West-Ark Newsletter, 23 October 2008

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Family Lines Newsletter, October 23, 2008
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The first quote is from Hosea. The second is from Jesus referring to Hosea 6:6 in a discussion with some Pharisees about what they perceived to be a Sabbath violation.

I have been preaching, teaching, and offering guidance for over 50 years in several states and on more than one continent. I have seen righteousness from godly people who astounded many. I have also seen acts of ungodliness committed by people who were supposed to walk in Gods ways. Concern for Gods influence often was behind righteous acts. Self-justification and anxiety were often behind the other acts.

I have seen the generosity of the poor, and the sacrificial but quiet deeds of the well-to-do. I have witnessed astounding unselfishness. I have seen a congregation provide a car to a missionary with this rationale: If this congregation can borrow for a building, it can borrow for a car. I have witnessed acts of kindness and thoughtfulness that defied imagination. I have seen outpourings of concern to meet unmeetable needs.

I also have seen a couple move into a community and place membership in a congregation. Later, they declared their purpose for coming was to infiltrate the congregation and divide it. I have seen men in a business meeting double up their fists to exchange blows because they disagreed. I have seen a set of tires deliberately ruined by roofing nails because one Christian dared defy another Christians views. I have seen division intentionally created by gossip, rumors, and anonymous letters.

In the things I witnessed I have learned much. One is this: Most of us American Christians are slow learners. We can be adamant in our views to the point that we close our ears and listen only to self. Agree with me and you are wonderful; disagree with me and you are terrible.

Jesus use of Hosea 6:6 as a critical insight into God fascinates me. Jesus, why quote Hosea? Why not some profound book like Genesis, or Exodus, or Deuteronomy, or the Psalms, or Isaiah, or Daniel? Why, of all things, quote Hosea in something so important?

Why? Simple! Hosea provided those Pharisees an insight into God that they desperately needed! Hosea said what those Pharisees needed to hear!

We have to learn from the mistakes of others to see ourselves! Why? We never make mistakes! There is always a good reason for doing what we do, or perhaps a good justification. So, show me to myself by your flawsthen maybe I will learn. Too often, my best view of me comes when you stumble. Hopefully, that is when I learn the importance of compassion. How can an uncompassionate human stand before a compassionate God? None of us dare find out by a judgment experience!

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Bill Brazelton is scheduled for surgery today (10/23/08) at St. Edward Hospital for treatment of an abdominal aneurysm.
Chase Turpin has an appointment at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota on November 24th. Winston & Danna plan on going with him.
Dotty Saegert (Niketa Stinchcombs mother) is in Washington Regional Hospital in Fayetteville. She had another stroke on Monday.
Jewell King (Barbara Millers mother) is recovering from hip surgery at Sparks Hospital, room 512.
Lloyd Priester (Jims father) had surgery on Tuesday (10/21/08).
Wilma Son has been diagnosed with cancerous cells in her liver. She had a port implanted on Wednesday (10/22/08) in preparation for a new kind of chemotherapy treatment.

**Continued Prayers**
Gary Schaper
Inez Hatfield
Jessie Moore
Joel Prigge (Louise Howards brother-in-law)
Larry Treat
Lloyd Priester (Jim's father)
Louise Cline
Margaret Stone

**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Richard & Sandy Bandy in the unexpected death of Ken Watkins (age 47) of Grand Prairie, Texas. Ken is the husband of Sandys niece, Angela. They have two children, ages 11 and 18 years.

** Last Chance Sunday **
The new photo directory is ready to be printed. Mat Griffin has decided Sunday, October 26, will be LAST CHANCE SUNDAY. If you need a photo taken, contact Mat for an appointment, or come to the photography room Sunday morning after worship. Mat will be there to take as many photographs as may be needed. (The photography room is off of the foyer near the water fountains.)

**Mens Bible Class**
All men are invited to a class taught by Russ McConnell and David Chadwell on Tuesdays, 10 AM in the Annex. The study is in Acts.

**The Hope Chest**
"Dress A Doll"
Just a reminderif you took a doll to dress-up for the Hope Chest Toy Giveaway please return it by November 9th to the box in the foyer. Thanks so much to everyone that helped with this. Your response was overwhelming. Many children will benefit from your efforts this holiday season. ~~Connye Neal

**Notes of Thanks**
I would like to thank everyone for the prayers and calls during my recent surgery and treatment. Miracles have happened -- and my surgery results are much better than anyone would have expected! I appreciate you so much.
Cheryl & Jim Craven

**Widows/Widowers**
Saturday, November 1 at noon, we will have lunch at the Annex. Call Mary, Bobbie or Janice if you need transportation. Bring your favorite Thanksgiving recipe and memory to share.

**Car Clinic**
(For 60+ and Single Women)
It is time to winterize your car. Weather permitting, our CAR CLINIC will be Saturday, November 1, in the Annex parking lot, 8-11 AM.

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**Baby Boy Shower for Todd & Adriane Martin**
Couples are invited!
Sunday, October 26, 2:00 to 3:30 PM
in the home of Jo Davidson
1811 S. 73rd Circle in Fort Smith.
Todd & Adriane are registered at Wal-Mart and Target.

Our webminister, Dr. Michael Cole, has created a 25th Anniversary page for our website. From there, you will find links to:
History of West-Ark Church of Christ -- the video (divided into two parts) that was shown during the Bible Class hour.
MP3 audio of Walking Through Our Past -- a discussion with Roy Dunavin and Jack Harriman led by Chris Benjamin.
MP3 audio of Jack Harrimans morning message.
Photographs of the day taken by Bill Dickey.
Yesteryear album -- some old photos of people and days gone by that were shared with the office.

**Family Fall Fest**
Sunday, October 26, 6:00 - 7:45 PM in the Family Life Center
This event is for the entire family! Everyone is invited!
6:00 - 6:30 Devotional
6:30 - 7:45 Family Fall Fest
Fun games and prizes
Food and fellowship
Trick-or-Treating
Costume parade
Bring your friends!
Grab the grandkids!
http://www.westark.org/temp/fallfestposter.pdf

**Dinner is Served at Fall Fest!**
The dishes below will be available at Family Fall Festival for a donation to SHOE4AFRICA.
Donations will be used to purchase additional shoes and pay for the shipping to Eldoret, Kenya.

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Youth Minister Candidate Interview Weekend
This weekend -- October 25-26
During this weekend you will have two opportunities to meet the candidate.
The first opportunity will be at the hayride hosted by the Olivers on Saturday night. Vans will leave the church at 5:00 PM and return around 10:00 PM. We will cook out and go on a hayride. Make sure you take time to get to know the candidate and his wife. He will be giving the devotional that evening. Please plan to come; we want everyone to be there! (Sign up on the youth board.)
The second opportunity to meet the candidate will be Sunday morning during class. Junior and Senior High will have a combined class led by the youth minister candidate.

Family Fall Fest // Sunday, October 26
6:00 6:30 -- JR and SR High will meet in the Youth Room with the Search Team for a feedback session about the candidate.
6:30 7:45 -- While the Fall Fest is going on in the FLC the teens will be upstairs interacting with the kids. Wear your family- friendly costume if you like!

SNL at Johnson Church of Christ // Sunday, November 9
The vans will leave the church at 4:40 PM and return around 9:30 PM. Sign up on the youth board in the foyer!
If you arent able to go to SNL there will be a class in the youth room at 6:00 PM.

**PRAY FOR OUR SOLDIERS**
James & Megan Johnson
Jered Goddard
Jeremy Grist
John Clark
John Lemley
Lance Hurst
Michael Priester
Mitchell Bryant
Ryan Almond
Shawn Curtis
Will Domer

**OUR MISSIONARIES**
John Paul & Ruby Lee Hundley in France & Belgium
Evangelists & families with whom we work in Ethiopia & Nigeria
Missionary families in Vietnam and Laos

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Bible Classes........376
Sunday AM Worship....588
Sunday PM Worship....213
Life Groups..21
Contribution...$14,048
Childrens Homes...$171
Wednesday Classes.259