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Family Lines Newsletter, October 4, 2009
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**Assembling, Serving, or Both?**
By David Chadwell

 

So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. 
Galatians 6:10

 

When Paul penned those words, the Roman Empire was unsympathetic to Christianity.  The predominant form of religion was some expression of idolatry.  A common thing binding most idolatrous religions was a polytheistic thrust.  Most forms of idolatry did not care how many gods a person worshipped.  Worship of one idol did not exclude other idols.  Thus doing good to “all men” included kindness, thoughtfulness, and helpfulness to people who worshipped idols.  One principle of faith in Jesus Christ was defeating evil by doing good instead of by vengeance (Romans 12:17-21).

 

Christians were strange!  The Roman Empire valued force!  Defeat enemies by using force!  The surrender of a defeated enemy was a wonderful thing!  Doing good sought a willful cooperation; defeat sought an unwilling subjugation.

 

Christians were weird!  Christians—slave or wealthy—regarded all who believed in Jesus as family!  All believers were God’s family!  Love motivated them to care for each other and those who did not believe.  They threatened no one.  One who included himself or herself in their ranks did so by personal choice. Anyone could belong.  All, regardless of background, could be one of them.  Though they believed in one God, they were kind to those who believed in many gods.  Their morality was the weirdest known in that world!

 

Last Sunday was “Blue Jeans Sunday.”  All colors of denim in all forms were worn—skirts, jeans, overalls, and jackets.  The objective: to emphasize the biblical connection between worship and service.  Between 200 and 250 served that afternoon.  Cards were written, vans cleaned, linens at CURE folded, toys prepared for give away, quilts for earthquake victims in China made, and over 700 pairs of jeans collected for and delivered to the Hope Chest.  There was a campus prayer walk, the yard of the new Lions For Christ house received massive help, and equipment manned—chain saws, a chipper, and a tractor with sweaty people dragging brush.  When the day ended in a fellowship meal, the FULL price of the new property was contributed.  God was honored, people were served, and we felt His life in us.  We worked and gave to benefit people we have yet to meet!  Young and old, different races, men and women worked side by side.  We all were just Christians!  God was glorified as we rediscovered the joys of Christian service.

 

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**Order of Worship**
Worship Leader -- Rick Odell
#712 -- Jesus Is Coming Soon
Father God (Just For Today)

 

Welcome
#705 -- A Common Love
#791 -- On Bended Knee
In Christ Alone

 

Table of the Lord -- Shane Hughes
Offering

 

Coins for Christ
Dismiss to Children’s Worship
#1016 -- This Little Light of Mine
#694 -- Servant Song

 

Message -- John Carson
Shine Like Stars (Philippians 2)
Song for Responses
#790 -- Lord, Take Control

 

Elder’s Prayer

 

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**In Our Thoughts and Prayers**
• Harold Callahan (a friend of Jim Wyatt’s) was discharged from the hospital on Wednesday.
• Julie Tignor’s nephew, Nathanael Wyre (age 18 months) is doing well.  He will not need a skin graft on his arm.
• Lawrance Tiller (nephew of Ruth Gouty) is still in ICU (Springfield, MO hospital) and experiencing difficulties.
• Oscar Nolasco has asked that we pray for Honduras and its people during this country’s difficult time.
• Pray for the people in the Samoan Islands as they recover from the disaster there.  Randy & Sharon English (missionaries in American Samoa) were at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston, TX, for Randy’s checkup when the earthquake hit. They are in touch with their church family and friends there and will return home Sunday night.
• Pam Tennant (daughter of Wilburn & Louise Howard) has been diagnosed with breast cancer.  She is scheduled for a double mastectomy October 20th in Melbourne, FL.  Reconstructive surgery will follow.

 

**Continued Prayers**
• Aura Lee Land
• Bobbie Bolinger (aunt of Rochelle Brown)
• John Richards
• Linda McClain (stepmother of Michelle Lovelace)
• Margaret Stone
• Virginia Freeman (Danna Turpin’s cousin)
• Wayne Lyon (Shelley McGehee’s father)
• Wilma Son
• Winnie Brown (Gary’s mother)

 

**Prayer Pagers**
441-1722 Jerry Canfield / 441-1734 Susan Wade

 

**Welcome, Blessed Baby!**
John and Melody Priester (former members) have a new addition to the family and a brother for Joshua.  Nathan Allan was born Wednesday afternoon, September 30.  He is a big boy -- 10 lbs., 5 ozs. and 22 1/2 inches long!  Congratulations to the Priester Family!

 

**New on the Bulletin Board**
This week, we have posted thank you notes in the foyer from John & Ann Holley, Marjorie Blake,  Roberta Vacia, and Brittanie Cooley.

 

**Widows/Widowers**
Lunch at the Burkett home
Saturday, October 3
Vans leave the Annex at 11:30 AM
Please call Mary at 646-6079 if you plan to attend.

 

**A Note from West-Ark’s Elders**
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20

We are privileged to serve such a generous and service-minded congregation. Thank you for your overwhelming response to Blue Jeans Sunday (over 700 pairs brought), service Sunday (so many good things accomplished) and the request for funds to purchase the LFC house (all that was needed was given). We love you and are honored to serve as your shepherds.

Bill Dickey, Bob Null, Larry Todd, Michael Cole, Ron Belote, Roy Dunavin, Russ McConnell

 

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**Work Day on the Campus House**
Two men are needed to work Tuesday, October 6, at the LFC house from 12 noon until ??  Each will need to bring a large trailer.  Contact Gene Monk (719-0815) for particulars and tools needed.

 

**West-Ark Online Calendar**
http://www.westark.org/calendar.htm
• Saturday, October 3 -- Budget Planning Day for all ministries starting at 9 AM in room 203.
• Saturday, October 3, Car Clinic, 8 - 11 AM at the Annex
• Tuesday, October 6 -- Tutoring Program begins!
• Thursday, October 8 -- Game Day -- bring your favorite game and a friend, 1 PM in the Annex .
• Saturday, October 17, 11:30 AM  -- Hope Park Pavilion (3rd Saturday meal served)
• Tuesday, October 27, 6:30 PM, Tutoring program’s Halloween Open House.

 

**King's Kids**
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!

 

October 11 - Bridge 56 Parent Night
(NOTE:  This date has changed!)
 - Who?  Bridge 56 Parents
 - When?  6-7 pm
 - Where? Bridge 56 Room
 - Why?  Worship together and learn about upcoming events

 

**Family Fall Fest, October 25**
This is a church family event and a great opportunity to share the love of Jesus with our community.
How can YOU be a part??
• Invite your grandkids, nieces, nephews & neighbors. (You can pick up invitations at the Guest Center and at the King’s Kids file box.)
• Enjoy the benefit chili supper for LFC (Proceeds will go toward an outdoor wooden swing.)
• Bring individually wrapped candies and fast-food toys.  (They can be dropped at the King’s Kids Board.)
• Enter the 1st Annual Pie-Making Contest!  (More details later.)
• Pray that this event will be another opportunity to be family and to show Jesus’ love to those in our community.

 

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**Youth Group // News**

 

Paintball - Sunday, October 4 / 12:30-4:30 All American Paintball Field, Charleston, AR
Vans will leave the church at 12:30 and return at 4:30 PM. Eat lunch before you come.

 

Youth Worship - Sunday, Oct. 4 / 6 PM / Youth Rm
Join us as we discover what purpose God has for us in our lives.

 

Youth Group - Wed., Oct. 4 / 7 PM / Youth Room
Don’t miss out as we continue our series “Be-Attitudes.”

 

SNL at Neosho, MO - Sunday, October 11
Theme: I am the bread of life. (John 6:35)
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  /  6:30-8 PM
More details to come

 

FCA Gameday - Saturday, October 31 
More details to come

 

**Happy Birthday To...**

 

October 4
Debra Lively

 

October 5
Sharon Faries
Leslie Holland
Dena Jenkins
Abigail Jennemann
Margaret Moss
Sam Oliver
Kinzey Rogers
Dalton Smith

 

October 6
Lillie Daws

 

October 7
Migdalia Mendez
Dawson Urrutia
Carl Wood

 

October 8
Gertrude Mize
Kevin Roberts
Neil Roberts

 

October 9
Jeanetta Falls
Gene Puckett
Billy Yowell

 

October 10
Harold Binyon
Jimmie Cantrell
Lana Howard
Kevin Vaught

 

**Morning Nursery**
Melissa Walker
Suzi Jennemann
Dena Jenkins

 

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Bible Classes...………....396   
Sunday AM Worship.…...602
Sunday PM Worship…...N/A
Wednesday Classes…...N/A
Contribution………..$21,921
Children’s Homes……..$255
Coins For Christ.............$59

 

Lao Worship
Attendance……………......36
Contribution……………$146

 

Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance………………..47
Contribution……………$235