The document is an article about hospitality from a church bulletin. It discusses the importance of hospitality in the Bible and how hospitality used to be more commonly practiced, such as a grandmother welcoming strangers off the train for food. However, hospitality is still needed today. While safety is important, Christians should find ways to generously receive others, such as how the Good Samaritan helped the injured man. The article encourages readers to think of ways they can exhibit hospitality.

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Vol. 45 July 7, 2020 Number 27
HOSPITALITY
Derrick Coble
A Mother invited some people to dinner. At the table she turned to her six-
year-old son and said, “Would you like to say the prayer?” The boy said, “I don’t
know what to say.” “Just say what you hear daddy say” the mother said. So, the
little boy commenced to pray and said, “Why did we invite all these people to
dinner?” Hopefully, this doesn’t sound familiar. The idea behind the inviting was
all about being hospitable but somewhere along the way it turned into necessity
rather than hospitality. What has happened to hospitality in the world? What has
happened to hospitality in the church? What do we mean by being hospitable?
Webster tells us hospitality means “receiving and entertaining strangers or guests
generously and kindly without reward.” It also means, “the act of hospitable
treatment, reception, or disposition.” The word itself is used four times within the
New Testament. Paul said all Christians must be “given to hospitality” (Rom.
12:13). Peter simply states, “Use hospitality one to another without grudging” (1
Pet. 4:9). Finally, the elders of the church are admonished by Paul to be lovers of
hospitality (Titus 1:8) and given to hospitality (1 Tim. 3:2). Thus, hospitality is
something worthy to be desired and practiced by all Christians.
Hospitality is needed now. There was a time in this country when
hospitality was a common practice. Before my great grandmother died, she would
tell me stories of how she used to live by the railroad tracks and at times people
would wander up off of the trains and she would feed them. Whatever happened
to that kind of hospitality? It isn’t that we must compromise our safety and take in
any stranger off the street but have a mindset to truly receive others in a kind and
genuine way. Jesus taught this principle well (Mat. 25:34ff) and it should be noted
that hospitality extended toward others by way of food (2 Sam. 17:26-29), lodging
(2 Kings 4:8-10), or an encouraging visit (2 Tim. 4:11-13) is comparable to
hospitality extended to Christ (Mat. 25:40).
Hospitality is not new. Hospitality is not a new commandment but one
that is old stemming out of love (2 John 1:5). Perhaps, the greatest example of
hospitality is that of Abraham (Gen. 18:1-8). He knew how to make his guests feel
welcome by running to meet them. He knew how to treat them by offering them a
seat for rest in a shady spot under a tree. He even fed them for the journey upon
which they would embark. What an example for our learning (Rom. 15:4)!
Christian hospitality is not practiced enough. Now you may be thinking,
“Times have changed—we have motels now and most people can find food for
--article continued 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
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—
themselves, and you never know who might steal
from you or do something to harm you.”
Unfortunately, this is true; however, it does not
excuse anyone from practicing hospitality. There
are other ways to be hospitable than taking strangers
into our homes. Think of the good Samaritan (Luke
10:30-35). Why do we classify him as good? Did he
take the man who was robbed and left half dead
home with him? No, but he was hospitable by
binding his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and
leaving him at an inn. He took care of the man this
way. Furthermore, in illustrating faith and works,
James indicates that if we help someone with those
things that are needful to the body without respect
of persons that is a good hospitable deed. “If a
brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily
food, and one of you say unto them, depart in peace,
be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give
them not those things which are needful to the
body; what doth it profit?” (James 2:15,16). The
answer to this question is, “nothing.” Therefore, the
work of hospitality in this situation would be the
only way to solve the problem. Someone has said,
“If hospitality were a medicine it would cure
everything, if it were a key it would open every
door, and if it were a sports star it would be the
most valuable player.” Let us all think about what
more we can do to exhibit this lost quality in our
lives.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wedding Shower
There will be a Wedding Shower in
honor of Caleb Williams & Sydney Clark
this Saturday, July 11 “drive by” at the
church building from 10 a.m. until noon.
They are registered at Amazon, Walmart and Bed,
Bath & Beyond. See Missy Nichols, Sherry Kingsley
or Renee Childers for more information.
Maywood Christian Camp
East Main’s week at Maywood
Christian Camp begins this
Sunday, July 12-18! Several of
our youth and adults will be spending the week there.
Please keep them in your prayers for a spiritually
uplifting and safe week. Due to the current situation
with the COVID 19 virus, NO visitors will be allowed
on campgrounds during the week, only the staff and
campers will be allowed.
New Baby
Congratulations to Larry & Suzanne
Long in the birth of their granddaughter,
Eleanor “Ellie” June Renfro, on June 1.
She weighed 7 lbs. 11 oz. and was 19 ¼
inches long. Chris & Christie Renfro are
the proud parents.
Forgive, as God Forgives
Years ago a young man quarreled with his father and
left home.
He kept in touch with his mother and wanted badly to
come home for Christmas, but he was afraid his father
would not allow it.
His mother urged him to come home, but he did not
feel he could until he knew his father had forgiven
him.
Finally, his mother wrote and said she would talk with
the father, and if he had forgiven him, she would tie a
white cloth on the tree that grew alongside the railroad
tracks near their home, which he could see before the
train reached the station. If there were no white cloth,
it would be better if he went on.
So the young man started home. As the train drew
near his home he was so nervous that he said to his
friend who was traveling with him, “I can’t bear to
look. Sit in my place and look out the window. You
tell me whether there is a white cloth on it or not.”
His friend changed places with him. After a bit the
friend said, “I see the tree.”
The son asked, “Is there a white cloth tied to it?”
For a moment the friend did not say anything. Then he
turned, and said, “There is a white cloth tied to every
limb of that tree!”
Each of us is the prodigal boy. Jesus is the white cloth
our heavenly Father tied to the tree—to the cross of
Calvary—signaling that it was safe for us to come
home. —Unknown
--via House to House:Heart to Heart
John Duke stationed in Gulfport, MS
Caleb Williams stationed in Iraq
Rob Cross & family stationed in South Korea
John Millard stationed in Afghanistan
Ty Nichols stationed in Germany

3. Daily Bible Reading
July 8.................................................Proverbs 28-29
July 9.................................................Proverbs 30-31
July 10..............................................Ecclesiastes 1-6
July 11............................................Ecclesiastes 7-12
July 12..................................... Song of Solomon 1-4
July 13..................................... Song of Solomon 5-8
July 14........................................................Isaiah 1-4
Birthdays &
Anniversaries
Birthdays: Natalie Mansel (July 10), Amy
Voyles (July 10), Barry Kennedy (July 11),
Jennifer Ray (July 11), Wade Bryan (July
13). Anniversaries: None this week.
Our Sick
Pete Barber continues home hospice. Linda
Hand continues therapy at NMMC following hip
surgery. Crafton Laney is home recuperating from
eye surgery. Gail Geno is having sugar problems
and was taken to the ER last week. Bettye Davis is
not feeling well. Her Meniere’s Disease is flaring
up again. Katie Bates’ grandmother, Margaret
Miller, has been moved to hospice at NMMC.
On-Going Illnesses
Jean Mounce, Mary Lou Walden, Steve Kelly,
Frankie Estes, Jennie Cox, 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,
Merlene Johnson
Nursing Homes
Evelyn Willis, Nancy Haywood, Randy
Attaway, Shirley McCarthy, Veona Harris, Bob &
Clara McClure (Missy Nichols’ parents)
Home Devotional
In what chapter of the Bible do you find?
Ascension of Christ......................................... Acts 1
Birth of the church .......................................... Acts 2
Ananias and Sapphira ..................................... Acts 5
Conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch............... Acts 8
Conversion of Saul.......................................... Acts 9
Recite the Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6:9-13):
“Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy
name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it
is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from
evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and
the glory, for ever. Amen.”
Memory Verse:
❖ Who is Jesus?
❖ Matthew 16:16 “And Simon Peter answered
and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the
living God.”
Put the following Bible characters in
chronological order:
❖ Noah
❖ Abraham
❖ Benjamin
❖ Moses
❖ Joshua
❖ Methuselah
Can you tell a Bible story from the
following picture?
Outreach Item for July
Dishwashing liquid

4. Men to Serve Sunday, July 12, 2020 a.m.
Announcements..........................................Mark Hitt
Bible Reading..............................Bobby Joe Lindley
Opening Prayer ............................ Rommie Dilworth
Lord’s Supper
Mike Childers
Lead Singing......................................... Wade Bryan
Closing Prayer................................Jonathan Nichols
Ushers ................................Will Davis & Tim Davis
Contact the church office (842-6116) if unable
to serve.
Bible Classes (streamed each week)
Adult class...............................Jeff Mansel (Facebook)
Adult class.......... Barry Kennedy (Facebook/YouTube)
College class.....Roger Sanderson/Tim Davis (Facebook)
Young married class............................ Mark Hitt (Zoom)
High School class ................... Alex Blackwelder (Zoom)
The elders kindly request that men leading in public
worship wear the best dress clothes they have.
Attendance & Contribution
Mid-Week, 7-1-20 ..................................................... N/A
Sunday 1st
Worship, 7-25-20 ........................................ 21
Sunday Bible Class.................................................... N/A
Sunday 2nd
Worship.................................................. 109*
Contribution (budget $7,900) ................................ $9,235
*This does not include the livestreamed views.
Mark Your Calendars!
Maywood Christian Camp – July 12th-18th
Personal Evangelism Workshop – August 28th-29th
Gospel Meeting – September 13th-16th
Fall Family Retreat – November 13th-14th
Services will be livestreamed this Sunday at
10:00 a.m. if you do not feel safe attending the
service in person.