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Family Lines Newsletter, November 8, 2009
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**Things Just Keep Changing!**
By David Chadwell

 

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever.  Hebrews 13:8

 

I was quite conscientious as a preacher about staying “up-to-date” as I presented classes and sermons.  Little is more ignorant than a preacher claiming to know when he does not have a clue.

 

Around 1990 much was said about available information doubling by 2000.  My reaction:  “No way!  That must be a mistake!  I cannot keep up now!”  I was drowning in information!  All I learned was how little I knew!  The more information I grasped, the more my ignorance exploded!

 

In my youth, a good mule promptly responded to voice commands, a jersey milk cow supplied us with lots of cream, the new inventions of gravity-flowed cold water and kerosene stoves served us, telephones had “party lines,” families had one car, school had research books and slide rules, and teachers lectured as the “authorities.”

 

I still struggle with computers.  My use of a cell phone is laughable.  “Texting” is non-existent.  Birds twitter.  No wonder I surrendered to the world of “change” by the year 2000—remember how the millennium might bring everything to a standstill?  (Yes, I filled my bathtubs with water before I went to a New Year’s Eve party!)

 

Laugh at me if you wish (I frequently laugh at me), but do you have any idea of how much your life will change by 2025?

 

The one thing that will never change is the Gospel story.  God is the origin of life.   We messed up everything.  God sent Jesus to undo the mess we made. By resurrection, Jesus became our Savior.  If we place our trust in what God does for us through Jesus, two things happen: (1) We change the way we live and who we are.  (2) God has us covered even though we still make messes—He calls it forgiveness.

 

Is that a matter of faith?  Yes!  It always will be!  Yet, Jesus is the Christ, and that never changes!  No matter what is said or done, Jesus remains the changeless one!  A Christ-less Christianity is not possible!  Without Jesus Christ, there is no Christianity!

 

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**Order of Worship**
Worship Leader -- Brent Evans
#294 -- You’re The One (vs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)

 

Welcome
Blessed Be Your Name (on screen)
#162 - All Hail The Power of Jesus Name (vs. 1-4)
#167 – Hosanna (vs. 1, 2)
#659 – I Love to Tell The Story (vs. 1, 2, 4)

 

In Christ Alone (on screen)
Table of the Lord
Offering
You Are My All in All (on screen)

 

Special Missions Contribution
#660 – People Need the Lord (repeat)

 

Coins for Christ / Children’s Worship
#624 – Seeking the Lost (vs. 1, 2, 3)

 

Message -- Chris Benjamin
#680 – Yes, Lord, Yes! (vs. 1, 2) 
Elder’s Prayer

 

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**In Our Thoughts & Prayers**
• Debbie Belote is feeling much better this week.  Prayers, combined with rest and “real food,” are making a difference. Please continue to pray for complete healing!
• Jessie Moore has asked for our prayers for continuing health issues.
• Jake Odell broke his leg playing soccer on Sunday. Thankfully his surgery did not require any screws, rods or plates.  Only a cast is needed. Continue to pray for his recovery.
• F. E.  Cook is scheduled to have surgery on Friday at St. Edward Hospital.
• Prayers are requested for Betty Callicott’s sister, Bonnie McNew, as she is in the final stages of Alzheimer’s.  Pray that God will comfort her family and her husband, Ben.

 

**Bereaved In Prayer**
Our love and sympathy is extended to the following families:
• Toka Beall in the death of two of her cousins last week: Betty Trotter of Ozark, and James Shibley of Tulsa.
• Judy and Kendra Denton in the unexpected death of husband and father, Danny, on Thursday (11/5/09).
• Anthony & Jackie Sofio in the sudden death of Anthony’s sister, Teresa (age 30) Thursday morning (11/5/09) in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

 

**Continued Prayers**
Aura Lee Land
Ben Pearson
Bill Brazelton
Bobbie Bollinger (Rochelle Brown’s aunt)
Caidan Dockery
Geneva Shepherd
Kathy Rosalez
Lela Neal
Linda Poe (Natalie Nelson’s aunt)
Margaret Stone
Vicki Varvel (Nadine Hawkins’ daughter)
Wilma Son
Winnie Brown        

 

**Prayer Pagers**
441-2387  Ben Pearson
441-1648  Debbie Belote
441-1734  F. E. Cook
441-2378  Geneva Shepherd
441-2381  Jake Odell
441-1722  Kathy Rosalez
441-2395  Dial all pagers at once

 

**Thanksgiving Is Getting Closer!**
It will be here before we know it and we still are in need of a coordinator for our Thanksgiving Potluck. 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.  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!)

 

**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.

 

**No Car Clinic in November, it will return in December.**

 

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**November 8 - Missions Special Contribution and Pledges**
There will be two contributions on Sunday. After the regular contribution we will take a special collection to help fund our various missions projects.

 

**Hope Chest Appreciation Dinner**
Hope Chest volunteeers and their spouses are invited to dinner on Monday, November 23, at 6:30 PM in the Family Life Center.  Please sign the list in the foyer if you can attend.

 

**Hope Chest Toy Giveaway**
The Hope Chest Toy Giveaway will be held this year on Saturday, December 12 in the Family Life Center (gym). Please watch the bulletin in the coming weeks for updates on the various needs associated with the Giveaway.

 

**The Tutoring Program Needs Your Help!**
We need three more tutors, additional substitute tutors, snack-providers, and an additional van driver.  Call Sheila Vaught if you can help.

 

**Save the Date!**
There will be a bridal shower honoring Bill Davidson (son of Bob & Jo Davidson) and his fiancee on Monday, December 21, from 5 - 7 PM in the home of Danna Turpin.  More details later!

 

**Attention JOY Bunch!**
Back by popular demand, the Overcup Skinny Dippers will be performing for us at our meeting on Saturday, November 21. If you enjoy music, you will not want to miss this unique trio!! Mark your calendars and plan to be present on November 21st at 6:00 PM in the FLC.

 

**King's Kids**
There are only two more weeks for the Toy Drive for the Hope Chest Giveaway which will take place on December 12, so clean out those closets and drawers. =] 
Toys may be brought to the container marked “toys” in the foyer or to The FLOCK station.  Remember to get your kids involved in this process, so that they can receive the blessing of sharing, too!

 

Fall Fest photos are ready!  They will be in alphabetical order of last name and may be picked up on the table by the King’s Kids board. 

 

Mark Your King’s Kids Calendar!
December 12 - Bridge 56 Christmas Party
December 12 - King’s Kids FAMILY Movie Night

 

**West-Ark Online Calendar!**
www.westark.org/calendar.htm

 

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**Youth Group News**

 

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!

 

YOUTH GROUP - Wednesday, November 11  / 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!

 

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 to sign up is TODAY 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!

 

**Happy Birthday To...**

 

November 8
Dana Pruitt

 

November 9
Sandy Berger
Charlotte Botteicher
Jordan Wear

 

November 10
Angie Hines

 

November 13
Dalton Stancil

 

November 14
Dennis Anderson
Grayson Cogswell
Bill Dickey
Donald Neal

 

**Nursery Helpers**

 

Morning
Trish Carson
Dwonne Cogswell
Vicki Anderson

 

Evening
Terri Jones

 

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Bible Classes...………....362   
Sunday AM Worship.…...608
Sunday PM Worship…...N/A
Wednesday Classes…...N/A
Contribution………..$23,418
Children’s Homes……..$223
Coins For Christ.............$36

 

Lao Worship
Attendance……………......32
Contribution……………$162

 

Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance………………..57
Contribution……………$251