bulletin 3-16-21

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Vol. 46 March 16, 2021 Number 10
FAITH OR FABLES
Barry Kennedy
Once I was sitting in an auditorium with my computer writing this
article. I patiently awaited my daughter’s play practice. Many of the younger
children (performers) were also seated in the auditorium. While we waited,
they broke into song, singing several of the tunes from that year’s play,
“Cinderella’s Glass Slipper.” It was a touching sound, which got me to
thinking about how fables or fairy tales have had such an impact upon our
world. As most know, Cinderella is the story of a young maiden who was
abused, cast down, and overlooked by her stepmother and stepsisters until she
met her prince who carried her off to her happily ever after. This story has
given hope to many living in hardships, but one must remember this is just a
fairy tale. Most people understand that a fairy tales/fables have their place as
a form of entertainment, while others seek to avoid reality choosing to follow
fables. The apostle Paul informed Timothy this would happen with those who
would not endure “sound doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:1-4). The word sound
implies truth. When used in relation to a Christian, Thayer defines the word
ὑγιαίνω (hugiaino) as one “whose opinions are free from any mixture of
error.” The word doctrine simply means teaching. Teaching impacts every life;
therefore, one must take care to discern what is being taught (Acts 17:11).
Certainly, we all want a happily ever after life. We understand that faith and
not fables is the proper foundation for a true happily ever after (Hebrews
11:1).
Faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). Hearing
implies having an understanding and application of what is heard (John 13:17;
James 1:25; 2:14-17). Also, faith calls for reproving. Fables; however, do not
require any conviction or reproving. That is why there is such an appeal for
many to reject the preaching of sound, faithful doctrine to accept fables. Man,
often seeks instant gratification and lacks the determination needed to add the
Christian graces Peter listed in his second epistle (2 Peter 1:3-8). That failure
leads to a sense of future blindness. “He that lacketh these things is blind, and
cannot see afar off...” (2 Peter 1:8). This person, about whom Peter speaks, lacks
the ability to see the happily ever after life God promises to those who are
saved (John 3:16; Revelation 2:10). Sadly, too many believe (to their own
detriment) that they will have that life through fables. What about us?
--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
Early worship...............8:30 a.m.
Main worship.............10:00 a.m.
Bible class.............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)

2. --article continued from page 1--
Choosing to reject sound doctrine for
fables may bring one a sense of hope in gaining a
happily ever after, but a sense is all that it brings.
Jesus said, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye
my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and
the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31, 32).
Continuing in His word is the same as
continuing in the truth. “Sanctify them through thy
truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17). I don’t know
about you, but I do not want to base my eternal
destiny to mere wishful fantasies. Thankfully,
God’s word says we do not have to!
These things have I written unto you that
believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye
may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye
may believe on the name of the Son of God.
And this is the confidence that we have in
him, that, if we ask any thing according to his
will, he heareth us: And if we know that he
hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we
have the petitions that we desired of him. If
any man see his brother sin a sin which is not
unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him
life for them that sin not unto death. There is a
sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray
for it. All unrighteousness is sin: and there is
a sin not unto death. We know that whosoever
is born of God sinneth not; but he that is
begotten of God keepeth himself, and that
wicked one toucheth him not. And we know
that we are of God, and the whole world lieth
in wickedness. And we know that the Son of
God is come, and hath given us an
understanding, that we may know him that is
true, and we are in him that is true, even in
his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and
eternal life (1 John 5:13-20).
Is your hope in Faith or Fables?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sympathy
Our sympathy is extended to Rommie Dilworth in
the loss of his nephew, LaMarcus Dilworth, March 13.
Funeral arrangements were incomplete at this writing.
Maywood Christian Camp
Maywood Christian Camp is planning a regular
season! Registration is open. The cost is $180 per
camper. East Main’s week is July 18th
-24th
. Go online
ASAP and register:www.maywoodchristiancamp.com
Every Man’s Book
The Bible is every man’s book. To know the
Bible and to handle it correctly is one of the greatest
accomplishments within the reach of any person.
One may know English, astronomy, literature,
music, sociology, and philosophy, but if one does not
know the Bible, one has failed in the only subject that
brings all things into the proper relationship and
enables one to know life at its best. The best evidence
of the inspiration of the Bible is found between its
covers. No one will ever be a useful Christian without
being a student of the Bible. Matthew Henry said,
“The Scriptures were not written to make us
astronomers, but to make us saints.”
The Bible is not intended solely for some special
group. It is every man’s book; it was written for the
average person. Scholars may study it, but it is not
written for scholars. No one ever outgrows the
Scriptures. The more one studies them, the wider and
deeper they become. The Bible enables every reader
to look into eternity.
It is no wonder that Paul urged Timothy to study
the Scripture, “rightly dividing [handling aright] the
word of truth,” so he might be an approved workman
before God (2 Tim. 2:15).
The Bible acknowledges man’s faults; it is patient
with man’s weaknesses; it is honest with his virtues
and his hopes. To own the Bible is to be rich. To
study, to know, and to trust the Bible is to find life. To
study the Bible is to be wise; to obey it, to be strong.
Franklin Camp
Via House to House Heart to Heart, Archive 3340
John Duke stationed in Gulfport, MS
Caleb Williams stationed in Quantico, VA
Rob Cross & family stationed in South Korea
Mark Your Calendars!
April 3–Egg Hunt (6th grade & under)
April 16-18–7th Week Squad Retreat @
Maywood (7th grade-college)

3. Daily Bible Reading
March 17............................................ 1 Samuel 9-12
March 18.......................................... 1 Samuel 13-15
March 19.......................................... 1 Samuel 16-17
March 20.......................................... 1 Samuel 18-19
March 21.......................................... 1 Samuel 20-23
March 22.......................................... 1 Samuel 24-26
March 23.......................................... 1 Samuel 27-31
Birthdays &
Anniversaries
Birthdays: Marlon Geno (Mar. 17), Jeannie
Simmons (Mar. 17), Alex Blackwelder (Mar.
20), Jenna Davis (Mar. 20), Alicia Smith
(Mar. 21). Anniversaries: Hugh & Rachel Scribner
(Mar. 22).
Our Sick
Continue to remember Ashley Davis, James
Simmons, and Shauna McMickin as they undergo
chemo treatments. Shauna is currently at St. Jude
with fever. Judy Bates underwent knee surgery
Tuesday. Grayson Tally, Hilda Ratliff’s great
nephew, underwent surgery on his neck to remove a
growth Tuesday. Ben DuBois will undergo surgery
Thursday on his torn meniscus. Sean Koehn had a
checkup last week at M. D. Anderson. He will go
back in a month for a pet scan to double check a
few spots.
On-Going Illnesses
Jean Mounce, Mary Lou Walden, Steve Kelly,
Bettye Davis, Frankie Estes, Caroline Willis, Carol
Hood, Tommy Goff, Bill Goff, Donny Dulaney,
Adam McCurley, James Goddard, Mitch Maclean,
Mary Starz, Sheba Tuggers, Steve Higginbotham,
Mike & Jane Griffin
Nursing Homes
Nancy Haywood, Randy Attaway, Veona
Harris, Shirley McCarthy, Bob & Clara McClure,
Brenda Dawson
EMYG News
In Matthew 28:18-20, we read that Jesus tells His
immediate disciples to go out and make more
disciples. Baptizing them in the name of the
Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit teaching them
to observe all things He has commanded
them. Jesus leaves His disciples with a promise
of being with them till the very end of the world.
Often times, we marvel at mankind’s response to
this evangelistic commission. Those who sell
everything and give up the conveniences that we all
enjoy, to be focused to do the work of the Lord. I
don’t believe that God wants each of us to sell
everything we own and move to some foreign
country to do His work. The point or command I
believe Jesus is making is not to “Go.” The
command is to make disciples. So, how do we live
missionally?
It starts with the heart. Learning to view people
more as souls rather than just individuals could help
us become more purposeful with our interactions.
Another thing to consider when living missionally
is in every culture or province, it has its own set of
hardships and barriers. America is very diverse in
its belief and faith system, but I would argue that
America is not the hardest country to help bring lost
souls to our Savior. With that being said, take
advantage of knowing the English language and
take advantage of opportunities to incorporate
spiritual conversations. By living in the spiritual
“belt buckle” why not initiate spiritual
conversations? It is more culturally accepted here
than anywhere else.
Lastly, it’s important to remember that our only job
when living missionally is to plant the seed. God
will give the increase if the soil is right. Whether
people obey the Gospel or not, we shouldn’t take it
personally. Our immediate job is to get them in the
word. Once that happens, our ultimate goal should
be baptism. How neat is it that the God of the
universe wants us to be part of His plan by helping
bring the lost into a right relationship with Him?
Let’s go out and live missionally as we seek to obey
and glorify our God.
I love you and I hope you have a great week!!
Alex

4. Men to Serve Sunday, Mar. 21, 2021 a.m.
Announcements...................................Mike Childers
Bible Reading.............................................Ian Willis
Opening Prayer ...........................Bobby Joe Lindley
Lord’s Supper
Mark Hitt
Lead Singing.................................Alex Blackwelder
Closing Prayer........................................ Chad Willis
Ushers ..................Andy Baldwyn & Terry Kingsley
The elders kindly request that men leading in public
worship wear the best dress clothes they have.
Contact the church office (842-6116) if unable to
serve.
Bible Classes (streamed each week)
Adult class................Jeff Mansel (Facebook/YouTube)
Adult class.......... Barry Kennedy (Facebook/YouTube)
College class.....Tim Davis/Roger Sanderson (Facebook)
Attendance & Contribution
Mid-Week, 3-10-21 .................................................. 112*
Sunday 1st
Worship, 3-14-21 ........................................ 25
Sunday Bible Class................................................... 128*
Sunday 2nd
Worship.................................................. 160*
Contribution (budget $7,900) .............................. $11,156
*This does not include the livestreamed views.
Pantry item...............................Cake or brownie mix
Services will be livestreamed this Sunday at 10:00 a.m. if you do not feel
comfortable attending in person. However, if you do feel comfortable
meeting in person, we will have our 8:30 a.m. worship, our 10:00 a.m.
worship and our 11:15 a.m. Bible class this Sunday, March 21.
(Also, in person Bible classes will be held this Wed., March 17.)