West-Ark Newsletter, 8 May 2008

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Family Lines Newsletter, May 8, 2008
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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)

Recently I heard an interview with a reporter who for years went worldwide reporting. His task: find the unhappiest people in the unhappiest places and tell their stories.

Then he decided for a year to find places with reputations as the worlds happiest places. His objective: to discover (a) if there were happy places, and (b) what made them happy places. His discovery: (a) The worlds happiest places were climatically located in the harshest places. (b) They were happy places because people depended on each other. The people cared about each other.

You and I live in a troubled society and a troubled world. Many people do not know God, reject God, have mistaken ideas about God, or do not believe Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God. Many have never known love, never been loved, or never knew a loving environment. A lot of people have never been forgiven or do not know what forgiveness is. Many do not interact or behave as we do, or have our social concepts.

God has a message for these people. He says He cares, and He showed the depth of His concern in Jesus ministry, death, and resurrection. The issue is not does God care? but do we as Gods people care? When such people have contact with us as a congregation or as individuals, do they experience caring, do they feel concern? Do they want to be a part of us because we care?

Easy? No! Tiring? Yes! Why? There is so much demand, and so few resources. There is so much need, and so few to be concerned. There are so many forms of consequences to bad behavior and poor choices, and almost no fixes.

For years we could focus on doctrines, but no more. For years we made every question a matter of simple right or wrong, but no more. For years we pulled some favorite verses out of context and clubbed people with them, but no more. Why? People who need God the most care not about our view of doctrines, right or wrong, or verses (in context) until first they see we care about them, until first they see Gods joy in us.

When I was a boy there were housewarmings, unplanned pooling of Sunday lunches by several families, games in homes, and various forms of interaction that demonstrated caring. I have heard you speak of campouts, trips together, and lots of social interaction. The joy of being together was obvious, inclusive, and real.

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**Remember in Prayer**
Inez Hatfield had a blood transfusion on Wednesday (as an outpatient). She is also having breathing problems.
Joel Prigge (Louise Howards brother-in-law) is continuing treatment through May 7th; then will wait about two months for results of his current treatment! Thank you for all of your prayers on his behalf!
Patty Kaiser was dismissed from the hospital and is staying with Kathleen Taranto for a while.
Shirley Holsinger (Lousie Howards sister) had a total knee replacement on Monday in Dallas. She is doing well -- up and walking some.

**Continued Prayers**
Dennis Risley (Clarks uncle)
Gerald Jones (friend of Karen Carter)
Leo Atkins
Louise Cline
Lloyd Priester (father of Jim)
Margaret Stone
Wilma Son

**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.

**Pray for Our Military**
James & Megan Johnson
Jered Goddard
John Clark
John Lemley
Michael Priester
Mitchell Bryant
Ron Wheat
Ryan Almond
Will Domer

**Wedding Shower**
Youre invited to a shower honoring Beth Wagner and Michael Jones (son of Rod & Terri Jones), on Sunday, May 18th, from 2-4 PM at the Annex. Beth and Michael are registered at JCPenneys, Wal-Mart, Dillards, Linens N Things, and Carson Wagonlit Travel Agency.

**Note of Thanks**
Thank you for the cards and prayers for the loss of my precious sister, Rose. You are a loving, caring group of Christians. I appreciate all of you.
Sincerely, Betty Summers

**Senior Class of 08**
Ashley Blasdel - Pocola
Andrew Brievogel - Southside
Leslie Campbell - Van Buren
Leslie Frederick - Southside
Ian Gilley - Northside
Courtney Griffin - Southside
Sarah Hartley - Van Buren
Gary Nolasco - Northside
Venusa Phomakay - Alma
Ashley Singleton - Sallisaw
Lindsey Smith - Southside
Dawson Urrutia - Union Christian

As is our custom, baskets for the graduating seniors have been set out in front of the youth bulletin board in the foyer. If you would like to give gifts or cards to the seniors, the items can be placed in these baskets.

Graduation Dates
Van Buren - May 16, 8:00 PM
Alma - May 17, 7:00 PM
Pocola - May 23, 8:00 PM
Sallisaw - May 23, 8:00 PM
Union Christian - May 24, 6:00 PM
Northside - May 29, 7:30 PM
Southside - May 30, 7:30 PM

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**Tutoring Program**
Another year of tutoring has ended, and thanks to the 77 people who participated it was a success! Our 24 tutors and 13 substitutes did a wonderful job tutoring the children. (If you want proof, you should have seen them surge into our FLC on Tuesdays at 3:20 p.m.!)

The 22 individuals who fed and provided birthday cupcakes for the children did an outstanding job, providing nutritional snacks and sweet treats, which aided their growth and put smiles on their faces. Snack-providers are essential to the tutoring program.

Special thanks must be given to the following:
Home-schoolers who set up our tables
Warren Gardenhire who took them down
Jack Lewis & Warren Gardenhire who drove our vans
Leslie Holland who buys and sets up our educational materials which augment the childrens homework to stimulate thinking and learning experiences. (Some of our students work hard to finish their homework at school just so they can work out of Leslies closet!)
Bible storytellers.

Of course, without Jack Lewis we wouldnt have students to tutor. He did a great job of picking children with potential and sweet dispositions. He also did most of our Bible lessons.

Karen Farris was essential as a tutor and as my substitute. She has agreed to coordinate the tutoring program this coming year and has already brought new ideas to enhance the programs outreach to the childrens parents.

If you believe this was a worthwhile program, please thank the people who dedicated their Tuesday afternoons, their money and time to the 24 children who were tutored, fed, taught Bible stories and encouraged. Please start thinking today about how you can participate in this program during the upcoming 2008-2009 school year.
~Sheila Vaught~

**Baby Bottles for 2008!**
Once again this year, we will participate in the Heart to Heart Pregnancy Support Centers Baby Bottle Campaign during the months of May and June. West-Ark Church of Christ was the #1 contributor during this event in 2007! Baby Bottles will be distributed this Sunday, Mothers Day, May 11th. Please take home a bottle and fill it with bills and coins (or write a check and put it in the bottle). All funds are kept in the River Valley area and are used to help women, men, and babies with maternity and baby needs, counseling, medical and adoption referrals, and chastity/parenting programs. Filled bottles will be returned on Fathers Day, June 15th.

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 click on the VBS link to:
Register a child
Learn about volunteer opportunities
Register as a volunteer (job descriptions are included!)

**Magazines Needed**
We need magazines that have pictures of babies and toddlers, such as Parenting magazine. The Junior High girls class needs these for a bulletin board project. We will be cutting pictures out of them. If you have some to donate, please put them on the youth table near the library. We can use them as soon as possible. Thank you!
~Mary Burkett~

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SNL at Mt. Comfort (Formerly North Street) // Sunday, May 11
Sign up so we know how many will be going!
Meet at the building Sunday at 4:45 PM. You will return around 9:00 PM.
Make sure that you have filled out a Medical Release.
NOTE: Sunday is Mother's Day, so make sure you check with your parents before you sign up and don't forget to do something special for your mom!
We will have regular class in the Youth Room from 6-7 PM for those who aren't able to attend SNL.

Graduation Sunday // Sunday Morning, May 18
There will be a special service honoring the graduating seniors. There is a list of graduating seniors on page 2.

Home Devo at the Hollomons // Sunday Evening, May 18
The Hollomons are hosting a home devotional for the Junior and Senior High. The vans will leave the church at 5:00 PM and return at 7:30 PM.
Please sign up so we know how much food to prepare! Make sure you have a signed Medical Release.
*Guys bring drinks or chips / Girls bring desserts*
There will not be an alternative youth class for those not going to the home devo. The class in the auditorium will be available.

Welcome to the Youth Group Party // Wednesday, May 28
A party to celebrate the incoming 7th graders! Teens and adults of all ages are invited to attend.

In loving memory of Malcolm Gordy from West-Ark Church of Christ
Origin of the Universe by Cooper
Whats The Big Deal About Jesus by Ankerbey
Holy Scriptures by Webster

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 650
Bible Classes 404
Sunday PM Worship 226
Life Groups 24
Contribution $18,178
Childrens Homes $241
Wednesday Classes 267

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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