Posted by dena.jenkins on February 18, 2016 under Connect, Uncategorized
Are you looking to connect with a group? Wondering what classes are available? Check here!
Adult Class Schedule 2016
Care Group/Life Group Listing 2016
We want to be able to connect however we can. Follow us on social media with the links below!
Facebook Page (West-Ark Church of Christ Page)
Instagram (WestArkCC)
Twitter (@WestArkCC)
Pinterest (WestArk Church)
YouTube (WestArk ChurchofChrist)
Church Community Builder (CCB – online directory and connection tool) If you need an activation email, please contact office@westark.org.
Posted by Chris on April 1, 2014 under Articles, Bulletin Articles, Events, Front Page Announcements, News
After worship we will dismiss to discussion groups. We will have lunch together and discuss the topics below. Here’s how it works:
1. You will choose which topics interest you.
2. There will be three 30-minute discussion sessions at approximately 12:00, 12:30, and 1:00 PM.
3. Each topic below will be the focus for a group in two locations [listed below]. Each of the six topics will take place at the same time in the two locations. Each will be open for all three sessions.
4. Thus, you should plan on participating in three conversations that interest you the most and going to one of the two rooms listed for that topic during the three 30-minute sessions.
Creating a Seat at the Table [Room 106 & Room 215]
West-Ark has an established core of members who have been a part of the church family for 16 years or more. West-Ark is also blessed with active members who have been here for less than 16 years. What are the strengths and challenges that come with such a remarkable statistic? How can we open opportunities for new members to participate in mission and ministry? How can we be intentional about creating a “seat at the table” for everyone?
Friendship and Membership [Room 212 & Library]
We strive to be a church that is more than just members who attend a weekly meeting. We believe that Christ has called us to be His friends and friends with one another. How can we increase friendships within the West-Ark Church family? How can we create bridges to our friends who are not part of the West-Ark church? How can we cultivate the spirit of friendship?
A Cord of Three Strands: Finding Spiritual Support [Annex & Room 210]
A majority of members expressed an interest in forming support groups and fellowship groups. We want to be creative about forming opportunities to build up one another. How can we promote resources that will help individuals and families manage stress and grow spiritually? What has helped you and what have you experienced?
Communities within the Church: Mentoring and Groups [Room 225 & Annex Conference Room]
Over the years, West-Ark has developed multiple approaches to small group fellowship. At this moment in time, what are the best opportunities and approaches for study groups, fellowship groups, and encouragement groups? In addition to groups, mentoring is a time-honored and biblical means for spiritual growth and making disciples. How can we help people find mentors and how can we motivate more members to be mentors?
One Spirit, Many Gifts [Room 203 & Room 222]
West-Ark is blessed with a healthy participation rate that is above the expected norm. Our vision is greater than simply having enough volunteers to handle the work. We want all members to use the spiritual gifts that God has invested in them. How can we assist our membership in discovering their spiritual gifts? How can we empower people to use their gifts?
Keeping the Conversations and Communication Open [Room 100 & Room 211]
Communication is a vital component of our congregation. We strive to use a variety of methods and technologies to communicate. Whether it is an “old-school” method or a “cutting edge” technology, our primary goal is communication and conversation. We welcome your help. What talents do you have that will help us communicate more effectively? What creative ideas do you have to share? How would you be willing to assist in promoting opportunities for communication? Would you have an interest in helping people learn about new technologies and methods?
Posted by dena.jenkins on July 2, 2012 under Events, King's Kids
One Day Family-Style Vacation Bible School
- July 28 – 9:30 to 3 pm (free lunch and snack included!)
- Bring your family and their friends for fun skits, games, crafts, inflatables
Posted by Chris on April 12, 2012 under Events, Front Page Announcements, News
If you were a guest for our Friends Day, then please know how happy we were to have you join us.
It was a great day of singing together, encouraging one another, and enjoying a meal together. We do hope that you will join us again sometime. We are happy to call you a friend and our friends are always welcome to join in to our events and to worship with us on any Sunday.
If you happen to be reading this and were not able to attend Friends Day, then please know that you are welcome to join us any Sunday at 9:30 for classes and 10:30 for worship. We have other events during the week and we will be happy to share more information about those. Details on many of them are featured on this website.
If you would like to know more about West-Ark, please call us or send us a message (office@westark.org). Please continue to visit this website as we are constantly updating the articles and information.
Posted by Rick on April 9, 2012 under Events, Front Page Announcements, WAYG
June 10-16, 2012
Early Deadline— May 30th
Don’t miss the spiritual experience you’ve been looking forward to since last year! Soul Quest on the campus of York College in York, Nebraska is coming! Join over 500 7-12th grade students and nearly 100 of our own WAYGers as we come together to grow, worship, fellowship and encounter God in an atmosphere unlike anything else. Applications are now available on Facebook, in the hanging files in the foyer next to the Youth Group bulletin board and in class! You will NOT want to miss out on this for ANYTHING!! PLEASE let Rick know if you want to donate money for scholarships or if you need a scholarship. Open to all incoming 7th graders through 2012 graduating Seniors! This week will be the BEST way to kick off your summer for God! Get your camper application here Get your staff application here
Posted by Jeannie on March 6, 2008 under Ladies Bible Class
Joseph is often cited as an Old Testament savior. Although the New Testament writers do not point this out, indeed there are striking similarities between Joseph and Jesus. Consider some of the things that the two have in common:
- From the world’s point of view, neither were born to be world leaders and were therefore unlikely Saviors
- Both were a shepherd of his Father’s sheep
- Both were designated as beloved, favored sons, but hated by brethren
- Both were sent by their Father to visit kindred who did not appreciate them
- Both were sold by “loved ones” for a few pieces of silver: slave’s price
- Joseph’s bargain is proposed by brother Judah
Jesus’ bargain by brother Judas (Greek form of Judah)
- Both endured chains, plots, and false accusations that should have broken their spirit, but always let the Spirit of God prevail in their hearts
- End result of both betrayals was the saving of strangers and hope for the world brought about by a brotherly plot of selling him out
- Both were 30 years old at the beginning of their public recognition
- Both verbally forgave those who abused them
- Both said the actions inflicted upon them was God’s will
- What men did to hurt them, God meant for good
- There were 2 fellow prisoners in both stories: Butler & Baker; 2 thieves
- In both, one prisoner was told of deliverance, one was condemned
- Joseph asks the Butler to remember him when he was returned to his position;
the Penitent Thief entreated Jesus to remember him when He came into His kingdom
- Both provided life-saving Bread that the world could not provide
- Both became unorthodox leaders in a land not their own
- Both were in regular communication with the Heavenly Father
- Because their belief in God led them to action, both were able to provide Salvation for others before others even knew they would need saving
- Others acknowledged God working in their lives in good times and in bad times and thus were drawn to follow their leadership. And we probably could come up with other parallels …
I don’t recall that we are told of Jesus having any dreams, but Joseph’s story in Genesis is full of them. We are told that Joseph had been having dreams from God since he was 17 years old.
Dreams can be pretty dull and usually are forgotten, or they can be weird, funny, shocking, scarey, whatever. We usually soon forget the details after we have been awake for a while. Every once in a while we might have a memorable dream and we wonder if it has a meaning. Is our sub-conscience mind trying to tell us something?
“STRANGE AT IT SEEMS, THERE’S BEEN A RUN OF CRAZY DREAMS” here in chapter 40 & 41 – dreams that are going to change the future of the world. Both the Egyptians and the Babylonians at this time compiled “Dream Books” that contained sample dreams with keys to their interpretations. Dream interpretation was considered a field of science. If significant dreams of significant people could not be interpreted, then maybe you were not a significant scientist. Maybe you did not belong at court.
We don’t know what incident landed the Butler and the Baker in jail. But we do know that God used it to His glory. Joseph is there. Joseph says, “You don’t need an interpreter for those dreams such as was available at court. Interpretations belong to God. Tell them to me.” The slave/prison inmate/man of God, Joseph, confidently and accurately interprets the two inmates’ dreams.
Two years later, he is given the opportunity to interpret Pharoah’s two dreams and God has put him into the position that He intended for Jacob’s son to be in all along – a position to save not only the world from famine, but most importantly, Abraham’s lineage will be preserved through this famine.
Perhaps also God needs to get Abraham’s lineage out of Canaan to get them away from the evil Canaanite influence. We know the Canaanite influence is not good now, and by the time the book of Exodus begins 400 years later, the Canaanite wickedness will be so great that God is ready to allow Israel to totally annihilate them. In Egypt, the Israelites will eventually be socially isolated allowing them to develop their own unique culture and customs. God’s ways are not our ways. Is allowing your chosen people to become enslaved how you would mastermind bringing a Savior to this world?
But I am getting ahead of our story.
- God created the world and all the creatures that God put in it
- the Ark
- Tower of Babel
- instruments and tools
- fashioned a coat for Joseph
- someone began the art of pottery although I don’t believe that is recorded
Let’s talk about all that we have seen crafted in Genesis so far:
I was the youngest of 5 children so I can relate to Joseph. I always wanted to do what my older siblings were doing. 4-H was big in Jackson County, Arkansas. My brothers and sisters were always winning things and my parents were adult leaders. 4-H Activity Day was coming up. My 1st year in 4-H I entered a skirt and blouse that I had made in the junior clothing event and got a rating of an “A” and a lot of praise for a 1st year 4-Her crafting such an excellent garment. It looked as good as some of the older 4-Her’s garments and I always wore that outfit with pride.
I later entered the modeling event and got a rating of “A.” I couldn’t figure out what to enter for handicrafts. My mom had 4 other children to supervise through a number of events so I did not get a lot of input from her. She had given me a lot of supervision making my skirt & blouse. So really close to the Activity Day, I came up with an entry like this: [hold up cute cup] It is a knick-knack container. You can believe that I did not get an “A” rating on this. I got a “C.” You can imagine that I was petrified that I did not get an “A.” I just knew my daddy would be mortified – a Johns got a “C” in a county event that might be printed in the county paper! I had used my imagination – somewhat. And spent maybe a few hours on this handicraft – whereas others had spent days on theirs. But it really was a second rate job. I learned a lesson.
Don’t wait till the last minute. If it is worth doing, do it well. Give it your all.
My cup really doesn’t look like Joseph. But God took a lot of time making Joseph into a vessel He could use. He was 17 when he was sold into slavery and 30 when he enters the service of the King.
Jeremiah 18:4ff says, And the vessel [the potter] was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do. Then the word of the Lord came to me: “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done?” says the Lord. “Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand …”
CUP STORY
Once a man on vacation went into a shop and asked to see the beautiful, obviously very expensive, cup up on a top shelf. He exclaims, “This is the most beautiful cup I’ve ever seen!” The cup said, “I wasn’t always this pretty. Once I was just a lump of red clay. Then the Master took me and
- ROLLED & MASHED me. It hurt. It hurt a lot. I asked him to stop.
He just smiled and said, “Not yet.”
Finally He stopped & put me down. I hurt all over. I was glad it was over.
- Then SPINNING began – “OH, my head!” – The Master was still pushing and pulling on me – “STOP, I yelled. “Not yet,” He replied. The motion eventually stopped. The spinning in my head did not.
- Then I was put in an OVEN. It was HOT. I didn’t like it. Through the window I could see the Master. I yelled “LET ME OUT, LET ME OUT!” I could see Him mouth those words, “Not yet.”
- That ordeal was finally over and I cooled off. The Master picked me up. It felt good to be in His hands. Then He started PAINTING on me. At first it tickled, but then the fumes of the paint became overwhelming and nauseating.
“STOP! Please STOP! Please, I pleaded!”
I did not understand the smile on His face as once again He said, “Not Yet.”
- Then back into the OVEN. Hotter than before. I cried out, “Master, please let me out! Stop the heat! I can’t take anymore!” Again I saw Him say, “Not yet.”
Eventually I was taken out of the oven and I slowly cooled off.
The Master came, smiling. I said, “Master, I’ve been through lot of pain.”
The Master replied, “I know you have, but it was necessary.”
He picked me up. [hold up china cup] “What a beautiful cup!” I exclaimed.
“That is you in the mirror,” the Master said with a smile on His face.
I said, “That’s me? But, I’m just a lump of red clay.”
Master said, “Yes, but you yielded to me and allowed me to lovingly change you. Was it worth it?”
“Yes,” I replied. “Before, I was ugly, useless and worthless. In your hands I became beautiful, useful and of high price.”
Spoiled Joseph was recreated in Potiphar’s house and in the jail house. With no father to dote on him, Joseph turns to his Heavenly Father for comfort. But the Heavenly Father does not spare Joseph from hardship. He puts him back on the potter’s wheel, back into the oven. With manual labor he learns humility, and self discipline. With self discipline he learns to discipline others. With God’s refashioning he becomes a competent leader who is able to hold trust of Potiphar, the jailers, Pharoah, Egypt, the whole known world.
We see a reworking of Judah also in Genesis. In chapter 37 we saw him as a hateful brother who didn’t want to kill his brother, but thought it would be profitable to sell him. Later, we see he wants the lineage of his oldest son preserved, but not at the cost of losing his youngest son. Daughter-in-law Tamar’s actions flings him back on the potter’s wheel for a big dose of humility in chapter 38. When we get to Chapter 44, we will see Judah step up and offer himself to protect brother Benjamin from false accusations and bring Joseph to tears and the reunion will begin. Judah will have earned the family birthright and the promise to bear the lineage of Kings and our Savior Jesus.
Being clay in God’s hands is not easy. It can be painful, but oh, so rewarding. If we are not useful, God may need to refashion us. Do we have the courage to pray for refashioning?
[sing: Have Thine Own Way, Lord]
Posted by Jeannie on October 1, 2007 under Ladies Bible Class
Hebrew title: Bereshith – “In the Beginning”
Genesis: Greek for Origin or Beginning, we see the beginning of the Universe, the world and all that it contains, human history, marriage, family, civilizations & languages, sin & death, worship, sacrifice, redemptive promise, and I suppose the list could go on. We see the birth of the Hebrew nation as God’s chosen people, through whom God will bless this sinful world with His Messiah.
We see man & woman created after God’s own image and it was good. We will see that it does not stay good. There is another force that will intervene and the whole entire collection of books that we call the Bible, from Genesis 3 to Revelation 22, will be dedicated to trying to get man back into a right relationship with God – back to the Tree of Life, back to the condition of “it was good.”
The creation account in Genesis is a classic. It is not written as an historical scientific journal of those 6 days, but it is meant to be accurate, acceptable and meaningful to all ages: to the Israelites who first came out of Egypt, to the Jews of Jesus’ day, to the crusaders of the Dark Ages, as well as to us today and to future inhabitants of this world. I believe it was 6 literal days.
Why was Genesis written? The authorship is attributed to Moses.
It is a reminder to the Hebrews and to us that God made us, cares for us, and has not abandoned us even when we are not what we should be, even when life is not what it should be.
God has made a promise to redeem man to Himself and He is faithful.
As we study we will see generation – the beginning of man in chapters 1 & 2;
degeneration – the fall of man in chapters 3 – 11; and then regeneration – hope provided for mankind in chapters 12 – 50.
Throughout Genesis we see life as it is and was. Sin is not glossed over. Yet we will see faith and obedience under trying times.
What do you suppose that Moses hoped that his fellow Israelites would learn from the book of Genesis? Do you think they debated whether or not God created the world in 6 days? Remember that God gave this book to them through Moses while they were sojourners between Egypt and the Promised Land. God is about to give them the land of Canaan where Baal has been the supreme god of choice. The Israelites are about to be faced with questions of faith as they meet other cultures and other beliefs. God is telling them, “not only am I the God that gives you land, crops that you did not plant, homes that you did not build, I am the God that created that land. You have not earned it, I do not owe it to you, but as the Creator, it is mine to give. All that I give mankind is a gift. You and your people are uniquely bonded to Me through your father Abraham.”
What do we learn from Genesis? I’ve 7 things to share.
- God. This is a book about God. In the beginning, God created. God is in action. We do not have a passive, unattached God at all. This is a God who works to have a relationship with what He has lovingly created. We see the nature of God: His creativity, strength, sovereignty, wisdom, anger, and compassion.
He is called by His generic name Elohim, “God” in the 1st chapter. Then in chapter 2:4 we see Yahweh Elohim, “Lord God.”
- We learn about the nature of Man after Satan enters the world. We were made in God’s image, but having a mind of our own, we are fickle. We innately know there is something bigger than us. And we may marvel that some civilizations used to worship goddesses like Aphrodite, but then we spend thousands of dollars and hours upon hours on our personal appearances. Or be amused that some once worshiped the god Narcissus, but be very hung up on our own self esteem. Or we may acknowledge Jehovah God, and we can worship Him one day and stab our neighbor in the back on the next.
- Which leads us to the next thing we learn in Genesis: Sin. In all its ugliness and the pain that it causes, we cannot escape it. All of the suffering on earth is the result of sin. Genesis brings us face to face with sin which leads us to confess that we, too, are indeed a sinner and we disappoint our Creator.
- We learn about God’s Promises and Covenants. God did not wind up the hands of time on this earth and then step back and watch what would happen like some kind of experiment. He stayed interactive with a purpose. God has always wanted man to have a right relationship with Him. We will see the covenant made with Noah. And the three-fold covenant made to faithful Abraham and his lineage that continues to bless mankind today. Praise God that He is a Promise Keeper. Therein lies our hope,
knowing that He is faithful to keep the promise to us of eternal salvation.
- Blessings and Curses show up frequently in Genesis. Blessing is the work of God, giving the power to thrive. Cursing is the result of man’s rebellion.
- After mankind is led to sin, we see the introduction of Suffering. Being God’s chosen people does not exclude anyone from pain. Ask Sarah about suffering. Or Isaac. Joseph was well acquainted with the condition. Whether brought about by our own sin or someone else’s, suffering should teach us all to rely upon our Heavenly Father.
- Family is all important in Genesis. In our study, we will witness some unbelievably mixed up family dynamics as we deal with our own family dilemmas. Moses stressed this point to the Israelites. Even if the family was dysfunctional, if God was present at all, there was love. Jesus stressed this when He summed up what God wanted from man: Love God and love your neighbor. Brotherhood.
Community. Family. Fellowship. We are meant to help each other on our sojourn here on earth. I think that is why you will find this class an important part of your week.
I think you will find this old, ancient book very relevant to your life. We need the belief of Noah, when others don’t believe. A belief that might have others mocking us.
Like Abraham, we all need to step out with the assurance to follow God to that unknown land and receive His promises.
We need the faith of Joseph who endured persecution, separation from his beloved father, slavery and imprisonment, who despite all that, became a savior to his family & many others and was able to forgive all the wrongs that he had endured because he knew His God.
From our Making the Connection [applications] into the New Testament segment of our lessons beyond Genesis, we will see that God has a Promised Land awaiting us also, if we are ready to have a right relationship with Him.
Genesis is the beginning of the story of redemption. It will be a source of knowledge and devotion for you. Join us as we go back to the beginning. Back to when it was very good. Back to God.
Posted by Jeannie on January 5, 1999 under Ladies Bible Class
I can predict that we will have a luncheon here January 12 and another one around the second week in
February. We’ve traditionally done so once a month. This group is really into fellowshipping. So I feel reasonably comfortable making that prediction.
I can even predict that Southside High School will win the State Football Championship next fall. They were No. 1 all year long this year. They have a coach who has led his teams to the No. 1 position a number of times. Southside traditionally produces quality players with a drive to win.
But we may not have that luncheon. The weather could prohibit that. Southside may not win the state championship next year. Their star quarterback is graduating and I have no idea if they have another one that good waiting in the wings.
Any man can predict. All you need are some facts from the past and a little bit of experience or intelligence to put those facts into a reasonable premise for the future. But a prediction is not a prophecy. A prophecy is generally detached from the present. It is a truth that cannot be drawn, concluded, or deduced from anything in the past or the present. It must therefore come from an inspired source – the Holy Spirit.
It is generally accepted that Satan was the first to receive the prophecy of the coming Messiah in Genesis 3:15, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.”
All Abraham was told is that all the nations would be blessed through his seed. This promise was very vague. He was not told how that was going to be accomplished or how soon that would occur.
Moses gave another glimpse, or piece of the picture, when he told the Israelites in Deuteronomy 18:15, “The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear,” and in verse 18, God said, “I will … put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him.” Now we know this blessing promised to Abraham would come in the form of a person or prophet.
Some twenty to twenty-five Old Testament writers, over a span of some two thousand years, add to the picture of a coming Messiah. None had ever seen the Messiah. None had a complete picture. Very few of the prophesiers even knew another prophet. The prophets themselves probably often did not understand the words they wrote or spoke from their mouths. At times, perhaps, they were not even aware that their words were a prophecy. Yet, by putting the prophecies all together from the Old Testament, we can get a very distinct picture of the much anticipated Messiah:
- He would bless all nations.
- He would have the words of God in His mouth because He would have the Spirit of God upon Him.
- He would be a king like David from the tribe of Judah.
(Inferred — A great, respected, prosperous, self-governing, God-directed nation again. National pride would return.)
- He would be born in Bethlehem, from a virgin, while other babies were slaughtered.
- He would be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
- He would be a Good Shepherd and a Light to the Gentiles.
- And from Isaiah 61:1-3, He would be sent “to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”
- And numerous other prophecies that paint such a lovely picture that all Jews and others who believed the Old Scriptures would eagerly look forward to that day of this glorious Prophet.
Somehow, they missed or simply chose to overlook prophecies like Isaiah 53:1-10, Psalm 69:21, and Zechariah 12:10, and others which foretold of the Messiah’s betrayal, suffering, and death.
The purpose of prophecy was to give hope and prepare the world for the coming of Christ, the Messiah. It prepared the world for Christ’s mission and His teachings and how His coming was to affect men directly. Although quite misunderstood generally, the prophecies prepared for the heavenly nature of the coming kingdom. And probably the purpose we understand best of all, the prophecies bear witness to the truths of Christianity and the scheme of redemption.
If you have prepared the lesson for our class today, you know we will be discussing four different New Testament texts in which we will see how Luke, Peter, Phillip and even Jesus Himself used the prophecies of the Old Testament to teach others of God’s goodness and saving grace. As we study these Messianic prophecies for the next ten weeks, let’s see what purposes they can fulfill in our own lives. Can we use them to prepare for studying the scriptures with our Jewish friends? Yes. Can we use them to prepare for studying with people of the Muslim faith? Yes.
Most of all, my prayer is that this study will build your faith in God’s Holy Book and build your love for Him as He reaches out to you, so that, like the two on the road to Emmaus, you can say “wasn’t our heart burning” with the excitement of knowing that God is in control and has been since the beginning of time. Knowing that He has been in control since the beginning of time, we can trust the glimpse of our future in the Holy Scriptures – a home in heaven prepared for those who believe and are faithful.
