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Vol. 44 December 3, 2019 Number 47
“Oh, What A Glad Day”
Barry Kennedy
How many times do we sit and think about eternity? Often thoughts of eternity
come with the passing of a loved one, or in times of weakness and sin. We all have
found ourselves sitting through a funeral service mourning the loss of that dear loved
one. We listen to the preacher or close friend talking about the life that person lived
and how deeply they are going to be missed. Then, we are reminded that God has said,
“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that
they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them” (Revelation 14:13).
Death is not an end for the faithful child of God, but rather a beginning of the rest
promised by God. When we lose a Christian loved one, we are given the hope of a glad
reunion, if we too are faithful.
There is a hymn entitled “What a Glad Day,” in which the writer references the
judgment day. Consider the lyrics used in this grand old tune.
When Friends of yore we meet once more, Oh, what a glad day ’twill be; when
pure and sweet, up there we meet, Oh, what a glad day ’twill be. (chorus) Oh,
what a glad day, Oh, what a glad day, When Heaven we all shall see, When
there thru God’s grace, We look on His face, Oh, what a glad day ‘twill be?
Some morning fair, we’ll gather there, Oh, what a glad day ‘twill be, When
there we raise new songs of praise, Oh, what a glad day ‘twill be, (Chorus)
There Christ the Lord will be adored, Oh, what a glad day ’twill be, When we
get home, no more to roam, Oh, what a glad day ’twill be, (Chorus).
Can we see that day through our eye of faith? Are we confident that a glad day is what
the day of the Lord will be for us? If not, are we sinning if we sing this song? We have
been given the blessing of song in our worship to the Lord, but our song service is to
be done within the parameters God has set forth in Scripture. A good example of these
parameters is found in Paul’s inspired letters to the congregations in Ephesus and
Colossae (Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16). There is a form of teaching and
admonishing in the songs, hymns, and spiritual songs that we sing. This brings to mind
another verse penned by the apostle Paul, “What is it then? I will pray with the spirit,
and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing
with the understanding also” (1 Corinthians 14:15). Paul equates understanding to the
message of our songs. Do we truly understand what we sing? No one would negate the
importance of understanding what we teach (Galatians 1:6-9; 1 Corinthians 1:10ff). So
again, the question is, “Will the day of the Lord be a glad day for us or not?”
Not if we are outside the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:3). “Blessed are the
dead who die “IN THE LORD (emph added)” (Revelation 14:13). Therefore, we need
--article continued 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)

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--article continued from page 1--
to make sure we are in the Lord before we die
(Romans 6:3, 4; Galatians 3:26, 27).
Not if we turn our backs on the Lord. Peter
made mention of how God views Christians who
reject the pathway of right (2 Peter 2:20-22). The dog
returning to his own vomit and the sow to the mire are
very graphic images which should stir our resolve to
serve Him more faithfully. John (the apostle of love)
wrote the words of the Lord concerning the
Laodicean's lukewarm attitude. “I know thy works,
that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert
cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and
neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my
mouth” (Revelation 3:15, 16). Are we a little under
temperature today, or are we on fire for the Lord
(Jeremiah 20:9)?
Not if we are not leaving behind a hope for
our souls with our families. What a glad day ’twill
be if I know that I’ll see a dear loved one again. David
said long ago of his departed son, “But now he is
dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back
again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to
me” (2 Samuel 12:23). David had confidence in the
home of his son’s soul. Do I offer that confidence to
my family today? Oh, what a glad day it will be if we
are looking forward to seeing our Lord (2 Timothy
4:6-8; Revelation 22:20).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sr. Adult Fellowship
The Senior Adult
Fellowship will be held this
Thursday, Dec. 5 at 6:00
p.m. in the MULTIPUR-
POSE ROOM. Doug
Wallace is providing the
turnip greens. A food list
for the rest of the meal is posted on the bulletin
board across from the library. There are still a
couple of open spots.
Parents of All Youth
This Sunday, Dec.
8 ALL the youth and
their parents will be
hosting the Sr. Saints’
Holiday Luncheon at
noon in the multipur-
pose room. A food
sign-up sheet has been
posted in the foyer beside the tract rack. Please sign
for two items. There are still several open spots!
Also, the Sr. youth will be helping to serve.
Everyone in the congregation with children is
encouraged to stay as we honor our older members.
Thanks for your help!
Sr. Youth Party
The Sr. Youth
are invited to Kirk
& Lori Sheffield’s
home this Sunday,
Dec. 8 at 5 p.m. for
a PJ Christmas
party. A food list is
posted in the foyer
beside the tract rack. Also, please bring a $15
wrapped gift to play “dirty Santa.”
Ladies’ Ornament Swap
All the ladies are invited to Joyce
Burney’s home on Tuesday, Dec. 10
at 6 p.m. Please bring your favorite
party food and a wrapped Christmas
ornament.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Anna
Claire and Austin McMillen in
the birth of their daughter,
Dulaney “Laney” Ann, on
Tuesday, Dec. 3. She weighed
7.5 lbs. and was 20 inches long.
Mother and baby are doing
well. Dale Dulaney is the proud grandad.
John Duke stationed in Long Beach, MS
Caleb Williams stationed in Iraq
Rob Cross & family stationed in South Korea

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Daily Bible Reading
December 4....................................... Galatians 1-3
December 5....................................... Galatians 4-6
December 6...................................... Ephesians 1-3
December 7...................................... Ephesians 4-6
December 8.................................... Philippians 1-4
December 9..................................... Colossians 1-4
December 10...........................1 Thessalonians 1-5
Birthdays &
Anniversaries
Birthdays: Amanda Dickinson (Dec. 6),
Marla Laney (Dec. 6), Linda Parker (Dec.
6), Michael Wilson (Dec. 6), Austin
McMillen (Dec. 7), Hilda Ratliff (Dec. 9), Wanda
Bishop (Dec 10). Anniversaries: None this week.
Our Sick
Pete Barber continues oxygen at home due to
fluid in his lungs. Diane Dickerson is
recuperating from her broken ankle. Mikki
Gilliland’s uncle, Shirley Roberts, has just been
diagnosed with terminal cancer.
On-Going Illnesses
Mary Lou Walden, Jean Mounce, Steve Kelly,
Frankie Estes, Donny Dulaney, Adam McCurley,
Mary Jordan, Bretta Robinson, James Goddard,
Bill Goff, Leroy Brown, Jadon Parish, Jerry
Smith, Mitch Maclean, Mary Starz, Sheba
Tuggers, Ruby Clark, Homer Smith, Jill Rice,
Ann Letteri
Nursing Homes
Evelyn Willis, Nancy Haywood, Randy
Attaway, Shirley McCarthy, Mary Southern,
Veona Harris, James Nichols
Ladies’ Monthly
Fellowship
The next ladies’ fellowship class on the Digging
Deep book will be held on Thursday, Dec. 12 at 6
p.m. in the multipurpose room.
Men’s Tool Swap
The men are invited to the
multipurpose room on Tuesday,
Dec. 17 at 6:30 p.m. for a Tool
Swap. Please bring a $20
wrapped tool to play “dirty Santa”
and your own meat to grill. Sides
will be provided.
Thank You Note
Dear East Main family,
For months now I have tried to word my
appreciation to you all. This week I found the words
perfectly spoken by our Perfect Savior, Jesus Christ,
that tells how I feel and my gratitude to you all.
Matt. 25:35-40: “For I was ahungered, and ye gave
me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a
stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed
me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and
ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer
him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee ahungered, and
fed thee? Or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw
we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and
clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison,
and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and
say unto them, Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye
have done it unto one of the least of these my
brethren, ye have done it unto me.” I can truly say
from my heart you all have fulfilled this scripture with
my family over the last few years. You have fulfilled
it selflessly and with love and for that I am truly
grateful. I know many prayers are lifted up even
today and I pray for you as well. May God always
bless you as he has blessed me with my East Main
family. With love,
Russell & Norma Deaton
Outreach Item for December
Deodorant
Don’t forget if you took a child for
Christmas from the Outreach Program, the
items need to be returned to the building
by this Thursday, Dec. 5.

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Men to Serve Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019 a.m.
Announcements.......................................Jeff Mansel
Bible Reading.......................................Britton Smith
Opening Prayer ....................................... Perry Hand
Lord’s Supper
Roger Sanderson & Michael Wilson
Serve Congregation, East Side:
Will Davis, Jason Dickinson, Joe Minor
Serve Congregation, West Side:
Chet Wilson, Jacob Kennedy, Hunter Underwood
Lead Singing....................................Eddie Simmons
Closing Prayer...................................... Kent Nichols
Ushers ............................Larry Presley & Sam Hood
Please meet in the library by 8:45 a.m.
Sunday Afternoon
Opening Prayer ..................................... Wade Bryan
Closing Prayer................................... William Harris
Lead Singing......................................Hugh Scribner
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
Prayer.............................................Jimmy Spearman
Lead Singing........................................ Kent Nichols
Contact William Harris (416-8149) if unable to serve.
The elders kindly request that men leading in public
worship wear the best dress clothes they have.
Greeters ........................ Dennis & Debbie Hallmark
.....................................Mike & Hilda Ratliff
Prepare Lord’s Supper—December............. William
& Marla Harris
Nursery (1st
worship)........... Hilda Ratliff/Wanda Bishop
(2nd
worship)...............Kassi Kingsley/Ainsley Millard
Pantry.......................................... Canned vegetables
Attendance & Contribution
Mid-Week, 11-27-19...........................................N/A
Sunday 1st
Worship, 12-1-19 ...............................207
Sunday Bible Class ..............................................194
Sunday 2nd
Worship.............................................192
Contribution (budget $7,900)..........................$8,293
The youth of East Main invite our
Senior Saints
(age 60 and above)
to a holiday luncheon prepared in your honor this
Sunday, Dec. 8th
Immediately following worship services at noon in the multipurpose room.
Please sign the list on the bulletin board across from the library if you plan to attend.