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Family Lines Newsletter, July 31, 2008
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**All Blessings Have A Price**
By David Chadwell
 
Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.  (2 Corinthians 12:8-10)
 
Before Paul was a Christian, he knew Jesus was not the Messiah (Christ).  He was so certain he was correct in his conclusion, he arrested his own Jewish people, knowing their arrest could lead to death (see Acts 8:1-3 and 9:1, 2).  After the events of Acts 9:3-9, Paul knew the exact opposite—he knew Jesus was the Christ.
 
When the disciple, Ananias, was hesitant to deliver the Lord’s message to Paul, the Lord told Ananias, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake" (Acts 9:15, 16).
 
No one valued more the gift of God’s grace through Jesus Christ than did Paul.  The Lord’s mercy and forgiveness overwhelmed him!  He once wrote of himself, “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.  It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.  Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life” (1 Timothy 1:12-16).  In Paul’s estimation, he had been the greatest sinner alive.  He received mercy because (a) he acted in ignorance of who Jesus actually was, and (b) he could be used as proof that if God could forgive him, forgiveness could be extended to anyone.
 
Paul clearly understood that he was not in a saved relationship with God because he, Paul, was wonderful and talented.  Paul was in a saved relationship with God because God is wonderful.  The fact that God is wonderful is seen in what God did in Jesus’ death and resurrection.  The fact that Jesus was Lord was seen in his total surrender to the Father to achieve the Father’s purposes.  Paul was more than willing to serve as God and His Christ’s example of the power of divine mercy and grace in forgiveness.  Paul was deeply appreciative of the forgiveness he received; he was more than willing to demonstrate God can save anyone.
 
2 Corinthians 11:24-33 and 12:1-10 declare some of the prices Paul paid for the blessing he found in Jesus Christ.  Do not look at Paul’s sufferings as retribution from God.  Look at them as the prices he paid to confront evil.  Do not complain when your blessings cost you.  Instead, focus on the value of your blessings.  Never forget, evil confronts godliness.
 
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“Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I pray to no one but you.”  Psalm 5:2
 
**Prayer Lists**
 
St. Edward Hospital
http://www.stedwardmercy.com/email
• Jerry Aldridge is in room 5204 for additional rehab.
• Marcella Martin (Ruby Lee Hundley’s aunt and a member of the Clarksville church) is in ICU room 3108 after hitting her head in a fall.
• Patty Kaiser is in hospice room 5410. Patty feels humbled by all the expressions of love and kindness shown her. The cards, e-mails, calls, and visits are encouraging and comforting.
 
Sparks Hospital
http://www.sparks.org/ecard
• Ruby Nichols fell and broke her shoulder on Tuesday. She is in room 506.
 
Remember in Prayer
• Belinda Weeks (niece of Marlene Tucker) is scheduled for spinal fusion surgery on August 6th. The surgery is for severe pain relief.
• Lance Haines has moved (for 6-8 weeks  of  additional rehab) to Baylor Medical Institute, Room 424, 900 N. Washington, Dallas, TX 75204. He has a challenging recovery and would enjoy phone calls. You can reach him  at 1-800-242-2334 from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM, and after 5 PM.
• Patti Anderson requests your prayers for J. Hartfield (son of Jane Hartfield, manager of the gift shop at Sparks Hospital).  Mr. Hartfield is in ICU at Washington Regional Hospital in Fayetteville after being in a motorcycle accident on Tuesday. 
• Melissa Meeker (niece of Jeff Loftin) is now under hospice care.
• Paula May has temporarily moved to Covington Court Room 112, while recovering from foot surgery.
• Steve Slater broke his nose in three places this week.  He will see a doctor Thursday (July 31st) about surgery.
 
Continued Prayers
• Bob Williams (father of Debbie Belote)
• Carl Capers (father of Carolyn Hankins)
• Diane Greenhaw (Rochelle Brown’s cousin)
• Harry Smith
• L. T. Burress (grandfather of Chris)
• Lloyd Priester (Jim’s father)
• Louise Cline
• Margaret Stone
• Randy Bridges (minister at Washburn and area educator)
• Donna Wheeler (Tammy Cypert’s friend)
 
Dismissed from Hospital
• Aline Story was dismissed from the hospital to Methodist Village on Wednesday morning.
• Grace Peters is now at home.
• Inez Hatfield was dismissed from the hospital Thursday morning.
• Jesus Luna continues to recover at home.
 
Bereaved in Prayer
• Our sympathy is extended to Jim Selig in the recent death of his mother, Gladys Selig. Funeral services were July 22 in Fort Smith.
• Our sympathy is also extended to Marie Lile in the death of her son, Eddie Lile on 7/28/08. Eddie is also the cousin of Kathy Harris.
• Also, please remember with sympathy Loretta Loudermilk in the death of her brother, Arnold “Josh” Smith.  Funeral services were 7/29/08 at the First United Methodist Church in Pocola.
 
**Prayer Pager**
Family of Ashton Stein, 784-7490
 
**Historic First for Christians in China**
On Sunday morning, August 3, we at West-Ark will be joining Christians around the world in a prayer of thanksgiving for the first meeting of the Beijing Church of Christ.
 
**Back to School Blessing**
Sunday, August 17, 10:30 AM
Join us as we pray for:
•  All school children, public, private or homeschooled
•  Everyone who teaches or works in our schools (including Western Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma)
 
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**Baptisms**
Stacie Cook
3716 Wellington Court
Van Buren, AR  72956
479-651-2449
 
Krissy Lanae Noble
3304 S. 66th
Fort Smith, AR 72903
434-2219
Krissy is the daughter of Matthew & Melissa Yancey and the granddaughter of Jack & Arenda Yancey.    
 
**Notes of Thanks**
Dear Church Family,
Thank you for the beautiful plant, your calls, cards, food and other acts of kindness. Your attendance at the visitation and service was overwhelming.  It really meant a lot to us to see all of you there. 
 In His service, 
 Jim Selig and family
 
I would like to share the love that came to me last from the church. John [Berger] brought 3 boys from the youth group & Chris [Benjamin] & his son came too.  Chris hauled off some junk from the shop. 
 Thanks again,  
 Virginia Mobley
 
We would like to thank everyone for the love shown to our family while Jesus was in the hospital.
 Norma Luna & family 
 
**Good News from Jail Ministry**
Two women, Laura Wallis and Terri King, were baptized into Christ Saturday from the jail ministry after studying with Shelly Robbins.
 
**Pictorial Church Directory**
We are updating  photographs for the church directory!  Contact Mat Griffin for an appointment (or go to the table in the foyer) if there have been any additions or changes to your existing directory photograph.
 
**Widows/Widowers Lunch**
Saturday, August 2, at noon in the Annex. Call Bobbie, Mary or Janice for transportation.
 
**Car Clinic**
Car Clinic for single women and anyone over 60, August 2 from 8 to 11 AM in the Annex parking lot.
 
**Iglesia de Cristo**
6th Anniversary Celebration at 3505 Johnson Street
    Friday and Saturday, August 1-2, 7:00 p.m.  Bible study.
    Sunday, August 3, 9:30 AM Bible competition for women and men followed by worship at 10:30 AM. (Children will have supervised play time during adult worship. )
    We will also have our anniversary fellowship cookout. We will have a gift for  everyone! You  are welcome to learn about our culture and happiness. Thank you for letting us be Iglesia de Cristo. Your prayers are important for this activity. 
    Oscar Nolasco
    The preacher of the truth
 
**School Supplies Needed**
Proverbs 14:31 tells us God is honored when we help the needy.  For the second year, the Hope Chest Board of Managers will be collecting school supplies for the homeless children of Fort Smith. You were very generous last year with your donations. Please deposit school supplies in the large container in the foyer by Sunday, August 10. 
 
Blue Ink Pens
Black Ink Pens
Highlighters
Erasers
Rulers
Pointed Scissors
FISCAR Blunt Scissors
Box of tissues
Wet wipes
Ziplock bags
Wide-ruled notebook paper
Small plastic school box
Pencil pouch
Colored pencils
Glue, Bottle & Stick
Plastic pocket folder
Pocket folders
Pronged folders
1” & 3” ring binders with pockets
 
**Sunday, August 3 -- 6:00 PM **
Guest Speaker, Dr. David B. Burks, President of  Harding University
Everyone (including alumni and future students) is invited to attend!
 
**October 12 -- Homecoming & 25th Anniversary Celebration at West-Ark!** 
Postcards to invite friends and relatives are available in the Information Center.  Let’s get the word out!
 
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**youth group // news**
 
End of Summer Lock-in // Friday, August 1 – Saturday, August 2
- Meet at the church at 6:00 PM. Please eat before you come.
- We will begin the evening by seeing The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon
  Emperor.
- Cost:   New Price!   It will be only $8 if you are going to the movie and lock-in.
   If you are only going to the lock-in it’s free! Please give your money to Jackie
  Sofio or John Berger or bring it with you on Friday.
- If you aren’t going to the movie, meet at the church at 9:30 PM.
- Pick up is at 8:00 AM on Saturday.   You  won’t  be  allowed  to  leave  before
   then--you are locked in!
- We will play lots of fun games and munch on yummy snacks.  You won’t want
   to miss it!
- Parents: We need you! If you can help us between 12:00 – 5:00 AM please
   let us know immediately!
 
Devil’s Den Day Trip with Pleasant Valley // Saturday, August 9
- Vans leave the church at 8:00 AM and will return at 5:00 PM.
- We will have a cookout and devotional with Pleasant Valley.
- We will be at Group Area C if you would like to meet us there.
- There isn’t a strict schedule so we encourage you to go hiking, swimming,
   play volleyball or ride the paddle boats.  Standard swimming rules apply:
   shirts and shorts for guys and girls.
- Don’t forget to wear tennis shoes!
- Make this a fun event for your family – everyone is invited!
 
Split Devo // Sunday, August 17
Before school starts we will be getting together to talk about leadership and the upcoming school year. The guys will meet at the Bergers’ home and the girls will meet at the Browns’ home.
- Vans leave at 5:30 PM and will return around 7:30 PM.
- Dinner will be provided.
 
**Library Memorials**
In memory of Leroy Null
from Jack & Arenda Yancey
• Claiming Christ by McDermott/Millet
• Daily Bible Commentary (Hendrickson Publishing)
 
In memory of Robert Klee (Georgia Gilley’s father)
from West-Ark church of Christ
• By Design or By Chance by O’Leary
• Cogdell-Turner Discussion
 
**Happy Birthday**
 
August 3
Jay Glidewell
Mary Huff
Charles Karr
Jerry Looney
 
August 4
Jim Arnold
Winston Turpin
 
August 5
Eric Berger
Luis Mendez
Ben Neal
Sarah Robbins
 
August 6
Jim Pratt
Barbara Smith
 
**Morning Nursery**
Dena Jenkins
Suzie Jennemann
Melissa Walker
 
**Evening Nursery**
Gina Williams
 
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship.….….560
Sunday PM Worship………227
Bible Classes……………...360   
Contribution……….….$16,414
Children’s Homes…..….…$267
Wednesday Classes……...213
 
Lao Worship
Attendance…………….….36
Contribution…………….$200
 
Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance………………...65
Contribution……………..$257
 
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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