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Are we confident that our light is bright
Vol. 46 November 2, 2021 Number 42
THE TIES THAT BIND
Barry Kennedy
In 1772 a preacher by the name of John Fawcett was given an opportunity
to leave the small congregation in Wainsgate and preach for a larger congregation
in London. Through many tears, and pleas to stay, the Wainsgate congregation
helped Mr. Fawcett and his wife pack to move. Overcome by the loving devotion
the congregation had shown, Mrs. Fawcett said, “Oh John, John, I cannot bear
this.” “Neither can I, and we will not go. Unload the wagons and put everything
as it was before.” In celebration Mr. Fawcett wrote the songs “God Be With You
Until We Meet Again” and “Bless Be The Tie That Binds.”
(http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/b/b/bbtttb.htm). What is the tie that binds us together
in love?
The tie of faith Faith should be very important to every individual,
especially considering that without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews
11:6). True faith is not only good for the individual, it also can bring people
together. The apostle Peter used the phrase “like precious faith” to describe the tie
of faith (2 Peter 1:1). Like precious speaks of unity and value. The apostle Paul
addressed the dangers of division that were plaguing the church in Corinth. “Now
I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak
the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly
joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10).
Though Paul’s message reprimanded the Corinthians it also encouraged them.
The fact that he said “speak the same thing... be perfectly joined together”
emphasizes the possibility to achieve unity. The only way to truly have the unity
of mind and judgment is through the tie of FAITH.
The tie of forgiveness Is there a blessing out there that ties people
together any better than the tie of forgiveness? We all make mistakes, let people
down, and have the need to be forgiven. “For all have sinned, and come short of
the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The prophet Isaiah let the nation of Israel know
that their sins separated them from God. “But your iniquities have separated
between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will
not hear” (Isaiah 59:2). Our sins have the same effect today, severing our
relationship with one another as well as with God. Forgiveness is the tie that
reunites the Christian who sinned to Christ and his to fellow Christian. It is easy
to see when we need forgiveness, but it may be harder at times to offer
forgiveness to others. Jesus explained it clearly when He said, “For if ye forgive
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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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men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will
also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their
trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your
trespasses” (Matthew 6:14, 15). What a blessing
we have been given if we are forgiven, and what
a blessing we can give if we will choose to
forgive.
The tie of family Of the three institutions
God ordained, home, government and church,
the home came first. God has always placed a
great emphasis upon family structure. In fact,
God chose Abraham to be a leader because he
knew how to direct his family.
Seeing that Abraham shall surely become
a great and mighty nation, and all the
nations of the earth shall be blessed in
him? For I know him, that he will
command his children and his household
after him, and they shall keep the way of
the LORD, to do justice and judgment;
that the LORD may bring upon Abraham
that which he hath spoken of him (Gen.
18:18-19).
What would God have to say about our family
ties today? Are the cords of love (displayed in
faith and forgiveness) tightly holding us
together, or do we find ourselves coming
unraveled? God knew what He was doing when
He set up the family tie. What a great blessing it
is to be “tied” to a loving family. May God help
us to count our many blessings and never forget
the ties that binds.
~~~~~~~~~~
Community Outreach Program
Cancer Center Project
The Community Outreach Program has
brown grocery bags in the foyer. We are
asking everyone who can to please take a
bag, purchase the 6 food items stapled to
the bag, and place your bag in the library
by Sunday, Nov. 14. These bags will be
delivered to the Cancer Center in Tupelo to help many
of their patients who are in need of food. Thank you
for your help.
Community Outreach Program
“Blessing Bags”
The Community Outreach Program will
be assembling the “blessing bags” for area
schools this Wednesday, Nov. 3 in the
multipurpose room beginning at 6:30 p.m.
before Bible study if you would like to
come and help.
Tuesday Mornings with
the Master
“Tuesday Mornings with the Master” began today.
It will be held in the multipurpose room every
Tuesday from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Please come if you
are able. We will be signing cards and having prayer
for those in need.
Brain Freeze
Don’t forget that this Wednesday,
Nov. 3 following Bible class we will have
Brain Freeze in the multipurpose room for
anyone who would like to enjoy an extra
time of fellowship and ice cream.
Ladies
All the ladies are invited to the building this
Sunday, Nov. 7 at 4 pm for a devotional led
by the young ladies in our youth group here at
East Main. Please come and encourage them!
Ladies’ Fellowship
The monthly ladies’ fellowship will be held on
Thursday, Nov. 11 at 6:00 p.m. in the multipurpose
room. There will be no meal. Berta Kennedy will
be doing the devotional.
Bridal Shower
A bridal shower will be held in honor of
Shelby Holloway, bride-elect of Scott
Childers, on Sunday, Nov. 14 “come and
go” from 2:00-3:30 p.m. in the multipurpose room.
Shelby & Scott are registered at Walmart, Belk, and
City Mercantile.

Daily Bible Reading
November 3..................................................John 6-7
November 4................................................John 8-10
November 5..............................................John 11-12
November 6..............................................John 13-16
November 7..............................................John 17-19
November 8..............................................John 20-21
November 9..................................................Acts 1-2
Birthdays &
Anniversaries
Birthdays: Eric Barnette (Nov. 3), Kent
Nichols (Nov. 4), Stuart Childers (Nov. 8).
Anniversaries: Dillard & Trish Scribner
(Nov. 4).
Our Sick
Nancy Haywood and Lori Blansett’s father,
Larry Cobb, continue hospice. Twinette Wallace is
undergoing treatment for Trigeminal Neuralgia.
Maggie Simineau & Gail Geno are home
recuperating from broken bones. Susan Reed
underwent tests at UAB last week. Donny McKay’s
stepfather, Marvin Chamblee, was to go to The
Meadows in Fulton Monday for therapy. Steve
Kelly’s nephew, Woody Turner, is home with
covid. Prayers have been requested for Duke Loden,
Star Ray, Stella Pittman & Barbara Wright’s
cousin-in-law, and Mary Puckett, Brenda
Spearman’s great niece.
On-Going Illnesses
Mary Lou Walden, Evelyn Thompson, Steve
Kelly, Bettye Davis, Frankie Estes, Shirley Lyons,
Caroline Willis, Carol Hood, Bill Goff, Donny
Dulaney, Adam McCurley, James Goddard, Mitch
Maclean, Mary Starz, Sheba Tuggers, Steve
Higginbotham, Stella Pittman, April & Olivia
Pounders, Glenda Barnette, Barbara Bishop, Debbie
McCoy, Larry Kennedy, Brian Carver
Nursing Homes
Randy Attaway, Shirley McCarthy, Bob McClure
EMYG News
Hello Church family! This past Sunday was
super fun. Thank you to everyone who decorated your
trunk, dressed up in costume, and made Sunday night a
great success! Don’t forget to sign up to go to CYC
located on the youth board before it’s too late.
Everyone loves a good vacation! I found out
very quickly on one vacation that I get motion sick on
big boats. I know some people really love cruises and
being surrounded by water. Part of the reason we might
like going on various cruises is because we’re taken care
of, and most all of our needs are met.
Contrast that to God’s design for His church.
The church should not be a cruise ship where a handful
of people serve everyone who is relaxing. Quite the
opposite really! When we come together as His church,
we must leave empowered and ready to work together
for His glory. Colossians 3:17, Paul says, “And whatever
you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of
the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through
him. Instead of a cruise ship, the church should be a
battleship where its “all hands-on deck” and everyone
serves the mission.
Based on our own talents, everyone has a part to
play in the church. The last two years of our lives, we’ve
had time where not much has been happening within the
walls of East Main. But that’s about to change! I hope
you’re ready to get involved in the various works that
East Main is doing and together we can shine brightly in
our community as well as within. I love you! Alex
Thank You Notes
Dear East Main family,
It is difficult to put into words how much we
appreciate all the thoughts, prayers, flowers, food and
love shown to us during the sickness and passing of our
precious James. He loved this congregation and served
wherever he could for over 60 years. Our hearts are
broken over our loss, but we are comforted by our
church family. Please continue to remember us in all
your prayers as this is the hardest thing we have ever
faced. We love your all. The James Simons family
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We can not begin to thank you enough for all the
prayers, flowers, food, phone calls and every act of
kindness shown to us during the passing of my mother.
Thanks to all of you that made the trip to the funeral
home. It meant more than you can ever know. Please
continue to keep our family in your prayers. We are so
thankful for our church family.
Donny & Wanda McKay
John, Hollie, Mary Robbins & Rosie Bowlin

Men to Serve Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021 a.m.
Announcements.............................. Dennis Hallmark
Bible Reading........................................ Aaryn Vines
Opening Prayer ......................................Mike Ratliff
Lord’s Supper
Bobby Joe Lindley
Lead Singing.................................Alex Blackwelder
Closing Prayer...................................... Jalon Mansel
Ushers ....................Andy Baldwyn & Dale Dulaney
Please meet in the library by 8:45 a.m.
Sunday 11:15 a.m. service
Opening Prayer .................................... Greg Hughes
Closing Prayer......................................... Larry Long
Lead Singing....................................Michael Wilson
Wednesday, November 10, 2021
Opening Prayer ....................................Larry Presley
Lead Singing.........................................Wesley Bass
The elders kindly request that men leading in public
worship wear the best dress clothes they have.
Contact Jimmy Spearman (840-8957) if unable to serve.
Attendance & Contribution
Mid-Week, 10-27-21 .................................................. 129
Sunday 1st
Worship, 10-31-21 .................................. 158*
Sunday Bible Class..................................................... 156
Sunday 2nd
Worship.................................................... 148
Contribution (budget $7,900) ................................ $8,357
*This does not include the livestreamed views.
Pantry item........................................... Peanut butter