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Family Lines Newsletter, May 16, 2010

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**What Are You Looking For?**

By David Chadwell

 

And it came about when He went into the house of one of the leaders of the Pharisees on the Sabbath to eat bread, that they were watching Him closely.  Luke 14:1 (NASB)

 

All of the gospels acknowledge the fact that Jesus was under the critical scrutiny of some of the best-trained Israelites (see Matthew 12:10, 19:3; Mark 3:2; Luke 11:53, 54; 23:10; John 8:6; etc.). Often he was “set up.”  They asked, “Why did you do that?”  Or, “What is your position on this?”  Or, “What is your stance on this matter?”

 

Commonly, those who asked were well-trained religious leaders.  Rarely did they ask to learn.  Their motives involved finding fault, criticizing, attacking, or destroying his credibility.  So they followed Jesus and his disciples in the fields and asked, “Why do you let them do that?”  (Matthew 12:1-8.)  Or, they wondered if he would heal on the Sabbath Day (Mark 3:1-6).

 

While Jesus’ teachings and actions blessed some, others were totally unimpressed.  While some saw in Jesus hope, others regarded him to be a dangerous man who led people away from God.  To some he was the Savior God promised, and to some he was a cunning servant of Satan.  To some he was the promised way to God, and to some he opposed everything God valued.  To some he announced God’s light, and to others he was the villain of darkness.  To some he was the means to eternal life, and to some he destroyed their future opportunity for power and wealth.

 

Even today, not everyone sees the same thing when they look at Jesus.  To some, Jesus embodies the joy bigger than death.  To some, Jesus is the destruction of all fun.  To some, he is the avenue to the greatest power this world has ever known.  To some, he is a threat to power.  To some, he is the means to wealth bigger than physical life.  To some, his values are against physical wealth.

 

The truth is that it does not matter what others think about Jesus—pro or con!  What matters is what you think about Jesus.  To you, is he a Savior or a demon?  In him do you find light or darkness? Direction or confusion? Life or death?  Is he worth the investment of your life, or is he the stumbling block to all you value?  When God asks you what you think of Jesus, will you bow out of necessity or out of desire?  (Philippians 2:9-11)

 

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**Order of Worship**

May 16, 2010

Worship Leader -- Brent Evans

 

#718 – We Shall Assemble

#744 – God’s Family (vs. 1)

 

Welcome

Lord, I Lift Your Name On High (on screen)

Hosanna (vs. 1, 2)

Blessed Be The Name of the Lord (on screen)

#176 – Lamb of God (vs. 1, 2)

 

Table of the Lord

Offering

 

#810 – Listen to Our Hearts (vs. 1, 2)

Coins for Christ

Children’s Worship

#448 -- The Greatest Commands

 

Message -- Chris Benjamin

 

Song for Responses

#712 -- Jesus Is Coming Soon (vs. 1, 3)

Shepherd’s Prayer

 

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**In Our Thoughts & Prayers**

• Annetta Bridges (Jonette Shirley’s mother) has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Cards may be sent to her at 626 E. State Street, Redlands, CA 92373.

• Deanna White requests prayers for her friend, Anita Peters, who in ICU at Summit Hospital in Van Buren.

• Brooks McGill (3 year-old neighbor of Ed & Becky Grist) is recovering well from a car accident last week. He is at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, and will have surgery Thursday (May 13) to install a metal plate around his left eye and cheek.  Libby (his mother) was also injured and is recovering from whiplash and a concussion.

• Richard & Sandy Bandy ask for prayers for their health.

• Sara Newton is in ICU at OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City.  She has improved enough to be off of a ventilator and the infection has cleared from her blood. She is still having heart problems.

• Tracy Risley will have thyroid surgery May 19 at St. Edward Hospital.

 

**Prayers for Nigeria**

Pray for our Christian brothers and sisters in Nigeria, for Nigerian Christian Hospital, and for the country.

 

**Continued Prayers**

Aiden Blasdel

Anita & Wendell Fenton

Aura Lee Land

Bonnie Ray

Caidan Dockery

Inez Hatfield

John Gardenhire

Lela Neal

Margaret Stone

Marlin Edens

Mary Wray

Phillip White

Richard Broyles

Wilma Son

 

**Senior Sunday Baskets**

Baskets for each graduating Senior are in the foyer next to the youth group bulletin board. If you would like to give a card or gift use these baskets to do so. The baskets will be  there through Sunday, May 23.

 

**Due Date or Adoption Date?**

Do you have a precious little one on the way or will you be adopting soon? Please send your due date or expected adoption date to Dena@westarkkids.org.

 

**Heart to Heart Pregnancy Support Center**

Christ-Centered • Pro-Life

 

If you missed getting a baby bottle last Sunday (sorry, we ran out!), please pick one up from the baby bassinet on display in the foyer.  Fill your bottle with spare change (or dollars, or a check) and return it on or before Father’s Day, June 20.  Your donations will enable Heart to Heart to continue the wide variety of services offered in our community: Free Pregnancy Testing, Pro-Life Counseling, Baby Items, Adoption Referrals, Post-Abortion Trauma, Parenting Classes, Maternity Items, Chastity Programs, Medical & Housing.

 

Heart to Heart has services for fathers, too.  24/7 Dad is a mentoring program for fathers.  Another program helps re-attach dads who are returning home after time spent away in military service, prison, etc.

 

Volunteers are always needed.  If interested, call 452-2260 or e-mail hearttoheart [at] mynewroads.com

 

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**Scholarships for Children of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam**

In Vietnam, public education is not free.

Help a child living in the slums and poverty of HCM City get an education.  Any amount you give will help. 

These children and their families represent a fertile field for the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Your scholarship money can be given to Jerry Canfield or Lynn Dickey in the office. 

 

**King’s Kids Calendar**

• Last Kids For Christ before Summer break: Sunday, May 16

• Promotion/Graduation Sunday, May 23 (Age specific info is available at the King’s Kids Board in the church foyer and at www.westarkkids.org/facebook) Children’s Worship will not meet.

• Reid Knight Baby Blessing - Sunday, June 6

• Family Day Trip to Tulsa’s Incredible Pizza, Saturday,  June 26 (check it out at http://www.incrediblepizza.com/tulsa)

• Silly Olympics, Sunday, July 25, for 3-year-olds through those going into 1st grade AND FAMILIES.  Don’t miss out on this fun, family event!

• Faith Fusion, Saturday, August 7, for Kindergarten, 6th grade AND FAMILIES.

 

**Wedding Invitation**

Mr. and Mrs. William Armstrong Kamp

Request the honour of your presence

At the marriage of their daughters

Ellen Marie to Clay Alan Smith

and

Emily Kathryn to Jeffrey Wade Pressley II

Saturday, the Fifteenth of May

Two Thousand Ten

at Five O’clock in the Evening

West-Ark Church of Christ

Fort Smith, Arkansas

 

**GVBC Reminder**

www.greenvalleybiblecamp.com

Sign up for Green Valley Bible Camp soon! Last year we filled up and had to turn down applications.  West-Ark attends Craig Frost’s week July 4-10. If you would like to sponsor a child who needs financial assistance to go to camp, please contact Niketa Stinchcomb.

 

**West-Ark’s Online Calendar**

www.westark.org/calendar.htm

• May 23, 4:00 PM Elders, Deacons, and Ministry Leaders’ meet in room 203.

• June 6, 6 PM Family Meeting with fellowship meal in the FLC.

 

**Posted on the Bulletin Board**

• Thank you note from David & Regina Thompson and the Family of Beverly Roloff

 

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**Youth Group News**

 

Snow Cones & Devo - Sunday, May 16

Our Student Leadership Action Ministry (SLAM) Team has put together another fantastic event just for you. We’ll leave from the church building at 5:30 PM, get our snowcones, head back to the youth group room for our separate Junior High and High School devotionals.  Our new incoming 7th graders are welcome to join us!  Bring your Bible and  money for snowcones.

 

Youth Group - Wednesday, May 19  /  We have been having a ton of students show up... don’t miss out as we continue our study led by the Interns on “Identity in Christ” and fellowship together!  Youth Room, 7-8 p.m.

 

7th Grade / Senior Sunday - Sunday, May 23

Don’t miss out as we honor our Seniors and incoming 7th graders on this special Sunday. (Seniors: Gift baskets have been set out, please pick up the contents by May 23.) Also, Seniors and families are invited to a party in their honor in the High School Youth Group room from 5-7 PM that evening. All other youth group members are invited.

 

Party for Incoming 7th Graders - Wednesday, May 26

The Seniors of 2011 are hosting a party to honor and welcome our incoming 7th graders in the High School Youth Group room from 7-8:30 PM. Simultaneously, Rick will hold an orientation for Parents of incoming 7th graders and any other families that are new to our youth ministry in the Jr. High Youth Group room.  Don’t miss it!

 

Junior/Senior Trip - Wed., June 2 - Sunday, June 6

We are finalizing details for this amazing trip... if you are a current Jr. or Sr., make plans to attend!

 

Service Camp - Thursday, June 3

Don’t miss out on this new variation of Service Camp.  The Interns are finalizing details of who we’ll serve and where.  Mark it on your calendar!

 

Church-wide Family Meeting - Sunday, June 6

We will join in on the Family Meeting taking place in the auditorium at 6:00 p.m.

 

Soul Quest 2010 - June 13 - 19

Soul Quest will be here before you know it! Make sure you turn in your application and money today! (Copies are available in the hanging files next to the youth group bulletin board.) The vans will be leaving from the building at 7 a.m. SHARP on Sunday, June 13 and returning around 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 19.

 

Upcoming Events - Mark your calendar!

Bulgaria Mission Trip: June 23 - July 7 /  If you would like to contribute funds for this trip, please see Rick or Jackie.

Colorado Mission Trip: July 25-31

Faith Fusion: August 7

 

Give A Goat Now Project -   The youth group is selling bracelets, made in the Phillipines, to help us in our effort to purchase goats for poor families in the Phillipines. Please start spreading the word about the availability of these bracelets to your friends and at your schools. We’ll sell them for $3 each, with all the money going to purchase goats. We have already sold nearly 500 of these, so get one before they are gone!

 

**Happy Birthday**

May 16

Jeff Tomlin

Amy Wilson

 

May 17

Robertta Moses

Emilio Regalado

Alice Jean Rogers

 

May 18

Jake Odell

Pat Yick

 

May 20

Virginia Oliver

Luke Roberts

 

May 21

John Fowler

Debra Willis

 

May 22

Caidan Dockery

Charley Douglas

Jacob Hollomon

Russ McConnell

 

**Morning Nursery**

Flora Johnson

Betty Callicott

Linda Wilson

Amanda Basham

 

**Evening Nursery**

Sheila Vaught

 

**Attendance and Contribution Count**

Bible Classes...………....380   

Sunday AM Attendance..634

Sunday PM Attendance..147

Wednesday Classes…...N/A

Contribution………..$17,733

Children’s Homes……..$166

Coins For Christ.............$59

 

Lao Worship

Attendance……………......29

Contribution……………$204

 

Iglesia de Cristo

Attendance………………..71

Contribution……………$234

 

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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