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Family
Lines Newsletter, March 27, 2011
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**What Messes We Produce For Ourselves!**
By David Chadwell
And although he was grieved, the king commanded it to be
given because of his oaths, and because of his dinner guests. Matthew 14:9
(NASB)
Sometimes we get ourselves into terrible situations because
we realize the consequences of promises too late. The ruler Herod gave a party.
He made a rash promise to his stepdaughter because her dance was so pleasing. He
never thought about what she might ask for! The result: The stepdaughter asked
for something he did not wish to give.
Instantly, he was in a horrible position. He could honor his
promise and do what he did not wish to do. Or, he could admit his promise was
foolish, reject her request, and produce unknown responses from his guests. What
a horrible choice! After all, he was Herod! Because he was who he was, he should
not have to make such hard choices!
Should he do a foolish thing and look “good,” or should he
humbly admit his mistake and look “bad?” Oh, our tragic decisions when we
arrogantly try to look “good” to others!
Herod’s dilemma was not an insignificant situation! Earlier
he wished to kill John because John condemned him for marrying his brother’s
wife. He did not kill John because such would irritate his subjects (Matthew
14:5). Now he had to humbly admit his mistake, or irritate the people he ruled.
Have you noticed--even today--how frequently people tend to do anything to hide
their personal foolishness?
How was Herod to know his stepdaughter would ask her mother’s
advice? Maybe he could kill John and postpone the inevitable by salvaging the
immediate--he could “save face” now and take care of fallout later. Maybe
time would produce some unseen good options. If so, he could be arrogant
now, preserve his reputation with his guests, kill John, and deal with
the possible fallout later. Sound familiar?
Herod’s fear was obvious. When he heard about Jesus’
miracles, he said, “It must be the resurrected John!” (Matthew 14:2) Does that
sound like a guilty conscience to you?
Do you think ahead or act foolishly? Does arrogance force you
to live in hurtful pride?
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**Order of Worship**
Song Leader -- Brent Evans
#148 -- I Keep Falling In Love With Him (vs. 1, 2,
3)
#779 -- I Love You, Lord
Welcome
Prayer -- Ralph Smith
#2 -- Revive Us Again (vs. 1, 2, 4, 5)
Great Is Our God (on screen)
#96 -- I Stand in Awe of You
In Christ Alone (on screen)
Table of the Lord
Offering
Lord, Be Glorified (on screen)
Coins for Christ
Children’s Worship
There’s A Stirring (on screen)
Message -- Chris Benjamin
Song for Responses
#111 -- Grace, Greater Than Our Sin (vs. 1, 3)
Shepherd’s Prayer
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**In Our Thoughts & Prayers**
• Andy Cruz requests prayers for his sons, David and Jon, and
also for himself.
• Rebecca Fowlkes requests prayers for her father and mother,
MIKE & Ann Cook. Ann is in the hospital with a hiatal hernia,
bronchitis, and pleurisy.
• Betty Williams (sister of Barbara Aldridge) found out that
her lymphoma has returned. She will begin chemo treatments soon. Betty just lost
her husband a few weeks ago. Prayers for comfort, peace and healing are
appreciated.
• Burnie Morris is in St. Edward Hospital, room 5515.
• Carlene Payne’s test results indicate her heart problems
can be treated with medication.
• Our Honduras Mission Team returns to the building on
Sunday, March 27, at 4:00 AM.
• James & Mary Ann Scholle are doing better but
still have some challenging days. They would welcome phone calls and
visits.
• Lerene Haines has been dismissed from the
hospital.
• Madeline Grist, 11 year-old granddaughter of Ed Grist, had
a PICC Line inserted for IV antibiotics. She’s having some problems with
her Cystic Fibrosis.
• Myra Flippo-Puckett has increasing weakness and stomach
problems.
• Virginia Mobley is having stomach problems and will be
scheduled for tests soon.
• Wendell McFarland requests prayers for his mother, Bernice,
and his daughter, McKenna, who is pregnant with twins.
**Sympathy & Prayers**
• Our love and sympathy is extended to Mary Burkett and
family in the death of Mary’s father, Bosco Eudaly on 3/18/11. Memorials may be
made to Children’s Homes in Paragould, AR or to the Veteran’s Memorial Park in
Rolla, Missouri.
• Our love and sympathy is also extended to Erin Stobaugh in
the death of her brother, Kenny Jeffries, in a car accident last weekend.
Kenny was also the cousin of Patrick Pruitt.
If you would like to send a card to the Stobaughs, their
address is:
Keith & Erin Stobaugh
500 Central Park Dr., Apt. 508
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
**Continued Prayers**
Alice Rogers
Allen Mobley
Anetia Livesay
Bob & Loretta Loudermilk
Carolyn Harrell
Diane Murrell
F. E. Cook
Harold Gouty
Lela Neal
Margaret Stone
Mary Frances Jackson
Martha (sister of Ana Seglem)
Norma Medley
Phillip White
Richard & Mary Broyles
Tammy Cypert
Wendal Hull
Wilma Son
**New Ministry Forming**
Did you know that West-Ark has about 60 members who are 80
years of age or older?
A new ministry is forming to visit members who are either
temporarily homebound due to health or who are unable to attend at all. Our goal
is to spiritually encourage and check on physical needs. Visits can be
made any day of the week or weekend, and you can work with a partner, a small
group of 3-4 people, or individually. If you would like to help, contact Earl
Flood, Ron & Debbie Belote, or James & Patti Anderson.
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**Note of Thanks**
Dear West-Ark Family,
We would like to thank you for the many expressions of
kindness, concern, and sympathy we received during Mom’s illness and death.
Thanks for the cards, calls, and beautiful flowers. We especially appreciate the
many prayers sent to God for Mom and our family. Thank you ladies for the
wonderful meal and to the church for the contribution to the quilter’s fund in
Mom’s memory -- quilting for others was Mom’s joy, talent, and
service.
Love in Christ,
Helen Pratt & David Beneux Families
**CURE Linen Sorting**
Volunteers meet at the Vicksburg Warehouse
Sunday afternoon, March 27, 1:30 - 3:30 PM.
**Scarf Drive**
The Cancer Support House is collecting scarves, hats, or
other head coverings for men, women and children. A box has been placed in
the foyer (by the Library) for your donations.
**Scholarships for Vietnamese Children**
In March of each year, West-Ark renews thirty (30)
scholarships for public education for children in Ho Chi Minh City,
Vietnam. The cost for each is $12 per month ($144 per year).
Through the kindness demonstrated by the scholarships, the
congregations in Ho Chi Minh and Can Tho successfully share the Gospel of Jesus
Christ with the families and friends of the assisted students. We
appreciate the scholarships already contributed and look forward to again
providing the thirty scholarships for the coming school year.
If you would like to sponsor a child, give your check to
Jerry Canfield, Lynn Dickey, or a member of the missions
committee.
**King’s Kids**
Sunday, April 3
Bridge 56 Luncheon (Hosting Honduras Team)
Friday, April 8
Parent's Night Out
Sunday, May 1
Family Scavenger Hunt – Amazing Race Style!
Saturday, July 30
Faith Fusion (1 day family-stye VBS)
Congratulations to Marti Gooden who earned
2nd Place All Around at her State Gymnastics Meet!
Way to go, Marti!
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**Youth Group / News**
Honduras Mission Trip
Group 2 (Arkansas) will return to the building Sunday, March
27 at 4:00 AM. PLEASE pray for our successful travel and for our group to
make a deep and wonderful impact on the people we come in contact
with.
WAYG Class – Sunday, March 27, 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!
Intersect Worship – Sunday, March 27,
2011
Join us Sunday at 7 PM in room 225 for a great time of praise
and worship. While it is initiated by the WAYG and the LFC, it is open to
anyone.
The Journey – Wednesday, March 30, 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!
WAYG Family Clusters – Sunday, April 3, 2011, 6-8
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 – Host Home Needed, Central Fort Smith cluster – Host
Home Needed, East Fort Smith cluster – Host Home Needed, South Fort Smith
cluster – Host Home Needed, Greenwood Cluster – Barry & Robin
Owen)
SNL @ Bentonville – Sunday, April 10
We’ll head to the Bentonville church to be a part of this
month’s SNL. We’ll worship God, fellowship and eat together.
FREE! Don’t miss it!
**Happy Birthday**
March 27
Landry Dockery
Helen Pratt
Hannah Pressley
March 28
Rebecca Fowlkes
Tammy Keller
Glenda Lewis
March 29
Karsten Beneux
Hope Evans
Forrest Hickey
March 30
Alyssia Beneux
Nancy Beneux
Daniel Tignor
March 31
Jarek Davidson
Harold Gouty
Lauren Hankins
Ken Hollomon
Trenton Schien
**Nursery Helpers**
Morning
Berniece Rogers
Sharon Faries
Kelsey Spickes
Evening
Denise Lusby
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Bible Classes ………… 302
Sunday AM Attendance 540
Sunday PM …………… 115
Wednesday Classes … 201
Contribution …… $15,124
Children’s Homes ... $132
Coins For Christ ……. $22
Lao Worship
Attendance ……………… 22
Contribution ………… $229
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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