bulletin 4-20-21

1. 4
Vol. 46 April 20, 2021 Number 15
SEEK YE FIRST
Barry Kennedy
“Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His Righteousness; and all these
things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). This verse sums up God’s
message to man throughout the Bible. God wants to meet the needs of
His crowning creation, but He also expects us to comply to His
arrangements. “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and
keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Eccl. 12:13). We
must strive to find balance in accepting the gifts of God while embracing
the responsibility of keeping His commands. Seek ye first, though very
well known, is also very well forsaken. We as individual members of the
Lord’s church must determine to seek first the kingdom of God and His
righteousness.
“Seek” The motivation behind this search is to love the Lord
above all others. “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou
shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and
with all thy might” (Deut. 6:4-5; see also Matt/ 22:37; Mark 12:30). This
foundation was further noted by the apostle John when he wrote “For this
is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are
not grievous” (1 John 5:3). The world makes it easy to forsake the Lord for
its physical pleasures, but those who truly love the Lord will strive to
seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
“First” Some words simply need no definition. That is the case
with the word first. Our society has been enamored with athletics for
centuries, and in that world, we clearly understand what first place
means. God’s kingdom and His righteousness must be sought as
diligently as the professional athlete seeks first place. It takes
conditioning and much effort. “Know ye not that they which run in a race
run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man
that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a
corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible” (1 Cor. 9:24-25). Conditioning
involves both mind and body. Just as athletes must condition their bodies
for the task, they must also get their minds focused upon obtaining the
victory. The same is true for the child of God. “Let this mind be in you,
--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 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)

2. --article continued from page 1—
which was also in Christ Jesus:” (Phil. 2:5). Jesus
was always focused upon keeping God first.
He illustrated this when He said to His mother,
“...wist ye not that I must be about my Father's
business?” (Luke 2:49). Also, when Jesus said,
“I must work the works of him that sent me, while it
is day: the night cometh, when no man can work”
(John 9:4); He was setting forth the example of
focusing upon prioritizing our time. It is easy
for you and me to say that the Lord’s kingdom
and His righteousness are first in our lives.
That begs the question, “Does God know that
He is first in our lives?”
“Kingdom of God” If we are to seek
first the kingdom, would it not imply that we
must know how to define the kingdom of
God? The Bible uses the phrase kingdom of
God to reference two things, the church (Matt.
16:18-19), and Heaven (Matt. 8:11). The fact of
the matter is that no one can enter the
Kingdom of God i.e. Heaven, without being a
part of the Kingdom of God the Church that
belongs to Christ (Matt. 7:21). That being said,
it is also true that no one can be a faithful
member of the kingdom of God without
seeking it first.
“Righteousness” Simple question, “Do
you and I long to do what is right, or do we
desire to make what we want right?” If we are
to expect success (i.e. all these things being
added unto you) we must let what God says is
right be what we follow as right. Paul wrote,
“...let God be true, but every man a liar;” (Rom.
3:4). “There is a way which seemeth right unto a
man, but the end thereof are the ways of death”
(Pro 14:12). Are we truly seeking first the
kingdom of God and His righteousness?
Sympathy
Our sympathy is extended to the families of two
former East Main members who passed from this
life last week. Sister Dale Pate passed away on
April 7 in Nashville, TN. Funeral services were held
April 12. Brother Olun Hood passed away on April
11. Funeral services were held in Fulton on April
13.
V. B. S.
East Main’s
Vacation Bible
School has been set
for June 13-16 from
6:30-8:00 p.m. each
evening on the
topic “Champion:
Empowered by
Jesus.” There will be classes for all ages including
adults. Make plans now to attend and invite others!
John Duke stationed in Gulfport, MS
Caleb Williams stationed in Quantico, VA
Rob Cross & family stationed in Saudi Arabia

3. Daily Bible Reading
April 21.......................................1 Chronicles 28-29
April 22...........................................2 Chronicles 1-5
April 23...........................................2 Chronicles 6-9
April 24.......................................2 Chronicles 10-12
April 25.......................................2 Chronicles 13-16
April 26.......................................2 Chronicles 17-20
April 27.......................................2 Chronicles 21-25
Birthdays &
Anniversaries
Birthdays: Ashley Davis (Apr. 23), Brittney
Kennedy (Apr. 23), Russell Deaton (Apr. 26),
Greg Hughes (Apr. 26), Sarah Smith (Apr.
26), Shawn Mounce (Apr. 27). Anniversaries:
Ricky & Lisa Lindsey (Apr. 22), Joe & Alicia
Smith (Apr. 23), Bobby Joe & Brenda Lindley
(Apr. 24).
Our Sick
James Simmons underwent chemo treatment #4
of 6 this past Friday. Ashley Davis has completed
her chemo and will begin radiation Thursday.
Shauna McMickin, Scotty & Wanda Bishop’s
granddaughter, was taken back to St. Jude Saturday
with vomiting and fever. Tommy Goff, Patsy
Nichols’ brother, has been put on home hospice.
Donny Dulaney, Twinette Wallace’s brother, is
home from the hospital. Teresa Turner, Inez
Turner’s daughter, will undergo open heart surgery
Wednesday.
On-Going Illnesses
Jean Mounce, Mary Lou Walden, Steve Kelly,
Bettye Davis, Frankie Estes, Caroline Willis, Sean
Koehn, Carol Hood, Bill Goff, Donny Dulaney, Adam
McCurley, James Goddard, Mitch Maclean, Mary
Starz, Sheba Tuggers, Steve Higginbotham, Jane
Griffin
Nursing Homes
Nancy Haywood, Randy Attaway, Veona Harris,
Shirley McCarthy, Bob & Clara McClure, Brenda
Dawson
EMYG News
Hello! I hope that you are having a wonderful
week thus far! We had a fantastic weekend at
Maywood Christian Camp. Thanks everyone
who went and especially those who helped
cook and made the weekend what it was.
Don’t forget we have a Youth and Parent
Meeting THIS SUNDAY after our morning
worship. Please bring a potluck dish!
April 23rd we are having another T.G.I.F. this
Friday so be sure to attend and BRING
FRIENDS! We will have another guest speaker
who will cover the topic of Forgiveness as will
our movie. Can’t way to see ya’ll then.
Junior Youth don’t forget the Lock-In April 30th
here at the building. More information will be
given next week!
For those graduating high school in May,
please be at East Main on May 16th so we can
honor you. We are proud of you and your
accomplishments.

4. Men to Serve Sunday, Apr. 25, 2021 a.m.
Announcements..................................... Wade Bryan
Bible Reading.......................................Britton Smith
Opening Prayer .......................................Jeff Mansel
Lord’s Supper
Mike Childers
Lead Singing.................................Alex Blackwelder
Closing Prayer....................................Ricky Johnson
Ushers ............................Lee DuBois & Ben DuBois
Please meet in the library by 8:45 a.m.
Sunday 11:15 a.m. service
Opening Prayer ..................................Hugh Scribner
Closing Prayer......................................... Larry Long
Lead Singing..................................Jonathan Nichols
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
Opening Prayer .................................Barry Kennedy
Lead Singing........................................ Greg Hughes
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.
Attendance & Contribution
Mid-Week, 4-14-21 .................................................. 151*
Sunday 1st
Worship, 4-18-21 .................................... 136*
Sunday Bible Class..................................................... 143
Sunday 2nd
Worship.................................................... 134
Contribution (budget $7,900) ................................ $9,365
*This does not include the livestreamed views.
Pantry item........................................... Peanut butter