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Family Lines Newsletter, September 27, 2009
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**Moving Toward God’s Unity (Part Three)**
By David Chadwell

 

Let not him who eats regard with contempt him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats, for God has accepted him.  Who are you to judge the servant of another?  To his own master he stands or falls; and stand he will, for the Lord is able to make him stand.  (Romans 14:3, 4, NASV)

 

... For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven 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 ... (1 Corinthians 8:5-7, NASV)

 

Begin by reading Romans 14:1-12, 15:1-3, and 1 Corinthians 8.  All this was written because Christians were confronting Christians in regard to proper worship practices.

 

Worship backgrounds in the first century differed with today’s Christian worship backgrounds. Then, whether Jewish or idolatrous, worship often involved a sacrifice, eating part of the sacrifice, and sharing the meal.  Both the eating and the sharing were regarded to be worship acts (remember the Passover and the Lord’s Supper).  Worship often involved feasting—sharing the sacrifice and the feast honored the god.

 

An argument erupted among Christians (imagine that!).  Some were vegetarians because market meat may have been offered to an idol.  Those understanding the concept of 1 Timothy 4:1-5 said a Christian could eat anything anywhere if God the Creator was thanked.  Meat, sacred days, and other practices considered worship acts were involved.

 

Paul declared Christians could come to opposite conclusions in pursuit of the same objective.  So, regardless of the conclusion reached, realize you all are servants of the Master.  Servants serve.  They do not judge fellow servants.  Only the Master judges.  Thus, each of you be ready to explain to God your motives and acts.

 

Then Paul said something quite contrary to many of our conclusions.  God can and will cause Christians reaching opposite conclusions to stand in His approval.  Each Christian has two responsibilities: (1) remember you are a servant, and (2) do not judge the religious convictions of another Christian.

 

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**Order of Worship**

 

Worship Leader -- Brent Evans
Welcome

 

#238 -- Words and the Music
#103 -- He Has Made Me Glad
#148 -- I Keep Falling In Love With Him (vs. 1, 2, 3)
#484 -- You’re My All in All (vs. 1, 2)

 

Prayer
Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross (new version – on screen)

 

Table of the Lord
Offering

 

Coins for Christ
(No Children’s Worship today)
#448 -- The Greatest Commands

 

Special Contribution for LFC Campus House
#647 -- Soldiers of Christ, Arise (vs. 1, 2, 4, 5)

 

Sermon -- Chris Benjamin
Song for Responses
#18 -- Faithful Love (vs. 1, 2)

 

Elder’s Prayer

 

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**In Our Thoughts and Prayers**
• Bobbie Bolinger (Rochelle Brown’s aunt) found out that cancer has metastasized throughout her body.  She is with her daughter in Dallas and is trying a new chemotherapy treatment.
• Cheryl Craven requests your prayers as she deals with health problems.
• Lawrance Tiller (nephew of Ruth Gouty) had hernia surgery on Tuesday in Springfield, MO.  Due to other major health problems, he did not do well and is on a respirator.
• Harold Callahan (a friend of Jim Wyatt’s) is in St. Edward Hospital, ICU #3103.  Harold is having chest spasms that make it difficult for him to breathe and is on a respirator.
• Lucas Williams (Mary Burkett’s nephew) is greatly improved. After the surgery, his hearing has increased over 55%, and his mother is very grateful for the prayers.
• Linda McClain (stepmother of Michelle Lovelace) is recovering from an accident that broke her pelvis and four vertebrae.  She is back at home, but in a lot of pain.
• Julie Tignor’s nephew, Nathanael Wyre (age 18 months) pulled an iron down on himself and was badly burned.  He is at Arkansas Children’s Hospital with burns on his left arm, the left side of his face, and his right hand. He may need a skin graft on his arm.
• Virginia Freeman (Danna Turpin’s cousin) did not receive a positive report from the doctors at MD Anderson. She has a rare form of cancer and will need chemotherapy treatments for the rest of her life (she is in her mid-fifties). 
• Wayne Lyon (Shelley McGehee’s father) had a heart attack last weekend.  He had a stent procedure and is much improved.
• Winnie Brown (Gary’s mother) is currently in the hospital in lots of pain.  She is having more tests.

 

**Continue to Pray for ...**
• Aura Lee Land
• John Richards
• Lenora Word
• Margaret Stone
• Susan Wade
• Wilma Son

 

**Prayer Pagers**
441-1722 Jerry Canfield
441-2387 John Holley
441-6639 Lenora Word
441-1734 Susan Wade
441-2395 dial all pagers at once

 

**Widows/Widowers**
On Saturday, October 3, the vans will leave the annex at 11:30 AM for the short drive to the home of Mike & Mary Burkett.    For transportation to the building call Mary or Bobbie or Janice.  

 

**Car Clinic**
Car Clinic will be Saturday, October 3, at the Annex from 8 to 11 AM.  It is time to “winterize.”
 
**Belonging to God: The Church**
This new study by David Chadwell will be available in classrooms 100, 203, and 215 on Sunday morning, September 27. It is also available online at www.westark.org/chadwell/belonging. The study begins October 4th.

 

**Dr. Bob Whittaker**
Please welcome Dr. Bob Whittaker (Director of the Nigerian Christian Hospital) and his family from Nigeria as they visit with us on Sunday morning.  Dr. Whittaker will be speaking at the 9:30 AM Bible class in room 106 (off the foyer). All who are interested are invited to attend.

 

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**Special Contribution for Lions for Christ Campus House**
We have had our prayers answered with the availability for purchase of the property next door to us. We now have a home for the Lions for Christ. We are greatly energized about this opportunity. These are certainly challenging yet exciting times for this family. 
 
We currently have $48,600 toward the $100,000 needed to purchase the house for the LFC. There will be a special offering this Sunday, Sept. 27.  Please pray over this opportunity, and please consider giving any amount as we intend to raise the full amount for purchase.

 

**It’s Here -- Blue Jeans Sunday 9.27.09**
Everyone is encouraged to wear blue jeans on Sunday morning.
bring them  .  wear them  .  serve in them
How will you see God at work?
Come Ready to Serve!

 

**Sunday Night! (Sept. 27)**
We will meet in the FLC (gym) at 6 PM. We will worship around tables, and the meal will be served afterwards. Please bring desserts!

 

**King's Kids**
To help us better serve your family, please pick up, fill out, and return a King’s Kids registration form (beside King’s Kids Board in foyer) for each of your children.  Thanks!

 

September 27, Blue Jeans 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 can 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.

 

**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.

 

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**Youth Group // News**

 

NO youth Worship -  Sunday, September 27
Join the rest of the congregration as they worship in the gym at 6 PM. A meal will be served afterwards.

 

Intersect Worship - Sunday, Sept. 27 / 8-9:30 PM Campus Center 129A / High School (9-12th grades), LFCs and 20 Somethings

 

Youth Group - Wed., Sept. 30 / 7 PM / Youth Room
Don’t miss out as we continue our series “Be-Attitudes.”

 

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
  More details to come

 

Family Small Group - Sunday, Oct. 18  /  6-8 PM
  More details to come

 

Family Fall Fest - Sunday, October 25  /  Family Life Center
  More details to come

 

FCA Gameday - Saturday, October 31 
  More details to come

 

**Happy Birthday To...**

 

September 27
Gail Bishop
William Tygart

 

September 28
John Wade

 

September 29
Nathan Griffin

 

September 30
Richard Broyles
Mia McClendon
Luke Nelson
Hazel Richards
Brian Robbins

 

October 1
Denise Lusby
Melinda Yowell

 

October 3
Terri Jones

 

**Morning Nursery**
Berniece Rogers
Sharon Faries
Kelsey Spickes

 

**Evening Nursery**
Denise Lusby

 

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Bible Classes...………....379   
Sunday AM Worship.…...624
Sunday PM Worship…...184
Wednesday Classes…...N/A
Contribution………..$15,799
Children’s Homes……..$209
Coins For Christ.............$27

 

Lao Worship
Attendance……………......38
Contribution……………$210

 

Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance………………..47
Contribution……………$203