-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Family Lines Newsletter, October 30, 2008
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

**The Gap**
By David Chadwell

 

Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands—remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.  (Ephesians 2:11-16)

 

It seemed an impossible problem.  Humanly, it was!  It was only in Jesus’ cross that God solved what people could not.

 

For hundreds of years there was a significant division between the descendants of Abraham through Isaac (Israel, the Jewish people) and the gentiles (all peoples or nations not Israelite). God created a special relationship with Abraham’s descendants through Isaac.  His intent: nurturing these people away from idolatry (the Egyptian experience) so they could lead idolatrous people to the living God (see Isaiah 49:6).

 

Oh, we humans!  Israel never realized nor accepted her God-given mission!  Instead, those people thought all God wanted was them.  Thus, the people God designed to reach out to other nations decided God did not like other people.  The more exclusive they became, the more they rejected other people.  Others resented being rejected!
 
Thus the gap grew into a chasm that was so broad, deep, and dangerous that no human could bridge it.  Then God built a wide, sturdy bridge across that chasm, adequate for every age.  With that bridge (the cross of Christ) the chasm was tamed, the division ended, the barrier was broken, the dividing wall came tumbling down, and the peace produced by reconciliation became reality.  Israelites could be in Jesus Christ, gentiles could be in Jesus Christ, and God’s purposes could be accomplished.

 

There was a time when I naively thought I could help our “gap.”  Call our “gap” generational, sociological, theological, economic, cultural, or anything you wish, but obviously we again created the “gap.”  Regardless of your “camp,” we all conclude “I am better than you—besides that, I am correct!”  The end result is that we close God’s bridge, ignore His purpose, and attack those in Christ who disagree with “me.”

 

God challenges all of us: “See what I did in Jesus’ cross, understand My purpose, and pursue My purpose instead of changing it by substituting your anxiety.”  Keep God’s bridge open!  Take self out of God’s equation.  What matters is being in Jesus Christ, not agreeing with what “I” champion.  May Jesus Christ forever be bigger than any of us!  May each person in Jesus Christ always know that!  More than merely knowing it, may we show it!  May “I” always help “you” come closer to God!

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 2 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

**Daylight Saving Time ends this weekend -- set your clocks back one hour at bedtime on Saturday night.**

 

**Remember in Prayer**
• Bill Brazelton is home recovering from abdominal surgery to repair an aneurysm.
• Dotty Saegert (Niketa Stinchcomb’s mother) has a blockage at the base of her brain.  Niketa will travel with her mom and dad to St. Louis on Tuesday (11/4/08) to meet with a doctor. Surgery may be scheduled for the next day.
• Jim Hannah (formerly of West-Ark) fell from the opening of his attic on Saturday.  He was hospitalized at Baylor Hospital with a broken elbow and arm, fractured ribs and pelvis.
• Jeff Borden (Connie Hixson’s brother) is taking chemotherapy treatments.
• Jewell King (Barbara Miller’s mother) has moved to room 215 at Ashton Place for physical therapy.
• Kathleen Taranto has had pneumonia and is improving.
• Richard Branum had out-patient knee surgery on Monday (10/27/08). He is home, doing well and began physical therapy Tuesday afternoon.
• Wilma Son is continuing her chemotherapy in Fort Smith, but goes to her son’s home in Tulsa between treatments. 

 

**Continued Prayers**
• Chase Turpin
• Inez Hatfield
• Jessie Moore
• Joel Prigge (Louise Howard’s brother-in-law)
• Larry Treat
• Lloyd Priester (Jim Priester's father)
• Louise Cline
• Margaret Stone

 

**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Floye Chism and family in the death of A. W. Chism. A.W. or “Dub” was West-Ark’s pulpit minister from September, 1987 to February, 1992. He died on October 25 after a long illness, and his memorial service was Tuesday at Mt. Comfort Church of Christ in Fayetteville.  If you would like to send a card to Floye, her address is 1552 Tally Ho Drive, Fayetteville, AR 72701.

 

**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.

 

**Pray For Our Soldiers**
• James & Megan Johnson
• Jeremy Grist
• John Clark
• John Lemley
• Lance Hurst
• Michael Priester
• Mitchell Bryant
• Ryan Almond
• Shawn Curtis
• Will Domer

We have updated our list: please remove Jered Goddard (friend of Patty Kaiser), and Nathan Davis -- who has completed his summer training and is back at college.

 

**Prayer Pagers**
• Ashton Stein,  784-7490
• Dotty Saegert, 441-2378
• ALL Pagers, 441-2395

 

**Notes of Thanks**
After 10 gallons of chili, 10 gallons of shrimp creole, 9 gallons of beans, and 12 loaves of french bread, we declare the Fall Fest a big success!! Thanks to all of you and your generosity, “Girls Making An Impact” raised $662 for Shoe4Africa. Our box runneth over, and these funds will be used to ship the shoes to Kenya. 
Thanks again to all of you!!!
Allison & Andrew Todd
Carlene Payne
Glenda Lewis
Linda Davis

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 3
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

**Poinsettias at Christmas**
Sunday morning, Karen Carter will be at a table in the foyer ready to take orders for poinsettias. The plants are $5 each, and may be purchased in memory or honor of a loved one. You may purchase as many poinsettias as you wish. Each week we list that week’s memorials in the newsletter. 

 

The poinsettias will be delivered to the church building the first week of December and will decorate the auditorium for three weeks.  Plants may be taken home on Dec. 21st.

 

Our Schedule:
November 2 -- begin placing orders at Karen’s table in foyer.
November 30 -- last Sunday to place an order
December 1-6 -- poinsettias will be delivered and placed in the auditorium.
December 21 -- take your poinsettia(s) home!

 

**Always Be An Example**
In our September 11th newsletter, we ran an article regarding a special gift/contribution one of the Lao ladies made to support the renewed evangelistic outreach of the Lao congregation. As a result of her gift, and to further encourage and support their outreach efforts, a member of West-Ark has also made a special contribution of $150 for the same purpose. We should all be reminded that our deeds are seen by others and may inspire others to act.
“And you yourself must be an example ... by doing good works of every kind” (Titus 2:7).

 

** "Dress A  Doll" **
Just a reminder…if 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

 

**Wednesday Night WINGS Christmas Project **
Ladies, we’re gearing up for our Christmas service project! Donation$ can be put in the decorated Christmas box in your classroom.

 

**Car Clinic**
It’s time to winterize your car. Weather permitting, our CAR CLINIC will be Saturday, November 1, in the Annex parking lot, 8-11 AM.

 

**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 (not the prepared dish) and a memory to share.

 

** “Entrusted With the Message" -- Collect them all! **
Through the combined efforts of the Missions Committee and a newly formed Tract/Graphics Ministry -- beautiful, colored 4” X 6” missions cards are available on Sunday mornings (Oct. 5 - Nov. 16) alongside your order of worship. Each week, the cards reflect a different mission point and feature photos taken in the past year. Parents: please share the cards with your children. It’s a great way to teach them about West-Ark’s missions. There are 7 cards in the set -- so collect them all: Guyana, Nigeria, Thailand, Ethiopia, Belgium, Laos, and Vietnam.  This week: Belgium!  On November 16, all the extra cards will be on display, and you’ll have a chance to complete your set!

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 4
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

**youth group // news**
 
Thanks!
Thank you to all of those that helped to make the hayride happen! A special thanks to the Olivers for hosting the hayride. We had a great time around the extremely hot fire and it was a great night to get to know the Odells better. 

 

Teens: Thanks for working the stations at the Fall Fest. The little kids really enjoyed it! We appreciate your servant spirit.

 

Workday for the Hope Chest Giveaway // Sunday, November  2
This Sunday there will be a work day for the teens at the warehouse on Vicksburg in preparation for the Christmas giveaway at the Hope Chest.  After morning services we will take a van and go eat lunch at the mall food court.

 

From there we will go to the warehouse and work from 1:00 PM until 4:30 PM.  After working we will go to Sweet Bay for a treat and be back in time for teen worship at 6:00 PM.  Bring money for lunch and Sweet Bay.

 

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 aren’t able to go to SNL there will be a class in the youth room at 6:00 PM.

 

**Home Devotionals**
Sunday, November 16
JR High – Kevin and Christy Hesslen
SR High – Blake and Colleen Frost
If you need a ride, vans will leave the church at 5:00 PM and will return around 8:00 PM. There will not be a class in the youth room.
WHAT TO BRING:
JR High Girls - Drinks
JR High Boys - Chips
SR High Girls - Drinks
SR  High  Boys  – Dessert

 

Sign-up on the youth bulletin board!

 

**Happy Birthday**

November 2
Noah Bice
Betty Callicot
Ralph Harmon
Kaylee Lindgren

 

November 3
Shanna Davis
Jack Lewis

 

November 4
Gary Brown
Tammy Cypert
Edith Embry

 

November 5
Mathew Griffin II

 

November 6
Warren Gardenhire
Donna Miller

 

November 7
Ron Belote
Betty Hatcher
Bill Miller
Margaret Stone

 

November 8
Dana Pruitt

 

**Morning Nursery**
Melissa Walker
Suzi Jenneman
Dena Jenkins

 

**Evening Nursery**
Gina Williams

 

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Bible Classes...………...…..359  
Sunday AM Worship.…..….572
Sunday PM Worship…..…...NC
Life Groups…………………….8
Contribution……….…..$14,318
Children’s Homes…..….…$178
Wednesday Classes……….267

 

Lao Worship
Attendance………………….64
Contribution……………....$300
 
Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance…………………..57
Contribution……………….$329