West-Ark Newsletter, 19 February 2009

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Family Lines Newsletter, February 19, 2009
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But thanks be to God, who always leads us in His triumph in Christ, and manifest through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; from one an aroma of death to death, to the other an aroma of life to life. And who is adequate for these things? (2 Corinthians 2:14-16)

When we moved here, an Oxford friend gave us a needed, new, wooden garbage container. It was beautiful on the outside, and it smelled like pine. For 12 years we have used the gift for its intended purpose—it holds a lot of garbage! Sometimes we have to “air it out” and spray it because it smells like garbage. It stopped smelling like pine long ago. Now, when we can smell garbage, it is time to attack the odor. It is still made of pine, but now it commonly smells like what is inside.

The word “Christian” is rare in the New Testament. It occurs twice in the singular form, and once in the plural form (in the NASV). Jewish people often referred to those we call “Christian” as “the Way.” New Testament writers often used the gentile designation: holy ones or saints. Gentiles who followed the resurrected Jesus were sanctified through Him and lived differently because of Him. They were the “Christ followers.”

There was a period in our Southern culture when the word “Christian” referred to many things—from bookstores to plumbers. The inference: if Christian appeared in the name, people who were Christians should give special attention to the enterprise.

Now “Christian” seems to be associated with habits. “They don’t do that.” Explanation: “He (or she) is a Christian,” or, “The person goes to church.” In the minds of many non-Christians, Christian habits seem to be associated with don’ts or church attendance. If, to non-religious people, a weird behavior is “Christian,” that is a full explanation of the unusual conduct.

Who knows all the definitions people who are not Christians have of “Christian”? I have heard some pretty wild ideas associated with “Christian.” (Did you know “Christians” do not eat wild meat?) I have wondered about the origin of the “extreme concepts” of “Christian.” Those concepts range from pitiful ignorance to unbelievable inconsistency. Often those ideas are held so firmly that words or affirmations will not and cannot change the incorrect definitions or concepts associated with “Christian.”

If you are a Christian, do you understand what basic misconceptions of “Christian” often mean? When words or affirmations do not challenge misconceptions, examples must challenge wrong concepts. When words are ignored, genuine examples are noted. A person who never listens to words often considers examples. Never has it been more important to live it because you believe it and are committed to it.

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Printed copies of this week’s newsletter will be available on Sunday morning (in the foyer and as you enter the Auditorium).

Most of our membership will not receive a printed newsletter in the mail this week. This is due, in part, to repairs needed on one of our office machines.

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**New to Our Prayer List**
• Earl Flood has pneumonia and is recovering at home. His shoulder surgery has been postponed. Earl has prayer pager 441-2387.
• Eugene Puckett had knee replacement surgery Thursday morning at Sparks Hospital. He is doing well.
• Russ McConnell will have knee replacement surgery on Tuesday, February 24th at Sparks Hospital.
• Bud Glidewell (father of Jerry and John) had knee replacement surgery at St. Edward Hospital on Wednesday.
• Wendell McFarland has requested prayers for his mother who is in Sparks Hospital.

**Continue to Pray for . . .**
• Alice Rogers
• Connie Hixson
• Inez Hatfield
• Joel Prigge (Louise Howard’s brother-in-law)
• John Gardenhire has been dismissed from the hospital.
• Kathleen Taranto
• Larry Treat
• Lloyd Priester (Jim’s father)
• Louise Cline
• Margaret Stone
• Patrick Murphy
• Ron Falcon called to say “thank you” and that he’s doing great! He is healing and will not need to travel to Fort Smith for further treatment.
• Ronnie Treadway (brother of Kathy Glidewell)
• Sue Grantham (Jennifer Dotson’s sister)
• Tom Ed Gooden (Benny’s brother)
• Wilma Son

**Bereaved in Prayer**
Our love and sympathy goes out to Karen Carter in the loss of her father, Montie Ray, on February 15th. Montie was also the brother-in-law of Don Niesler. Funeral services were Wednesday at Dayton Church of Christ.

Kent Smith died Tuesday evening while in hospice care in his home. His funeral service will be Friday (2/20/09), 11 AM, here at West-Ark under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home. Our love and sympathy goes out to his wife, Ann, and daughter, Sarah.

**Note of Thanks**
This is a thank you from the Lao Christians who were helped with the generous donations [from many of you] for the items brought back with me from Laos for them to enjoy a New Year’s fellowship and to assist the 80+ year-old grandmother who hand wove the scarves.
In His Service,
Deborah Wilson

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I want to express how very much I appreciate your prayers, cards, flowers and words of encouragement that you expressed to my family and me during my recent illness. I know God saved me because of the earnest prayers of my physical family and my spiritual family. I just can’t express how much all of you mean to me.
In Him,
Patty Null

**Sharing Favorite Devotional Thoughts**
Do you have an effective, favorite devotional thought for use as we participate in the Lord’s Supper? Would you share the thoughts with the Lao congregation which meets for worship in Room 202 on Sunday mornings? Perhaps we should also put our thoughts in writing and post them on the congregation’s web site. Please discuss your ideas with Jerry Canfield.

**Our Nursery Needs You**
The nursery needs teachers -- two or three people, men or women, who love children and want to teach little ones that God loves them. The teaching rotation is for 3-6 months, on Wednesday nights.
If you are such a person, call Nancy James or contact her in the nursery.

**Sermons by David**
David Chadwell is still writing sermons from time to time for his website and the church’s website. His most recent series is on “Unity.” There are four sermons so far, with another one to come! You can read David’s writings at www.davidchadwell.com or www.westark.org/chadwell/writings.htm.

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The Pipers are a children’s theatre troupe from Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas. Every performance is designed specifically for the number and age of the children in the audience. With no props except their imaginations and colorful jumpsuits, the Pipers work to bring familiar fables, rhymes, songs and Bible stories to life!
Bring your friends for this fun, interactive event!

ALL children's classes will be attending the Pipers’ Performance in the Auditorium. This includes 2 year olds, FLOCK, GATEWAY and Bridge 56.

**Need to Get Away?**
Come join us in Rome!
"Paul and the Underground Church"
Vacation Bible School
Evenings of Sunday, June 21 - Wednesday, June 24

**Newsletter FYI**
Are you happy with receiving the newsletter by e-mail ONLY, and don’t need a printed copy mailed to your home? Please let us know by calling Janice at 452-1240 or e-mail her at Janice@westarkchurchofchrist.org.

**Leadership Training for Christ Schedule**
• Elementary Drama, No practice
• 7-12 Grade Chorus, No practice
• JH Puppets, No practice
• SH Puppets, No practice
• Elementary Chorus, 3 PM
• Bible Quiz, 4 PM
• Elementary Puppets, 5 PM
• JH/SH Drama, 5 PM
• Signing 1, Help available
• Signing 2, Help available

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CHRISTeens YOUTH RALLY
February 20 – 22
West Side Church of Christ, Russellville
We are leaving the church at 4 PM on Friday. Eat before you come on Friday, or bring dinner with you. We will be back before lunchtime on Sunday.

SPRING BREAK MEXICO MISSION TRIP March 21 - 28
There are still a few spots open for the mission trip to Monterrey, Mexico. If you are interested in going pick up an application on the youth table or in class.
The total cost of the trip is $250 (due immediately) and approximately $100 for evening meals while in Mexico. The other requirements for the trip include having a notarized Parent Release form, passport and attendance at the preparation classes. We will be traveling with a group from Dardanelle Church of Christ.
If you are interested in going, talk to Rick as soon as possible.

**Library Memorial**
In memory of Tom Drain from West-Ark Church of Christ
• Jesus For a New Millenium / 2001 Florida College Lectures
• If I Had One Opportunity Urgent Messages for Today / 2004 Florida College Lectures

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Bible Classes...………...…..370
Sunday AM Worship.………583
Sunday PM Worship……….234
Contribution……….…...$16,228
Children’s Homes……..….$232
Wednesday Classes……….283
Laotian
Attendance…………………..45
Contribution…………….....$209
Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance……………….…..71
Contribution……………….$394