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Family Lines Newsletter, March 6, 2008
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**The Balance**
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).
 
In the past few weeks, the bulletin articles emphasized two points.  (1) Christians are responsible to care for each others’ well being.  Thus, we exercise great care in what we say.  (2) Christians accept the responsibility involved in personal transformation.  Thus, as a Christian, I am responsible to focus on my behavior and attitudes as well as on your example.
 
Wow! Tough!  It is fairly simple for me to focus on your example.  If I am honest with myself, it is fairly simple to focus on my example established by my attitudes and behavior.  However, all of us encounter a huge problem.  God who gave Christ for my sins and forgives my errors is also the God who gave Christ for your sins and forgives your errors.  So, when do I treat my mistakes with God’s grace, and when do I treat your mistakes with God’s grace?  When do I let God’s grace help you escape your guilt just as I allow God’s grace to help me escape my guilt? 
 
Where is the balance?  Who decides where it should be?  How do I condemn you without condemning me?  If I let my guilt destroy me how am I improved because I destroy you also?  Does anything go with repentance?  Where is the accountability line drawn?  Who draws it?  Are you “in” because I say you are “in” or “out” because I say you are “out?”  How can we show each other disrespect and not discredit our Savior?
 
I understand when Elijah ran from Queen Jezebel or Peter denied Jesus when he was “under the gun.”  Why?  I know and grasp such weakness.  I know that kind of weakness happens!  However, it is difficult to understand God’s quick forgiveness of David’s adultery, or Bathsheba continuing as David’s queen, or her son by David being Israel’s next king.  That puts Isaiah 55:8, 9 in a practical light—truly God’s ways are not our ways!  Thankfully, God’s forgiveness does not depend on human understanding.
 
Congregations—from the beginning—were a delicate balance between mercy and accountability.  Jewish Christians did not understand how gentile Christians could be saved without circumcision. Gentile Christians did not understand why Jewish Christians were so hung up on rules. Living congregations ALWAYS are composed of spiritual infants, children, adolescents, and adults of varying degrees of spiritual maturity. If the balance between mercy and accountability is not found and practiced in Jesus Christ, no congregation can thrive as a part of Christ’s earthly body.
 
In college, an admired teacher stated this in a minor prophets’ study: “You cannot get to heaven on the mistakes of other people.”  Ouch!!! 
 
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**Spring Ahead! Daylight Savings Time Begins Saturday Night!**

**In Our Thoughts & Prayers**
• Aiden Scott (daughter of Randy & Ashley Campbell Scott) is due to get tubes in her ears, but has been very sick. 
• Curtis Locklear (Judy Walker's father) was admitted to hospital on Monday with respiratory distress. He lives in North Carolina.
• Charlie Surratt (father of Kathy Rosalez) is in Dardanelle Hospital.
• Coleen Shirley is waiting for test results on pain in her shoulder.
• Inez Hatfield has had some breathing problems this week. Also, due to a low blood count, she was in the hospital overnight Tuesday and part of Wednesday to receive blood.
• Jessica Frost saw an orthopedic doctor in Little Rock last week about a cyst in her heel bone.  The doctor recommends that she also see a surgeon before they begin treatment on her foot.
• Joel Prigge (Louise Howard's brother-in-law) will get results from a CT and pelvic scan on Monday. They are praying the pancreatic cancer has not spread.
• Leo Atkins is still in St. Edward Hospital, room 3302. His cancer has spread, and he will be entering a nursing home soon under St. Edward hospice care.
• Mitch Jones (son of Ann Selig) is recovering from  throat surgery.
• Molly Walker is home from college (since Saturday) and is very sick with mono & tonsillitis.  Prayers for her healing are appreciated.
• Norma Treadway (Kathy Glidewell's mother) is in St. Edward Hospital, room 3513, recovering from a broken hip and surgery.
• Trucilla Surratt (mother of Kathy Rosalez) has returned to the nursing home. 
• Vicki Anderson had out-patient surgery Monday to repair a torn rotator cuff.
 
**Continued Prayers**
• Anita Cook 
• Betty Monk (mother of Gene)
• Bob Williams (father of Debbie Belote)
• Gerald Jones (friend of Karen Carter)
• Isaac Mobley
• Jessica Frost
• Kathleen Taranto
• Lloyd Priester (father of Jim)
• Lloyd Hardin (John & Hazel Richards' son-in-law)
• Margaret Stone
• Patty Kaiser
• Wilma Son
 
**Frequent Flyer Miles Needed**
A preacher from Thailand, Patinya Titahawn, and his daughter, are coming to Fort Smith via Nashville on April 3 and leaving April 5.  They need airline tickets. If anyone has advantage miles or frequent flyer miles they could contribute, please contact Jerry or Meg Canfield by Sunday, March 9th.
 
**Pray for Our Missionaries**
• Our missionary families in Vietnam and Laos.
• John Paul & Ruby Lee Hundley in France and Belgium.
• Evangelists and their families with whom we work in Ethiopia and Nigeria.
 
**Prayer Pagers**
• Jessica Frost, 441-2379
•  Brothers and sisters of Ashton Stein, 784-7490
•  Donna Wheeler, 441-2378
 
**Pray for Our Military**
Brian Perkins
John Clark
Michael Priester
Mike Gooden
Mitchell Bryant
Ron Wheat
 
**Welcome, Blessed Baby!**
Brayden Michael Conway Daws was born February 29th to Brandon and Amanda Daws.  Brayden weighed 8 lbs., 7 ozs. and was 20 3/4 inches long. Congratulations to all the family and to Tammy Cypert, the happy grandmother!
 
**Baptism**
Raymond Scott Harris (from the jail ministry) was baptized Saturday.
 
**Notes of Thanks**
The family of Trina Campbell wants to thank everyone for their prayers on their behalf.  Trina passed away Friday evening.  She was Trucilla Surratt's hospital roommate.
 
To my West-Ark Family & Friends,
Once again, thank you for your thoughts, prayers, cards, visits, hugs, and gentleness. It was a frightening time, but everything is fine for now. I go for another round of exams on June 11, after our Guyana trip. The doctors encouraged me to continue with the trip, so I do have their blessings.
 In Him,
 Connie Hixson
P.S. The prayer pager was wonderful!
 
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**VBS is CHANGING!!**
And we want YOU to be a part of it!
Sunday – Wednesday evening, June 15-18, 2008
Our prayer is that many who have not been able to help in the past will have that opportunity this year.  All are welcome to join us for an informational meeting this SUNDAY, MARCH 9 at 5 p.m. in room 100.   Come and learn about our new and exciting VBS and how you can be a part of it!  If you want to help but cannot attend this meeting, please contact Staci James or Dena Jenkins.  To Him be all the glory and praise!
 
**Celebration in Song for March**
March will be a month when we place a special emphasis on the joy and blessing of singing together.  For thousands of years, believers have recognized and honored the power of song and praise to form community, to teach and encourage, to shape identity, and to pass on wisdom. 
 
Our worship singing is "a cappella," which literally means "at the church."  Our congregation is blessed with people who have learned and are learning to use their voices together for all the good reasons God intended.  And even though some of us (this would include me) only know how to make a "joyful noise," we, too, are part of the chorus of believers.
 
During the month of March we are going to emphasize the gift of voice and song that God has given us.  Singing is a gift that we share with one another.  Our young people are learning to sing songs both old and new for their Leadership Training for Christ gathering this month.  They are inspiring singers, and we have wonderful teachers who are encouraging them in this gift.  During our Sunday assemblies, both AM and PM, the congregation will be singing the songs that they are learning.  On March 9, we will create a couple of opportunities to let them demonstrate their songs as they will sing them (and sign them!) at LTC.
 
On March 12, the Faulkner University Chorus will visit with us.  We are dedicating that evening to this event.  This is an opportunity to invite friends and neighbors to come share in the power of praise and song.  We definitely want to share this with our community at large.
 
Finally, some of you may have noticed that a group of eight singers (four men and four women – two singers for each part) is gathering to sing on Wednesday nights.  Many of you have asked, "When do we get to hear them?"  How about this month?  This group is rehearsing songs for a recording to be produced by the Acappella Company later this year.  During our Fifth Sunday Family Night in March, we will give them an opportunity to share their "ministry in music."
 
To best explain what all of this is about, I can do no better than borrow a word from an apostle named Paul, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God" (Col. 3:16). 
~~Chris Benjamin

**Faulkner University Chorus **
Wednesday Night, March 12
Gateway and FLOCK children’s classes will follow a normal schedule. Everyone else will meet in the Auditorium at 7:00 PM!
 
**Cruise Memories & Fun!**
Thursday, March 13, at 6:30 PM. We’re having a “picture night” – so bring your memory chips and a dessert!
 
**Children’s Worship**
We are in need of teachers for the 4 and 5 years old Children's Worship on Sunday Mornings.  This is on a rotation basis and would only require a commitment of one Sunday every four to five weeks. Please contact Greg and Nancy Dockery.
 
**Tornado Relief**
For those who are still planning to donate to the tornado victims, Sunday, March 9, will be the deadline for collecting these funds.  Give donations to any elder or turn in to the office.
 
**JOY Bunch!**
Saturday, March 15
6:00 PM in the FLC
We are asking our regular pie bakers to bring a pie. Everyone else will bring different dishes as usual and desserts!
 
**Elementary Scrapbooking**
Saturday, March 8, 9 AM until 5 PM at Karen Benjamin’s home.
 
**LTC Announcements**
Jr./Sr.High Chorus should be at the building Friday evening at 6:00 PM.  If you have any questions, please contact Shanna Davis. We will be having regular practice for all teams on Sunday, March 9th. 
 
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**Youth Group News**
 
MARCH CALENDAR
 
Youth Worship
Youth Room, 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Sunday, March 9
Sunday, March 16
Sunday, March 23
 
Faulkner University Chorus
Wednesday, March 12, 7:00 PM
(Meet in the auditorium instead of the Youth Room)
 
West-Ark Retreat at Camp Caudle
Friday, March 28 – Sunday, March 30
Guest Speaker – Robert Oglesby
Cost - $35 (Give payment to Jackie by Wed. March 12)
Leaving at 6:30 PM on Friday – (Eat before you come!)
Sign up by Wednesday, March 12 to ensure that you get a t-shirt!
 
**In Memory of Erma Haskett (Terri Overbey’s mother)**
by West-Ark Church of Christ
• Shepherd's Notes: 1, 2, 3 John
• Making Sense of the Trinity by Erickson
• The Forgotten Trinity by White 
 
**Happy Birthday**
March 9
Mary F Jackson
Mary T Kolb
Ann Selig
 
March 10
Joyce Chadwell
Donna Lindgren
 
March 11
Bill Stancil
 
March 12
Miranda Nonnemacher
Alex Tomlin
 
March 13
Carol Green
Sarah Miller
Richard Nelson
John Richards
 
March 14
Vicki Anderson
John Berger
Luke Jones
Maxine Yates
 
March 15
Matthew Hines
Hayley Sanchez
Janie Wyatt
 
**Morning Nursery**
Vicki Anderson
Trish Carson
Dwonne Cogswell
 
**Evening Nursery**
Terri Jones
Marquetta Walker
 
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship  607
Bible Classes  434
Sunday PM Worship  NC
Contribution  $20,763
Children’s Homes $289
Wednesday Classes  283
 
Lao Worship
Attendance  48
Contribution  $280
 
Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance  66
Contribution  $265
 
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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