West-Ark Newsletter, 1 November 2009

If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on the things that are on the earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. Colossians 1:1-4 (NASV)

Choosing to belong to Christ is a simple but difficult decision. Wanting to belong is simple, but living for Christ on a daily basis is commonly difficult. Choosing baptism is simple if you believe in Christ and turn from your sins. The challenge is to live for him day in and out in all our relationships, in all our situations, and in all our involvements.

If it were just a matter of developing a “going to church” habit, that is simple. Show up, be there, and endure. If that is all that is involved, Christianity would be a simple task. “Do it, and forget it.”

However, Christian commitment is not that simple. The Bible commitment is never described as a “membership” or an “attendance.” It is a lifestyle—involving sacrifice and servitude. It is a choice, and if the circumstances are considered, an inconvenient choice. It is a choice that focuses on who you are as a person, and the person you wish to be.

Christianity (following Christ) demands we decide “who we are.” Frankly, that is a decision most of us would rather not make. We had rather our family, our involvements, our indulgences, our jobs, our associations, or our situations make that choice. In fact, most of us would rather be many persons and merely adapt “who we are” to the circumstance we happen to be in at that moment.

No, we are not talking about being obnoxious as we with a mean spirit confront everyone we encounter. We are talking about “being” and “sharing” because we have the courage to be! In this society (and in many others) it is what we are coupled with what we share that attracts people to our God and our Savior. Being is much more deliberate and demanding than merely saying. “The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those in opposition if perhaps God may grant them repentance ...” 2 Timothy 2:24, 25

Heavenly Sunlight (vs. 1, 3) -- #611
Send The Light (vs. 1, 4) -- #650
Great Are You Lord
How Great Is Our God
How Great Thou Art (chorus only) -- #76
Tell Me The Story Of Jesus (vs. 1, 3) -- #387
Sweet Adoration (vs. 1-3) -- #253
Days of Elijah
Message -- Dr. Carl Mitchell
Song for Responses:
Will You Not Tell It Today? (vs. 1, 3) -- #628

**In Our Thoughts & Prayers**
• Bill Brazelton is in the ICU at St. Edward Hospital.
• Caidan Dockery is sick and having breathing problems. He is not able to gain and maintain weight so tests will be run to determine if there are any medical issues keeping him from doing so.
• Debbie Belote is scheduled for further testing due to a possible reaction from a flu shot.
• Geneva Shepherd is at Ashton Place in room 205.
• Ben Pearson had hip replacement surgery on Monday. He is in room 3507 at St. Edward Hospital.
• Pam Tennant’s, Wilburn and Louise Howard’s daughter, pathologist report indicated that there is no cancer in the lymph nodes. No further treatment is needed!
• Nadine Hawkins requests our prayers for her daughter, Vicki Varvel. She is having problems with blood clots forming.
• Natalie Nelson requests prayers for her aunt, Linda Poe. She was diagnosed with meningitis and is now in the ICU.

**Continued Prayers**
• Aura Lee Land
• Bobbie Bollinger (Rochelle Brown’s aunt)
• Lela Neal
• F. E. Cook
• Kathy Rosalez
• Margaret Stone
• Tina Good (requested by Rex Mason)
• Virgie Ingram (Cami Stancil’s grandmother)
• Wilma Son
• Winnie Brown

**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 anyone who is unable to travel home for the holiday. We need someone to coordinate this event, if you are interested, please call the office at 452-1240. (Past coordinators have been the Pratts, the Bergers, and the Frosts!)

**Hope Chest Christmas Room Work Day**
The Hope Chest needs workers to help get the Christmas room ready. Please join us at the Hope Chest for a couple of hours on Friday, October 30 starting at 1:00 p.m. Any amount of time you can give will be greatly appreciated.

**Widows/Widowers**
THE BUS IS LEAVING! The departure time is 11:30 a.m. from the Annex Depot on Saturday, November 7. The ETA is 11:50 a.m. at the Lowry Home. Don’t miss this trip over to the next county. On the return ride you will see the most spectacular view offered in Van Buren.

**Hope Chest Toy Giveaway**
The Hope Chest Toy Giveaway will be held this year on Saturday, December 12. Your generosity has blessed us with so many toys that we have outgrown the space at the Hope Chest. The Giveaway will be held at the West-Ark Family Life Center. The participation from the congregation was overwhelming last year. Thank you to all. Hopefully even more of you can be a part of this year’s outreach. Please watch the bulletin in the coming weeks for updates on the various needs associated with the Giveaway.

“Thank You” doesn’t seem big enough for what the Lions for Christ would like to say to all who made our weekend such a great success! Donors at the chili supper amazed us with $536, and the estate sale took our breath away with $1225! Our gratitude goes to all the workers, those who donated goods, food, time, creativity (Bridge 56ers reeled them in with those games!), cooked, and anyone who bought something or donated money!
Our hearts are full of love and gratitude for you and we thank God for what He has done through you! Whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Col. 3:17
-Shane Hughes and the Lions for Christ

**King’s Kids Toy Drive**
Tis the season ... to clean out those closets and toy chests and bring them for West-Ark’s Hope Chest Toy Giveaway (Dec. 12). Please remember to bring clean, working toys. (Batteries are appreciated too.) Please bring all toys by Sunday, November 15. Let’s encourage our kids to get involved in the process by allowing them to place the toys in the containers and possibly even help in selecting the toys that you bring. We might be surprised at how generous our children can be if we give them the opportunity. To Him be all the glory!

**Fall Fest Thank You! **
A HUGE thank you to all who participated and helped with Fall Fest. Be sure to thank our awesome Bridge 56 Kids especially for doing such a great job with the booths. We pray that it was a blessing to all who came, that we were able to be Jesus to our guests (and each other) and that His name will be glorified in it all!

• 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 flashlight hike, you won’t want to miss it! Bring a flashlight and $3 to help cover food costs. Dress warm!

• Youth Group - Wednesday, November 4 / 7 PM / Youth Room
Music! Videos! Worship! Challenging message! Fellowship! Don’t miss out as we continue our brand new series, “My Own Jesus”, this Wednesday... and bring a friend!

• 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! - We are still in need of meal coordinators for our MOVE 2009 Advance, drivers for the New Year’s Eve lock-in in Rogers and a few other slots. Please see Rick or Jackie or sign up on the Youth Group bulletin board if you can help. Thanks!

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Bible Classes...………....342
Sunday AM Worship.…...602
Sunday PM Worship…...N/A
Wednesday Classes…...N/A
Contribution………..$14,814
Children’s Homes……..$178
Coins For Christ.............$45

Office Phone (479) 452-1240
Fax (479) 452-5767
office@westarkchurchofchrist.org
www.westark.org
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"Making disciples for Jesus who are eager to serve others."
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