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Vol. 45 October 6, 2020 Number 39
RESPONSIBILITY
Barry Kennedy
Responsibility is a word that has been around for a long time. That being said,
many people do not want to admit that responsibility is not optional. This is a serious
problem, especially for a Christian. You see, responsibility carries an idea of duty.
There is a phrase that was coined long ago which explains this truth very clearly
“ability plus opportunity equals responsibility.” It is clear that abilities vary, but every
accountable person has some ability. After all, man was created in the image of God
(Genesis 1:26). Some have great ability in the area of evangelism, others are talented
in the area of benevolence, and the list is inexhaustible. What about opportunity?
Really? All one has to do is look around. Opportunities are just waiting on the abilities
of God’s people to look up and realize their responsibility. Consider the words of the
Lord: “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say
unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to
harvest” (John 4:35).
Some years ago, a former American astronaut took over as head of a major airline,
determined to make the airline's service the best in the industry. One day, as the new
president walked through a particular department, he saw an employee resting his feet
on a desk while the telephone on the desk rang incessantly. "Aren't you going to
answer that phone?" the boss demanded. "This isn't my department," answered the
employee nonchalantly, apparently not recognizing his new boss. "I work in
maintenance." "Not anymore you don't!" snapped the president.1
One cannot find
himself avoiding responsibility without facing serious consequences.
The Bible is filled with direction in the area of responsibility. From the very
beginning in the garden of Eden God gave Adam the responsibility of dressing and
keeping the garden (Genesis 2:15). Moses was given the responsibility of leading the
children of Israel out of the land of Egypt (Exodus 3). David had the responsibility of
leading the Israelites as king (1 Samuel 16:13). Even in the New Testament Jesus left
His disciples with the responsibility of spreading the faith (Matthew 28:18-19; Mark
16:15-16). Clearly, responsibility is not something man can shirk.
Responsibility ultimately must begin with each individual. Each one of us must
obey the gospel (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9) because we all sin (Romans 3:23). The death,
burial, and resurrection of Christ (i.e. the gospel 1 Corinthians 15:1-4) is the only hope
that we have for being forgiven (John 14:6; Ephesians 1:3). Are we ready to step up
and meet our responsibility to be in Christ (Galatians 3:26-27)? If we have obeyed the
gospel, are we meeting our responsibility to remain faithful (Matthew 10:22; 2
Timothy 4:7-8; Revelation 2:10)? Responsibly is yours and mine. May God give us
the strength and wisdom to see the blessings of meeting our individual responsibilities!
1
Today in the Word, MBI, December 1989, p. 35.
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.
1606 East Main Street
P. O. Box 1761
Tupelo, Mississippi 38802
“Thou shalt observe to do all that they inform thee”
(Deut. 17:10)

HELP NEEDED!
We are working to install a
more professional setup of
cameras and equipment
than the cell phones and
tripods that we have been
using to produce our live
stream services, and we are
looking for help to create a
number of teams to help man the cameras and work
the sound board. The reason we are wanting
multiple teams is to make sure no individual is
responsible for every service. Because of the
additional equipment, it will need to be a two-
person team to handle everything. Depending on
how many teams we can create will determine how
often you would be on duty.
This is a wonderful form of service for those who
do not feel as comfortable leading in public worship
in front of the congregation. This does not exclude
anyone from volunteering, because we need quite a
few to setup the teams. Also, do not worry about
the factor you don’t know how to do it now, we are
going to have a training here at the building in the
next few weeks.
If you are willing to be part of the teams, please
contact the church office at 662-842-6116 and let
Renee get your info or contact William Harris at
662-416-8149.
Sympathy
Our sympathy is extended to James Simmons in
the loss of his aunt, Betty Westmoreland, on Sept.
20. Funeral services were held Oct. 2 in Saltillo.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Jalon &
Katherine Mansel in the birth of
their son, Jace Clark, on Oct. 5.
He weighed 6 lbs. 15 oz. and was
18 ½ inches long. Jeff & Natalie
Mansel are the proud grand-
parents. Melea Mansel is the
proud aunt. Mother and baby are doing well.
Pine Vale
Fall Pantry Drive
East Main will be collecting items for Pine
Vale’s fall pantry drive for the next couple of
weeks. They will send a truck by October 20 to
pick these items up. Our assigned items are:
Batteries (AA or 9-volt)
Salad dressing (Ranch/Thousand Island)
Light bulbs (40w, 60w, 100w)
Pine Vale Children’s Home would like to thank
you for helping with the restocking of their panty
and for all the ways you help support their children.
Thank You Notes
Dear East Main,
Thank you for the flowers, calls, texts and
mostly for the prayers during the loss of my father.
Please continue to pray for me and my family
through this difficult time. God has really blessed
us with such a loving Christian family. Thank you
all!! Kim & Ricky Johnson
Bobby Irvin Family
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
East Main Church of Christ,
Plantersville Middle School is so blessed to
partner with you in ministering to children. I
personally know how much the food bags you
prepare affects our kids. They are so excited when
they receive them and look forward to them each
time. You are being the hands and feet. Thank
you! L Brett
P.S. I know it takes a lot of time to shop, prepare,
pack and deliver. You are a blessing! (James 1:27)
John Duke stationed in Gulfport, MS
Caleb Williams stationed in Quantico, VA
Rob Cross & family stationed in South Korea
Ty Nichols stationed in Germany

Daily Bible Reading
October 7..............................................Matthew 16-17
October 8..............................................Matthew 18-20
October 9..............................................Matthew 21-22
October 10............................................Matthew 23-24
October 11............................................Matthew 25-26
October 12............................................Matthew 27-28
October 13......................................................Mark 1-3
Birthdays &
Anniversaries
Birthdays: Ken Pearson (Oct. 9), Tyler Barnette
(Oct. 12), Beth Reed (Oct. 12). Anniversaries:
Jon & Ainsley Millard (Oct. 10).
Our Sick
Jean Mounce was taken back to UAB Saturday
with severe pain due to a hernia. Andy Baldwyn will
undergo rotator cuff surgery Oct. 14 in Germantown.
Gail Geno went to Sims Murphy in Memphis Monday
for her back pain. David Rushing, Pat Putt’s son, is
recuperating from surgery last week in Birmingham.
Mary Lou Walden continues therapy at Cedars and
hopes to go home Friday. Pete Barber & Jill Rice
(Debbie Vines’ mother) continue at Sanctuary
Hospice House. Brent, Codi & Liam Hallmark have
tested positive for Covid-19. Linda Hand has
developed cellulitis in her leg. Judy Bates has a
fractured vertebra. Susan Reed had an echocardiogram
Friday. Linda Bryan’s, Wade’s mother, scan
determined she does not have cancer on her lung.
Brian Carver & Sean Koehn, former members of East
Main, are both battling cancer. Jennie Cox is now
residing at Diversicare on Eason Blvd.
On-Going Illnesses
Steve Kelly, Bettye Davis, Frankie Estes, Jennie Cox,
Donny Dulaney, Adam McCurley, James Goddard, Bill
Goff, Leroy Brown, Jadon Parish, Jerry Smith, Mitch
Maclean, Mary Starz, Sheba Tuggers, Homer Smith,
Shirley Roberts, Merlene Johnson, Thomas Lloyd, Steve
Higginbotham, Tommy Goff, Brenda Dawson
Nursing Homes
Evelyn Willis, Nancy Haywood, Randy Attaway,
Shirley McCarthy, Veona Harris, Bob & Clara McClure
EMYG News
HOWDY FOLKS!
What a year of navigating through tons of unfamiliar
territory! I know at times, we’ve become weary from
it, but I truly believe that we are stronger from it. I
appreciate your patience and flexibility as we begin
doing more youth activities. As we begin this fall
season, I hope you plan on participating at each youth
event. We will begin a new event called, T.G.I.F.
(Together Growing in Faith). These events are geared
for the Senior Youth and will happen each Friday
night after the football games (meeting times are
subject to change based on the week). This is an
opportunity to bring your friends to the church
building to participate in fun activities as well as
digging deeper in our faith as His children. We are
terminating the former TNT events for now. The
Youth Board downstairs (next to the bathrooms)
has been updated, so please disregard any former
youth events and dates. As you come to the building,
please check out that board for new events/dates. If
you are willing to help chaperone these events, please
let me know. We will also begin activities for our
Junior Youth very soon, so consult the Youth Board
for more information. As always, continue to keep
our young people in your prayers.

Men to Serve Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020 a.m.
Announcements...................................Mike Childers
Bible Reading.....................................Ricky Lindsey
Opening Prayer .................................... Greg Hughes
Lord’s Supper
Clinton Kingsley
Lead Singing..............................................Mark Hitt
Closing Prayer...............................Alex Blackwelder
Ushers .................................................Terry & Larry
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.
Bible Classes (streamed each week)
Adult class................Jeff Mansel (Facebook/YouTube)
Adult class.......... Barry Kennedy (Facebook/YouTube)
College class.....Roger Sanderson/Tim Davis (Facebook)
Attendance & Contribution
Mid-Week, 9-30-20 .................................................. 114*
Sunday 1st
Worship, 10-4-20 ........................................ 39
Sunday Bible Class (Sr. adult class)............................. 28
Sunday 2nd
Worship.................................................. 126*
Contribution (budget $7,900) ................................ $9,728
*This does not include the livestreamed views.
Pantry item........................................................ Tuna
Mark Your Calendars!
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.