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Family Lines Newsletter, March 19, 2009
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**Following Christ Produces A Humble Mind**
By David Chadwell

 

Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love ...  (Ephesians 4:1-2)

 

The world we live in is constantly attacking us.  No matter what front of life we examine, there is stress—not “run-of-the-mill” inconvenience, but hard, gut-wrenching, attacking self-worth stress!  Whether it is maintaining relationships, keeping the “roof over our head,” having a job, producing a lifestyle, or struggling to “keep it together,” it often seems there are more problems than there are answers.

 

In an attacking existence, we are prone to be distrustful, resentful, and filled with self-pity.  If we react to the stresses in our lives by going in these directions, we become very “me” centered, very self-centered in our considerations.  The more “me” centered we become, the less Christ-centered we are.  The less Christ-centered we are, the less people-centered we are.  We grow more into “existence” than into “helping.”  The end result:  we do not attract those who are interested in Jesus because we are more concerned about “us” than we are concerned about representing Jesus.

 

People who represent Jesus are known for humility, gentleness, patience, and tolerance.  “But these are not the days for humility, gentleness, patience, and tolerance!”  Correct--or so it seems.  Neither were Jesus’ death and resurrection a time for humility, gentleness, patience, and tolerance.  However, His attitudes prevailed and still exist 2000 years later!

 

Christians do not do things because what they do is a “fix.”  They do what represents Jesus’ objectives—fix it or not!  Christians do good because it is the righteous, godly thing to do, not because of the time’s influence or the stresses endured.

 

Christians are committed to Christ’s mind.  The humble mind is Jesus Christ’s mind.  The humble mind endures both good times and bad.  The prideful mind becomes increasingly selfish, resentful, and “turf” centered.

 

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.  (Philippians 2:5-7)

 

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**Remember in Prayer**
• Bernice McFarland, Wendell’s mother, will have surgery on April 13th at Sparks Hospital. Wendell asks for prayers for all his family as the date approaches.
• Cecil Mathies is in Sparks Palliative Care, room 683.
• Earl Flood is recovering from shoulder surgery.
• Jessie Moore is still in ICU at Summit Medical Center in Van Buren.  He is currently fighting an infection.  Jessie needs prayers for strength and encouragement.
• Kelly Bailey (Barbara Aldridge’s nephew and Gina Williams’ cousin) is scheduled for a scan on March 23rd.  He is currently taking chemotherapy treatments for lymphoma.
• Lloyd Priester, Jim’s father, returned to the hospital on March 8th.  He also had more fluid drained from his chest this week.
• Praise! Ronnie Treadway, Kathy Glidewell’s brother, had surgery to remove a pre-cancerous tumor on Monday. Kathy says he is on the road to recovery!
• Ruth Martin had surgery on Friday and was in the hospital over the weekend. 
• Sharon Faries entered Summit Medical Center in Van Buren this morning for 48 hours of treatment for pneumonia.

 

**Continue to Pray for . . .**

• Beverly Allen (Dan Cathey’s sister)
• Inez Hatfield
• Jackie Marshall (Cara Hickey’s sister)
• Joe Landram (Coleen Shirley’s father)
• Kathleen Taranto
• Larry Treat
• Louise Cline
• Margaret Stone
• Nettie Shirley (Paul’s mother)
• R. B. Farnam (friend of Terry Robertson)
• Retha Wood
• Sue Grantham (Jennifer Dotson’s sister)
• Wilma Son
• Winnie Brown (Gary’s mother)

 

**Prayer Pagers**
Retha Wood, 441-1648

 

**“Let’s Start Talking”**
If someone gave you the opportunity to sit across the table from an unbeliever and tell them about Jesus, would you?  Go to China, Kenya, Panama, Peru, Belgium, Germany, Russia, or one of many other great mission sites around the world. Contact Kelsey Herndon at 817.798.4578 or kelsey.herndon@LST.org for more information. (For first-hand information, visit with Jack and Glenda Lewis -- they participated in “Let’s Start Talking” last summer!)

 

**Note of Thanks**
Thank you for many prayers and words of encouragement over the past several weeks.  Vivian and I appreciate and love the West-Ark congregation.  ~~Earl Flood

 

**Bridal Shower and Brunch**
A drop-in bridal shower and brunch honoring Callie Walker, fiancee of Josh Loewen, is planned for Saturday, March 28, 2009, from 10 AM to 12 noon at the home of Danna Turpin. Danna lives at 2405 Rannoch Lane in Fianna Hills -- right on Ramsgate, left on Rannoch Lane.  Callie is registered at Target, Wal-Mart, Dillard’s, and Now and Then Shoppe.

 

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**Elders, Deacons, and Ministry Leaders Meeting!**
Sunday afternooon at 4:00 PM
The location has changed to room 203 in the main building.

 

We plan to pray together and discuss matters that relate to the spiritual and administrative work of the church.  Please help us prepare for our next West-Ark family meeting on March 29th.

 

Next week: Family Meeting at 6 PM followed by a fellowship meal in the family life center.  Please bring desserts!

 

**Hope Chest Work Day**
Monday, March 30th
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM 
There will be a job for everyone. 
Please join us as we restock for spring and summer.

 

Vacation Bible School
Evenings: June 21 -  June 24
Come join us in Rome!
Theme: "Paul and the Underground Church"

 

**Happy Birthday!**

 

March 22
Linda Allen
Debra Hatfield
Greg Wewers

 

March 23
Diane Arnold
Garrett Keller
Kimberly Layman

 

March 25
Taylar Lovelace
Wilma Son
Larry Treat

 

March 26
Mike Burk
Larry Prater

 

March 27
Landry Dockery
Helen Pratt
Hannah Pressley

 

March 28
Tammy Keller
Glenda Lewis

 

In Our Nursery

 

Morning
Berniece Rogers
Sharon Faries
Wanda Braker

 

Evening
Denise Lusby

 

It’s Spring Break -- no LTC this week.
“Look, the winter is past ... Blossoms appear through all the land. The time has come to sing; the cooing of doves is heard in our land.”
Song of Solomon 2:12

 

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**Youth Group News**
SOUL QUEST
APPLICATIONS ARE READY!
June 14-20  //  Applications for this new camp are in the hanging file next to the new youth group bulletin board in the foyer. The first 25 turned in will receive a $25 discount. Turn yours in today!

 

*YOUTH WORSHIP CANCELLED  //  We will not be having Youth Worship this Sunday, March 22.

 

SPRING BREAK MEXICO MISSION TRIP  //  March 21-28
Please pray for the safety and success of this Exploratory Mission Crew in Mexico!

 

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.

 

LTC PREPARATION PRESENTATIONS
Sunday, April 5  //  Family Life Center  //  5-7 PM
We will meet in the FLC to watch the LTC participants rehearse what they have prepared. (No Youth Worship)

 

LTC  //  Friday - Saturday, April 10-11

 

YOUTH WORSHIP  //  Sunday, April 12  //  Youth Rm, 6 PM

 

SKILLET & DISCIPLE CONCERT  //  Tuesday, April 14  //  Alma Performing Arts Center  // 7 PM
The cost is $22 - due by April 1st. Turn in money and registration sheet to Rick as soon as possible. Registration sheets are available in the hanging file next to the bulletin board.

 

LTC AWARDS LUNCH  Sunday, April 19  //  FLC
There will be an awards luncheon in the FLC for LTC participants following morning service.

 

SNL IN BENTONVILLE
Sunday, April 19  //  Vans will leave at 4:30 p.m. and  return around 9:45 p.m.
No Youth Worship

 

[The youth group bulletin board has moved! It is now closer to the main entrance in the foyer.]

 

Sunday AM: John
JR High - “Old TV Room”
SR High - Youth Room

 

Wednesday PM:
Christian Community
JR & SR - Youth Room

 

Sunday PM: Promises
JR & SR - Youth Room

 

*New classes start April 5

 

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Bible Classes...………...…..425   
Sunday AM Worship.………621
Sunday PM Worship……….275
Wednesday Classes……….251
Contribution……….…...$16,128
Children’s Homes……..….$465

 

Lao Worship
Attendance…………………...35
Contribution…………….....$182

 

Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance……………….…..54
Contribution……………….$213

 

office@westarkchurchofchrist.org
www.westark.org