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Family
Lines Newsletter, September 20,
2009
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**Moving Toward God’s Unity (Part
Two)**
By David Chadwell
For if a man comes into your
assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a
poor man in dirty clothes, and you pay special attention to the one who is
wearing the fine clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and you say
to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,” have you
not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil
motives? (James 2:2-4, NASV) ... Likewise, I want the
women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not
with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments; but rather by means of
good works, as benefits women making a claim to godliness. (1 Timothy
2:9, 10, NASV)
The first-century Roman Empire was
quite different from our society. The church began as completely
Jewish. Later it was a mix of Jews and converted idol worshippers.
By the end of the first century it was mostly converted idol
worshippers.
Poor people, by far, were the
largest group in society. The middle class barely existed, and the rich were a
small part of society.
There was enormous concern that
Christianity (the church) not discriminate against the poor. The obstacles
faced by the poor were enormous without enduring spiritual discrimination!
James 2:1-9 declared Christian assemblies should make the poor feel welcomed and
appreciated. Prosperous visitors were not to be favored. 1 Timothy
2:8-10 suggested prosperous Christians should not declare by dress or jewelry
that godliness depended on what the person wore.
Remember there were no weekends
then as today. Sunday likely began the work week in Jewish society, and
probably was just another day for all non-Jewish people (the majority).
That would mean Christians assembled early before work or late after work.
The poor and the slave probably came to Christian assemblies in work
clothes.
James 2:1-9 and 1 Timothy 2:8-10
often are used to suggest that today’s Christian assemblies never be used to
make the disadvantaged feel out of place or be used to display prosperity.
Wearing work clothing shows no disrespect to God, but champions God’s values of
not showing favoritism to prosperity at the expense of the disadvantaged.
Again, unity is not a matter of
Christian agreement, but of Christian-to-Christian respect.
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**Order
of Worship**
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Worship Leader -- Brent
Evans
Welcome
#290 -- Shine, Jesus Shine (vs. 1, 2)
#749 -- The Battle
Belongs to the Lord (vs. 1, 2, 3)
There’s A Stirring (on screen)
Prayer -- Michael Cole
#176 --
Lamb of God (vs. 1, 2)
Table of the Lord
Offering
#810 -- Listen to Our Hearts (vs. 1, 2)
Coins for Christ
Children’s
Worship
#23 -- Our God He Is Alive (vs. 1, 2, 3)
Sermon -- Chris Benjamin
Songs
for Responses
#701 -- My Jesus I Love Thee (vs. 1, 2)
Elder’s Prayer
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**Remember
in Prayer**
• John Richards had a test on his kidneys on Wednesday
(9/17/09).
• Lenora Word had hip replacement surgery last Friday and is
recuperating at home.
• Maddy Grist (Ed’s granddaughter) had her PICC line
removed and is off antibiotics. She is feeling much better and was able to
return to school. Ed is thankful for your prayers.
• Peyton Canfield
(son of Randy and grandson of Jerry and Meg) is recovering from
mononucleosis.
• Mary Burkett’s 10-year-old nephew Lucas is feeling better
after ear tube surgery. His hearing is improved, and he may not need hearing
aids. Mary is thankful for your prayers.
• Susan Wade had out-patient
surgery on Tuesday (9/15/09).
**Sympathy & Prayers**
Our
love and sympathy is extended to Nadine Hawkins and Robin Hawkins Murphy in the
death of husband and father, John, on Saturday in Houston. Funeral
services for John were Thursday morning (9/17/09) at West-Ark Church of
Christ.
**Continue to Pray for ...**
•
Aura Lee Land
• Bobbie Bolinger
• Donnie Howell
• Doris Robertson
•
Inez Hatfield
• Jay Wood
• Jerry Canfield
• John Holley
• Karen
Snipes
• Maddy Grist
• Margaret Stone
• Vicki Hardin
• Wilma
Son
• Winnie Brown
**Prayer Pagers**
441-2395 -
dial all pagers at once
441-1648 - Donnie Howell
441-2378 - Doris
Robertson
441-1722 - Jerry Canfield
441-2387 - John Holley
441-2381 -
Karen Snipes
441-6639 - Lenora Word
441-1734 - Susan Wade
**How do I get a prayer
pager?**
Great question !
If you are going to have tests, or surgery, or
any other life event that needs an extra measure of healing & comfort,
please contact Rachelle Pratt or call the church office.
**New Photo**
Lora
Mackey
James & Jonas
**Baptism**
We rejoice with
Forrest Hickey on his decision to be baptized into Christ on Tuesday evening
(9/15/09). Forrest is the son of Scott & Cara Hickey.
Congratulations to all the family.
**Wedding Shower**
There will
be a wedding shower honoring Brittanie Cooley, bride-elect of Kyle Stinchcomb on
September 20, from 1:30 – 3:00 PM in the home of Rochelle Brown. Brittanie is registered at JCPenney, Bed, Bath &
Beyond, and Wal-Mart.
**Widows/Widowers**
The vans
will leave the annex on Saturday, October 3, at 11:30 AM for the short drive to the home of the Burkett
family. Don’t miss out on a wonderful lunch and even better
fellowship. For transportation to the building call Mary or
Bobbie or Janice.
**CAR CLINIC will be Saturday,
October 3, at the Annex, 8 to 11 AM. It is time to
“winterize.”
**Hope Chest Donation**
A metal
table base was recently left at the large Hope Chest container in the
foyer. If you donated this item, would you please contact Lynn Dickey at
the office, 452-1240? HINT: This is a good thing, so please call :~)
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**Blue Jeans Sunday
9.27.09**
[Jeans] bring them . wear them . serve in them
How
will you see God at work?
Come ready to Serve!
**Ways to Serve
on 9.27.09**
1. Donate blue jeans -- any size, new or used. Add your
donations to the Hope Chest container outside the Library.
2. Sign up to
participate in a work group at the free-standing bulletin board in the foyer.
There are lots of ways to help:
• Make quilts for the China orphanage
•
Re-stocking at the Hope Chest
• Writing cards for encouragement
• Packing
and sorting at CURE warehouse
• Prayer walk on UAFS Campus
If you sign a
work list, please also sign the lunch sheets in the foyer so that we can have a
count for lunch.
**Needs at The Hope Chest**
The
Hope Chest needs all kinds of household items (linens, towels, small appliances,
pots, pans, dishes, etc.). If you have used it in your home, we can
distribute it to others.
We are also in need of additional
volunteers. Please see Betty Moreton or Helen Pratt if you have a day
(9:30 - 12:30) that you can give to this very active ministry. We
need computer operators, sackers, greeters and folks who can assist our clients.
**Kids For Christ Update!**
We
now have two groups!
KFC 1 - ages 2 years-1st Grade
KFC 2 - Grades 2, 3
& 4
If you love being with kids and serving God in the process, come join
the KFC Team!
(Contact: Kerry or Dena Jenkins at dena@westarkkids.org)
September 27, Blue Jean Sunday -
sign up your family for a service project in the foyer. More info at
www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=165518456320(Note: Children’s Worship will not
meet, so we all enjoy this day of service together! Kids for Christ will
not meet so we can all enjoy the Family Worship & Meal in the
gym.)
October 4, Bridge 56 Parent
Night
- Who? Bridge 56 Parents
- When? 6-7
PM
- Where? Bridge 56 Room
- Why? Worship
together and learn about upcoming events
October 25, Family Fall Fest -
This is a church family event and a great opportunity to share the love of Jesus
with our community. Invite your kids’ friends & neighbors!
Fast food toys and individually wrapped candies are needed and can be dropped
off at the FLOCK station.
PLEASE register your kids for
King’s Kids. Forms may be found and returned to the file box by the King’s
Kids Board in the foyer. Thank you!
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**Youth Group News**
Bulgaria Trip Update - If you
weren’t able to make it to the meeting for the Bulgaria Mission Trip and are
interested in going, please contact Rick ASAP. The trip is open to high school
students and up.
Home Devo (Glidewells) - Sunday,
Sept. 20 / 6-8 PM
Join us for praise, food, fellowship and
fun for all 7-12th graders. Vans leave at 6PM and return at 8PM. Cost is $3 per
person to help cover food costs.
See you at the Pole - Wed., Sept.
23 / 7 AM / Your School // Join other students around the flag pole
of your school to pray for your teachers, students, etc.
Youth Group - Wed., Sept. 23 / 7
PM / Youth Room
Don’t miss out as we continue our series
“Be-Attitudes.”
Crosswalk - Saturday, September
26 / Rogers, AR
We will leave at 7:30 AM sharp on Saturday,
September 26. We will return that evening at about 11 PM.
Blue Jeans Sunday - Sunday,
September 27
Bring them, wear them, serve in them. Sign up to help with one
of the work groups listed on the free standing bulletin board in the
foyer.
NO youth Worship - Sunday,
September 27
Intersect Worship - Sunday, Sept.
27 / 8-9:30 PM Campus Center 129A / High School, LFCs and 20
Somethings
Paintball - Sunday, October 4 /
12:30-4:30 PM / All American Field, Charleston, AR
Vans will leave the church
at 12:30 and return at 4:30 PM. Cost is $26. Eat lunch before you
come.Registration forms are available in class and in the hanging file next to
the youth group bulletin board. Deadline to sign up is Wednesday, September
30.
Youth Worship - Sunday, Oct. 4 / 6
PM / Youth Rm
SNL at Joplin, MO - Sunday, Oct.
11
Family Small Group - Sunday, Oct.
18 / 6-8 PM
**Happy Birthday
To...**
September 20
Virginia
Mobley
Erin Stobaugh
Wanda Wear
September 21
Pamela
Watlington
Russell Wieser
September 22
Tiffany
Blake
Jordan Haworth
Bea McDonald
September 23
Catherine
Owen
Shirley Webb
September 24
Laura
Beckham
Annona Burns
September 25
Melinda
Griffin
September 26
Patricia
Campbell
Julie Kleman
Curtis McDonald
Sue Medlock
Noah
Risley
Wanda Wooster
**Morning Nursery**
Flora
Johnson
Betty Callicott
Amanda Basham
**Evening Nursery**
Sheila
Vaught
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Bible Classes...………....341
Sunday AM Worship.…...543
Sunday PM Worship…...N/A
Wednesday Classes…...N/A
Contribution………..$18,858
Children’s Homes……..$170
Coins For Christ.............$85
Lao Worship
Attendance……………......27
Contribution……………$156
Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance………………..59
Contribution……………$278
Office Phone (479)
452-1240
Fax (479) 452-5767
office@westarkchurchofchrist.orgwww.westark.org-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Making
disciples for Jesus who are eager to serve
others."
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