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Are we confident that our light is bright
Vol. 46 October 5, 2021 Number 38
FAITH
Faith is the standard I live by each day,
And it is my help when temptation I face.
Many think faith is just that which we feel,
But biblical faith comes from the God Who is real.
His Word is the standard to illuminate our way,
And everything we need God gives us each day.
So when things are difficult and life seems a mess,
Look to the One Who is Faithful and give Him your best.
For He will not leave us alone in the dark,
For HE is the Light for the way to embark.
Now look to His Word and make His way your own,
Then we can be sure Heaven will be our home.
Is that your faith or just some wishful dream?
Make the faith your faith and rise like the cream.
God is still waiting on ones who believe,
To come in obedience His blessings to receive.
So open His Word and time do not waste,
And let His Word guide you to the soul saving faith.
—Barry Kennedy
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)

2. TO UNDERSTAND THE
CHURCH, UNDERSTAND FAITH
David Bragg
Harold J. Stanley tells the story of a
woman whose husband was a sailor and had left
for a tour of duty at sea. Out of concern for him
she requested the prayers of the church. At the
last minute a note to that effect was handed to
the man making the announcements. On it was
written, “William Smith having gone to sea, his
wife requests the prayers of the congregation for
his safety.” Not taking the time to privately
review it he publicly read it as follows, “William
Smith having gone to see his wife, requests the
prayers of the congregation for his safety.”
It is very easy to misunderstand. We have
all experienced the humor and sometimes the
pain of misunderstanding. Sometimes we may
think we comprehend something and never stop
to consider if our idea is correct. Take the simple
word “church” for example. The basic definition
in my standard dictionary, and likely in the
minds of most people, is a building. Yet in the
Bible no mention can be found of a building used
exclusively as a “church.” Today the word
church conjures thoughts of groups within a
denominated religious world. Again, in the New
Testament no such picture emerges. Converts to
Christ shared a common membership in one
church (cf. Ephesians 1:22-23).
What is the church? It is people sharing a
common relationship with Christ as their Savior
and one another as saved (Acts 2:47). They may
meet in a building built for that purpose but
they, not it, are “the church.” Local believers,
united in a common faith, were bound with
others who shared that faith whether they be in
Jerusalem, Rome, Corinth, or Ephesus.
Complicated by creeds and traditions the
church is often misunderstood. This does not
have to be the case. In the New Testament the
understanding of the church is clear. It is this
simple New Testament church that is described
by Paul as the body of Christ (Romans 12). This
is the church we strive to be (Romans 16:16). We
want only to be Christians who follow the will of
God as taught by Jesus and His apostles. Ours is
a hope we long for you to share.
New Movers’ Baskets
This month’s New Movers’
Baskets are on the table in the
foyer. Please take a name and a
basket to deliver. This is a
wonderful way to invite new-
comers in our area to East
Main. Thanks so much for your
help. Currently, there are 9 baskets left.
Brain Freeze
Don’t forget that this
Wednesday, Oct. 6 following
Bible class we will have
Brain Freeze in the multi-
purpose room for anyone
who would like to enjoy an
extra time of fellowship and ice cream.
Community Outreach
Program
The Community Outreach
Program will be collecting $10
gift cards from now through
October 17 to help further our
edification program. Restaurant
or Wal-Mart cards preferred. Thanks so much for
your help.
Responses
Ian Willis and Lauren Lindley responded to
heaven’s invitation this Sunday, Oct. 3 confessing
things amiss in their lives and asking for prayers of
forgiveness. We commend this young brother &
sister in Christ for their desire to live pleasing to
God.
Thank You Note
My sincere thanks and appreciation for the
beautiful bouquet of flowers sent in memory of my
sister-in-law, Kathryn Walden, who recently passed
away. Love to you all. Mary Lou Walden

3. Daily Bible Reading
October 6...........................................Matthew 14-15
October 7...........................................Matthew 16-17
October 8...........................................Matthew 18-20
October 9...........................................Matthew 21-22
October 10.........................................Matthew 23-24
October 11.........................................Matthew 25-26
October 12.........................................Matthew 27-28
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Birthdays: Sandra Simmons (Oct. 6), Ken
Pearson (Oct. 9), Tyler Barnette (Oct. 12),
Beth Reed (Oct. 12). Anniversaries: None
this week.
Our Sick
James Simmons is in room 206 at NMMC. He
underwent further surgery Sunday to remove more
drainage causing seizures. Nancy Haywood spent a
few days in NMMC but is back at Tupelo Nursing
Facility. Gail Geno & Maggie Simineau are home
with broken bones. Twinette Wallace has
Trigeminal Neuralgia & will see the doctor Nov. 2.
Susan Reed will see a kidney doctor Thursday.
Willie Topp’s brother-in-law, Willie Bob Gates,
continues in NMMC with Covid. Sarai Lindley is
recovering from Covid. Scarlett Wyatt of Crossville
has scarlet fever. Glenda Barnette has another
melanoma on her back. Barbara Bishop is having
back problems. Donny McKay’s mother, Blanche
Chamblee, has been moved to The Meadows in
Fulton. Lori Blansett’s father, Larry Cobb, is not
doing well. Debbie McCoy, Roger Sanderson’s
cousin, has been diagnosed with cancer.
On-Going Illnesses
Mary Lou Walden, Evelyn Thompson, Steve Kelly,
Bettye Davis, Frankie Estes, Shirley Lyons, Caroline
Willis, Carol Hood, Bill Goff, Donny Dulaney, Adam
McCurley, James Goddard, Mitch Maclean, Mary
Starz, Sheba Tuggers, Steve Higginbotham, Shauna
McMickin, Stella Pittman, April & Olivia Pounders
Nursing Homes
Nancy Haywood, Randy Attaway, Shirley
McCarthy, Bob McClure, Brenda Dawson
EMYG News
Jesus, Keep Me Near Your Cross.
Alex Blackwelder
Hello church family,
I appreciate your patience with me as I try to navigate
this month’s youth activities. I understand that
beginning now through the end of the year, our busy
schedules are going to become even busier. With that
being said, below is the updated youth calendar for
October (hopefully the last). I’m merging the 6 flags
trip with our monthly junior youth activity. If you are
unable to attend this 6 flags trip, don’t worry! There
will be another trip planned in the future. What this
mean is, there will not be a burgers & bikes this month.
Also, I am pushing our fall festival/costume
competition to Novemer 7th at 5:00 at the church
building in hopes more people will be able to attend. I
believe that is all the changes that I made.
I want to shift our minds to the song, “Jesus Keep
Me Near the Cross.” I love the words and I love the
sweet passionate harmony within the song. But to be
perfectly honest with you, sometimes it is hard to sing
that song. Why? Because I don’t always want to be
near His cross. At times in my life, I’ve echoed the
spiritual platitudes of wanting to be near His cross,
because I knew that’s how I was supposed to feel or
even say. However, it wasn’t always the case. By being
near His cross, that means I am forced to face who I
really am. A sinner in need of a Savior.
By living in the culture we do, it can push us to
want to display any possible good or perfection we
might have and to hide the rest. The only issue is, none
of us are perfect despite how great we might think we
are. Jesus even says, “You therefore must be perfect, as
your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48 ESV). If
Jesus knew we could be perfect, He wouldn’t have
needed to die for an imperfect world. As I am near His
cross, I know what I am, a sinner.
Thankfully, I am not defined by failure, when God
is my Father. Despite the sin in my life, God is cheering
me on as I walk this life’s journey. Spiritually
speaking, sometimes, I get tired of walking. Stumbling
spiritually doesn’t mean you’ve fallen away. It means
you’ve allowed yourself to become weak in areas that
are needed to keep you upright. Psalm 84:11 says, “For
the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows
favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from
those who walk uprightly.” When Jesus says, “be
perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect,” Jesus is
setting the standard for us to walk. Not by actually
achieving perfection, but by adhering to God’s Word
through faith.
As I allow His cross to resonate in my mind and
heart, I can have the assurance that if I am walking in
His light, His cross is near to me. Not to make me feel
badly about my mistakes, but to empower me through
His cleansing blood to be the child God intends for me
to be. So, next time you sing, “Jesus Keep Me Near the
Cross,” allow yourself to become honest and
introspective. But also, allow yourself to become
enthusiastic about being His hands and His feet so that
others can experience the closeness of His cross.

4. Men to Serve Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021 a.m.
Announcements..................................... Wade Bryan
Bible Reading............................... Rommie Dilworth
Opening Prayer ....................................... Perry Hand
Lord’s Supper
Greg Hughes
Lead Singing.................................Alex Blackwelder
Closing Prayer.............................Hunter Underwood
Ushers ........................Larry Long & Andy Baldwyn
Please meet in the library by 8:45 a.m.
Sunday 11:15 a.m. service
Opening Prayer .......................................Jeff Mansel
Closing Prayer................................... Terry Kingsley
Lead Singing.........................................Wesley Bass
Wednesday, October 13, 2021
Opening Prayer .............................Alex Blackwelder
Lead Singing....................................Michael Wilson
The elders kindly request that men leading in public
worship wear the best dress clothes they have.
Contact Jimmy Spearman (840-8957) if unable to serve.
Attendance & Contribution
Mid-Week, 9-29-21 .................................................... 122
Sunday 1st
Worship, 10-3-21 .................................... 177*
Sunday Bible Class..................................................... 173
Sunday 2nd
Worship.................................................... 140
Contribution (budget $7,900) .............................. $10,272
*This does not include the livestreamed views.
Pantry item........................................... Peanut butter