This document is an article from a church bulletin that discusses the concept of being "prodigal" or wasteful. It begins by explaining the parable of the prodigal son from the Bible and how the son wasted his inheritance on reckless living. Next, it discusses how people can be prodigal or wasteful with money, time, opportunities, abilities and health. It encourages readers not to waste the blessings God has given them. The article is interspersed with announcements about upcoming church events.

1. 4
Hugh
Vol. 42 August 8, 2017 Number 30
Are You a Prodigal?
The familiar parable in Luke 15:11-32 is usually called “The Parable of
the Prodigal Son.” The description of the younger son as “prodigal” is
based on Luke 15:13, “And not many days after [receiving his portion of
his father’s inheritance, DEB], the young son gathered all together, and
took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with
riotous living.”
The original word for wasted means “to scatter abroad…used
metaphorically of squandering property” (Vines Expository Dictionary).
Our English word prodigal is used to describe this kind of wasteful practice.
It is defined as, “exceedingly or recklessly wasteful, a spendthrift.” The
young son in the parable was so wasteful that he began to be in want (v.
14). The older brother resented his father’s loving forgiveness. He said
that his brother had devoured the father’s living with harlots (Luke 15:30).
God does not want us to be wasteful with any blessing He has given us.
Like the young son, many are prodigal with money and property. They
spend too much, save too little, have nothing to give, and bring themselves
and their families into “want.” As stewards of God, we must not be
wasteful with material gain.
One may be wasteful in other ways, too. The time we have can either be
wisely used or wastefully misused. The prodigal may waste his life in sin
and shameful deeds. He may be lazy and just not be as active as he should
be. “He that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great
waster” (Prov. 18:19).
Could it be that you are a prodigal of opportunities? You may have
stood through many “invitation songs,” wasting golden opportunities to
respond to the Lord’s invitation. You have assured loved ones that you are
--article continued on page 2--
ELDERS
Mike Childers..............397-6453
Dennis Hallmark .........255-5557
Mike Ratliff.................840-2206
DEACONS
Wade Bryan.................419-5552
William Harris.............416-8149
Mark Hitt.....................322-0917
Bobby Lindley.............869-0546
Ricky Lindsey .............844-9944
Jeff Mansel..................871-0357
Harold Roby................844-5431
Joe Smith.....................397-4524
Jimmy Spearman.........840-8957
Michael Wilson ...........891-0891
PREACHER
Gary Williams .............840-5804
SECRETARY
Renee Childers
Office...........................842-6116
Fax...............................842-7091
E-MAIL
churchofchr27789@bellsouth.net
SUNDAY SERVICES
Bible Classes............... 9:45 a.m.
Morning Worship...... 10:45 a.m.
Evening Worship.........5:00 p.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--
going to obey the gospel “some day.” Wasted
opportunities will haunt multitudes
throughout eternity. They may think, “Oh, for
just one more opportunity to be in worship
assembly and respond to the invitation song!”
Some are prodigal of abilities. They have
many talents that they could have developed
for the Lord. Once there was a man who
trained new employees how to do their jobs,
yet he said, “I cannot teach a bible class.”
Others who seem to have outstanding abilities
could have developed into good song leaders,
elders, gospel preachers, personal workers,
etc., but have let their God-given talents go to
waste, never to be used in service to the Lord.
By drinking alcoholic beverages, taking
drugs, using tobacco, overeating, neglecting to
exercise, there are those who have wasted their
health. What a shame to take a healthy body,
and let it go to waste in disease and illness.
“God is calling the prodigal, come without
delay. Hear, O hear Him calling, calling now
for thee…O weary prodigal, come…”
-DEB-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jr. Youth & Early
Seekers’ Lock-In
The Junior Youth and
Early Seekers are invited
to the building this Friday
& Saturday, Aug. 11 and
12 for a Lock-In. Plans
are to arrive at the
building Friday night at
6:00 p.m. Activities will conclude Saturday
morning about 8:00 a.m. If your child plans to
attend, please sign the list posted beside the tract
rack in the foyer.
Elders’ Meetings
The elders would like the congregation to know
that they will be at the building on Wednesdays at
6:30 p.m. before Bible study if anyone in the
congregation has any concerns they wish to convey to
them.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Heath &
Christina Lindley in the birth of
their son, John Ezra, on Aug. 6. He
weighed 4 lbs. 5.5 oz. and was
16.14 inches long. Christina was
developing preeclampsia so the
baby had to be delivered at 7 months. However, he
seems to be doing well. Please keep him and
Christina in your prayers. Bobby Joe & Brenda
Lindley are the proud grandparents and Lauren
Lindley the proud aunt.
Fellowship to Honor the
Williams
There will be a fellowship to honor Gary & Lisa
Williams this Sunday, Aug. 13, after evening
services in the multipurpose room. Everyone is
encouraged to bring finger foods and stay to thank
the Williams for their 20 years of service here at
East Main & wish them Godspeed in their next
work.
Sr. Adult Rally
There will be a Senior Adult
Rally held this Saturday, Aug.
12 from 9:30 a.m. until 1:00
p.m. at the Booneville Church
of Christ with Al & Paul Franks
speaking on “Still Bearing Fruit.” Please RSVP to
662-728-5544 or office@boonevillecoc.com.
Clothing Give Away
Our Clothing Give Away Day this past Saturday
was a huge success. Thanks to all those who came
before and sorted clothing and those who worked
during the Give Away.

3. Daily Bible Reading
August 9 .....................................................Luke 12-18
August 10 ...................................................Luke 19-24
August 11 ........................................................John 1-6
August 12 ......................................................John 7-13
August 13 ....................................................John 14-21
August 14 ........................................................Acts 1-7
August 15 ......................................................Acts 8-14
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Birthdays: Norma Deaton (Aug. 10), Pat Putt
(Aug. 11), Olivia Sanderson (Aug. 12), Sky
Ray (Aug. 13). Anniversaries: Mike & Renee
Childers (Aug. 10).
Our Sick
Darrell Beard continues in CCU at NMMC
following surgery. He is slowly improving. Mickey
Bailey, Michael Wilson’s sister, is in ICU at the
Grady Hosp. in Atlanta. She had 3 brain aneurysms.
Glenda Barnette’s 2-year-old nephew, Jadon Parish, is
in the Baptist Hosp. in Jackson with Crohn’s Disease.
Mitch MacLean, Billie McNutt’s brother’s grandson,
is at St. Jude undergoing tests to check the results of
his treatments. Justin Norris, Susan Reed’s nephew, is
home from the hospital following a 4-wheeler
accident. James Simmons’ eye surgery went well.
Susan Reed will undergo surgery Aug. 25. Brody
Houpt, Kim Johnson’s grandson, had a check up at St.
Jude last week. His tests were clear and he’s been
released for 6 months. Marla Laney’s mother, Mayola
Wilson, continues in the Aberdeen Hospital.
On-Going Illnesses
Laverne Raper, Mary Ruth Estes, Frankie Estes,
Evelyn Thompson, Adam McCurley, Anna Hall, Mary
Jordan, Bretta Robinson, Phoenix Dulaney, Donny
Dulaney, Scotty Senter, James Goddard, Sheba
Tuggards, Ray Scribner, Carester & Charlie Ruth
Hallmark, Tommy Goff, Bill Goff, Alford Laney,
Woodson Wilson, Cheryl Vines, Deena Sadler
Nursing Homes/Assisted
Living
Hilda Roberts, Shirley McCarthy, Mary Southern,
Veona Harris, Sarah Wright, Nancy Haywood
Home Devotional
In what chapter of the Bible do you find?
Ascension of Christ......................................... Acts 1
Birth of the church .......................................... Acts 2
Ananias and Sapphira ..................................... Acts 5
Conversion of Saul.......................................... Acts 9
Aquila and Priscilla....................................... Acts 18
List the 12 Apostles:
 Peter
 Andrew
 James
 John
 Philip
 Thomas
 Matthew
 Bartholomew
 James (son of Alpheus)
 Simon
 Thaddeus
 Judas
*Matthias (took Judas’ place after betrayal)
Memory Verse:
 Who is Jesus?
 Matthew 16:16 “And Simon Peter answered
and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the
living God.”
Put the following Bible characters in
chronological order?
 Noah
 Abraham
 Adam
 Joseph
 Isaac
Can you tell a Bible story from the
following picture?

4. Men to Serve Sunday, Aug. 13, 2017 a.m.
Announcements......................................Mike Ratliff
Bible Reading.......................................John Mounce
Opening Prayer ............................... Robert Kingsley
Lord’s Supper
Roger Sanderson & Ben Bryan
Serve Congregation, East Side:
Mark Hitt, Britton Smith, Chad Willis
Serve Congregation, West Side:
Clayton Long, Dillard Scribner, Eddie Simmons
Lead Singing......................................... Russ Harrell
Closing Prayer..................................... Dale Dulaney
Ushers .................Danny Wright & David Ramseyer
Sunday Night
Opening Prayer .......................................Jeff Mansel
Closing Prayer....................................... Chet Wilson
Lead Singing...............................Bobby Joe Lindley
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
Prayer ..........................................Bobby Joe Lindley
Lead Singing......................................Hugh Scribner
Contact Wade Bryan if unable to serve.
The elders kindly request that men leading in public
worship wear the best dress clothes they have.
Greeters ............................Roger & Lynn Sanderson
................................Greg & Tammy Hughes
Prepare Lord’s Supper—August.......................Mike
& Renee Childers
Nursery................Sandra Simmons & Ashton Smith
Pantry.................................................................Jelly
Attendance & Contribution
Mid-Week, 8-2-17................................................155
Sunday Classes, 8-6-17........................................169
Sunday A.M. Worship .........................................263
Sunday P.M. Worship..........................................155
Contribution (budget $7,900)..........................$7,742
Summer Series
Our summer series class on "Great Men of the Bible" is going really well.
Only two Sundays left. All Sunday morning adult classes & the high school
class are meeting in the auditorium June-August. Please note the list of
remaining topics:
Week Lesson Character Teacher
8-13-17 11 Barnabas Michael Wilson
8-20-17 12 Timothy Wade Bryan