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Family Lines Newsletter, November 22, 2009
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**Waking the Sleeping Giant**
By David Chadwell

 

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 things that are on 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 3:1-4 (NASV)

 

What determines how you live and use life Monday through Saturday?  What values determine what you do, what principles determine who you are, what motives govern your decisions?  Do you just “follow the routine” and “go through the motions” of the day—the Monday routine, the Thursday routine, the Saturday routine?  Do you have to know what day it is to know what you are supposed to do?  Or, is your life just a constant blur—a continual running and trying to catch up with what you should do next?

 

At times we are so trapped by our “right now” schedules, we forget who we are.  We have a hat rack for job hats, school hats, extracurricular hats, fun hats, and social hats.  We live in the hope of having a hat for the occasion.  Our lives can be a reaction to the momentary situation instead of deliberately being “who I am.”

 

If the situation determines who we are and what we do, likely several things determine our identity and actions—society, expedience, the need at the moment, the opportunity of the moment, the desire of the moment, the “over-powering” influence of the moment, the chance to escape, etc.

 

If that is your way to seek to survive, what is your Sunday routine?  Is Sunday a “situation” that demands that you “blow a kiss” in the direction of religious responsibility so you can say, “We are not complete pagans!”?  Is Sunday your attempt to let the sleeping giant (God) sleep, so you can tiptoe around Him and not attract His attention?

 

There are basic things the giant (God) wants for you, and He is not asleep!  He wishes to teach you who you are and how to live so you can experience life’s fullness.  Make Sunday a “thank-you” time spent with your spiritual family to count blessings—the end of a week, well spent because you continue to be a “you” that you—and others—respect.

 

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**Order of Worship**
#103 – He Has Made Me Glad
#264 -- O Come, Let Us Adore Him (vs. 1, 2, 3, 4)

 

Welcome
#144 -- O Worship the King (vs. 1, 2, 3)
#296 -- We Have Come Into His House (vs. 1, 2)
#287 -- There Is A Redeemer (vs. 1, 2, 3)

 

Table of the Lord
Offering
#810 -- Listen To Our Hearts (vs. 1, repeat chorus)

 

Coins for Christ
#474 -- Thank You, Lord (vs. 1, 2, 3)
#781 -- Thank You, Lord

 

Message – Chris Benjamin

 

Song for Responses
#555 -- Seek Ye First (vs. 1, 2)

 

Elder’s Prayer

 

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**In Our Thoughts & Prayers**
• Inez Hatfield is still having severe back pain.
• Fred Hile (son of Betty Porter) was transferred to the V. A. Hospital in Fayetteville, AR. He is in hospice care.
• Jimmy Edwards (former West-Ark minister) has level 4 melanoma, not stage 4.  A tentative surgery date is Dec. 11.  If you would like to send a card to Jimmy & Debbie, their address is 11716 Grand Hills Blvd., Clermont, FL 34711.
• Kathy Rosalez had surgery Tuesday morning at Sparks Hospital and stayed overnight.  She is home now and doing well.
• Kim Thornburg (friend of Melinda Griffin) is getting much better. She has moved from the ICU in St. Edward Hospital to Room 3207.
• Ronnie Burkett (father of Mike) is doing well following surgery on Monday.
• Remember Ruth Bearden (Pat Yick’s mother) in your prayers as she recovers from two broken legs and a broken arm.
• Sam Oliver had a nuclear stress test on Tuesday.

 

**Bereaved in Prayer**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Shelly Trotter (former West-Ark member) in the loss of her father last week.  Cards may be send to Jay & Shelly Trotter, 409 River Oaks Blvd., Searcy, AR 72143.

 

**Continued Prayers**
• Aura Lee Land
• Bobbie Bollinger
• Caidan Dockery
• F. E. Cook
• Gabrielle Spellman (friend  of Sandy Chavis)
• Geneva Shepherd
• Jessie Moore
• Lela Neal
• Margaret Stone
• Vicki Varvel
• Wilma Son
• Winnie Brown

 

**Prayer Pagers**
441-2387  Ben Pearson
441-1734  F. E. Cook
441-2378  Geneva Shepherd
441-1722  Kathy Rosalez
441-6639  Kim Thornburg
441-2381  Sam Oliver
441-2395  Dial all pagers at once

 

**Baptisms**
Congratulations to our new sisters in Christ, Lauren Hankins and Kate Burkett. Lauren was baptized by her father, Randy, on Sunday morning.  Kate was also baptized by her father, Mike, on Wednesday evening.

 

**Welcome to West-Ark!**
Al and Jane Roller
8805 Lakeside Way
Fort Smith, AR 72903
Phone (479) 434-3862

 

**Baby Shower**
A shower is planned for Katherine Evans Montgomery on Saturday, November 21, at 2 PM in the Annex (this is a change of location from the FLC). Katherine is registered at Walmart and Target.  It’s a girl!

 

**JOY Bunch Reminder **
Saturday, November 21, 6 PM, FLC

 

**Posted On Our Bulletin Board**
Thank you notes from Barbara Miller, Ben & Sandy Pearson, Shelley McGehee, and Mary Burkett.

 

**Getting Ready for The Hope Chest Toy Giveaway**
The Hope Chest Toy Giveaway will be held on Saturday, December 12 starting at 10:00 AM in the Family Life Center.  Last year all ages and stages of our congregation pitched in and made the giveaway a success. Many families benefited from your efforts. It was a great day.  Please put these dates and times on your calendar and see when you might be able to participate this year.  
    Dec. 10, 7:00-9:00 PM –  Workers will be needed to help set up tables and start putting out toys.
    Dec. 11, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM -- Workers needed to continue putting out toys – come any time during the day if you can help.
    Dec. 12, 9:45 AM -- Devotional for giveaway workers
    Dec. 12, 10:00 AM -- 2009 Hope Chest Toy Giveaway begins
    Dec. 12, 1:00-2:00 PM -- CLEAN UP workers will be needed to get the Family Life Center back in shape.

 

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**You Are Invited**
"Meet and Greet" Bob & Annette Whittaker
Sunday, November 22, 4:30 - 5:45 PM in the FLC (gym)
Finger foods & beverages will be served.
Dr. Whittaker is the Director of Nigerian Christian Hospital. West-Ark is now a sponsoring congregation for the Whittaker’s mission work.  For more information visit www.ihcf.net/nigerian-hospital.html

 

**King’s Kids**
• This Sunday, November 22, there will be no Children’s Worship so that the children can enjoy and participate in our Thanksgiving Service. We look forward to seeing you there!
• Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, Kids for Christ will not meet NEXT Sunday, November 29.

 

**Thanksgiving 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 list in the foyer if you plan to attend the Thanksgiving Dinner. Also, indicate the number in your family as well as what food you will be bringing.  Drinks, bread and paper goods will be provided.

 

**West-Ark Online Church Calendar**
www.westark.org/calendar.htm
A list of current announcements is always available online at www.westark.org/members.htm

 

*West-Ark Budget**
YTD Budget vs. Actual (10/1/09 to date)
Budget -- $72,000
Contributions -- $74,445
Expenses -- $75,074

 

**Wednesday Evening Worship**
Thanksgiving Eve, November 25
7:00 PM Combined Devo in the Auditorium

 

The office will be closed November 26 & 27.
We will not publish a bulletin next week.

 

**More Hope Chest News**

• Appreciation Dinner -- the dinner will be 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 -- this was such a great success last year because of all the participation. Let’s do it again!  Just choose a doll  from the basket in the foyer and give it a special makeover.  Dolls are due back in the basket by December 6. 

• The Hope Chest needs maternity clothes. 

 

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**Youth Group // News**
No YOUTH Worship - Sunday, November 22

 

YOUTH GROUP - Wednesday, November 25  / 7 PM /Auditorium
Because of the Thanksgiving holiday, classes on Wednesday will be combined. The entire church will be meeting in the auditorium to worship together.

 

No YOUTH Worship - Sunday, November 29

 

Hope Chest Workday - Sunday, December 6
Eat a quick lunch and be back at the church by 1 PM because the vans will be heading over to the wearhouse then. We should be back around 4 PM. Make sure you bring a change of clothes to work in!

 

Hope Chest Toy Giveaway - Saturday, Dec. 12
The giveaway starts at 10 AM and will end at 2 PM.

 

Winterfest 2010 - January 15-17, 2010  /  The cost is $55 if you turn it in before December 1st. After that date there is an additional $10 fee. For more details, pick up an application in class or by the bulletin board. 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS!
Look for more information, applications, etc. for the following events coming soon.
- 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 22
Elizabeth Gardenhire
Philmore Lynn
Kitty Nincehelser
Jeff Tucker

 

November 23
Nathan Allen
Elise Jennemann
Olivia Kleman

 

November 24
Emma Adams
Carson Belt

 

November 25
Bobbye Ferrell

 

November 26
Cameron Lovelace

 

November 27
Sue George
Will Greer
Rick Odell
Becca Risley
Steve Williams

 

November 29
Marvin Hughes

 

November 30
Lyndon Blackman
Charlie Dye
Anna Roberts

 

December 1
Lynn Dickey
Carolyn Griffin
Savannah Logan
Robert Loudermilk

 

December 2
Kathy Glidewell
Patrick Haworth
Adam Jenkins
Ralph Smith
Doyle Wright

 

December 3
Kyle Haworth
Tracy Risley

 

December 4
Ashley Blasdel
Azia Blasdel
Esther Gunn

 

**Nursery Helpers**

 

November 22 - Morning
Berniece Rogers
Sharon Faries
Kelsey Spickes

 

Evening
Denise Lusby

 

November 29 - Morning
Cristy, Kay, Maddie and Hannah Pressley
Louise Howard
Cami Stancil

 

Evening
Robertta Moses

 

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Bible Classes...………....388   
Sunday AM Worship.…...635
Sunday PM Worship…...146
Wednesday Classes…...N/A
Contribution………..$16,337
Children’s Homes……..$222
Coins For Christ.............$42

 

Lao Worship
Attendance……………......34
Contribution……………$165

 

Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance………………..52
Contribution……………$172