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Are we confident that our light is bright
Vol. 47 January 4, 2022 Number 1
What Will We Do In 2022?
Happy New Year to you and to yours! This and many similar sentiments
will be said multiple times throughout this week. It is almost impossible for
some of us to believe that we are about to enter the year 2022. How many of you
remember thinking the year 2000 was going to look something like a sci-fi
movie? Of course, we do have many advancements that mimic much of what we
saw on TV or the silver screen, but mostly things continue to be somewhat the
same. Solomon made that statement long ago. “The thing that hath been, it is
that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there
is no new thing under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Solomon was not saying
there are no new advancements in technology or medicine, etc. but that history
tends to repeat itself. In fact, that is why we study history. God’s Word has been
described as a love letter, map, instruction manual, science book, and historical
record. The Bible accurately covers all those subjects, which helps substantiate it
as the inspired word (2 Timothy 3:16-17). God wants us to learn from the past to
be prepared for our future (Romans 15:4).
“Men make history and not the other way around. In periods where there
is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful
leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better” (Harry S. Truman).
God’s people, like everyone else in this great country have been through a lot
this past year. Believe it or not, it was not all bad. We tend to find ourselves
focused on the difficulties and hardships. That is exactly what Satan wants us to
do. Remember how he tempted Eve, getting her to focus on the one thing she
couldn’t have (Genesis 3)? He has no need to change his tactics now, they have
been working from the beginning of time (Romans 3:23). What we must
remember is that he can be resisted (James 4:7). What will our history be? With
this year drawing to a close, what will we do in 2022?
Draw closer to God. Like with history, we need to get to know God if
we are going to be closer to Him. “It is written in the prophets, And they shall be
all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the
Father, cometh unto me” (John 6:45). We mentioned earlier how that we can
resist the devil and he will flee from us, but the next verse reminds us that when
we draw nigh to God He will draw nigh to us (James 4:8).
Invest in Others. Many resolve to grow their bank account by investing
in the new year. Investing is defined: to expend money with the expectation of
achieving a profit or material result by putting it into financial plans, shares, or
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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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property, or by using it to develop a commercial
venture. Investing in others is a similar process. We
expend time, emotions, interests, etc. in the lives of
others with the expectation of gain. The difference is
the gain is for the other one and not necessarily for
ourselves. “Let nothing be done through strife or
vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem
other better than themselves” (Philippians 2:3).
Graciously forgive self and one another.
Forgiveness is at the heart of God’s blessings offered
to man. Jesus came to this earth with the express
mission to seek and to save those who are lost (Luke
19:10). We are admonished by Jesus to forgive as we
have been forgiven (Matthew 6:12). God want all men
to be saved and live lives directed by the knowledge
of truth (1 Timothy2:4). Jesus clarified His statement
on forgiveness in the model prayer with these words:
“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly
Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not
men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive
your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14-15).
What are we going to do in 2022? Let’s
resolve to D.I.G. Draw closer to God, Invest in the
lives of others, and Graciously forgive self and others.
May God bless and keep us all in 2022!
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Area Youth Meeting
The monthly Area Wide
Youth Meeting will be held
this Sunday, Jan. 9 at 5:00
p.m. here at East Main. We
need the help of all who can
to provide handheld desserts
for our visitors. Please bring
them Sunday and put in the
multipurpose room.
On-Going Illnesses
Mary Lou Walden, Evelyn Thompson, Annie
Martin, Bettye Davis, Frankie Estes, Shirley Lyons,
Barbara Bishop, Caroline Willis, Carol Hood, Bill
Goff, Donny Dulaney, Adam McCurley, Mitch
Maclean, Sheba Tuggers, Stella Pittman, Michelle
Bellew, Larry Kennedy, Brian Carver, Marvin
Chamblee, Brent Norris
Nursing Homes
Randy Attaway, Shirley McCarthy, Bob McClure
Sympathy
Our sympathy is extended to Lisa Williams in
the loss of her mother, Sarah Kitchens, on Jan. 4.
Funeral arrangements were incomplete at this time.
Men’s Breakfast
There will be a men’s
breakfast this Saturday,
Jan. 8 at 8:00 a.m. in the
multipurpose room. There
is a food sign up sheet in
the foyer under the TV
screen if you plan to attend.
Sr. Youth TGIF
The Senior youth are invited to the building this
Friday, Jan. 7 from 9:00 p.m. until midnight for
TGIF. Please come and bring your friends!
Thank You Notes
Dear Brethren,
Thank you for being a part of our children’s
Christmas. We could not do what we do without the
support of our brethren. The children were so excited
to open their gifts and enjoy their new clothes and
goodies. We hope you have a wonderful holiday
season and a blessed new year. Sincerely,
Jon O’Keefe
Executive Director of Pine Vale Children’s Home
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To the East Main Church of Christ,
Thank you very much for your continued support
and prayers for our patients. You have always been a
support for our patients, and I appreciate that. Each
bag of food that I can give a family in need, creates a
smile that only the love of Jesus can create. Many
congregations say they want to make a difference, but
it takes congregations like yours actually going above
and beyond to create change. Thank you for what you
do. The Cancer Center
Lauren Thompson, LMSW

3. Daily Bible Reading
January 5.............................................Genesis 16-18
January 6.............................................Genesis 19-20
January 7.............................................Genesis 21-23
January 8.............................................Genesis 24-25
January 9.............................................Genesis 26-28
January 10...........................................Genesis 29-30
January 11...........................................Genesis 31-32
Birthdays &
Anniversaries
Birthdays: John Mounce (Jan. 5), Mike
Ratliff (Jan. 6), Barbara Bishop (Jan. 10),
Annie Dilworth (Jan. 10), Callie Bennett
(Jan. 11). Anniversaries: None this week.
Our Sick
Shirley Sollinger, Evelyn Thompson’s sister, is in
the hospital in Olive Branch following emergency
surgery Friday to remove a blockage in her intestines.
She also has Covid and is very weak. Several in the
congregation are home sick including, Debbie Duke,
Eddie Simmons, Matthew Nichols, Ander Bass,
Shawn, Jean, Sarah & John Mounce, Marla & Madi
Harris, Tony & Hallie Donald, Linda Parker, Billie
McNutt, and Steve Kelly. Prayers have been
requested for 38-year-old Lacy Plaxico who has been
diagnosed with terminal cancer.
EMYG News
“You Say You Want A Revolution”
Alex Blackwelder
Are you one of those people that like to make New
Year resolutions? I used to be! In fact, the New Year
was about the only time I was serious and committed
about changing parts of my life. This year, I want to
do something different. I’ve noticed that a lot of
people start off strong with their resolutions and by
March, they’re not as committed anymore. Personally,
I don’t want to be part of that percentage that gives up
so easily. I’ve decided, I don’t want to create spiritual
resolutions for myself because the person that creates
a spiritual resolution can also break the spiritual
resolution. And the consequences of breaking them
aren’t immediately significant, but one day will be.
I challenge you to join me in putting away your
resolutions. Join me in being part of this New Year
revolution. A revolution where your resolutions
become obsolete. A revolution where you allow God’s
Spirit to have His way with you. And from that, you
develop an unmovable faith. So, how does this
revolution begin? It begins when we allow our hearts
and minds to become clay and let God mold us into
His image. For example, when I look into the mirror
and all I see is Alexander Ryan Blackwelder and his
accomplishments, I’ve missed the mark. Through
God, I need to become less of self and more like Him.
That way when I look in the mirror, I see Alexander
Ryan Blackwelder, God’s hands and feet. Sounds
simple enough, right? Well…keep reading.
At its core this revolution is about selflessness.
Jesus says, “If anyone would come after me, let him
deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow
me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but
whoever loses his life for my sake will save it (Luke
9:23-24 ESV). The revolution begins with a change of
mind. You are not your own. According to Romans
12:2, you only act how you think. So, if you change
your thinking, your actions will follow. Earlier, I
mentioned allowing God’s Spirit to have His way with
you. There’s no doubt that the spirit plays an active
role in our lives today and can do so much more with us
if we allow him to.
Paul says, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you
will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires
of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of
the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed
to each other, to keep you from doing the things you
want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are
not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are
evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,
idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger,
rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness,
orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned
you before, that those who do such things will not
inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit
is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such
things there is no law.
And those who belong to Christ Jesus have
crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we
live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
Let us not become conceited, provoking one another,
envying one another (Galatians 5:16-26). By crucifying
the fleshly desires and adopting what the Holy Spirit has
asked us to have, the church will blossom and grow from
the inside out. Now that’s a revolution I can get behind!

4. Men to Serve Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022 a.m.
Announcements.......................................Jeff Mansel
Bible Reading........................................Aaron Willis
Opening Prayer ...................................Mike Childers
Lord’s Supper
Tim Davis
Lead Singing......................................Hugh Scribner
Closing Prayer............................................Joe Smith
Ushers ..........................Andy Baldwyn & Joe Minor
Please meet in the library by 8:45 a.m.
Sunday 11:15 a.m. service
Opening Prayer .................................... Paul Blansett
Closing Prayer......................................... Larry Long
Lead Singing........................................ Kent Nichols
Wednesday, January 12, 2022
Opening Prayer ..............................Jimmy Spearman
Lead Singing.........................................Wesley Bass
The elders kindly request that men leading in public
worship wear the best dress clothes they have.
Contact Wade Bryan (419-5552) if unable to serve.
Attendance & Contribution
Mid-Week, 12-29-21 ................................................. N/A
Sunday 1st
Worship, 1-2-22 ...................................... 135*
Sunday Bible Class..................................................... 125
Sunday 2nd
Worship.................................................... 115
Contribution (budget $7,900) ................................ $9,431
*This does not include the livestreamed views.
Pantry item........................................... Peanut butter