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Family Lines Newsletter, April 24, 2008
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**Healthy Congregations, Part 5**
Examples Without
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).
 
The most important issue in people’s lives in any age is being in Christ.  Always, many do not want to be in Christ (John 3:19, 20).  Christians cannot force people to enter Christ. (Salvation involves a person’s intellect and emotions as well as his/her physical body.)
 
The challenge is to encourage everyone to enter Christ who wants to enter Christ.  Can it be certainly determined who does and does not wish to enter Christ?  No.  We assume a person wants to enter Christ until he/she declares otherwise, and even then we are careful not to limit future changes in his/her interest.
 
Paul’s approach was fascinating!  He was exposed to situations that were extreme--idolatry, judgmental religion, and atheism.  He always assumed interest in Christ existed.  He always began where the person was.  He was the flexible one. (He did not say, “When you think like I do, I will talk to you.”)  Paul found something incredible in Christ. (Have you recently read Philippians 3:8-11?). And he wished to share (1) what he had found and (2) how it changed him.  No matter what your past, what wickedness you committed, or who you were at the moment, Paul knew God in Christ had something wonderful for you—no one knew that better than did Paul (1 Timothy 1:12-16)!  Paul did not give up on people because God did not give up on him!  God’s grace in Christ was greater than Paul’s sinfulness!
 
The Christian Paul’s approach: (1) Focus on the blessings of being in Christ rather than the flaws of the person.  (2)  Be an example of change in Christ.  To me, nothing demonstrates Paul’s changes as does 1 Thessalonians 2:7-12.  The man who held the clothing of those who killed Stephen (Acts 7:58), who dragged Christian men and women from their homes (Acts 8:3), who tried physically to force Christians to blaspheme (Acts 26:9-11), and who was on his way to Damascus to arrest Christians (Acts 9:1, 2), as a Christian evangelized gently, with affection and blameless behavior while exhorting, encouraging, and imploring.
 
We exist in a visual society.  Do not focus on “the rules.”  Focus on being.  Live as an example.  Attract to Jesus by behavior as well as message.  As Paul said to a preacher, “The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:24-26).
 
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**Present Your Prayers and Requests to God**
• Adina Boatright is having tests today and requests prayers for a good report.
• Dahl Dunavant injured his back at work this week and is currently incapacitated. The family would appreciate prayers for healing and comfort.
• Doyle Williams (uncle of Debbie Belote) is critically ill at Northwest Hospital in Springdale, AR.
• Kim Wilson (husband of Brenda Cantwell Wilson) is in the hospital following a church van accident Sunday evening (in Kentucky).
• Louise Cline is recuperating at Valir Rehab Hospital in Oklahoma City, OK.
• Mary Vampola is ill at home.
• Norma Jean Breedlove is recovering from a broken arm.
• Paul Quenin is recovering from outpatient surgery on Tuesday morning. 
• Patty Kaiser went home on Saturday, but needs a woman to stay with her during the night.  If you can do this, please contact Patty or Meg Canfield. Cards and visits are greatly appreciated, too. Patty’s address is 1119 S. 21st Street, Fort Smith, AR 72901.
• Travis & Jamie Balkman (friends of Chris & Carrie Burress) are waiting for test results for Travis. Carrie’s hope is “for them to feel God’s peace in this time, and for all Travis’ tests to come back okay.” 
 
**Continued Prayers**
• Bill Jenkins
• Brady Perkins (infant son of Lloyd & Randi Perkins and grandson of Larry & Donna Roper)
• Gerald Jones (friend of Karen Carter)
• Joel Prigge (Louise Howard’s brother-in-law)
• Leo Atkins
• Lloyd Priester (father of Jim)
• Margaret Stone
• Randy Bridges
• Robin Harper
• Wilma Son
 
**Bereaved in Prayer**
• Our love and sympathy is extended to Georgia Gilley in the death of her father, Robert Klee. Graveside services were this morning at National Cemetery.
• Our love and sympathy is also extended to Betty Summers in the death of her sister, Rose Mixon, early this morning. The funeral service will be Sunday, 2:00 PM at 1st Baptist Church in Poteau, OK.
 
**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.
 
**Welcome, Blessed Baby!**
Jessa Grace was born to Bill and Paige Wilson on Saturday, April 19th.  She weighed 6 lbs. 5 ozs. and was 20 1/4 inches long.  Jim and Deborah Wilson are the proud grandparents!
 
**Welcome, New Member!**
Sue Smith was baptized Sunday morning. She is in the process of moving, so her address will be published in the next few weeks after she’s settled in.
 
**Prayer Pagers**
Brothers and sisters of Ashton Stein, 784-7490
Donna Wheeler, 441-2378
 
**Pray for Our Military**
James & Megan Johnson
Jered Goddard
John Clark
Michael Priester
Mitchell Bryant
Ron Wheat
Ryan Almond
Will Domer
Mike Gooden has safely returned home!
 
**Items Needed**
Dena Jenkins is collecting paper towel and toilet paper tubes.  Donations can be left by the elevator (in the FLOCK area).
 
**Golf Tournament **
Saturday, June 7
Ben Geren Golf Course
4-man scramble
Call Niketa Stinchcomb or the church office at 452-1240 to register. Please give your name, phone number, and your average score for 18 holes. The sign-up deadline is June 5. Check in at the pro shop by 10:15; we’ll draw for teams and tee off by 11 a.m.
 
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**Vacation Bible School**
Theme: “Where Jesus Walked to the Cross”
Sunday - Wednesday, June 15-18
Evenings from 6:00 - 8:00 PM
 
There is a place for everyone in VBS 2008! 
We want to make this a true family experience – for each individual family as well as our church family. 
Go to www.westark.org/vbs.htm and:
• Register a child
• Learn about volunteer opportunities -- and
• Register as a volunteer (job descriptions are included!)
For more information, contact Staci James or Dena Jenkins.
 

**Senior Girls’ Tea (and Brunch!)**
Saturday, May 3, 10 a.m. until noon in the FLC
Guest Speaker: Daisy Powell
Musical Guests: United Ladies of Tulsa
All West-Ark ladies are cordially invited to attend a Tea (and brunch) honoring the Senior girls of the class of 2008.  Come be a part of this special day and let our seniors know how proud we are of them!
 
**LFC Pancake Breakfast, May 5-9**
In his sermon a couple of weeks ago, Chris encouraged us to support our campus ministry’s outreach to UAFS students. A convenient, fun opportunity to do that is coming soon:  On May 5-9, we plan to host a pancake breakfast for the students during their finals week. If you can help serve and/or visit with the students anytime from 7 to 10 a.m. on those days, please let Colleen Frost know at colleen@westarkchurchofchrist.org or 479-452-1240. Thank you!
 
**Don’t Forget!**
4th Sunday Evening Fellowship Meal
after worship in the FLC.
All who can, please bring DESSERTS!!
 
**Old Testament Survey Class**
Sunday Mornings in Room 106
Wednesday Nights in Room 203
Teacher: Jerry Canfield
This is a 26-week class, and it’s not too late to be a part of the study. The Sunday morning class is a discussion of the previous Wednesday night’s material. 
 
**Widows Luncheon Canceled**
Due to the tea honoring the senior girls, the Widows/Widowers luncheon has been canceled. Please take this opportunity to celebrate our young ladies’ accomplishments and attend the tea.
 
The Car Clinic for May is also canceled.
 
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**Youth Group News**
Paintball!
On Saturday, April 19, the teens and the LFC’s spent all day shooting each other with paint! It was a great event; there are several bruises to prove it. Thanks to all of those that made it happen!
 
Youth Group Pictures
Be sure to be checking www.westark.shutterfly.com for pictures of youth events!
 
Youth Worship  //  Youth Room  //  6:00 – 7:00 PM
April 27, Combined worship with the LFC’s
 
Senior Tea Brunch  //  Family Life Center 
The ladies of West-Ark are invited to attend the Senior Tea Brunch honoring the 2008 Graduating Senior Girls.
Saturday, May 3 at 10:00 AM
 
SNL at Mt. Comfort in Fayetteville // Sunday, May 11
We need adult volunteers! We will only be able to attend if we have adults volunteer by Sunday, May 4.
 
Have you signed up for Green Valley Bible Camp?
Information sheets about camp are available on the youth table. Sign up now!
 
**Library Memorials**
In Memory of Ruth Choate from Margaret Thompson
• To Be Continued by Waldron
• Genesis, Science, History by Jacoby
In Memory of Ruth Choate from Mr. & Mrs.Dan Ogdon
• Is God to Blame? by Boyd
 
In memory of Betty Crouch from Inez Hatfield
• The Grace of God and the Will of Man by Pinnock
 
**Happy Birthday**
April 27
Clark Risley
 
April 28
Michael Cole
Xavier Henry
Genneil Nye
 
April 29
Jim Selig
 
May 1
Evan Foley
 
May 2
Jon Keller
Kent Snider
Ed Vampola
 
May 3
Melissa Blasdel
 
**Morning Nursery**
Sharon Fairies
Bernice Rogers
Kristin Smith
 
**Evening Nursery**
Angela Dunavant
Denise Lusby
 
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 602
Bible Classes  402
Sunday PM Worship  213
Life Groups  33
Contribution   $14,349
Children’s Homes $179
Wednesday Classes  269
 
Lao Worship
Attendance 31
Contribution $151
 
Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance 58 
Contribution  $218
 
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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