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Vol. 46 May 4, 2021 Number 17
Thank You Mothers
Barry Kennedy
It is the middle of the night. The house is quite and all in the house are
asleep. Suddenly the silence is broken by a small cry, “Mom. . . Mommy.”
Amazingly, Dad is in the same room as Mom, but only Mom hears the cry.
Normally it is just a cry for a drink of water, maybe an accident in those “potty
training” days, or a bad dream. No one on earth can bring about the same level of
comfort distributed by a loving mother. May 9th, 2021 is set aside as a day to
honor the woman with whom we all formed our first relationship.
The Mother's Day holiday, in the United States, celebrates motherhood
generally and the positive contributions of mothers to society. It falls on
the second Sunday of each May. It is the result of a campaign by Anna
Marie Jarvis (1864-1948), who, following the death of her mother on
May 9, 1905, devoted her life to establishing Mother's Day as a national,
and later an international, holiday.1
It would be rare to find someone who denies the appropriateness of
remembering the one we call Mom. Gratitude is often displayed this time of year
through gifts such as flowers, cards, jewelry, and who could forget those
wonderful homemade gifts. Everyone should be thankful for mothers who take
their role seriously. However, none should be more grateful than the children of
God. The Bible clearly states the danger of ingratitude. “Because that, when they
knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain
in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened” (Romans 1:21). In
the context of this verse, Paul emphasized that God is the creator of life. The
implication is one should be grateful to the creator of life (Ecclesiastes 12:7;
Isaiah 57:16; Zechariah 12:1; Hebrews 12:9). So how does this apply to Mothers
today? It is true that God is the creator of life (Genesis 1, 2). The dust of the
earth was formed into a body and God’s breath brought forth life (Genesis 2:7).
Next, God took from the man a rib and made a woman (Genesis 2:21, 22). God
then enacted the natural law of sowing and reaping (Genesis 1:27, 28). Eve
named her firstborn son Cain saying, “I have gotten a man from the Lord.”
(Genesis 4:1). No person in his right mind would deny the involvement of
women (mothers) in bringing forth of new life. Are we grateful?
Our government has set aside one day out of the year to honor those ladies
who have brought forth new life into this world. We would have to say that is a
--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)

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--article continued from page 1—
good thing, but is it good enough to remember
Mom’s only once a year? After all she gave us life
to enjoy on a daily basis. God has made it
abundantly clear that ingratitude is an unchristian
disposition. What are we doing to show Mom our
appreciation? Sure flowers, candy, or maybe
diamonds are nice and appreciated, but would it not
be better to show Mom she is appreciated by
lending a helping hand? What about taking the
opportunity to lift some of the heavy load she
carries on a daily basis? Many of us know that
children are to honor their father and their mother
(Ephesians 6:1-3). However, do we truly understand
what the word honor means? “This word was taken
in great latitude of meaning among the Jews: it not
only meant respect and submission, but also to take
care of a person, to nourish and support him, to
enrich.2
How well do we take to heart the
responsibility of caring for our parents, especially
our Mothers?
God has given man many wonderful blessings
(Ephesians 1:3). One of the most special blessings
we have are godly Mothers. If you are reading this
and you are a godly Mother, to you we say thank
you! May God continue to bless us all with godly
Mothers.
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother's_Day_(United_States)
2. Adam Clark’s Commentary, “The New Testament of our
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” Vol 1 p.162
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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. Also, if you
have a college graduate, please text Renee their
name and degree.
Sympathy
Our sympathy is extended to Patsy Nichols in the
loss of her brother, Tommy Goff, on Apr. 29 after a
long battle with cancer. Funeral services were held
at Pegues in Tupelo on May 2.
Our condolences also to Annie Martin in the loss
of her brother, Morris Brewer, on May 3 due to
cancer. Funeral arrangements were incomplete at
this time.
Everyone Invited
Everyone in the congregation is
invited to come to the multipurpose
room this Wednesday, May 5 after
Bible class for fellowship and Cinco
de Mayo type food.
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

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Daily Bible Reading
May 5 .........................................................Ezra 9-10
May 6 ..................................................Nehemiah 1-2
May 7 ..................................................Nehemiah 3-4
May 8 ..................................................Nehemiah 5-6
May 9 ..................................................... Nehemiah 7
May 10 ................................................... Nehemiah 8
May 11 ..............................................Nehemiah 9-10
Birthdays &
Anniversaries
Birthdays: Debbie Vines (May 6), Jake
Donald (May 10), Barbara Wright (May
10), Tammy Hughes (May 11).
Anniversaries: Heath & Christina Lindley (May 5),
LuAnne & Paul Funderburk (May 8).
Our Sick
James Simmons continues his chemo. Ashley
Davis continues her radiation. Shauna McMickin,
Scotty & Wanda Bishop’s granddaughter, continues
at St. Jude in Memphis with a lot of issues with her
chemo. Shirley Lyons and Berta Kennedy’s brother,
Ricky Britt, are both undergoing therapy following
recent hip surgeries. Prayers have been requested
for little James, the infant son of Luke & Jessica
McNutt. He was taken to the hospital in Jackson
Monday with some health problems.
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
How many times do you wish you could just
grow up and be an adult? To be married and have a
high secure paying job, to have children who look
up to you, and who value your opinions. To drive a
cool car and to have tons of money to travel the
world, all this seems wonderful. We might spend
hours daydreaming about being something we are
not. Being a child isn’t that bad, right? I mean,
you’re being taken care of, right? As many have
said before, don’t rush into being an adult. Jesus
even highlights the value of being a child in
Matthew chapter 18. Beginning in verse 1, “At that
time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is
the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
Do you have a sibling that you’re trying to
always be better at? These grown adult men are
acting childish by asking who will be the greatest in
this kingdom that Christ is going to establish. What
does Jesus say next? I like how the NLT puts it, “I
tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins
and become like little children, you will never get
into the Kingdom of Heaven.” Notice how there is a
difference between being a child and being childish.
Jesus isn’t commending His disciples on being
childish, rather He tells them to become humble,
submissive, and pure. These are big steps in
becoming part of His kingdom today. Being humble
and admitting your sin, choosing to be submissive
to His will and not your own, and striving to live the
most innocent life you can. All those are what Jesus
is getting across.
Yes, it might be nice to have the pride
knowing you’re rich and live this dream life. But if
your life does not resemble, The Life (John 14:6),
then it’s time to reevaluate the life you’re currently
living. By living a life that is God focus will result
in you living your best life to come.
As always, God loves you and so do I.
Parents: Please check the bulletin
board in the east hallway, across from the
ladies’ bathroom, for a sign-up sheet to
host the monthly Senior Youth
Devotionals in your home.
Thanks so much for your help!

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Men to Serve Sunday, May 9, 2021 a.m.
Announcements...........................Bobby Joe Lindley
Bible Reading.................................... Stuart Childers
Opening Prayer ....................................... Perry Hand
Lord’s Supper
Kent Nichols
Lead Singing.................................Alex Blackwelder
Closing Prayer......................................... Larry Long
Ushers .................. Andy Baldwyn & Mark Gilliland
Please meet in the library by 8:45 a.m.
Sunday 11:15 a.m. service
Opening Prayer ..........................................Mark Hitt
Closing Prayer.......................................Wesley Bass
Lead Singing......................................Donny McKay
Wednesday, May 12, 2021
Opening Prayer ..................................Hugh Scribner
Lead Singing..............................................Mark Hitt
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, 4-28-21 .................................................. 137*
Sunday 1st
Worship, 5-2-21 ...................................... 172*
Sunday Bible Class..................................................... 163
Sunday 2nd
Worship.................................................... 143
Contribution (budget $7,900) ................................ $9,286
*This does not include the livestreamed views.
Pantry item......................................................Cereal