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Family Lines Newsletter, November 15, 2009
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**Getting It!**
By David Chadwell

 

“You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a man who is a Jew to associate with a foreigner or to visit him; and yet God has shown me that I should not call any man unholy or unclean.  That is why I came without even raising an objection when I was sent for.  And so I ask for what reason you have sent for me.”  Acts 10:28, 29, NASV (emphasis mine)

 

The above scriptural quotation contains the words of the Apostle Peter in Acts 10 as he spoke to Cornelius.  Before this, Peter had three visions about the visit, a message from the Spirit, and a confirmation that Cornelius was a righteous and God-fearing man well spoken of by the Jews. With all of this verification, Peter did not Get It.

 

It was not until after Peter arrived at Cornelius’ home, spoke to Cornelius, and saw the group Cornelius had assembled to hear Peter that Peter finally Got It.  In verse 36 Peter said, “I most certainly understand ...”  Here was an Apostle who found it very difficult to Get It because God acted in a manner that was beyond his comprehension (and the comprehension of most other Jewish Christians and Jewish non-Christians).  Before this incident he knew that God was interested only in Jews and proselytes (gentile converts to Judaism).  Had the suggestion been made prior to this incident that God was interested in a gentile who was not a proselyte, Peter would have said, “No way!  God just does not function like that!”

 

Wonder if it will take until Judgment for many Christians to Get It.  Wonder if we, like Peter, fail to grasp something obviously of concern to God because our view of God excludes him doing “something like that.”

 

The bad news: Getting It quite often is not at all simple!  Why?  Too often, like Peter, we are conditioned by past views not to “Get It.”  Quite often we do not Get It because we never thought about God as we focused on His word.

 

The good news: The fundamental of Getting It means God loves you—no matter who you are, no matter what you have done, and no matter where you came from.  God loves you because you are you!  All you need to do to return God’s love is to live in Christ.  Get It?

 

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**Order of Worship**
Worship Leader -- Evan Simmons
#238 – You Are the Song That I Sing (twice)
#103 – He Has Made Me Glad

 

Welcome
#718 – We Shall Assemble
Here I Am to Worship
#683 – I Am Mine No More
Worthy Is The Lamb (Thank You for the Cross, Lord)

 

Table of the Lord
Offering

 

Hosanna, You’re My King (twice)
Coins for Christ/Children’s Worship
Shout Hallelujah

 

Message – Andy Spell
Song for Responses
#790 – Lord, Take Control

 

#100, #101 – Holy Ground Medley
Elder’s Prayer

 

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**In Our Thoughts & Prayers**
• F. E. Cook’s surgery last Friday went well.  He is home now and continuing to recover.
•Inez Hatfield is having severe back pain and was taken to St. Edward ER on Wednesday, but is now at home.
•Fred Hile (son of Betty Porter) has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, and is under hospice care at home.
•Jimmy Edwards (former West-Ark minister who now resides in Florida) has been diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma.  He went to Moffit Cancer Center in Tampa on Wednesday for further evaluation.
•Kathy Rosalez is scheduled for surgery at 6 AM on Tuesday, November 17, at Sparks Hospital.
•Kim Thornburg (friend of Melinda Griffin) is in St. Edward ICU, #3130. She had surgery to repair an aortic aneurysm on  Wednesday morning.
•Ruth Bearden (Pat Yick’s mother) fell and broke her other leg.  She had surgery on Tuesday afternoon.
•Sandy Chavis requests prayers for a dear friend’s 13-year-old granddaughter who has osteo-carcinoma that has metastasized to her lungs.  She will be undergoing chemo for 11 weeks and then may have surgery. 

 

**Bereaved In Prayer**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Betty Callicott in the death of her sister, Bonnie McNew of Conway on Nov. 6. 
Our brother Bill Brazelton died Tuesday afternoon in St. Edward Hospital’s extended care program.  His family is planning a memorial service in December.
The father of Chris McKenzie Reighard (former West-Ark member) died last week.  Sympathy cards may be sent to Chris at 400 Sharon Ave., Altoona, PA 16602.

 

**Continued Prayers**
Aura Lee Land
Bobbie Bollinger (Rochelle Brown’s aunt)
Caidan Dockery
Geneva Shepherd
Jake Odell
Jessie Moore 
Lela Neal
Margaret Stone
Vicki Varvel (Nadine Hawkins’ daughter)
Wilma Son
Winnie Brown    

 

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

 

**New Address**
Tilman & Stephanie McClendon
8907 S. 12th St
Fort Smith, AR 72908
Phone: 479-926-7663

 

**Sunday Night at 6 PM**
“A Conversation With Chris Carroll”

 

**Hope Chest News**

Appreciation Dinner
Hope Chest volunteers 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.

 

Dress A Doll
It’s time to “Dress a Doll” again.    We have accumulated lots of “not so pretty” dolls that need to be given a bit of TLC for the Hope Chest Toy Giveaway.  There will be a basket of dolls in the foyer – just choose one and give it a special makeover and return it to the basket by Dec. 6.   This was such a great success last year because of all the  participation.  Let’s do it again!!!

 

Hope Chest Toy Giveaway
Saturday, December 12
Family Life Center

 

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Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The missions committee would like to express our gratitude to the members of the West-Ark family for your generous contributions this past Sunday for foreign missions. The present total is $257,000, which exceeded our goal of $200,000.  It is truly more blessed to give than receive, and where our treasure is, there will our hearts be also.  Special thanks to Daniel and Julie Tignor who put so much effort into informing the congregation about the various works around the world that West-Ark helps support. 
~~ West-Ark Missions Committee

 

**Guyana 2010**
Please consider joining the 20th annual West-Ark team of short-term missionaries who will work in Guyana, South America, in June, 2010.  We need medical workers and Bible teachers to share the Good News as we seek to make disciples for Jesus in Guyana who are eager to serve others.  This will probably be your last chance to serve on a West-Ark medical mission team in Guyana.  Please contact Michael or Jeannie Cole so you can begin raising the funds needed for the trip.   $500 deposit is due on January 15.

 

**CURE Destination: American Samoa**
CURE (Compassionate Utilization of Resources) continues to make preparation to send a 40-foot container of disaster relief tools, equipment, linens, and medical supplies to American Samoa.  Funds are still needed to purchase 9 Cubit Feet Gasoline-driven cement mixers at $2,546.00 each. If you can help with these funds, make your check out to CURE (tax deductable) and give it to Mat Griffin, Bob Fisher, Ron Moreton, Bill Walker, Jim Selig, or Larry Todd.

 

**Thanksgiving Day Dinner?**
You are invited to bring your favorite dish and share Thanksgiving Dinner with others in the Family Life Center on Thursday, November 26, at noon.  Please sign the sheet in the foyer to indicate how many from your family will be attending and what you will be bringing. Bread and drinks will be furnished.  We need two more families to be responsible for meat (ham, turkey & dressing, chicken & dressing). This is short notice, so please give this your immediate attention in order for us to know how many to expect.

 

**LTC Is Just Around the Corner**
We have already begun making plans for the convention, April 2-4 , in Rogers.  We are needing an approximate count of how many children will be participating and their grades. Next to the King’s Kid bulletin board is a sign-up sheet. We are not asking you to commit to events, but rather just giving us information so that we can plan accordingly. If you have any questions, see Robin Webber or Rachelle Pratt.

 

**Baby Shower**
A shower is planned for Katherine Evans Montgomery on Saturday, November 21, at 2 PM in the Family Life Center.  Katherine is registered at Walmart and Target.  It’s a girl!

 

**Attention JOY Bunch!**
Saturday, November 21, 6 PM, FLC
Back by popular demand, the Overcup Skinny Dippers ... if you enjoy music, you will not want to miss this unique trio!!

 

**King’s Kids**
This is the last week for the Toy Drive for the Hope Chest Giveaway on December 12!  Toys may be brought to the container in the foyer.  Remember to get your kids involved in this process, so that they can receive the blessing of sharing, too!

 

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

 

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**Youth Group News**

 

MOVE 2009 ADVANCE - Friday, November 13 - Sunday, November 15 / West-Ark Church of Christ

 

The Move 2009 Advance is here! Please welcome our guest speaker Andy Spell and worship leader Evan Simmons. Thanks for your support!

 

YOUTH GROUP - Wednesday, November 18  / 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!

 

No YOUTH Worship - Sunday, November 22

 

No YOUTH Worship - Sunday, November 29

 

UPCOMING EVENTS!
Mark these events on your calendars now! Look for more information, applications, etc. for the following events coming soon.
- Hope Chest Workday, Dec. 6
- Hope Chest Toy Giveaway, Dec. 12
- Parent Meeting / Family Devo, Dec. 13
- Christmas Party / Progressive Dinner, Dec. 20
- New Year’s Eve lock-in with Rogers, Dec. 31
- Winterfest, Jan. 15-17, 2010
- Mid-South Girls Conference, Jan. 29-31, 2010
- Christeens (HS only), Feb. 26-28
- Mexico Mission Trip, March 20-27, 2010

 

**Happy Birthday To...**

 

November 15
Richard Bullard
Kaitlynn Burk
Will Henson

 

November 16
Rebecca Holloway
Kathryn Rosalez

 

November 17
Anna Holley
Rick Odell

 

November 18
Meagan Logan
Rhett Moss
David Thompson

 

November 19
Jim Hall
Paul Shirley
Bill Walker

 

November 20
Dan Cathey

 

November 21
Donna Beneux
Chandler Lovelace
James Word

 

**Nursery Helpers**
Morning
Flora Johnson
Betty Callicott
Linda Wilson

 

Evening
Sheila Vaught

 

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Bible Classes...………....385   
Sunday AM Worship.…...622
Sunday PM Worship…...126
Wednesday Classes…...N/A
Contribution………..$23,033
Children’s Homes……..$471
Coins For Christ.............$29

 

Lao Worship
Attendance……………......25
Contribution……………$118

 

Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance………………..52
Contribution……………$242