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Family Lines Newsletter, January 1, 2009
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**The Solution**
By David Chadwell

 

But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.  Romans 3:21-26

 

What God did for us in Jesus’ death and resurrection defies our imagination!  By making His son the Christ and enthroning him at His right hand, God secured the salvation of every person in Christ.  God declared to Abraham what He would do through Abraham’s descendants, and He did it!  We are saved because God sent Jesus to be the Christ.

 

God did for us what we could never do for ourselves!  He provided us a salvation that is founded on Who He is, not what we are.  He is absolutely just and righteous; we are sinners.  All humans need God’s solution because all humans are sinners!

 

God founded our salvation on His character, not on our failure.  He gave us Jesus the promised Messiah.  He gave us Jesus’ atoning blood.  The righteous God sacrificed His son that we might be saved from our sins.

 

In the one act of Jesus’ death God provided us salvation and proved He was just.  For a human to accept this God-given salvation does not begin with some colossal acts to prove the person’s worthiness.  There are no initiation rites!  Salvation begins with confidence in what God did in Jesus.  We trust the fact that God loves us enough to give us redemption and grace in Jesus Christ.  We trust that God justifies the individual in Jesus Christ.

 

It is confidence in what God did in Jesus’ death that moves us to repent.  It is trusting the gift of Jesus’ blood that produces our baptism.  We understand that in Jesus’ crucifixion, God accepts Jesus’ innocence for our guiltiness as sinners.  We are saved through Jesus’ atoning blood.  We anticipate resurrection because Jesus was resurrected.

 

For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and 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. 1 Peter 2:21-24

 

“Thank You, God, for all You did and continue to do for us in Jesus Christ!  Jesus Christ exists to be our Lord and to defeat Your enemies.  We exist to serve You.  Lead us!  Help us be Your people as we serve Your purposes and live by Your values.”

 

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**In Our Thoughts & Prayers**

• Andy Cruz requests prayers for his sister, Samantha. She had a stroke on Sunday (12/28/08) and was flown to Wichita, KS for treatment.
• Bob Treadway (Kathy Glidewell’s brother) is in hospice care in their parent’s home. Prayers for strength during this difficult time are needed.
• Cheryl Craven is home from the hospital, but still fighting her post-op infection. She is also taking chemo treatments. 
• Eulonda Grist (mother of Ed) is still weak -- but doing better, and her nose bleeds have subsided. 
• Kathleen Taranto has moved to room 3527 is in St. Edward Hospital. She is improving and can have short visits. You may also send her an e-mail message at http://www.stedwardmercy.com/email.
• Kristal Grounds (Jimmie Cantrell’s granddaughter) had surgery Monday (12/29/08) to remove her tonsils and repair a deviated septum.
• Sue Grantham (Jennifer Dotson’s sister) has begun a very intensive chemotherapy program. She will receive treatment every 3 weeks for a year.
• Patty Null is in Room 115 at Summit Hospital in Van Buren. She is doing much better and just needs to build up her strength and finish off the infection. She hopes to go home by the end of this week.
• Ron Falcon (friend and colleague of Rick Odell) had additional foot surgery just before Christmas. 
• Sandy Chavis requests prayers for her aunt, Willard Lewis, who has entered hospice care, and for Willard’s caregiver Derrylene Miller.
Sandy Chavis also requests prayers for her cousin, Nellie Lewis, who is recovering from heart surgery (stents).

 

**Prayer Pager**
Patty Null, 441-1734

 

**Continued Prayers**
• Joel Prigge (Louise Howard’s brother-in-law)
• Joyce Dunavin
• Larry Treat
• Lloyd Priester
• Margaret Stone

 

**Bereaved in Prayer**
Please comfort those who have lost loved ones with your words and prayers.
• Mikki Mendez in the loss of her sister, Iris Rios, on December 18th.
• Connie Hixson in the death of her brother, Jeff Borden, on December 29th. Family visitation is from 6-8 PM on Friday evening at Ocker Funeral Home in Van Buren.  Graveside service is Saturday (1/3/09) at 11 AM at Hall Cemetery on Highway 59 near Natural Dam.  
• Betty Porter, in the recent death of her brother, Ruel Waters, in Oklahoma City, OK.

 

**Baptism & Welcome**
Will Henson
3600 Kinkead - #61
Fort Smith, AR 72903
Phone 709-9229

 

**Pray for Our Soldiers**
Great news!  Will Domer has returned home safely from Iraq. 
Continue to pray for the safe return of:
• James & Megan Johnson
• Jeremy Grist
• John Clark
• John Lemley
• Lance Hurst
• Michael Priester
• Mitchell Bryant
• Shawn Curtis

 

**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.

 

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**Welcome, Blessed Baby!**
Congratulations to Dale & Denise Lusby -- they are grandparents! Grandson Honor Dawson was born December 18th to Dale and Kari Lusby. He weighed 8 lbs. 10 oz.  Tom and Betty Porter are the happy great-grandparents.
  
**Parenting Class**
On January 4, Michael & Jeannie Cole will begin a weekly class on Building Stronger Christian Families on Sunday mornings at 9:30 in Room 215.  We will work toward improving relationships between spouses, parents and children, and one another as we seek to honor God.

 

**Notes of Thanks**
Dear West-Ark Friends,
Thank you so very much for the lovely fruit basket the Fosters brought me on Friday evening. The fruit is delicious, and I do really appreciate it.  Thanks again and may each of you have a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy holiday season and New Year.
In Christian love,
Lynnette Purvis

 

 

 

**Financial Peace University**
January 11th – April 5th
Sunday Evenings, 5:00 - 7:00 PM in Room 211
Childcare will be provided. Openings are still available. Contact Jeff or Michelle Lovelace.  Immediately after morning worship, there will be a preview of the upcoming class in room 106.

 

**Guyana 2009**
West-Ark’s next medical mission trip to Guyana is planned for June 6-14, 2009.  We need YOU on the team.  A deposit of $500 is due by January 15.  Contact Michael or Jeannie Cole if you have questions.

 

**The Hope Chest**
Monday, January 5th, is a Hope Chest work day to get ready for re-opening.  Everyone is welcome to be a part of the day.  There will be a job for you.  Please join us!

 

**New Study**
David Chadwell’s new adult Bible study, “Amos: Choices Have Consequences, Too” will be available online soon at http://www.westark.org/chadwell/amos.  Extra printed copies of the study are available in the Information Center.  Class begins January 4th.

 

**Tuesday Men’s Bible Study**
Don’t forget the Men’s Bible Class next Tuesday, January 8th, as we start a study of Galatians at 10 AM in the Annex.

 

**Game Day for All! **
Thursday, Jan. 8, 12 noon in room 106.  Come and join in the fun!

 

**Alliance  Counseling and Therapy**
“Working together to help individuals and families resolve life’s challenges.”
If interested, call David Chadwell at 452-1240. Confidentiality will be protected.

 

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**youth group // news**

 

WINTERFEST INFORMATIONAL MEETING & DEADLINE
Sunday, January 4
If you are going to Winterfest, please meet in the auditorium immediately following morning services.  We will have a brief meeting to discuss a few last minute details of the trip.  Also this is the last day to register and turn in your money ($60).  You can submit your registration or turn in your money during this meeting.

 

THE ODELL’S FIRST SUNDAY
January 11
Please make sure you take time to welcome Rick, Kristi, Jake and Molly to the West-Ark family.

 

WINTERFEST
Friday, January 16 – Sunday, January 18
If you have lost your information sheet (or turned it in) there are more copies available on the youth table.  It tells you what you need to know.  We will be leaving the church at 2:00 p.m. on that Friday, so please make arrangements to be there on time!

 

**Library Memorial**

In memory of Frank Flippen, Jr. from Debbie Treat:
• Quiet Strength by Dungy
• Cast of Characters by Lucado
• The Shack by Young

 

**Happy Birthday**

 

January 4
Brian Byrd
Casey Oliver

 

January 5
Lane Haworth
Trevor Morphew
David Orick

 

January 6
Coleen Shirley

 

January 8
Patti Anderson
Rex Mason

 

January 9
Jessica Frost
Suzy Greer
Bill Kamp
Marcia Tomlin

 

January 10
Sarah Hartley
Judy Wright

 

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

 

**Evening Nursery**
Gina Williams

 

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Bible Classes...………...…..308    
Sunday AM Worship.………560
Sunday PM Worship……….218
Contribution……….…...$14,161
Children’s Homes…..…….$156
Wednesday Classes……….179

 

Lao Worship
Attendance…………………..80
Contribution…………….....$317

 

Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance……………….…..57
Contribution……………….$206