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Family
Lines Newsletter, February 6, 2011
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**Lifting the Burden**
By David Chadwell
And when the disciples heard this, they fell on their
faces and were much afraid. And Jesus came to them and touched them and said,
“Arise, and do not be afraid.” Matthew 17:6, 7 (NASB)
Physical life is filled with burdens. The gift of living in
this country removes some of them. However, as beneficial as living in this
country is, those benefits do not remove our biggest burden. In fact, those
benefits at best can only temporarily distract us from the biggest burden we all
carry from time to time.
What is this burden? It is the burden of terrorizing fear.
Accidents terrorize us! The passing of time terrorizes us! Serious sickness
terrorizes us! Unexpected, uncontrollable forces terrorize us! The shocks of bad
surprises terrorize us! Those do not begin to approach the terrors of personal
phobias. Despite our claims, we all fear something.
In the above reading, Jesus took three disciples to the
summit of “the mountain of transfiguration.” These men came face to face with
(1) pure holiness--which always terrorizes people because we all have evil in
us, (2) God’s power--which scares powerless humanity silly, and (3) Jesus’
identity--he was more than a man, more than just a righteous friend. To say he
is God’s Son is one thing; to see it is quite another.
Peter, James and John’s reaction: In overwhelming fear, they
fell on their faces -- too scared to look.
Note Jesus’ response to their fear. He did NOT say, “I
thought you were godly men!” or “Where is your courage?” or “What are you afraid
of?” or “I am so disappointed in you men!” or “Can you lead others if you are
terrorized by God’s presence?”
Instead, Jesus touched them, told me it was okay to get up,
and encouraged them not to be afraid. Jesus understood their reaction, cared
about them, and encouraged them. Jesus was not ashamed of them for being afraid.
Instead he helped them in their weakness. Jesus lifted the burden of their fear!
Jesus’ mission to you: to be your burden-lifter.
Never be ashamed of Jesus. He is never ashamed of you. Let
him lift YOUR fears.
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**Order of Worship**
Worship Leader -- Brent Evans
I Will Call Upon the Lord (on screen)
Welcome
Prayer -- Jerry Canfield
Here I Am to Worship (on screen)
Shout to the Lord (on screen)
#234 -- Worthy Is the Lamb (vs. 1, 2,
3)
In Christ Alone (on screen)
Table of the Lord -- Rick Odell
Offering
#555 -- Seek Ye First (vs. 1, 2, 3)
Coins for Christ
Children’s Worship
Days of Elijah (on screen)
Message -- Shane Hughes
Song for Responses
When The Night Is Falling (on screen)
Shepherd’s Prayer
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**In Our Thoughts & Prayers**
• Lyndell Foster had gall bladder surgery on Jan. 31 and is
now home.
• Alice Rogers is in Health South, room 234.
• Barbara Miller had knee surgery on Jan. 31 and is in Sparks
Hospital, room 508.
• Mary Frances Jackson had surgery on Jan. 28 to remove skin
cancer from her face. She is home and doing well.
**Bereaved in Prayer**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Loretta Loudermilk in
the death of her brother, Bill Smith. Services were Jan. 26 in
Pocola.
Our love and sympathy is also extended to Paul Dean in the
recent death of his grandmother, Georgia Jarret, of Poughkeepsie,
Arkansas.
**Continued Prayers**
Allen Mobley
Betsy Schad
Carolyn Harrell
Debbie Belote
Edith Embry
F. E. Cook
Glen Williams
Harold Gouty
James Scholle
Jewell House
Lela Neal
Margaret Stone
Mary Frances Jackson
Mary Hudson
Myra Flippo-Puckett
Phillip White
Richard Broyles
Russ McConnell
Wendal Hull
Wilma Son
Zona Gordey
**Happy 50th Anniversary!**
James and Lou Winchell will begin their 50th year of wedded
bliss on February 9, 2011. Congratulations!
**Ladies’ Retreat Meeting**
There will be a short informational meeting this Sunday
morning after worship at the front of auditorium regarding the March 4-6
Ladies’ Retreat.
**JOY Bunch**
Attention Joy Bunch!! We will be celebrating a belated
Valentine’s Day, so we hope you will join us for an Enchanted Evening of Love.
We ask that you decorate a shoe box or paper bag (like we
used to do in elementary school). Use construction paper or paper doilies or
whatever you choose for decoration. Be sure and identify it by putting your name
on it.
Bring signed Valentine cards for sharing (the cheaper ones in
stores -- 25 to box or similar). You might want to bring a few extra, and we
will provide some as well. Hope you can join us on Saturday, Feb. 19, at 6 PM in
the FLC (gym).
**CURE Linen Sorting**
Below is our schedule for the month of February.
Volunteers meet at the Vicksburg Warehouse.
Feb 7, Monday evening
6:30 to 8:00 PM
Feb 13, Sunday afternoon
1:30 to 3:30 PM
Feb 21, Monday evening
6:30 to 8:00 PM
Feb 27, Sunday, afternoon
1:30 to 3:30 PM
**Planning Ahead**
Ladies’ Day at Poteau Church of Christ
Sat., April 2, 8:30 AM to 1 PM (lunch
included)
Guest Speaker, Kathy Rozales
“Sisters in Song” (from West-Ark) and “One Voice” (from
Poteau) will help this to be a day filled with spiritual blessings.
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**Tutoring Need**
Two children are without tutors. Can you give one
afternoon a week from now to the end of April (Tuesdays, 3:30 to 4:45 PM) to
help a child? Contact Sheila Vaught by e-mail
sheilavaught [at] aol.com
**Community Rescue Mission**
The Community Rescue Mission is looking for two volunteers
who would be interested in driving the van to take people on important errands
needed to gain housing or employment, etc., and a person who would consider
helping with some of our other errands. If you would be interested in this
please let us know by emailing Brian [at] fscrm.org or
JackFredLewis [at] aol.com
**Note of Thanks**
Dear West-Ark Church Family,
The family of Grace Peters would like to thank everyone
who visited, or wrote a note, or said a prayer for her. She loved her friends
and family at West-Ark Church of Christ. A beautiful service was given by Chris
Benjamin. She was truly honored and much love given in her memory. Thank
you to those who prepared and served lunch afterwards. She was a blessing
to all who knew her. We will miss her, but we know she has an eternal
resting place.
God bless,
Grace Peters family
**West-Ark Quilters**
The Quilters had a very productive year in 2010! Thank
you ladies, for your sweet service to others.
17 full-size quilts
15 baby quilts
85 pillow cases
1 patriot quilt
11 baby blankets
6 girls dresses for the Hope
Chest
8 pot holders
6 baby bibs
5 small pillows
13 lap robes
2 twin coverlets
10 denim shut-in
bags
1 ladies’ shirt
**King's Kids News**
Mystery Dinner!!
Sunday, February 13, 6 PM
Info and registration forms are available at
www.westarkkids.org/register.
Save the Date!
Sunday, March 6 is our Backwards Party!
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Audrey Saunders (daughter of Eric &
Shannon Saunders) who was recently recognized as Student on the Month. Way
to go, Audrey!
Has your child made news recently??
We’d love to know so we can spread the word!
Please email your news to Dena at dena@westarkkids.org or
Rachel at rachel@westarkchurchofchrist.org.
Please complete a King’s Kids Registration form (available at
the King’s Kids Board in the foyer) for each of your children. This
information helps us to better serve your kids and your family. Thank
you!
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**Youth Group/News**
WAYG Class – Sunday, February 6, 9:30-10:30
AM
We’ll have a combined Sunday AM class as we continue to
discuss what it means to be ALL IN! Come with an open heart, an open mind
and your Bible! Let’s make 2011 the year where everything changes in our
lives!
WAYG Family Clusters – Sunday, February 6,
2011
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 – Jim & Karen Harris, Central Fort Smith cluster –
Josh & Kim Bice, East Fort Smith cluster – Dave & Dwonne Cogswell, South
Fort Smith cluster – Rick & Lorie Jones, Greenwood Cluster – Kevin &
Christy Hesslen)
The Journey – Wednesday, February 9, 7-8
PM
Don’t miss out as we lift our praises to God and share a
message from His Word. Bring a Bible and bring a friend! We’ll continue our
study of Moses on his journey, in answering God’s call.
Sweetheart Luncheon – Sunday, February 13,
2011
We need all WAYGers to help as we serve a great meal to honor
our 55+ members. If you are 55+, please sign up on the sheet on the Youth
Group bulletin board in the foyer so we can get an approximate headcount.
We’ll meet in the gym, immediately following morning services.
Honduras Mission Trip Meeting – Sunday, February 13, 2011,
4-5 PM
Mark your calendars as we continue our preparations for the
Spring Break Honduras trip this Sunday! We’ll meet in the Youth Group
room. Bring your handout from the last meeting, as well as your passport
(so we can make copies), your “Why I Want To Go To Honduras” letter and money.
Bulgaria Mission Trip Meeting – Sunday, February 13, 2011,
5-6 PM
Mark your calendars as we begin our preparations for the
summer mission trip to Sofia, Bulgaria!! We’ll meet in the Youth Group
room. Bring all your questions and if you went last year, please bring any
pictures you have handy to share with the group.
Inner City Lunch @ Hope Park – Saturday, February 19,
10:45 AM-12:30 PM
Join in on this outreach and service project to the homeless
of Fort Smith. With the inclement weather we’ve been having, we anticipate
a lot of people to feed so we’ll need as many WAYGers as possible. Come be
the hands and feet of Jesus.
Christeens 2011 – Friday- Sunday, February 25-27,
2011
9th-12th graders! Don’t miss this amazing youth
conference with over 1000 other students from five states at the Westside church
in Russellville. Cost is $40 for students and $20 for sponsors. DEADLINE
IS FEBRUARY 9, 2011.
If you (or your Jr. High or High School student) has an
accomplishment to share with the church family, please email it to Rick at
rick.odell1@gmail.com or Rachel at
rachel@westarkchurchofchrist.org.
**Happy Birthday**
February 7
John Glidewell
February 9
John Holley
Mike Williams
February 11
Brandon Daws
Lance Haines
Elaine Kamp
February 12
Joyce Dunavin
Connor Seiter
**Nursery Workers**
Melissa Walker Morning
Suzi Jennemann
Dena Jenkins
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Bible Classes ………… 391
Sunday AM Attendance 555
Sunday PM …………… N/C
Wednesday Classes … N/C
Contribution … $22,726.70
Children’s Homes .. $305.12
Coins For Christ …. $53.68
Lao Worship
Attendance ……………… 30
Contribution ………… $304
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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