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Family Lines Newsletter, December 5, 2010

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**Hope Chest Toy Giveaway**

Saturday, December 11

10:00 AM to 1:00 PM

West-Ark Family Life Center (gym)

 

The 2010 Hope Chest Toy Giveaway is almost here! This annual event gives West-Ark members an opportunity to use their talents, to help the community, and spend time together in service.  There are lots of  ways to help.   Everyone has a spot here! 

 

Below is a list of events leading up to the Toy Giveaway.  Last year, through the generosity of West-Ark members, 420 families had Christmas gifts for their children. The Toy Giveaway keeps on growing every year, and it is all because of the great folks at West-Ark.  Are you ready?  Let’s do it!

 

Dec. 5 -- The DRESS A DOLL project ends.  Bring your dressed-up doll to worship with you on Sunday!

Dec. 5 -- West-Ark Youth Group works on goodie bags and other projects at the CURE warehouse.

Friday, Dec. 10, 10 AM to 6 PM -- Help put out the toys at the Family Life Center. 

Dec. 10, 10 AM to 6 PM - Bring cookies to the Family Life Center to feed the Toy Giveaway shoppers.

Saturday, Dec. 11, 9:30 AM -- Participate in a devotional for West-Ark workers. 

Dec. 11, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM -- Help distribute the toys at the Toy Giveaway.  In past years all ages have been there to assist the shoppers, load gifts, and offer lots of Christmas spirit.

Dec. 11, 1:00 PM to ? -- Clean up the Family Life Center after the event.  Clean up goes very fast with many workers.  The Family Life Center was in perfect shape by 2:00 PM last year!  

 

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**Order of Worship**

Worship Leader -- Brent Evans

Welcome

#238 -- You Are The Song That I Sing

#484 -- You Are My All In All (vs. 1, 2)

#583 --Jesus, Flow Like a River (vs. 1, 2)

#337 -- Hallelujah! What a Savior (vs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

 

Table of the Lord 

Offering

Refiner’s Fire (on screen)

 

Coins for Christ

Children’s Worship

#712 -- Jesus Is Coming Soon (vs. 1, 2, 3)

 

Message -- Chris Benjamin

Song for Responses

#674 -- I Have Decided to Follow Jesus (vs. 1, 2, 3, 4)

Shepherd’s Prayer

 

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**The Wonder Working Power of Prayer**

• Bill & Karen Tygart request prayers for better health.

• Glenn Gilley is scheduled for carotid artery surgery on 12/9/10.

• Jim Pratt is in Sparks Hospital, ICU #219, for issues related to his pacemaker.

• Toka Beall had additional back surgery at Baptist Hospital in Little Rock on 12/1/10.

 

**Continued Prayers**

Allen Mobley

Ann Cook

Beverly Evans

Eddie Harrell

F. E. Cook

Grace Peters

Harold Gouty

Jewell House

Lela Neal

Lottie Moore

Margaret Stone

Mary Hudson

Mary Ann Scholle

Mary Frances Jackson

Myra Flippo-Puckett

Phillip White

Richard Broyles

Tina Eudaly

Will Abernathy

Wilma Son

 

**Notes of Thanks**

We would like to thank everyone for the many cards, calls, visits, fine food and especially the prayers during Clayton’s illness and passing.  He loved you all dearly.

Sincerely,

The Clayton Amos Family

 

Thank you for the many expressions of sympathy shown at the death of our father and grandfather, Robert Pratt.  We are comforted by your thoughtfulness. 

Jim & Helen Pratt

Robin Pratt-Webber

Rachelle Pratt

Reynda & Kevin Allen 

 

Thanks for everything -- all you did for us in this difficult time.

God bless you all!

House & Madzey Family

 

Thank you for all the prayers, visits and cards.  We appreciate them so much. 

Don & Lela Neal

 

I cannot possibly reach every person who has sent notes and get well cards to say “thank you” for your cards and notes. Some of your notes are so touching I cannot keep back the tears. You are spoiling me, because every day I look forward to getting the mail. It is my only contact with some of you.  Your kind words and prayers sustain me. Keep praying and ask for God’s will in all things.

Love and Blessings to each of you,

Myra Flippo-Puckett

 

**Wedding Shower**

Shower for Rachel Seiter Wednesday, Dec. 8

6:00 to 7:00 PM in the Annex. 

Light snacks will be served.

Rachel is registered at Bed, Bath and Beyond; Target and Wal-Mart. 

 

**Attention JOY Bunch!!**

We hope you will join us on Saturday evening, December 18, at 6 PM in the FLC (gym).  As announced, please bring a wrapped ornament for the “Dirty Santa” game. (If you prefer, you may bring another item with a Christmas motif--candles, linens, or decorations.) Guests are always welcome--we would love to have you.  See you then!!

 

**CURE Linen Sorting**

December 5th from 1:30-3:30 PM at the Vicksburg warehouse.

 

**Ladies’ Bible Class**

The ladies’ Bible class that meets on Wednesday mornings will meet at 10:30 AM next week, December 8, instead of 10 AM.

 

 

**King's Kids Calendar**

December 12 -- Wyninger Baby Blessing

 

**Divorce Care: Surviving the Holidays**

Facilitator: Shanna Davis in Room 211

Saturday, December 11th, 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM

 

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**Even Jesus Got Tired!**

By David Chadwell

 

Now when Jesus heard it, He withdrew from there in a boat, to a lonely place by Himself; and when the multitudes heard of this, they followed Him on foot from the cities.  And when He went ashore, He saw a great multitude, and felt compassion for them, and healed their sick.  Matthew 14:13, 14. (NASB)

 

There was a limit to Jesus’ physical endurance, and he honored that limit.   (See Mark 1:35 and Luke 6:12.)  Finding moments alone to renew himself must have been hard for Jesus!  Demands on his physical strength and the stress he endured frequently had to be beyond measurement!  Do you find it necessary to restore and refresh your energy when you have endured a period of difficulty?  Does continual stress zap your energy?  Since Jesus was flesh and blood just as you are, he reacted to pressures as do we.

 

Daily demands on Jesus were enormous!  If you had the power to heal incurable sickness, can you imagine how many requests you would receive? If you could teach in the manner Jesus did, can you imagine how many people would follow?  If you said, “No!” to someone who was counting on your help, can you imagine how the person would react?  There was always just one more paralyzed person, just one more blind person, just one more lame person, etc., who needed help.

 

Some came to him for the wrong reason (John 6:15, 26). Some hated him and what he did and wished to discredit him (Mark 8:11).  Some wished to do him harm (Mark 3:6; John 12:47-50).  Jesus’ intent was to be God’s example of what to do and how to feel in everything.  It was so demanding that there were times when Jesus could not go into populated areas—people expected too much (Mark 1:45)!  Consider statements like Mark 2:1, 2; 3:20; Luke 4:42; and Luke 6:15, 16. Talk about living in a fish bowl!!!  Jesus had no privacy!  Someone always needed or wanted something!

 

Yet, even when he was tired, even when he genuinely needed to be alone, even when he dealt with stresses we have never known, he always cared about people.  People—even his enemies (Matthew 22:15, 16)—knew he cared!  One of the incredible things about Jesus was that he felt compassion for people, regardless of his needs.

 

Always remember he compassionately cares for you, too.

 

**King’s Kids Upcoming Event**

Family Movie Night – Sunday, December 19 at 6 PM

Who:  Three year olds through 6th graders -- grab your families and join us

for Family Movie Night! 

We’ll be watching the new Veggie Tale – It’s a Meaningful Life

Where:  West-Ark YOUTH GROUP ROOM (Upstairs in Gym)

What to bring:

- Your family

- Your friends/neighbors

- Your favorite family snacks/finger foods (with enough to share)

 - A comfy blanket (for “comfy” seating - picnic style).

Don’t miss this fun, family time to help us learn how to be content!

 

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**Youth Group / News**

 

WAYG Class – Sunday, December 5, 9:30-10:30 AM

Don’t miss the High School class, taught by John Carson and Kent Snider, teaching based on the book, “The Barbarian Way” and the Jr. High class, taught by Brad Moore and Joe Morgan, teaching based on the book, “Be The Wave.”  Both resources are excellent and use lots of Biblical principles and material to help in spiritual growth. Bring your Bible and get ready for these great classes!

 

Parents’ Class – Sunday, December 5, 9:30-10:30 AM

Rick will continue a series this Sunday, based on the book “Almost Christian:  What the faith of our teenagers is telling the American church.”  It will be challenging, informative, and hopefully become a call-to-action.  This Sunday, we’ll discuss “Going Viral for Jesus.”  Bring your Bibles, coffee, and insights as we continue this awesome study!  This is open to ANY and ALL parents (not just parents of teens).

 

Hope Chest Toy Giveaway Prep Day – Sunday, December 5, 1-2:30 PM

Each year, the Hope Chest collects toys to give to needy families in our area.  It’s been our tradition to conduct a “clean-up day” on the Sunday prior to the actual giveaway.  We’ll meet at the church building and take vans to perform this important task.  Eat before you come and wear clothes that can get a little dirty.  The actual Toy Giveaway starts on the following Saturday, December 11, at 9:30 AM and runs through 1 PM.  Your help will ALSO be needed for this event… please make arrangements to help out with the giveaway.

 

Sponsor/Parent Meeting – Sunday, December 5, 6-7 PM

Bring your iPhones, Blackberries, smartphones, iPads and old-school printed calendars.  We’ll be having a short devotional along with sign-ups for the WAYG events for the fall semester.  This is for ALL Youth Group parents and any other interested adult sponsors.

 

The Journey – Wednesday, December 8, 7-8 PM

This is MEAL WEEK!  Don’t miss out as we lift our praises to God and share a message from His Word.  Bring a good appetite, a Bible and bring a friend!  We’ll continue our study of Moses on his journey, in answering God’s call.

 

Family Clusters – Sunday, December 12, 5-8 PM

You won’t want to miss out on this opportunity to fellowship with other youth group families that live in your geographical area.  PLEASE make it a point to be a part of this phenomenal gathering… most groups have great food, awesome relationship-building fellowship and a devotional.  Look for an email from your host home soon! (Oklahoma/Van Buren/Alma/North cluster – Shirley, Central Fort Smith cluster – Harper, East Fort Smith cluster – Cogswell, South Fort Smith cluster – HOST HOME NEEDED, Greenwood Cluster – Huff)

 

WAYG Christmas Party/Progressive Dinner – Sunday, December 19, 4-9 PM

 

HONDURAS & BULGARIA MISSION TRIP MEETING

Stay tuned for our first preparation meetings coming soon!

 

Winterfest – January 14-16, 2011

Applications will be handed out very soon for this amazing event in Arlington, Texas!  Stay tuned!

 

If you (or your student) has an accomplishment to share with the church family, please email it to Rick at rick.odell1@gmail.com.

 

 

**Happy Birthday**

 

November 29

Marvin Hughes

 

November 30

Lyndon Blackman

Charlie Dye

 

December 1

Lynn Dickey

Carolyn Griffin

Savannah Logan

Bob Loudermilk

 

December 2

Tessa Dean

Kathy Glidewell

Patrick Haworth

Adam Jenkins

Ralph Smith

Doyle Wright

 

December 3

Kyle Haworth

Tracy Risley

 

December 4

Ashley Blasdel

Azia Blasdel

Esther Gunn

 

December 6

Charles Wilson

 

December 7

Emily Glidewell

Christy Hesslen

Kathy Monk

 

December 8

Bill Coffelt

Jacqueline Blackman

 

**Nursery Workers**

Morning: Melissa Walker, Suzi Jennemann, Dena Jenkins

 

**Attendance and Contribution Count**

Bible Classes …………  342   

Sunday AM Attendance  520

Sunday PM ……………  166

Wednesday Classes …  N/C

Contribution ……… $13,353

Children’s Homes …… $177

Coins For Christ ………  $22

 

Lao Worship

Attendance ……………… 27

Contribution …………   $289

 

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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