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Family Lines Newsletter, January 24, 2010
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**The Powerful Spirit That Triumphs!**
By David Chadwell
 
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.  (John 13:34, 35)
 
In the fifty plus years I have worked with congregations, one question plagued me in every congregation:  “What can we do?”  Needs and opportunities always are greater than resources.  More money is needed.  More room is needed.  More parking spaces are needed.  More teaching materials are needed.  More teachers are needed.  More ministries are needed.  More outreach is needed.  More volunteers are needed.  More involvement is needed.  More leadership is needed.  It never ends!  Always more is needed!
 
I used to think that “if we could just obtain that (or be able to do that)” everything would be okay.  However, what I thought was the key only promoted more growth (a good thing) that generated new stress produced by new needs and opportunities.
 
Last week a conflict arose, quietly was resolved, and passed with few noticing.  Two ministries that are growing and serving urgent needs planned to use the same space at the same time.  Thankfully, it was discovered that two good works were on a head-on collision.  One ministry devised and used an alternate plan that enabled both ministries to meet and serve the needs of both groups.  This was done so quietly that most thought it was planned to happen as it did.
 
Why?  Why was there no uproar, no hurt feelings, no confrontation, or no accusations that “our ministry is more important than yours”?  Love said both ministries are equally important.  Love said, “Let’s make it work.”  Love said, “Our ministries are not in competition—each serves the over-all objective of helping people.”
 
Will we—even with good intentions—always avoid internal conflicts?  No!  Even with our best efforts and best coordination, there will be times when collisions occur.  We will never demonstrate how much we love each other in moments when all is well AS we demonstrate in moments of potential crisis.  It is in the potential crisis “that never existed” that it becomes obvious how much we love each other!  May love for each other and Jesus Christ always reign among us!  May our love declare, “We belong to Jesus!”
 
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**Order of Worship**
 
Worship Leader -- Brent Evans
Magnificat (on screen)
 
Welcome
#103 – He Has Made Me Glad
#15 – Step By Step
#72 – Blessed Be The Lord God Almighty
#390 – Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah (vs. 1-3 )
 
#356 – I Believe In Jesus (vs. 1-3)
Table of the Lord
Offering
 
#253 – Sweet Adoration
Coins for Christ
Dismiss for Children’s Worship
 
#533 – I Am A Sheep (vs. 1, 2)
Message -- Chris Benjamin
 
Song for Responses
#915 – Trust And Obey (vs. 1, 2, 5)
Elder’s Prayer
 
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**Remember in Prayer**
• Adrian Mobley (father of Christy Puckett) is in the rehab hospital in Russellville recovering from a broken hip.
• Clark Risley’s grandmother who lives in Neosho, Missouri had a stroke and has been taken to a Springfield hospital.
• David Dotson (husband of Jennifer) has pneumonia and is on bed rest.  He is scheduled to be tested February 17 for congestive heart failure.
• Inez Hatfield received an epidural injection to help alleviate pain in her back.  She will have a vertebroplasty sometime in February.
• Jim Newton is improving.  He is now in Valir Rehabilitation Hospital (in Oklahoma City) for therapy. 
• Kristi Wilson requests prayers for her friend, Penny Gallegos. Penny’s son Ryan and his girlfriend were killed in a car accident last Sunday morning.  They leave behind a 6-month-old baby.
• On January 17, the home of one of our Lao brothers burned down.  The Lao church, Hope Chest, and CURE are responding to the family’s needs.  Please remember the Somlith Dithavong family in your prayers.
• Our love and sympathy is extended to Leon Williams in the death of his wife, Mary, from injuries sustained in a fire that destroyed their home.  Leon and Mary are members of 9th Street.  Mary’s funeral will be Monday, 11 AM, at the 9th Street church.
• A prayer request from Dr. Bob Whittaker who is traveling to Haiti as part of a medical team:  “We will be working with the brothers from our church. I am going with Dr. Mark Pearson who has served as a missionary in Haiti.  Manna Global Missions are bringing supplies for us.  I have been at Healing Hands packing instruments.  Pray for us to be able to help those suffering from wounds.  Many will need amputations.”
• Carrie Burress requests prayers for her friend, Kate Bowley and family, who are in the process of adopting a little girl named Bella from Haiti. The family is waiting for the US to give an emergency humanitarian visa.
 
**Continue to Pray for ...**
• Aura Lee Land
• Bobbie Bolinger
• Caidan Dockery
• Earl Flood
• Eleanor Casey
• Geneva Shepherd
• Grace Peters
• Inez Hatfield
• Kim Shawver
• Lela Neal
• Lynnette Purvis
• Margaret Stone
• Mary Ann Scholle
• Ray House
• Richard Broyles
• Wilma Son
• Wendi Murrell
 
**Prayer Pagers**
Mary Ann Scholle, 441-6639
Geneva Shepherd, 441-2378
Dial all pagers at once, 441-2395
 
**Welcome, New Members**
Kevin & Jennifer Gann
Children: Connor, Rylee, and Dillon
Route 3, Box 70-8 / Sallisaw, OK 74955
Phones: (918) 315-2527, (918) 235-0064
 
**Baptisms**
• Graham Coffelt was baptized on January 16 by his father, Bill Coffelt, while on the youth group’s trip to Winterfest.
• Breck Cogswell was baptized by her father, Dave, on January 20.
 
**New Parenting Class**
On January 31 at 9:30 a.m. in Room 211 Michael & Jeannie Cole will begin a new series, “Sacred Parenting.” Come discover how God uses our children to improve our spirituality.
 
**Ladies’ Escape (Retreat)**
February 26 & 27
Sign-up sheet in the Information Center.
 
**On the Bulletin Board**
• Seminar at Mulberry Church of Christ, Jan. 31 - Feb. 3
• Thank you note from Harold Gouty.
 
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**Elder Nominations**
Elder Nomination forms (printed on gold paper) are available in the foyer, adult classrooms, and online at www.westark.org/temp/nomination2010.pdf.  Nomination forms should be signed and returned to one of the designated drop boxes in the foyer by Sunday evening, Jan. 24.  Unsigned nominations will be discarded.
 
**Elder Selection Timeline**
Feb. 7: Nominees willing to serve will be presented to the congregation as candidates for shepherds.
Feb. 7-20: Concerns about any candidate should be submitted in writing to the elders for review.  Unsigned letters will be discarded.
Feb. 21-28: Affirmation of candidates and re-affirmation of current elders. Forms will be available giving members the opportunity to affirm elders and candidates.  It should be returned to the drop box on or before Feb. 28.
March 7: Dedication of elders during worship assembly.
 
**2009 Budget vs. Actual**
(as of 12/31/09 YTD)
• Budgeted contributions, $234,000
• Actual contributions, $277,385
• Actual expenses, $223,626
 
**West-Ark’s Online Calendar**
www.westark.org/calendar.htm
 
Sunday, January 24
• Singing Devotional at 6 PM in the Auditorium
 
Sunday, January 31
• Elders, Deacons, Ministry Leader’s Meeting 4:00 p.m. in room 203
• Family Meeting, 6:00 p.m. in the auditorium followed by supper and fellowship in the gym. Please bring desserts!
 
**King's Kids**
Thanks to all who helped and participated in our Family Mystery Dinner! You can check out the photos at www.westarkkids.org/facebook
 
Sunday, January 24
4th Sunday Singing - 6 PM. (KFC and Bridge 56 will not meet)
 
Sunday, January 31
Church Family Meeting/Meal (KFC and Bridge 56 will not meet)
 
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**Youth Group News**
 
Mexico Mission Trip Meeting - Sunday, Jan. 24 
For those interested in going on the mission trip to Mexico make sure to attend this meeting at 4 PM in the youth room.
 
Bulgaria Mission Trip meeting - Sunday, Jan. 24
If you are interested in going on the mission trip to Bulgaria this summer make sure to attend this meeting at 5 PM in the youth room.
 
Home Devo - Sunday, January 24
Join us for our home devotional at the Null’s home (Hannah’s house!). The vans leave the church at 6 PM and will return at 8 PM. Dinner will be provided. Please bring $3 to contribute to the cost of food.
 
Youth Group - Wednesday, January 27
Join us as we continue our study on “My Own Jesus,” about how we need to develop our own faith in Jesus Christ!  Bring your Bible and be here at 7 PM.
 
Mid-South Girls Conference - Memphis, Tenn.
We will be leaving at 5 PM on Friday, January 29 and return by midnight on Saturday, January 30.  Remember to bring money for two fast food meals!
 
Church-wide Family Meeting - Sunday, Jan. 31
Join us in the auditorium at 6 PM for the family meeting and meal afterward.
 
UPCOMING EVENTS!
Look for more information, applications, etc. for the following events coming soon.
- Christeens (9-12th only), February 26-28, 2010
- Mexico Mission Trip, March 20-26, 2010
 
**Happy Birthday**
 
January 24
John Carson
Tom King
Julie Orick
 
January 25
Toka Beall
Carrie Burress
Molly Odell
 
January 26
Harper Bice
Haleigh Evans
 
January 27
Jeana Belote
Paul Beneux
Larry Todd
 
January 28
Charles Dicks
Gene Monk
Barney Puckett
 
January 30
Harold Davis
Abbey Jenkins
 
**Morning Nursery**
Berniece Rogers
Sharon Faries
Kelsey Spickes
 
**Evening Nursery**
Denise Lusby
 
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Bible Classes ... 428   
Sunday AM Attendance ... 615
Sunday PM Attendance ... 184
Wednesday Classes ... N/A
Contribution ... $16,281
Children’s Homes ... $542
Coins For Christ ... $43
 
Lao Worship
Attendance... 30
Contribution ... $173
 
Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance... 67
Contribution ... $199
 
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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