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Family Lines Newsletter, October 11, 2009
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** "Three Measures of Convenience, Please!" **
By David Chadwell

 

For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire ...  2 Thessalonians 1:6, 7

 

When the Christ-followers began in Acts 2, this movement began with a “bang”!  Peter spoke to a huge, religious, Jerusalem crowd confirming that God raised Jesus from the dead and made him Lord.  Some 3,000 responded, and the unconquerable movement began.  These early converts in Jerusalem were certain that nothing could stop them!

 

At first, opposition cooperated.  The movement diversified.  Being godly involved more than believing God raised Jesus.  Local congregations had problems.  Jobs were lost.  Christ-followers were arrested and killed.  Christianity was ultimately unpopular!

 

A movement that began with a “bang” in Acts 2 staggered badly in Asia Minor in Revelation.  A movement that seemed destined for greatness in Acts 2 struggled for survival in the times of Revelation.  John wrote, “God in Christ won the victory!  All you need to do is endure!”

 

In this country’s southern region, we often enjoyed convenience.  Prosperity allowed us to build and maintain buildings, to produce and sustain programs, to have incredible outreaches, to acquire staffs, and to dream dreams that early members never imagined.  Though there were struggles, often it was “convenient to struggle.”

 

Times ahead may not be convenient. This may be one of those strange periods when opportunity is abundant, but funding is restrictive.  Convenience can be like an unneeded narcotic.  If taken from us, we struggle—did convenience control our actions, or did faith control our actions?  Did we function as we do because of convenience or because Jesus is Lord?  Is existence about lifestyle, or is existence about eternity?

 

In these difficult times, may we encourage each other.  May we support faith in each other.  May we be a people of faith regardless of circumstances.  May we attack hardship and uncertainty with faith.  May we never worship the god of convenience!  May Jesus Christ alone be our Lord—in all challenges and all circumstances!  “Now” is not eternity!

 

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**Order of Worship**
Worship Leader -- Rick Odell

#533 -- I Am A Sheep
#62 -- I Exalt Thee

 

Welcome

Ancient Words (on screen)
We Fall Down (on screen)
#792 -- My Eyes Are Dry
#837 -- I Need Thee Every Hour

 

Table of the Lord -- Tyler Robbins
Offering

 

Coins for Christ
Dismiss to Children’s Worship

#781 -- Thank You, Lord
#214 -- Have You Seen Jesus My Lord?
Create In Me A Clean Heart (on screen)

Message -- Chris Benjamin

Song for Responses
Break My Heart (on screen)

 

Elder’s Prayer

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**In Our Thoughts & Prayers**
• Geneva Shepherd had a heart attack and is in St. Edward Hospital, room 3306.  She is doing well, but waiting on more test results.
• Lela Neal was admitted to Sparks Hospital on Monday for tests.  She was able to go home on Wednesday.
• Pam Tennant (daughter of Wilburn & Louise Howard), is scheduled for a double mastectomy on October 20th in Melbourne, FL.  Reconstructive surgery will follow.
• Winnie Brown (Gary’s mother) is currently in the hospital for pain management.

 

**Continued Prayers**
• Aura Lee Land
• Bobbie Bolinger (aunt of Rochelle Brown)
• Lawrance Tiller (nephew of Ruth Gouty)
• Margaret Stone
• Nathanael Wyre (Julie Tignor’s nephew)
• Virginia Freeman (Danna Turpin’s cousin)
• Wilma Son

 

**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Michaela Schaper in the loss of her grandmother, Laverne Branum, on Sunday. Funeral services were Wednesday (10/7/09) in Paragould, Arkansas.

 

**Prayer Pager**
441-1734 Susan Wade

 

**Lions for Christ Garage Sale**
Location: LFC Campus House next to gym
October 24, 8 AM until 2 PM
This is very similar to an estate sale -- lots of  dishes, pots & pans, household items and books. 
Some “vintage” 1960s and 1970s stuff!

 

**JOY Bunch!**
Come join in the fun on Saturday, October 17 at 6:00 PM in the FLC (gym). Seasonal decor, contest, and prizes!!

 

**Tutoring Program**
We  need 3 more tutors, additional substitute tutors, snack-providers, and an additional van driver.  Call Sheila Vaught if you can help (646-2945).

 

**On the Bulletin Board**
• Thank you note from Mary Frances Jackson.
• Information for Samoan Disaster Relief Fund.

 

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**West-Ark Missions**
Our special contribution to fund West-Ark missions for 2010 is November 8th!

 

**King’s Kids Calendar**

 

 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!

 

October 11 - Bridge 56 Parent Night  (NOTE:  This is a date change)
 - 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!  (Invitations are the Guest Center and at the King’s Kids Board in the foyer.)
- Games / Candy
- Cupcake Walk
- Pumpkin Decorating Contest (decorate at home and be judged at Fall Fest)
- Pie Making Contest (make at home and be judged at Fall Fest)
- Benefit Chili Supper (LFC House)

 

Fun for all ages!  Costumes are welcome.
Fast food toys and individually wrapped candies are needed and can be dropped off at the King’s Kids Board.

 

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**Youth Group // News**

 

SNL at Neosho, MO - Sunday, October 11
Don’t miss the first of this school year’s SNLs... remember, these WILL be worth your time and the drive.  Don’t miss out on the chance to worship with hundreds of other students from SW Missouri and Arkansas.  This week’s theme is “I am the bread of life.” (John 6:35) They will be serving food at the event.  The vans will leave at 4:00 PM sharp and return around 10:00 PM.  THIS IS FREE!!!  We hope you make every effort to be here!

 

Youth Group - Wed., October 14  /  7 PM  /  Youth Room
Don’t miss out as we continue our series “Be-Attitudes.”  We’ll talk more about the blessings that those who are persecuted receive.

 

Family Small Group - Sunday, Oct. 18 / 6-8 PM
Don’t miss out on this first of its kind event!  All West-Ark families with youth group students will gather together in groups at a host home located near you geographically.  Your group will share some thoughts from God’s Word, share in some snacks/food and get to know each other better. We hope to have one of our Shepherds attend each of these Cluster meetings.  This is a FREE event and will help us as we grow to be more like the family of God that He calls us to be.  Please Note:  If you are in the Van Buren cluster, you should have received an email asking for one of you to be the host home for this event. As of now, no one has replied.  PLEASE volunteer! (let Rick or Jackie know) Thanks!

 

Family Fall Fest - Sunday, October 25  /  Family Life Center  /  6:30-8:00 PM  /   More details to come

 

Calendar change - Intersect Worship on October 25 and FCA Gameday on October 31 have been cancelled.

 

MOVE 2009 Advance - Friday, November 13 - Sunday, November 15 / West-Ark Church of Christ
In our Youth Group, we want to ADVANCE!  And Advancing means we MOVE. MOVE 2009 Advance (our annual “retreat”) is an event that focuses strictly on development of discipleship, regardless of “where” a student is spiritually.  This event is open to any student from 7th-12th grades that is interested in a “MOVE” (growing) as a disciple of Jesus Christ.  We’ll be gathering at the church building throughout the weekend and staying at the homes of a number of kind and hospitable members from our own church family.  (You will NOT be staying at your own home.)  The speaker will be Andy Spell (yes, from Soul Quest), from the West Houston Church in Houston, TX and the worship leader will be Evan Simmons, from the Hillcrest Church in Abilene, TX.  Get your application from the hanging files near the Youth Group bulletin board in the foyer and turn it in TODAY!

 

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! -  An important thing Rick wants and needs is parent and adult involvement in the lives of our students.  We have tried to make this fairly simple to do by holding volunteer sign-ups each trimester.  However, we are still in need of volunteers.  Please see Rick or Jackie or sign up on the Youth Group bulletin board if you can help as a van driver, host a home devo, host home or meal coordinator for our MOVE 2009 Advance, host homes for our Christmas progressive dinner and a few other slots.  Thanks!

 

**Happy Birthday To...**

 

October 11
Ellen Seiter

 

October 12
Berniece Rogers

 

October 13
Taylor Hankins
Jensen Hill
Hannah Watlington

 

October 15
Andy Cruz
Robert Willett

 

October 16
Richard Adams
Ann Combs
Jerry Glidewell

 

October 17
Becky Grist
Kristi Odell
John Wilson

 

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

 

**Evening Nursery**
Terri Jones

 

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Bible Classes...………....364   
Sunday AM Worship.…...535
Sunday PM Worship…...N/A
Wednesday Classes…...N/A
Contribution………..$24,984
Children’s Homes……..$213
Coins For Christ.............$43

 

Lao Worship
Attendance……………......27
Contribution……………$168

 

Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance………………..46
Contribution……………$220