This article discusses the importance of Christian homes. It begins by noting that families reflect on their blessings around Thanksgiving. However, many homes are taken for granted or priorities have shifted away from the home. God intended the home to be the foundation for rearing children. The article then discusses how God designed marriage to be between one man and one woman for life, but modern society has strayed from this model. Divorce rates are still high despite small declines. Cohabitation lacks the commitment of marriage. True commitment is exemplified in marriage vows to stay together through all challenges. The final paragraphs note that Christian homes are characterized by people committed to each other above all else, as Christ was committed to the

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Vol. 44 November 5, 2019 Number 43
GOD GIVE US CHRISTIAN HOMES
Barry Kennedy
As this year draws close to an end, many find themselves thinking more about
the family than any other time of the year. Thanksgiving reminds us of how we are to
be grateful for the blessings God has given to us, especially for the gift of our families.
Too often the home is taken for granted. Some are so consumed with the “get ahead”
mentality that they have fallen behind where it matters most, the home. It is not mere
happenstance that God’s first institution was the home (Genesis 1; 2). God has always
known that the home is to provide the structure for life. We do not need a village,
town, nor a country to rear our children; we need Christian homes.
God’s wisdom is seen in the organization of the Christian home. This
organization begins with one man and one woman for life (Genesis 2:24; Matthew
19:5, 6; Romans 7:2). The society today has in many ways deviated from this path. The
divorce rate in this country is alarming to say the least. Most studies show that almost
one half of all marriages end in divorce. Some like to point out that the divorce rate is
on somewhat of a downward spiral. “Divorce Magazine” points out how that in 2005
the divorce rate was 3.6 (per 1000 people). This is the lowest rate since 1970. Sounds
great, but they also mention that the marriage rate is down as well, 2,230,000 for 2005
down 49,000 from the previous year (www.divorcemag.com). What does all this have
to do with God’s wisdom? Some of these marriage decreases are directly tied to co-
habitation which does not resemble true stability for any home.
Stop and consider one of (if not the) key elements that makes up the home,
“COMMITMENT.” Can two people truly say that they have made a true commitment
to one another by simply co-habituating (i.e. shacking up)? This action has at its heart a
blatant disregard for what commitment really is. Those who say, “Let’s just move in
together” are wanting the relationship of marriage, without the responsibility. This
stems from the idea that if it does not “work out,” we just move out and move on with
our lives, whereas marriage was ordained to be “for better or worse, in sickness and
health, until death do us part.” These words are the very epitome of commitment.
God’s wisdom is shown in the fact that committed couples will be there for one
another. In fact, truly committed husbands and wives will not allow anyone nor
anything to come between them.
It is truly a blessing to see two people so committed to one another that they are
willing to forsake themselves for their spouse. This is the expression Jesus has shown
for His bride the Church. “Husbands love your wives, even as Christ also loved the
church, and gave Himself for it;” (Ephesians 5:25). He wants His bride to be
presentable, that is, to be without spot, wrinkle, or any blemish (Ephesians 5:27). The
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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
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)

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Christian home is a home made up of people who are
willing to deny themselves for the beautification of
their loved ones. This is what Jesus did as our
sacrifice, and thus, we ought to go and do likewise.
God knows we need Christian homes.
Another characteristic of the Christian home is
seen in the respect for authority. When one looks at
the world today, he cannot help but to see that there is
very little respect for authority. When that same
person looks at many of today’s homes, he sees why.
God’s word has very clearly stated the importance of
parental authority. God’s law given to Moses said,
“Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may
be long upon the land which the LORD thy God
giveth thee” (Exodus 20:12). Solomon put it this way,
“A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that
regardeth reproof is prudent” (Proverbs 15:5). This
commandment is not only for the adherents to the Old
Law. “Children obey your parents in the Lord: for this
is right. Honor thy father and mother; (which is the
first commandment with promise” (Ephesians 6:1, 2).
Paul would echo this to the Colossian brethren
(Colossians 3:20). Why? It is simple; God knows that
the home is the place from which authority begins to
be understood. The child who does not respect the
authority of the parent will not respect the authority of
the law and is of a certainty that if he will not respect
parents and will not respect the authority of the law,
that he will not respect the authority of God. People
today, as much as ever, need to be praying, “God Give
Us Christian Homes.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Area Youth Meeting
The Area Youth Meeting
will be held this Sunday, Nov.
10 beginning at 5:00 p.m. at the
New Albany congregation.
Please see Tim Davis if you
plan to ride the bus.
Sympathy
Our sympathy is extended to Jeannie Simmons in
the loss of her mother, Martha Orsborn, on Nov. 3
after an extended illness. Visitation will be held at
Pegues in Tupelo on Tuesday, Nov. 5 from 4-7 p.m.
There will be no formal funeral services.
We also extend our sympathy to Wesley Bass in
the tragic loss of his nephew, Michael Bass, on Nov. 3
due to an accident. McBride Funeral Home in Ripley
will oversee the arrangements.
Condolences to Crafton Laney in the loss of his
aunt, Cindy Myers, on Nov. 3. Pickle Funeral Home
in Amory will oversee the arrangements.
L. A. Fox, a friend of Barry & Berta Kennedy in
Crossville, TN, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 3.
Funeral services will be held Nov. 7 in Crossville.
Gospel Meeting
The Nettleton congregation will host a
Gospel Meeting November 10-13 with
various preacher students from the Northwest
Florida School of Biblical Studies speaking.
See the bulletin board across from the library
for a schedule of service times and speakers.
Sr. Adult Fellowship
The Sr. Adult fellowship
will be held this Thursday,
Nov. 7 at Hardin’s Country
Store beginning at 6:00
p.m. The bus will leave the
building at 5:30 p.m.
Sr. Saint OWLS
The next quarterly
activity for the Sr.
Saint Owls will be
held Saturday, Nov.
16 from 9:30-11:30
am and will be hosted
by the youth of the
congregation. Please
come and enjoy a period of fun, food, games &
fellowship in the multipurpose room! A sign-up sheet
has been posted in the foyer beside the tract rack.
Please sign if you plan to attend so we will know how
many to prepare for.
John Duke stationed in Long Beach, MS
Caleb Williams stationed in Iraq
Rob Cross & family stationed in South Korea

3. Daily Bible Reading
November 6..............................................John 13-16
November 7..............................................John 17-19
November 8..............................................John 20-21
November 9..................................................Acts 1-2
November 10................................................Acts 3-5
November 11................................................Acts 6-7
November 12................................................Acts 8-9
Birthdays &
Anniversaries
Birthdays: Ainsley Millard (Nov. 7), Stuart
Childers (Nov. 8), Lori Blansett (Nov. 12).
Anniversaries: Greg & Keisha Gholston
(Nov. 10), Kelly & Evelyn Thompson (Nov. 11).
Our Sick
Larry Long underwent surgery Monday on his
hand. Diane Dickerson will have surgery this week
on her broken ankle. Barbara Franks, Tammy Minor
& Stephanie Baldwyn’s mother, is home recu-
perating from heart surgery. Michael Wilson’s
mother, Rivers Wills, continues therapy at Cedars.
Andy Baldwyn’s mother, Stephanie, continues
therapy at the Meadows. Continue to remember
Mary Lou Walden, Evelyn Willis, Pete Barber &
Jean Mounce as they battle health issues.
On-Going Illnesses
Frankie Estes, Donny Dulaney, Adam McCurley,
Mary Jordan, Bretta Robinson, James Goddard, Bill
Goff, Leroy Brown, Jadon Parish, Jerry Smith, Mitch
Maclean, Mary Starz, Sheba Tuggers, Ruby Clark,
Homer Smith, Don Blackwell, Brenda Williams, Jill
Rice, Ann Letteri
Nursing Homes
Nancy Haywood, Randy Attaway, Shirley
McCarthy, Mary Southern, Veona Harris, James
Nichols
Home Devotional
How to be saved?
Hear God’s word ................................... Romans 10:17
Believe that Jesus is God’s Son.....................John 3:16
Repent of your sins....................................... Luke 13:3
Confess that Jesus is God’s Son............ Romans 10:10
Be immersed in water...........................Mark 16:15, 16
Live a Christian life........................2 Timothy 3:14, 15
List the Beatitudes:
1. Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs in the
kingdom of heaven.
2. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be
comforted.
3. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the
earth.
4. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst
after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
5. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain
mercy.
6. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see
God.
7. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be
called the children of God.
8. Blessed are they which are persecuted for
righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom
of heaven.
9. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and
persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil
against you falsely, for my sake.
Area Ladies’ Night
The Chapman congregation in Ripley will host an
Area Ladies’ Night this Thursday, Nov. 7 beginning at
6:30 p.m. with Berta Kennedy speaking on the topic
“Whatsoever Is Praiseworthy.” Please RSVP at
chapmansecretary@ripleycable.net if you plan to
attend.
Girls’ Joyful Rebellion
The girls’ Joyful Rebellion
group will meet on
Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 6:00
p.m. in the multipurpose
room. Meredith Hitt will be
delivering the devotional
thought. Following the devo, some upcoming
activities will be planned. All girls grade 7 through
college age are asked to come and be a part!
Outreach Item for
November: soap (bars)

4. Men to Serve Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019 a.m.
Announcements..................................... Wade Bryan
Bible Reading...................................... Dale Dulaney
Opening Prayer ....................................... Perry Hand
Lord’s Supper
Kent Nichols & Jonathan Nichols
Serve Congregation, East Side:
Andy Baldwyn, Larry Bates, David Bates
Serve Congregation, West Side:
Larry Long, Clayton Long, Ben DuBois
Lead Singing....................................James Simmons
Closing Prayer..........................................Will Davis
Ushers .........................Robert Parker & Lee DuBois
Please meet in the library by 8:45 a.m.
Sunday Afternoon
Opening Prayer .........................................Tim Davis
Closing Prayer........................................... Joe Minor
Lead Singing.........................................Wesley Bass
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
Prayer..........................................Hunter Underwood
Lead Singing......................................... Wade Bryan
Contact Ricky Lindsey (255-8136) if unable to serve.
The elders kindly request that men leading in public
worship wear the best dress clothes they have.
Greeters ...................................Marlon & Gail Geno
...............................Greg & Keisha Gholston
Prepare Lord’s Supper—November .................Mike
& Renee Childers
Nursery (1st
worship) ..............Marla & Jenna Harris
(2nd
worship) .........Suzanne & Lauren Long
Pantry................................................Spaghetti sauce
Attendance & Contribution
Mid-Week, 10-30-19............................................138
Sunday 1st
Worship, 11-3-19 ...............................196
Sunday Bible Class ..............................................178
Sunday 2nd
Worship.............................................159
Contribution (budget $7,900)..........................$9,276
GIVE-AWAY DAY!!!
Saturday, Nov. 9th
7:00-8:30 A.M.
EAST MAIN CHURCH OF CHRIST
1606 East Main St.
Tupelo, MS 38804
Clothes, Toys & Many Other Useful Items FREE!!!
Everyone is welcome
(A community service of the East Main Church of Christ)