This article discusses God's gift of mothers to children. It begins by noting that God created Eve to be the mother of all living. Mothers make great sacrifices for their families, such as Sarah who endured hardship and uncertainty to support Abraham and Isaac. The strength mothers provide allows children to find comfort, as Isaac did in Sarah's tent. The article encourages appreciation for diligent mothers and thanks to God for the blessing of family.

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Are we confident that our light is bright
Vol. 47 May 3, 2022 Number 18
GOD’S GIFT TO CHILDREN IS MOM
Barry Kennedy
“And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all
living” (Genesis 3:20). God’s creation account in Genesis chapters one and two
explain to man his point of origin. God has not left His creation without
revealing everything we need (2 Peter 1:3). In fact, God wants His people to be
informed about a great many things. Sometimes man fails to see the blessings
God has put before His creation. One of those great blessings is the gift of
family. Most people might find this a bit confusing. Could it be possible that
some people might not see the family as a gift? The classic statement, “You
don’t know what you have until it is gone” answers that question. That being
said, and Mother’s Day being Sunday, let’s consider God’s gift to children:
Mom.
Most people always hold that “special” place in their hearts for the person
called Mom. And rightfully so because she is the one that they could always
trust to be there. Just think, when he crashed his bicycle, she was there to
bandage the scratches on his knees and elbows. When that project had to be
completed for school, she sat up with them to help them finish it. When Mom
clearly needed rest, she kept going to make sure everyone else had what they
needed or wanted. She is the one who took the left-over pieces to let the children
have their pick. She was the last one to get to eat, because she was doing the
cooking. She was the last one to relax, because she was doing the cleaning, and
the list goes on and on. Sadly, some fail to see the great sacrifices mothers make
until it is too late.
It would befit the child of God to take time to consider some of the mothers
mentioned in God’s Word. Take Sarah, the wife of Abraham and mother of
Isaac as an example. Here is a woman who, without doubt sacrificed a lot for her
family. This is seen in the fact that she had to abandon all her comforts of home
to sojourn a strange land (Genesis 11, 12). She was asked to deceive foreign
kings concerning her relationship with her husband (Genesis 12:13; 20:2). She
understood that God expected a child from her husband, yet she could not bear.
Note: the inability to bear children for her must have been a great heaviness
even before God made a covenant with Abraham. The stress of this was so
difficult that she even encouraged her husband to take her handmaid as another
wife (Genesis 16). Then when God let her know that she would finally have a
child she is ninety years old (Genesis18:12). If all that were not enough, imagine
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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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(because the Bible does not record it) what she
endured having to discuss with Abraham the fact
that he went to sacrifice Isaac her son. Through all
this Peter would later record how that she is to be a
role model for women. “For after this manner
aforetime the holy women also, who hoped in God,
adorned themselves, being in subjection to their
own husbands: as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling
him lord: whose children ye now are, if ye do well,
and are not put in fear by any terror” (1 Peter 3:5,
6). Though God made outward beauty, it is the
inner beauty that is the gift of real value (1Peter 3:1-
4).
What strength Sarah must have brought to
Abraham and Isaac. Abraham goes down in history
as the father of many nations, but right there by his
side was the mother of many nations. Isaac would
later bring his new bride Rebekah into his mother’s
tent and there he would find comfort (Genesis
24:67). Sarah’s tent was a special place of her own;
therefore, Rebekah entering Sarah’s tent was a
symbol of final acceptance. “Sarah's tent: Sarah,
being dead, her tent, which, according to the custom
of the east, was distinct from that of Abraham,
became now appropriated to the use of Rebekah.”1
The strength of confidence is given to those
children who understand and appreciate the true gift
of God that we call Mother. To all of those who are
diligently working to be the mothers that God
would have them to be, may God bless and keep
you, for you are truly a Gift of great value. To all of
us who have been blessed with this kind of mother,
may we never forget to thank them for all that they
do and have done. Finally, may we never forget to
thank God from whom all blessings flow (James
1:17), including “Mom: God’s Gift to Children.”
1
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge: notes on
Genesis 24:67
~~~~~~~~~
Congratulations
Congratulations to Brittney Kennedy
and Sam Quirk who were united in
marriage on April 30 in Killen, AL.
After a honeymoon trip, the couple will
reside in Tennessee.
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 is welcomed.
Congregational Singing
The Mayfield congregation in
Saltillo will host a Congregational
Singing this Saturday, May 7
beginning at 6:00 pm. Everyone
is invited!
High School Graduates
Honored
We will honor our high
school graduates on Sunday,
May 15 after services in the
multipurpose room with a
potluck meal. This year’s
high school graduates are
Cooper Blansett, Ben DuBois, Kaley Gholston,
Lauren Long, Eli Rushing, Haley Underwood, and
Aaron Willis. Please plan to stay, bring food, and
congratulate these youth in this milestone.
New Movers’ Baskets
This month’s new movers’
baskets are in the foyer.
Please take one to deliver if
you can. This is a great way
to introduce those who have
moved into the community to
the East Main family.

3. Daily Bible Reading
May 4 ...........................................................Ezra 7-8
May 5 .........................................................Ezra 9-10
May 6 ..................................................Nehemiah 1-2
May 7 ..................................................Nehemiah 3-4
May 8 ..................................................Nehemiah 5-6
May 9 .....................................................Nehemiah 7
May 10 .................................................. Nehemiah 8
Birthdays &
Anniversaries
Birthdays: Debbie Vines (May 6), Jake
Donald (May 10), Barbara Wright (May 10).
Anniversaries: Heath & Christina Lindley
(May 5), LuAnne & Paul Funderburk (May 8).
Our Sick
Penny Lane Geno, Marlon & Gail’s great
granddaughter, is in LeBonheur in Memphis
following surgery. Sarah Smith’s sister, Nancy
McGee, is in the hospital in Murfreesboro following
a stroke. Brian Carver is home from the hospital in
SC. Eric Baker, a relative of Katherine Mansel &
friend of Andy Baldwyn, will begin chemo &
radiation in a few weeks. He had a brain tumor
removed recently. Lexie Dickinson is home with
strep and shingles. Perry Hand is home with a
respiratory infection. Kyle Smith’s dad is on home
hospice.
On-Going Illnesses
Mary Lou Walden, Evelyn Thompson, Annie
Martin, Bettye Davis, Steve Kelly, Barbara Bishop,
Bob Smith, Doug Wallace, Frankie Estes, Shirley
Lyons, Stella Pittmans, Caroline Willis, Carol
Hood, Bill Goff, Adam McCurley, Sheba Tuggers,
Brian Carver, Lacy Plaxico, Roy & Daisy King,
Michelle Maclean, Freida Gardner, Linda Butler,
Pam Gassaway, Donny Dulaney, Ricky Britt, Larry
Kennedy
Nursing Homes
Randy Attaway, Shirley McCarthy, Bob McClure
EMYG News

4. Men to Serve Sunday, May 8, 2022 a.m.
Announcements..................................... Wade Bryan
Bible Reading.........................................Ben DuBois
Opening Prayer ...................................Mike Childers
Lord’s Supper
Wesley Bass
Lead Singing..............................................Mark Hitt
Closing Prayer...............................Alex Blackwelder
Ushers ..................Roger Sanderson & Jalon Mansel
Please meet in the library by 8:45 a.m.
Sunday 11:15 a.m. service
Opening Prayer .........................................Tim Davis
Closing Prayer..........................................Will Davis
Lead Singing...............................Bobby Joe Lindley
Wednesday, May 11, 2022
Opening Prayer ...........................Bobby Joe Lindley
Lead Singing.................................Alex Blackwelder
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, 4-27-22 .................................................... 161
Sunday 1st
Worship, 5-1-22 ...................................... 153*
Sunday Bible Class..................................................... 150
Sunday 2nd
Worship.................................................... 128
Contribution (budget $7,900) ................................ $8,674
*This does not include the livestreamed views.
Pantry item........................................... Peanut butter
Our Vacation Bible School
is scheduled for
June 12th
-15th
from 6:30-8:00 pm!
Classes for all ages including adults!