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Family Lines Newsletter, February 26, 2009
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**Access to God**
By David Chadwell

 

But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. Galatians 4:4-7

 

Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. Galatians 3:7

 

These two passages affirm the incredible thing God did for all people through Jesus Christ.  In the Roman Empire of the first century, Jewish people were at times envied by non-Jewish, religious people because the Jews had (1) a preserved heritage that spanned a lengthy time, (2) a values system that honored their people instead of exploiting them, (3) scriptures available to the entire nation, and (3) prophets who urged high ethical commitments.  At times Judaizing teachers (Jewish teachers committed to preserving Judaism) disheartened non-Jews who sought relationship with God outside of Judaism (see Acts 15:1-5 as an example).

 

Paul, who had been a “Jew’s Jew” (see Philippians 3:4-7) before he entered Christ, declared non-Jews who came to God through what God did in Jesus Christ had nothing to apologize about.  God’s plan before any Jews existed was to seek people of faith who wanted to be God’s people (see Genesis 12:3b and note “all families of the earth.”)  The descendants of Abraham (both Jews and non-Jews) are people who dare to be people of faith—just as Abraham dared to be a person of faith.  It is these people—both Jews and non-Jews—who are citizens in the nation God wanted for himself.  It is not human deeds that restore relationship with God, but it is God working through Jesus Christ that makes relationship with God possible (see Colossians 2:9-14).

 

Paul’s statements (here and elsewhere) are not statements against obeying God.  Paul spoke of the reason for obedience.  Do you trust what you have done, or do you trust what God did for you in Jesus’ death and resurrection?  Is it basically, “God, you owe me because I did ‘X’!” or is it, “God, I appreciate so much all You did for me in Jesus’ death and resurrection!”  Which is it?  Do you attempt to obligate God through your deeds, or do you appreciate all God did and does for you in Jesus’ death and resurrection?  Is your confidence placed in your acts or in God’s acts on your behalf?

 

In the distinction of those two attitudes is the distinction between citizenship in God’s kingdom and the citizenship of physical existence.  Abraham trusted God, not the physical.  Those who are members of God’s kingdom share in Abraham’s faith.  Do you seek to be a righteous person because you trust God—as did Abraham?

 

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**Order of Worship**
Sunday, March 1

 

Worship Leader - Brent Evans
 611 -- Heavenly Sunlight (vs. 1, 2, 3)

 

Welcome
 Here I Am to Worship ( on screen)
 Open the Eyes of My Heart (on screen)

 

 766 -- Open Our Eyes, Lord (vs. 1, 2)
 111 -- Grace Greater Than Our Sin (vs. 1, 3)
 113 -- His Grace Reaches Me (vs. 1)

 

Lord’s Supper
Offering

 

 

Dismiss for Children’s Worship
 
 112 -- Wonderful Grace of Jesus (vs. 1, 2, 3)

 

Sermon – Chris Benjamin
 
Song for Responses
 Create In Me A Clean Heart (on screen)

 

Elder’s Prayer

 

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**Sparks Hospital**
Send an online greeting -- http://www.sparks.org/ecard/
• Retha Wood has moved from ICU to room 347. She did not have a intestinal blockage.
• Russ McConnell had knee replacement surgery on Tuesday (2/24/09). He is in room 510.

 

**St. Edward Hospital**
Send an online greeting -- http://www.stedwardmercy.com/email/
• Betty Hatcher is in room 3416. She was admitted Wednesday for blood pressure problems, but expects a short stay.
• Carrie Burress is scheduled for a hysterectomy Thursday (2/26/09) morning at St. Edward Hospital. She may be there overnight.

 

**Remember in Prayer**
• Eugene Puckett has moved to Ashton Place in Barling for rehab. He is in room 213 and will probably go home on Sunday.
• Jackie and Anthony Sofio have a close friend from college who just found out that his mom has a brain tumor. On Monday, the tumor was removed, but it had spread to other parts of her brain. Please pray for the Lindsay Family in Colorado.
• Nettie Shirley (Paul’s mother) fell last weekend and broke her collar bone and shoulder.  She is at home recuperating.

 

**Continue to Pray for ...**
• Alice Rogers
• Bernice McFarland (Wendell McFarland’s mother)
• Bud Glidewell (father of Jerry and John)  is recovering from knee replacement surgery.
• Connie Hixson
• Inez Hatfield
• Joel Prigge (Louise Howard’s brother-in-law)
• John Gardenhire
• Kathleen Taranto
• Larry Treat
• Lloyd Priester (Jim’s father)
• Louise Cline
• Margaret Stone
• Ronnie Treadway (brother of Kathy Glidewell)
• Sue Grantham (Jennifer Dotson’s sister)
• Wilma Son

 

**Bereaved in Prayer**
Mary “T.” Kolb (a long-time West-Ark member) died Saturday evening in a nursing home in Northwest Arkansas.  Her funeral service was Tuesday at Lewis Funeral Home.  Please remember her family in your prayers.

 

**Prayer Pager**
Russ McConnell, 441-2378

 

**Jail Ministry Update**
Henry Cowan was baptized into Christ on Saturday, February 21, after studying with Mike Williams. Please continue to pray for our jail ministry.
~~Dan Cathey

 

**Ladies’ Prayer Breakfast**
Saturday, March 7
10 - 11 AM in the Family Life Center

 

**Guest Speaker Sunday Night**

Stacy Sikes with the Hands of Compassion ministry in Rochester, MN,
will be with us this Sunday, March 1.
 
At 5 PM, he will meet in Room 106 with anyone who is involved in or has an interest in visitation, hospitality, and prayer ministry.  For those who are already involved in this, please attend and let’s encourage one another.  This is also an opportunity for you to share your experiences.  For those who want to be involved and find out what others are doing to visit the sick, pray with others, provide hospitality, please come to this meeting.
 
At 6 PM, Stacy Sikes will give a presentation in the auditorium about his work in Rochester and encourage us in opportunities to show compassion.

 

**Opportunity for Service**
Good news! Wilma Son’s health has improved to the point where she would like to return to Fort Smith and stay in her own home for a while.  She will have home health care, but it would be best if a group of members take turns so that she was checked on daily.  Please contact her son, Michael Son, if you can participate in a visitation group.

 

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**Welcome, Blessed Baby!**
Emily Claire Hedrick
Born: February 20th
Weight: 9 lbs., 2 ozs.
Parents: J. B. & Amanda Hedrick
Grandparents: Stan & Dixie Burkhart 

 

**Vacation Bible School JumpStart**
Sunday, March 1, 5-6 PM, Room 100
Come join us as we talk about the exciting changes for this year’s VBS. Let’s all work together to make this a wonderful event for our entire church family!

 

**Need to Get Away?**
Come join us in Rome!
Vacation Bible School
Evenings of Sunday, June 21 -  Wednesday, June 24
 
**Leadership Training for Christ Practice Schedule**

 

Sunday, March 1
Elementary Drama, 2 PM
7-12 Grade Chorus, 2 PM
JH Puppets, 3 PM
SH Puppets 4 PM
Elementary Chorus, 3 PM
Bible Quiz, 4 PM
Elem.  Puppets, 5 PM
JH/SH Drama, 5 PM
Signing, Level 1, 6 PM
Signing, Level 2, 6 PM

 

**Car Clinic**
We will not have a CAR CLINIC
for the month of March -- see you in April!

 

**Widows/Widowers**
We will be hosted Saturday, March 7 at noon by the Gary Brown family.  Vans will leave the annex at 11:30 AM.
Call Bobbie, Mary or Janice if you need transportation to the annex.

 

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**Youth Group News**

 

YOUTH WORSHIP  //  Sunday, March 1  //  Youth Room, 6 PM

 

*NO YOUTH WORSHIP  //  Sunday, March 8

 

YOUTH GROUP FAMILY DEVO  //  Sunday, March 15
6-7 PM, Family Life Center
We’re getting our families together to spend time praising God in song, praying, sharing and playing games. Don’t miss it!
 Girls - Bring snacks or desserts
 Guys - Bring drinks

 

YOUTH WORSHIP  //  Sunday, March 22  //  Youth Room, 6 PM

 

SPRING BREAK MEXICO MISSION TRIP
March 21 - 28
There are only a couple of spots left for the Mexico Mission Trip. If you have already signed up please make sure to turn in your money, application and forms as soon as possible.  The requirements for the trip include having a notarized Parent Release form, passport and attendance at the preparation classes.

 

Please pray for the safety and success of this Exploratory Mission Crew in Mexico!
Mexico Preparation Classes:  (Mandatory)
 Sunday, March 1  //  5-6 PM, Youth Room
 Wednesday, March 11  //  6-7 PM, Youth Room
 Sunday, March 15  //  5-6 PM, Youth Room

 

CHURCH FAMILY MEETING
Sunday, March 29
We will join in on the Family Meeting instead of having Youth Worship. Meet in the Auditorium at 6 PM.

 

CLASSES
Sunday AM: John
JR High - Room 210
SR High - Youth Room

 

Sunday PM: Promises
JR & SR - Youth Room

 

Wednesday PM: Christian Community
JR & SR - Youth Room

 

**Happy Birthday**

 

March 1
Nathan Davis
Leon Medlock
Karan Tygart

 

March 2
Joann Griffin
Kristin James

 

March 3
Norma Ruth Martin

 

March 4
Hunter Hesslen

 

March 5
Vivian Flood
Stephen Jennemann
Ashleigh Miller

 

March 6
Netsy Lynn
Charlotte Reagan

 

**Morning Nusery**
Dena Jenkins
Melissa Walker
Suzi Jennemann

 

**Evening Nursery**
Gina Williams

 

**West-Ark Library Memorials**

In memory of Helen Needham
• My Sister’s Keeper by Duke & Kerry

 

In memory of Wendell Needham
• They Being Dead Yet Speak / 1981 Florida

 

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Bible Classes...………...…..393
Sunday AM Worship.………567
Sunday PM Worship………..NC
Contribution……….…...$14,299
Children’s Homes……..….$367
Wednesday Classes……….260

 

Lao Worship
Attendance…………………...54
Contribution…………….....$325

 

Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance……………….…..56
Contribution……………….$251