West-Ark Newsletter, 4 September 2008

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Family Lines Newsletter, September 4, 2008
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Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:20, 21).

For most of this week, we will see and hear of deeds of incredible kindness since (1) the hurricane Gustav did not make a direct hit on New Orleans, and (2) Gustav came ashore with much less destructive force than anticipated. (Do not tell those who suffered significant loss that Gustav was weak!) Had there been an enormous, widespread tragedy, we would see the tragedy. Instead, we will hear repeatedly about unusual, unexpected things done by people for unknown people. We rightly will rejoice in the human spirit that is moved to compassion in moments of great danger.

Ironically, the more people experience compassion, the more compassion is expected. With even more events calling for compassion, struggling people develop expectations. They begin to complain because the compassion shown is not compassionate enough. With additional events calling for compassion, struggling peoples complaints grow louder because compassion did not prevent the tragedy. Unreasonable expectations make kindness appear to be unkind.

The greatest kindness ever given to people was stated by Paul in the verses above. The enormity of that kindness is not understood until a human understands two things. A human (1) must grasp the enormity of his (or her) need and (2) must grasp that sin is the exact opposite of God. Sin embodies all the cruelty and injustice of hate. God embodies all the beauty and unselfish thoughtfulness of love. God allowed His son to become like His greatest enemy so that we humans might become Gods righteousness.

Any person can be Gods righteousness because of what Jesus did for us in his death. In Peters words in 1 Peter 2:24 (speaking of Jesus): He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.

We humans are not righteous before God because we are good. We are righteous before God because we are forgiven. It is not (and never will be) what we have done for God, but what God did (and does) for us in Jesus Christ. Does that eliminate the need for obedience? No! It gives us more reason for being obedient to show appreciation for what God did for us in Jesus death!

The persons who do not understand complain because God does not meet their physical expectations, or they resent God for not preventing the tragedy we caused. The persons who understand are awed that God could make His enemies righteous.

**Remember in Prayer**
Shirley & Richard Bullard request prayers for their grandson, Adam Sowells, who is scheduled for foot surgery today (9/4/08) in Kansas City.
Chase [Turpin] received the results of the needle biopsy, and they are negative--he does not have any suspicious or cancerous cells! Thank you for the many prayers lifted on his behalf! This brings us back to the initial visit to the doctor and possible laser surgery for the circulatory or vascular situation in his right leg. A visit to Mayo Clinic is probably in the near future. Please continue to lift Chase in prayer as we explore options. ~~Winston and Danna Turpin
Cheryl Craven will have surgery on September 10th.
Frieda Belote (Rons mother) is scheduled for a test on her carotid artery Monday morning at Washington Regional Hospital. If needed, surgery will be on Tuesday.
Genneil Nye is back home.
Lyndell Foster is home.
Patty Null went home on Tuesday. She will have knee rehab three times a week.
Tom Drane has returned to Gorman Towers, Room 217.

**Continued Prayers**
Clarice Tisher (grandmother of Carrie Burress)
Daphna Curtis ( Wilburn Howards sister)
Donna Wheeler (friend of Tammy Cypert)
Inez Hatfield
Joel Prigge (Louise Howards brother-in-law)
Lance Haines
Larry Treat
Lloyd Priester (Jims father)
Margaret Stone
Marcella Martin (Ruby Lee Hundleys aunt)
Moreia & Fritz Gernandt (friends of Brian Perkins)
Myra Flippo-Puckett
Randy Bridges (minister at Washburn and area educator)
Sharon Stubbs (niece of Alice Jean Rogers)
Stephen Jennemann
Timothy Burks (Donna Millers son)
Vivian Flood

**Notes of Thanks**
To all those lovely Christian sisters and brothers who have wished me well with visits, cards, calls, gifts and prayers, I am ever grateful. You have made my continuing recovery so very effective and I thank you each and all.
Love,
Paula May

Thank you, from the Lions for Christ, to everyone who made cookies and decorated boxes for us last week. You baked over two thousand cookies and took the time to decorate 84 shoe boxes for us to hand out to UAFS students. We had fun admiring all the diverse decorations and even more fun handing out these gifts to students who were surprised by a truly free gift with no strings attached. We invited them to check out the Lions for Christ and to learn more about the greatest Giver of gifts. Thank you for making that possible with your hard work.

We would like to express our heartfelt thanks for the delicious meal prepared for our family and friends. Everyone was so kind to give of their time and talents, to help us through this difficult time. May God bless each of you.
The Kaiser Family

We appreciate so much the book for the library in memory of our mother, Aline Graves Story. Also, thanks to all who prepared food, the many prayers, visits and flowers.
in Christian love,
Farrell & Lucille
Sue & Gilbert

**Jail Ministry Update**
There have been two baptisms recently from the womens jail ministry. Channell Thompson was baptized August 21st after studying with Niketa Stinchcomb. Joyce Kelley was baptized August 29th after studying with Shelly Robbins. Please remember both these women in your prayers as they begin to walk with the Savior. Thanks to all those who serve in the jail ministry. ~~Dan Cathey

**25 Years As West-Ark Church of Christ**
Mark your calendar and join us for our
25th Anniversary & Homecoming on October 12, 2008
9:30 AM Bible Classes for all ages.
10:30 Worship -- Guest Speaker, Jack Harriman
Everyone is invited for lunch in the Family Life Center

**New Wednesday Night Class!**
Praise and Harmony Singing taught by Brent Evans
Class begins September 10th at 7 PM in the Family Life Center. Within the class we will learn new songs, re-learn some old songs, explore basic music theory, basic music form and analysis, harmony, expressive singing, and of course, focus on the scriptural emphasis of the songs we sing. Hopefully, the class can also be a tool for training young song leaders and passing on the important heritage of four-part singing in the church.

**Couples/Singles Cruise**
January 26-31, 2009
Ports of call are Cozumel and Calica, Mexico. An oceanside cabin is $481.93 and an inside cabin is $451.93 (port fees, taxes, gratuities & fuel surcharge are included in this price). A $200 deposit is due by September 13, so HURRY! To book call Beverly at 1-800-625-5139. For more information, contact Carlene Payne.

**KFC is Back on Sunday Nights**
KFC I is for children ages 3-through kindergarten who are potty-trained. They will meet in room 210 this week.
KFC II is for kids in first through sixth grade. We sing, pray, and have classes divided by grades with a little fun thrown in along the way. KFC II usually meets in room 203, but this Sunday night will meet in the Family Life Center for the First Annual Hot Dog Olympics. Parents, we will be active so tennis shoes will be more than appropriate. After we conclude our games for the night, we will have hot dogs available for the kids to enjoy.
If you have any questions regarding KFC, please see Gary Brown.

**Its time for LTC (Leadership Training for Christ)!**
This years theme is Light ... Life .... Word from the Gospel of John. We will be having an informational meeting after church on September 14th for any parent of 3rd through 12th graders who are interested in participating in LTC. If you are already familiar with how LTC works you will not need to attend this meeting, but if anyone has questions, this would be a great time to get those questions answered. ~~Shelly Robbins

**Wednesday Night Wings**
The study is Adventurous Prayer. New date! Orientation and fellowship will be at 7 PM on September 10th in the Annex. The books did not arrive, so the first meeting was postponed for one week.

**Attention -- JOY Bunch Members!!**
We will celebrate September with a trip down memory lane. Please help us celebrate back to school by sharing a favorite or funny memory from your school days. Come join the fun! September 20 at 6:00 p.m. in the Family Life Center.

LTC Parent Meeting // Sunday, September 14 // After the morning worship service in the auditorium.
We will be having an informational meeting for any parent of 3rd through 12th graders who are interested in participating in LTC. If you are already familiar with how LTC works you will not need to attend this meeting, but if anyone has questions, this would be a great time to get those questions answered.

SNL at Robinson Avenue (Springdale) // Sunday, September 14
Sign-up for SNL!
The vans will leave at 4:30 PM and will return around 9:15 PM. If you are not able to go, there will be class in the youth room.

Crosswalk // Saturday, September 27
*Pick up the Crosswalk flyers on the youth table for more information!
- Vans will leave at 7:35 AM - Be on time please!
- Vans will return around 10:15 PM.
- Bring extra money for lunch and dinner.
- Cost = $25 (Give money to Jackie by Wed., Sept. 24.)
- Shirts are an additional $10. If you want a shirt you must sign up by Sunday, Sept. 14 in order to receive one. If you sign up for a shirt, you will be expected to pay for it.

Girls Making an IMPACT! // Saturday, Oct. 4 // 4:00-10:00 PM
The Community Service Clearinghouse would love our help at an outdoor country concert fundraising event. More details to come. Contact Natalie Hughes for more information.

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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