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Family Lines Newsletter, February 20, 2011

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**Do You Want To Be A Part of God’s Family?**

By David Chadwell

 

“For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.” Matthew 12:50 (NASB)

 

We love to be exclusive! When we belong and others do not belong, it somehow appeals to our sense of self-respect and self-worth. It seems to declare, “I may not be as important as they are, but I am more important than you are.” Why is being more important than someone else considered by some as essential?

 

Biblical Christianity differs from most other religions and most human organizations in the way it includes rather than excludes. Its focus is on serving rather than bragging. It focuses on giving all in Christ the same sense of worth because all in Christ are members of God’s family. My approval means nothing. God’s acceptance means everything.

 

Once groups of Christians in Corinth felt quite superior to other Christians for numbers of reasons.  One of the number of ways Paul addressed the problem was by asking these questions: “What do you have that you did not receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?” (1 Corinthians 4:7)

 

Does the Holy God provide us gifts through Jesus Christ? Does that include forgiveness? redemption? sanctification? righteousness before God? hope? If God gave it to us through Jesus Christ, why do we act like we are special instead of rightfully acting like God is special?

 

To whom does God make these incredible gifts available? Paul said of all and of himself: “It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.”  1 Timothy 1:15 (NASB)

 

Nobody grants equal opportunity as does God. Everyone can be a part of God’s family!

 

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**Order of Worship**

Worship Leader -- Brent Evans

#294 - You’re The One

(vs. 1, 2, chorus, 3, 4, chorus, 5, 6, chorus)

 

Welcome

Prayer -- Jon Keller

He Is Wonderful (on screen)

#791 - On Bended Knee

(vs. 1, 2)

#361 - Nailed to the Cross

(vs. 1 ladies, 2 men, 3 all,

everyone chorus all times)

 

Table of the Lord

Offering

 

Coins for Christ

Light the Fire (on screen)

Children come forward and stay for next song.

This Little Light of Mine

 

Dismiss for Children’s Worship

I Have Decided to Follow Jesus

Go Light Your World

(on screen)

 

Message -- Chris Benjamin

#429 - O To Be Like Thee

(vs. 1, 2, 3)

Shepherd’s Prayer

 

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**In Our Thoughts & Prayers**

• Allen Mobley (cousin of Christy Puckett) continues to struggle  with little improvement following brain surgery last August.

• Anetia Livesay is feeling much better. It was determined that she had a spike in her blood pressure due to a change in medications.

• Barbara Miller is at Ashton Place, room 208, for therapy following knee replacement surgery.

• Bill Walker had a heart cath on Tuesday (2/15/11) and one stent was inserted. 

• Bo Dean (infant son of Paul & Tessa) is home from Arkansas Children’s Hospital. The doctors believe they have discovered the cause of his seizures and are making plans for follow-up visits.

• Burnie Morris has been having pain from compression fractures in his back and had more  tests this week.

• The Gouty & Lowry families request prayers for their friend, Diane Murrell, who had surgery for ovarian cancer on 2/11/11.

• Glen Williams (brother-in-law of Barbara Aldridge) is at Ashton Place for extended rehab.

• Mary Ann Scholle is still in St Vincent’s ICU in Little Rock with little change in her condition.

 

**Bereaved in Prayer**

• Our love and sympathy is extended to Missy Blasdel in the death of her grandmother, Lottie Moore, on 2/14/11.  The funeral service was Thursday in Fort Smith.

 

**Continued Prayers**

Carolyn Harrell

Edith Embry

F. E. Cook

Harold Gouty

Jewell House

John Fowler

Lela Neal

Margaret Stone

Mary Frances Jackson

Mary Hudson

Martha (sister of Anna Seglem)

Myra Flippo-Puckett

Phillip White

Richard Broyles

Wendal Hull

Wilma Son

Zona Gordey

 

**Staff Meets On Tuesdays **

From 9:30 to 11:00 a.m.

Just a reminder that the office staff meets on Tuesdays from 9:30 to 11 AM to review attendance/guest cards, coordinate schedules, and pray together.  The phones are not answered during this meeting, so if you call then, please leave a message.

 

*Baby Shower**

You are invited to a baby shower for Erin Stobaugh on Sunday, February 20, from 1:30 to 3:00 PM in the home of Rochelle Brown, 9617 Painter Drive.  Erin is registered at Target & Babies ‘R Us.

 

**What A Day!**

Congratulations to Jim & Doris Hall who are celebrating their 62nd Wedding Anniversary and Doris’s 80th birthday on February 20! 

 

**Ladies' Spring Retreat**

March 4-5, 2011

Please sign up for the Retreat by Sunday, Feb. 20!  We need to make reservations right away!

 

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**Notes of Thanks**

Dear West-Ark Quilters,

Thank you all so much for supporting Jessi and I as we begin a new chapter in our lives. We absolutely love the quilt you made for us! I hope God continues to bless your ministry so that you may bless others as you have blessed us!

               John Berger & Jessi Hankins

 

Thank you so much for the beautiful emerald gem plant.

               The family of Floy M. Lee

 

**Attention Senior Girls**

Mark your calendars for the 2011 Senior Girls’ Tea/Brunch, Saturday April 9, 10 AM to 12 PM.  Please provide some photos,  your current Senior picture, and some baby pictures.  Bring them by the church office or email them to Linda Davis at auntlinda@cox.net. Please allow the ladies of this congregation to honor you and your accomplishments.

 

**CAR CLINIC**

Hopefully the snow is gone until next winter!  The guys are going to have Car Clinic 8-11 AM Saturday, March 5 in the Annex parking lot.  Weather permitting of course.

 

**WIDOWS/WIDOWERS**

We’ll meet at noon on Saturday, March 5, in the Annex.  The leprechauns may be out early hiding their treasure.  Maybe you will be lucky enough to see one and be gifted with some gold.

 

**CURE Linen Sorting**

Volunteers meet at the Vicksburg Warehouse.

Feb 21, Monday evening, 6:30 to 8:00 PM.

 

**JOY Bunch**

Join us for “An Enchanted Evening” on Saturday, Feb. 19, at 6 PM in the FLC (gym).

 

**King's Kids News**

Backwards Party! 

Sunday, March 6, 6 PM in the Gym

For King's Kids -- ages 3 thru 6th grade and families!

Register at www.westarkkids.org/register

Join the fun, beginning with backwards clothes.

 

Faith Fusion

Saturday, July 30 (1 day family-stye VBS)

 

A Big "Thank You"-- to all who made our Mystery Dinner such a fun family event!

 

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.

 

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**Youth Group News**

 

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.

 

WAYG Class – Sunday, February 20, 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!

 

The Journey – Wednesday, February 23, 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.

 

Christeens 2011 – Friday-Sunday, February 25-27, 2011

We will leave from the building at 5:30 PM (eat before we leave).  See your application for a list of what to bring.  We’ll be back about noon on Sunday.

 

Intersect Worship – Sunday, February 27, 2011

Join us in this NEW version of praise and worship.  While it is initiated by the WAYG and the LFC, it is open to anyone.  Stay tuned for more details!

 

Bulgaria Mission Trip Meeting – Sunday, March 6, 2011, 4-5 PM

Mark your calendars as we continue our preparations for the summer mission trip to Sofia, Bulgaria!!  We’ll meet in the Youth Group room.  You should have your fundraising list, letter and copies of your passport, if you have it.  Bring all your questions and if you went last year, please bring any pictures you have handy to share with the group.

 

Honduras Mission Trip Meeting – Sunday, March 6, 2011, 5-6 PM

Don’t miss this FINAL meeting prior to our trip.  We’ll meet in the Youth Group room.  Bring your handouts from the last meetings as well as your passport (so we can make copies), your “Why I Want To Go To Honduras” letter and all outstanding money.

 

Home Devo – Sunday, March 6, 2011, 6-9 PM

Stay tuned for more details for this upcoming event.

 

Congratulations! Kaitlin Jones and Eric Berger made All State Band. Way to go Kaitlin and Eric!

 

**Happy Birthday**

February 20

Doris Hall

 

February 21

Jill Roberts

 

February 22

Meredith Brown

Graham Coffelt

Rylee Gann

 

February 23

Ruth Bearden

 

February 24

Lynne Alexander

Lucille Graves

 

February 25

Uriel Lindgren

Elmer Nye

 

**Nursery Helpers**

Morning

Flora Johnson

Betty Callicott

Linda Wilson

Amanda Basham

 

Evening

Sheila Vaught

 

**Attendance and Contribution Count**

Bible Classes …………  412

Sunday AM Attendance  629

Sunday PM ……………  229

Wednesday Classes …  N/C

Contribution …   $18,070.54

Children’s Homes .. $162.02

Coins For Christ …. $51.85

 

Lao Worship

Attendance ……………… 36

Contribution …………   $259

 

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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