This article discusses the importance of giving thanks to God always. It begins with a poem about appreciating what we have compared to others who have disabilities or challenges. The poem emphasizes that we should not whine or complain when we have so many blessings. The article then discusses biblical passages about giving thanks, including Ephesians 5:20 which says to give thanks for all things. It notes that as Christians we have hope, life, and abundant life through Christ. However, some may not realize what was given through Jesus taking away our sins. The article encourages reading God's word to understand our need for salvation. It concludes by reminding us to give thanks to God during this holiday season and always.

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Are we confident that our light is bright
Vol. 46 November 23, 2021 Number 45
Giving Thanks To God Always
Barry Kennedy
For years, one of children’s favorite shows involved a large purple dinosaur
who sings and teaches children many lessons about imagination, numbers, letters, and
how to treat one another. My children have gone through the “cycle” all the way
down to our third child. Therefore, I have memorized many of the songs through
osmosis. However, one of those songs emphasized two “magic” words. Those words
are “please” and “thank you.” How often do we try using these words? We do not
hesitate to say please when we really want something, but are we quick to say thank
you? Often, a thank you comes like a please, only when we deem them necessary.
Thank you is always necessary when it comes to God and what He has done
for us. Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus encouraging them “be not drunk with
wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in
psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to
the Lord;” (Ephesians 5:18, 19). He then added, “Giving thanks always for all things
unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;” (Ephesians 5:20). Do
we really give thanks to God always and for everything? There is a poem that may
help us to see beyond our “problems” and emphasize our true blessings. The Poem is
entitled, “Forgive Me When I Whine.”
Today upon a bus, I saw a lovely maid with golden hair;
I envied her—she seemed so happy, and how, I wished I were so fair;
When suddenly she rose to leave, I saw her hobble down the aisle;
she had one foot and wore a crutch, but as she passed, a smile.
Oh God, forgive me when I whine, I have two feet --the world is mine.
And when I stopped to buy some sweets, the lad who served me had such charm;
he seemed to radiate good cheer, his manner was so kind and warm; I said,
"It's nice to deal with you, such courtesy I seldom find";
he turned and said, "Oh, thank you sir." And then I saw that he was blind.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine, I have two eyes, the world is mine.
Then, when walking down the street, I saw a child with eyes of blue;
he stood and watched the others play, it seemed he knew not what to do;
I stopped a moment, then I said, "Why don't you join the others, dear?"
He looked ahead without a word, and then I knew he could not hear.
Oh God, forgive me when I whine, I have two ears, the world is mine.
With feet to take me where I'd go;
with eyes to see the sunsets glow,
with ears to hear what I would know.
I am blessed indeed. The world is mine;
oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
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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
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)

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It is true that the world is ours if we are in Christ
(Ephesians 1:3). We have all that we need for life and
godliness (2 Peter 1:3). We have the hope of eternal
life (John 3:16; 2 Timothy 4:6-8). We even have the
promise of an abundant life (John10:10). Why would
we not be thankful to God always?
Some are not thankful because they do not
realize what was given for them. Jesus is the “lamb of
God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John
1:29). We all need the Great Physician (Matthew
9:12) to heal us of our sin sickness (Ecclesiastes 7:20;
Romans 3:23). How is it that everyone sins, but some
do not realize their need for Christ? That’s simple, sin
is a transgression of God’s law (1 John 3:4) and God’s
law is found in God’s Word (Matthew 7:24-27; John
12:48; James 1:25). Therefore, if one will not read and
study God’s word they will not see their true need
until it is too late. How sad it is to think that so many
are not able to express the joy of true thanksgiving, by
knowing their sins are taken away and that Heaven is
awaiting them on the other side of death.
May we all take the time to remember that
God has said, “be still and know that I am God, I will
be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the
earth” (Psalm 46:10). May this holiday season cause
us to realize the need for thanksgiving year-round.
God has blessed man so and He will continue to bless
all those who will accept His gift. “The wages of sin is
death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus
Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). For that we should
Give Thanks to God Always.
~~~~~~~~~
Community Outreach Program
Christmas Angels Project
The Community Outreach
Program would like to invite
you to adopt a child in need for
the Christmas Holidays. There
are ziplock bags in the foyer
with the child’s name, wish list,
and instructions. Once you have chosen a Christmas
angel, it is IMPERATIVE that you register the angel
with a C.O.P. representative. Thank you for your
willingness to help. GIFTS MUST BE RETURNED
BY DECEMBER 6, 2021.
Sr. Youth Devotional
The monthly Sr. Youth
Devo. will be held at Kent &
Missy Nichols’ home this
Sunday, Nov. 28 at 5:00 pm.
See Missy for what to bring.
Sympathy
Our sympathy is extended to David Ramseyer in
the loss of his mother, Nancy Haywood, on Nov. 18.
Funeral services were held Nov. 22 at Pegues in
Tupelo. We will miss sister Nancy here at East Main.
Sr. Saints’ Fellowship
Meal
The Senior Saints are invited
to the multipurpose room on
Thursday, Dec. 2 at 6:00 pm
for a meal. Doug Wallace is
providing the turnip greens.
There is a food sign-up list
posted on the bulletin board across from the library for
other items needed for the meal. Please come and
enjoy this period of fellowship.!
Parents of the Youth
Parents, we are hosting
the annual holiday luncheon
for our senior saints in the
multipurpose room on Sun.,
Dec. 5 at noon following
worship services. Please sign
the list posted in the foyer under the TV screen on the
wall for what you can bring for the luncheon. Please
sign up for two items, if possible. Thanks so much!
Thank You Note
Thank you all for all the prayers, phone calls, and
all your support! If it was not for good Christians like
you, we couldn’t have gone this far. Please continue to
pray for Willie Bob Gates and family!
With love,
The Gates family

3. Daily Bible Reading
November 24 ...........................................Romans 9-11
November 25 .........................................Romans 12-16
November 26 .....................................1 Corinthians 1-4
November 27 .....................................1 Corinthians 5-7
November 28 ...................................1 Corinthians 8-11
November 29 .................................1 Corinthians 12-14
November 30 .................................1 Corinthians 15-16
Birthdays &
Anniversaries
Birthdays: Sydney McMickin (Nov. 24),
Tammy Minor (Nov. 24), Eli Rushing (Nov.
26), Rodney Voyles (Nov. 26), Addie Hitt
(Nov. 27), Christina Lindley (Nov. 27), Amy Smith
(Nov. 28), Eddie Simmons (Nov. 29). Anniversaries:
Shawn & Jean Mounce (Nov. 26).
Our Sick
Twinette Wallace and Maggie Simineau were able
to attend services Sunday. Susan Reed’s husband,
Jerry, is in the Columbus hospital with Covid.
Continue to remember the Bobby Joe Lindley &
Heath Lindley families as several are recuperating
from or have Covid. Hugh Scribner is home with the
flu. Greg Hughes is also home sick. Patsy Nichols’
sister-in-law, Jeanette Nichols, is recuperating from a
fall. Lori Blansett’s father, Larry Cobb, has been
moved to NMMC’s hospice floor, room 5534.
On-Going Illnesses
Mary Lou Walden, Evelyn Thompson, Annie
Martin, Steve Kelly, Bettye Davis, Frankie Estes,
Shirley Lyons, Barbara Bishop, Caroline Willis, Carol
Hood, Bill Goff, Donny Dulaney, Adam McCurley,
Mitch Maclean, Mary Starz, Sheba Tuggers, Steve
Higginbotham, Stella Pittman, April & Olivia
Pounders, Glenda Barnette, Debbie McCoy, Michelle
Bellew, Larry Kennedy, Brian Carver, Duke Loden,
Mary Puckett, Marvin Chamblee, Brent Norris
Nursing Homes
Randy Attaway, Shirley McCarthy, Bob McClure
EMYG News
Thanksgiving
Alex Blackwelder
Howdy! Don’t forget that this Sunday is our
monthly devo hosted by Kent and Missy
Nichols (6:00-8:00pm).
Thanksgiving is just a few days away, so I
wanted to create an acronym out of the word,
“thankful” to show you what I’m thankful for
this holiday season:
T – ODAY. So much good can happen on any
given day. Praise God for giving you another
day to live
H – EAVEN. I’m thankful for my hope in
Christ and being able to spend eternity with
Him.
A – SSEMBLY. I’m thankful for the saints who
gather every week to worship God and spend
time together
N – ACHOS. I like Nachos.
K – IDS. I’m so thankful to work with such an
amazing group of kids here at East Main.
F – ELLOWSHIP. Due to the last two years,
I’ve realized how much I took fellowship for
granted.
U – MBRELLAS. I am thankful for umbrellas
when it rains. Yep. Very thankful.
L - OVE that has been shown to Cassie and I
by each of you.
All of these and so much more could’ve made
the list. I encourage you to send out a card or
text. Or make a phone call to those whom
you’re thankful for. From our hearts to yours,
Happy Thanksgiving!

4. Men to Serve Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 a.m.
Announcements.......................................Jeff Mansel
Bible Reading......................................Jake Kennedy
Opening Prayer ............................ Rommie Dilworth
Lord’s Supper
Michael Wilson
Lead Singing......................................Donny McKay
Closing Prayer...................................Shawn Mounce
Ushers ............................Will Davis & Kent Nichols
Please meet in the library by 8:45 a.m.
Sunday 11:15 a.m. service
Opening Prayer .....................................Wesley Bass
Closing Prayer..................................... Robert Parker
Lead Singing..............................................Mark Hitt
Wednesday, December 1, 2021
Opening Prayer ..................................... Wade Bryan
Lead Singing.........................................Wesley Bass
The elders kindly request that men leading in public
worship wear the best dress clothes they have.
Contact Jeff Mansel (871-0357) if unable to serve.
Attendance & Contribution
Mid-Week, 11-17-21 .................................................. 116
Sunday 1st
Worship, 11-21-21 .................................. 144*
Sunday Bible Class..................................................... 154
Sunday 2nd
Worship.................................................... 108
Contribution (budget $7,900) ................................ $8,161
*This does not include the livestreamed views.
Pantry item........................................... Peanut butter
The youth of East Main invite our
Senior Saints
(age 65 and above)
to a holiday luncheon prepared in your honor
Sunday, Dec. 5th
Immediately following worship services at noon in
the multipurpose room.
Please sign the list posted on the bulletin board across from the
library if you plan to attend.