4
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Vol. 44 January 29, 2019 Number 4
“THE TRUTH, THE WHOLE TRUTH, AND NOTHING
BUT THE TRUTH”
By Barry Kennedy
I have heard the above words many times, mostly through courtroom scenes on
television. How many times have you and I had to ask someone to promise that they were
telling the truth? Even as children we remember having to make sure the other person did
not have their fingers crossed when they were making a “promise.” It may seem as though
we are born to doubt. We know that is not the case seeing that we are made in the “image of
God” (Genesis 1:26). That should settle it because God cannot lie (Numbers 23:19; Titus
1:2; Hebrews 6:18). Sadly, being created in the image of God does not make us immune to
the temptation to lie. In fact, the Bible teaches us how dangerous the tongue can be. “For
every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and
hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of
deadly poison” (James 3:7, 8). How much effort are we putting forth to tell the truth, the
whole truth, and nothing but the truth? Maybe the answer to this question is tied to how
well we accept the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
The Truth is WHOLE. We live in a world that likes to think that everything is
relative. No one likes to have someone impose their likes or dislikes upon another. We, as
Americans, like to pride ourselves in our tolerance of other views. This attitude is not
without some merit; however, there is a point in which one can go too far. Opinions are just
that, opinions and we (Christians or not) should not try and bind our opinions upon another.
Paul made this very clear to the Roman Christians. “Hast thou faith? have it to thyself
before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth”
(Romans 14:22). Opinions have been getting people in trouble for years. This is not to say
that our opinions are not important, in fact, the next verse tell us the importance of our
“faith.” “And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for
whatsoever is not of faith is sin” (Romans 14:23). Paul’s words on eating refer to eating
meat considered “unclean” (Romans 14:15). Jews were under a strict law not to eat any
meat that was deemed unclean (Leviticus 11:1ff). Christ took away the old law, nailing it to
His cross (Col. 1:14-16). We are not bound to the Old law which included the ordinances
concerning “unclean” animals. However, if it violates one’s conscience to eat such Paul
said it is best not to lay a stumbling block which might cause a brother, or sister to fall, be
offended (i.e. sin), or to even be made weak. You see the truth is not in part, but whole,
touching and affecting every aspect of our lives; including our relationships one with another.
The Truth is CONSTANT. To understand this point, one must understand what
THE TRUTH is. Jesus prayed, some two thousand years ago, “Sanctify them through thy
truth: THY WORD IS TRUTH” (John 17:17). Compare this prayer to words Jesus said to
His apostles, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but MY WORDS SHALL NOT PASS
AWAY” (Matthew 24:35). John, by inspiration, wrote, “In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). We know that God is
eternal (Isaiah 43:10; Revelation 1:8); therefore, His word is eternal, which in turn makes
truth eternal. It is a matter of common sense (Mark 12:37).
--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
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)

--article continued from page 1--
found themselves lacking in faith (full assurance)
from time to time. Peter walked on the water until
he lost his assurance (Matthew 14:25-31). Jesus
accused Peter of having “little faith” because he
doubted. Thomas is another example of one needing
full assurance (John 20:24-29). When Jesus was real
to him, he had the assurance enough to say, “My
Lord and my God” (John 20:28). Is God real to us?
Is He in fact our Lord and our God?
Why should we have full assurance in
God? This is a good question and one that should
be answered. There are many reasons as to why we
should trust in God. First, because God cannot lie
(Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18). Second, because of who
God is, Creator and Sustainer of life. Design re-
quires a designer, effect must have a cause, and
nothing only produces nothing. “For in six days the
Lord made heaven and earth, the sea and all that in
them is. . .” (Exodus 20:11). God is also the
sustainer of life according to Hebrews 1:3, and
Colossians 1:17. Third, because God will be our
judge in the last day. “For therefore we both labor
and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living
God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of
those that believe” (1Timothy 4:10).
We are given such wonderful blessings in
this life (John 10:10). However, those blessing of an
abundant life are nonexistent to the soul that lacks
full assurance. Would Jesus say to us today,
“Wherefore didst thou doubt” (Matthew 14:31)?
Fear is a dreaded enemy to the Christian life. “For
God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of
power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2
Timothy 1:7). “Sound mind” can be looked at as
being synonymous with full assurance. Take
inventory of your own life and ask the question, “In
what do I have full assurance today?” Make sure it
is in God.
Sr. Bible Bowl
The Senior Bible Bowl will be
held this Sunday, Jan. 27 at the
Antioch congregation in Blue
Springs beginning at 2:00 p.m.
Please see Mark Hitt if you need
material. The bus will leave the building at 1:15.
Visitation Team #4
Visitation team #4, Mike Ratliff’s team, will meet
this Sunday, Jan. 27 after worship services at noon in
the multipurpose room. See Hilda for what to bring.
Thank You Notes
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We cannot express our gratitude to each of you for
the many prayers, letters, cards, calls, food, and the
many acts of kindness so many of you have sent our
way during the previous months on our behalf. Only
as we age and need the support of our dear family in
Christ do we realize how very special each member is
to us. There have been so many of you who have
come to our aid recently. You never know when a
brother or sister will say or do just the right thing to
lift one when they are down. You are all so very
special. Don’t forget, especially as we get older, we
may need the help of a younger hand. We have always
known East Main has been a congregation to help
when any has been in need. Thank you to each for all
your care. Our love and appreciation to each of you,
Marlon & Gail Geno
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks first to God for taking care of us in a great
time of need and to the elders of this congregation for
carrying out His will in providing for us a home and
many other things. We thank every person who helped
out in any way to try to get us back on our feet. We
never once felt really without much, even though we
pretty much had lost everything. We are so proud to
be members of the East Main Church of Christ where
(we know) that whatever lies ahead you are always
going to be here for us. Again, thank you and
continually pray for us, as we pray for you.
In Christian love,
Greg & Tammy Hughes
Community Outreach Item:
Lotion
John Duke is stationed in Long Beach, MS.
Caleb Williams is stationed in Norway.
Dylan Kelly, Steve Kelly’s grandson, is in Kuwait.
Ty Nichols, Patsy Nichols’ grandson, is in Oklahoma
February 2019
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
Ricky Johnson
Lori Sheffield
Leviticus 1-3
2
Men’s workday @ 8
am
Leviticus 4-7
3
Wesley Funderburk
Mary Lou Walden
Bill & Annie Martin
Sr. Youth Devo.
Leviticus 8-10
4
Carmen Perkins
Clayton Long
Jimmy Spearman
Grady Vines
Leviticus 11-13
5
David Ramseyer
Leviticus 14-15
6
Harold Roby
Jackson Voyles
Leviticus 16-17
7
William Harris
Sr. Adult
fellowship @ 6
pm
Leviticus 18-20
8
Leviticus 21-23
9
Jacie Dickinson
Janie McCaskill
Leviticus 24-27
10
Bridal Shower for
McKenna
Sanderson
Area Youth Meeting
@ Mayfield
Numbers 1-2
11
Debbie Duke
Numbers 3-4
12
Justin Webb
Numbers 5-8
13
Numbers 9-12
14
Ladies’ fellowship
@ 6 pm
Numbers 13-16
15
Leigh Bland
Numbers 17-20
16
Eden Davis
Numbers 21-25
17
Jr. Bible Bowl @
New Albany
Jr. Youth/ES Devo.
Visitation team #3
Nursing Home
Singing
Numbers 26-27
18
Jenna Harris
Tanner Hitt
Numbers 28-30
19
Kassi Kingsley
Numbers 31-33
20
Heather DuBois
Savannah Tucker
Numbers 34-36
21
Jean Mounce
Gary Stanford
Sr. Youth leave
for CYC
Deut. 1-4
22
Tim Davis
Sherry Kingsley
Deut. 5-7
23
McKenna
Sanderson/Parker
Tipton Wedding
Deut. 8-11
24
Ben DuBois
Sr. Youth home
from CYC
Visitation Team #4
Deut. 12-16
25
Frankie Estes
Joe Minor
Deut. 17-20
26
Deut. 21-26
27
Carrie Hitt
Deut. 27-30
28
Charlie Ruth
Hallmark
Micah Laney
Aaron Willis
Deut. 31-34

Daily Bible Reading
January 30............................................... Exodus 35-37
January 31............................................... Exodus 38-40
February 1................................................ Leviticus 1-3
February 2................................................ Leviticus 4-7
February 3.............................................. Leviticus 8-10
February 4............................................ Leviticus 11-13
February 5............................................ Leviticus 14-15
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Birthdays: Karen Bryan (Jan. 30), Ricky
Johnson (Feb. 1), Lori Sheffield (Feb. 1),
Wesley Funderburk (Feb. 3), Mary Lou
Walden (Feb. 3), Carmen Perkins (Feb. 4),
Clayton Long (Feb. 4), Jimmy Spearman (Feb. 4),
Grady Vines (Feb. 4), David Ramseyer (Feb. 5).
Anniversaries: Bill & Annie Martin (Feb. 3).
Our Sick
Jean Mounce went back to UAB Monday for a
checkup. Her doctor was pleased. Casey Gullett came
home from the hospital Monday evening. Lauren
Lindley continues her outpatient therapy. Brodey
Houpt, Kim Johnson’s grandson, got good results
from all his scans. He is cancer free! Jill Rice, Debbie
Vines’ mother, continues at the Sanctuary Hospice
House. Christina Lindley’s uncle, Lee Graham, has
been moved to NMMC, room 182, following a stroke.
On-Going Illnesses
Laverne Raper, Frankie Estes, Donny Dulaney, Adam
McCurley, Linda McCurley, Mary Jordan, Bretta
Robinson, James Goddard, Ray Scribner, Bill Goff,
Tommy Goff, Linda Bryan, Mitch Maclean, James
Nichols, Sheba Tuggers, Sherry Gregory, Shirley
Owens, Mickey Bailey, Sammy Carson, Nathan Hale,
Leroy Brown, Mike Stroup, Jadon Parish, Mary Ann
Wallace, Carol Nichols, Laura Jenkins, Mike Scott
Nursing Homes/Assisted
Living
Nancy Haywood, Randy Attaway, Shirley
McCarthy, Mary Southern, Veona Harris
--article continued from page 1—
The Truth is APPLICABLE. Are we
conforming to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29)? We
must be willing to renew our minds, if we are to be
transformed from the sin and death of this world
(Romans 12:1, 2). How much “Bible” do you and I have
in our lives? Are we ready to “search the scriptures” that
we might have eternal life (John 5:39)? One day we all
will stand before the great I AM and be judged as to how
well we have applied His Word to our lives. Don’t take
my word for it, consider what Jesus said, “He that
rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that
judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall
judge him in the last day” (John 12:48). God’s Word is
the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
Community Outreach/
Family 1st
Program
Those ladies participating in our Community
Outreach/Family 1st
Program are asked to please meet in
the multipurpose room this Wednesday, Jan. 30 at 6:30
p.m. for several updates and new areas of work going on
this year.
Bridal Shower
There will be a Bridal Shower
in honor of McKenna Sanderson,
bride-elect of Parker Tipton, on
Sunday, Feb. 10 “come & go”
from 1:30-3:00 p.m. in the
multipurpose room. They are
registered at Bed, Bath &
Beyond or gift cards from Walmart & Lowes.
Thank You Note
Dear East Main family,
Thank you so much for the cards, visits, and other
acts of concern that were shown towards me and my
family during my recent illness. Please continue to
remember us in your daily prayers as we work together
to gain a portion of my health back. Love,
Lauren Lindley
Community Outreach Item:
Lotion

Men to Serve Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019 a.m.
Announcements...................................Mike Childers
Bible Reading.......................................Larry Presley
Opening Prayer ............................... Robert Kingsley
Lord’s Supper
Dennis Hallmark & Michael Wilson
Serve Congregation, East Side:
Robert Parker, Ricky Johnson, Scott Childers
Serve Congregation, West Side:
Britton Smith, Rodney Voyles, Stuart Childers
Lead Singing..............................................Mark Hitt
Closing Prayer................................... William Harris
Ushers .....................Jason Dickinson & Dean Webb
Please meet in the library by 8:45 a.m.
Sunday Afternoon
Opening Prayer ........................... Bobby Joe Lindley
Closing Prayer........................................ Chad Willis
Lead Singing.........................................Wesley Bass
Wednesday, February 6, 2019
Prayer ...............................................Eddie Simmons
Lead Singing........................................ Greg Hughes
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 ......................................Joe & Alicia Smith
..................................Grady & Debbie Vines
Prepare Lord’s Supper—February.....................Dale
Dulaney
Nursery........................ Suzanne Long & Betty Long
Pantry............................................... Instant potatoes
Attendance & Contribution
Mid-Week, 1-23-19..............................................156
Sunday 1st
Worship, 1-27-19 ...............................194
Sunday Bible Class ..............................................184
Sunday 2nd
Worship.............................................170
Contribution (budget $7,900)............................8,276