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Family Lines Newsletter, March 5, 2009
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**Confusion**
By David Chadwell

 

My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!  Galatians 4:19-20

 

Most people have experienced THAT moment.  What moment?  The “Why in the world did you do THAT?” moment.  Every parent has experienced it.  Good neighbors have experienced it.  Dear friends who witness a married couple with marital problems have experienced it.  Employers and employees have experienced it.  Sports fans have experienced it as have team members.  In fact, who has not experienced that moment?

 

Sometimes it is called by other names.  Like what?  “What were you thinking?” or “Did you really do that?” or “What did you expect?” or “Duh” moments.  This moment involves such obvious consequences that you wonder why the person did not see the obvious downside.  Did the person simply not think?  Was the person too stubborn to know he (she) would hurt self?  The confused observer mutters, “How would you NOT see that coming?”

 

All of us are guilty of doing stupid things and making silly decisions.  The victim later asks, “Why did I do that?  What was I thinking?  That was a classic ‘DUH’ moment!”

 

Paul experienced that moment when the gentile Christians at Galatia allowed Jewish teachers to convince them that God’s gifts in Jesus Christ were unavailable to them.  “We are physically descended from Abraham. We are special—consider what God did for us in Egypt, at the Red Sea, in the wilderness, and in Canaan.  God gave us the Law, scripture, and the prophets—what has He given you?  Listen to us; we understand God!  We have answers—you don’t!  We know your shortcomings!  All you need to know now is how desperately you need us!  Without our knowledge you cannot possibly understand Jesus Christ!  If you are serious about understanding God’s accomplishments in Jesus Christ, listen to us and follow our instructions.”

 

Paul was deeply confused and anguished.  Galatian Christians understood what God did for them in Jesus Christ at their conversion.  What happened?  Why now put their confidence in human acts instead of divine achievements?  Why now think the key to relationship with God was found in human acts instead of divine achievements?

 

Wonder how often God looks at us and says “DUH!”  The key to grasping how much God loves you is found in understanding Jesus Christ.  The key to understanding how much God wants salvation for you is found in understanding what God did in Jesus Christ.  The key to knowing relationship with God is found in understanding what God did in Jesus Christ.  Avoid “DUH” moments by understanding Jesus Christ!

 

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**Order of Worship**
Sunday, March 8

Worship Leader - Brent Evans

 

There’s A Stirring (on screen)

Welcome

 

Open the Eyes of My Heart (on screen)
#828 -- Instruments of Your Peace
#269 -- Thomas’ Song (vs. 1, 2)

 

Lord’s Supper
Offering

#129 -- Amazing Grace (vs. 1, 2, 4)

 

Dismiss for Children’s Worship
#412 -- Jesus, Hold My Hand (vs. 1, 2, 3)

 

Sermon – Chris Benjamin
Song for Responses

#932 -- O Heart Bowed Down With Sorrow (vs. 1, 3)

 

Elder’s Prayer

 

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**Daylight Saving Time Begins **
Set your clocks ahead 1 hour Saturday night at bedtime.

 

**Remember in Prayer**
• Bill Decker (father of Carrie Burress) has a severe sinus infection.
• Charlotte Reagan’s mother is in the hospital in Jonesboro with major complications from open heart surgery.
• Jewell [Madzey] House’s surgery was canceled last Friday and will be rescheduled.
• Russ McConnell was released from the hospital on Monday.  He is at home and improving.
• Retha Wood received a diagnosis of ovarian cancer. She will have surgery Thursday afternoon in Little Rock.
• Toni Benefield (Donna Roper’s sister & aunt of Wes) has been diagnosed with melanoma.  She will go soon to MD Anderson in Houston for further treatment.
• Winnie Brown (Gary’s mother) has been diagnosed with cancer in a rib and a lung.  Further testing will be done before deciding on surgery or treatment.
 
**Continue to Pray for . . .**
• Betty Hatcher
• Connie Hixson
• Eugene Puckett
• Inez Hatfield
• Joel Prigge (Louise Howard’s brother-in-law)
• Kathleen Taranto
• Larry Treat
• Lloyd Priester (Jim’s father)
• Louise Cline
• Margaret Stone
• Wilma Son

 

**Prayer Pager**
• Retha Wood, 441-1648.
• Russ McConnell, 441-2378

 

**Sympathy & Prayers**
• Karen Benjamin’s uncle, Bill Sanders, died on Monday (3/2/09). Prayers are requested for their family.
• We also extend our love and sympathy to the John Fowler family.  John’s son, Charles, passed away Wednesday morning (3/4/09). 
• Please remember Charlotte Reagan and family in your prayers. Her father, Cecil Hickson, died Wednesday night.  Services will be 2 PM Saturday (3/7/09) at Hoggard and Sons Funeral Home in Piggott, Arkansas.

 

**Shower on the Calendar**
There will be a bridal shower honoring Callie Walker and Josh Loewen on Saturday morning, March 28, at the home of Danna Turpin. More details will follow next week.

 

**JOY Bunch Membership Drive! **
We are still seeking new members for JOY Bunch. Please join us on Saturday night, March 21, at 6:00 p.m. in the Family Life Center.

 

**Jail Ministry Update**
Jack Lewis baptized Kevin Newell, Elias Morales and Abel Lahera last Saturday, Feb. 28th. Thank you, Jack for your dedicated service.
 In Christ,

 Dan Cathey

 

**Library Memorials**
In memory of Aline Story from Bill Mock, Bianca Gattis, Jeff McClune & Lisa Bolin:
• Avenging His Holy Saints, Apostles and Prophets by West
• Isaiah / FHC 2005 Lectures

 

**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.

 

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

 

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**Notes of Thanks**
Dear Christian Family,
Thank you so much for all of the wonderful expressions of love shown to us during the passing of my father. We appreciate the Library donations, calls, visits, and prayers said on our behalf. We ask for your continued prayers that we can heal from our grief gracefully.
 Karen Carter
 Bonnie Ray & Family

 

 

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

 

**West-Ark Calendar!**
Beginning with the March 26th newsletter, we plan to publish a monthly calendar of events at West-Ark!  The deadline for the April calendar is March 25th. Call 452-1240 and let us know of your event, or you may e-mail Janice or Debbie.
Janice@westarkchurchofchrist.org or Debbie@westarkchurchofchrist.org

 

**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 8
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

 

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**Youth Group // news**

 

CONGRATULATIONS
Hope Hesslen was one of 10 8th graders that won an essay contest and is getting to meet the governor on Thursday and tour the capitol building.

 

*NO YOUTH WORSHIP  //  This 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 Rm, 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)
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
*New classes start April 5

 

**Happy Birthday**

 

March 8
Marlene Tucker

 

March 9
Mary Francis Jackson
Ann Selig

 

March 10
Joyce Chadwell
Donna Lindgren
Michaela Schaper

 

March 11
Bill Stancil

 

March 12
Miranda Nonnemacher
Alex Tomlin

 

March 13
Carol Green
Sarah Miller
Rick Nelson
John Richards

 

March 14
Vicki Anderson
John Berger
Maxine Yates

 

**Morning Nursery**
Dwonne Cogswell
Trish Carson
Vicki Anderson

 

**Evening Nursery**
Terri Jones
Marquetta Walker

 

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Bible Classes...………...…..396    
Sunday AM Worship.………560
Sunday PM Worship………..NC
Contribution……….…...$20,269
Children’s Homes……..….$264
Wednesday Classes……….283

 

Lao Worship
Attendance…………………...35
Contribution…………….....$192

 

Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance……………….…..61
Contribution……………….$292