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Family Lines Newsletter, September 29, 2002
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**Congregational Family Needs Analysis**
By David Chadwell
 
This Sunday morning Brad Pistole and I will discuss the Congregational Family Needs Analysis. The elders request everyone to fill one out the following Sunday (October 6).  [Yes, the analysis will be available to those who cannot be here October 6.]  It is totally anonymous.  The only information about your person requested is your age group (a multiple choice request).  It is intentionally anonymous so each person can express himself or herself freely and honestly. 
 
It has twenty-five (25) questions.  Twenty-four (24) are multiple choice questions.  The last question: "Additional comments."  Many should complete the survey in less than 20 minutes.
 
The basic objective is to gather information that will assist the elders and staff.  It will help us address the spiritual needs of more people as classes, support groups, special events, etc., are planned.  Without this information, we often plan on the basis of "what we think your spiritual needs are" rather than what you know your spiritual needs to be.
 
Often you are challenged to realize that members of this congregation have many differing spiritual needs.  While all Christians have some similar needs (repentance, increasing faith, greater commitment and devotion, etc.), most Christians have needs unique to his or her situation.  The combination of what is happening in one's family;  among one's peers; in one's work; in one's educational process; in one's severest temptations; in one's greatest discouragements; in one's most acute disappointments; in one's harshest trials; and in one's greatest fears make each of us unique. 
 
What may be of powerful encouragement to one Christian may be meaningless to another Christian.  What may powerfully motivate one Christian may leave another Christian unmoved.  Spiritual maturity in Christ follows many paths.  This information will help us improve the encouragement given each baptized believer as he or she travels his or her path.  We want each of us to be closer to God a year from now than we are at this moment--regardless of how close to God each of us is now.
 
With a dialogue method, Brad and I will seek to help you memorably focus on the importance of the Congregational Family Needs Analysis.  Jesus taught Jews and Samaritans.  Paul taught Jews and Gentiles.  Many of the early evangelists taught those who worshipped God and taught those who worshipped idols.  The paths to faith in Jesus Christ often required different routes.  Want a biblical example?  Read the sermon in Acts 2 and the sermon in Acts 17.   Note the differences in preaching to a Jewish audience and an audience who worshipped the gods.
 
God's Christ is adequate for all groups, though each group is different.  Help us plan for God's Christ to meet your spiritual needs.
 
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** "Our Territory Has Just Been Enlarged" **
By David Boozer
 
Question: What do the Way, Thursday's after-school tutoring, and the Hispanic congregation have in common?
 
Answer: 3424 Johnson Street.
 
That's right, three ministries will work out of this prime, north Fort Smith location.  And it is a great location!  While members of the Way are from all over Ft. Smith and parts of Barling and Van Buren, most live north of Grand Avenue and Garrison Avenue.  All of the tutored children live within a mile or two of Johnson Street and a large Hispanic population lives nearby.
 
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
This Sunday, September 29, from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.,
you are invited to visit this meeting place,
3424 Johnson Street, for a housewarming/pounding.
 
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Come by and see where some exciting things will be happening.  Also, meet some of the West-Ark Christians directly involved in these new ministries.  If you have one of the specific items from the foyer bulletin board for the pounding, bring it with you.  (Please do not take the time to wrap your gifts.)  If you do not have one of the items, come anyway.  No gift is required!
 
It is exciting to see how God is prodding us to get involved in our neighbors' lives.  It is also exciting to know that He chose us as His fellow workers in these new ministries!  As you thank God for all of this, ask Him for even more opportunities to serve and that he will enlarge our territories even more!
 
In the meantime, let's go to work!
 
**LTC Announcement**
Senior High chorus will meet immediately following morning worship this Sunday, September 29, in the Teen Room.
 
**Special Collection for Zambia **
The West-Ark congregation will be provided an opportunity to contribute in a special collection on Sunday, September 29, for the Zambian famine relief fund. 
 
Our brothers and sisters in Christ are literally dying by the hundreds, maybe thousands, in Zambia because of their lack of food.  We can help a family of 4 to survive for a month with each $25 donation.
 
**Jule Miller Videos**
If you have any of the Jule Miller videos in your home and are not using them, please return them to Roy Dunavin or the office.
 

**Sunday Morning Adult Bible Classes**
(Beginning October 6th)
 
Room 100, Mat Griffin & Tom Benincosa, "My Confidence and My Salvation"
 
Library, Bill Dickey & class members, "Exodus"
 
Room 200, Jerry Canfield, Gary Brown, Kevin Roberts, "Revelation"
 
Room 202B, Stan Musick, "Who Am I Now That I'm Alone?" and transition into "Relationships That Challenge Me"
 
Room 203, David Chadwell, "My Confidence and My Salvation"
 
Room 210, Ron Lenderman & Joe Pistole, "The Disconnected Generation" (Helping parents connect with teens)
 
Room 211, Larry Roper & Bob Fisher, "My Confidence and My Salvation"
 
Auditorium, Roy Dunavin, "II Corinthians"
 
Annex, Young Adults, David Burns, Philip Burns, Ron Orick, Topical Studies
 

**Harding University**
79th Annual Lectureship
September 29 - October 2, 2002
"Thinking Christianity"
 
**Sunday in Worship**
Morning: Your Spiritual Needs Matter
by David Chadwell
Evening: Family Meeting and Fellowship Meal
All who can, please bring desserts!
 
**Peak of the Week**
Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. in the Family Life Center.
This week, October 2, A Life of Service: In His Image
Tom Benincosa leading  
 
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**Remember in Prayer**
Continue to pray for Erma Beshears, Sandy Berger, and Kathy Bauer in their treatments for cancer.
 
Kathy Rosalez is scheduled for a colonoscopy on October 1st.
 
Jeff Hughes and family (friends of Pat Campbell).
 
**Dismissed from the Hospital**
Blain Inman (father of Brenda Lenderman), Eileen Jones, Blossom Mayhan.
 
**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended to the following families:
 
*To the Daniels and Wade Families in the death of Jim Daniels late Wednesday (Sept. 25). Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time. If you would like to send a card to Rosanne Wade, her address is 9001 Canterbury Cove, Fort Smith, AR 72903.
 
*To Marceil Stevens and Anetia Livesay in the death of their sister, Myra Jean Hester. Funeral services were Monday, in Monroe, Arkansas.
 
*To Pauline Alberty in the death of her brother, Luther Hatfield on September 22nd. Funeral services were Tuesday in Fort Gibson, OK.
 
*Word was received this weekend of the death of Kathy Howell's father, Walter Tomlinson. Kathy is a former member of West-Ark. If you would like to send a card to her, the  address is 1702 Goldsmith Court Drive, Collierville, TN 38017.
 
**Welcome**
Jim Jenkins
4324 Victoria Drive
Fort Smith, AR 72904
Jim was baptized recently. He is the father of Cristy Pressley.
 
**Widows/Widowers**
We will be hosted by the Singles group on Saturday, October 5th, at noon in the Family Life Center.  Call Mary (646-6079) or Janice (474-8851) if you need transportation.
 
**Car Clinic**
Our car clinic is October 5th from 8 to 11 a.m. for widows, widowers, and 60+.
 
**Notes of Thanks**
Dear Christian Family,
I want to express my thanks for all the prayers, cards, phone calls, and the beautiful peace lily. For many months, there were a lot of prayers for my daughter Marcia. Thank you so much.
In Christian love,
Willie Lyle
 
Dear West-Ark Family,
We would like to thank you for your prayers and concern for my sister, Shirley Holsinger, during her diagnosis, surgery and recovery! She is back to work!
In Christian love,
Louise & Wilburn Howard
 
I thank God every day for you.  What would I do without this loving congregation?  You all have supported me and my family so wonderfully during this hard time in our lives.  Thank you for the cards you send.  I've received no less than two a day since I told you of my illness.  Thank you for the meals that help strengthen us all.  Especially, thank you for your prayers.
In Him,
Sandy Berger
 
Dear Church Family,
The family of Smith Davis would like to thank all of you for your cards, calls, coming to his funeral, and all other acts of kindness and concern shown during his illness and his passing on. Most importantly, thank you for your prayers.
In Christ,
Doyle and Judy Wright
 
**Caring for our Shut-in and Homebound Members**
Being homebound or in a nursing home can become quite lonely. This week make a visit, a phone call, or send a card  to someone on the list.
 
* Thelma Blackburn, 3901 North 50th, AR 72904, 782-2680.
* Ada Ferguson, 1903 North 45th Circle, Fort Smith, AR 72904, 783-7122.
* Pearl Beam, 1114 North 5th, Fort Smith, AR 72901, 782-8734.
* Bobbye Ferrell, 3204 South 32nd, Fort Smith, AR 72903, 646-9649.
 
**Happy Birthday**
 
October 7
Paul Flippo
Migdalia Mendez
Amber Pippin
Dawson Urrutia
 
October 8
Gertrude Mize
Kevin Roberts
Neil Roberts
 
October 9
Jeanetta Falls
Billy Yowell
 
October 10
Kevin Vaught
 
October 12
Berniece Rogers
 
**Fall Festival **
Saturday, October 26, in the FLC!
A safe and fun evening for families
in our church and community.
See the sign-up sheet posted in the foyer. 
Ways you can help:
* make cakes and desserts
* work at a booth
* donate candy or 2-liter soft drinks (a  basket is in the foyer).
Parents, help your children choose costumes
appropriate for a church event!
 
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**Family Life Ministry**
By Brad Pistole
 
"Schedule for the Coming Weeks"
 
*September 29th*
Brad and David share information during the A.M. service about Family Life Ministry and plans for our Congregational Needs Analysis (Survey)
 
*October 6th, 9th, 13th and 16th*
Members that were not present for the Congregational Needs Analysis on October 6th can fill out and turn in their C.N.A. by October 16th.
 
*October 18th*
Detailed results from the C.N.A. will be completed and shared with the West-Ark Leadership (Staff and Elders)
 
*October 19-26*
Brad and family are on vacation
 
*November 2*
West-Ark leadership spends the day discussing the results of the survey and making plans for the future ministry vision at West-Ark.        
 
Results of the Congregation Needs Analysis will be made available to all members of the West-Ark Congregation as soon as possible.
 
**Nursery Schedule**
A.M. Infants: Cristy Pressley, Kay Pressley, Hannah Pressley
Toddlers: Louise Howard, Cami Stancil
P.M. Nursery: Robertta Moses, Laurie Armstrong
 
**Schedule of Services**
 
Sunday Worship (10:30)............... 628
Sunday Classes (9:30) ................ 426
Laotian Attendance.........................31
The WAY (4:00) ............................ 40
Spanish......................................... 17
Evening Worship (6:00)................. 363
Wednesday Worship (7:00)........... 385
Sunday Contribution ...............$14,513
 
Office Phone (479) 452-1240
Fax  (479) 452-5767
office@westarkchurchofchrist.org
www.westarkchurchofchrist.org
 
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