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Family Lines Newsletter, January 15, 2009
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**The Understanding**
By David Chadwell

 

For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.  Colossians 1:13-20

 

Foundations are essential.  Their importance cannot be exaggerated.  They do more than determine the shape of the building.  They determine the strength of the building.  When the building is under stress, its foundation must be firm.

 

The longest sermon of Jesus is in Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7.  It contrasts the Pharisees’ sayings (the popular Jewish conservatives) with Jesus’ insights (which are God’s insights).  Jesus ended his sermon by declaring that people who heard and did what he shared were like a house with a solid foundation.  The house was solid because its foundation was solid.  The solid foundation rested on a rock.  Because of the solid foundation, the house endured extraordinary stress.  People endure extraordinary stress when their lives are founded on Jesus’ solid sayings.  The difference between enduring and falling in periods of stress is our foundation.

 

The “rock” on which we can build our solid foundation in order to endure stress is this: faith in God’s accomplishments for us in Jesus Christ.  Faith makes any act of obedience meaningful and effective.  It is much more than trust in the act.  The act can be baptism, benevolence, communion, or any other commanded act.  Much more is involved than correct compliance with a commanded act.

 

What else is involved?  Confidence in God’s accomplishments in Jesus Christ!  Faithless obedience is powerless.  Obedience founded on faith in Jesus Christ is powerful.  Because of faith in Jesus, baptism removes sins.  Because of faith in Jesus, a gesture of kindness becomes an act God remembers—eternally.  Because of faith in Jesus, communion is an act of appreciation that goes far beyond bread and grape juice.  Because of faith in Jesus, any obedient act becomes a “thank you” spoken in God’s ear.  Because of faith in Jesus, obedient acts declare appreciation to the God of love.

 

Without faith in what God did and does in Jesus, obedient acts become attempts to manipulate God by seeking to put God in our debt.  Humans must obey because we believe.  Only because we believe do our acts of obedience become declarations of loving appreciation to the God who does so much for us in Jesus Christ.

 

When they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.  Acts 14:27

 

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**In St. Edward Hospital**
Send an online greeting -- http://www.stedwardmercy.com/email/
• Connie Hixson was admitted into St Edward, room 3317 on Tuesday.  She went to the ER because she was not feeling well.  It was determined she has blood clots in her lungs, a mass in the right lower lobe, and swollen lymph nodes.  Connie is also recently bereaved (her brother died a few weeks ago), and prayers for comfort and strength are appreciated.

 

**In Sparks Hospital**
Send an online greeting -- http://www.sparks.org/ecard/
• On Monday evening, the decision was made to amputate Ron Falcon’s foot. Surgery was Tuesday. Ron is in Sparks Hospital, room 441.  Prayers for him and for his family’s encouragement are appreciated.

 

**In Our Thoughts & Prayers**
• Angela Dunavant has asked for prayers for Amanda Pierce who is having a difficult pregnancy and has been confined to bed rest.
• Bill Brazelton has been released from the hospital.
• Brian & Shelly Robbins appreciate the prayers for Brian’s mother, Trisha. She was in the ER Monday night, but was able to go home the next morning. She is resting comfortably now.
• Cecil Mathies is now at Fianna Hills Nursing Home, room 609.
• Chase Turpin had surgery late Tuesday evening at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. Wednesday morning, the doctor said he was very pleased with the results. If Chase’s ultrasound shows him free of any blood clots in his leg, they will travel home on Thursday.
• Doug Fagan (Charlotte Pinedo’s brother in Illinois) is recovering from surgery for a ruptured appendix.
• Lloyd Priester (Jim’s father) had additional tests last week due to fluid in his lungs.
• Josh Loewen requests prayers for his grandfather.  The doctor is considering open heart surgery.
• Marie Lile is now at Methodist Nursing Home, room 136. 

 

**Continued Prayers**
• Bob Treadway (Kathy Glidewell’s brother in hospice care)
• Cheryl Craven
• David Loewen (father of Josh)
• Eulonda Grist (mother of Ed) 
• Joel Prigge (Louise Howard’s brother-in-law)
• Joyce Dunavin
• Kathleen Taranto
• Larry Treat
• Nellie Lewis (cousin of Sandy Chavis)
• Norman Brown (friend of F. E. & Anita Cook)
• Margaret Stone
• Patty Null
• Samantha (sister of Andy Cruz)
• Sue Grantham (Jennifer Dotson’s sister)
• Willard Lewis (aunt of Sandy Chavis) and her caretaker, Derrylene Miller.

 

**Prayer Pager**
Connie Hixson, 441-2386
Patty Null, 441-1734
Ron Falcon, 441-2387
ALL PAGERS, 441-2395

 

**Keeping in Touch With the Priesters**
John & Melody Priester
320 Meek 
Greenfield, IN 46170

 

**February 20-21**
West-Ark Ladies’ Retreat
Lake Point Conference Center, Russellville, AR
Make plans now for the upcoming ladies’ retreat. The cost is $75 and financial assistance is available to those who need it.  (Private rooms are available for an additional fee.)  Please sign the list on the bulletin board in the foyer so we can make arrangements.  You won’t want to miss out on this opportunity to fellowship with your Christian sisters, relax, and be encouraged in your walk with the Lord. 

 

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**Attention JOY Bunch!**
Please join us at 6:00 p.m. in the FLC on January 17 for fun and fellowship. We will have a special demonstration called “Cooking with Paula Deen.” See you then!

 

**Tutoring Program**
Substitute tutors are needed. The time slot is Tuesday afternoons, 3:30 to 5:00 PM.  Contact Karen Farris if you can help with this outreach to children of our community.

 

**Pray for Our Soldiers**
• Aaron Tomlin (brother of Jeff)
• James & Megan Johnson
• Jeremy Grist (Ed’s son) will be traveling home to Wichita, Kansas, from Kyrgyzstan over the next couple of days and is to be home by Friday, 2 p.m.  Please keep his travels in your prayers.
• John Clark
• John Lemley
• Lance Hurst
• Michael Priester
• Mitchell Bryant

 

**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.

 

**Men’s Winter Class**
On Tuesdays, when the women meet in several groups of the WINGS classes, men who are interested meet from 10 to 11 a.m. in a room in the annex to study Galatians.  This focus has just begun--the study has completed Galatians 1:1-6.  It is an informal, participatory study.  The class is led and coordinated by Russ McConnell and David Chadwell.  Even if a special need exists, we may be able to arrange child care during the class time.  If this class interests you men, come to the church office and you will be directed to the meeting place.  If you have questions you wish answered, see Russ McConnell or David Chadwell.  All men of any age are welcome to attend the class.
 
**Notes of Thanks**

 

 

 

**Alliance, Counseling and Therapy**
“Working together to help individuals and families resolve life’s challenges.”
 
Services Provided:
• Pre-Marital Therapy
• Marital Counseling
• Family Therapy
• Play Therapy
• Individual Sessions
• Addictive Behaviors
• Groups
• Enrichment
• Education

 

Focusing on emotional, relational, behavioral, addictive, and parenting issues.
If interested, call David Chadwell at 452-1240.
Confidentiality will be protected.
 
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**youth group // news**
 
WINTERFEST IS HERE!
We will be leaving the church at 2 p.m. on Friday. We will return between 4:30 and 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. There will be no youth class this Sunday evening.

 

*This Sunday morning the Junior and Senior High classes will be combined in the youth room.

 

LTC SCHEDULE CHANGES
Because so many teens are going to Winterfest, this Sunday the Junior and Senior High LTC practices will be cancelled for drama, chorus and puppets.   ONLY elementary  drama, elementary chorus, elementary puppets, Bible quiz and signing will be practicing.

 

CLASSES WITH RICK
Sunday Night and Wednesday Night Junior and Senior High classes will be combined in the youth room with youth minister Rick Odell. 

 

CHURCH-WIDE LADIES’ RETREAT
Friday, February 20 – Saturday, February 21 
Lake Point Conference Center, Russellville. Sign-ups are posted on the bulletin board near the front door in the foyer.

 

**Library Memorials**
From Jack & Janice Lowry:

 

• In memory of Betty Monk
Romans: Revelation of God’s Righteousness by Barnett

 

• In memory of Carl Caper
God’s Amazing Book by Ruckman

 

• In memory of Marshall Kidd
Romans by Bruce

 

**Happy Birthday**

 

January 18
Tatum Thompson

 

January 19
Linda Davis
John Lindgren

 

January 20
Denise Campbell
Beverly Lankford
Kara Lankford

 

January 21
James Anderson
Christopher Belt
Janice Lowry

 

January 22
Ted Knight
Lewis Livesay

 

January 23
Race Burns
Ellen Kamp
Tom Porter

 

January 24
John Carson
Tom King
Julie Orick

 

**Morning Nursery**
Amanda Basham
Betty Callicott
Carol Schaper
Flora Johnson

 

**Evening Nursery**
Sheila Vaught

 

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Bible Classes...………...…..430    
Sunday AM Worship.………673
Sunday PM Worship……….273
Contribution……….…...$17,808
Children’s Homes…..…….$221
Wednesday Classes……….259

 

Lao Worship
Attendance…………………..33
Contribution…………….....$146

 

Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance……………….…..57
Contribution……………….$158