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Family Lines Newsletter, July 12, 2009
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**The Big Hurdle**
By David Chadwell

 

Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know there is no such thing as an idol in the world, and that there is no God but one.  For even if there are so called-gods whether in the heavens or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords,  yet for us there is but one God, the Father from whom are all things, and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.  However not all men have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.  1 Corinthians 8:4-7

 

A collection of people are hard to lead.  Why?  All collections are composed of numerous groups.  Even groups who are similar think and behave differently.  In fact, it seems similar groups magnify their differences.  Preferences become matters of correctness.  The deeper the preferences, the more correct the preferences become.  Thus, the more divergent the groups become. The end result: even similar people become unleadable.

 

Want a mess?  Be a leader!  A president, governor, corporate head, mayor, alderman, chairman, director—it matters not.  There are always groups, and each group is certain it is correct.  The joys of leading (they exist!) are not found in people’s preferences!

 

And we as a church think it is complex today?  Early Christians did not agree on how many gods existed or how gods were honored.   Ironically, the central issue was not the number of gods or how gods were honored.  The beginning, the center, and the end of spirituality was this: Is your confidence placed in the resurrected Jesus Christ?  Do you let who you are, what you do, and how you respect people be determined by Jesus Christ?

 

Christians could be wrong about the number of gods or how deity was honored, but they could not be wrong about Jesus’ identity.  God may shake His head at our preferences.  God never shakes His head at the person who shapes life and the use of life by Jesus Christ.  Nether should we—whether we are young or old, conservative or progressive, educated or uneducated, rich or poor, experienced or inexperienced.  The cotter pin that holds us together in our diversity is faith in the risen Jesus Christ.  Lives given to Jesus Christ are worthy of respect—personal preferences aside!  Do not shun Christians because of preferences!  Our human preferences do not determine God’s focus!

 

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**Order of Worship**

Worship Leader -- Brent Evans
#238 -- You Are the Song That I Sing
#103 -- He Has Made Me Glad
#148 -- I Keep Falling in Love With Him (vs. 1, 2, 3)
Welcome
#162 -- All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name (vs. 1-4)
#315 -- When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (vs. 1 & 4)
#383 -- Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross (vs. 1 & 3)
Table of the Lord 
Offering
#83 -- God Is So Good (vs. 1-4)
Coins for Christ
Dismiss for Children’s Worship
Days of Elijah (on screen)
Message -- Shane Hughes
Response/Invitation
#701 -- My Jesus, I Love Thee (vs. 1 & 3)
Elder’s Prayer

 

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**In Our Prayers**
• Aura Lee Land (mother of Ann Selig) had a stroke on Wednesday. So far, it seems to only be affecting her speech. 
• Betty Wilson (Mark’s mother) has been fighting cancer for a long time. She has recently learned it has spread to her sinus and eye area. 
• Continue to pray for Tammy Cypert’s parents (Marlon and Ann Edens) as they recover from injuries sustained in a car wreck.
• Our Mexico Mission Team (July 11-17) leaves Saturday. Keep everyone in your prayers as they prepare for the journey and for good works while they’re gone!
• Mark Wilson is having problems with his legs and requests prayers.
• Parchita Lamboy (grandmother of Stephen Jennemann) continues to recover from injuries received in a hit-and-run accident.
• Wanda Braker went home from the hospital Tuesday after having a mild heart attack and having a stent procedure.
• Continue to pray for our missionary family as they struggle with skin problems. 

 

**Bereaved in Prayer**
• The mother of Sheila Williams (of The Way) was killed in a car accident Monday afternoon in Bentonville.  Remember Sheila and her family in your prayers.
• Our love and sympathy goes out to Pearl Beam in the recent death of her daughter, Naomi Spears,  after a long illness.

 

**Continued Prayers**
• Betty Porter
• Bill Wilson
• Bobbie Bolinger
• Brice Carroll
• Caidan Dockery
• Dawson Urrutia
• Ed Grist
• Inez Hatfield
• Jeana Belote
• Kelly Smith

• John Hawkins
• Harold Gouty
• Lance Haines
• Margaret Stone
• Max Reed
• Sam & Ruth  Jenkins
• Wanda Braker
• Wilma Son
• Winnie Brown

 

**Posted on the Bulletin Board**
Thank you notes are posted on a special bulletin board in the foyer (outside the library).  This week we received and posted notes from: Brian & Shelly Robbins, Tom Porter, Anetia Livesey, and Meg Canfield.

 

**Guyana Mission Report**
The members of the 19th annual medical mission team wish to express their sincere thanks to all those who financially and prayerfully supported them. 
The men from that team will lead our service in the auditorium on Sunday evening, July 12, from 6 to 7 p.m.  Come hear how the Lord used the West-Ark church last month to make disciples for Jesus in Guyana, South America. 
We encourage you to consider joining the 20th (and last) West-Ark medical mission team to Guyana, June 5-13, 2010.

 

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**King’s Kids Announcements**

 

• 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.

 

**Inner City Lunch and Devotional**
Saturday, July 18, 11:30 AM
Hope Park Pavilion
New workers are always welcomed!

 

**Annual Ice Cream Supper**
and Fellowship at the home of
Jerry & Meg Canfield
2 Chestnut Court, Fort Smith

 

Sunday, July 19
Devotional at 6:00 PM
followed by Ice Cream Supper

 

Hot Dogs will be provided.

 

Please bring homemade ice cream,
desserts, and/or drinks,
lawn chairs or blankets.

 

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**Youth Group // News**

 

Mexico Mission Trip -  July 11 - 17  / Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
We will be leaving from the building at 6 AM sharp and returning the following Friday around 10PM.

 

No Youth Worship - Sunday, July 12  / Go to the Guyana presentation in the auditorium at 6 PM.

 

Youth Group - Wed., July 15  /  7 PM  / Youth Rm

 

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!

 

Youth Group - Wed., July 22  /  7 PM  / Youth Rm

 

Mini-Golf - Sunday, July 26  /  5:30-10 PM 
Mini-golf tournament at Gator Golf and pizza. Cost is $7. Meet at the church building.

 

Youth Group - Wed., July 29  /  7 PM  / Youth Rm

 

3 on 3 Basketball tourny - Thursday, July 30  /  3-6PM  /  Gym

 

Youth Group Night Out - Sunday, August 2 

 

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 money for a fast food lunch ($10) and a sack dinner. 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.

 

**Happy Birthday To...**

 

July 12
KJ Speaks

 

July 14
Jennifer Dotson
Ruby Nichols

 

July 15
Hadleigh Scott

 

July 17
Tommy Bishop

 

July 18
Jack Alexander
Sherria Burk

 

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

 

**Evening Nursery**
Terri Jones
Marquetta Walker

 

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Bible Classes...………....353   
Sunday AM Worship.…...541
Sunday PM Worship…...N/A
Wednesday Classes…...N/A
Contribution………..$21,282
Children’s Homes……..$225

 

Lao Worship
Attendance…………….....34
Contribution……………$147

 

Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance………………..52
Contribution……………$223