the youth room on these days:
Sunday Morning, Dec. 23rd
Wednesday Night, Dec. 26th
 
UPCOMING EVENTS
* Prayer Night, Sunday, January 6th
* SNL in Rogers, Sunday, January 13th
* Home Devotionals, Sunday, January 20th
    Junior High – David & Sandy Berger’s home
    Senior High - Jerry & Cyndi Glidewell’s home
 
**Happy Birthday**
December 22
Lauren Robertson
 
December 24
Claretta Barlett
Debbie Belote
 
December 25
Bill Moss
Laurie Roberts
Frances Tyler
Sheila Vaught
 
December 26
Bill Brazelton
Ben Goode
Rodney Jones
Mary Beth Oliver
Kathy Rogers
 
December 27
Hope Frost
Sharon Knight
 
December 28
Hannah Hesslen
Natalie Nelson
 
December 29
Mack Farris
Patrick Pruitt
 
December 30
Lyndell Foster
December 31
Bob Davidson
Christy Puckett
 
January 1
Billie Neisler
Julie Wilson
 
January 3
Dale Mason
 
January 4
Brian Byrd
Kindy Kweekul
Casey Oliver
 
January 5
Lane Haworth
Trevor Morphew
David Orick
 
**Morning Nursery**
Sharon Faries
Bernice Rogers
Kristin Smith
 
**Evening Nursery**
Angela Dunavant
Denise Lusby
 
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 647
Bible Classes  401
Sunday PM Worship 212  
Life Groups 13
Contribution   $17,478
Children’s Homes $293
Wednesday Classes 194
 
Lao Worship
Attendance 32
Contribution $219
 
Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance  56
Contribution  $184
 
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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