The article discusses the concept of brotherhood among Christians. It begins by noting how the term "brother" is used frequently in the Bible to refer to fellow believers. It then examines passages that teach Christians to support, encourage and look out for one another like family. The conclusion encourages readers to both welcome new brothers and sisters in Christ, and to demonstrate brotherly love to fellow believers.

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Vol. 45 February 18, 2020 Number 7
HOW MANY BROTHERS DO YOU HAVE?
Barry Kennedy
“Brother” is a term of endearment that has spanned the generations of time.
Many stories, songs, and movies have been written emphasizing the great bond there
is between brothers. However, the greatest use of the term brother is found in God’s
Word. In fact, the word brother is found 402 times in the Bible (KJV). The context
of each verse determines the way in which the word is being used. For the most part,
brother describes a male sibling. On the other hand, brother can refer to those of the
same nationality. It is the final usage of the term “brother” that is the one that cannot
be overstated. Brother is the term used in the New Testament to signify the close
relationship that is to be enjoyed by the children of God. The idea to write on this
subject came from something my son said when he was four. My son overheard me
call a fellow Christian brother during a phone conversation. At the end of the call he
said, “How many brothers do you have?” Considering the brotherly relationship had
by members of the Lord’s church, how any brothers do we have?
Brothers have a tendency to “watch out” for one another. This is arguably
one of the greatest blessing afforded the New Testament Christian. The Hebrew
writer gives some insight into how this relationship should look. “Let brotherly love
continue” (Hebrews 13:1). Brotherly love is to be a continual relationship. Implied
in this continual relationship is an always watchful eye. Consider the words of Paul
to the church in Galatia. “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are
spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou
also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ”
(Galatians 6:1, 2). It is good to know that there is someone watching out for you
who will share heartaches and pains. It is also good to know that there is someone
who will share the joys and accomplishment life has to offer as well. Paul
encouraged the Roman congregation to “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and
weep with them that weep” (Romans 12:15). Of course, the Roman congregation
consisted of “brethren” in the Lord (Romans 12:1). It is true, Christians have a
responsibility to look out for one another, but it should be seen as a blessing. “And
let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24).
Who better to “provoke” than a brother? The blessing is that Christians have many
brothers and sisters to help carry out this work.
The overall goal is to make it to Heaven. A good brother is as concerned about his
brother making it to Heaven as he is his own entrance into the “Pearly Gates.” Again,
consider the words of the apostle Paul. “For I could wish that myself were accursed from
Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:” (Romans 9:3). This proves
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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 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—
without a shadow of a doubt Paul’s great love for
his fellow Jews. Moses also displayed this same
level of love for the children of Israel. “And Moses
returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people
have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods
of gold. Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and
if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which
thou hast written” (Exodus 32:31, 32). Imagine
what the church would be like today if more
Christians had this level of brotherly love!
How many brothers do we have? That is the
question at hand. Many of you may have one, two,
three, or even more physical brothers, while others
may have none. If you are a Christian, you have
brothers all over this world. Imagine, no matter
where you go you can find a “family” member as
long as there is a member of the Lord’s church
present. What if there are no Christians in that area?
As long as one carries the gospel with him, he has
the opportunity to convert new family members into
the body of Christ (Romans 1:16). “But when the
fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his
Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to
redeem them that were under the law, that we might
receive the adoption of sons” (Galatians 4:4, 5).
To those who are not a member of the
Lord’s church, why not become a part of this
Christ’s “brotherhood?” To those who are members
of the Lord’s church, may you strive to let the world
see, “HOW MANY BROTHERS YOU HAVE.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sr. Youth & Parents
TNT is this TUESDAY,
FEB. 18 from 6:00-8:30
p.m. at Alex Black-
welder’s white house (in
between the storage units
and Grace Baptist church in the Skyline
community). We will spend time in Bible study and
fun to follow. Kids and parents welcome!!
**Eat before you come!**
**Snacks and drinks will be provided.**
** Bring your Bible!!!!!!!**
Family First Fellowship
The next Family First
Fellowship will be held this
Sunday, Feb. 23 in the
multipurpose room from 8:15-
8:45 a.m. before worship
services. Everyone is invited to
come and enjoy a brief period of fellowship with the
church family! Donuts and biscuits/sausage will be
served. This is a great opportunity to get to know
your church family better!
Snacks/Drinks for CYC
Around 60 of our
youth and adults
will be travelling
to Pigeon Forge,
TN February 27-
March 1 for Chal-
lenge Youth Conference. We need can drinks, bottled
water, individually wrapped chips, and individually
wrapped snacks (nabs, Little Debbies, etc.). Please
put these on the library table by next Wed., Feb. 26.
Thank you so much for your help!
Ladies’ Day
Our ladies’ day at
East Main is
scheduled for Sat-
urday, Apr. 25 with
Callie Rasberry
speaking on “The
Seasons of Life.”
We would love for
all the ladies, young and old, to help if possible. The
various committee sign-up sheets are posted on the
bulletin board across from the library. Please sign if
you can help in any way.
John Duke stationed in Gulfport, MS
Caleb Williams stationed in Iraq
Rob Cross & family stationed in South Korea

3. Daily Bible Reading
February 19.......................................Numbers 31-33
February 20.......................................Numbers 34-36
February 21................................... Deuteronomy 1-4
February 22................................... Deuteronomy 5-7
February 23................................. Deuteronomy 8-11
February 24............................... Deuteronomy 12-16
February 25............................... Deuteronomy 17-20
Birthdays &
Anniversaries
Birthdays: Kassi Kingsley (Feb. 19), Heather
DuBois (Feb. 20), Jean Monce (Feb. 21), Gary
Stanford (Feb. 21), Tim Davis (Feb. 22),
Sherry Kingsley (Feb. 22), Ben DuBois (Feb. 24),
Cassie Cummings (Feb. 24), Frankie Estes (Feb.
25), Joe Minor (Feb. 25). Anniversaries: None this
week.
Our Sick
Jennie Cox has been moved to the Tupelo
Nursing & Rehab Facility for therapy, Room A-9.
Evelyn Thompson has finished her IV antibiotics.
Gail Geno’s brother, Bill Rutland, is at the
Sanctuary Hospice House.
On-Going Illnesses
Mary Lou Walden, Pete Barber, Jean Mounce,
Steve Kelly, Frankie Estes, Donny Dulaney, Adam
McCurley, Mary Jordan, James Goddard, Bill Goff,
Leroy Brown, Jadon Parish, Jerry Smith, Mitch
Maclean, Mary Starz, Sheba Tuggers, Homer
Smith, Jill Rice, Ann Letteri, Shirley Roberts, Brad
Dillard, Merlene Johnson
Nursing Homes
Evelyn Willis, Nancy Haywood, Randy
Attaway, Shirley McCarthy, Mary Southern, Veona
Harris
Home Devotional
In what chapter of the Bible do you find?
Death of Sarah..........................................Genesis 23
Isaac & Rebecca.......................................Genesis 24
Jacob’s ladder...........................................Genesis 28
David fights Goliath...............................1 Samuel 17
12 Apostles............................................. Matthew 10
Quote Psalms 23:
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he
leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths
of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the
shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art
with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence
of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil;
my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the
days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the
LORD for ever.
Memory Verse:
❖ Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said unto them,
Repent, and be baptized every one of you in
the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of
sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy
Ghost.”
Can you tell a Bible story from the
following picture?
Outreach Item for February
Toothpaste

4. Men to Serve Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020 a.m.
Announcements..............................Dennis Hallmark
Bible Reading..........................................Tanner Hitt
Opening Prayer ............................... Robert Kingsley
Lord’s Supper
Roger Sanderson & Michael Wilson
Serve Congregation, East Side:
Mike Childers, Stuart Childers, Ricky Johnson
Serve Congregation, West Side:
Mark Hitt, Jonathan Nichols, Rommie Dilworth
Lead Singing......................................Hugh Scribner
Closing Prayer........................................ Chad Willis
Ushers .......................Dean Webb & Terry Kingsley
Please meet in the library by 8:45 a.m.
Sunday Afternoon
Opening Prayer ....................................Larry Presley
Closing Prayer................................... William Harris
Lead Singing........................................ Kent Nichols
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
Prayer................................................... Kent Nichols
Lead Singing.......................................Jacob Bradley
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 ....................................Perry & Linda Hand
...................................Jeff & Natalie Mansel
Prepare Lord’s Supper—February................... Wade
& Karen Bryan
Nursery (1st
worship)................ Dundee & Hallie Donald
(2nd
worship).................. Susan Willis & Kristie Webb
Pantry.......................................................... Crackers
Attendance & Contribution
Mid-Week, 2-12-20..............................................133
Sunday 1st
Worship, 2-16-20 ...............................211
Sunday Bible Class ..............................................201
Sunday 2nd
Worship.............................................189
Contribution (budget $7,900)..........................$9,652
Mark Your Calendars!!!
Ladies’ Day – April 25th
Personal Evangelism Workshop – May 29th-30th
Vacation Bible School – June 14th-17th
Maywood Christian Camp – July 12th-18th
Outward Camp – July 31st-August 1st
Gospel Meeting – September 13th-16th
Fall Family Retreat – November 13th-14th