West-Ark Newsletter, 15 May 2008

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Family Lines Newsletter, May 15, 2008
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**The Goal**
By David Chadwell

Therefore when he had gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him; if God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and will glorify Him immediately. Little children, I am with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, now I also say to you, Where I am going, you cannot come. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:31-35).

Jesus made this statement to the twelve just a few hours before he died. The impossible events that would occur the next few hours and the next few days would test the fabric of the disciples faith as had no other time or experience in Jesus ministry. There would be the confusing washing of the feet, the bewildering communion, Judas betrayal, fleeing disciples, Peters repeated denials, Jesus trials and crucifixion, reports of Jesus resurrection, and Jesus resurrection appearances to the disciples. In all this, a core truth held them togetherthe core truth of LOVE.

Nothing made sense until the disciples realized all that occurred expressed Jesus and Gods love. Being kind to a betrayer hurts! Fleeing hurts the deserted! Denial hurts! Death by crucifixion hurts! How can a resurrected person become an imposing, powerful political figure? What were the twelve to do with all that pain and confusion?

Until those men saw all those events as acts of love, nothing fell into placenot Jesus life and ministry, not their discipleship, not Jesus death, and not Jesus resurrection. After those men could see all the events as acts of Jesus and Gods love, everything fell into place. Gods love expressed through Jesus death made sense of pain and confusion.

May I suggest nothing basically has changed for the people (men or women) who accept discipleship by acknowledging Jesus as their teacher. Being people who choose to belong to God in a world filled with rebellious acts and personal indulgence is commonly confusing. Being people who follow Jesus in a world of death, betrayal, contempt for people, and disrespect for God is commonly painful. Declaring such a world "bewildering" is terribly close to understatement. So much happens that is mindless and confusing!

Until. Until when? Until we see Gods love. Thenand only thendo things fall into place. Notice the new commandment was not to love each other. The new commandment was to love each other as I have loved you. I do not love you because you deserve my love. I love you because I belong to Jesus. In Jesus God taught me how to love. God loved me far beyond any sense of devotion on my part, for beyond any loyalty on my part, far beyond any worthiness in me. It is Gods love for me that is the foundation of my love for you. Thenand only thendo things fall into place. Thenand only thenthose who have not entered Christ will see that we are his disciples. Why? No one in this world loves like those who follow Jesus. The goal: to let Jesus teach me how to love. Why? So people can see an alternative way of life and death!

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**Remember in Prayer**
Please continue to pray for Patty Kaiser. She has decided to begin another round of chemo. Due to an infection, she couldnt have a treatment on Monday. She appreciates everyones thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Shirley Holsinger (Louise Howards sister) is home and doing well. Thank you so much for all of the concern and prayers on her behalf!
Joel Prigge (Louise Howards brother-in-law) finished his radiation and chemo. He will have cat-scans on June 2 and will receive an update on June 9th. we are praying for positive results! Thank you to everyone for the concern and prayers for Joel!

**Continued Prayers**
Inez Hatfield
Dennis Risley (Clarks uncle)
Gerald Jones (Karen Carters friend)
Leo Atkins
Louise Cline
Lloyd Priester (Jims father)
Margaret Stone
Wilma Son

**Bereaved in Prayer**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Barbara Miller for the sudden death of her sister-in-law, Polly King. Memorial service was today in Las Vegas.
Please continue to remember the family of Isaac Mobley.
Our sympathy is extended to the family of Wanda Faye Adams. Her funeral will be Saturday at 11 AM at the West-Ark church building.

**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.

**Wedding Shower**
Youre invited to a Wedding Shower honoring Beth Wagner and Michael Jones, son of Rod & Terri Jones. Sunday, May 18 at 2:00- 4:00 PM in the Annex. Beth and Michael are registered at JCPenneys, Wal-Mart, Dillards, Linens N Things, and Carlson Wagonlit Travel Agency.

**Congratulations!**
Daniel Word, son of James and Lenora Word, graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and Mathematics from Harding University with a GPA of 3.94. His accomplishments include: National Leadership Honor Society, Arkansas Eta Chapter of Alpha Chi, Whos Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities, Honors College participant, Summa Cum Laude.
Callie Walker, daughter of Duane and Marquetta, graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Central Arkansas with a degree in Speech Pathology. She acheived a GPA of 4.0.

**Cancer Survivors Day**
Saturday, May 31 at the Convention Center
To help support Cancer Survivors Day, donations of new or clean baseball hats and samples of sunscreen are being collected. Items can be placed in the box in the foyer.

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**Sign-up for VBS Today!**
Where Jesus Walked to the Cross
Sunday, June 15 - Wednesday, June 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. There are several areas in which to volunteer. We need everyones help!

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!)

**Baby Bottles for 2008!**
Thank you for your support of the Baby Bottle Campaign. The feedback received from this campaign was great - all of the bottles were given out on Sunday morning. This Sunday 150 additional bottles will be available at the Information Center.
With your help, Heart to Heart Pregnancy Support Center saw more than 1500 clients in 2007. By taking home a baby bottle you have allowed Heart to Heart to continue offering the following Christian services to women, men, babies, and families: free pregnancy testing, pro-life counseling, baby items, adoption referrals, post abortion trauma, parenting classes, maternity items, chastity programs, medical and housing referrals, and speaking engagements. Thank you for your support!

**It's Ice Cream Time!**
It is once again time to bring our 2008 Kids for Christ program to a close for the school year by celebrating with the 11th Annual World's Longest (as far as we know) Banana Split.
This Sunday we will meet in our regular KFC classes at 6:00 PM for singing and other activities. Then we will go to the Family Life Center to belly up to the trough for all the ice cream you can eat (or your parents will allow). We will have a great night of devotionals, hanging out with friends and of course ICE CREAM!

**Senior Class of 08**
Ashley Blasdel - Pocola
Andrew Brievogel - Southside
Leslie Campbell - Van Buren
Tyler Davenport - Charleston
Leslie Frederick - Southside
Ian Gilley - Northside
Courtney Griffin - Southside
Sarah Hartley - Van Buren
Gary Nolasco - Northside
Venusa Phomakay - Alma
Hannah Pressley - Southside
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, 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
Charleston - May 23
Union Christian - May 24, 6:00 PM
Northside - May 29, 7:30 PM
Southside - May 30, 7:30 PM

**West-Arks Senior Graduation Services**
Sunday, May 18th at 10:30 AM
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**Youth Group News!**

Congratulations!
Dawson Urrutia competed in a State 4-A track meet in Nashville, Arkansas where he won the long jump and placed second in the triple and high jumps. He will compete in the "Meet of Champs" in the long jump and possibly the other two depending on the finishing marks of the other state champions on May 21st.
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 3.

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
Join us as we celebrate the incoming of the new 7th graders! Teens, parents and teachers of youth classes are invited to attend. We will play games, eat pizza and spend some time talking about what the new 7th graders can expect as a part of our youth and family ministry.

**Library Memorials**
In loving memory of Marshall Kidd from West-Ark Church of Christ
Introduction to Christology by Brown
Handbook of Biblical Evidences by Ankerberg
Holy Scriptures by Webster

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 625
Bible Classes 353
Sunday PM Worship 195
Life Groups 19
Contribution $19,692
Childrens Homes $180
Wednesday Classes 271