This article discusses striving to be like Jesus and live a life of selfless service. It examines what it truly means to be like Jesus based on his teachings of self-denial, forgiveness, and seeking lost souls. While people enjoy aspects of Jesus like compassion, truly being like him requires letting go of worldly things and focusing on eternal things. The hymn "O To Be Like Thee" challenges readers to pray to constantly develop Christ's attitude of service, forgiveness, and finding lost people.

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Vol. 47 October 4, 2022 Number 39
O TO BE LIKE THEE
Barry Kennedy
Many have participated in the singing of this great hymn written by Thomas
O. Chisholm in 1897. The song’s lyrics focus upon the singer striving to be like Jesus.
“This is my constant longing and prayer” are in the very first stanza. This begs the
question, “Is it my continual prayer to be like Jesus?” At first thought one might be
compelled to emphatically say “YES!” However, are we truly ready to “forfeit all of
earth’s treasures,” just to wear the perfect likeness of Jesus?
Truly being like Jesus is a life of selfless service. One must be willing to
empty himself of the worldly cares and focus on the world to come. In fact, the Lord
Himself said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his
cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). Of course, this is not easy to do, nor does it
come natural for most people. The reason people have so much trouble with self-
denial is seated in the fact that they are human and thus closely tied to the empirical
senses. Paul addressed this when writing to the Corinthian congregation (1
Corinthians 3:1). Paul knew that his words were falling upon the calloused hearts of
world loving souls. The only way for the Corinthians, or anyone, to be like Christ
requires a willingness to let go of the world and a reaching forth to the prize. Paul
was familiar not only with the need to do this but the how to do this as well.
“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting
those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I
press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus”
(Philippians 3:13-14).
As the song suggests, to be like Jesus one must show forth an attitude of
service in helping others. “O to be like Thee! full of compassion, Loving, forgiving,
tender and kind, Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting, Seeking the wand'ring
sinners to find.” This is the part of Jesus’ life that most people like to mention. Many,
if not most, fail to consider the justice that Jesus preached (Matthew 7:21; Luke 6:46;
John 3:5; 14:15). Even with the love many have for the suffering servant side of
Christ, most still fall miserably short in developing this attitude in their own lives. We
may find the ability to be moved with compassion, love those who are lovable, be
tender, and at times even show kindness. What about forgiving? Ask people and they
most likely would call themselves forgiving, but just think of how many times people
have sought to “bury the hatchet” with the handle sticking out. More often than not,
people lean toward probation instead of forgiveness. The new covenant Jesus
established has at its heart forgiving and forgetting. “For I will be merciful to their
unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more” (Hebrews
8:12; c.o. Jeremiah 31:31-34).
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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
Ricky Lindsey............. 255-8136
Jeff Mansel.................. 871-0357
Jimmy Spearman ........ 840-8957
Michael Wilson........... 891-0891
MINISTERS
Barry Kennedy....(931)787-7108
Alex Blackwelder ....... 706-1888
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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Can we say, “O to be like Thee” when seeking the
wandering sinner to find? Jesus’ mission was always
one that sought to save the lost and bring them into (or
back to) the fold (Luke 19:10). This message was
demonstrated by the Lord in His parables listed in
Luke 15. The lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost
boys of this parable point out the effort it takes to
bring the wondering sinners back home. Jesus went all
the way from Heaven to a stable, and from Bethlehem
to the hill of Golgotha, to save us all from a sinner’s
fate. He then left man with the commission to go into
all the world preach the gospel to every creature...”
(Mark 16:15). Paul added, “...ye which are spiritual
restore such an one in the spirit of meekness...”
(Galatians 6:1). Bearing one another’s burdens
(including restoring/forgiving) is required to “fulfill
the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2).
O to be like thee! O to be like Thee! Blessed
Redeemer, pure as Thou art; come in Thy sweetness,
come in Thy fullness; stamp Thine own image deep
on my heart.” He has left us His perfect example, but
is this our prayer today?
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Church Directory Update
We are updating our church directory! If you have
started attending East Main since the last directory,
need an updated picture, have an address change, phone
number change, births/weddings, please text or email
this new information to Jean Mounce at 662-491-0362
or normamounce@gamil.com. If you would like a
new picture to be taken, please see Jean Mounce also.
Sympathy
Our sympathy is extended to the family of Gary
Colley who passed away Sept. 28. Funeral services
will be held Oct. 5 at the Collierville Church of Christ
at 11 am with visitation from 10 am until service time.
Gary was once the pulpit minister here at East Main.
Response
Hannah Bland responded to heaven’s invitation
Sunday confessing things amiss in her life and asking
for prayers of forgiveness. We commend Hannah in
her decision to live pleasing to God.
Door Knocking
This Saturday, Oct. 8 House to
House Heart to Heart is conducting a
nationwide door knocking campaign.
The elders here at East Main have
decided that the congregation here
will participate. Everyone who can
is asked to meet in the multipurpose room this
Saturday, Oct. 8 at 9:30 am to get materials to hand
out as we door knock the neighborhoods around our
building, inviting our neighbors to East Main.
Pinevale’s Pantry Drive
Pinevale Children’s Home is having their fall
pantry drive. East Main is responsible for collecting
body wash, 33 gallon or larger trash bags, and
pickles (all kinds). There are boxes in the foyer for
your donations. They will be picking these items up
on Oct. 17.
Tuesday Mornings with
the Master
Don’t forget Tuesday Mornings with the
Master every Tuesday in the multipurpose
room from 10-11 am. Anyone who can come
and help is welcomed.
Gospel Meetings
A Gospel Meeting is scheduled at the West Main
congregation Oct. 9-12 with Hawathia Jones & Kevin
Schwiger speaking Sun. at 10am and 6pm and Mon.-
Wed. at 7pm; at the Chapman congregation in Ripley
Oct. 9-12 with Adam Miller speaking Sun. at 10am,
10:45am and 1:30pm and Mon.-Wed. at 7pm; at the Oak
Ridge congregation in Baldwyn Oct. 9-12 with Lance
Foster speaking Sun. at 9:30am, 10:30am and 1pm and
Mon.-Wed. at 7pm; and at the Danville congregation in
Biggersville Oct. 9-12 with Chad Ramsey speaking Sun.
at 10am, 11am, and 7:30pm and Mon.-Wed. at 7 pm.
Area Singing
The Mayfield congregation
in Saltillo will host an Area-
Wide Singing this Saturday,
Oct. 8 at 6pm. Everyone is
invited!

3. Daily Bible Reading
October 5..............................................Matthew 12-13
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
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Birthdays:Jace Mansel (Oct.5), Sandra Simmons
(Oct. 6), Ken Pearson (Oct. 9). Anniversaries:
Daniel & Maggie Morton (Oct. 9).
Our Sick
Debbie Duke, Catheryne Santos (Gee’s wife), Jacy
Raburn (Russell Deaton’s great-niece), and Mary Ann
Hitt (Mark Hitt & Lori Sheffield’s aunt) are all
undergoing chemo. Michael Wilson’s mother, Rivers
Wills, continues at The Meadows in Fulton for
therapy. Barry Kennedy’s dad, Larry, will undergo a
biopsy & tests Oct. 19 for a mass in his shoulder.
On-Going Illnesses
Mary Lou Walden, Bettye Davis, Betty Long, Evelyn
Thompson, Steve Kelly, Barbara Bishop, Bob Smith,
Doug Wallace, Frankie Estes, Shirley Lyons, Stella
Pittman, Caroline Willis, Carol Hood, Bill Goff, Sheba
Tuggers, Michelle Maclean, Ricky Britt, Nathan Hale,
Dawn Brown, Freida Gardner, Willie Bob Gates
Nursing Homes
Randy Attaway, Shirley McCarthy, Bob McClure
Baptism
Ruthann Morgan was baptized into Christ Sunday
evening. She has been studying with Alex for some
time now and decided to put Christ on in baptism. We
are so proud of Ruthann in her decision to live
pleasing to God. Please welcome her to East Main.
Don’t forget to check your
mailbox in the foyer!
EMYG News
Rush Schedule 2022
Friday, Oct. 7
o Leave East Main Church building at 4:30pm
o 7:00-7:30pm - Welcome & Worship
o 7:30-8:15pm - Keynote
o 8:30-10:00pm - Friday Night Madness
o 10:00-10:30pm - Sports Center Singing
Saturday, Oct. 8
o 8:30-8:45am - Morning Show
o 8:45-9:15am - Devotional #1
o 9:15-9:30am - Go to Class
o 9:30-10:15am - Class #1
o 10:15-10:45am - Break
o 10:45-11:30am - Class #2
o 11:30am-12:30pm - Lunch A / Free Time B
o 12:30-1:30pm - Lunch B / Free Time A
o 1:30-3:00pm - Speed Dating & Pass the Pigs Tourna-
ment
o 3:00-4:30pm - Free Time
o 4:30-5:00pm - Devo #2
o 5:00-6:30pm - Dinner
o 6:00-7:30pm - Fall Festival
o 7:30-8:00pm - Worship
o 8:00-8:45pm - Keynote
o 9:00-10:00pm - Unwind
o 10:00-10:30pm - Devo #3
o 10:30-11:00pm - Commons Singing
Sunday, Oct. 9
o 8:30-9:00am - Worship and Communion
o 9:00-9:45am - Keynote
o 10:00am – Head to East Main

4. Men to Serve Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022 a.m.
Announcements...........................Bobby Joe Lindley
Bible Reading.................................... Drew Baldwyn
Opening Prayer .......................................Jeff Mansel
Lord’s Supper
Rommie Dilworth
Lead Singing......................................Hugh Scribner
Closing Prayer..........................................Will Davis
Ushers ..................Terry Kingsley & Andy Baldwyn
Please meet in the library by 8:45 a.m.
Sunday 11:15 a.m. service
Opening Prayer .................................... Paul Blansett
Closing Prayer........................................... Joe Minor
Lead Singing........................................ Kent Nichols
Wednesday, October 12, 2022
Opening Prayer ..............................Jimmy Spearman
Lead Singing........................................... Asher Bass
The elders kindly request that men leading in public
worship wear the best dress clothes they have.
Contact Michael Wilson (891-0891) if unable to serve.
Attendance & Contribution
Mid-Week, 9-28-22 .................................................... 136
Sunday 1st
Worship, 10-2-22 ...................................... 180
Sunday Bible Class..................................................... 165
Sunday 2nd
Worship.................................................... 140
Contribution (budget $9,334) ................................ $8,742
*This does not include the livestreamed views.
Pantry item........................................... Peanut butter
College Student of the Week
Lauren Long
123 Brock Dr.
Saltillo, MS 38866
Lauren is currently attending ICC in
Fulton and living at home.
Please be sure to send her a card of
encouragement this week!