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Family Lines Newsletter, February 21, 2010

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**Wisdom Does Not Change**

By David Chadwell

 

As I was reading Proverbs recently, this fact struck me: I was reading statements around 3,000 years old to find insights into life now.  Astounding!  How many ideas do you search that are 3,000 years old to discover insights on how to live your life today?

 

Why?  How can anything so old be relevant?  What possible insight from 3,000 years ago could be relevant to life now?  How could a 3,000-year-old insight be applicable to life now?  How could an insight declared verbally in a tiny nation that had no printing, no electricity, no sanitation department, no asphalt roads, no airplanes, no computers, and no cell phones be helpful to people who live in a shrinking world with numberless regulations and resources that can communicate worldwide instantly?

 

Wisdom focuses on two basic things.  (1) A healthy relationship with God.  (2)  Healthy people-to-people relationships.  Those two realties remain unchanged in every age.  Material changes do not alter those realities.  World War I was fought to end all wars.  War continues.  Penicillin would open the gates to ending disease. Germs, bacteria, viruses, and their relatives adapted.  Our “War on Poverty” did not end poverty.

 

Greed is greed in any age.  Only the goals of greed change.  Deceit is deceit in any age.  Only the goals of deceit change.  Indulgence is indulgence in any age.  Only the goals of personal pleasure change.  Exploitation is exploitation in any age.  Only the goals of using other people change.  Manipulation is manipulation in any age.  Only the goals of using deity or people change.  Thus self-deception is always self-deception, and wasting life is always wasting life.  It will do you no good to covet age 25 when you are 70—nothing will bring back 25!

 

Try telling God after you die, “You do not exist because I told You long ago You did not exist.”  Try telling people you use how much you love and respect them.  Considering the importance of God and people when most of your life is gone is often too late.

 

It is shocking to see how age changes your priorities!  Suddenly what was very important and urgent when you were young becomes extremely unimportant.   “Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, ‘I have no delight in them’” is ancient!  (Ecclesiastes 12:1)

 

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**Order of Worship**

 

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)

Hosanna, You’re My King (on screen)

#162 -- All Hail The Power of Jesus’ Name (vs. 1, 4)

 

Table of the Lord

Offering

 

Days of Elijah (on screen)

Coins for Christ

Children’s Worship

 

#300 -- Praise Him! Praise Him! (vs. 1, 3)

Message -- Chris Benjamin

 

Song for Responses

#943 -- Do You Know My Jesus? (vs. 1, 3)

Elder’s Prayer

 

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**In Our Thoughts and Prayers**

• Aidon Ryan, six-year-old grandson of Cheryl Craven, has been diagnosed with diabetes.

• Brandon and Amanda Daws are expecting their 3rd child on Friday, February 19. It is a planned C-section, and they expect to arrive home the following Monday.  If you can provide a meal for the family, it would be greatly appreciated.   Go to the link provided.  http://www1.mysignup.com/cgi-bin/view.cgi?datafile=meals_for_the_daws

• Mark Wilson’s mother, Betty is nearing death.  Mark asks that she and the family be remembered in prayer as they go through this difficult time.

• Dale Lindsey, brother-in-law of Denise Lusby, returned to the Heart Hospital in Little Rock on Tuesday due to another blood clot.

• David Dotson (Jennifer’s husband & Shay’s dad) had heart tests on Wednesday (Feb. 17).  Results are still pending.  Please pray for answers and for healing.

• Inez Hatfield had a second vertebroplasty procedure on Wednesday.  It went well, and she is home.

• Jack Lewis requests prayers for Paulette Ellis who had surgery for cancer on Wednesday at St. Edward Hospital.

• Phillip White went home from the hospital on Thursday (Feb. 18).  He is doing well, but has a long way to go.  Physical therapy will begin next week.  Please pray for complete healing.

 

**Continued Prayers**

Ashley Blasdel

Aura Lee Land

Bobbie Bolinger

Bobbie Hughes

Bud Harper

Caidan Dockery

Don Todd

Inez Hatfield

Jeanetta Falls

Jewell King

Jim Pratt

Kathy Rosalez

Lela Neal

Margaret Stone

Mary Wray

Nadine Hawkins

Nellie Kladakis

Ray House

Richard Broyles

Wendi Murrell

Wilma Son

 

**Welcome, Little Baby**

We praise God for the safe arrival of Conner Glenn, son of Rachel Seiter and grandson of Ellen. Conner was born Friday, February 12!

 

**Baby Shower**

You are invited to a shower honoring Jamilyn Knight on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2:00 - 3:30 PM in the Annex. Jamilyn is registered at Blessed Baby, Wal-Mart and Target.

 

**Elder Selection Timeline**

February 21-28

• Affirmation of candidates and reaffirmation of current elders.

• Pledge of Support forms  are available in the foyer and outside the Auditorium (in the display rack with the newsletters). 

• Fill out and return your form to a drop box on or before February 28.

 

March 7

• Dedication of elders during worship assembly.

 

**Weekend With Randy Harris**

Friday-Sunday, March 12-14

Can theology be practical? Entertaining? Relevant? Anyone who has heard Randy Harris speak will answer with a resounding, “Yes!”

Combining his experience as a professor of theology with a popular style that makes the profound understandable, Randy opens us up to the world as God intends.

Randy Harris is an Instructor of Bible at Abilene Christian University, Abilene, Texas.

More details next week!

 

**Farewell, Best Wishes and Thank You, Lovelace Family!**

The elders would like to formally thank Jeff and Michelle Lovelace for their work in the Financial Peace ministry and wish them a warm farewell to the next chapter of their lives in the Houston area.  You are loved and will be missed by many here at West-Ark.  May God bless you and your children richly in the years to come.

Ron Belote

for the Elders

 

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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 Shower**

honoring Sarah Walton (bride-elect of Nathan Griffin)

Sunday, February 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.

 

**Double Wedding Shower for Ellen & Emily Kamp**

Saturday, March 6, 10 AM to Noon in FLC (gym)

Double wedding ... double shower ... double fun!!  This will be a double bridal shower brunch honoring Ellen Kamp, bride-elect of Clay Smith, and Emily Kamp, bride-elect of Wade Pressley.

Ellen and Emily are both registered at Dillard’s, Now and Then Shoppe, and Target. In addition, Emily is registered at Bed, Bath & Beyond, and Ellen is registered at www.southernlivingathome.com/mabel  (The representative for this website is Mabel Coleman).

 

**Ladies’ Escape (Retreat)**

February 26 & 27 (Space is still available!)

The cost per room  is: $103.22 for a single; $73.25 for a double; $59.62 for three to a room; $52.81 for four to a room.  See Cyndi Glidewell in the foyer this Sunday to turn in your money. She will be stationed there during the break between class and worship.  Ladies, please make every effort to attend.  You will enjoy it and be refreshed!  

 

**JOY Bunch Potluck!**

Saturday,  February 20, 6 PM in the FLC (gym) 

Guest Speaker:  Stan Eden of Eden Financial

 

**Widows/Widowers**

 Come to the Annex at noon on March 6 for the “wearing of the green” and to find out what the O’Burketts, O’Hughes and O’Lowrys found in the pot at the end of the rainbow.  Let Mary, Bobbie or Janice know if you need transportation.  No Car Clinic for March  --see you in April.

 

**Sunday Morning TV**

Tune in to “In Search of the Lord’s Way” on Fort Smith’s channel 40/29 (KHBS) at 8 a.m. every Sunday morning to hear a faith-strengthening message by Mack Lyon or Phil Sanders.  It’s a great way to start your Sunday!

 

**9:30 Sunday Morning Class**

The class in Room 106 is engaged in a study of the Epistle of Jude and a discussion of angels.  If this study interests you, please join us!

 

**King’s Kids Calendar**

Summer will be here before we know it! Join us this Sunday, February 21, at 5 PM in Room 100 to talk about BIG CHANGES for VBS 2010.  To Him be all the glory!

-- Check out this week’s Faith@Home activity at westarkkids.org/facebook.

-- For weekly class schedules & topics/event info and Faith@Home activities, please join the King’s Kids Mailing list by emailing dena@westarkids.org.

 

**2009 Budget vs. Actual**

as of 01/31/2010 YTD

Budgeted Contributions, $324,000

Actual Contributions, $348,826

Actual Expenses, $284,901

 

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**Youth Group News**

 

Congratulations to Eric Berger for making All State Band!

 

Mexico Mission Trip Meeting - Sunday, Feb. 21

This meeting is mandatory for those interested in going on the mission trip. If you are still thinking about going, please come to this meeting and ask any questions you may have. 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. If you have previously indicated your interest in going to Bulgaria, you need to let Rick know if you are NOT going or if you ARE going you need to attend this meeting.

 

Youth Event - Sunday, Feb. 21

This is the first “Youth Event” planned by our new SLAM (Student Leadership Action Ministry) Team.  We’ll play VOLLEYBALL in the gym, followed by a trip to Marble Slab! We’ll meet in the gym at 6 p.m. and be finished with everything and back at the building at 8 p.m.  Bring money for whatever you will get at Marble Slab and make arrangements for your own transportation.

 

Youth Group - Wednesday, February 24

Don’t miss out as we continue our great time of Bible study and fellowship together!  7-8 p.m.

 

Christeens - Friday, Feb. 26-Sunday, Feb. 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 21

Jill Roberts

 

February 22

Meredith Brown

Graham Coffelt

 

February 24

Lynne Alexander

Lucille Graves

 

February 25

Uriel Lindgren

Elmer Nye

 

February 27

Grace Atchison

Ryan Dockery

Betty Moreton

 

**Attendance and Contribution Count**

Bible Classes...………....308   

Sunday AM Attendance..564

Sunday PM Attendance..N/A

Wednesday Classes…...N/A

Contribution………..$18,626

Children’s Homes……..$365

Coins For Christ.............$29

 

Lao Worship

Attendance……………......34

Contribution……………$178

 

Iglesia de Cristo

Attendance………………..63

Contribution……………$200

 

**Feb. 21 Nursery**

Morning

Flora Johnson

Betty Callicott

Linda Wilson

 

Evening

Sheila Vaught

 

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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