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Family Lines Newsletter, September 25, 2008
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**The Man Was Upset!**
By David Chadwell
 
I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!  (Galatians 1:6-9)
 
For years, many have noted that Paul’s letter to the Galatians began differently than his letters to other congregations.  Typically, no matter how bad a congregation’s problems, Paul began his letters with encouragement.  For example, even though the Corinthian congregation had enormous problems, Paul encouraged them.  Read 1 Corinthians 1:4-9.
 
But not to the congregations in Galatia!  Why was Paul so upset with them?
 
No one had a deeper personal appreciation of what God did in Jesus Christ than did Paul.  Prior to his conversion, we would have called Paul “a mean man.”  His convictions were sincere, but they made him vicious.  His convictions made him destructive, not helpful.  He was merciless to Jewish men and women who believed in Jesus Christ.  He protected the robes of those who killed Stephen, and he thought they did the proper thing by killing Stephen (Acts 7:58, 8:1).  He dragged Christian men and women from their homes to imprison them (Acts 8:3).  He used force in attempts to get Christian Jews to blaspheme (Acts 26:11).  He even described himself as hostile (see Acts 26:9; Galatians 1:13-14; and 1 Timothy 1:13, 14).
 
Then he discovered his error concerning Jesus (Acts 9:1-9).  The result: he became what he despised, was forgiven of murder and abuse of harmless Christians, and became a great missionary among gentiles (read again 1 Timothy 1:12-16).
 
Why?  Why did God forgive Paul for such horrible acts?  Among the reasons for such forgiveness is the reason Paul listed in 1 Timothy 1:16.  He demonstrated that God’s mercy and forgiveness exceed any form of human failure if (a) a person sees his [or her] error, (b) turns against his [or her] error, and (c) redirects his [or her] behavior.
 
Then why was Paul so upset with the Galatian congregations?  They did not realize what an incredible thing God did for them in Jesus’ death and resurrection!  Jesus Christ is God’s good news!  For congregations to act like there was a “good news from God” that rivaled what God did in Jesus was unthinkable! 
 
Paul personally knew what God did in Jesus Christ.  He did “the unthinkable” and later received forgiveness.  He understood that the Galatian congregations existed because of what God did in Christ.  He understood that those gentiles could be Christians because of God’s actions in Jesus.  To say there was another gospel was unthinkable!  Therefore, there was no encouragement because there was no appreciation of God’s acts in Jesus.
 
Do you appreciate what God did for you in Jesus?  Does your behavior show it?
 
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**Remember in Prayer**
• Clarice Tisher (grandmother of Carrie Burress) is back in St. Edward Hospital, room 5523.  In addition to lymphoma, she has acute leukemia and a staph infection. She has requested no visits at this time, but prayers, cards, and emails would be GREATLY appreciated.  http://www.stedwardmercy.com/email
• Taylor Vincion, age 14 (great-nephew of Lisa Broom) was in a car wreck last weekend.  He is in Children’s  Hospital in Nashville, TN with multiple fractures, a punctured lung and bleeding on the brain.  The family requests your prayers.
 
**Continued Prayers**
• Dotty Saegert (Niketa Stinchcomb’s mother)
• Ethel Johnson (Waldron church member)
• Inez Hatfield
• Joel Prigge
• Lance Haines
• Larry Treat
• Lloyd Priester
• Louise Cline
• Margaret Stone
• Marie Lile
• Palmer Richardson
• Randy Bridges
 
**Bereaved**
Ron & Debbie Belote request your prayers for the family of Anita Nelson, who died unexpectedly on Sept. 15 in Tucson, Arizona, at the age of 25.
 
**Prayer Pagers**
Ashton Stein,  784-7490
Shirley Hughes, 441-2386
ALL Pagers, 441-2395
 
**Welcome, Blessed Baby!**
Congratulations to Eric and Shannon Saunders on the birth of their second child, Leah Marie, on September 2nd. Leah weighed 8 lbs., 3 ozs.  Her big sister is Audrey (age 3).
 
**Baby Boy Shower**
A baby shower honoring Denise & Travis Hill is planned for Sunday, October 5, from 2:00 to 3:30 at the home of Helen Pratt, 3705 May Branch Lane.  Baby Hill is registered at Toys ‘R Us, Wal-Mart and JCPenney.
 
**Note of Thanks**
I  received my lab report and everything came back benign--no cancer!  My deepest thanks to everyone who prayed on my behalf.
 Karen Carter
 
**Tutoring Program Need**
We are in desperate need of four more tutors for this school year.  If you can help with this worthwhile activity, please call Karen Farris.  Substitute tutors and snack providers are also needed for this year.  This is such a great opportunity to give to the community and help children who are in need.  The children are abundantly blessed by this endeavor, but the tutors receive rich blessings too!

**Brunch for Widows & Widowers**
We’ll meet in the Annex on Saturday, October 4, at 11 AM. (Notice the time change.) Call Bobbie or Mary if you need transportation.
 
**Car Clinic**
Saturday, October 4
Annex parking lot, 8 - 10:30 AM
Weather permitting
 
**New Bible Study**
David Chadwell’s new study, Disciples and Elders Together, will be in participating adult classrooms this Sunday morning.  Extra teachers’ study guides are located in the library.   The lessons are online at http://www.westark.org/chadwell/together.  The study begins 10/5/08.
 
**September 28 -- 4th Sunday Night Fellowship Meal**
We’ll also be having an Adoption Celebration for Uriel Lindgren and his Family!
In lieu of gifts, a money tree will be provided -- as well as refreshments of cake and punch.
(You do not need to bring desserts :~)
 
**FALL FEST is COMING -- October 26th!!
Let’s all work together to make this a fun event for our church family, friends, neighbors, grandkids, etc.
 
The following are needed for this fun time:
• individually packaged candy
• fast foods toys and other goodies left over from birthday parties, etc.
• cash donations
 
You may leave toys/goodies in the tub near the elevator.  
Cash donations may be given to Dena Jenkins or Tiffany Null. 
To Him be all the glory and praise!
 
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**Children’s Ministry Workshop with Garry Bortz -- September 26-28**
                                
Who is Garry Bortz?
Garry has been an innovator in children’s ministry since 1975, serving full time with churches in Texas and California.  He currently serves as the Children’s Minister with the Campbell Church of Christ in the San Francisco Bay area.  The Campbell Church, in the heart of Silicon Valley with over 20 different nationalities, provides Garry with a wide range of experiences in ministry to children and families.  His vision for children’s ministry is to “help families help their  kids develop a walk that rattles.”    Simply put, a walk that rattles is a relationship walk with Jesus that “makes noise.”  It’s one that makes a difference in the life of the child and those around them.
 
His work includes divorce recovery for kids, communication classes for kids and parents, parent/child relationship clubs and more.  He leads more than 100 volunteers in a dynamic, weekly ministry to kids.  Garry has directed children’s camps, children’s musicals, and has led mission trips to work with street kids in Africa.   He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Made-in-the-Streets Ministry—a ministry to street kids in Nairobi, Kenya.    
 
Garry has led training seminars for teachers and children’s ministry leaders across the nation.  Among his favorite topics are vision for children’s ministry, developing creativity and storytelling. 
 
Garry and his wife Gini have been married for 33 years and have 2 adult sons, Brennon of Belfast, Northern Ireland and Ryan of Los Angeles, California. 
 
**Schedule of Events**
 
Friday, September 26
7:00 PM             Reception and Conversation with Garry Bortz 
 
Saturday, September 27
12:30 – 1:00     Prayer Time  [Room 106]
1:15 – 2:30       First Workshop Session [Room 106]
                            A Vision for the Future:  Children’s Ministry Reborn
2:45 – 4:00      Second Workshop Session [Room 106]
                            A Vision for the Future:  The Teacher’s New Role
                                      Q and A session for the last 20 minutes  
4:15 – 5:45      Third Workshop Session [Room 106]
                       1. Creativity and Storytelling  (45-50 minutes)
                       2. What might your children’s ministry look like with a Children’s Minister? (20 minutes)
                                       Q and A session for the last 20 minutes  
6:00 PM           Teacher Appreciation Banquet [Foyer] 
                            The Touch of the Teacher
 
Sunday, September 28
10:30 AM      Worship - Yours by Blood or the Blood of Jesus
                     Garry Bortz, Guest Speaker
Childcare
We will have childcare available on Saturday, September 27th.
If you have questions, contact Chris Benjamin or Michaela Schaper.
 
**West-Ark Church of Christ 25th Anniversary & Homecoming**
Sunday, 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.
 
**Photos Still Needed**
We haven’t received many photos of West-Ark events from the past 25 years, but there is still a little more time.  If you have photos to share, please get them to Ron or Debbie Belote, Myra Flippo-Puckett, or one of the staff this week!
 
**“Dress A Doll” for The Hope Chest**
This Sunday, Sept. 28, will start the kick-off for the “DRESS A DOLL” campaign.  These dolls have been donated throughout the year to the Hope Chest for the Christmas Toy Giveaway.  They are in need of some tender loving care.  Members are asked to stop by the DOLL BOX and pick up a doll to take home - clean up, dress up and bring back to the building by October 19. 
 
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**youth group // news**
 
Crosswalk  //  Saturday, September 27
*Please 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  ($35 if you ordered a shirt) If you haven’t already, please turn in your money to Jackie Sofio.
Parents: If you can help chaperone this event please let Jackie know!
 
Girls Making an IMPACT!  //  Saturday, Oct. 4 // 3:00-10:00 PM
We will meet at the church at 3 PM and get to Chester around 4 PM. We will be ushers, go-fers, and whatever they need at the "Bringin' It Home" concert.
This concert supports the "Meals for Kids" program in conjunction with the Community Service Clearinghouse. The concert will end at about 9:30 or so, so we should be back about 10 PM. For more information contact Natalie Hughes.
 
Check your Mail!
In the next few days you should be getting something in the mail. The Parent Support Team is sending out a survey for parents and teens to complete. Please fill it out and drop it in the white box on the youth table in the foyer. (This is very important; please take the time to complete it.) Also included is an updated copy of the youth directory.
 
**Pray for Our Soldiers**
• James & Megan Johnson
• Jered Goddard
• Jeremy Grist
• John Clark
• John Lemley
• Lance Hurst
• Michael Priester
• Mitchell Bryant
• Nathan Davis
• Ryan Almond
• Shawn Curtis
• Will Domer
 
**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.
 
**Happy Birthday**
 
September 28
John Wade
 
September 29
Nathan Griffin
 
September 30
Richard Broyles
Luke Nelson
Hazel Richards
Brian Robbins
 
October 1
Denise Lusby
Melinda Yowell
 
October 2
Caroline Campbell
 
October 3
Terri Jones
 
October 4
Debra Lively
 
**Morning Nursery**
Sharon Faries
Berniece Rogers
Kristin Smith
 
**Evening Nursery**
Denise Lusby
 
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Bible Classes...………...…..403  
Sunday AM Worship.…..….655
Sunday PM Worship…..…..245
Life Groups…………………..33
Contribution……….…...$13,317
Children’s Homes…..….…$225
Wednesday Classes……….260
 
Lao Worship
Attendance…………….…….42
Contribution…….…………$202
 
Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance…………………..62
Contribution……………….$312

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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