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Family Lines Newsletter, July 19, 2009
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**“I Will Answer For Me”**
By David Chadwell

 

So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God.  Romans 14:12

 

This is the concluding statement in an unusual New Testament paragraph.  Jewish Christians and gentile Christians had a huge first-century disagreement.  The dispute involved different cultures, different ways of doing religious things, different ways of honoring deity, and different religious preferences.  Too see the clash, read Acts 15:1-21.

 

The evident clash is in the paragraph above the statement.  Some Christians ate anything.  Some Christians, for spiritual reasons, were conscientious vegetarians.  Some felt no day had spiritual significance, and some observed special holy days.  Practices at the opposite ends of the spiritual spectrum occurred in Rome’s congregations.

 

If you think this is foolish, be assured it was not foolish then!  Consider the matter from the Jewish perspective.  In Leviticus 11:1-47, the Jewish people from their origin as a nation (rather than an expanded family) understood there were things they could and could not eat.  The Lord gave the instruction, and this was national practice for centuries.  It was so ingrained in Jewish thinking that the apostle Peter was confused by his vision of the net (Acts 10:10-17, 29).  The concept of animal sacrifice: the sacrifice’s giver ate part of the sacrifice to show oneness with the God honored (1 Samuel 1:1-5).  If a Christian ate from a sacrifice given to an idolatrous god, what would be the meaning?

 

Paul said: (1) do not judge each other’s motive; (2) they both—even with opposite practices—were the Lord’s servants, and the Lord would make both stand; (3) these Christians did opposite things for the same motive; and (4) judging and contempt have no place among Christians.

 

Paul said, “In your decision of what you should do, you will answer for yourself when God questions you.”  It will not be a matter of “Do you know what they said?” or “That person hurt my feelings!” or “That was the most unreasonable act I ever saw or heard.”  It will not be a “Them—it is their fault!” issue.  Before the God who knows exactly what we all thought, it will be a “What was in your heart?” issue.  You will not be saved because you went to West-Ark, but because you served Jesus Christ.  The Lord saves—people don’t.  Aren’t you glad your salvation is not dependent on human judgment?

 

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**Order of Worship**

 

Worship Leader -- Brent Evans
#96 – I Stand In Awe

 

Welcome
Blessed Be Your Name (on screen)
#810 – Listen to Our Hearts (vs. 1, 2)
#77 – Glorify Thy Name (vs. 1, 2, 3)
In Christ Alone (on screen)

 

Table of the Lord
Offering
#71 – As The Deer (vs. 1, 2 )

 

Coins for Christ
Dismiss for Children’s Worship
#23 – Our God He Is Alive (vs. 1, 2, 4)

 

Message -- Larry Todd
Response/Invitation
#18 – Faithful Love (vs. 1, 2)
Elder’s Prayer

 

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**The Prayers Go Up ... and the Blessings Come Down!**
• Aura Lee Land (mother of Ann Selig) has made great improvement after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage last week. She is now responsive.
• Jeana  Belote is feeling a little better after beginning acupuncture treatments last week. Thank you for keeping her in your prayers.
• Kelly Smith (daughter-in-law of Ralph & Sally Smith) began radiation treatments today in Dallas (7/16/09).
• Update on infant twins, Max & Maddie Reed: Max still has a feeding tube, but is taking 3 bottles per day. He is up to 7 lbs., 10 ozs. and is very alert & active.  Maddie now weighs 9 lbs., 8 ozs. and is eating and sleeping well!
• Our Mexico Mission Team (July 11-17) returns on Friday. Keep everyone in your prayers as make the journey home!
• Sue Jobe (sister of Ralph Smith) has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

 

**Continued to Pray for ...**
• Betty Wilson
• Bobbie Bolinger
• Carroll Family
• Caidan Dockery
• Inez Hatfield
• Harold Gouty
• John Hawkins
• Lance Haines
• Margaret Stone
• Marlon & Ann Edens
• Mark Wilson
• Parchita Lamboy
• Sam & Ruth  Jenkins
• Wanda Braker
• Wilma Son
• Winnie Brown

 

**Baptism**
Derek Harris, teenage son of Jim & Karen Harris, was baptized at West-Ark Wednesday evening (7/15/09) by his father. Congratulations, Harris family!

 

**Financial Ministry**
Want to control your money instead of your money controlling you? Financial Peace University (FPU) is once again being hosted this fall by West-Ark.  This is a 13-week course that encourages better habits concerning your finances in a biblical and uplifting strategy.  No one should pass up the opportunity to advance in your knowledge about savings, spending, insurance and your family’s financial future. 

 

The course will be held every Sunday evening from 5:00 - 7:00 PM upstairs in Room 211.  Class starts August 23rd and will end on November 16th. Childcare is provided. 
 
A  20-minute preview will be held immediately after Sunday morning services on August 2nd  downstairs in room 106.  Please stop in with any questions, and to get a glimpse of the curriculum. 

 

Please note that class registration is required to reserve your spot and pre-teen/teens are encouraged to take the course with parents.  This course is a family lifestyle change, and we encourage family participation.  For more detailed information or to register, contact:
Jeff and Michelle Lovelace
mmlovelace [at] sbcglobal.net

 

**Welcome, Blessed Baby**
Congratulations to Van & Amanda Basham on the birth of a son, William Hayden Basham, born July 10th. Hayden weighed 7 lbs., 1 oz. and was 19 inches long!

 

**Notes of Thanks**
Two thank you notes were posted to the bulletin board this week.  The notes are from Lindsey Yowell and Richard Branum.

 

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**Sunday Evening, July 19**
Annual Ice Cream Supper & Social
at the home of Jerry & Meg Canfield
2 Chestnut Court, Fort Smith, AR
(Just north of the intersection of 66th Street & Park Avenue)

 

Devotional is at 6 PM!

Come early to set up your ice cream freezer, food and chairs!
Hot dogs are provided!  Please bring: a freezer of your favorite homemade ice cream, desserts, toppings, or drinks to share; and lawn chairs, quilts, or blankets to sit on. 
The youth group will participate with the rest of the church in the ice cream supper and afterwards have their own luau with lots of fun and games!

 

** Baby Bottle Campaign Totals $4,829.71! **
Thank you for taking part in our 2009 Baby Bottle Campaign!  This campaign helped us raise over $10,000, and you are part of that blessing.  Your church members have been so generous!  Thank you also to your church liaison, Lou Winchell. With her help and enthusiasm this baby bottle campaign was a huge success!
In His service,
April Moore, Development Director
Theresa Reeves, Executive Director

 

**King’s Kids Announcements**
Jesus Is My Hero Kids’ Night Out
Saturday, July 25, 5:00 - 8:00 PM 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.
• Kids For Christ will not be meeting during the month of July.

 

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**Youth Group // News**

 

Mexico Mission Trip -  July 11 - 17  / Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
We will be returning on Friday, July 17, around 10 PM.

 

Church Ice Cream Supper & YG Luau - Sunday, July 19  / 5:30 - 8 PM  / The Canfields’ 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!

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

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 19
Scott James
Michelle Lovelace

 

July 21
Karen Farris

 

July 22
Colleen Frost
Brynn Walker

 

July 23
Kim Bice
Maile McDonald
Oscar Nolasco
Ian Smith

 

July 25
Robert Fisher

 

**Morning Nursery**
Flora Johnson
Betty Callicott
Amanda Basham
Carol Schaper

 

**Evening Nursery**
Sheila Vaught

 

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Bible Classes...………....368   
Sunday AM Worship.…...586
Sunday PM Worship…...187
Wednesday Classes…...221
Contribution………..$17,454
Children’s Homes……..$161

 

Lao Worship
Attendance…………….....35
Contribution……………$148

 

Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance………………..37
Contribution……………$184