1.
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Vol. 45 December 22, 2020 Number 50
LOVE ONE ANOTHER
Barry Kennedy
The greatest of these is love. That is the last phrase of the one of the greatest
chapters in in the Bible. 1 Corinthians 13 is Paul’s description of the “more excellent
way” (1 Cor. 12:31). The Corinthian congregation had become consumed with
division and self-glorification. Paul had to address their growing issue of elevating
one spiritual gift over another (1 Cor. 12:25). They had lost sight of the true purpose
of the miraculous abilities that they received from the Holy Spirit. These gifts were
given for the purpose of confirming the saving message of the gospel. The Gospel
according to Mark concludes with the Lord sending His disciples on the great
commission of going into all the world and preaching the gospel to every creature
(Mark 16:15-16). Mark went on to record how these disciples “went forth, and
preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming (Emph. Mine
BK) the word with signs following” (Mark 16:20). In ancient Corinth, confirming the
message of the gospel as being from God was traded for personal elevation. Thus,
Paul said, “But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more
excellent way” (1 Cor. 12:31). That way is love!
Love one another because God is love. “Beloved, let us love one another: for
love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that
loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love” (1 John 4:7-8). We are all created in the
image of God (Genesis 1:26). We, as a chosen generation, are to show forth the
praises of the One Who created us (1 Peter 2:9). But what does it mean to say that
God is love? Paul, by inspiration, defined love in 1 Corinthians 13; therefore, every
description Paul gave about love was a description of Almighty God. That means
God suffers long, is kind, does not envy, does not parade Himself, is not puffed up,
does not behave rudely, does not seek His own, is not provoked, thinks no evil, does
not rejoice in iniquity, rejoices in truth, bears, believes, hopes, and endures all things,
and finally God never fails (1 Cor. 13:4-8). One must conclude that these are the
selfsame attributes to develop in his own life.
Love one another because God commands it. Jesus said, “A new
commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; even as I have loved you,
that ye also love one another” (John 13:34). Many parents have been known to
answer that age-old question, “Why?” with the words, “Because I said to!” The basis
for such a comment may be frustration, but ultimately is authority. Children are to
obey their parents (Ephesians 6:1; Colossians 3:20). Likewise, we are children of God
and must follow His commands, if we ever expect to be in a right relationship with
Him (Matthew 7:21; 12:50). Jesus has all authority in heaven and earth (Matthew
28:18), therefore, we must love one another as He commands.
Love one another because this helps others know who, and Whose we are. “By this
shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35). A
--article continued page 3--
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
Early worship...............8:30 a.m.
Bible class................9:30 a.m.
Main worship.............10:00 a.m.
Bible class.............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)

2.
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
Charles Box
The goal of every Christian must be to
live a righteous, sober and godly life (Titus 2:11-
12). One becomes a Christian by obeying from
the heart the gospel of Christ. "But God be
thanked, that; ye were the servants of sin, but ye
have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine
which was delivered you. Being then made free
from sin, ye became the servants of righteous-
ness" (Romans 6:17-18).
The gospel is the story of the death, burial
and resurrection of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
Those who obey the gospel (a) Hear God's word,
(Romans 10:11-18), (b) Believe in Christ, (John
20:30-31), (c) Repent of sins, (Luke 13:3), (d)
Confess faith in Christ, (Matthew 10:32) and (e)
Submit to baptism in water (Acts 22:16).
Following baptism is the Christian Life.
The Christian life involves living by the
spirit. Christians must live a clean and godly life.
Living by the Spirit means living a good life
(Romans 8:13).
The Christian life involves learning. It is
impossible to be faithful in Christian Living
without a study of God's word. Through study
Christians gain God's approval (2 Timothy 2:15).
The Christian life involves loving. The
Christian life will involve pure and sincere love.
It would be impossible to separate Christian
Living from sincere love (1 Peter 1:22).
The Christian life involves leaving. The
old life must be left behind as one becomes new
in Christ. The Christian leaves the old to become
humble, loving, kind, teachable and obedient in
spirit (2 Corinthians 5:17).
The Christian life involves looking. The
Christian is ever looking for the appearing of the
Lord, Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13). "Come Lord
Jesus."
As a Christian you must make your
calling and election sure through Christian
growth (2 Peter 1:5-9). If you are living, learning,
loving, leaving and looking you will be prepared
for eternity. "For so an entrance shall be
ministered unto you abundantly into the
everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:11). If you are a Christian
LIVE a faithful Christian life (Revelation 2:10).
Sympathy
Our sympathy is extended to Wesley Bass in the
loss of his niece, Tina Richardson, suddenly on
Dec. 8. Funeral services were held Dec. 11 at
McBride Funeral Home in Ripley.
Also, our condolences to the family of Jay Buse
who passed away suddenly on Dec. 10. Funeral
services were held Dec. 13 at Holland-Harris
Funeral Home in Tupelo. Jay was the cousin of
Suzanne Long and the nephew of Gail Geno.
Community Outreach
Program
The Community Outreach Program would like to
thank the elders, deacons and every member at East
Main for the outpouring of this year’s Christmas
angels.
Thank You Notes
Dear Church Family,
We are extremely grateful for all your
expressions of love and concern for us while we
were sick. It is bad enough when one family
member gets sick, but when the whole family,
including the in-laws, get down it is really tough.
Your prayers and God’s mercy made us well again
and for these we are truly thankful. Continue to
keep us in your prayers, especially Bethany’s in-
laws who are still in the hospital in Texas.
Sincerely,
Wade & Karen Bryan
John Duke stationed in Gulfport, MS
Caleb Williams stationed in Quantico, VA
Rob Cross & family stationed in South Korea
Ty Nichols stationed in Germany
January 2021
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
Larry Presley
Genesis 1-3
2
Haley
Underwood
Genesis 4-7
3
Wesley Bass
Greg Gholston
Genesis 8-11
4
Genesis 12-15
5
Carester
Hallmark
John Mounce
Genesis 16-18
6
Mike Ratliff
Genesis 19-20
7
Genesis 21-23
8
Genesis 24-25
9
Malachi Millard
Genesis 26-28
10
Barbara Bishop
Annie Dilworth
Genesis 29-30
11
Callie Bennett
Judy Jones
Genesis 31-32
12
Meredith Hitt
Genesis 33-35
13
Shelby Miller
Genesis 36-38
14
Jason Dickinson
Genesis 39-41
15
Genesis 42-44
16
Genesis 45-47
17
Genesis 48-50
18
Exodus 1-3
19
Exodus 4-6
20
Josh Kennedy
Ashton Smith
Exodus 7-9
21
Exodus 10-12
22
Sarah Minor
James & Joyce
Burney
Exodus 13-15
23
Exodus 16-18
24
Jordan Laney
Exodus 19-21
25
Exodus 22-24
26
Ava Bates
Bettye Davis
Melea Mansel
Hunter
Underwood
Exodus 25-27
27
Exodus 28-29
28
Stephanie
Baldwyn
Exodus 30-31
29
Exodus 32-34
30
Karen Bryan
Exodus 35-37
31
Exodus 38-40

3.
Daily Bible Reading
December 23..................................................2 John-Jude
December 24............................................. Revelation 1-3
December 25............................................. Revelation 4-5
December 26............................................. Revelation 6-7
December 27........................................... Revelation 8-11
December 28......................................... Revelation 12-14
December 29......................................... Revelation 15-17
December 30......................................... Revelation 18-20
December 31......................................... Revelation 21-22
January 1........................................................Genesis 1-3
January 2........................................................Genesis 4-7
January 3......................................................Genesis 8-11
January 4....................................................Genesis 12-15
January 5....................................................Genesis 16-18
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Birthdays: Kyle Smith (Dec. 27), Hayden Tindall
(Dec. 27), Marla Harris (Dec. 28), Ander Bass
(Dec. 29), Asher Bass (Dec. 30), Shauna McMick-
in (Dec. 30), Terry Kingsley (Dec. 31), Larry Presley
(Jan. 1), Haley Underwood (Jan. 2), Wesley Bass (Jan.
3), Greg Gholston (Jan. 3), Carester Hallmark (Jan. 5),
John Mounce (Jan. 5). Anniversaries: Kent & Missy
Nichols (Dec. 30), Robert & Betty Kingsley (Dec. 31).
Our Sick
Linda Hand continues in NMMC with several health
problems. Betty Kingsley is in room 157 at the Gilmore
Hosp. in Amory undergoing therapy. Jean Mounce is in
NMMC getting fluids. Ashley Davis’ breast cancer is
more advanced than the doctor thought. She is awaiting
a surgery date. Sean Koehn continues radiation & chemo
at MD Anderson in TX. Brian Carver is home from the
hospital, cancer free. Scarlett Smith & Star Ray’s
brother, Joey Pittman, are home from the hospital. Emily
Williams’ grandmother, Sarah Kitchens, is in the Copiah
Living Center undergoing therapy for a broken hip.
Barry Kennedy’s mother, Sherry, and Ian Reed and his
father have tested positive for Covid.
On-Going Illnesses
Mary Lou Walden, Steve Kelly, Bettye Davis, Frankie
Estes, Stella Pittman, Donny Dulaney, Adam McCurley,
James Goddard, Bill Goff, Tommy Goff, Mitch Mac-
lean, Mary Starz, Sheba Tuggers, Steve Higginbotham
Nursing Homes
Evelyn Willis, Nancy Haywood, Randy Attaway, Veona
Harris, Shirley McCarthy, Bob & Clara McClure
--article continued from page 1—
disciple is a follower of a certain teacher or teaching.
Jesus practiced this type of love, showing the world His
relationship with the Father. “But that the world may
know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me
commandment, even so I do” (John 14:31). God’s people
must show the love of God toward one another, or the
world will never know that we serve the true and living
God. If that were not enough, why would the world want
to be a part of a body that is viciously divided?
Looking around at all the hate and hardships that the
world is facing, wouldn't it be great to see a mass
movement of love permeate our current culture? If we
want the world to be more loving, it must start with each
one of us. 1 John 4:17-18 is the basis for a beautiful
devotional song that we’ll use to bring this point home.
“Love one another for love is of God, He who loves is
born of God, and knows God. He who does not love,
does not know God. For God is love. God is love.”
EMYG News
GREETINGS!
It is my hope that you are able to be surrounded by
friends and family during this holiday season. No doubt
that many right now are thinking of the birth of Christ
and though we do not know exactly when he was born, I
think we can be thankful that He is the focus of many
during this time of year.
In Luke chapter 2, we read about the birth of Christ, it
is evident that God’s power is demonstrated through it.
As Jesus grew in wisdom, stature, and favor with God
and man, He left us an example of how we ought to love
God and others. When Jesus’ ministry on earth was
coming to an end, He prepared His disciples to carry out
His mission for mankind and the church.
As Matthew records Christ death, imagine being one
of the disciples present, watching this man that you have
been dedicated to, hanging on a cross, dying a criminal’s
death. In Chapter 28, it gave the people hope and
reassurance. For us as Christians, our hope lies within an
empty grave.
During a season of gift giving and receiving, there is
no greater gift from God than the gift of salvation
through His Son. Jesus’ story began through humility
and innocence as an infant, just as we are also brought
into the world. Jesus’ life was dedicated to His
submission to the will of His Father, so our life should
also be in submission to our Heavenly Father. Jesus’
death brings forth hope and security to those who
diligently seek His will.
After His resurrection, He appeared to a select few as
confirmation of His previous teachings. Then He ascen-
ded back to Heaven to dwell with the Father at His right
hand until His return to receive those who have been
found faithful. Your story continues, how will it end?AB

4.
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Clinton & Kassi
Kingsley in the birth of their son, Eli
Walker, on Dec. 21. He weighed 7
lbs. 4 oz. and was 18.75 inches long.
He is welcomed by his big sister
Remi Kate and grandparents, Terry & Sherry
Kingsley and Lavern & Dale Dulaney. Mother and
baby are doing well!
Men to Serve Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020 a.m.
Announcements...................................Mike Childers
Bible Reading..........................................Tanner Hitt
Opening Prayer ...................................Mike Childers
Lord’s Supper
Josh Kennedy
Lead Singing..............................................Mark Hitt
Closing Prayer.........................................Tanner Hitt
Ushers ........................................................................
The elders kindly request that men leading in public
worship wear the best dress clothes they have.
Contact the church office (842-6116) if unable
to serve.
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Wesley
Funderburk and Zoe Wright who
were united in marriage on December
19 at the Kingfisher Lodge in Verona.
We wish for them many years of
happiness.
Bible Classes (streamed each week)
Adult class................Jeff Mansel (Facebook/YouTube)
Adult class.......... Barry Kennedy (Facebook/YouTube)
College class.....Roger Sanderson/Tim Davis (Facebook)
Attendance & Contribution
Mid-Week, 12-16-20 .................................................. 69*
Sunday 1st
Worship, 12-20-20 ...................................... 18
Sunday Bible Class..................................................... 80*
Sunday 2nd
Worship.................................................. 101*
Contribution (budget $7,900) .............................. $11,990
*This does not include the livestreamed views.
Pantry item...............................Macaroni and cheese
Services will ONLY be livestreamed this Sunday
at 10:00 a.m. (No in person service this Sunday.)
The elders have decided that ALL services from Wednesday, Dec. 23
until Sunday, January 10 will be livestreamed only, for the physical
safety of our brethren. Please, be sure to view the worship services on
Sunday on Facebook or YouTube and the various Bible classes that
will be streamed on Sundays and Wednesday evenings, as well, either
on Facebook or Zoom.