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Family Lines Newsletter,  February 14, 2008
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**The Higher Calling**
By David Chadwell
 
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:31, 32).
 
Tongue problems are not new in God’s family!  That is evident in the context of the above scripture.  These people, converted from an idolatrous lifestyle, did not “learn Christ this way” (Ephesians 4:20).  They deceived, they acted in anger, they stole, they used words to tear down people, and they grieved God’s Spirit. Their sense of spiritual community was grossly immature! To address their problem, Paul suggested that they allow God’s forgiveness in Christ to be their model. Tongue problems are ancient, and (sorrowfully) each generation renews them by adding new vigor to them.
 
Consider a prayer:
God, grant us, as a community and as individuals, spiritual maturity’s courage to see and take responsibility for our tongue problems.  May we refuse as individuals to allow our personal anxieties to infect the community of believers, and may we not as a community of believers encourage the abusive use of the tongue.  May we be forgiving instead of bitter.  May we be encouragers instead of being wrath-filled Christians.  May confusion diminish because of the way we speak and our words.  May we be quick to extol good and slow to destroy reputations.  Instead of acting in the hate and spite of malice, give us faith’s courage to understand that evil is destroyed by doing good.
 
May we be as kind to each other as You are to us in Your perfect knowledge of us.  May we be as tender-hearted to each other in our community as we are to one rising from baptism. May Your forgiveness be our model to forgive.
 
May we have faith’s courage to expect more of self because we know You.  May others be attracted to Your community because our words evidence Your wisdom.  Because of our words, attitudes, and emotions, may those who do not believe in Jesus not dismiss Your love.  May our mouths and the actions our words produce advertise Your greatness.  May our words make it obvious You live in us.  May the way we treat each other declare the value of Your living in a person.  May we understand the privilege of approaching You through Your son as we understand the privilege of being Your child.

Congregations too often are more discredited by Christians’ treatment of each other than by beliefs.  May that awareness make each of us fear self.  May we be quick to repent, and slow at self-justification.  May we feel sorrow rapidly, and feel resentment slowly.  May we not say things about each other that we would not repeat to God—for we shall!
 
May we each aspire to spiritual maturity in Jesus Christ. May we have the courage to be an example that challenges and encourages.  May a godless society’s regulations never be the rules of godly spirituality.  May God’s people find the direction in Jesus Christ to transform our world instead of letting the world reduce us to its level.  May God in Jesus Christ form our holy manners. May the Savior teach us how to behave with the courage that transforms the immature and challenges the unformed in Christ to rise to God’s standards as His people.  May our manners in our words be in His hands alone!
 
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**Say A Prayer For ...**
• Update on Ashton Stein (2-year-old son of James & Debbie Stein, and the grandson of Bob & Charlotte Rye): ”I got a call from Debbie Stein yesterday. Their doctor from St. Jude's called, and they have no idea what type of cancer Ashton has. They've never seen it before ~ ever!!!! This may mean that he will have to undergo chemo. Debbie and James are just devastated. They've asked for our prayers that God will guide and give wisdom to these doctors. It is not a secret to God what this is. Deut. 29:29 -- "The secret things belong to God." Please pray that God will impart some of His wisdom to these doctors, and they will know exactly what baby Ashton needs for his treatment. God is so good and we will praise Him in this storm.”  Christy Hesslen (2/14/08)
• Bob Callicott (Betty's husband and Ann Combs' father) has entered hospice care.  Pray for his comfort, that the doctor will be able to control his pain, and for strength for his family during this difficult time.
• Gene Monk received word Monday that his mother's cancer is spreading.  Prayers for comfort for Betty Monk and the family are appreciated.
• Isaac Mobley is in Sparks Hospital for evaluation. No visitors at this time, please.   
• Kathleen Taranto (Meg Canfield's mother) is scheduled for outpatient hand surgery today (2/14/08).
• Larry Schluterman is in St. Edward Hospital, room 3419, following gall bladder surgery on Wednesday.
• Melody Priester is sick with flu-like symptoms of fluctuating temperature. 
 
**Continued Prayers**
• Bob Fisher
• Bob Williams (father of Debbie Belote)
• Clarice Tisher (grandmother of Carrie Burress)
• Connie Hixson
• Donna Wheeler (friend of Tammy Cypert)
• Gerald Jones (friend of Karen Carter)
• Joel Prigge (Louise Howard's brother-in-law)
• Lloyd Priester (father of Jim)
• Madelyn, Wendy & Jeremy Grist
• Margaret Stone
• Mary “T” Kolb
• Patty Kaiser
• Richard LeBow Family
• Ruth Burns
• Rusty Howard (son of Wilburn & Louise)
• Trish Carson
• Vicki Hardin (former West-Ark member)
• Virginia Mobley
• Wilma Son
 
**Bereaved in Prayer**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Grace Peters in the death of her granddaughter, Carla Baker, on Monday.
 
**Prayer Pagers**
• Donna Wheeler, 441-2378
• Greg, Dena & Caitlyn Russell, 441-2387
• Brothers and sisters of Ashton Stein, 784-7490
• Connie Hixson, 441-1792
 
**Notes of Thanks**
 
West-Ark Church Family,
Thank all of you for your prayers, cards, and words of comfort and encouragement. I know God answered all of the prayers -- before her surgery, I knew Becky would survive. Her surgeon, after surgery, stated things went much better than he thought they would.
 May God bless all of you!
 Marjorie Blake
 
Dear West-Ark Family,
Again, I’m trying to find words to tell you how much I love you, and to thank you for your cards, calls, and especially, your prayers.  Please continue. I’ve still got a long way to go. I begin chemo in two weeks. Again, Michael and I want you to know how much we appreciate everything.
 Love,
 Wilma and Michael Son
 
Thank you to everyone who has prayed for and sent cards to my grandmother. She made it through the first round of chemo quite well.  She was not near as sick as she thought she would be, although now she is losing her hair.  She did not think that would mean as much to her as it does.  But, we are looking into wigs and hats for her, so hopefully, we can make her feel a little better about going out again.  Wednesday, she will have round #2 [of chemo].  The doctors think each round will be progressively harder on her body.  So, we do request you continue to keep her in your prayers. 
 Thank you so much, 
 Carrie Burress (2/11/08)
 
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**Elder Resigns**
Joe Pistole resigned Sunday morning after serving West-Ark for seven years as an elder. Thank you, Joe, for willingly giving of yourself. Thank you, Peggy, for supporting Joe in his service.  We look forward to both of you freely giving of yourselves to make this congregation successful and healthy.
 
**Pray for Our Military**
Brian Perkins
John Clark
Michael Priester
Mike Gooden
Mitchell Bryant
Ron Wheat
 
**Pray for Our Missionaries**
• Our missionary families in Vietnam and Laos.
• John Paul & Ruby Lee Hundley are home for a visit from their work in France and Belgium.
• Evangelists and their families with whom we work in Ethiopia and Nigeria.
 
**JOY Bunch Potluck and Valentine’s Party**
Saturday, February 16
6:00 PM in the FLC
 
**Wedding Shower**
A shower is planned for Adam & Candice Davis on Sunday, February 17th, from 2:00 – 4:00 PM in the Annex. Adam is the son of Tim & Donna Davis. Adam & Candice are registered at Wal-Mart and Linens ‘N Things. Hostesses are Danna Turpin, Marcia Dye, Karen Carter, Marquetta Walker, Carlene Payne, and Linda Davis.
 
**Senior Game Day!**
Thursday, February 21, 12 noon in the home of Bonnie Marrs.  Come and join in the fun!
 
**LTC Practices for Feb. 17**
3:00  Elem. Signing
4:00  Elem. Drama
         Jr./Sr. High Drama
5:00  Elem. Puppets
         Jr./Sr. High Chorus
6:00  Elem. Chorus
         Jr./Sr. High Signing
 
**Report from the Youth & Family Ministry Search Team**
 
Thank you to everyone who took the time to fill out the survey.  The survey is complete and the Search Team has reviewed the basic data. This feedback is helpful as we generate a Job Description and Character Profile to guide us in our search. 
 
The Search Team also met with the Junior and Senior High on February 6.  We asked them to tell us in their own words what they thought a Youth and Family Minister is and what he should be doing.  Their input was creative and useful.  We are quite proud of our teens, and we are well-served by their insights.
 
The Search Team will collate these sources and produce a working draft of the Job Description and Character Profile. We will certainly keep you informed of the development of these materials.
 
Please continue to pray for this process.  If you have any questions or input, please do not hesitate to contact any member of the Search Team.
 
Search Team Members
Bill Kamp
Colleen Frost
Dave Cogswell
Bruce Davenport
Lisa Grace
Mary Burkett
Chris Benjamin
Jackie Sofio – Ex officio providing administrative support
 
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**Youth Group News**
 
Congrats!
Congratulations to youth group member Dawson Urrutia who signed a Division II National Letter of Intent for track and field at Missouri Southern State University.
 
Winter Retreat
We had 18 teens go on the Winter Retreat last weekend. We are thankful that they had a safe, fun and uplifting experience.
 
Youth Worship
This Sunday, February 17 – Youth Room – 6:00 PM
 
Home Devotionals
Sunday, February 24
Junior High – CONTACT JACKIE IF YOU CAN HOST THIS DEVO
Senior High – Yowells  
Vans will leave at 6:00 PM and will return at 7:45 PM
Please sign-up on the bulletin board in the lobby!
 
Search Team
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with the Search Team last Wednesday night. Please continue to pray for the Search Team and their efforts!
 
**In Loving Memory of Ruth Choate by Wanda Srygley**
• Amazing Grace (DVD)
• Life Principles of Christ-like Living by Devlin
• Net Bible First Edition
• Users Guide to Bible Translations by Dewey
 
**Happy Birthday**
February 17
Christy Anders
Aaron Logan
Bob Null
Allison Todd
 
February 18
Keith Byrd
Kenneth Hatcher
Maddie Pressley
Daniel Word
 
February 19
Mitchell Bryant
Yolanda Gunn
Emily Hamilton
 
February 20
Doris Hall
 
February 21
Jill Roberts
 
February 22
Meredith Brown
Graham Coffelt
Gary Hamilton
 
**Morning Nursery**
Elaine Hill
Flora Johnson
 
**Evening Nursery**
Tiffany Blake
Sheila Vaught
 
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship  578
Bible Classes  408
Sunday PM Worship  222
Life Groups 26 
Contribution  $15,104
Children’s Homes $344
Wednesday Classes  283
 
Lao Worship
Attendance  34
Contribution  $188
 
Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance  59
Contribution  $360
 
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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