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Family Lines
Newsletter, February 28, 2010
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**Mistakes and
God**
By David
Chadwell
If we say we have
no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we
confess our sin, He is faithful, and righteous to forgive us our sins and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make
Him a liar, and His word is not in us. (Stated to Christians in 1 John
1:8-10)
Christians make
mistakes—even when they try hard, even when they try harder, even when they keep
on trying harder! Hopefully, maturity in Christ produces fewer mistakes,
but mistakes still exist. We do not live in Christ because we have no
mistakes, but because we are forgiven of all mistakes. Our perfection does
not save us, but God’s mercy demonstrated in forgiveness saves us. We are
not one because we all agree —our mistakes always “get in the way”—we are one
because we all stand in God’s forgiveness in Christ. The church is
composed of appreciative forgiven people, not perfect
people.
Often our personal
problems as Christians arise from (1) our inability to be honest with ourselves
about ourselves and (2) our inability to forgive self of known mistakes.
Often our problems as Christ’s church arise from (1) our inability to be honest
with ourselves about ourselves and (2) our inability to forgive others in Christ
as God has forgiven us.
Commonly, I find
that the most committed Christians are composed of those who “have been there
and done that.” Why? In such people there is a blend of humility,
appreciation, and gratitude that often is missing in Christians who are
convinced that they always have “had it together” and “do favors for God.”
Simply, those who know how they were forgiven are more likely to know how to
forgive.
Jesus said that He
came to call sinners (Mark 2:17). Paul said the foundation of all Jesus’
efforts was saving sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). No matter what Christ’s
church does, no matter how “correct” Christians aspire to be, if the gospel
message is not based on the practice of forgiveness, those in sin will never
hear God’s call in Christ.
Can a movement
based on God’s forgiveness in Christ advance on the conviction that “I committed
the unpardonable sin,” “God could never forgive me,” or “Christ’s church is only
for good people”? A movement that is God-based is
forgiveness-based.
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**Order of
Worship**
Worship Leader --
Andrew Todd
Welcome
#15 -- Step By
Step
#74 -- Praise the
Lord (vs. 1, 2, 4)
#227 -- On Zion’s
Glorious Summit (all verses)
#96 -- I Stand In
Awe (twice)
Table of the
Lord
Offering
#83 -- God Is So
Good (vs. 1, 3, 4)
Coins for
Christ
Children’s
Worship
#474 -- Thank You,
Lord (all verses)
#860 -- There Is A
Habitation (vs. 1, 3, 4)
Message -- Chris
Benjamin
Song for
Responses
#903 -- There Is
Power In the Blood (vs. 1, 3, 4)
Elder’s
Prayer
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**In Our Thoughts
& Prayers**
• Caidan Dockery
(infant son of Greg & Nancy) is having respiratory difficulties. Please pray
for complete healing.
• Lyndell Foster’s
brother, Van, is doing well after surgery on February 22.
• John Gardenhire
(son of Warren & Elizabeth) is in Sparks Hospital, room 672. He has advanced
lung cancer.
• Mary Helen Luna
(infant daughter of Norma) was dismissed from the hospital last Saturday and is
doing well at home.
• Paulette Ellis’s
surgery was postponed due to problems with her blood sugar level.
• Phillip White is
still having a lot of pain from his back surgery and difficulty in
walking.
• Tom Ed Gooden
(Benny’s brother in Houston, TX), is currently being treated for multiple
myeloma. He is to undergo his second stem cell transplant on Friday,
February 26.
**Continued
Prayers**
• Aidon
Ryan
• Aura Lee
Land
• Betty
Wilson
• Dale
Lindsey
• David
Dotson
• Inez
Hatfield
• Jeanetta
Falls
• Kathy
Rosalez
• Lela
Neal
• Leon
Medlock
• Margaret
Stone
• Mary
Wray
• Richard
Broyles
• Wendi
Murrell
• Wilma
Son
**Bereaved in
Prayer**
Our love and
sympathy is extended to Paul and Frances Quenin in the death of Paul’s brother,
Hugh, on February 16. Graveside services were February 23 at Fort Sam
Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, TX. Please remember the Quenin family
in your prayers.
Our love and
sympathy is also extended to Rochelle Brown in the death of her aunt, Bobbie
Bolinger on February 22. Visitation is Thursday night (2/25/10) at
Brashears Funeral Home in Huntsville, AR from 6-8 PM. Funeral is 10 AM
Friday morning at the Huntsville (AR) Church of Christ, with burial at
Ben’s Branch Cemetery, Cave Creek, at 2:00 PM. The family is grateful for your
prayers.
**Welcome, New
Member!**
Kim
Thornburg
4208 Presley
Street
Fort Smith,
AR 72903
Phone:
479-650-6418
**New Address for
Lovelaces**
Jeff &
Michelle Lovelace
PMB
144
Sugar Land, TX
77498
(This is a post
office box.)
****Weekend With
Randy Harris, March 12-14****
THEME: “Reaching
Out To The People God Loves”
Friday, March
12
Randy meets with
the Lions for Christ and Young Adults
Saturday, March
13
2 PM Class for all
Members
Sunday, March
14
Combined Adult
Class in Auditorium at 9:30 AM
Sermon at 10:30
AM
West-Ark hosts
“Sunday Night Live” in the Gym at 6:00 PM.
Theme: “I am the
resurrection and the life.” John 11:25
Note: Communion
will be served in Room 100 at 6 PM.
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**Baby
Shower**
You are invited to
a shower honoring Jamilyn Knight on Sunday, February 28, 2:00 - 3:30 PM in the
Annex. Jamilyn is registered at Blessed Baby, Wal-Mart and
Target.
**Double Wedding
Shower and Brunch for Ellen & Emily Kamp**
Saturday, March
6
10 AM to Noon in
FLC (gym)
Ellen Kamp is the
bride-elect of Clay Smith, and Emily Kamp is the 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).
**Wedding Shower
for Treva Hill & Nick Dalton**
Sunday, March 7,
1:30 - 3:00
in the home of
Rochelle Brown
Treva and Nick are
registered at Target, Wal-Mart, JC Penneys, and Dillard’s.
**Welcome, Blessed
Baby!**
Jaxon Noah Reilly
Daws was born February 19 to Brandon & Amanda Daws.
He weighed 7 lbs.,
14 ozs. Congratulations also to Tammy Cypert (grandmother) and Tiffany Blake
(aunt).
**Moving Help
Needed**
Paige Wilson is
relocating to Louisiana and needs help packing up on Saturday, February
27. If you can help, please contact either Paige or Deborah
Wilson.
**Ladies’ Escape
(Retreat)**
February 26 &
27
Ladies, don’t
forget to pack your baby picture!
**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.
**King’s
Kids**
Vacation Bible
School has now become.... Faith Fusion 2010! Save the date of August 7 for
a fun, family and church family event that, by the grace of God, will help us
all live out our faith@home. Keep watching for more
details!
This week’s
Faith@Home Activity can be found at
www.westarkkids.org/facebook.
Join King’s Kids
mailing list for weekly updates on classes and events by e-mailing
dena@westarkkids.org
**Missing
Items**
We have several
things missing that need to be returned: a silver tea service,
tablecloths, and folding chairs. If you have any of these items at home, please
return them soon or contact Lynn Dickey at 452-1240.
**West-Ark’s
Online Calendar**
If your event is
not on the calendar, please e-mail
Debbie@westarkchurchofchrist.org.
**Elder Selection
Timeline**
Sunday,
February 28
Pledge of Support
forms for elder nominees and reaffirmation of current elders should be completed
and put in a drop box by Sunday evening. Pledge of support forms are
available in the foyer and in the bulletin racks. You may also access and print
the form by visiting http://www.westark.org/members.htm
March
7
Dedication of
elders during worship assembly.
**Notes on the
Bulletin Board**
• Thank you from
Daveina Scholle
• Thank you from
Barbara Miller
• From Virginia
Mobley & Ruby Nichols:
-Thank you to Tuesday WINGS
-Thank you to Youth Group
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4
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**Youth Group //
news**
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 and bring money for two fast food
meals.
Youth Event -
Sunday, February 28
This is another
“Youth Event” planned by our SLAM (Student Leadership Action Ministry)
Team. We’ll meet at Pizza Warehouse at 6 PM and share dinner together and
play games. We should be done there at about 7:30. You’ll need to
bring money for dinner and games and provide your own transportation. We had
nearly 60 students at last week’s volleyball/Marble Slab event, so don’t miss
out this week!
Youth Group -
Wednesday, March 3
We have been
having a ton of students show up... don’t miss out as we continue our great time
of Bible study and fellowship together! 7-8 p.m.
Mexico Meeting
- Sunday, March 7
This is our last
meeting (MANDATORY!!) prior to our departure for Mexico on March 20. We’ll be
going over some Spanish words, as well as distributing a list of items you need
to bring on the trip. Also, all balances for trip fees are due at this meeting.
See you in the youth group room at 4 p.m..
Bulgaria
Meeting - Sunday, March 7
Our next
preparation meeting (MANDATORY) for everyone going on the Bulgaria trip is
Sunday at 5 p.m. in the youth group room. Don’t forget to do your
homework! We’ll be discussing the culture of Bulgaria. Make sure
your fundraising letters are already sent out, passport ordered and all other
past due paperwork turned in.
Home Devo -
Sunday, March 7
Join us for a home
devo at the Brown’s house. Vans will leave the church at 6 p.m. and return at 8
p.m. Please bring $3 to help cover the cost of food.
SNL at
West-Ark! - Sunday, March 14
We’re going to be
hosting all the area youth groups in our gym... hopefully over 300 students!
Mark this on your calendar so you’ll make sure and show up as we host our first
SNL in three years. Randy Harris from ACU will be speaking, Aaron Davis will be
leading worship and we’ll have free food! Trust me, you will NOT want to miss
this! 6-8 PM.
Mexico Mission
Trip - Saturday, March 20 - Friday, March 26
**Happy Birthday
To...**
February
28
Don
Griffin
Rachel
Seiter
Marilyn
Selby
James
Winchell
February
29
Braden
Daws
March
1
Nathan
Davis
Leon
Medlock
Karan
Tygart
March
2
Joann
Griffin
Kristin
James
March
3
Norma Ruth
Martin
March
4
Hunter
Hesslen
March
5
Vivian
Flood
Stephen
Jennemann
Ashleigh
Miller
March
6
Netsy
Lynn
Charlotte
Reagan
**Morning
Nursery**
Berniece
Rogers
Sharon
Faries
Kelsey
Spickes
**Evening
Nursery**
Denise
Lusby
**Attendance and
Contribution Count**
Bible
Classes...………....371
Sunday AM
Attendance..573
Sunday PM
Attendance..200
Wednesday
Classes…...N/A
Contribution………..$16,849
Children’s
Homes……..$296
Coins For
Christ.............$47
Lao
Worship
Attendance……………......27
Contribution……………$177
Iglesia de
Cristo
Attendance………………..59
Contribution……………$214
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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