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Family Lines Newsletter, April 26, 2009
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**Jesus Often Did the Unusual**
By David Chadwell

 

... Some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven evil spirits had gone out, and ...  (Luke 8:2)

 

The above text is among the curious gospel statements about Jesus.  Jesus and the 12  toured Jewish cities and villages teaching about the kingdom of heaven.  A group of women accompanied who helped support these men by contributing from private funds.  On this tour the women were among those who had been healed of demonic possession and sicknesses.  Mary Magdalene also was mentioned as being among the group of women from Galilee who followed Jesus at the time of his crucifixion (see Matthew 27:55, 56; Luke 23:49).

 

That produces some interesting questions.  Why did Jesus allow these women to associate with him in public?  In Jewish society then, a woman was not to be in public with a man.  This socially unacceptable practice was forbidden and contained enormous danger for misunderstanding.  Whyever would Jesus permit that?

 

Why those kinds of women?  Most of what we know about biblical references to evil spirits is speculation.  Evidently, unclean spirits, demonic spirits, and evil spirits refer to the same phenomena.  Though there are differing views about whom these evil spirits entered or why evil spirits entered such persons, there is common consensus that evil spirits represented Satan and his interests, not God and His interests.

 

Were you a person possessed of an evil spirit in Jesus’ ministry, and Jesus cast that spirit out of you, how grateful would you be?  Were you a Jewish woman who was so blessed, and were you restricted in ways to express your gratitude, what would you do?

 

A way to express gratitude in keeping with the good received was to minister to Jesus and his work.  Would you be grateful?  Oh, yes!  Would you wish to show your gratitude?  Oh, yes!  Would you wish to express gratitude in keeping with the good you received?  Oh, yes!  Interestingly, these women served, they served honorably, and they expressed their gratitude in serving Jesus and the 12 as these men taught about God’s kingdom.  Mary had seven of these evil spirits removed!

 

Lessons:  (1) Jesus permitted gratitude.  (2) Gratitude was expressed in service.  (3) No one had been too bad to help!  (4)  Great helpfulness produced profound gratitude!  Is that also true with you?

 

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Order of Worship for Sunday, April 26

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Worship Leader --  Brent Evans
Lord, I Lift You Name on High (on screen)
#167 – Hosanna (vs. 1, 2)
Hosanna, You’re My King (on screen)

 

Welcome
#470 – Victory in Jesus (vs. 1, 2, 3)
#383 – Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross (vs. 1, 2, 3)
#315 – When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (vs. 1, 3, 4)

 

Lord’s Supper
Offering

 

Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross  (new version, on screen)
Children’s Worship/ Coins for Christ
#147 – I Stand Amazed (vs. 1, 2, 3)

 

Sermon -- Chris Benjamin
Song for Responses
#922 -- Jesus Paid It All (vs. 1, 3)

 

Elder’s Prayer

 

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**Updated Prayer List**
• Amelia Bramlett (4 month-old grandniece of Debbie Belote) has a congenital eye disease called PHPV.  She will have eye surgery at Children’s Hospital in a few weeks.
• Aura Lee Land (mother of Ann Selig) did not have a heart blockage and was able to return home.
• Prayers are requested for Bill and Becky Lee (friends of John Lindgren) as Becky recovers from a stroke.
• Ella Reeves (friend of Ted & Sharon Knight) has been undergoing cancer treatments for several months, and it has now  metastasized  to her brain.
• Frances Strawhacker has requested our prayers.  She is in Health South, room 208A.
• Eye surgery for Gerald Benjamin (Chris’s father) went well on Tuesday. He will have follow-up surgery on Thursday (4/23/09).
• John Hawkins went to Little Rock on 4/20/09.  Tests indicate there are some blockages to his liver.  In four weeks he will return to Little Rock for a diagnosis and treatment options. 
• Joseph Borden (father of Connie Hixson) is in St. Edward Hospital, room 3302 for tests.
• Maddy Grist (granddaughter of Ed) has another lung infection and is taking IV antibiotics at home.
• Mary Kerr, who has attended The Way, is in Sparks Hospital, room 410.
• Robin Hill (Treva’s mother) is recovering from surgery on Wednesday (4/22/09).
• Vicki Varvel (daughter of John & Nadine Hawkins and sister of Robin Murphy) has been fighting cancer for many years.  Her latest chemotherapy treatment was very difficult, and she has been in a Texas hospital for a week. 
• Wallace Farris, Mack’s father, has congestive heart failure and has also been diagnosed with renal failure.

 

**Bereaved in Prayer**
• Marquetta Walker requests prayers for the family of Beverly Bewley who died after giving birth to a baby girl.
• Cara Hickey in the death of her sister, Jackie Marshall of Paragould, AR.
• Family of Cindy Ross (former member of The Way).
• Gail Mason (former West-Ark member) in the recent death of her mother. Gail’s address is 6920 Park Ridge, #278, Irving, TX 75063.
• Rebecca Holloway in the death of her mother, Helen Epton last night (4/22/09). Services will be in Nashville, AR.
• Family of James Reed (friends of Jack Lewis).

 

**Continue to Pray for ...**
David Dotson, Faye Craig, Inez Hatfield, Jack Smith, John Holley, Lindsay Cunningham, Kathleen Taranto, Larry Treat, Lloyd Priester, Louise Cline, Margaret Stone, Max & Maddie Reed, Sue Grantham, Trucilla Surrat, Wendell Fenton, and Wilma Son.

 

**New Photos for the Directory**
Mark & Kristi Wilson
Children: John, Amy and Mandy

 

Arlie & Viola Harris

 

Jim & Karen Harris
Sons: Derek and Spencer

 

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**Bridal Shower for Alisha Wewers**
April 26th, 2:00 - 3:30 PM in the Annex
Alisha is the daughter of Greg & Brenda Wewers, the granddaughter of Charlie & Sedalia Douglas, and the fiancee of James “Buck” Dunn. The couple is registered at Wal-Mart, Target, and Bed, Bath & Beyond.

 

**Pancakes & Final Exams**
It’s that time!  Finals week at UA Fort Smith is just around the corner, and the Lions for Christ will once again be serving pancakes to the college students.  We will serve Friday, May 1, and Monday through Thursday, May 4-7, at 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. each morning.  If you would like to help serve, please get in touch with Colleen Frost (452-1240 or 996-6096).

 

**Sunday Night at 6:00 PM **
Worship for the entire family in the gym!
[Kids for Christ will not meet.]
Afterwards, we’ll have a fellowship meal.
Everyone who can, please bring desserts.

 

**Improved Handicap Entrance**
The double-glass door entrance on the west side of the building (between the gym and Campus Center) has a new feature -- an automatic door opener! 
Please remember that this back parking lot is reserved for our senior members and those who need wheelchair access.

 

**Vacation Bible School**
June 21 - 24
We’re going to ROME!
Get more info and sign up today online at http://www.westark.org/vbs.htm
or see Karen Benjamin (Marketplace) or Carenda Cobb (Family Leaders) or
Dena Jenkins & Staci James (Co-Directors).

 

**West-Ark Online Calendar**
www.westark.org/calendar.htm
• April 29th at 10 AM the Wednesday Ladies’ Bible Class will have their final class followed by a potluck luncheon in the Annex.
Lions for Christ Pancake Breakfast, 7 - 10 AM, May 1 and 4-7.
• May 10th is Mother’s Day and our annual Baby Blessing.
• May 10th  -- Kickoff of the Baby Bottle Campaign for the Heart to Heart Pregnancy Center.  More details next week.
• May 17 -- Graduation Sunday for Senior High Graduates, 6th Grade, FLOCK, and GATEWAY.
• May 24 -- Promotion Sunday for FLOCK, GATEWAY and Bridge 56.

 

**Motherly Love Dinner**
Thursday, April 30 at 6:30 PM
This event will be in the home of Karen Farris,
10719 Saint Michael Court in Fort Smith.
A sign-up sheet is located in the Information Center.

 

**Senior Girls’ Tea**
Saturday, May 9th, 10:30 AM in the FLC
This tea honors our graduating senior high girls and is for all ladies of the congregation! 
Please bring a “brunch” dish. 
Our special guests will be Daisy Powell and the United Ladies of Tulsa.
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**Youth Group News**

 

Have you turned in your Soul Quest application?
June 14-20  //  We have a huge group already signed up to go to this amazing new camp. You do not want to miss being a part of this new WAYG tradition. Applications are available in the foyer next to the youth group bulletin board.

 

Family Meal  //  Sunday, April 26  //  6 PM
Instead of Youth Worship we will join in on the singing service in the FLC, followed by the Family Meal.

 

Intersect Worship  //  Sunday, April 26  //  8 PM
At 8 PM will we have the first ever Intersect Worship for High School, LFCs and the 20-Somethings. It will wrap up around 9:30 PM. Location: UAFS Campus Flanders Room 113.  Don’t miss it!!

 

Home Devo  //  Sunday, May 3  //  5-8 PM
The home devo will be hosted by Rachelle Pratt. The vans will leave the church building at 5 PM and return around 8 PM. Please bring $3 to cover the cost of food. There will be no class at the building.

 

Senior Girls’ Brunch  //  Saturday, May 9  // 10:30 AM  //  Family Life Center
All youth group girls are invited to a brunch honoring the Senior Girls. For more information, contact Gina Williams.

 

Parent Meeting/Family Devo  //  Sunday, May 10  //  6-7 PM  //  Family Life Center
Bring your calendars and get ready to sign up to help our youth and family ministry be the best it can be! Bring a 2L drink and a dessert per family to share.

 

Senior / 7th Grader Sunday  //  Sunday, May 17 
We will have a special service honoring our graduating seniors and incoming 7th graders.

 

Senior Party  // Sunday, May 17 // 5-7 PM // Youth Rm
Youth group members, graduating seniors and their parents are invited to join us for some snacks, words of encouragement and a video honoring our seniors.

 

**Happy Birthday To...**

 

April 27
Clark Risley

 

April 28
Michael Cole
Genneil Nye

 

April 29
Jim Selig
Anthony Sofio

 

May 1
Evan Foley
Brooklyn Howard

 

May 2
Jon Keller
Kent Snider
Ed Vampola

 

**Nursery Helpers**

 

Morning
Berniece Rogers
Sharon Faries
Wanda Braker

 

Evening
Denise Lusby

 

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Bible Classes...………....384   
Sunday AM Worship.…...628
Sunday PM Worship…...212
Wednesday Classes…...257
Contribution………..$14,534
Children’s Homes……..$244

 

Lao Worship
Attendance……………...N/A
Contribution……………$226

 

Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance………………..48
Contribution……………$193