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Family Lines Newsletter,
December 6, 2009
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**The
Illusion of Control**
By David
Chadwell
Come now, you who say,
“Today or tomorrow, we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there
and engage in business and make a profit.” Yet you do not know what your
life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little
while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord
wills, we shall live and also do this or that.” But as it is, you boast in
your arrogance; and all such boasting is evil. Therefore, to one who knows
the right thing to do, and does not do it, to him it is sin. James
4:13-17
We live in a confidence
filled society! We can make most anything permanently okay!
Really? How often does such confidence plunge us into deep
trouble?
A
water main breaks. It is strategically located to deprive us of all
water. We have difficulty reporting the problem (no quick fix).
Finally, the proper people look at the situation and diagnose the problem
(good!). However, there are no parts on hand (bad!). No one knows
where to look for the parts (terrible!). The water delivery system is so
old the parts have to be made (awful!). Being in control of needed water
was just an illusion. Do you have any idea of how many things must be
washed? Hauled water lately?
An extensive ice storm
comes. A strategically located pole snaps, falls, breaks the lines, and ruins
the transformer as the domino effect pulls service from your house.
Instantly, you are without electricity (bad!). Because of the demand
produced by the storm, there are no poles available (worse!). In the
priority system, situations that can be fixed easily are first, and situations
that require a lot of work are last (much worse!). Sadly, no one even can guess
when your power might be restored (you have got to be kidding!). How many
times did you turn light switches on? With what results? Do you feel
in control?
Your job ceases and your
401(k) must be your safety net. The local economy nosedives to the depths, and
your job is not returning. You look for work, and there are ten applicants
for every job opening. Stress evaporates health, but you cannot afford
medical help. Feel in control?
The only certainty is a
date with God. Depend on Him. Let Jesus’ coming be a true time of
celebration, not merely another demonstration that we have no
control.
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**Order of
Worship**
Worship Leader, Brent
Evans
#975 – Get Right, Church
(vs. 1-4)
Mansion, Robe and Crown
(vs. 1-3)
Sanctuary (vs.
1-3)
#791 -- On Bended Knee
(vs. 1, 2)
#218 -- Blessed Jesus (vs.
1-3)
#325 -- Boundless Love
(vs. 1-3)
#62 -- I Exalt
Thee
There’s A
Stirring
Message – Chris
Benjamin
#790 -- Lord, Take
Control
#792 -- My Eyes Are
Dry
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**In Our
Thoughts & Prayers**
•
Alan Fred Hile, Betty Porter’s son, has been transferred to Fianna Nursing-Rehab
Home in Fort Smith. He is under hospice care.
•
Sophia Cannedy (Pleasant Valley) is suffering from pancreatitis. She is
the mother of Jennifer Gann.
•
Ruth Bearden, Pat Yick’s mother has been moved to Covington Court for rehab. She
is in room 103.
•
Lawrance Tiller, Ruth Gouty’s nephew, is being transferred from Springfield to
Kansas City to be evaluated for a heart transplant.
•
Inez Hatfield is still having severe back pain.
•
Samuel Abebe from the Addis congregation suffered a serious stroke. He is
a Civil Engineer for the City of Addis Ababa and has been a real blessing for
the church for many years. He was brought to the church through the World
Bible School program.
**Bereaved
in Prayer**
Our sympathy is extended
to Barbara Smith and her family. Harry Smith passed away last Friday
morning. A memorial was held at West-Ark on Wednesday.
Our love and sympathy is
extended to the Brown family with the passing of Winnie Brown. Services were
held this Monday in Alabama.
**Memorial
Service**
A
memorial service for Bill Brazleton will be held on Saturday, December 12 at
noon at the Girl Scout’s Kelly Cabin in Fort Smith. Lunch and a visitation will
follow the service.
**Continued
Prayers**
Please continue to pray
for: Bobbie Bollinger, Ronnie Burkett (Mike’s father), Joe Corley, F. E. Cook,
Caidan Dockery, Sue Jobe (Ralph Smith’s sister), Sharon Knight’s brother, Bob,
Aura Lee Land, Jessie Moore, Lela Neal, Geneva Shepherd, Wilma Son, Margaret
Stone, Vicki Varvel and Ruth Wilson.
**Prayer
Pagers**
•
441-2387 Ben Pearson
•
441-1734 F. E. Cook
•
441-2378 Geneva Shepherd
•
441-2395 Dials all at once
**Car
Clinic**
Brrrrrrr -- it is time to
winterize! A car clinic will be available for single women and those “60
plus” on Saturday, December 5, at the Annex from 8 to 11
AM.
All we ask is that you
bring your own supplies and the guys will provide the labor and advice. If
you have questions as to what is needed, call Marvin, Mike
or Jack.
**Widows /
Widowers**
Winter is upon us so
button up your overcoat and come join us for soup and cornbread in the Annex,
Saturday, December 5 at noon. The soup will warm your body and the
fellowship will warm your soul. Call Bobbie, Mary or
Janice if you need transportation.
**Joy
Bunch**
Come join the fun on
December 19. Please bring a wrapped “white elephant” gift and we will use the
Dirty Santa rules for the gift exchange. Hope to see you at 6 PM in the Family
Life Center!
**Bridal
Shower**
You are invited to a
Bridal Shower honoring Bill Davidson (son of Bob and Jo) and Amy
Couture
Monday, December
21
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
At the home of Danna
Turpin in Fianna Hills.
Bill and Amy are
registered at Dillard’s and Bed Bath and Beyond.
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**LTC
Information**
LTC is just around the
corner. The first pre-convention due date is January 11. The convention is April
2-4 in Rogers. We are trying to determine if there is enough interest to
participate this year. So far, we have heard from about 20 people showing
interest.
Here is some important
information that we need to share with you, so that you can make an informed
decision for you and your family:
1. The budget for LTC was
cut to only cover the essentials.
2. The motel rooms
will NOT be paid for by West-Ark. You will be responsible for reserving and
paying for your room.
3. T-shirts will be
provided for participants only.
4. The registration
is $35.
We need to know if you are
interested in participating by Sunday, December 6.
There are 2 ways to let us
know:
1) There is a sign-up
sheet in the lobby next to the King’s Kids bulletin board.
2) Send an email to
robinprattwebber [at] sbcglobal.net
**Hope
Chest Needs**
The Hope Chest is in need
of large empty shopping bags. The bags can be put in the Hope Chest box in the
foyer. At this time, no plastic grocery bags are needed.
Thanks!
**King’s
Kids Calendar**
December 12 - Bridge 56
helping with the Toy Giveaway at 10 a.m. in the Gym.
December 12 - King’s Kids
Family Movie Night
Who: 3 year olds through
6th graders and families
When: 6 p.m. in the
Gym
What to bring:
Family, friends, favorites snacks, comfy blanket (for picnic-style
seating)
Why: To have a fun, family
time to help us remember what’s REALLY important this season - and EVERY
season!
December 13 - Bridge 56
Christmas Party (more details later)
**Overdue
Library Books**
Beginning January 1 the
library staff will be sending out notices for overdue library books. (Many are
up to 5 years overdue). Please check and see if you have forgotten library books
or movies around your house and return them by the end of the year. Also check
your children’s rooms. Approximately one of every two DVDs that is checked out
is never returned.
Thank you ~
The Library Staff
**The Hope
Chest Toy Giveaway Details**
The Hope Chest Toy
Giveaway will be held on Saturday, December 12 starting at 10:00 AM in the
Family Life Center. Please put these dates and times on your calendar and see
when you might be able to participate this year.
Thursday, Dec. 10,
7:00-9:00 PM – Workers will be needed to help set up tables and
toys.
Friday, Dec. 11, 10:00
AM-5:00 PM -- Workers will be needed to continue putting out toys – come any
time during the day if you can help.
Saturday, Dec. 12, 9:45 AM
-- Devotional for giveaway workers
10:00 AM -- 2009 Hope Chest Toy Giveaway
begins
1:00-2:00 PM -- Clean up workers will be
needed to get the gym back in shape.
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4
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**Youth
Group // News**
•
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!
•
Youth Worship - Sunday, December 6
Don’t miss out as we get
together to praise God and fellowship with each other! 6-7 PM in the Youth
Group room.
•
Youth Group - Wednesday, December 9
Join us for class in the
youth group room at 7 PM as we continue our series called, “My Own Jesus”.
Bring your Bible!
•
Hope Chest Toy Giveaway - Saturday, Dec. 12
The giveaway will be in
the gym this year and it starts at 10 AM and will end around 2
PM.
•
Parent Meeting / Family Devo - Sunday, Dec. 13
Meet in the Family Life
Center (gym) at 6 PM. We will be going over the Spring calendar so be sure and
bring your personal planners, blackberrys, etc. Please bring either a snack or
dessert to share.
•
Christmas Party - Sunday, December 20
This is a FUN event that
you won’t want to miss. Bring $3 to help cover food costs and a gift that
costs $10 or less for a gift exchange (no gag gifts or gift cards). We will be
doing a “progressive dinner” where we eat an appetizer at one house, salad at
another house, main course at another and dessert and gift exchange at the last
house. We’ll leave from the building at 5 PM and return by 8 PM.
Don’t miss it!
•
New Year’s Eve Lock-In at Southside in Rogers - Thursday, December
31
We are STILL in need of
sponsors for this event. As this is Rick & Kristi’s wedding
anniversary, they cannot go. If we are unable to find sponsors by Dec. 20,
we will have to cancel this event. Please contact Rick or Jackie if you
can help ASAP. Thanks!
•
Winterfest 2010 - January 15-17, 2010
The cost for Winterfest is
now $65. 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.
-
Mid-South Girls Conference, Jan. 29-30, 2010
-
Christeens (HS only), February 26-28
-
Mexico Mission Trip, March 20-27, 2010
**Happy
Birthday To...**
December
6
Charles
Wilson
December
7
Emily
Glidewell
Christy
Hesslen
Kathy
Monk
December
8
Bill
Coffelt
Jacqueline
Oliver
December
11
Doris
Robertson
December
12
Bill
Beall
Taylor
Burress
Breck
Cogswell
Earl
Flood
Nadine
Hawkins
Stephen
Tomlin
**Nursery
Helpers**
Dec. 6 -
Morning
Melissa
Walker
Suzi
Jennemann
Dena
Jenkins
**Attendance
and Contribution Count**
Bible
Classes...………....348
Sunday AM
Attendance..571
Sunday PM
Attendance..118
Wednesday
Classes…...N/A
Contribution………..$15,195
Children’s
Homes……..$131
Coins For
Christ.............$34
Lao
Worship
Attendance……………......46
Contribution……………$243
Iglesia de
Cristo
Attendance………………..68
Contribution……………$196
Office Phone (479)
452-1240
Fax (479)
452-5767
office@westarkchurchofchrist.org
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"Making disciples for
Jesus who are eager to serve others."
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