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Family Lines Newsletter, November 13, 2008
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**Welcome to West-Ark!**

 

Rick, Kristi, Jake & Molly Odell

 

The West-Ark church family is blessed to welcome Rick, Kristi, Jake and Molly Odell.  Rick will begin his work as our Youth and Family Minister in January.  Their first Sunday with us will be January 11th.

 

The Odells are moving to Fort Smith from Littleton, Colorado.  Rick has been in Youth and Family Ministry since 1991.  He served with the Hyde Park Church of Christ in Austin, Texas; the Sonrise Church of Christ in Pflugerville, Texas; and the Del City Church of Christ in Oklahoma.  He has been the Youth Minister for the Littleton Church of Christ in Colorado for the last six years.  Rick has been a Board Member and President of the National Conference on Youth Ministries.

 

Rick has led mission efforts to various locations including Mexico and Germany.  He has mentored other youth ministers and successfully led youth ministry intern programs at the congregations that he has served.  Rick is a graduate of Oklahoma Christian University and has built on his education and experience with graduate studies in ministry through Lubbock Christian University.

 

Rick was raised in Oklahoma.  Kristi grew up in Midlothian, Texas.  She is also a graduate of Oklahoma Christian University with a degree in Child Development and Family Life.  Rick and Kristi married in 1988.  They have two children.  Jake is 12 years old.  Molly will be 7 years old in January.
 
We believe God has answered our patient prayers for a youth and family minister.  We know that God has made this path clear to the Odell family.  Let us welcome Rick, Kristi, Jake and Molly with anticipation of all that God has in store for us.  
~~Chris Benjamin

 

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**In Our Thoughts & Prayers**
• Bob Faries went to St. Edward hospital Wednesday night and was admitted to room 3530. He is being treated for an infection in his leg and blood sugar regulation.
• Burnie Morris is home from the hospital.  
• Dotty Saegert (Niketa Stinchcomb’s mother) had surgery last week in St. Louis. She has moved to a rehab facility closer to home and is improving.
• Inez Hatfield was in the hospital overnight Sunday, but is now home and feeling good.
• Joel Prigge (Louise Howard’s brother-in-law) is still receiving chemo twice a month. The treatment is having some success.
• Kathleen Taranto is very weak. Prayers for her to gain physical strength are needed.
• Tina Eudaly (Mary Burkett’s mother) is doing well after hip surgery on Tuesday (11/11/08).  She did not require a hip replacement--only repair.  She will remain in the hospital a few days then go to rehab.
• Sue Grantham (sister of Jennifer Dotson) is recovering from a mastectomy on Tuesday.

 

**Continued Prayers**
• Chase Turpin
• Larry Treat
• Lloyd Priester
• Louise Cline
• Margaret Stone
• Wilma Son

 

**Welcome, New Members**
Van & Amanda Basham
Daughters: Emily & Hannah
430 Sunnyside
Van Buren, AR 72956
Phone: 479-806-8523

 

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

 

**Thanksgiving Dinner**
At noon on Thanksgiving Day, some of the West-Ark members will gather to eat and visit in the Family Life Center.  If you do not have other plans, please join us!  A sign-up sheet will be posted on the bulletin board in the foyer by room 100.  We also ask that you sign up to bring a food item to contribute to our potluck. If you have any questions, please talk to Blake or Colleen Frost.

 

**Ladies’ Prayer Breakfast**
Saturday, November 15
10 - 11 AM in the FLC
We are going to “BREAK” from the “FAST” pace of life for just one hour.  Come find peace as you pray with your sisters in Christ.  Bring a breakfast food item (casserole, sweet rolls, juice, etc.) and your prayer list.

 

**Van Drivers Needed**
Additional drivers are needed on the seniors’ route. Contact Rod Jones if you can help with this good work.

 

**JOY Bunch**
We will meet Saturday, November 15, at 6:00 p.m. in the FLC. Please join us for fun and fellowship!!!

 

**Fall Fest Photos**
Fall Fest photographs are now available on a table in the foyer.  

 

**Notes of Thanks**
To the Little WINGS kids:
A great big thanks for the Halloween card you made me. I put it where it could be seen on Halloween night. It was kind of you to think of me.
 Love,
 Alice Jean Rogers

 

 

**New Bible Study**
A new study, “Living the Psalms Today,” begins Sunday in Room 106 (off the foyer) with Gary Brown teaching. Everyone is welcomed!

 

**Your New Address and Phone Number Are Needed**
The office is updating the church database. Please contact us by Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 5 PM if you have had a change of address or phone number. This is especially important if you are using a cell phone as your home phone.  Contact Janice Lowry in the office at 452-1240 or by e-mailing Janice@westarkchurchofchrist.org.

 

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**MISSION OFFERING**
The special offering to fund our mission program for 2009 is this Sunday, November 16.

 

**The Hope Chest Needs Coats**
We need coats for everyone -- all sizes.   Cold weather is coming! Please check your closet and put your donations in the large container outside the Library.

 

**Hope Chest Appreciation Dinner**
Hope Chest volunteers and their spouses are invited to dinner on Monday, November 24, at 6:30 p.m. in the Family Life Center.  Please sign the list in the foyer if you can attend. 

 

**Hope Chest & CURE News**
In October, 146 pairs of men’s shoes which we received as a partner of Soles4Souls (through C.U.R.E.) were distributed at the Hope Chest. Photos are posted at http://www.westark.org/hopechest/shoes.htm.

 

**November Calendar**
• On the Wednesday evening prior to Thanksgiving (Nov. 26), we will not have classes (adult or children).  As is our custom, we will have a Family Thanksgiving Devotional at 7 PM in the Auditorium.
• The office will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 27 & 28, for the Thanksgiving holiday.
• We will not publish a newsletter on November 27.
• Fifth Sunday Family Meeting is November 30th.  We will have a meal afterward. Please bring desserts!

 

**Poinsettia Memorials**
The church reserved 184 plants, and two-thirds of those have been purchased, so orders may end sooner than November 30th.
To place your order, see Karen Carter at the table in the foyer. The cost is $5.00 per plant.
The following memorials or honorariums were given November 9. 

 

In memory of:            

• Virgie Neal by Belote Family

• Bob Williams by Belote Family

• Anita Nelson by Belote Family

• Grandma Aggie by Breck & Grayson Cogswell

• George Thompson by Barbara Smith

• A.W. Chism by Warren & Elizabeth Gardenhire

• Donald Gardenhire by Warren & Elizabeth Gardenhire

• Lorena & Earl Boswell by Sally Smith

• Ralph & Evalyn Smith by Ralph Smith

• Lee Burns byFrances & Paul Quenin

• Helen Branum by Frances & Paul Quenin

• Bula Faries by Frances & Paul Quenin

• Jess Huff by Sedalia & Charley Douglas

• George Thompson by Sedalia & Charley Douglas

• Leo Atkins by The Brown Family

• Jeremy Harper by The Brown Family

• Marion Hastings by Sue Hastings

• Margaret Hastings by Sue Hastings

• Owen & Lorene Yates by Maxine Yates, Jack & Glenda Lewis

• Bob Callicott by Betty Callicott

• Rose Mixon by Betty Summers

• Carl Wade by Fran, John & Susan Wade

• Paul Wade by Fran, John & Susan Wade

• Roswelha Marr by Susan, John & Moorea Wade

• Arlene Priester (Mother) by James Priester

• C.J. & Mae Arnold by Lovelace Family

• Betty Johnson by Lovelace Family

• Melvin & Irene Bolin by Lou & James Winchell

• Macie Winchell by Lou & James Winchell

• Linda Nichols by Lou & James Winchell

• Harvey & Letha Davis by Harold & Linda Davis

• Carmel Manning by Harold & Linda Davis

• Sarah Todd by Harold & Linda Davis

• Frances Lamb by Harold & Linda Davis

• Patty Kaiser by Meg & Jerry Canfield

• Patty Kaiser by Dave & Dwonne Cogswell

• Darold Wear by Jay & Retha Wood

• Issac Mobley by Jay & Retha Wood

• Joe Halford by Gary & Martha Halford, Judy Halford Lamp

• Helen Branum by Wanda Wooster

• Ruth Davis by Jim & Helen Pratt, David & Donna Beneux

• E.G. Davis by Jim & Helen Pratt, David & Donna Beneux

• Modene Pratt by Jim & Helen Pratt, David & Donna Beneux

• Voyt Beneux by Jim & Helen Pratt, David & Donna Beneux

• Cliff Casey by Jim & Helen Pratt, David & Donna Beneux

• Jim Houston by Betty & Ron Moreton

• Reba Moreton by Betty & Ron Moreton

• Eric Myers by Mike & Mary Burkett

 

In honor of:
• The Elders by Paula May

• WINGS Bible Class by Dave & Dwonne Cogswell

• Keith & Paula Wilson by Inez Hatfield

• Bonnie Marrs by Inez Hatfield

• Don & Janet Metlock by Inez Hatfield

• Margaret Thompson by Inez Hatfield

• Hatfield Family by Inez Hatfield

 

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**youth group // news**

 

Ladies Prayer Breakfast  //  Saturday, November 15
Attention: Youth Group Girls
You are invited to attend a Ladies’ Prayer Breakfast from 10 – 11 AM in the FLC this Saturday. Some ladies are bringing a breakfast casserole, sweet rolls or beverage–but don’t feel obligated! Bring any special prayer requests that you have. See Melody Priester if you have questions.

 

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 class in the youth room.
WHAT TO BRING:
JR High Girls –  Drinks   //  JR High Boys – Chips
SR High Girls –  Drinks  //  SR High Boys –  Dessert

 

No Youth Classes   //  Wednesday, November 26
On the Wednesday prior to Thanksgiving we will not have any youth classes. Instead we will have a Family Thanksgiving Devotional in the auditorium. 

 

Family Meeting   //  Sunday, November 30
Meet in the auditorium. There will not be class in the youth room.

 

**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

 

**Happy Birthday**

 

November 16
Rebecca Holloway
Kathy Rosalez

 

November 17
Anna Holley

 

November 18
Meagan Logan
Rhett Moss
David Thompson

 

November 19
Jim Hall
Paul Shirley
Bill Walker

 

November 20
Dan Cathey

 

November 21
Donna Beneux
Chandler Lovelace
James Word

 

November 22
Elizabeth Gardenhire
Philmore Lynn
Kitty Nincehelser
Jeff Tucker
 
**Morning Nursery**
Amanda Basham
Betty Callicott
Carol Schaper
Flora Johnson

 

**Evening Nursery**
Sheila Vaught

 

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Bible Classes...………...….356  
Sunday AM Worship.…..…575
Sunday PM Worship………NC
Life Groups………………….15
Contribution……….…..$15,975
Children’s Homes…..……$338
Wednesday Classes………285

 

Lao Worship
Attendance………………….35
Contribution……………....$173

Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance…………………..57
Contribution……………….$325