-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Family Lines Newsletter, August 7, 2008
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
**The Power of Choices**
By David Chadwell
 
“Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”  (Joshua 24:14, 15)
 
Some choices are understood to be critical and contain significance that is obvious.  Other choices are routine and happen almost habitually.  Some choices are extremely serious.  They demand time and thought.  Other choices are “no brainers.”  They are made as almost a reflex response to the immediate situation.
 
Choices are peculiar things.  All of them set in motion events that touch lives and produce events beyond our imaginations.
 
Years ago in another state I knew a teen extremely close to his parents.  Whenever possible, the three were together.  When he did anything, one or both parents were present.  One day, he and a couple of friends agreed to haul some hay to help someone out—a harmless, small, good choice.  As they returned, he decided to ride in the bed of the truck—a harmless, small choice.  He decided to get atop the cab and put his hands on the wind shield—no harm intended.  His friend touched the brakes—no harm intended.  The boy on the cab fell and lost his life.  Wonder how many lives were affected for many years to come because of that series of choices which intended no harm?
 
I have not kept a record of funerals I have been a part of for over 50 years.  Some involved people who lived long, full lives.  Some involved tragedies that were unexpected.  Often I heard grieving people say, “If only I had done this,” or, “If only that had happened!”  Typically, one small difference, one small choice made differently, would have altered (at least temporarily) the situation in powerful ways.
 
It is not just the sorrow in death, but also the living of life.  Most of us can look at a number of events in our lives that would have impacted the direction of our lives and the lives of others tremendously if only our decision had been made differently.
 
Few things say as much about who we are and what our values are as do our choices.  It is amazing how a single, innocent, insignificant choice can forever determine someone’s opinion of what we are, or alter the direction of our life, or impact someone else in ways we never intended, or change lives that were not involved in our choice.  When we realize the impact of a poorly or thoughtlessly made choice, often our only recourse is a declaration of sorrow.  However, regardless of our genuine sorrow, our sorrow does not alter the sequence of events we set in motion by a poor or thoughtless choice.
 
Thank You, God, for Your forgiveness!  Give us the patience and the wisdom to make better choices.  Help us be responsible when we recognize the hurt of our choices.
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 2 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
**Remember in Prayer**
• Bob Redick (Coleen Shirley’s cousin) is in extreme pain as he recovers from bladder surgery.
• Belinda Weeks (niece of Marlene Tucker) had spinal fusion surgery on August 6th. The surgery was for severe pain relief.
• Please be praying for Chandler Mullinax, a little boy (age 4) who has leukemia.  His mother, Celeste Jones, has visited at West-Ark.
• Cheryl Craven is scheduled for surgery on September 10th.
• Harry Smith’s last CAT scan showed some slight improvement, and he is feeling better.  Harry & Barbara want to thank everyone for the cards, inquiries, and most of all the prayers on Harry’s behalf.
• Jerry Aldridge was dismissed from the hospital and is continuing with therapy in his home.
• J. Hartfield (son of Jane Hartfield, manager of the gift shop at Sparks Hospital) is still in Washington Regional Hospital. He is facing multiple surgeries resulting from  a motorcycle accident.
• Marcella Martin (Ruby Lee Hundley’s aunt) is in St. Edward Hospital, ICU room 3108 after hitting her head in a fall.
• Mary Frances Jackson is having some congestive heart symptoms.
• Patty Kaiser is in hospice care at St. Edward Hospital, room 5120. 
• Ralph Barnett (uncle of Debbie Hendrix) is in Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City. He has a blood infection due to heart surgery. He may also need a leg amputated.
• Ruby Nichols was dismissed from the hospital last Friday.  She continues to recover at home from a shoulder injury.
 
**Prayer Pagers**
Ashton Stein,  784-7490
 
**Continued Prayers**
• Aline Story
• Bob Williams (father of Debbie Belote)
• Donna Wheeler (Tammy Cypert’s friend)
• Inez Hatfield
• Lance Haines
• Lloyd Priester (Jim’s father)
• Louise Cline
• Margaret Stone
• Paula May
• Randy Bridges (minister at Washburn and area educator)
• Steve Slater
 
**Bereaved in Prayer**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Jeff Loftin and family in the death of his niece, Melissa Meeker, on July 31st.
 
**Military Prayer List**
• James & Megan Johnson
• Jered Goddard
• Jeremy Grist
• John Clark
• John Lemley
• Lance Hurst
• Michael Priester
• Mitchell Bryant
• Ryan Almond
• Will Domer
 
**Missionaries in Prayer**
• 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.
 
**Notes of Thanks**
I would like to thank all of you for the cards, emails and visits.  Most of all, thank you for the prayers you offered on my behalf during my extended stay in the hospital.  I am home and doing all right.  I will continue with in-home therapy for approximately 8 weeks.
 In Christian Love,
 Jerry Aldridge
 
Thank you for the calls, cards, flowers, and especially the prayers during the recent passing of my brother, Arnold “Josh” Smith.
We will always remember your kindness.
     Robert & Loretta Loudermilk
 
**JOY Bunch**
Cooking with the Joy Bunch, 6 PM, August 16, in the Family Life Center. Bring one or more of your favorite recipes.
 
**Pew Bibles As Memorials**
As a service project, Natalie Hughes, Jackie Sofio and “the girls” spent an afternoon in the auditorium finding PEW BIBLES that need replacing. Thanks!!!  We need 48 new Bibles to replace those that are worn out.  The library staff found a good NKJV with 8.5 type (larger print for those of us who are 60+) that costs $6.50 each.  It will be the same color as our present pew Bibles. If you would like to purchase one or more pew Bibles IN MEMORY of or IN HONOR of someone, please let the West-Ark library staff know soon.  Give us a check [made out to West-Ark Church of Christ], and we’ll give you a “sticker” [book plate] to personalize for the inside cover of a Bible.
John Lankford, Joyce Chadwell,
Nicole Wilson, Duane Walker
 
**Sunday, August 31**
Ice Cream Supper/Fellowship
Jerry & Meg Canfield’s Home
The whole church is invited to the Canfields at 6 p.m. on August 31.
 
**Wednesday Night WINGS**
“Adventurous Prayer” -- a Women of Faith Bible study is the book we are using this fall. We’ll meet September 3rd at 7 PM for a fellowship and distribute books then. The first class will be September 10.  Rooms will be announced later.  If you would like to register for class, please call the office at 452-1240.  The books are $10 each.
 
**School Supplies**
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. Check your e-mail (from yesterday) or pick up a flyer at the church for a list of suggested supplies.  Please deposit school supplies in the large container in the foyer by this Sunday, August 10.
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 3  
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
**Tell Me More About This Back-to-School Blessing!**
What should we do with those really cool invitations with the colored pencils?  Just take five!  Take five of them and think and pray about people you could invite to the Back-to-School Blessing.  It might be one of your teachers.  It might be a classmate.  It might be a family member or neighbor.  People will appreciate you sharing the gift of a church committed to praying for them all school year long.  Just hand them the card, write a personal note on it, share the blessing of God’s goodness.
 
What are these prayer magnets I keep hearing about?
On the day of the Back-to-School Blessing (August 17), we will have refrigerator magnets in the shape of school symbols.  Each one has a name of a student, a teacher, or school worker on it.  We will encourage everyone to take one or more magnets, put them up where they will see it daily, and commit to praying for the people named on those magnets.  You can take as many as you want, but be sure and pray for all you take.
 
Hey, I want my name on one of those magnets!  How do I get that done?
We may already have a magnet made for you.  Just check the list that’s taped to the table in the foyer.  But if your name is not there, don’t despair.  You will see a card labeled “Add a Name” on that same table.  Just fill it in and leave it there.  We’ll get your magnet made.
 
What about the guests I invite?  How do they get a magnet?
On the day of the Back-to-School Blessing we will explain what we’re doing, and we will invite all guests to fill out one of our “blue cards on the pew in front of you” and write inside it – “Make Me a Magnet!” and we will make one for them that week.  These magnets will be given out on the following Wednesday and Sunday.
 
What actually happens during the Back-to-School Blessing Service?
Everything we always do – singing, praying, communion.  During the sermon we will share God’s good news by inviting everyone who has anything at all to do with our schools to stand and be recognized, and our shepherds will pray that God blesses them.  This will take place in two parts.  Our first recognition and prayer is for our students.  The second is for all of our teachers and school personnel.  This is for all of our schools (public, private, and home school) and for anyone who works with schools/tutoring in any way at all.  God has enough blessing for all of us!
 
Why are we doing this?
God blesses his people and he wants us to be a blessing (Gen. 12; Gal. 3:9).   God has called us to be the sort of people who offer words of blessing, not cursing (1 Cor. 4:12; 1 Pet. 3:9).  There is too much discouragement in our society and this is one simple but effective way that we can offer encouragement and good news in the name of the Lord.
 
**Back-to-School BASH 2008!**
Hey, kids!  Grab your grown-ups and join us for this fun, family event.  
Who:     Those going into Kindergarten – 6th grade and their families
When:   Sunday, August 17, after School Blessing Worship Service – 2 PM
Where:  Family Life Center
Why:     To enjoy a great lunch and have lots of fun getting the school year off to a great start – God’s way!
 
PLEASE RSVP by 8-15-08 by . . . calling the church office (452.1240), signing up in the foyer, or replying to upcoming emails.  We will also be collecting school supplies for area children.   Please bring whatever you are able to incorporate in the service project we will be doing.
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 4
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
**youth group // news**
 
Thanks!
Thank you to all of those who sacrificed their sleep for the lock-in! It went really well.  About 40 teens attended and 15 adults helped.  We played dodge ball, volleyball, basketball, link tag and various video games throughout the night.  It was a great night for fellowship and fun.
 
Youth Room
If you haven’t been up to the youth room lately, make sure you go check it out! The “Girls Making an Impact” group spent time this week redecorating. The room has a fun new look!
 
Devil’s Den Trip with Pleasant Valley // Saturday, August 9
The temperature should be in the 80’s on Saturday. It will be a perfect day to enjoy Devil’s Den!
- Vans will 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 (Standard swimming rules apply: shirts and shorts for guys
   and girls), play volleyball or ride the paddle boats.  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 Virgil Kirshner from 60+ Class
• Grieving the Death of a Friend by Smith
• A Severe Mercy
 
In memory of Jeremy Harper from Gary Brown family
• Tell Me the Secrets by Lucado
 
In loving memory of Neil Webb
• My Child, My Princess by Moore
 
**Happy Birthday**
 
August 10
Mary Vampola
 
August 11
Michael Blasdel
Mitch Harper
John Lankford
 
August 12
Carlene Payne
 
August 13
Kelvin Kleman
 
August 14
Janet Cathey
Martha Gooden
 
August 16
Cyndi Glidewell
Daphne Israel
Jack Lowry
Todd Martin
Brock Slater
Allison Thompson
 
**Morning Nursery**
Vicki Anderson
Trish Carson
Dwonne Cogswell
 
**Evening Nursery**
Terri Jones
Marquetta Walker
 
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship.….….618
Sunday PM Worship….…...246
Bible Classes………….…...364   
Contribution……….…..$24,467
Children’s Homes…..….…$370
Wednesday Classes……….248
 
Lao Worship
Attendance…………….…….33
Contribution……………….$200
 
Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance………………….120
Contribution……………….$324
 
Office Phone (479) 452-1240
Fax  (479) 452-5767
office@westarkchurchofchrist.org
www.westark.org
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Making disciples for Jesus who are eager to serve others."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------