Bulletin 3-24-20

1. 4
Vol. 45 March 24, 2020 Number 12
Confined, but not Counted Out
Barry Kennedy
What did you miss this past Lord’s Day? No doubt we all have read articles
with lines like this in the past. Usually it is reference to those who have made it a
habit of “forsaking the assembly.” Clearly, there has been a need to encourage
faithfulness in every aspect of Christianity, including assembly. This in not
however, what my question is about per se. This past Sunday was the most unique
Lord’s Day I have ever experienced in my life, and I know that I am not alone.
Life as we know it in the United States has been greatly altered. For the first time
in my life our government has asked us to self-quarantine to help curb the spread
of COVID-19 (aka Corona virus). We have seen the very best and worst in our
fellow man. As I sit here considering the events of our day, I cannot help but to
think this really couldn’t have come at a better time for the Lord’s church. Now
before you grab the pitchfork and torch to “run me out on a rail,” please hear me
out. This morning I met with five other members of the East Main congregation
where I serve (two elders, one deacon, and our youth and family minister) to
stream a “as much as possible” normal worship service, enabling our family to
worship together via free social media. Just imagine, had we been called to
“quarantine” before the internet things would have been very different. I would be
remiss if I didn’t say, “I missed the hugs and handshakes of our family.” No, I will
never advocate that we should permanently trade our physical assemblies for
virtual ones, but due to the present distress it was truly a blessing. What impressed
me the most, however, is the mass number of congregations whose services were
either streamed or prerecorded. Just think, congregations that may have under 50
members, now have the same gospel message broadcast worldwide. What an
awesome response to such a difficult situation.
Jesus told His disciples to go into all the world making disciples of every
creature (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15). Could it be that we have been content to
confine the gospel to the walls of our meeting houses? God never wanted that to be
the case. We know from the book of Acts that the church was established in
Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). The first century church got off to a
great start but found themselves staying put. What came next? Persecution from
the Pharisees like Saul of Tarsus (Acts 8:1). What was the result? “Therefore,
--article continued page 3--
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—
they that were scattered abroad went everywhere
preaching the word” (Acts 8:4). No, I am not saying
this virus is a complete parallel to the first century
persecution, but one cannot help but to see how
both have helped to spread the Word of God. Only
eternity will know how many souls heard the gospel
today. Some who may not have darkened the doors
of our buildings could have easily clicked play on
the church’s video. Maybe, just maybe, someone
will consider a physical visit, because of what they
saw us doing. Could it be someone might get their
life “inline,” because they saw us “online?”
God has said that His Word would not come
back void (Isaiah 55:11), but He is still expecting us
to take the soul saving message to a lost and dying
world. It is not going to be easy, but He promises to
bless us in the end (Matthew 10:22, 34-36; John
10:10). God’s people, like everyone else, may be
confined at the present, but we are not counted out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sympathy
Our sympathy is extended to Patsy Nichols’ in the
loss of her brother, Billy Goff, on Mar. 14. Funeral
services were held Mar. 17 at 2:00 p.m. at the Skyline
Church of Christ. Please keep Patsy in your prayers!
Girls’ Joyful Rebellion
The girls’ Joyful Rebellion group will NOT meet
this Wednesday, Mar. 18. They will resume in
April.
Maywood Christian Camp
7th
Week Squad Retreat
The Maywood Christian Camp “7th
Week
Squad” Retreat scheduled for March 27-29, has
been postponed for now.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Kim &
Ricky Johnson in the birth of
their granddaughter, Sydney
Grace Sheffield, on March 19.
She weighed 11 lbs. 9 oz. and
was 21 ½ inches long. Yaya &
Paw are over the moon!
How Readest Thou?
‘Tis one thing to read the Bible through;
Another thing to read to learn to do.
‘Tis another thing, too, to read with delight,
And quite another thing to read it right.
Some read it with design to learn to read,
But the subject pay but little heed;
Some read it as their duty, once a week,
But no instruction from the Bible seek.
Some read to bring themselves into repute,
By showing others how they can dispute,
While some read because their neighbors do,
To see how long ‘twill take to read it through.
Some read the blessed Book they know not why—
It sometimes happens in the way to lie;
While others read it with uncommon care,
But just to find some contradiction there.
One reads with his father’s specs upon his head,
And sees the things just as his father said;
One reads through others who are not inspired,
And thinks it seems precisely what they desired.
Some read to prove some pre-admitted creed,
Thus understanding but very little what they read.
And every passage in the Book they bend.
To make it prove that all-important (?) end.
Some people read as I have thought,
To teach the book instead of being taught,
John Duke stationed in Gulfport, MS
Caleb Williams stationed in Iraq
Rob Cross & family stationed in South Korea
April 2020
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
Raleigh Bass
Roger
Sanderson
1 Kings 1-4
2
Hannon & Star
Ray
Sr. Adult
fellowship @ 6
pm
1 Kings 5-6
3
1 Kings 7-8
4
Mark Hitt
Missy Nichols
1 Kings 9-11
5
Wedding Shower
for Alex & Cassie
Visitation Team #2
1 Kings 12-14
6
Kim Johnson
1 Kings 15-16
7
Ayzleigh Bass
Ginny Berryhill
Kylee Steward
1 Kings 17-19
8
Susan Reed
1 Kings 20-22
9
Jalon Mansel
Emily Williams
Ladies’ fellowship
@ 6 pm in mp
room
2 Kings 1-3
10
Russell & Norma
Deaton
2 Kings 4-8
11
Larry Bates
Jr. Youth/Early
Seekers’ Egg
Hunt
2 Kings 9-12
12
Scott Childers
2 Kings 13-17
13
2 Kings 18-21
14
Linda Hand
Sky & Jennifer
Ray
2 Kings 22-25
15
Heath Lindley
1 Chronicles 1-4
16
Mike Cross
Dennis
Hallmark
Hannon Ray
1 Chronicles 5-9
17
Janna Gholston
1 Chron. 10-13
18
Brenda Lindley
1 Chron. 14-16
19
Area Youth
Meeting @ Gloster
St.—5 pm
1 Chron. 17-21
20
Wanda Bryan
LuAnne
Funderburk
Blaine Roby
1 Chron. 22-27
21
1 Chron. 28-29
22
Ricky & Lisa
Lindsey
2 Chronicles 1-5
23
Ashley Davis
Brittney
Kennedy
Joe & Alicia
Smith
2 Chronicles 6-9
24
Willie Topp
Bobby Joe &
Brenda Lindley
2 Chron. 10-12
25
East Main
Ladies’ Day
2 Chron. 13-16
26
Russell Deaton
Greg Hughes
Sarah Smith
Family First
Fellowship
Jr. Bible Bowl @
Gloster St.-2 pm
2 Chron. 17-20
27
Shawn Mounce
2 Chron. 21-25
28
McKenna
Lindsey
2 Chron. 26-28
29
2 Chron. 29-32
30
2 Chron. 33-36
It is likely that some of the planned
social activities for April may have to
be rescheduled or cancelled.

3. Daily Bible Reading
March 25.............................................. 2 Samuel 5-7
March 26............................................ 2 Samuel 8-10
March 27.......................................... 2 Samuel 11-12
March 28.......................................... 2 Samuel 13-14
March 29.......................................... 2 Samuel 15-18
March 30.......................................... 2 Samuel 19-20
March 31 .......................................... 2 Samuel 21-24
Birthdays &
Anniversaries
Birthdays: David Bates (Mar. 26), Erin
Moore (Mar. 28), Crafton Laney (Mar. 28),
Kristie Webb (Mar. 29). Anniversaries: Mark
& Mikki Gilliland (Mar. 28).
Our Sick
Jean Mounce’s surgery at UAB has been re-
scheduled for April 22. Norma Deaton fell and hurt
her back. Wilma Underwood, Chevela’s mother-in-
law, has been moved to the Meadows in Fulton for
therapy. Missy Nichols’ mother, Clara McClure,
has pneumonia.
On-Going Illnesses
Mary Lou Walden, Pete Barber, 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, Brad
Dillard, Merlene Johnson, Margaret Miller
Nursing Homes
Evelyn Willis, Nancy Haywood, Randy
Attaway, Shirley McCarthy, Mary Southern, Veona
Harris
--article continued from page 1—
they that were scattered abroad went everywhere
preaching the word” (Acts 8:4). No, I am not saying
this virus is a complete parallel to the first century
persecution, but one cannot help but to see how
both have helped to spread the Word of God. Only
eternity will know how many souls heard the gospel
today. Some who may not have darkened the doors
of our buildings could have easily clicked play on
the church’s video. Maybe, just maybe, someone
will consider a physical visit, because of what they
saw us doing. Could it be someone might get their
life “inline,” because they saw us “online?”
God has said that His Word would not come
back void (Isaiah 55:11), but He is still expecting us
to take the soul saving message to a lost and dying
world. It is not going to be easy, but He promises to
bless us in the end (Matthew 10:22, 34-36; John
10:10). God’s people, like everyone else, may be
confined at the present, but we are not counted out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Congratulations
Congratulations to Kim & Ricky
Johnson in the birth of their
granddaughter, Sydney Grace
Sheffield, on March 19. She
weighed 11 lbs. 9 oz. and was 21 ½
inches long. Yaya & Paw are over the moon!
Family First Fellowship
Our Family First Fellowship will NOT be held
this Sunday.
Maywood Christian Camp
7th
Week Squad Retreat
The Maywood Christian Camp “7th
Week
Squad” Retreat scheduled for March 27-29, has
been postponed for now.
Outreach Item for March
Lotion
John Duke stationed in Gulfport, MS
Caleb Williams stationed in Iraq
Rob Cross & family stationed in South Korea

4. Men to Serve Sunday, Mar. 29, 2020 a.m.
Announcements.......................................Jeff Mansel
Bible Reading........................................ Aaryn Vines
Opening Prayer ..............................Roger Sanderson
Lord’s Supper
Perry Hand & Greg Hughes
Serve Congregation, East Side:
Dale Dulaney, Grady Vines, Mark Gilliland
Serve Congregation, West Side:
Hunter Underwood, Harold Roby, Britton Smith
Lead Singing..............................................Mark Hitt
Closing Prayer...................................... Kent Nichols
Ushers ............................Sam Hood & Larry Presley
Please meet in the library by 8:45 a.m.
Sunday Afternoon
Opening Prayer .......................................Jeff Mansel
Closing Prayer................................... Terry Kingsley
Lead Singing....................................James Simmons
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
Prayer...................................................Larry Presley
Lead Singing........................................ Greg Hughes
Contact Michael Wilson (891-0891) if unable to serve.
The elders kindly request that men leading in public
worship wear the best dress clothes they have.
Greeters .....................................Larry & Judy Bates
................................ Mike & Renee Childers
Prepare Lord’s Supper—March.......................Roger
& Lynn Sanderson
Nursery (1st
worship).................Suzanne & Lauren Long
(2nd
worship).........................Debbie & Codi Hallmark
Pantry................................................................ Tuna
Attendance & Contribution
Mid-Week, 3-18-20.............................................N/A
Sunday 1st
Worship, 3-22-20 ..............................N/A
Sunday Bible Class .............................................N/A
Sunday 2nd
Worship............................................N/A
Contribution (budget $7,900)..........................$4,760
Mark Your Calendars!!!
Ladies’ Day – April 25th
Personal Evangelism Workshop – May 29th-30th
Vacation Bible School – June 14th-17th
Maywood Christian Camp – July 12th-18th
Outward Camp – July 31st-August 1st
Gospel Meeting – September 13th-16th
Fall Family Retreat – November 13th-14th
It is likely that we will need to
livestream services again Sunday!