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Family Lines Newsletter, May 10, 2009
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**God Is the Foundation of Salvation**
By David Chadwell

 

For by grace have you been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.  Ephesians 2:8-10

 

Paul’s situation for writing those words focused on Jew and gentile (any non-Jew from any nation) relationships.  Paul’s point: any gentile placing trust in God through Christ was loved by God as much as any Jewish person placing trust in God through Christ.  There are no superior and inferior Christians.  The key is not “where you came from,” but “do you place your trust in what God did in Jesus Christ.”  Faith in Christ is the key to salvation, not lineage.  Superiority attitudes have no place in coming to God through Christ.  All who trust God’s work in Christ are important.

 

In the salvation concept, Paul made these statements:  Salvation is the direct result of God’s attitude toward people.  Salvation exists because of God’s incredible kindness.  It is God’s gift, not a human achievement.  Salvation’s firm foundation rests on what God did in Jesus Christ.  It is not the result of a human act or activity.  Human acts are not salvation’s foundation.  Always, it is God, not us.

 

People believe Jesus Christ is an act of God [not a fortunate happening], and respond to what God does in Jesus Christ.  Why? They trust God’s work in Jesus.  How?  They become crafted by God.  They are willing to be God-made in Christ.  How do they show this?  Believers spend their lives learning what God’s good works are, and doing those works.  Why? (1) They believe God was at work in Jesus.  (2) They are God’s craftsmanship.  (3) Christians are God-designed to do God’s good works.

 

Recently I listened to godly people in Christ share heart views.  Their concerns in Jesus Christ are genuine.  Their dedication to doing God’s good work in Christ is heartfelt.   They totally believe in Jesus.  They agree a person must come to Christ.  They agree the foundation of everything is confidence in God’s work in Christ.  They agree on the importance and roles of repentance and baptism.  They agree on transformation in Christ.  They agree on passionate devotion to God’s good works.  However, they often differ on how to implement passionate devotion to Christ.

 

We live in complex times in a complex world and a complex society.  The result: complex lives, relationships, and needs.  Only by God’s grace can salvation exist!  Salvation is not founded on our agreement, but God’s kindness!  Thank you, God!

 

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**Order of Worship**

 

Worship Leader --  Andrew Todd
Welcome

 

Video
Baby Blessing

 

#74 -- Praise the Lord
(vs. 1, 2, 4)
#902 -- Nothing But the Blood (vs. 1, 2)
#903 -- There Is Power in the Blood (vs. 1, 3)

 

Lord’s Supper - Russ McConnell
Offering

 

#83 -- God Is So Good (vs. 1-3)

 

Coins for Christ
(No Children’s Worship)
#153 -- Come, Let Us Worship and Bow Down (sing twice)

 

#703 -- We Love You with the Love of the Lord (vs, 1, 2, 3)
Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross (on screen, newer version)

 

Sermon -- Chris Benjamin

 

Song for Responses
#948 -- I Am Resolved (vs. 1, 4)

 

Elder’s Prayer

 

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**In Our Thoughts & Prayers**
• Amelia Bramlett’s eye surgery was postponed until May 18th due to an ear infection. Amelia is Debbie Belote’s grandniece.
• Bennie Hedrick (mother of Nancy James) was released to go to rehab this week, but is still very ill and not eating or drinking. • Nancy requests prayers for her mom’s comfort and peace.
• Bill Miller had surgery on 5/6/09 at Sparks Hospital.
• Dorothy Tobey (Betty Summers’ sister) fell and broke her hip.  She is in St. Edward Hospital.
• Glenanna O’Mara (daughter of Larry & Janice Prater and sister of Shanna Davis) has an unusual bacterial infection in her lungs. She will need monthly treatment at the Mayo Clinic for the next year. 
• Praise to God! Barbara Smith reports that Harry is in remission and cancer free.
• Inez Hatfield was able to return home from the hospital on Sunday, May 3rd.
• Remember Jessie Moore in your prayers that he can regain the use of his right arm and hand.  Also pray for comfort, strengthening, and encouragement in his daily life.
• John Hawkins is not feeling any better.  He has an appointment in Little Rock on May 20th.  On June 8th, John & Nadine will meet with the doctor to discuss  test results.
• Tom Ed Gooden (brother of Benny) is undergoing physical therapy and nutritional support in preparation for stem cell transplant.
• Trucilla Surratt, mother of Kathy Rosalez, is feeling better and is in room 202 of Ashton Place.
• Robin (Hawkins) Murphy broke her arm a few weeks ago. She is in a cast, and is beginning to feel better.
• Vicki Varvel (daughter of the Hawkins and sister of Robin Murphy) is feeling better after being very ill from a chemotherapy treatment. 

 

**Continue to Pray for ...**
Carl Fortson, David Bright, Kathleen Taranto, Landon Malone, Larry Treat, Lloyd Priester, Louise Cline, Maddy Grist, Margaret Stone, Max & Maddie Reed, Suzie Gibson, Wallace Farris, and Wilma Son.

 

**Bereaved in Prayer**
• Coleen Shirley in the death of her aunt, Bonnie Hawkins, of Healdton, Oklahoma.
• Shanna, Nate & Rose Davis in the death of a close family friend, Seth (age 20) last weekend.

 

**Baby Bottle Sunday**
Your spare change can add up!

 

Please take an empty baby bottle as you leave the building on Sunday, May 10th.  Fill the bottle with your spare change (or $$ or checks :~)  and return the bottle on Father’s Day, June 21. 

 

Your donations will help Heart to Heart Pregnancy Support Center continue the wide variety of services offered to women, babies, and families in our community.

 

Lou Winchell is West-Ark’s contact person for this event.  For more information, see her or the “baby bottle” display in the foyer!

 

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**Scholarships for Children of HCM City, Vietnam**
Thank you to everyone who participated in this effort. We have funded 30 scholarships for the coming year.

 

**DVD of Dave Ramsey Event**
If you missed out on Dave Ramsey’s “Town Hall for Hope” presentation on April 23, we have good news.  We are able to distribute DVDs of the presentation to those that are interested.
We are only asking $1.50 per DVD to cover out costs.  Need more information?  Contact Jeff and Michelle Lovelace.

 

**On the Bulletin Board**

Notes of Thanks -- Thank you notes and some announcements are now being posted on a bulletin board outside the Library (opposite the Nursery).  This week, thank you notes were posted from Cara Hickey, Inez Hatfield, and Rebecca Holloway.

 

Mulberry Fish Fry -- 29th Annual Mulberry Church of Christ Fish Fry, May 16, 6:30 PM
A flyer is posted on the bulletin board.

 

Graduation Announcements
• Nichole Benincosa (Harding Academy)
• Jeffrey Nolasco (Master’s Degree)

 

**Happy Birthday**

May 10
Torrey Bishop
Adina Boatright
Milton Hendrix

 

May 12
Ronald Moreton

 

May 13
Sally Smith

 

May 14
Mathew Griffin III

 

May 16
Jeff Tomlin

 

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

 

**Evening Nursery**
Terri Jones
Marquetta Walker

 

**West-Ark Online Calendar**
www.westark.org/calendar.htm
May 9th -- Senior Girls’ Tea, 10:30 AM in the FLC.
May 16th -- Ladies’ Prayer Breakfast in the Annex at 10 AM.
May 17 -- Graduation Sunday for Senior High Graduates
May 31 -- Elders’, Deacons’, and Ministry Leaders’ Meeting at 4 PM in room 203.
May 31 -- 6 PM Family Meeting in the Auditorium.

 

King’s Kids Calendar
May 17 -- Graduation Sunday for 6th Grade, FLOCK, and GATEWAY.
May 24 -- Promotion Sunday for FLOCK, GATEWAY and Bridge 56.
June 21-24 is VBS! Sign up online

 

**Memorial Books**
New books which have been placed in the library in memory of deceased  loved ones are now posted in the library window.

 

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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.

 

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.
Also, we’ll be introducing our summer Interns! Don’t miss it.

 

 

Senior / 7th Grader Sunday  //  Sunday, May 17 
We will have a special service honoring our graduating seniors and incoming 7th graders. Parents of a senior or 7th grader, please remember to turn in your information by Monday, May 11!

 

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.

 

Party with New 7th Graders / Parent Orientation   Wednesday, May 20 7-8 PM  //  Youth Room
We are hosting a party in the high school room for our incoming 7th graders. At the same time Rick will meet with the new parents in the junior high room to get them up to speed about the youth program.

 

 

**Meet the Youth & Family Ministry Interns**
• Chris Abernethy, Abilene Christian University
• Aaron Trent, Oklahoma Christian University
• Tyler Gentry, Harding University
• Denise Mattoon, Oklahoma Christian University

 

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Bible Classes...………....387   
Sunday AM Worship.…...600
Sunday PM Worship…...151
Wednesday Classes…...N/C
Contribution………..$20,696
Children’s Homes……..$304

 

Lao Worship
Attendance…………….....31
Contribution……………..304

 

Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance………………..46
Contribution……………$239