Bill Withers wrote the song "Lean on Me" after coming up with the phrase while playing chords on his piano. The lyrics express how we all need somebody to lean on for support. An article discusses how Jesus is the ultimate person to lean on for his sacrifice and help, and examines what kind of character is needed to be somebody others can rely on. It encourages Christians to support each other through their faith.

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Vol. 44 February 12, 2019 Number 6
Somebody To Lean On
By Barry Kennedy
No doubt, most all who read this article have heard Bill Withers’ hit song
entitled, “Lean on me.” Within the lyrics of this song he states how that “we all
need somebody to lean on.” In an interview with Song facts, Mr. Withers tells
about how he came to write this classic song.
This was my second album, so I could afford to buy myself a little
Wurlitzer electric piano. So, I bought a little piano and I was sitting there
just running my fingers up and down the piano. In the course of doing the
music, that phrase crossed my mind, so then you go back and say, 'OK, I
like the way that phrase, Lean On Me, sounds with this song.' So, you go
back and say, 'How do I arrive at this as a conclusion to a statement? What
would I say that would cause me to say Lean On Me?' At that point, it's
between you and your actual feelings, you and your morals and what you're
really like. You probably do more thinking about it after it's done. (www.
songfacts.com)
Mr. Withers was right on target with his question. What kind of character does it
take for us to be “Somebody to Lean On?” It is sad that we often fail to see the real
need until it is too late. The old saying goes something like this, “Hindsight is
20/20.”
The idea of leaning is equal to trusting, that is, to lean upon the Lord is to
trust in Him and His word. Paul made this point very clear to the brethren at
Corinth when he said, “But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we
should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us
from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver
us;” (2 Corinthians 1:9, 10). Jesus is the very epitome of one upon whom we may
lean. Just stop and think about all that He has done for us (John 3:16; 15:13;
Romans 5:8, 9).
Jesus was ridiculed for helping those whom the religious leaders found
unworthy (Matthew 9:9-13). While Jesus was “prepping” Matthew for his work as
an apostle, many “publicans and sinners” came and sat with Jesus and His
disciples. The Pharisees could not let this pass, Jesus is guilty they would say. Jesus
delivered a profound, yet elementary statement, “They that be whole need not a
physician, but they that are sick.” (Matthew 9:12). Jesus continued in the next
--article continued on page 2--
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)

2. --article continued from page 1--
verse to tie the idea of sin to that of sickness. “But
go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have
mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call
the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Matthew
9:13). It must be understood that we are all
diagnosed with the dreaded disease called sin
(Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:23; Galatians 3:22;
1John 1:8- 10). We all need “Somebody To Lean
On.”
Everyone finds themselves sick from time to
time. Of course, some are more prone to sickness
than others, but facts are facts we all get sick. When
sickness occurs what do we do? We “treat” the
symptoms and try to recover. We all need a cure for
the sickness of sin, whither we realize it or not.
But what about becoming somebody upon
whom one can lean? Again, remember what Mr.
Withers said: “.... it’s between you and your actual
feelings, you and your morals and what you're
really like.” Far too often we are only putting up a
front for the world to see, but thus, we fail to
remember who we really are on the inside. Many
teens have given into the temptations of peer-
pressure, simply because they forgot who they truly
are on the inside. Many, if not most, sins committed
are almost immediately regretted, unless the heart
has become hardened over a prolonged life of
sinning (Hebrews 3:13). The Psalmist pointed out
how sin progresses in the heart of one who will not
turn away (Psalm 1:1ff).
Remember, to be a Christian is to be
“Christ-like.” Christianity is designed to be a
network of those on which we SHOULD be able to
lean (Romans 14:1; 15:1; 1Corinthians 9:22; 12:22-
24; Galatians 6:1, 2; 1Thessalonians 5:14). If we are
ever to be one upon whom our brothers and sisters
in Christ can lean, we must remember how often we
ourselves need a shoulder (Matthew 7:12). May
God help us all to become more like Christ and be
“Somebody To Lean On.”
Ladies’ Fellowship
The ladies’ monthly
fellowship will be held this
Thursday, Feb. 14 at Los Toros
Mexican Restaurant off Veterans Blvd. beginning at
6:00 p.m. Please let Berta Kennedy know if you will
be there so she can give the restaurant a count.
Jr. Bible Bowl
The Jr. Bible Bowl will be held
this Sunday, Feb. 17 at New Albany
beginning at 2:00 p.m. Please see
Wesley Bass if you need questions.
Jr. Youth & Early
Seekers’ Devotional
The Jr. Youth and Early Seekers’ Devotional
will be held this Sunday, Feb. 17 immediately
following worship services at noon in the
multipurpose room. Parents, a food list is posted
beside the tract rack in the foyer.
Challenge Youth
Conference
We have about 50 youth and
adults from East Main attending
the Challenge Youth Conference
in Pigeon Forge, TN this year
Feb. 21-24. If you would like to
donate water, soft drinks, chips,
desserts, please bring them to the building by
Wednesday, Feb. 20. A table has been set up in the
multipurpose room for you to place your items. See
Tim Davis or Amy Voyles with any questions.
Community Outreach
Item for February:
Shampoo
John Duke is stationed in Long Beach, MS.
Caleb Williams is stationed in Norway.
Dylan Kelly, Steve Kelly’s grandson, is in Kuwait.

3. Daily Bible Reading
January 13...........................................Numbers 9-12
January 14.........................................Numbers 13-16
February 15.......................................Numbers 17-20
February 16.......................................Numbers 21-25
February 17.......................................Numbers 26-27
February 18.......................................Numbers 28-30
February 19.......................................Numbers 31-33
Birthdays &
Anniversaries
Birthdays: Leigh Bland (Feb. 15), Eden
Davis (Feb 16), Jenna Harris (Feb. 18),
Tanner Hitt (Feb. 18), Kassi Kingsley
(Feb. 19). Anniversaries: Mike & Carol
Cross (Feb. 14).
Our Sick
Beckie Adams is at The Meadows in Fulton for
therapy. Jerry Smith, Kyle’s father, is in room 6644
at NMMC following surgery. Christina Lindley’s
uncle, Lee Graham, continues in room 182 at
NMMC for therapy. Jill Rice, Debbie Vines’
mother, continues at the Sanctuary Hospice House.
Barbara Franks, Tammy Minor & Stephanie
Baldwyn’s mother, will undergo hip replacement
surgery Wednesday at NMMC. Weston Agnew, a
friend of Lauren Long & a member of the
Ackerman congregation, was hit in the eye with a
baseball last week and still is unable to see
following surgery. Danny Wright, Robert Parker,
Roger Sanderson, Ayzleigh Bass, Robert Kingsley,
Jackson Voyles, and Drew Baldwyn were all sick at
home Sunday.
On-Going Illnesses
Jean Mounce, Lauren Lindley, Laverne Raper,
Frankie Estes, Donny Dulaney, Adam McCurley,
Linda McCurley, Mary Jordan, Bretta Robinson,
James Goddard, Bill Goff, Tommy Goff, Mitch
Maclean, James Nichols, Sheba Tuggers, Sherry
Gregory, Shirley Owens, Nathan Hale, Leroy
Brown, Jadon Parish, Carol Nichols
Nursing Homes/Assisted
Living
Nancy Haywood, Randy Attaway, Shirley
McCarthy, Mary Southern, Veona Harris
Girls’ Joyful Rebellion
The girls’ Joyful Rebellion
group will meet this TUESDAY,
FEB. 12 at 6:00 p.m. at Star
Ray’s home for their Galentine’s
party.

4. Go Into All the World
“IN CHRIST ALONE...”
June 7th-8th
Please register at eastmaincoc.com
Speakers: Eric Owens, Joe Wells, Jonathan Bates & Harrison Moran
This camp is for ages 13-22 and is being hosted by the East Main Church of Christ, 1606 East
Main St., Tupelo, MS 38804. Please see Josh or Barry Kennedy for more information.
Men to Serve Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019 a.m.
Announcements................................Michael Wilson
Bible Reading.......................................... Larry Long
Opening Prayer .................................... Greg Hughes
Lord’s Supper
Roger Sanderson & Tim Davis
Serve Congregation, East Side:
Clayton Long, David Ramseyer, Grady Vines
Serve Congregation, West Side:
Greg Lyle, Harold Roby, Hunter Underwood
Lead Singing..............................................Mark Hitt
Closing Prayer.....................................Josh Kennedy
Ushers .........................Will Davis & Mark Gilliland
Please meet in the library by 8:45 a.m.
Sunday Afternoon
Opening Prayer .......................................Jeff Mansel
Closing Prayer......................................Larry Presley
Lead Singing......................................... Wade Bryan
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
Prayer ...................................................Larry Presley
Lead Singing...............................Bobby Joe Lindley
Contact Jimmy Spearman (840-8957) if unable to serve.
The elders kindly request that men leading in public
worship wear the best dress clothes they have.
Greeters ......................................Joe & Alicia Smith
..................................Grady & Debbie Vines
Prepare Lord’s Supper—February.....................Dale
Dulaney
Nursery..............Brittany Webb & Savannah Tucker
Pantry................................................... Peanut butter
Attendance & Contribution
Mid-Week, 2-6-19................................................145
Sunday 1st
Worship, 2-10-19 ...............................186
Sunday Bible Class ..............................................179
Sunday 2nd
Worship.............................................191
Contribution (budget $7,900)............................7,279