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Family Lines Newsletter, January 22, 2009
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**Planning for the Future**
 
Your elders have identified three ministries that we feel need additional resources to reach the full potential available to us.
 
     1. The Lions for Christ need a campus center that provides space for fellowship, teaching, and in general a “home away from home” for the growing number of students attending the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith.
 
We believe these needs can best be met with a facility here on this property with its great location.
 
     2. Our education efforts, from children through adults, need additional classroom space and youth gathering places.
 
     3. Our administrative offices are old, cramped, and space is not available to offer other services for events such as funerals, showers, etc. In addition, the annex is rapidly reaching a stage where serious repairs will be necessary.
 
Everyone is invited to a general discussion and planning meeting to review how best to meet these needs. We will meet at 4:00 PM Sunday afternoon, January 25th, in room 100. We really want and need everyone’s thoughts and ideas. Hopefully, enough will come that we will need to move into the auditorium!
 
 The Elders
 
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**St. Edward Hospital**
Send an online greeting -- http://www.stedwardmercy.com/email/
• Michelle Lovelace’s younger brother, Billy Jack McGehee, was in a car wreck Tuesday night.  He is in St. Edward Hospital, room 3525, with a broken hip, leg, and wrist, but needs to be further stabilized before surgery.  He is in LOTS of pain, and Michelle requests prayers for his pain relief and upcoming surgery.
 
**Sparks Hospital**
Send an online greeting -- http://www.sparks.org/ecard/
• Betty Wakefield (friend of Cyndi Glidewell) is in room 516. She is having tests.
• Billie Neisler’s knee surgery on Tuesday went well.  She is in room 521.
• Ron Falcon continues to heal.  He has moved to room 591 in Sparks Hospital, and is undergoing physical therapy.
 
**Remember in Prayer**
• Connie Hixson is taking a new chemo treatment, given orally.  She will have some additional tests.
• Doug Fagan (Charlotte Pinedo’s brother in Illinois) is in very critical condition after suffering a ruptured appendix and heart attack.
• Eldon Pence (father of Cyndi Glidewell) was admitted to Sparks Hospital with a high fever on Sunday. He has improved and been dismissed from the hospital.
• Faye Jones will have out-patient surgery on her left arm today, Jan. 22. The surgery is to help restore function of her left hand, and she will be in a cast for six weeks.  Prayers for a successful surgery and speedy recovery are appreciated.
• Kelly Bailey (nephew of Barbara Aldridge and cousin of Gina Williams) has been diagnosed with lymphoma.  He will meet with his doctor this week to learn the type of treatment required.
 
**Continued Prayers**
• Bill Brazelton
• Bob Treadway (Kathy Glidewell’s brother in hospice care)
• Chase Turpin
• Connie Hixson
• Joel Prigge (Louise Howard’s brother-in-law)
• Joyce Dunavin
• Kathleen Taranto
• Larry Treat
• Lloyd Priester (Jim’s father)
• Norman Brown (friend of F. E. & Anita Cook)
• Margaret Stone
• Samantha (sister of Andy Cruz)
• Sue Grantham (Jennifer Dotson’s sister)
• Wendal Hull
• Wilma Son
 
**Prayer Pagers**
Connie Hixson, 441-2386
Ron Falcon, 441-2387
ALL PAGERS, 441-2395
 
**Bereaved in Prayer**
• Our love and sympathy is extended to Eleanor Casey and family. Eleanor’s sister, Dorothy Vest, passed away Saturday.  Funeral services will be Thursday at Smith Mortuary Chapel, Charleston, Arkansas.
• Our love and sympathy is also extended to Tammy Cypert and family in the death of Tammy’s uncle, Charles Edens. Funeral services are Saturday (1/24/09), 12:30 PM at Ashby Funeral Home in Benton, AR.  Tammy also requests prayers for safe travel for her family.
 
**Pray for Our Soldiers**
• Aaron Tomlin
• James & Megan Johnson
• 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.
 
**Welcome, New Member**
Ashley Holt
108 Fern Drive
Poteau, OK  74953
Phone: 479-212-0332
 
**This Sunday night, we’ll have a fellowship meal following worship. Please bring desserts!**
 
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**Notes of Thanks**
 
Dear West-Ark Church of Christ,
    I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for the thoughts and prayers for my family and me over the past few months. I feel very blessed to be surrounded by such a wonderful church family who has continuously offered love and support throughout the years. I am very confident that God has been watching over me on this journey, not only in my surgery and medical care, but also in everything that I have encountered along the way. When I think about all of the things that I have been blessed with in dealing with my condition, I am constantly reminded that God is taking care of me.
    I know that many of you have been praying for me daily and I want each of you to know that those prayers are being answered.
    Sincerely,          
    Chase Turpin
   
Dear West-Ark Family, 
    Your many cards, calls and prayers have been a great source of comfort to my family the past few weeks.  Through many years, this congregation has sent cards and prayed for my mother, Chris Bew.  She resided in Little Rock but despite the distance, you continued to pray for her.  
    This congregation continues to give strength to others through the avenue of prayer.  Thank you for the love and care you give to many, even those you do not know.  
    Sincerely, 
    Diane Arnold
    Jim, Jay and Marie Arnold
 
Dear Family Members and Elders,
Thank all of you for your prayers and words of encouragement and comfort during Becky’s surgery.  If her rib cage doesn’t heal to her sternum she has to face further surgery.  All of the prayers have given us courage to face surgery.
     In Christ,
     Marjorie Blake
 
Dear West-Ark Church,
    I would like to thank the elders and deacons for their leadership and all the numbers there who carry out the cause of Christ.
My thanks to the office personnel who keep me well informed all year.
    To all who called, sent cards and letters of encouragement, my many thanks.
    To the fruit “ministry” and its deliverers (who wore bright shiny faces and gave warm greetings) our many thanks for the delicious fruit which was packaged so beautifully.
    West-Ark Church of Christ has been one of the greatest blessings in my life. To all, have a happy and blessed New Year.
    My love through Him,
    Bobbye Ferrell
 
**Welcome, Blessed Baby**
Naomi Bree Rogers was born to Isaac & Samantha Rogers on January 7th. She weighed 6 lbs., 15 ozs. Tom and Sheila Lemley are the happy grandparents!
 
**Guyana Medical Mission Needs**
• Sunglasses
• Eye drops (Single-use vials are preferred, but any type of eye drops can be used.)
Please add your donations to the tote in the foyer.
 
**Children’s Worship**
Two volunteers are needed for 2- and 3-year-olds in children’s worship. See Jennifer Dotson or Donna Lindren.
 
**Congratulations**
Susan Wade made the Dean’s List for the fall semester at UAFS!
 
**New Wednesday Night Class**
“The Hard Sayings of Jesus”
Jon Keller/Jerry Canfield
Room 203
 
**February 20-21**
West-Ark Ladies’ Retreat
Lake Point Conference Center
Russellville, AR
Please sign the list in the foyer. 
 
**LTC Schedule**
EVENT  January 25
Elem. Drama CHANGE -- No practice
JH Chorus 2 PM
JH Puppets 3 PM
SH Puppets No practice
Elem Chorus 3 PM
Bible Quiz 4 PM
Elem. Puppets 5 PM
JH Drama 5 PM
Signing 1  No practice
Signing 2  No practice
 
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**youth group // news**
 
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to these teens that made All-Region Band:
• Eric Berger - Northside High
• Erika Beshears - Greenwood High
• Rose Davis - Cedarville High
 
WINTERFEST
What an amazing experience at Winterfest this past weekend! Don’t forget what we learned!  Love God and Love Others – Doing these two things will direct your life where it needs to go. L1, L2!
 
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
 
*NOTE: No Youth Worship on Sunday evening, February 1st*
 
PARENT MEETING & YOUTH GROUP FAMILY DEVOTIONAL
February 8  //  Youth Room  //  6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
We will take this opportunity to look over this year’s calendar. We will give parents a chance to sign up to help with events. Remember to bring your planners, calendars, Blackberry phones, etc.
We will also sing, have a devotional thought and play games. Please, eat before you come but we will have drinks and snacks.
Girls – Bring drinks
Guys – Bring chips or desserts
 
CHRISTeens YOUTH RALLY 
February 20 - 22
West Side Church of Christ, Russellville
Applications will be available on the youth table or by email.
Deadline is February 4. Open to 9th-12th graders
 
CLASSES
Join us for class!
Sunday AM: John
Sunday PM (Youth Worship): Promises
Wednesday PM: Christian Community
 
**Happy Birthday**
 
January 25
Toka Beall
Carrie Buress
Molly Odell
 
January 26
Harper Bice
Haleigh Evans
 
January 27
Jeana Belote
Paul Beneux
Josephine Johnson
Larry Todd
 
January 28
Charles Dicks
Gene Monk
Barney Puckett
 
January 30
Harold Davis
Abbey Jenkins
 
January 31
Phillip Burns
Leslie Campbell
 
**Morning Nursery**
Berniece Rogers
Sharon Faries
Wanda Braker
 
**Evening Nursery**
Denise Lusby
 
**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
 
Office Phone (479) 452-1240
Fax  (479) 452-5767
office@westarkchurchofchrist.org
www.westark.org
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"Making disciples for Jesus who are eager to serve others."
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