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Are we confident that our light is bright
Vol. 47 January 11, 2022 Number 2
PURE IN HEART
Barry Kennedy
“Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God” (Matthew
5:8). What a simple concept but one that seems to be so hard for most
people to accomplish. Of course, Jesus would not place a task upon man
that is impossible to accomplish. “For this is the love of God, that we
keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous” (1
John 5:3). Just to be clear, Jesus said that in order to see God one must be
pure in heart. John, by inspiration, wrote that the commands of God are
not grievous. Yet it seems almost impossible to be pure in heart with all
the temptations we face on a daily basis. Is it impossible? Is God asking
too much of His disciples? Of course not! God expects us to be pure in
heart, and through Christ we can be pure in heart and see God. We must
clarify what it means to be pure in heart, i.e., clear our hearts of the
world’s clutter, and capture the hope of seeing our Father in Heaven.
Let us now clarify what it means to be pure in heart. Pure, as
used in the Matthew 5:8, was translated from the word “καθαρός”
(katharos) which is an adjective meaning in a state of ritual cleanliness or
free of guilt and sin.” Please understand, this does not mean that one can
or must be perfect, i.e. never making any mistakes, in order to see God.
After all, the Bible says that all sin (Romans 3:23). It does, however, mean
that one’s heart must be cleansed of the guilty stain sin brings upon one’s
life. Jesus freely offers pardon, redemption, sanctification, justification,
and any other word one can use to describe the total forgiveness found in
Christ. Remember, Jesus offers a forgiveness that does not remember our
sin stain (Hebrews 8:12).
Let us clear our hearts of the world’s clutter. John wrote, “Love
not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love
the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15). Temptation,
i.e. the lust of the flesh, eye, and pride of life (1 John 2:16), is all around
the child of God in this world. We must remember Jesus said that He
“overcame the world” (John 16:33). We must, therefore, do our part to
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ELDERS
Mike Childers ............. 397-6453
Dennis Hallmark......... 255-5557
Mark Hitt .................... 322-0917
Bobby Lindley ............ 260-9193
DEACONS
Wade Bryan ................ 419-5552
William Harris ............ 416-8149
Ricky Lindsey............. 255-8136
Jeff Mansel.................. 871-0357
Jimmy Spearman ........ 840-8957
Michael Wilson........... 891-0891
MINISTERS
Barry Kennedy....(931)787-7108
Alex Blackwelder (731)879-9196
SECRETARY
Renee Childers
Office.......................... 842-6116
Fax .............................. 842-7091
E-MAIL
eastmaincoc38804@gmail.com
WEB PAGE
eastmaincoc.com
SUNDAY SERVICES
Worship........................9:00 a.m.
Bible class..................10:15 a.m.
Worship......................11:15 a.m.
Singing or Devotional
Last Sunday of the Month
MID-WEEK
SERVICES
Wednesday Classes......7:00 p.m.
1606 East Main Street
P. O. Box 1761
Tupelo, Mississippi 38802
“Thou shalt observe to do all that they inform thee”
(Deut. 17:10)

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clear as much of sins clutter out of our lives as
possible. Be like Daniel and purpose in heart to not
be defiled, even with what may seem to be
delicacies (Daniel 1:8). Let’s be like David and set
no wicked thing before your eyes (Psalm 101:3).
Let’s be like Paul and think on the good things
(Philippians 4:8). If we are going to fill our hearts
with the word of God we will have to clear out the
sinful clutter of the world (Psalm 119:11).
Let us all capture the hope of seeing our
Father in Heaven. When we “sanctify the Lord
God in our hearts” (1 Peter 3:15), people will see
the hope that is in us and want to capture it for
themselves. God wants you and me in Heaven with
Him for all eternity. That is His will, but is it our
hope right now? How pure are our hearts? Will we
purify our hearts as He is pure (1 John 3:3)? He is
waiting to see, face to face, all those who are
willing to be pure in heart. How about us?
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sympathy
Our sympathy is extended to Evelyn Thompson
in the loss of her sister, Shirley Sollinger, on Jan. 5.
Funeral services were held Jan. 9 in Hernando, MS.
We also extend our sympathy to Linda Parker in
the loss of her cousin, Brenda Marks, on Jan. 7.
Graveside services will be held on Jan. 11 at 11:00
am at the Saltillo Cemetery. Her brother, Howard,
passed away last month on Dec. 13.
Ladies’ Monthly
Fellowship
The monthly
ladies’ fellowship
will be held this
Thursday, Jan. 13
at 6:00 pm in the
multipurpose
room. All the
ladies are invited!
Berta Kennedy will be teaching the lesson this
month.
Every Man’s Book
The Bible is every man’s book. To know the
Bible and to handle it correctly is one of the
greatest accomplishments within the reach of any
person.
One may know English, astronomy, literature,
music, sociology, and philosophy, but if one does
not know the Bible, one has failed in the only
subject that brings all things into the proper
relationship and enables one to know life at its
best. The best evidence of the inspiration of the
Bible is found between its covers. No one will
ever be a useful Christian without being a
student of the Bible. Matthew Henry said, “The
Scriptures were not written to make us
astronomers, but to make us saints.”
The Bible is not intended solely for some
special group. It is every man’s book; it was
written for the average person. Scholars may
study it, but it is not written for scholars. No one
ever outgrows the Scriptures. The more one
studies them, the wider and deeper they become.
The Bible enables every reader to look into
eternity.
It is no wonder that Paul urged Timothy to
study the Scripture, “rightly dividing [handling
aright] the word of truth,” so he might be an
approved workman before God (2 Timothy
2:15).
The Bible acknowledges man’s faults; it is
patient with man’s weaknesses; it is honest with
his virtues and his hopes. To own the Bible is to
be rich. To study, to know, and to trust the Bible
is to find life. To study the Bible is to be wise; to
obey it, to be strong. —Franklin Camp
--via House to House Heart to Heart
(Archive 5164)
Tuesday Mornings with
the Master
Tuesday Mornings with the Master has resumed.
Anyone who is able is welcomed to meet in the
multipurpose room on Tuesdays from 10:00-11:00
a.m. for a period of signing cards and praying for
those who are sick and in need of encouragement.

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Daily Bible Reading
January 12...........................................Genesis 33-35
January 13...........................................Genesis 36-38
January 14...........................................Genesis 39-41
January 15...........................................Genesis 42-44
January 16...........................................Genesis 45-47
January 17...........................................Genesis 48-50
January 18............................................... Exodus 1-3
Birthdays &
Anniversaries
Birthdays: Meredith Hitt (Jan. 12), Shelby
Miller (Jan. 13), Jason Dickinson (Jan. 14).
Anniversaries: None this week.
Our Sick
Twinette Wallace, Raleigh Bass, Grady Vines, and
Steve Kelly are home with Covid. Jean Mounce is
home with a sinus infection. Chet Wilson is home sick
with a high fever. Wade Bryan’s mother, Linda, is
back in the hospital in TN. Twinette Wallace’s
brother, Donny Dulaney, is undergoing chemo.
Crafton Laney was taken to the ER in Amory
Saturday.
On-Going Illnesses
Mary Lou Walden, Evelyn Thompson, Annie
Martin, Bettye Davis, Frankie Estes, Shirley Lyons,
Barbara Bishop, Caroline Willis, Carol Hood, Bill
Goff, Donny Dulaney, Adam McCurley, Mitch
Maclean, Sheba Tuggers, Stella Pittman, Larry
Kennedy, Brian Carver, Marvin Chamblee, Brent
Norris, Lacy Plaxico
Nursing Homes
Randy Attaway, Shirley McCarthy, Bob McClure
New Movers’ Baskets
There are a few new movers’ baskets in the foyer
that need delivering. This is a great way to introduce
East Main to those who have recently moved into the
area. Please take one and deliver if you are able and
return the card once you have delivered the basket.
EMYG News
Hello East Main Family,
Thank you to all who helped out with the Area Wide this
past Sunday. It was a great success, and I definitely was
encouraged from it.
Don’t forget that the Senior Youth Devotional will be
held at the Blackwelder’s house this Sunday, Jan. 16.
Girls bring deserts and guys bring drinks (413 Water St
Baldwyn, MS 38824).
In a couple of weeks, we will be having in the
Multipurpose Room (KIA = Kids In Action). This is for
anyone from 6th
grade down. I am super excited about
this! Bring potluck dishes and lets enjoy a time of sweet
fellowship! (Sunday the 23rd
).
The fifth Sunday, our young men will conduct the
second service. If you would like to help, let Alex know!
Don’t forget those going to CYC need to pay Alex their
$50 by Feb. 1.
If I can help you in anyway, please let me know!

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Men to Serve Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022 a.m.
Announcements..............................Dennis Hallmark
Bible Reading.................................... Drew Baldwyn
Opening Prayer ...........................Bobby Joe Lindley
Lord’s Supper
Barry Kennedy
Lead Singing.......................................... Nic Nichols
Closing Prayer................................ Roger Sanderson
Ushers ................................................Security Team
Please meet in the library by 8:45 a.m.
Sunday 11:15 a.m. service
Opening Prayer .................................... Greg Hughes
Closing Prayer.......................................Wesley Bass
Lead Singing....................................Michael Wilson
Wednesday, January 19, 2022
Opening Prayer ......................................Mike Ratliff
Lead Singing.....................................Barry Kennedy
The elders kindly request that men leading in public
worship wear the best dress clothes they have.
Contact Wade Bryan (419-5552) if unable to serve.
Attendance & Contribution
Mid-Week, 1-5-21 ...................................................... 136
Sunday 1st
Worship, 1-9-22 ...................................... 152*
Sunday Bible Class..................................................... 149
Sunday 2nd
Worship.................................................... 138
Contribution (budget $7,900) ................................ $8,641
*This does not include the livestreamed views.
Pantry item........................................... Peanut butter