Family Lines Newsletter
October 2, 2011
A House of Prayer for All Nations

During October and November, we display flags representing nations where our congregation is making disciples for Jesus who are eager to serve others.  This year twelve flags represent Belgium, Bulgaria, Honduras, Ethiopia, Japan, Laos, Thailand, Guyana, Nigeria, Vietnam, Tanzania, and the United States.
 
The nature of our involvement in these nations is varied.  The type of support being offered is tailored to each situation.  During the next six weeks you will be hearing about the unique opportunities for the gospel and good works within these nations - including our own.  
 
Very soon we will also present a budget for 2012 that proposes financial support for some of these efforts.  A special contribution is planned for November 6.  On that day, we hope to raise gifts and pledges to fulfill the entire budget.
 
Although different and uniquely inspiring, there are three things in common with the twelve (or more) works represented by the flags:  1) We believe that they are part of God's mission, 2) West-Ark is involved in some direct way, 3) We are committed to praying for these.   
 
So, as you assemble for worship over the next few weeks, take a moment to pray when you see these flags and notice the display.  Let them be a reminder that we are God's house and his desire is for us to be a house of prayer for all nations.  

"My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations." - Isa. 56:7

 
Order of Worship

Worship Leader  -- Brent Evans
#63 - I Will Call Upon the Lord (vs. 1, 2)

Welcome
#167 - Hosanna (vs. 1, 2)
#171 - Above All Else
Magnificat (on screen)
#296 - We Have Come into His House (vs. 1, 2)
#324 - Alas! and Did My Savior Bleed? (vs. 1, 2, 4)

Table of the Lord -- John Carson
Offering
#62 - I Exalt Thee (vs. 1, 2)

Coins for Christ
Children's Worship
#47 - Holy, Holy, Holy
(vs. 1, 2, 3, 4)

Message -- Chris Benjamin
Song for Responses
There's A Great Day Coming (vs. 1, 2, 3)

Shepherd's Prayer
Prayers for Comfort and Healing
  • Brian Robbins remains in St. Edward Hospital (room 4407) battling a colon infection.
  • Sam Jenkins is home after gall bladder surgery.   
  • Diane Arnold requests prayers for her sister, Tina, who has cancer.  Tina lives in Jackson, Mississippi.
  • Mary Ann Scholle will have a heart cath Monday, October 3, with the possibility of needing stents.
  • Coleen Shirley asks for prayers for her dad, Joe Landram.
  • Harper Bice, daughter of Josh and Kim Bice, fractured her arm on Monday.
  • Carolyn Griffin's brother, Tommy, had surgery Monday at UAMS as a result of a truck accident.
  • Lisa Demuth requests prayers for her aunt, Vannah Martin, who is recovering from back surgery, and for her cousin, Rick Cook, who has had two surgeries.
Bereaved
Our love and sympathy is extended to Jack Lewis in the death of his  sister, Katherine Waggerman, on 9/23/11 in Austin, TX.

Missionary Prayers
  • Russ & Jean McConnell in New England
  • Bob & Annette Whittaker are meeting in Swaziland, Oct. 1-8, and then will travel on together to Tanzania.
  • John Carson is beginning his second year of a five-year commitment to Impact Houston Church.  Read about John's ministry at http://followinghiscalltohouston.blogspot.com
Continued Prayers
  • Alice Jean Rogers
  • Allen Mobley
  • Ava Jones
  • Betty Summers
  • Betty Williams
  • Beverly Evans
  • Bob & Loretta Loudermilk
  • Burnie Morris
  • Caidan Dockery
  • Carlene Payne
  • Doris Robertson
  • Elmer Nye
  • Frieda Belote
  • John Fowler
  • Owen Forse
  • Pauline Reed
  • Richard & Mary Broyles
  • Virginia Freeman
Tutoring Has Twelve Hungry Kids
We need more snack-providers this year in tutoring, and we only have 12 kids, so it is more affordable than past years.  The kids love anything and are SO easy to please.  You can even team up with a friend and share the expense, or make a donation to help us buy snacks.  Birthday cupcakes are a monthly treat -- and we need 7 people to make them in the coming year.  If you can help in any way, please sign the list in the foyer!
Ice Cream Social
Sunday, October 2
Canfield Home -- 2 Chestnut Court, Fort Smith, AR

Everyone, please bring a 2-liter  drink!

5:00 PM -- come early to bring ice cream or desserts, visit and play games
6:00 -- Devotional begins followed by Ice Cream Social
Communion will be served inside at 6:00 PM

Bring desserts, homemade ice cream, lawn chairs, and your family for a fun evening of fellowship with friends.

Kids! Fun games and activities to kick off Missions Month!  

Directions:
From West-Ark church, turn left on Waldron Rd.
Turn left at stoplight onto Park Avenue.
Turn left onto 66th Street; then an immediate right to Chestnut Ct.

 
News & Events
Laundry Love Says "Thanks"
Thank you to everyone who gave of their money, time and especially prayers to benefit Laundry Love. God is good--all the time! At the first ever Laundry Love Fort Smith, He provided everything we could have asked for. The atmosphere was comfortable and very conducive for building relationships with our "clients"--now 21 people have clean clothes to wear, and based on their responses, we expect many more next month on Friday, October 28. Thank you again for your support, and we ask you to please continue to pray for this growing ministry.

Notes of Thanks
Dear Church Family,
How could we ever deserve such loving treatment?  It must be because you are Christians and want to give a hand to those who can't help themselves.  The visits, prayers, cards and good food have helped to strengthen me.  We love each of you.  When I am a little stronger notes will follow.  We will see you soon at the church doors.  
    Love,
    Betty & Lloyd Summers

Widows/Widowers
There will be not be a Widows/Widowers luncheon October 1 due to Janice's foot surgery.  Car Clinic has also been canceled.

JOY BUNCH
A HALLOWEEN COSTUME CONTEST will be held and prizes awarded on Saturday, October 15.  Meat will be provided -- "DILLWEED CHICKEN." Bring appropriate sides and desserts.  Dillweed Chicken Breast is marinated with patience in a divine combination of herbs, spices, and other tantalizing seasonings. Grilled to a standard of perfection expected only by members of THE "JOY BUNCH" in combination with  the subtle stimulating sensation of the ever popular dill weed seasoning.

 

King's Kids Calendar 

Fall Fest!

October 30 in the West-Ark Gym
Doors will open at 6:30!  

 

Blue Jeans Weekend
October 15-16

Love Without Limits
wear a pair  ·  share a pair  ·  show you care

Sign-up lists are in the foyer!

Projects for Saturday, October 15
Carlene Payne's House
Karen Carter's House
CURE Service Project, 8 a.m. to 12 noon
Please call Ron Moreton 461-2898 or Mat Griffin 883-4096 to sign up.
 
Projects for Sunday, October 16
Sunday lunch will be provided in the FLC (gym) for everyone who is signed up to work on a Sunday project.

Crisis Intervention Center
Sebastian County Humane Society
Community Service Clearinghouse
John & Hazel Richards' House
Esther Home
Hope Chest

Assembly at 6:00 PM!
We'll meet in the gym for a devotional, a recap of the weekend's projects and supper together (it is provided). If you were not in a project this weekend, please consider bringing a dessert!

Don't forget -- The Hope Chest needs blue jeans -- any size, any kind, for men,
women and kids!
 
Youth Group / News

Youth Group - Sunday, October 2, 2011, 9:30-10:30 AM
We had a fantastic study and discussion about some of the barriers that keep people from following Christ. Don't miss this week as we continue to find what God has planned in advance for all of us to do!

Paintball - Sunday, October 2, 2011, 12:30-3:30 PM
We'll head to All-American Paintball to have a great afternoon of paintball!  Get all your camouflage, padding and get ready to hunt for the other team's flag! Cost is $25 per person, plus extra for lunch at the fields and for any additional paintballs.  You MUST have all forms and money (CASH ONLY) with you today, in order to attend. We will be taking vans to this event.

Church Ice Cream Social - Sunday, October 2, 2011, 6 PM
Don't miss our annual church ice cream social this evening at the Canfields!  Bring your Frisbees, footballs, etc. and we'll have some fun ... maybe even a game or two of Link 'em!

Lipscomb University Night - Sunday, October 2, 2011, 6:45 PM
Our new Lipscomb University (Allison Todd's college) representative, Dolly Stang, will be stopping by to take out our current Juniors and Seniors out for coffee and talk about college, following the church ice cream social at the Canfields' home.  Parents, this might be a great opportunity for you to begin discussing/investigating the options that your students have for next year.

Youth Group - Wednesday,  October 5, 2011, 7-8 PM
We will continue a special series of messages about what the calling that God has given us as Christians looks like in YOUR world!  Bring yourself, a Bible and a friend!

Honduras (Spring Break Mission Trip) and Bulgaria (Summer Mission Trip) Meeting, October 9, 2011, 11:45 AM-1:30 PM
Our second preparation meeting for both trips will take place following morning worship until 1:30 PM.  Hopefully, you'll have time to go grab some fast food and bring it back to eat during our meeting.  Applications for both trips and a $50 non-refundable deposit per person is due on October 9 (at this meeting).  You will NOT be able to go on this trip if you do not turn in these items at that time.  See Rick if you have questions about this trip.

Sunday Night Live (SNL) @ Robinson Avenue - Sunday, October 9, 2011, 4:30-8:30 PM
We'll be heading to Springdale to the Robinson Avenue church for this month's SNL.   Join in as hundreds of teens from around the area praise God together in song and hear a challenging message from His Word.  They'll have free food following the event.  Come be a part of this awesome event.

Happy Birthday

October 2
Wade Coggins
Stephanie Fry
Martina Gooden

October 3
Terri Jones

October 4
Mary Kelly
Debra Lively

October 5
Sharon Faries
Leslie Holland
Dena Jenkins
Abigail Jennemann
Margaret Moss
Sam Oliver
Kinzey Rogers
Dalton Smith

October 6
Lillie Daws

October 7
Migdalia Mendez
Dawson Urrutia
Carl Wood

October 8
Gertrude Mize
Kevin Roberts
Attendance and Contribution Count
Bible Classes ............ 363    
Sunday AM Attendance 590
Sunday PM Attendance N/A
Contribution ...   $12,579.05
Children's Homes .. $153.00
Coins For Christ ...   $53.96
WAY.............................  N/A

Lao Worship
Attendance ...................14
Contribution ............   $121

Iglesia de Cristo
Attendance ..................79
Contribution ............  $189

West-Ark Church of Christ | 900 N. Waldron Road | Fort Smith | AR | 72903