The article discusses a family that assumed mushrooms they shared with their cat made them ill, when in fact the cat was simply pregnant. This story illustrates how often people "jump to conclusions" or "assume too much" without evidence. The article argues that when it comes to religious and spiritual matters, people often assume doctrines are acceptable without proof from scripture. It encourages putting forth effort to determine what is truly taught in the Bible rather than basing beliefs on assumptions.

1. 4
Hugh
Vol. 43 July 17, 2018 Number 28
We Assume Too Much?
By Barry Kennedy
A family of five was rushed to the hospital to have their stomachs washed
out after the cat with whom they had shared a meal of mushrooms suddenly
began to have stomach contractions. While members of the family showed no
signs of illness, the doctor still had them rushed to the hospital. When they
returned home they found the cat feeling well, after having produced five
kittens. (England Post, in Homemade, April 1989). This story may cause us to
laugh, but how often do we find ourselves “jumping to conclusions?” We may
strongly “think” that we have everything figured out, but is it possible that we
may be assuming too much? Are we truly putting forth any effort to prove
what we think we know (1Thessalonians 5:21)?
One would have to admit that there are a lot of different “winds of
doctrine” blowing around the religious world today. With this much
confusion in religion, it is no wonder that people have conformed to the idea
that anything pertaining to God is acceptable. After all, Jesus did say, “Judge
not, that ye be not judged” (Matthew 7:1). The way many people use this verse is
a good example of how people assume too much. Many people quote
Matthew 7:1 without ever reading its context. Jesus did not condemn all
judging with this statement, but rather the practice of prejudging. If we judge
others without evidence, we become prejudice. Jesus’ statement was a
warning to make sure we are not going around with a “holier than thou”
attitude. Jesus continued by saying, “Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of
thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's
eye” (Matthew 7:5). One has to be assuming too much if he thinks Jesus said
that no one can ever judge anyone about anything. Judgment is required in
order to be a Christian. First, we must judge ourselves. Are we sinners? Are
we doing, or have we done, what God wants us to do? These questions
require a judgment to be made. Are we making that judgment based upon our
feelings (assumptions) or based upon facts? Remember the truth (a legal
term), and only the truth, will make one free (John 8:32). Are we truly free
from sin, or are we assuming too much?
--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 .............844-9944
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............. 10:10 a.m.
Worship..................... 11:00 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. Community Outreach
Item: Diapers
--article continued from page 1—
God has offered His people assurance not
assumptions. “And hereby we do know that we know
him, if we keep his commandments.” (1 John 2:3). Are
we confident in our salvation? According to John, the
only way we can be is by keeping His
commandments. I know some will say, “No one can
keep God’s commandments.” After all, the Bible says
that “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of
God” (Romans 3:23). It is true that all have sinned and
that all will sin. John wrote, “If we say we have no
sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1
John 1:8). The assurance is shown in verse seven.
“But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we
have fellowship one with another, and the blood of
Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John
1:7). God is not asking for sinless perfection, but He
does require faithful service (1 Corinthians 4:2). The
beauty of God’s mercy and grace is that He makes us
perfect (i.e. complete) in Christ. “Therefore, if any
man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are
passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2
Corinthians 5:17). New carries the idea of being
brand new not refashioned but NEW. Thayer defines
the Greek word “kainos” as being “of a new kind,
unprecedented, novel, uncommon, unheard of.” Are
we sure that we have been made new? Do we base
that knowledge upon the facts or assumptions? If we
are assuming we are “made new,” we are not sure.
However, if we are putting forth effort in Bible study
and have “searched the scriptures daily, whether those
things are so,” the Bible says we then will be noble.
So many people are terrified when it comes to life
and death. God is not oblivious to this, but on the
contrary, He knows very well how the pain of death
feels (Matthew 26:39; John 15:13). That is one reason
He has said that we can cast our cares upon Him,
because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). Yes, He has
offered us assurance and we can know that we are
right with God, but only through Jesus (John 14:6).
What is our spirit today? One of fear, or one of
assurance? “For God hath not given us the spirit of
fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind”
(2 Timothy 1:7). The real question is, “Are We
Assuming Too Much?”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Summer Outreach Project
We are filling 100 backpacks with
school supplies for local schools. If you
took a tab to bring some school supplies,
please bring them to the building by
this Sunday, July 22! We hope to get
them packed and ready to be distributed
the last week of July! Thank you so much. You may
put your items in Room 12.
Maywood Christian Camp
Our week at Maywood Christian Camp is currently
underway and going well. Many adults and youth
from East Main are there. Don’t forget that East Main
will be responsible for desserts on
Thursday, July 19. If you could
please bring a dessert to the
building this Wednesday, July 18,
James & Sandra Simmons will
deliver them to camp Thursday morning.
Mexico Mission Team
The Mexico
Mission Team
has arrived safe-
ly in Palenque
and are busy
“planting seed.”
Please keep
them in your
prayers. Those
from East Main
who went were
Wade, Karen, &
Bethany Bryan,
Kelton Kingsley.
Also, Robert &
Jennifer Wright
from the Hwy.
15 congregation
in Pontotoc are there.
John Duke is stationed in Long Beach, MS.
Matt Duke is stationed in Ft. Carson, CO.
Gabe Hood is stationed in Fort Lenardwood, MO.
Caleb Williams is stationed in Jacksonville, NC.

3. Daily Bible Reading
July 18....................................................Isaiah 17-20
July 19....................................................Isaiah 21-23
July 20....................................................Isaiah 24-27
July 21....................................................Isaiah 28-30
July 22....................................................Isaiah 31-35
July 23....................................................Isaiah 36-39
July 24....................................................Isaiah 40-41
Birthdays &
Anniversaries
Birthdays: Susan Willis (July 18), Casey
Gullett (July 19), Katy Beth Voyles (July
22), Steve Kelly (July 23), Tracy Lyle (July
23), Mary Morgan Lyle (July 23), Britton
Smith (July 24). Anniversaries: Derik & Staci
Rushing (July 20).
Our Sick
Sherry Kingsley had foot surgery Thursday.
Susan Reed had surgery on her cheek Monday and
she’ll have a breast biopsy on July __. Chris
Carter’s son, Colton, from the Mayfield
congregation underwent surgery last week at
LeBonheur. Mike Stroup, a friend of Judy Jones,
will undergo several surgeries following a bike
accident. Elaine Ward, Willie Topp’s sister, is very
ill.
On-Going Illnesses
Laverne Raper, Frankie Estes, Adam McCurley,
Bretta Robinson, Mary Jordan, Donny Dulaney,
James Goddard, Ray Scribner, Bill Goff, Linda
Bryan, Mitch Maclean, Jadon Parish, James
Nichols, Betty Harrell, Sheba Tuggers, Sherry
Gregory, Shirley Owens, Mickey Bailey, Mike
Scott, Tracey Wilburn, Sammy Carson, Nathan
Hale, Leroy Brown
Nursing Homes/Assisted
Living
Clara Simmons, Nancy Haywood, Hilda Roberts,
Shirley McCarthy, Mary Southern, Veona Harris
Harold Roby Resigns
Harold Roby gave his resignation as a deacon of
the East Main congregation to the elders Sunday.
Harold stated that due to health, family, and job
issues, he could not carry on his duties as a deacon
at this time. We would like to thank Harold for his
many years of past service.
Polishing the Pulpit
The elders have agreed to pay the registration fee
for anyone at East Main wishing to attend Polishing
the Pulpit in Sevierville, TN August 17-23.
Sympathy
We extend our sympathy to Barbara Wright and
Star Ray in the loss of their cousin, Jimmy Dale
Green, on July 12. Funeral services were held July
14 at McMillan Funeral Home in Booneville.
Thank You Note
We thank you for the beautiful flowers, cards,
and most of all your prayers during the loss of my
dear sister. In Christian love,
Betty Kingsley & family
Lectureships
The Southaven congregation will host
their 2018 Power Lectureship July 22-26
on the theme “The Devil.” A flyer is
posted on the bulletin board across from
the library with speakers and times.
The Chapman congregation in Ripley will host a
lectureship July 29-August 1 on the theme “Great
Lessons from the Sermon on the Mount.” A
schedule is posted on the bulletin board across from
the library.
Visitation Team #4
Visitation Team #4, Mike Ratliff’s team, will
meet this Sunday, July 22 after services at noon in
the multipurpose room. Please see Hilda Ratliff for
what to bring.

4. Men to Serve Sunday, July 22, 2018 a.m.
Announcements.......................................Jeff Mansel
Bible Reading.....................................Mark Gilliland
Opening Prayer ..................................... Wade Bryan
Lord’s Supper
James Simmons & Hugh Scribner
Serve Congregation, East Side:
Larry Presley, Sam Hood, Greg Lyle
Serve Congregation, West Side:
Bobby Lindley, Wesley Bass, Larry Bates
Lead Singing..............................................Mark Hitt
Closing Prayer....................................Ricky Johnson
Ushers ...............Jason Dickinson & Eddie Simmons
Please meet in the library by 8:50 a.m.
Sunday Afternoon
Opening Prayer .................................Jacob Kennedy
Closing Prayer...................................Chase Stanford
Lead Singing......................................... Wade Bryan
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
Prayer ................................................ Stuart Childers
Lead Singing........................................John Mounce
Contact Jeff Mansel if unable to serve.
The elders kindly request that men leading in public
worship wear the best dress clothes they have.
Greeters ............................... Shawn & Jean Mounce
...................................Ricky & Lisa Lindsey
Prepare Lord’s Supper—July....................... Chevela
Underwood
Nursery....Chevela Underwood & Twinette Wallace
Pantry.................................................................Jelly
Attendance & Contribution
Mid-Week, 7-11-18..............................................158
Sunday Bible Class, 7-15-18................................192
Sunday 1st
Worship..............................................201
Sunday 2nd
Worship.............................................183
Contribution (budget $7,900)..........................$7,316
Summer Series
Our Summer Series entitled “Geography & the Bible” continues to go well!
All Sunday morning adult classes & the high school class are meeting in the
auditorium for the summer quarter. Don’t miss out!
Date Topic Person
22-Jul-18 Island of Crete Michael Wilson
29-Jul-18 Hebron Barry Kennedy
5-Aug-18 Garden of Gethsemane Wade Bryan
12-Aug-18 Mount Sinai Wesley Bass
19-Aug-18 Sea of Galilee Dennis Hallmark
26-Aug-18 Mars Hill Shawn Mounce