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Family Lines Newsletter, January 31, 2010
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**WE WANT GUESTS—BUT NOT THAT WAY!**
By David Chadwell
Let him who steals steal no longer; but rather let him
labor, performing with his own hands what is good, in order that he may have
something to share with him who has need. Ephesians
4:28
A couple of weeks ago, a thief “visited” a part of our
facilities. He/she used a tool to gain access in the dark, and this person
or persons produced an inconvenient mess. While we delight in having
visitors, this is not the kind of visit we have in mind.
However, this type of visit teaches us some valuable lessons
of the proper kind. Be careful to learn the lessons that encourage God’s
purposes, not our anger and resentment.
First, no one needs awareness, repentance, forgiveness, and
spirituality more than does this person or persons. Hopefully, there are
matters that you know and understand that he/she does not know or
understand. May the knowledge and understanding of the Christian be
transferred, not the damage/hurt of the thief/thieves.
Second, one who would steal does not think or see as does the
person in Christ. It was interesting to listen to the comments of
Christians. It was quite obvious that Christians do not have the
perspective of those who would be thieves. Those in Christ simply do not
think like those not in Christ. One of the blessings/benefits of being in
Christ is the transformation that leaves the old way of thinking
behind.
Third, those in Christ simply do not attach the significance
to things (or to self) as do those out of Christ. In Christ, one learns
and understands that a love of things and selfishness results in consequences
that extract terrible prices. The slavery of materialism and selfishness
is a horrible form of slavery that focuses only on the temporary.
Fourth, Christianity constantly asks you, “Who do you
genuinely wish to be as a person?” May none of us ever reduce “who we are”
to “what we possess.” What is valuable at the moment may later become our
curse. Do not let what you have be your curse. The person who steals loses
more than he or she takes. The one who “takes” from others (by deception,
force, or being sneaky) loses self. What are you worth to
you?
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**Order of Worship, Sunday, January 31**
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Worship Leader -- Brent Evans
Here I Am To Worship (on screen)
Welcome
Blessed Be The Name of the Lord (on screen)
#167 – Hosanna (vs. 1, 2)
#162 – All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name (vs. 1,
4)
You Are My King (on screen)
Table of the Lord
Offering
#828 – Instruments of Your Peace (vs. 1)
Coins for Christ
Children’s Worship
#490 – It Is Well With My Soul (vs. 1, 2, 3)
Message -- Chris Benjamin
Song for Responses
#712 – Jesus Is Coming Soon (vs. 1, 3)
Elder’s Prayer
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**In Our Thoughts & Prayers**
• Praise! Carrie Burress shares that Bella, the little
Haitian girl, was successfully adopted and is now home with the Bowley family in
Indiana!
• Bobbie Bolinger (aunt of Rochelle Brown) has entered into
hospice care.
• David Dotson (husband of Jennifer) has pneumonia and is
scheduled to be tested February 17 for congestive heart failure.
• Inez Hatfield will have a vertebroplasty (to relieve back
pain) some time in February.
• Pray for Jim Hannah as he takes daily radiation treatments
for cancer. He has completed 25 and has 18 more to go.
• Norma Petersen (Clark Risley’s grandmother) is better and
able to return to the nursing home.
**Sympathy**
• Our sister Geneva Shepherd died on January 23. Her funeral
was Tuesday in Fort Smith. Please remember her daughters and their
families in your prayers.
• Donna Hannah’s mother, Imogene Cook, passed away on January
20. If you would like to write Donna, her email is nanapappy [at] tx.rr.com
• Carlene Payne’s father, Carl Fortson (age 84) of Lowell,
Ohio, died January 22. Please keep Carlene’s family in your
prayers.
• Charlotte Pinedo’s sister, Leola Johnson, died Monday in
Houston. The viewing will be Friday (Jan. 29) at Ocker Funeral Home
in Van Buren from 6 PM to 8 PM. The funeral will be Saturday, January 30,
10:30 AM at Locke Community Building. Pray for safe travel for the
family.
**Continued Prayers**
• Adrian Mobley
• Aura Lee Land
• Caidan Dockery
• Dr. Bob Whittaker and medical team in Haiti
• Eleanor Casey
• Grace Peters
• Lela Neal
• Margaret Stone
• Mary Ann Scholle
• Ray House
• Richard Broyles
• Wilma Son
• Wendi Murrell
**Prayer Pager**
Mary Ann Scholle, 441-6639
**Welcome to West-Ark!**
Savannah Rust
105 Meadow Lane
Poteau, OK 74953
Phone: 405.650.1187
Phillip & Deanna White
216 Hiway 162
Cedarville, AR 72932
Phone: 479.208.2723
Children: Jack and Ethan
**Jail Ministry**
Two men were baptized this week after studying with Mike
Williams. Pray for faith and courage in their new life in Christ.
**On the Bulletin Board**
• Thank you note from Daveina Scholle
• Thank you note from Earl & Vivian Flood
• Thank you note from Leon Medlock
**The Hope Chest**
The Hope Chest is in need of children’s clothing! Place
your donations in the large container outside the Library.
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**Sunday, January 31**
Elders, Deacons, Ministry Leader’s
Meeting
4:00 PM in room 203
Family Meeting
6:00 PM in the Auditorium
followed by supper and fellowship in the gym.
Please bring desserts!
Aikido Demonstration
On Family Night (Jan. 31), we will be treated to a
demonstration of self-defense using Aikido. Some of our members are
students of this art. Perhaps it is something that you or your family
might use to develop relationships, health, confidence, and character. The
demonstration will be in the Family Life Center following our 7 PM
meal.
Greg Null and the Aikido Association of Arkansas will offer
two free weeks of lessons to any West-Ark member interested in studying Aikido.
Students must be age 5+. Greg has also conducted women’s self-defense
classes at West-Ark and will schedule those again if enough are
interested.
Local classes are held at:
5912 South 28th Next to Flame Gymnastics)
Fort Smith, AR 72903
www.aikidoassociationofarkansas.com
Inquiries: Greg Null 479.459.2769
**“Come & Go” Bridal Shower for Sarah
Sawyer**
(daughter of John and Kathy Glidewell)
February 7, 2-4 PM in the Annex
Sarah is registered at Target and Bed, Bath &
Beyond.
**Widows/Widowers**
We will be hosted by Paul & Coleen Shirley on Saturday,
February 6. This is a great opportunity for some wonderful fellowship. The van
will leave the Annex at 11:30 AM. Bobbie, Mary, or Janice will be happy to assist if you need transportation to the
building.
**Car Clinic**
Saturday, February 6, 8 - 11 AM, Annex parking
lot
**Ladies’ Escape (Retreat)**
February 26 & 27
Sign-up sheet in the Information Center.
**King's Kids Calendar**
- Our February Parent Newsletter is available at the King’s
Kids Board or at www.westarkkids.org/news
- Join us on Facebook at www.westarkkids.org/facebook for
news, photos, faith@home activities and more!
Sunday, January 31
- Church Family Meeting/Meal (KFC and Bridge 56 will not
meet)
**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.
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**Youth Group // News**
Mid-South Girls Conference - Memphis,
Tenn.
Due to the potential ice storm coming in we may have to
cancel. As of now, we are still planning on going, at least until we have a
better understanding of how bad the weather will be. So pack your bags and be
ready to go. We will know by 2 p.m. on Friday if we are going or not. So please
pay attention to your email or call Rick if you have any questions:
479-597-8300. If things go as planned, we will be leaving at 5 PM on
Friday, January 29 and return by midnight on Saturday, January 30.
Bible Class - Sunday, January 31
Join us at 9 AM as we begin NEW separate Junior High and High
School classes!
Church-wide Family Meeting - Sunday, Jan.
31
Join us in the auditorium at 6 PM for the family meeting and
meal afterward.
Youth Group - Wednesday, February 3
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. Make it a point to be a part of our Wednesday get
together!
Family Clusters - Sunday, February 7
Look for information this next week as to where and when your
Family Cluster will be meeting!
Christeens - Friday, February 26 - Sunday, February
28
Applications are now available for Christeens, a youth
conference in Russellville, Arkansas. Pick up an application in class or on the
bulletin board in the foyer. The deadline to turn in applications is Wednesday,
February 10.
Sweetheart Luncheon - Sunday, February
14
Please mark this event on your calendars as we serve our 55+
year old members with a luncheon in their honor. Immediately following
Sunday morning services.
SNL at Center St., Fayetteville - Sunday, Feb.
14
Theme: “I am the good shepherd.” John 10:11 Vans will
leave at 4:45 p.m. and return at 9 p.m. We’ve been having great attendance at
all of our youth events... don’t miss out on the fellowship that is available at
this Area Wide!
UPCOMING EVENTS!
Look for more information, applications, etc. for the
following events coming soon.
- SNL at West-Ark - Sunday, March 14. Special speaker
is Randy Harris from ACU (he’s amazing!)
- Mexico Mission Trip, March 20-26, 2010
**Happy Birthday**
January 30
(Belated)
Drew Spickes
January 31
Phillip Burns
February 1
Brandon Combs
Carolyn Harrell
Ashley Haworth
February 2
Fran Wade
February 3
Jared Hollomon
February 4
Jenapher Burnett
Jaythan Johnson
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Bible Classes...396
Sunday AM Attendance...582
Sunday PM Attendance...N/A
Wednesday Classes...N/A
Contribution...$18,017
Children’s Homes...$198
Coins For Christ...$43
Lao Worship
Attendance...25
Contribution...$154
Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance...68
Contribution...$229
**Nursery Helpers**
Morning
Cristy, Kay, Maddie & Hannah Pressley
Louise Howard
Cami Stancil
Evening
Robertta Moses
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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