The document discusses why gospel meetings are still important: 1) Souls are still lost due to sin separating man from God, so gospel meetings provide opportunities to hear the saving message of Christ and invite others. 2) The Christian walk is challenging and requires encouragement to maintain faithfulness against Satan's attacks. Gospel meetings encourage believers and strengthen their commitment. 3) The church needs periodic reminders of God's victory over sin and death through Christ to persevere until the end. Gospel meetings serve this purpose of encouragement.

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Vol. 44 September 17, 2019 Number 36
WHY ARE WE STILL HAVING
GOSPEL MEETINGS?
Barry Kennedy
Sunday is the first day of our gospel meeting with Scott Cain. Scott comes
to us with the same commitment as the apostle Paul who was not ashamed of the
gospel of Christ (Romans 1:16). This is a great opportunity to hear and to invite
others to hear the gospel of Christ. However, with all the chaos of our “rat race”
world, “Why are we still having gospel meetings?”
Because souls are still lost. From the very beginning of time, man has
made mistakes. In the garden Eve made the mistake of listening to the serpent
instead of God (Gen 3). The end result of the mistake made in the garden was being
cast out of the garden, away from the tree of life. Why? Because sin separates man
from the Almighty. “Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save;
neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated
between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will
not hear” (Isaiah 59:1-2). God is the very definition of sinless perfection; therefore,
He cannot allow sin to be in His presence. When man was created, God made him
to be in a close relationship with his Creator, but when temptation reared its ugly
head, Adam and Eve succumb to its appeal and were lost. Man has been giving in
to the pleasures of sin ever since (Romans 3:23). This is the very reason Christ
came to “seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). The gospel (i.e. the
death burial, and resurrection 1Corinthians 15:1-4), always has been, and always
will be, the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16).
Clearly sin is still in this world, and clearly mankind is still succumbing to
its allurement, therefore, souls are still lost. That is why we are having a gospel
meeting. Do you know some lost person who needs the gospel?
Because the church still needs encouraging. Christianity is supposed to be
a lifestyle. God’s plan for Christianity is to be a continual commitment, not just a
one-time act. One becomes a Christian when he is baptized into Christ (Galatians
3:27), based upon his belief in Christ (John 8:24; 3:16), repentance of sins (Acts
17:30), and confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God (Romans
10:10; Acts 8:37). Part of the conversion process is the fact that we are raised to
“walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). The Christian walk is the greatest life one can
live, but it can be a very challenging lifestyle. It requires a great deal of vigilance because
of the nature of our enemy. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a
--article continued page 2--
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
PREACHER
Barry Kennedy ... (931)787-7108
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 Classes............. 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.
EAST MAIN CHURCH OF CHRIST
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. --article continued from page 1--
roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may
devour” (1 Peter 5:8). One must never forget how
good Satan is at his job. In fact, Satan was bold
enough to stand face to face against Jesus Himself
(Matt. 4). If he was that bold (and he is), it is
imperative that we see the need to be encouraged to
maintain our faithfulness.
The vast majority of the New Testament
takes on the daunting task of helping the child of
God to maintain faithfulness. For example, Paul
wrote, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye
steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work
of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor
is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58).
Interestingly enough, this verse follows the words
“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:57).
Yes, we can have the victory over sin’s sting of
death, through the gospel of our Lord Jesus the
Christ. However, we must consider that the victory
is not complete until we hear Him say, “well done
thou good and faithful servant” (Matt. 25:21). That
is why we are having a gospel meeting to “consider
one another to provoke unto love and to good
works” (Hebrews 10:24). Do you, or someone you
know, need encouraging?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Pine Vale’s Fall Pantry
Drive
East Main will be collecting items for Pine
Vale’s fall pantry drive. They will be sending a
truck sometime in October to pick these items up.
Our assigned items are:
Toilet Cleaner
Spaghetti sauce (NO glass jars)
Disposable plates/cups
Thanks so much for your help!
Baptism
Haley Underwood was baptized into Christ this
Saturday, Sept. 14. We are so proud of Haley in her
decision to become a child of God. Haley is the
daughter of Chevela Underwood. Be sure to
congratulate her!
Sympathy
Our deepest sympathy is extended to the family
of our sister Laverne Raper who passed from this life
early Tuesday morning, Sept. 17.
Thank You Note
Thank you all for the most beautiful spray of
flowers you sent for mom’s service. Also, for all the
prayers, cards and calls the last few months. I am so
thankful and very blessed because of all of you.
Much love and appreciation,
Debbie & Melvin
Upcoming Gospel
Meetings
The Antioch congregation in Blue
Springs will be hosting a Gospel Meeting
September 29-October 2 with Reed Swindle
speaking Sunday at 2:00 p.m. and Monday-
Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.
The Amory congregation will host a Gospel
Meeting October 6-9 with David Lipe speaking at
1:00 p.m. Sunday and at 7:00 p.m. Mon.-Wed.
Response
Sarah Phillips responded to heaven’s invitation this
Sunday morning confessing things amiss in her life
and asking for prayers of forgiveness. We commend
Sarah in her desire to live pleasing to God.
Family First Fellowship
Our next Family First Fellowship will be held on
Sunday, Sept. 29 from 8:15-8:45 a.m. in the multi-
purpose room before worship services. Everyone is
encouraged to come and enjoy a short period of
fellowship with your brothers/sisters in Christ.
John Duke stationed in Long Beach, MS
Caleb Williams stationed in Quantico, VA
Rob Cross & family stationed in South Korea

3. Daily Bible Reading
September 18................................................Micah 6-7
September 19.....................................................Nahum
September 20................................................Habakkuk
September 21................................................Zephaniah
September 22.....................................................Haggai
September 23.......................................... Zechariah 1-2
September 24.......................................... Zechariah 3-4
Birthdays &
Anniversaries
Birthdays: Andy Baldwyn (Sept. 20), Maggie
Simineau (Sept. 22), Derik Rushing (Sept. 23),
Tate Malone (Sept. 24). Anniversaries: Barry &
Berta Kennedy (Sept. 20).
Our Sick
Pete Barber had fluid drawn off his lungs again on
Monday at NMMC. Dundee Donald was able to be
here Sunday following surgery. Hannon Ray will
undergo surgery on the bulging discs in his neck Oct.
4. Evelyn Willis is at the Meadows in Fulton in room
116 (Hummingbird Lane). Jill Rice, Debbie Vines’
mother, and Ann Letteri, Sandra Simmons’ sister,
continue hospice. Brenda Williams, Dundee
Donald’s mother, is having some health issues. Andie
Cooper, Christine Wilson’s sister-in-law, is having
some heart issues.
On-Going Illnesses
Mary Lou Walden, Frankie Estes, Donny Dulaney,
Adam McCurley, Mary Jordan, Bretta Robinson,
James Goddard, Bill Goff, Leroy Brown, Jadon
Parish, Jerry Smith, Mitch Maclean, Mary Starz,
Aspen White, Ezra Golman, Sheba Tuggers, Ruby
Clark, Homer Smith, Don Blackwell
Nursing Homes
Nancy Haywood, Randy Attaway, Shirley
McCarthy, Mary Southern, Veona Harris, James
Nichols
Sr. Youth Devotional
The next Sr. Youth
Devotional will be held on
Sunday, Sept. 29 at the
pavilion at Veterans Park.
We’ll begin around 4:00 p.m. More details and a
food sign-up list will be posted soon! Our guest
speaker will be Caleb Martin. Mark your calendar
and invite your friends!
East Main Family Retreat
Mark your calendar
for East Main’s family
retreat November 1 and
2 at Maywood Christian
Camp. Reed Swindle
will be presenting
several lessons. We
will be posting a sign-up list soon!
Gospel Meeting Notes
➢ Our services THIS Sunday, Sept. 22 will be:
Worship at 10 a.m., Bible class at 11:15
a.m., 2nd
Worship at 2 p.m.
➢ We will have a potluck meal this Sunday
about 12:15 p.m. in the multipurpose room
for the whole congregation. (75 students
from Freed-Hardeman University will also
be joining us that day, so please stay and
bring extra food!)
➢ There will be a combined auditorium class
on Sunday for all adults and 7th
-12th
grade
classes.
➢ Services Monday-Wednesday will be held at
7 p.m. each night.
➢ There will be potluck meals in the
multipurpose room each weeknight at 6 p.m.
and hosted by the Sunday adult classes—
Monday—auditorium class; Tuesday—
Room 10 class; Wednesday—Multipurpose
room class.
➢ There are flyers on the table in the foyer for
you to take and invite others.
Outreach Item for
September: Diapers

4. Men to Serve Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019 a.m.
Announcements..........................................Mark Hitt
Bible Reading.............................................Ian Willis
Opening Prayer ............................... Robert Kingsley
Lord’s Supper
Bobby Joe Lindley & Chad Willis
Serve Congregation, East Side:
David Bates, Stuart Childers, Jake Kennedy
Serve Congregation, West Side:
Shawn Mounce, John Mounce, Sam Hood
Lead Singing....................................Eddie Simmons
Closing Prayer...................................... Paul Blansett
Ushers ................. Rodney Voyles & Andy Baldwyn
Please meet in the library by 8:45 a.m.
Sunday Afternoon
Opening Prayer .................................... Greg Hughes
Closing Prayer....................................Hugh Scribner
Lead Singing....................................James Simmons
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Prayer.................................................Ricky Johnson
Lead Singing..............................................Mark Hitt
Contact Michael Wilson (891-0891) if unable to serve.
The elders kindly request that men leading in public
worship wear the best dress clothes they have.
Greeters ..............................Greg & Tammy Hughes
.........................Michael & Christine Wilson
Prepare Lord’s Supper—September .................Patsy
Nichols
Nursery............................. Tracy Lyle & Logan Lyle
Pantry........................................................ Dry beans
Attendance & Contribution
Mid-Week, 9-11-19..............................................144
Sunday 1st
Worship, 9-15-19 ...............................187
Sunday Bible Class ..............................................191
Sunday 2nd
Worship.............................................189
Contribution (budget $7,900)..........................$8,397