bulletin 4-27-21

1. 4
Vol. 46 April 27, 2021 Number 16
WHEN WE LOSE FOCUS
Barry Kennedy
Focus is needed in every area of life. Consider all the work people are
doing to try to stop “texting and driving.” Really, what is the big deal? Texting
takes one’s focus off his driving and makes him vulnerable to having an
accident. This poses a danger for the one doing the texting as well as pedestrians,
and any other drivers on the road. Therefore, it is clear to see the importance of
having focus when we are driving, but can we see the importance of having
focus in our Christian lives?
When we lose focus spiritually, we endanger ourselves. God made man
in His own image (Genesis 1:26). The fact that He created us should serve as a
reminder that He knows what is best for us. What does that have to do with
focus? The apostle Paul showed the importance of focus in his letter to Philippi.
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are
lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there
be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8). Our hope comes from
God’s promises, but we too must focus upon the goal (Philippians 3:13, 14).
When we allow our minds to become distracted, we may find ourselves unstable
(James 1:8). Certainly, that would put us in danger.
When we lose focus spiritually, we endanger others. Example is the
greatest tool we have to show others the hope God gives to His children. “But
sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to
every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and
fear:” (1 Peter 3:15). Paul told Timothy to be an “example of the believers, in
word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).
We often consider peer pressure to be a negative force that derives from others.
Certainly, that can be the case (1 Corinthians 15:33), but have we ever stopped to
consider that our example might be the source of that evil communication? That
is why it is so important to maintain our Christian focus! Jesus, the greatest
example (1 Peter 2:21), maintained His focus while here on earth. “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). Even when He was twelve years old, He told His mother:
“How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's
business?” (Luke 2:49). Yes, Jesus kept His focus and so should we. Satan is
good at His job, but he can only win when we lose focus.
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
May 2021
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
Aiden Lindley
Congregational
Karaoke—5:30
pm mp room
Ezra 1-2
2
Wedding Shower
John Levi (Willis)
Pennington &
Kelsey Spradling
Ezra 3-4
3
Ezra 5-6
4
Ezra 7-8
5
Heath &
Christina
Lindley
Ezra 9-10
6
Debbie Vines
Nehemiah 1-2
7
Sr. Youth-TGIF
Nehemiah 3-4
8
LuAnne & Paul
Funderburk
Nehemiah 5-6
9
Nehemiah 7
10
Jake Donald
Barbara Wright
Nehemiah 8
11
Tammy Hughes
Nehemiah 9-10
12
Maggie Minor
Summer Smith
Larry &
Suzanne Long
Nehemiah 11-12
13
Paul Blansett
Dolline Gibson
Nehemiah 13
14
Scotty Bishop
Esther 1-2
15
Aaryn Vines
Esther 3-4
16
Jalon & Katherine
Mansel
Honor High
School Graduates
Esther 5-7
17
Roger & Lynn
Sanderson
Esther 8-10
18
Sarai Lindley
Melvin & Debbie
Duke
Job 1-3
19
Mike Childers
Lauren Lindley
Ricky Lindsey
Anna Mae Huggins
James & Sandra
Simmons
Eddie & Jeannie
Simmons
Job 4-7
20
Annie Martin
Mark & Carrie
Hitt
Job 8-10
21
William & Marla
Harris
Job 11-14
22
Avery Gilliland
Brooke Roby
Job 15-17
23
Job 18-19
24
Zan Roby
Hattie Sheffield
Job 20-21
25
Cannon
Funderburk
Job 22-24
26
Gail Geno
Job 25-28
27
Job 29-31
28
Katie Bates
Job 32-34
29
Ryan Oliver
Andy &
Stephanie
Baldwyn
Job 35-37
30
Marlon & Gail
Geno
Job 38-39
31
Job 40-42

3. Daily Bible Reading
April 28.............................................. 2 Chronicles 26-28
April 29.............................................. 2 Chronicles 29-32
April 30.............................................. 2 Chronicles 33-36
May 1 .................................................................. Ezra 1-2
May 2 .................................................................. Ezra 3-4
May 3 .................................................................. Ezra 5-6
May 4 .................................................................. Ezra 7-8
Birthdays &
Anniversaries
Birthdays: McKenna Lindsey (Apr. 28),
Aiden Lindley (May 1).
Anniversaries: None this week.
Our Sick
James Simmons continues chemo. Ashley Davis
has begun radiation. Shauna McMickin, Scotty &
Wanda Bishop’s granddaughter, continues at St. Jude.
Tommy Goff, Patsy Nichols’ brother, continues home
hospice. Shirley Lyons underwent hip surgery last
week at NMMC after falling. Waymon Gibson is
home from the hospital. Teresa Turner underwent
open heart surgery last week at NMMC. Berta
Kennedy’s brother, Ricky Britt, underwent surgery
Tuesday at NMMC for a broken hip after falling.
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
High School Graduates
We will be honoring our high school graduates on
Sunday, May 16. This year’s graduates are Mary
Morgan Lyle and Jordan Laney.
Congregational Activity
The entire congregation is invited to the
multipurpose room this Sat., May 1 at 5:30 p.m. for
karaoke night. Sign the list on the bulletin board
across from the ladies’ bathroom if you plan to attend
and what you will bring.
EMYG News
Hello! I hope you’re doing well. I appreciate those
who attended the youth and parent meeting today. If you
were unable to attend, here’s the rundown of the
meeting. We have a busy summer planned for you and
your family. On the youth board, there is a sign-up sheet
to help chaperone T.G.I.F. I NEED YOUR HELP! There
will only be two T.G.I.F.’s in the month of May, so
please get involved now and in the months to come.
Starting in June, T.G.I.F. will transition into being a
biweekly (every other week) event. We enjoy our
weekly opportunities to be together, but due to the other
activities planned for the summer and with those
traveling, it seems best to transition in this way. Also,
starting in June, we will have BRAIN FREEZE every
Wednesday for those who have a sweet tooth and desire
to spend more time together.
The summer monthly calendar will be on the youth
board soon for you to reference as needed. I will also be
more diligent to use the “REMIND” app to also help
keep you updated about current events. We brought up
in our meeting the possibility of taking a trip to visit the
ARK encounter as well as the Creation Museum. More
info about this trip regarding dates and other details will
be announced soon. East Main’s VBS will be June 13th -
16th. Please reach out to me or Michael Wilson if you
would like to help teach.
**For more immediate dates and events, we have our
junior youth lock-in beginning this Friday from 8pm-
6am Saturday morning. If you can help chaperone,
please let me know. This coming Saturday evening, we
will have our church wide Karaoke night. All are
encouraged to participate! It'll be fun!! PLEASE sign up
on the youth board by THIS WEDNESDAY or let me
know if you plan to attend so we can get a head count
for food.
If you would like to host a Senior youth devotional at
your house July-December, please let me know or go to
the youth board to see the available dates for that. The
monthly devotionals will begin in June and June’s
monthly devo will be held at the Blackwelder’s house.
As always, if there is anything that I can help you with,
please let me know.
Sympathy
Our sympathy is extended to Brenda Lindley in the
loss of her sister, Blanche Rainwater, on Apr. 19.
Funeral services were held Apr. 23 in Amory.
Nursing Homes
Nancy Haywood, Randy Attaway, Veona Harris,
Shirley McCarthy, Bob/Clara McClure, Brenda Dawson

4. Men to Serve Sunday, May 2, 2021 a.m.
Announcements..........................................Mark Hitt
Bible Reading.................................... Andy Baldwyn
Opening Prayer ...........................Bobby Joe Lindley
Lord’s Supper
Alex Blackwelder
Lead Singing..................................Jonathan Nichols
Closing Prayer........................................... Joe Minor
Ushers ..........................Will Davis & Ricky Lindsey
Please meet in the library by 8:45 a.m.
Sunday 11:15 a.m. service
Opening Prayer ..............................Dennis Hallmark
Closing Prayer....................................Daniel Morton
Lead Singing......................................Hugh Scribner
Wednesday, May 5, 2021
Opening Prayer ..................................... Wade Bryan
Lead Singing.................................Alex Blackwelder
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, 4-21-21 .................................................. 152*
Sunday 1st
Worship, 4-25-21 .................................... 170*
Sunday Bible Class..................................................... 159
Sunday 2nd
Worship.................................................... 136
Contribution (budget $7,900) ................................ $9,266
*This does not include the livestreamed views.
Pantry item......................................................Cereal