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Family Lines
Newsletter, February 14, 2010
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**Following God Is
Never Easy**
By David
Chadwell
Abraham never saw
the nation God promised. Isaac and Rebekah’s marriage knew conflict.
Jacob’s children caused him sorrow. Israel entered Egypt by invitation but
left as slaves. Moses endured much conflict caused by those he led.
Samuel’s sons caused Israel to reject God’s leadership. David ran for his
life as he fled from King Saul. Solomon allowed his wives to lead him into
idolatry. The kings of Northern Israel deserted praising God alone. Isaiah
lived in a spiritually sick nation. Jeremiah wished he had never been
born. Daniel spent a night with hungry lions. Hosea married a
prostitute who deserted him—a living parable. Jesus was executed, as was
Stephen, James, and [probably] Paul. Many first-century Christians (for their faith)
lost jobs, relocated, endured misunderstanding, were persecuted, or were
martyred.
The myth: if we
follow God by placing trust in Jesus Christ, everything physically will be as we
like IN THIS LIFE. The CERTAIN WAY to health or wealth is to let God in
Christ pull us to our physical dreams. The gospel is all about ME and WHAT
I WANT.
The reality: godly
people endure and suffer the physically undesirables. Godly people have
accidents, wear out, get sick, have diseases, encounter injustices, suffer
reverses they did not cause, and physically die.
The why: In this
world good and evil are at war. In some way, all that occurs is related to
that war. Events are not so simply understood as undesirable things are
caused by evil and desirable things are caused by good. Much that occurs
in life is beyond our grasp. Blaming God for the highly subjective “I do
not like or want” involves a too simplistic understanding of God, power, or
Satan.
The understanding:
While this world is centered on the war between good and evil, God’s world is
centered on good in the complete absence of evil. Thus, life is a choice
and an investment that leads to existence in God’s world. By learning
God’s priorities, values, characteristics, and human behaviors consistent with
Jesus, we are prepared for existence in God’s world. By understanding that
God’s purposes are bigger than us, we are strengthened and sustained by His
mercy and grace.
“... If Christ
has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.”
1 Corinthians 15:17
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**Order of
Worship**
Worship Leader --
Brent Evans
#133 – The Love of
God(vs. 1, 3)
Welcome
That’s Why We
Praise Him (on screen)
#300 – Praise Him!
Praise Him! (vs. 1, 3)
How Great Is Our
God (on screen)
#325 – Boundless
Love (vs. 1, 2)
Table of the
Lord
Offering
#1014 – Jesus
Loves Me
Coins for
Christ
Children’s
Worship
Shout To The North
(on screen)
Message -- Chris
Benjamin
Song for
Responses
#448 – The
Greatest Commands
Elder’s
Prayer
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**In Our Thoughts
& Prayers**
• Amanda Daws is
scheduled for a C-section on February 19 at St. Edward
Hospital.
• Ashley Blasdel
is in the hospital in Tahilina, OK. She has a virus and is receiving fluids for
dehydration and fever.
• Bobbie Hughes is
in St. Edward Hospital, room 3319 following pacemaker surgery on Thursday.
She will go home Friday, Feb. 12.
• Bud Harper
(Mitch’s father) had surgery on Wednesday for a blocked
artery.
• Jim Pratt is
home from the hospital after getting a pacemaker and having other
tests.
• Don Todd, father
of Larry Todd and Linda Davis, is doing well following knee-replacement surgery
last week.
• Mary Wray,
mother of Vicki Anderson, is now living at Methodist Village, room 206.
Please keep the family in your prayers.
• Nadine Hawkins
is recovering from a painful eye infection.
• Nellie Kladakis,
grandmother of Angel Dunavin, broke her hip and will have surgery Thursday (Feb.
11).
• Phillip White is
scheduled for back surgery at Sparks Hospital Monday, February 15, at 8:00
AM.
• Russ McConnell
had cataract surgery Wednesday morning and is home doing
well.
**Continued
Prayers**
• Aura Lee
Land
• Bobbie
Bolinger
• Caidan
Dockery
• Dale
Lindsey
• David
Dotson
• Inez
Hatfield
• Jeanetta
Falls
• Jewell
King
• Kathy
Rosalez
• Lela
Neal
• Margaret
Stone
• Ray
House
• Richard
Broyles
• Wendi
Murrell
• Wilma
Son
**Welcome, New
Baby**
Jaxon Michael was
born February 3 to Jason & Miranda Davidson. Jaxon weighed 5 lbs. 1
oz. and was 18” long. His big brothers are Jaden and Jarek.
Grandparents are Rick & Kathy Williams. Congratulations to the whole
family!
**Your Elder
Nominees**
Dave
Cogswell
Ted
Knight
Barry
Neal
Brian
Robbins
Paul
Shirley
Concerns about any
candidate should be submitted in writing to the elders for review by February
20. Unsigned letters will be discarded.
A photo and bio of
the five nominees is available online at
http://www.westark.org/temp/elder_bios_2010.pdf
Printed copies are
in the foyer.
**Weekend With
Randy Harris**
March
12-14
Randy Harris is an
Instructor of Bible in the College of Biblical Studies at Abilene Christian
University, Abilene, Texas. He is a highly sought after speaker and travels most
weekends of the year, preaching at various churches across the
nation.
Friday, March
12
Randy visits with
the Lions for Christ and young adults
Saturday, March
13
Afternoon class
(open to all members)
Sunday, March
14
9:30 AM --
Combined adult class in the Auditorium
10:30 AM --
Worship
6:00 PM --
West-Ark hosts “Sunday Night Live” in the gym
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**Bridal Shower
Brunch**
honoring Melissa
Abney (bride-elect of Chase Turpin)
Saturday, February
20, 10 AM to 12 Noon
in the home of
Connye Neal, 2917 South Jackson
Melissa and Chase
are registered at Dillard’s, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Now and Then
Shoppe.
**Old Fashioned
Bridal Shower**
honoring Sarah
Walton (bride-elect of Nathan Griffin)
Sunday, Feb. 21,
2:00 - 4:00 PM in the Annex
This shower is an
old-fashioned “pounding.” Gift suggestions include any non-perishable
pantry items or household supplies.
A money tree will
also be provided.
**Showers on the
Online Calendar**
If you would like
to see the lineup of “spring showers” (the bridal and baby kind), check out our
online calendar for Feb. and March. Shower details will be added as they
become available. www.westark.org/calendar.htm
**Reminder --
Sweetheart Luncheon**
For our 55+
members a lunch hosted by the Youth Group will be served immediately following
Sunday morning services on February 14 in the gym.
**Ladies’ Escape
(Retreat)**
February 26 &
27
This is a great
way to get to know your sisters in a nice relaxed atmosphere. Sign-up
sheet is at the Information Center in the foyer. Call Coleen Shirley
or Cindy Glidewell if you need more information.
**JOY
Bunch!**
We have invited
Stan Eden, of Eden and Associates, to come and present at our regularly
scheduled meeting on February 20, at 6 PM in the FLC (gym). Due to the
content --financial planning-- the meeting may be of interest to ALL age groups.
Please join us for the meal and presentation (bring a dish and we begin at 6) or
just join us for the program only, which will begin at approximately 6:30. The
evening should conclude by 7:15.
**Financial Peace
Simulcast **
The Dave Ramsey
Financial Peace Simulcast scheduled for March 13 has been
cancelled.
**Wednesday AM
Ladies’ Class**
The Wednesday
morning Ladies’ Bible class will begin a new study of Psalms next week at
10:00. We invite any interested ladies to come join
us.
**King's
Kids**
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Kids
for Christ is Sunday night at 6 PM, ages 2 years through 4th grade. Come
join the fun upstairs Sunday night!
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Check
out this week’s Faith@Home activity at
westarkkids.org/facebook
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For
weekly class schedules & topics/event info and Faith@Home activities, please
join the King’s Kids Mailing list by emailing
dena@westarkids.org.
**New On the
Bulletin Board**
• Note from F. E.
& Anita Cook
• Note from Inez
Hatfield
• Note from 9th
Street
• Note from Geneva
Shepherd family
• Note for
Quilters from Barbara Smith
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**Youth Group
News**
Sweetheart
Luncheon - Sunday, February 14
We want all Youth
Group members to join us in serving our 55+ members in the gym immediately
following Sunday morning services. Let’s enjoy our time
together!
SNL at Center
St., Fayetteville - Sunday, February 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. Let’s
really support this month, especially since we are hosting next month!! It’s
free!
Youth Group -
Wednesday, February 17
Join us as we
finish 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!
Mexico Mission
Trip Meeting - Sunday, Feb. 21
This meeting is
mandatory for those interested in going on the mission trip. Also, the $100
deposit is due on this day. The meeting is at 4 p.m. in the youth room.
Applications have been distributed and are now available.
Bulgaria
Mission Trip Meeting - Sunday, Feb. 21
This meeting is
mandatory for those interested in going. The meeting is at 5 p.m. in the youth
room.
Youth Event -
Sunday, February 21
Look for more
details later.
Christeens -
Friday, February 26-Sunday, February 28
The vans will
leave at 5:30 p.m. on Friday and return around noon on Sunday. Make sure to eat
dinner before we leave on Friday.
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**
February
15
Mary
Hudson
Ron
Smith
February
17
Aaron
Logan
Bob
Null
Allison
Todd
February
18
Keith
Byrd
Maddie
Pressley
Daniel
Word
February
19
Mitchell
Bryant
Yolanda
Gunn
Emily
Hamilton
February
20
Doris
Hall
Morning
Nursery
Trish
Carson
Dwonne
Cogswell
Vicki
Anderson
Evening
Nursery
Terri
Jones
**Attendance and
Contribution Count**
Bible
Classes…..372
Sunday AM
Attendance....582
Sunday PM
Attendance…..N/A
Wednesday
Classes....N/A
Contribution…..$19,261
Children’s
Homes…..$272
Coins For
Christ……$33
Lao
Worship
Attendance......27
Contribution.....$155
Iglesia de
Cristo
Attendance…..56
Contribution…..$183
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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