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Family
Lines Newsletter, October 25,
2009
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**The Challenge**
By David
Chadwell
Now no one after lighting a lamp
covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a
lampstand, in order that those who come in may see the light. Luke
8:16
In Jesus’ physical life, lamps
were very small—most household lamps would fit in the palm of a hand. They
did not use kerosene (non-existent), but a simple wick that absorbed olive oil
or something similar. The lamp would burn for a few hours as it provided a
dim light that enabled people to move about a room at night. One did not
light a lamp to cover it or put it at the lowest possible elevation. It
was placed on a lampstand (usually about 4 feet high) near the center of the
room. With that small light, people could see to move about without
bumping into things or tripping.
Jesus’ point—a lamp is lit to
provide light. If light is not wanted, do not light the lamp. A lamp
is lit to allow people to see—so use the light to let people see!
People are Christians because
they wish to be Christians! Such people have decided that Christianity is
the way to live. They are not Christians to hide the fact that they follow
Jesus. They are focused on the light he provides in order to avoid the
pitfalls of life.
We do not “trick” a man or woman
into following Jesus Christ. We convince people that life is best lived by
avoiding unnecessary bruises and falls! We show people that following
Jesus allows him to be our light, and that is the best way to move about
life.
Will following Jesus remove all
the dangers of the blackened room we know as life? No! It only
removes the unnecessary bruises and stumbles. When we understand that
there is more to life than the “now of darkness,” we realize there are some
unavoidable hurts that are worth the pain. Pain resulting from faith in
Jesus produces rewards worthy of the pain! There is an enormous difference
in pain worth the suffering and unnecessary, useless pain! All
decisions/acts have consequences. Worthy suffering and unnecessary pain
stand in stark contrast!
Apply Jesus’ example in this
way. Christians want to be Christians. Why? Christianity
guides us as we navigate life. Jesus’ light teaches us how to live—now and
later!
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**Order of
Worship**
Worship Leader -- Rick
Odell
My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less
-- #538
Here I Am To Worship
Faithful Love --
#18
Firm Foundation
Come Thou Fount Of Every
Blessing -- #226
A Common Love --
#705
Listen To Our Hearts --
#810
The Greatest Commands --
#448
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**In Our Thoughts &
Prayers**
• Barbara
Miller had two stents placed on Tuesday. She is now at home and doing
well.
• Bill Brazelton is in ICU at St. Edward Hospital.
• Caidan Dockery
is sick and having breathing problems.
• Debbie Belote is still recovering
from an allergic reaction to a flu shot.
• Geneva Shepherd is in
hospice care, room 5116, at St. Edward Hospital.
• Hunter Canfield is making
a good recovery from the H1N1 flu. His little brother Peyton contracted
the regular flu, but is also feeling better. Thank you for your prayers,
they are being answered.
• Kathy Rosalez got a good report from the
doctor. She will have to have further treatment, but this will be decided
after future doctor visits.
• Lloyd Priester (Jim’s father) had knee surgery
Monday.
• Pam Tennant’s surgery went well. Treatment is undecided at
this time. Pam is the daughter of Wilburn & Louise Howard. Cards
may be sent to Pam at 4084 Fenrose Circle, Melbourne, FL
32940.
**Continued Prayers**
• Aura Lee
Land
• Bobbie Bollinger (Rochelle Brown’s aunt)
• Lela Neal
• Emily
Glidewell
• F. E. Cook
• Margaret Stone
• Tina Good (requested by Rex
Mason)
• Valoree Berlew (niece of Marvin Hughes)
• Virgie Ingram (Cami
Stancil’s grandmother)
• Wilma Son
• Winnie Brown
**Prayer Pager**
• 441-1734 Susan
Wade
• 441-1722 Kathy Rosalez
• 441-2378 Geneva
Shepherd
**Thanksgiving Dinner Coordinator**
For many years it has been a tradition at West-Ark to have a Thanksgiving Day “turkey & potluck” lunch in the gym for any individuals or families who are unable to travel home for the holiday. If you are interested in
coordinating this event, please call the office at 452-1240. Past
coordinators have been the Pratts, the Bergers, and the Frosts!
**New on the Bulletin Board**
Thank you
note from Shelley McGehee
**Fall Fest Dinner Menu**
• Southern
Beans & Cornbread (Like you dreamed your mama could make!)
• Chef
Andrew’s “wannabe” Wildman Chili (Not for weenies!!)
• ‘Nawlins Shrimp Creole
(Bring New Orleans to your mouth without leaving home!!)
Menu items will be offered for a
DONATION to the LFC Campus House. These donations will be used to purchase
supplies and build two “Harding” swings for the backyard.
Take out available -- while
supplies last.
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**West-Ark’s Missions Focus**
November
1 - Mission Sunday
Guest Speaker: Carl Mitchell
Carl Mitchell spent 18
years in Italy as a missionary and educator. He was a Bible/psychology professor
and eventually a Dean at Pepperdine for 20 years. He was a professor of Bible
and Counseling at Harding and eventually a Dean for 20 years. Carl recently
retired from his position as consultant to Church and Family and to the
President of Harding. He presently splits his time between Harding and Italy.
Carl and his wife, Frankie, have been married for 52 years. They have two sons
and a daughter and four grandsons and four granddaughters.
November 8 -
Missions Special Contribution and Pledges
**Lions for Christ Garage/Estate
Sale**
Saturday, October 24
8 AM until 2
PM
Location: Future LFC Campus House, next to the gym
Setting Up for the
Sale - Workers are needed on Friday,
October 23 from 12 noon - 3 PM
At the Sale - Adult workers needed at the sale on Saturday, October 24
starting at 7 AM
If you can help with set-up on
Friday or at the sale on Saturday, contact Sandy Berger.
**Tutoring Program**
We need 3 more tutors,
additional substitute tutors, snack-providers, and an additional van
driver. Call Sheila Vaught if you can help.
**King’s Kids - Sunday, October 25**
Bridge
56 - After morning services until 2 PM we will have a Pizza Lunch (Bring
$2) and we will set up for the Fall Fest.
**Fall Fest - Fun for all!**
Sunday,
October 25 - 6:30 to 8 PM - West-Ark Gym
There truly is something for
everyone!
Enter the Pie-Making Contest (sign-up at King’s Kids
Board)
Enter the Pumpkin Decorating Contest (decorate at
home)
Enjoy the Benefit Chili Supper
Bring your grandkids,
neighbors, friends’ kids
(invitations are at the
Guest Center and King’s Kids Board)
Bring any/all of the following
items:
Cupcakes for Cupcake Walk (sign-up at King’s Kids
Board)
Desserts and/or drinks
Individually wrapped candies
(drop in the tub at King’s Kids Board)
“Fast-Food” prizes (drop in the
tub at King’s Kids Board)
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**Youth Group
News**
• Family Fall Fest - Sunday,
October 25 / Family Life Center / 6:30-8:00 PM
• Calendar change - Intersect
Worship (for high school, LfCs and 20 somethings) on October 25 and FCA Gameday
on October 31 have been cancelled.
• Youth Group - Wednesday,
October 28 / 7 PM / Youth Room
Music! Videos! Worship!
Challenging message! Fellowship! Don’t miss out ... and bring a
friend!
• Home Devo - Sunday, November
1 / 5-9 PM
The home devo will be held at the Mackey’s home
in Winslow, AR. The vans will leave from the church at 5 PM and will return
around 9 PM. We will have a bonfire and a hayride, you won’t want to miss it!
Bring $3 to help cover food costs.
• SNL at Robinson Avenue -
Sunday, November 8
Don’t miss out on the chance to worship with hundreds of
other students from Northwest Arkansas. This week’s theme is “I am the
light of the world.” (John 8:12) They will be serving food at the event.
The vans will leave at 5:00 PM sharp and return around 9 :00 PM. THIS IS
FREE!!! We hope you make every effort to be here!
• 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! The deadline is November 8th.
• WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! - A
successful youth and family ministry cannot happen without lots of volunteers
and we need more! Please see Rick or Jackie or sign up on the Youth Group
bulletin board if you can help as a van driver, a host home or meal coordinator
for our MOVE 2009 Advance, drive to the New Year’s Eve lock-in in Rogers and a
few other activities. Thanks.
**Happy Birthday
To...**
October 25
Mary
King
Jacob Null
Kaelin Schaper
October 26
Farrell
Graves
Cyrus Haworth
Hope Hesslen
Shirley Washburn
October 28
Sue
Hastings
October 29
Jay
Wood
October 30
Kate
Burkett
Terry Lynn Overbey
October 31
Chris
Benjamin
Frances Quenin
**Morning Nursery**
Berniece
Rogers
Sharon Faries
Kelsey Spickes
**Evening Nursery**
Denise Lusby
**Attendance and Contribution
Count**
Bible Classes...………....351
Sunday AM Worship.…...638
Sunday PM Worship…...N/A
Wednesday
Classes…...N/A
Contribution………..$14,563
Children’s Homes……..$163
Coins
For Christ.............$25
Lao
Worship
Attendance……………......23
Contribution……………$136
Iglesia de
Cristo
Attendance………………..51
Contribution……………$206
Office Phone (479)
452-1240
Fax (479) 452-5767
office@westarkchurchofchrist.org
www.westark.org-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Making disciples for Jesus who are eager to serve
others."
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