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Family Lines
Newsletter, April 11, 2010
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**No Middle
Ground**
By David
Chadwell
For if the dead
are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been
raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those
also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ
in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. 1 Corinthians 15:16-19
(NASB)
The process of
aging is a sobering reality! As people of age often say, “Old age is not
for sissies!” The experience of going from capability to inability is
unsettling!
When we are young
and energetic with a multitude of options, we rarely think of that
journey. When initially that journey becomes awareness, we tend to think
we “have let ourselves go.” All we need is to “buckle down,” adopt a
healthy routine, and recover what we lost. Alas, the time comes for all
when we must accept that the form of the body, the strength of the muscles, and
the former “crazy” schedule are things of the past—they are not coming back no
matter what we do or how we do it!
Suddenly, Jesus’
resurrection by God is not a philosophical approach to life. It is either
reality or a lie—there is no in between, no maybe. When you realize your
death is not a maybe, at that same moment you also realize resurrection is not a
maybe.
Paul told the
Corinthian congregation almost 2,000 years ago that Jesus’ resurrection was not a
maybe. There is life after death, or there is not. There is sinless
existence through divine forgiveness, or not. There is hope based in
reality, or wasted effort. Life is an investment in the eternal, or life
is a journey into hopeless decline, but life is not a
maybe.
Is belief in the
resurrection a matter of faith? Yes, and it always will be! Every
lifestyle involves an essential element of faith. Indulgence hurts others!
Power tramples people as obstacles. Ambition becomes blind!
Accumulation views people as things! Knowledge becomes arrogance! Success
becomes self-centered! However, in Christ, I learn to live for others.
Physical decline and death still come, but only in Jesus do we have hope after
death! Jesus Christ’s resurrection is the Christian’s guiding
beacon!
We seek Christ in
the conviction that life is continuous and death is an interruption! We
seek resurrection in Jesus Christ! Our journey does not end when physical
death occurs!
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**Order of
Worship**
Worship Leader --
Brent Evans
Days of Elijah (on
screen)
Welcome
#144 – O Worship
The King (vs. 1. 2, 3)
#779 – I Love You,
Lord
Create in Me a
Clean Heart
Baby Blessing for
Liam Huffman
#313 – The Old
Rugged Cross (vs. 1, 2)
Jesus Keep Me Near
The Cross (on screen)
Table of the
Lord
Offering
Sanctuary (on
screen)
Coins for Christ
Children’s
Worship
Ancient Words (on
screen)
Message -- Chris
Benjamin
Song for
Responses
#916 – What A Day
That Will Be (vs. 1, 2)
Shepherd’s Prayer
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**In Our Thoughts
& Prayers**
• Anita Fenton
(Natalie Nelson’s mother) had breast cancer surgery on April 6. She is
staying with Rick & Natalie while she recovers.
• Tests indicate
that Ashley Blasdel has developed toxemia in her pregnancy. She may be
transferred soon to a hospital in Oklahoma City.
• Audra Bocksnick
is going to the Mayo Clinic for surgery next week. On April 12 she will
have tests, and on April 13 she will have colon surgery. Please remember
Audra & Shane and the rest of the family in your prayers.
• Bennie Hedrick
(Nancy James’ mother) was dismissed from the hospital on April 5. She has
developed shingles, but will be treated at home.
• Bonnie Ray
(Karen Carter’s mother) returned to the hospital on Wednesday night (April 7)
with what appears to be another stroke.
• Eulonda Grist
(Ed’s mother) has improved and was able to go home on April 7. She will
have follow-up home health care.
• Jean Dicks had
tests for fluid on her brain on April 5. She will know the results in about a
week when she meets with her doctor.
• John Gardenhire
is in Sparks Hospital, room 415. He is being treated for an infection and
may be there for another week. John always appreciates
visits.
• Netsy Lynn is in
Sparks Hospital, ICU #263.
• Phillip White is
home from the hospital. He will have a bone marrow test at the Cancer
Center on Thursday, April 8. He has prayer pager
441-1722.
• Toka Beall‘s
back surgery (laminectomy) went very well, and she is now home. She
requests no food or flowers, but prayers are very
appreciated.
• Wendell Fenton
(Natalie Nelson’s father) was released from the hospital on April 5. He is
staying with Rick and Natalie as he recovers and will also receive home health
care.
**Continued
Prayers**
Aura Lee
Land
Caidan
Dockery
Carolyn
Harrell
Hunter
Hesslen
Inez
Hatfield
J. H.
Carter
Lela
Neal
Leon
Medlock
Liz
Parks
Margaret
Stone
Marilyn
Richardson
Wendi
Murrell
Wilma
Son
**Bereaved in
Prayer**
Our love and
sympathy is extended to Julie Tignor in the death of her grandmother, Christine
Knote. The funeral is Sunday (4/11/10) in Sidney, Montana. Julie requests
prayers for traveling safety for her family.
**Welcome!**
Autumn
Pistole
2012 S. Q St.
Fort Smith,
AR 72901
Phone: (479)
926-6902
**Baby Blessing
Sunday Morning**
For Liam, son of
Adam & Lana Huffman and brother of Jacob.
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**Baby Boy
Shower**
You are invited to
a baby shower honoring Shelley McGehee on Sunday, April 11, from 2:00 - 3:30 PM
in the Annex. Shelley is registered at Target and Wal-Mart. It’s a
boy!
**Recycling for
Pregnancy Center**
Through the
collection and recycling of aluminum cans from West-Ark, $250 has been raised
for the Heart to Heart Pregnancy Center. Mother’s Day will be the kickoff for
the Baby Bottle Campaign, and this will be West-Ark’s 4th year to
participate! Our thanks to the Mark Wilson and his family for their
dedication and work in the recycling program.
**Attention JOY
Bunch!**
We have missed you
and hope to see you this month on April 17th. Please join us at 6:00 PM in the
Annex for entertainment and more. Note the change of venue--not the FLC, but the
Annex. Hope to see you then.
**King’s Kids
Calendar**
April 11 --
Bridge 56 Hosts “Welcome Back Lunch” in the Family Life Center (gym) for the
Houston Impact Team. (B56 kids bring chips and drinks)
**On the Bulletin
Board**
Thank you note
from Scott Hickey Family
**Lions for Christ
Appreciation Dinner**
You are invited to
a casual dinner in West-Ark’s FLC (gym) on Thursday, April 22 at 7
PM!
Please join us for
dinner -- our turn to serve you! Your family is
welcomed!
Please let Mary
know if you’ll be here! RSVP by April 19:
Phone (479)
452-1240 or e-mail mary@westarkchurchofchrist.org
**Senior Girl’s
Tea/Brunch**
You are cordially
invited to a Tea/Brunch to honor our Senior girls.
Saturday, April 24
at 10:00 AM in the Family Life Center
For more
information call:
Church office
452-1240, Glenda Lewis, or Linda Davis.
**Attention New
7th Graders and Graduating Seniors!**
Our 7th Grade /
Senior Sunday will be May 23. We want to make sure we are aware of all of the
upcoming 7th graders and graduating seniors. If you are going to be in 7th grade
next year or are about to graduate and your name isn’t on this list, please
contact Jackie in the church office (479-452-1240) as soon as possible.
Information about 7th Grade / Senior Sunday will be sent out
soon.
7th
Graders:
Alex Beneux
Audra
Beneux
Saige
Blasdel
Haleigh
Evans
Logan
Hill
Breckin
Horton
Rachel
James
Abbey
Jenkins
David
Luna
Ashleigh
Miller
Catherine
Owen
Maddie
Pressley
Sarah
Robbins
Tyler
Souvandy
Thad
Stancil
Braden
Walker
Seniors:
Azia
Blasdel
Morgan
Dunavin
AnaAlicia
Evans
Emily
Glidewell
Lacy
Layman
Carl
Neumeier
Trenton
Schien
Rachel
Seiter
Dalton
Stancil
Alex
Tomlin
Julie
Vongdara
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4
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**Youth Group //
News**
Congratulations -
Congratulations to Becca Risley for being selected as the next Rampage
Editor-in-Chief for Ramsey Junior High. Also, congratulations to Hannah Null for
becoming a Chaffin Junior High Cheerleader.
OKC Thunder
Basketball Game! - Friday, April 9
The vans will
leave the building at 3:00 p.m. (instead of 3:45) and return after midnight. We
are leaving earlier because if we get to the stadium by 6:15 the teens will be
able to high-five the Thunder players in the tunnel as they run out onto the
court. Bring money to get food at the game.
SNL in
Bentonville - Sunday, April 11
Theme: “I am the
way, the truth, and the life.” John 14:6 Vans will leave at 4:30 p.m. and
return at 9:30 p.m. We’ve been having great attendance at all of our youth
events... don’t miss out on the time you can spend with YOUR youth group and
fellowship that is available at this Area Wide!
Youth Group -
Wednesday, April 14
We have been
having a ton of students show up... don’t miss out as we continue our new study
on “Identity in Christ” and fellowship together! Youth room, 7-8 p.m.
Parent Meeting
/ Family Devo - Sunday, April 18
Join us at 6:00
p.m. in the gym to go over the youth group calendar for the summer. Parents:
Bring your own personal family calendar and be prepared to sign up to help
sponsor youth events. Please bring either a snack or dessert to share. We want
everyone to be there! This is very important!
Youth Event -
Sunday, April 25
Two of our SLAM
Team (Student Leadership Action Ministry) are finalizing plans ... stay tuned
for more information.
7th Grade /
Senior Sunday - Sunday, May 23
(Note: This is a
date change from what was previously published.) Seniors and upcoming 7th
graders, please check the inside of the bulletin to make sure we have your name
on the list. More details to come.
**Happy
Birthday**
April
11
Rachel
James
Duane
Walker
April
13
Wanda
Braker
Rick
Carson
Gina
Williams
April
14
Wilburn
Howard
Donald
Neisler
April
15
Tom
Beard
Staci
James
David
Young
April
16
Lila
Hull
April
17
Dave
Cogswell
Barry
Neal
Brittanie
Stinchcomb
**Attendance and
Contribution Count**
Bible
Classes...………....398
Sunday AM
Attendance..698
Sunday PM
Attendance..N/A
Wednesday
Classes…...N/A
Contribution………..$20,411
Children’s
Homes……..$327
Coins For
Christ.............$26
Lao
Worship
Attendance……………......31
Contribution……………$200
Iglesia de
Cristo
Attendance………………..63
Contribution……………$194
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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