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Family Lines Newsletter, July 5, 2009
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**Hang In There!**
By David Chadwell

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.  (1 Corinthians 15:58)

 
The above is the last verse of 1 Corinthians 15.  It concludes Paul’s long discussion of the importance of Jesus’ resurrection.  In specific, Paul declared Jesus’ resurrection is important because His resurrection affirms our resurrection.  The indication is this: Paul answered their question about the importance of accepting resurrection as a fact.
 
Paul affirmed belief in resurrection is at the core of placing faith in Jesus.  He said if there is no resurrection, Christianity is a sham without integrity.   If resurrection is not real, Christianity is based on a lie knowingly promoted by lying men.
 
The reason for Paul’s challenge in 1 Corinthians 15:58 to be steadfast is the reality of resurrection.  Little is more devastating than reaching the end of life, realizing that you have wasted life, and realizing your life cannot be rescued.
 
Please note that hardship produced by placing faith in Jesus’ resurrection is NOT a modern problem!  It is as old as Christianity!  Anti-spiritual people always have said, “Dead is dead!  Death is the total end of life!  Anticipating resurrection is nothing more than foolishly hoping against reality!”
 
Working for the Lord is just that—work.  It is demanding, often challenging work.  It can be rightfully defined as toil—just plain hard work.
 
Note also that though it may be hard work, it is not vain work.  It is never wasted effort.  Why?  Resurrection is real!  We work for more than the church’s success, for more than defense of a position, or for more than a name, a mission, or a principle.  What is more than all those?  The resurrection is more than those!
 
It is resurrection (a) that gives a never ending reason to be steadfast and immovable when our world declares we are foolishness, and (b) that gives us reason to abound in the work our world calls wasted energy.  Does your faith in Jesus’ resurrection make your work for the Lord worth the effort?  Do you live in the confidence of your resurrection?
 

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Order of Worship
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Welcome -- Chris Benjamin
 
Worship Leader -- Andrew Todd
 
1024 - My Country, ‘Tis of Thee, vs. 1, 4
1007 - America the Beautiful, vs. 1, 4
1009 - Battle Hymm of the Republic, vs. 1
794 - Unto Thee, O Lord
903 - There is Power in the Blood, vs 1, 3
 
Table of the Lord 
 
Offering
 
[Visitors: please fill out one of the blue cards you will find on the back of the pew in front of you and place it in the plate.]
 
VBS Video
 
Coins for Christ
 
Dismiss for Children’s Worship
 
42 - How Majestic is Your Name
647 - Soldiers of Christ Arise, vs 1, 3, 5
 
Message -- Chris Benjamin
 
470 - Victory in Jesus, vs 1, 3
 
Response/Invitation
 
[Our elders will be in Room 100 (in the foyer) ready to pray with anyone who has a prayer request of any kind.]
 
Elder’s Prayer
 

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**Remember in Prayer**
• Tammy Cypert requests prayers for her parents, Marlon and Ann Edens. The Edens were involved in a car accident last Friday. Ann has been released from hospital. Marlon had surgery on his spine on Wednesday. He is at Baptist Hospital in Little Rock.
 
• Christie Puckett says: “Dawson Urrutia seems to have turned the corner on the pain and is able to tolerate it without constant medication.  Praise God!  Prayer changes things, and are appreciated as he continues on the road to recovery.”
 
• Parchita Lamboy, grandmother of Stephen Jennemann, was injured in a hit and run car accident. She is in poor condition in the Lake City, Florida hospital.  Pray for pain management so that she can rest and recover.
 
• Kelly Smith, daughter-in-law of Ralph and Sally Smith, who lives in Rockwall, Texas, had her thyroid gland removed.  It was malignant and she will have additional treatment soon.
 
• John Hawkins had tests done at MD Anderson Wednesday and Thursday.  They are hoping they will be able to return home this weekend.
 
• Harold Gouty had a CT scan on Thursday to determine what to do about the compression fracture in his back.
 
• Devon Bizzell, granddaughter of Harold & Ruth Gouty, had surgery Wednesday for endometriosis.
 
• We are praising God that Sam Jenkins is finally at home and recovering from his surgery.  Please keep him and Ruth (his wife) in your prayers for complete healing.
 
• Max Reed is still in Childrens Hospital but is doing very well after developing acid reflux; he is still being tube fed and now has to learn how to take a bottle again.  His release date is not being discussed yet. Maddie Reed is at home doing great and loving it. Thank you for all of the prayers on their behalf; please continue to pray for Max.
 
• Please pray for our missionary family, the Carrolls, as they struggle with skin problems. 
 

**Bereaved in Prayer**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Meg Canfield and family for the death of her mother, Kathleen Taranto, on Wednesday. The funeral is Friday at 11:00 a.m. at West-Ark Church of Christ.  There will be no visitation.
 

**Continued Prayers**
Betty Porter, Bill Wilson, Bobbie Bolinger, Brice Carroll, Caidan Dockery, Ed Grist, Inez Hatfield,  Jeana Belote, Lance Haines, Margaret Stone, Wilma Son and Winnie Brown.
 
 
**Don't Forget About Game Day**
Thursday, July 9th
Noon to 3:00 p.m. in the Annex.
Bring your favorite game and a friend.
Fun for all!
 
 
**Coins For Christ Reminder**
Just a reminder that the money collected with Coins for Christ is added to the Youth Group Mission Fund and will be used to buy construction supplies and tools each year for our Mexico mission trips. This year’s group leaves on Saturday, July 11. This Sunday will be the last chance to donate to this year’s trip. Thanks for your support!
 
 
**Welcome Home**
John Paul and Ruby Lee Hundley are home for a few weeks.
 
 
**Note of Thanks**
A thank you note from Josh and Callie Loewen is now posted on the bulletin board in the foyer.
 
 
**Joy Bunch Potluck**
Don’t forget about the Joy Bunch Potluck
Saturday, July 18
6:00 p.m. - Family Life Center - Come have fun!
 
 
**Lunch and Car Clinic Update**
Due to the 4th of July holiday there will not be a Widows’/Widowers’ lunch or Car Clinic.
 
 
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**King’s Kids Announcements**
• Sunday, July 5 - Kids For Christ and Bridge 56 are not meeting!
 
• Saturday, July 25 - Jesus Is My Hero Kids’ Night Out
5:00 - 8:00 p.m. in the Gym
Kids - pick up an invitation for your friends by the King’s Kids Board
Grownups - please fill out and return an RSVP card by the King’s Kids Board OR go online at www.westarkkids.org/hero
 
• Kids - check out the VBS pictures on the King’s Kids board!
 
• Grownups - Be sure to pick up a copy of our July newsletter at the King’s Kids Board! Also, if you haven’t already, please complete and return a King’s Kids Registration Form.
 
• PLEASE NOTE - Kids For Christ will not be meeting during the month of July.
 

**Green Valley Bible Camp**
It’s not too late!  Green Valley Bible Camp is July 5-11 for regular campers age 11-18.  If your child has just finished the 1st grade and is not 11 yet (by October),  they are eligible to go to day camp Monday - Thursday (July 6th - 9th).  Financial assistance is available for anyone wanting to attend camp. 
Transportation to and from camp is also  available.  Regular campers needing a ride to camp Sunday, July 5th, will need to meet at the church at 12:30 p.m.  Be sure to eat lunch before you come.
If you are going to day camp,  the van will be LEAVING at 7 a.m. Monday - Thursday and will return around 5:30 p.m. 
You may register online at www.greenvalleybiblecamp.com or applications are available.  Please contact Niketa Stinchcomb if you need help with transportation or if you have any further questions concerning camp.
 
 
**Annual Ice Cream Supper and Fellowship**
Evening of July 19 at the home of Jerry & Meg Canfield
 

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**Youth Group / News**
 
• Mexico Mission Trip Paperwork & Full Balance Due, Sunday, July 5
 
• Youth Worship - Sunday, July 5  //  6 PM  //  Youth Room (this is a change from the YG calendar) 
 
• Youth Group - Wed., July 8  //  7 PM  //  Youth Room
 
• Mexico Mission Trip Preparation Class #3  - Wednesday, July 8  //  8 PM  //  Youth Room
 
• Mexico Mission Trip -  July 11 - 18  // Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
We will be leaving from the building at 7 AM sharp and returning the following Saturday around 3 PM.
no youth Worship - Sunday, July 12  // Go to the Guyana presentation in the auditorium.
 
• Youth Group - Wed., July 15  //  7 PM  // Youth Room
 
• Church Ice Cream Supper & YG Luau - Sunday, July 19  // 5:30 - 8 PM  // The Canfield’s Home
Get out your loud pineapple shirts and your grass skirts! The youth group will participate with the rest of the church in the annual ice cream supper. Afterward, we’ll have our own luau with lots of fun and games. Don’t miss it!
 
• Mystery Trip 2009  - Monday, August 3  //  Location: Surprise!  //  8:30 AM - 9 PM
Don’t miss this first time event... It’s a daytrip that will be wild, full of adventure and just plain fun! You’ll need a sack lunch and money for a fast food dinner ($10). Get a form from the hanging files next to the youth group bulletin board today!
 
• JUMP Start Youth Rally - August 14-16  //  Neosho, Missouri
Pick up an application in the hanging files for this amazing event. Speakers include Jeff Wahlling and David Fraze. Deadline is Friday, July 31. Cost is $40.
 
**Youth Group Events At A Glance**
• Mexico Mission Trip: July 11-18
• JumpStart Youth Rally: August 14-16
• Crosswalk: September 25-27
• Fall Retreat: November 13-15
 

**Happy Birthday To...**
 
July 5
Margaret Gillian
 
July 7
Kristy Abernathy
 
July 10
Martha Walker
 
July 11
Seth Kleman
Rachel Robbins
 

**Morning Nursery**
Melissa Walker
Suzi Jennemann
Dena Jenkins
Julie Orick
 
**Evening Nursery**
Gina Williams
 

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Bible Classes...………....331   
Sunday AM Worship.…...565
Sunday PM Worship…....175
Wednesday Classes…..VBS
Contribution………..$15,613
Children’s Homes……..$231
 
Lao Worship
Attendance…………….....31
Contribution……………$256
 
Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance………………..58
Contribution……………$212
 
Schedule of Services
Sunday Worship…..….10:30
Sunday Bible Classes...9:30
Sunday Evening……….6:00
Wednesday Evening......7:00
 
Elders
Bill Dickey, Bob Null, Larry Todd, Michael Cole, Ron Belote, Roy Dunavin, Russ McConnell
 
Ministry Staff
Chris Benjamin - Pulpit
David Chadwell - Teaching
Shane Hughes - Campus
Rick Odell - Youth & Family
Dena Jenkins - Children’s  Ministry Coordinator
Jack Lewis - Outreach
Oscar Nolasco - Hispanic
 
Office Phone (479) 452-1240
Fax  (479) 452-5767
office@westarkchurchofchrist.org
www.westark.org
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"Making disciples for Jesus who are eager to serve others."
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