Bulletin 6-2-20

1. 4
Vol. 45 June 2, 2020 Number 22
TAKING UP SIDES—IN AMERICA, HAS
CHRIST BEEN DIVIDED?
Joe Wells
“Religious groups just seem to want to interpret everything their way,” was the
simple yet profound statement that opened the door to what he was really thinking. As the
conversation began, I simply told him what I do for a living, how I travel the country and
deliver seminars to various groups on the dangers of current cultural views and the
agendas that are attacking our families. After he told me about growing up in the Catholic
church and leaving it, he revealed a sentiment in the above statement that has played into
his current situation—absence from any religious affiliation.
Unfortunately, he’s not alone in America. In June of 2009, the Barna Group
released the results of a study on this very subject in an article entitled “Americans Are
Exploring New Ways of Experiencing God” (http://www.barna.org). Through this study,
they discovered:
·88% of American adults say, “My religious faith is very important in my life.”
·64% say they are “completely open to carrying out and pursuing [their] faith in
an environment or structure that differs from that of a typical church.”
·50% say, “A growing number of people I know are tired of the usual type of
church experience.”
·71% say they are “more likely to develop [their] religious beliefs on [their] own,
rather than to accept an entire set of beliefs that a particular church teaches.”
As this shift, moving from established religion to a “have-it-your-way”
spirituality, has continued to take place in America, what has the religious world done to
combat it? Why are there so many who fall in line with this current, explore-your-own-
path type belief? The answers to the above are quite simple although they are best
understood by looking at how we arrived at this point in America.
The Bible records in Matthew 16:18 Jesus saying, “...and on this rock (this being
Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God) I will build My
church...” (ESV). On the day of Pentecost, in 33 A.D., the church began with the first
converts coming out of Judaism and becoming obedient to what the Apostles preached
concerning Jesus and baptism for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). Since that day, there
have been individuals who, under the title of religious leaders, have introduced their own
doctrines and teachings, misrepresenting the simple message of Jesus Christ, His birth,
life, death, and resurrection. There have been those who will insert words and passages
into the Bible on the subject of salvation as a swing away from other false teachings with
the end result of both being a misconstrued teaching that is not in accord with the original.
When considering these and the many different “worship-styles” (i.e. the introduction of
the instrument in worship) that are present today, is there any wonder why the religious
climate in America is what it is? Is it possible that “religion” itself has helped foster the
“have-it-your-way” spirituality through unethical behavior, through adding to and chang-
--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—
the constant prowl (1 Peter 5:8). No person is totally
immune to the temptation of sin. If man could live a
totally sinless life, there would be no need for Christ.
The Bible sheds a great deal of light on the fact that man
is not perfect, at least in the sinless idea of perfection
(Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8). Sin has a way of separating
man from God (Isaiah 59:2). “The LORD is far from the
wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous”
(Proverbs 15:29). This all sounds very troublesome
doesn’t it? If one considers this evidence logically one
might think: “I have sinned, and that separated me from
being on the Lord’s side and placed me on Satan’s side;
therefore, I cannot be on the Lord’s side.” This
syllogism is valid, but not necessarily true; at least the
conclusion is not true. Both premises are accurate, but
the conclusion is lacking the truth that God will allow
one to change. Paul told the Christians in Corinth to “. . .
come ye out from among them and be ye separate, saith
the Lord. . .” (2 Corinthians 6:17). God said to those
who were in sin to repent and come to His side
(Matthew 11:28-30). Is there really any doubt that one
can be on the Lord’s side when he considers what Jesus
has done for man (John 3:16; 15:13; Romans 5:8).
Notice the words John recorded concerning God’s great
invitation “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And
let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is
athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water
of life freely” (Revelation 22:17). Three times the
apostle John said come. Come denotes a calling of
opportunity. This calling is the gospel calling (2
Thessalonians 2:14). Also, one should not take lightly
the fact that God said, “WHOSOEVER WILL” meaning
that anyone has the opportunity to be on the Lord’s side.
Man has to make many choices in life. Career,
marriage, children, and even more trivial things like
clothing and recreation, that causes some to “rack their
brains” deciding what is best. The truth is that no
decision one will ever make is as important as that
decision to be “ON THE LORD’S SIDE.” Well, are we?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The elders have decided this year to NOT
have VBS as scheduled June 14-17 due to
the current threat of the Covid-19 virus.
Wedding Shower
There will be a “drive by” wedding shower
in honor of Bethany Bryan & Jack Moore
this Sunday, May 31 at the church building
from 2-4 p.m. They are registered at Wal-
mart, Amazon, Target and Bed, Bath & Beyond. You
can also see Bethany’s registry on her Facebook page.
High School Graduates
We are planning to honor our 2020
High School Graduates either Sunday,
June 14 or June 28! Our high school
graduates this year are Hannah Bland,
Jacob Bradley, Jacie Dickinson, Sam
Hood, Brooke Roby, & Kylee Steward.
John Duke stationed in Gulfport, MS
Caleb Williams stationed in Iraq
Rob Cross & family stationed in South Korea
John Millard stationed in Afghanistan
Ty Nichols stationed in Germany
Alex & Cassie are still planning to have their
marriage ceremony on June 6 and will do their best to
make sure everyone is seated in every other pew. If
you do not feel comfortable attending, they absolutely
understand. However, if you are planning to attend, it
would be very helpful to please RSVP online at
https://www.zola.com/wedding/alex-cassie.
Thank you so much!
June 2020
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
Psalms 1-8
2
Kelton Kingsley
Dillard Scribner
Wade & Karen
Bryan
Ian & Beth Reed
Psalms 9-16
3
Jake Kennedy
Psalms 17-20
4
Mike & Hilda
Ratliff
Psalms 21-25
5
Renee Childers
Carmen &
Morgan Perkins
Psalms 26-30
6
Rosie Bowlin
Donny & Wanda
McKay
Wedding-Alex
Blackwelder/Cassie
Cummings
Psalms 31-34
7
Bill Martin
Gary & Felicia
Stanford
Psalms 35-37
8
Lee & Heather
DuBois
Psalms 38-41
9
Sarah Mounce
Hugh Scribner
Danny Wright
Kirk & Lori
Sheffield
Psalms 42-45
10
Psalms 46-50
11
Dale Dulaney
Psalms 51-56
12
Diane Dickerson
Psalms 57-64
13
Psalms 65-68
14
Scotty & Wanda
Bishop
High School
graduates honored
Psalms 69-72
15
Psalms 73-76
16
Psalms 77-78
17
Psalms 79-85
18
Psalms 86-89
19
Tony & Dundee
Donald
Psalms 90-95
20
Wanda McKay
Psalms 96-102
21
Ricky & Kim
Johnson
Psalms 103-104
22
Psalms 105-106
23
Psalms 107-109
24
Psalms 110-115
25
Will & Ashley
Davis
Psalms 116-118
26
Clinton Kingsley
Psalms 119
27
Hollie Bowlin
Psalms 120-130
28
Carol Cross
Lisa Lindsey
Psalms 131-138
29
Psalms 139-144
30
Joe Paul Perkins
Psalms 145-150

3. Daily Bible Reading
June 3 .......................................................... Psalms 17-20
June 4 .......................................................... Psalms 21-25
June 5 .......................................................... Psalms 26-30
June 6 .......................................................... Psalms 31-34
June 7 .......................................................... Psalms 35-37
June 8 .......................................................... Psalms 38-41
June 9 .......................................................... Psalms 42-45
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Birthdays: Jake Kennedy (June 3), Renee Childers
(June 5), Rosie Bowlin (June 6), Bill Martin (June
7), Sarah Mounce (June 9), Hugh Scribner (June
9), Danny Wright (June 9). Anniversaries: Mike
& Hilda Ratliff (June 4), Morgan & Carmen Perkins
(June 5), Donny & Wanda McKay (June 6), Gary &
Felicia Stanford (June 7), Lee & Heather DuBois (June
8), Kirk & Lori Sheffield (June 9).
Our Sick
Pete Barber is on home hospice. Bettye Davis is
having trouble with Meniere’s Disease. Annie Martin is
home following surgery and doing great. Continue to
remember those in nursing homes & assisted living
facilities, as they are unable to have visitors.
On-Going Illnesses
Mary Lou Walden, 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, Merlene Johnson
Nursing Homes
Evelyn Willis, Nancy Haywood, Randy Attaway,
Shirley McCarthy, Veona Harris
High School Graduates
We are planning to honor our 2020
High School Graduates on Sunday, June
14! Our high school graduates this year
are Hannah Bland, Jacob Bradley, Jacie
Dickinson, Sam Hood, Brooke Roby, &
Kylee Steward.
--article continued from page 1—
ing the Bible to fit a desired interpretation, and through
the continuous splintering away from the New
Testament church that Jesus built?
In the apostle Paul’s first writing to the church
in Corinth, he addresses this very issue as it was rearing
its ugly head when he writes, “I appeal to you brothers,
by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you
agree, and that there be no divisions among you...” (1
Corinthians 1:10, ESV). According to his letter, there
were some in the church who were taking sides behind
certain men. “What I mean is that each one of you says,
‘I follow Paul,’ or ‘I follow Apollos,’ or ‘I follow
Cephas,’ or ‘I follow Christ” (vs. 12, ESV). His next
question is simple yet profound and hits at the very core
of the real issue— “Is Christ divided?” (vs. 13, ESV).
While the obvious answer is a resounding “No!” the
question still needed to be asked then, and it needs to be
asked today.
One of the key reasons individuals in our society
reach the conclusion that religious groups just interpret
everything their way is because many have done just
what the church in Corinth did, taken sides behind
individuals and their teachings instead of simply
following the undivided Christ. The litmus test for all
teachings, new or old, must always be the Bible. It has
withstood criticism for centuries without changing to fit
the current cultural climate. The Word of God is stable
and the ultimate source for truth pertaining to life and
godliness (2 Peter 1: 3).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Alex & Cassie plan do their best to make sure
everyone is seated in every other pew at the wedding.
If you do not feel comfortable attending, they
absolutely understand. However, if you are planning
to attend, it would be very helpful to please RSVP
online at https://www.zola.com/wedding/alex-cassie.
Thank you so much!

4. Men to Serve Sunday, April 5, 2020 a.m.
Announcements..............................Dennis Hallmark
Bible Reading..............................Hunter Underwood
Opening Prayer ..............................Roger Sanderson
Lord’s Supper
Dale Dulaney & Kent Nichols
Serve Congregation, East Side:
Greg Hughes, Joe Minor, Andy Baldwyn
Serve Congregation, West Side:
Lee DuBois, Ben DuBois, Jackson Voyles
Lead Singing......................................Hugh Scribner
Closing Prayer................................. Jason Dickinson
Ushers .................. David Ramseyer & Eric Barnette
Please meet in the library by 8:45 a.m.
Sunday Afternoon
Opening Prayer ...................................Mike Childers
Closing Prayer................................... William Harris
Lead Singing....................................James Simmons
Wednesday, April 8, 2020
Prayer.................................................... Chet Wilson
Lead Singing........................................ Greg Hughes
Contact Wade Bryan (419-5552) if unable to serve.
The elders kindly request that men leading in public
worship wear the best dress clothes they have.
Greeters ..................... Bobby Joe & Brenda Lindley
...................................Ricky & Lisa Lindsey
Prepare Lord’s Supper—April...........................Greg
& Tracy Lyle
Nursery (1st
worship)...................Tammy & Sarah Minor
(2nd
worship)......Stephanie Baldwyn & Maggie Minor
Pantry................................................................ Tuna
Attendance & Contribution
Mid-Week, 3-25-20.............................................N/A
Sunday 1st
Worship, 3-29-20 ..............................N/A
Sunday Bible Class .............................................N/A
Sunday 2nd
Worship............................................N/A
Contribution (budget $7,900)..........................$6,755
Mark Your Calendars!!!
Maywood Christian Camp – July 12th-18th
Outward Camp – July 31st-August 1st
Gospel Meeting – September 13th-16th
Fall Family Retreat – November 13th-14th
Services will be livestreamed this Sunday at
10:00 a.m. if you do not feel safe attending the
service in person.
We are in unprecedented times! Please continue to pray for our elders as they look for
ways to spiritually feed the East Main family while we remain under some restrictions in
assembling as a congregation due to this virus. Please continue to view East Main’s
Facebook page to see recorded worship services and Bible class lessons, as well as daily
devotional thoughts (“Monday Meditations,” “TNT,” “Thoughtful Thursdays,” “Elders’
Encouragements”) for adults and youth. Also, you can view our Sunday worship services
on YouTube.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
East Main Church of Christ
Here is what the Facebook page looks like. If you are not able to access this page,
please call the church office and someone will assist you in gaining access.
Please continue to pray for each other and the world over!
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” (Rev. 22:21).