1. 4
Hugh
Vol. 43 August 14, 2018 Number 32
It’s All Fun and Games Until
Somebody Gets Hurt
By Barry Kennedy
No doubt all have used, or at least heard this statement. It is used most often
by concerned mothers trying to look out for the children. You see, children live “in
the moment” and have a hard time seeing that their actions may have undesired
consequences. The sad truth is that many people are living their lives “in the
moment” and not taking any time to see the consequences. It may be all fun and
games right now, but who is actually getting hurt?
God is hurt when we reject Him. God is often the last one considered in
the hurt process. We may find ourselves grieving over the pain we “see” someone
enduring, but we do not see God. The Bible tells us very clearly that God knows our
ways. “For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly
shall perish” (Psalm 1:6). It is easy for us to not take into consideration just how
God feels when we sin. Many times we think of God as being angry and vengeful
toward us when we transgress. It is true that God hates sin and that He will punish
those who reject His way (Ezekiel 18:4). Ezekiel had to remind the children of Israel
that God is the owner of the souls of both the fathers and the sons. He continued by
saying if any soul sins, they shall die. This is the same message preached by Paul in
the New Testament (Romans 6:23). However, are we missing the point? Do we fail
to see how this touches the Lord? Consider how Jesus described the emotions God
feels when His children sin: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets,
and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy
children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye
would not!” (Matthew 23:37). God’s desire is that all men everywhere would follow
Him (1Timothy 2:4). Sadly many “will not.” Oh sure, sin is all fun and games right
now, but someone (God) is being hurt.
We are hurt when we reject God. It is interesting to see the effects our lives have
on us as we get older. You hear (or say) I used to be able to. . . You could finish this
statement many different ways, but the end is the same, we are all going to slow down and
not be as active as we once were. Often, the actions of our youth hasten us to this slowing of
activity. Many athletes face surgeries because of injuries on the field, court, or whatever the
sporting venue. God enacted a law that has been in force from the dawn of creation. It is
--article continued on 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
PREACHER
Barry Kennedy ... (931)787-7108
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—
called the law of sowing and reaping. Unlike the
illustration with athletics, some choose actions in
their youth that are far more consequential than
having to “go under the knife.” Many choose the
pleasure of sin, rejecting the truth that it is only for
a season (Hebrews 11:25, 26). God made us to be in
His own image and thus we are to be mindful of the
fact that sin is a reproach to any people (Proverbs
14:34). Paul, in his writing to the Ephesians,
pointed out how husbands are to love their wives
“as their own bodies” (Ephesians 5:28). We need to
know that this temptation that we are facing (James
1:14) may be all fun and games right now, but that
someone who is getting hurt is us.
Others are hurt when we reject God.
Paul’s statement to the Roman congregation makes
this point as clear as any, “For none of us liveth to
himself, and no man dieth to himself” (Romans
14:7). Our choices have consequences, some good
and others bad. It is one thing to do something that
causes pain for ourselves, but when we bring others
into the picture, the stakes get higher. Jesus warned
of the danger there is in causing one of God’s
children to fall (Matthew 18:6, 7). We must not be
the source (stumbling block) of temptation for
anyone. It may seem to be all fun and games at first,
but when we reject God (and his way) those around
us will be hurt.
God created man and thus knows what we
really need. Fun and games are not wrong, as long
as we are not trying to play around with immorality
(Galatians 5:19-21).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Community Outreach
Any lady who can meet in
the multipurpose room this
Wednesday, Aug. 15 at 6:30
p.m. to help us get the
“blessing bags” assembled for our local schools would
be greatly appreciated. These bags consist of a few
food items for needy children at local schools to eat
over the weekend.
Sympathy
Our sympathy is extended to Betty Long in the loss
of her special friend, Lewis Frazier, on Aug. 14.
Funeral arrangements have not been made.
Nursing Home Singing
The monthly singing at the Tupelo Nursing Facility
on Briar Ridge Rd. will be held this Sunday, Aug. 19
from 2:00-2:30 p.m.
Placed Membership
Andy & Stephanie Baldwyn made known their desire
Sunday to be recognized as members of the East Main
congregation and work under the oversight of our elders.
They have one son, Drew. Their address is 423 CR
1766, Tupelo, 38804. Andy’s cell is 401-0014 and
Stephanie’s cell is 255-8749. Please welcome them.
John Duke is stationed in Long Beach, MS.
Matt Duke is stationed in Ft. Carson, CO.
Gabe Hood is stationed in Fort Lenardwood, MO.
Caleb Williams is stationed in Jacksonville, NC.

3. Community Outreach
Item: Bath Soap
Daily Bible Reading
August 15 ................................................Lamentations
August 16 ................................................... Ezekiel 1-6
August 17 ................................................. Ezekiel 7-11
August 18 ............................................... Ezekiel 12-15
August 19 ............................................... Ezekiel 16-19
August 20 ............................................... Ezekiel 20-21
August 21 ............................................... Ezekiel 22-23
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Birthdays: Sam Hood (Aug. 16), Hannah
Bland (Aug. 17), Kade Gilliland (Aug. 18),
Kathryn McKee (Aug. 19), Joe Smith (Aug.
19), Matt Duke (Aug. 21). Anniversaries:
Perry & Linda Hand (Aug. 16), Robert & Linda
Parker (Aug. 21).
Our Sick
Jean Mounce is in room 3325 at NMMC with a
Crohn’s flare up. Barbara Roberts, Brenda Lindley’s
sister, is in CCU at NMMC. Audit Hitt, Mark Hitt &
Lori Sheffield’s grandfather, has been moved to the
Baptist Hospital in New Albany for therapy. Twinette
Wallace’s brother’s, Donny Dulaney, recent biopsy
showed new malignant tumors.
On-Going Illnesses
Laverne Raper, Frankie Estes, Adam McCurley,
Bretta Robinson, Mary Jordan, James Goddard, Ray
Scribner, Bill Goff, Linda Bryan, Mitch Maclean,
Jadon Parish, James Nichols, Sheba Tuggers, Sherry
Gregory, Shirley Owens, Mickey Bailey, Mike Scott,
Tracey Wilburn, Sammy Carson, Nathan Hale, Leroy
Brown, Mike Stroup
Nursing Homes/Assisted
Living
Clara Simmons, Nancy Haywood, Hilda Roberts,
Shirley McCarthy, Mary Southern, Veona Harris
Baptism
Marlon Geno was re-baptized Monday, Aug. 13 at
East Main. Marlon said he was unsure if he
understood fully why he had been baptized before
and wanted to make sure. We commend Marlon in his
desire to live pleasing to God.
Sr. Adult Rally
The Booneville congregation will be hosting a Sr.
Adult Rally on Saturday, Aug. 25 from 9:30 a.m. until
1:00 p.m. on the topic “Our Retirement is Out of this
World.” Ted Burleson will be the speaker. A flyer is
posted on the bulletin board across from the library.
Home Devotional
In what chapter of the Bible do you find?
The Great Commission.............................. Matthew 28
Love....................................................1 Corinthians 13
Birth of the church.............................................. Acts 2
Birth of Jesus..................................................... Luke 2
Faith........................................................... Hebrews 11
Quote Psalm 23:
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he
leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of
righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow
of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy
rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of
mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my
cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the
days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the
LORD for ever.
Can you tell a Bible story from the
following picture?

4. Men to Serve Sunday, Aug. 19, 2018 a.m.
Announcements...................................Mike Childers
Bible Reading.......................................Larry Presley
Opening Prayer .........................................Tim Davis
Lord’s Supper
Dale Dulaney & Mike Ratliff
Serve Congregation, East Side:
Greg Lyle, Greg Hughes, Larry Long
Serve Congregation, West Side:
Robert Parker, Roger Sanderson, Lee DuBois
Lead Singing..............................................Mark Hitt
Closing Prayer................................. Jason Dickinson
Ushers ......................... Grady Vines & Harold Roby
Please meet in the library by 8:45 a.m.
Sunday Afternoon
Opening Prayer .....................................Wesley Bass
Closing Prayer................................... Terry Kingsley
Lead Singing....................................Michael Wilson
Wednesday, August 22, 2018
Prayer .....................................................Mike Ratliff
Lead Singing.........................................Wesley Bass
Contact Jimmy Spearman (840-8957) if unable to serve.
The elders kindly request that men leading in public
worship wear the best dress clothes they have.
Greeters ..................................Dean & Kristie Webb
................................William & Marla Harris
Prepare Lord’s Supper—August...............Bobby Joe
& Brenda Lindley
Nursery...................Heather DuBois & Raleigh Bass
Pantry................................................................ Soup
Attendance & Contribution
Mid-Week, 8-8-18................................................175
Sunday 1st
Worship, 8-12-18 ...............................207
Sunday Bible Class ..............................................166
Sunday 2nd
Worship.............................................179
Contribution (budget $7,900)..........................$7,160
Summer Series
Our Summer Series entitled “Geography & the Bible” will be winding
down in two weeks! All Sunday morning adult classes & the high school
class are meeting in the auditorium for the summer quarter.
Date Topic Person
19-Aug-18 Mars Hill Shawn Mounce
26-Aug-18 Sea of Galilee Dennis Hallmark