This document is a newsletter from the East Main Church of Christ in Tupelo, Mississippi. It provides updates on church events, Bible study schedules, those who are sick, and birthdays and anniversaries. It encourages members to resolve to strengthen their families and honor their commitments in the new year. It also discusses the spiritual battle between good and evil and encourages reading the Bible daily to remain on God's side in this battle.

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Vol. 45 December 8, 2020 Number 48
WHAT DOES YOUR HEART SAY?
Barry Kennedy
Just follow your heart. Do what you feel is right. These, and many
other similar statements are the standard for far too many people. Is that
what man is supposed to follow? Can our conscience be our guide in
spiritual matters? Has God given man that much authority? What does
your heart say?
The heart of man refers to the essence of man, or as some might say,
the mind. The heart is in essence that which makes us who we are.
However, God’s word has established the fact that following one’s heart
alone can be very dangerous. “There is a way that seemeth right unto a
man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 16:25; see also
14:12). Clearly what one thinks is right may not always be right. The
danger in allowing our hearts to lead us down the wrong path is seen in
its final destination. Death is separation (James 2:26). Spiritual death is
eternal separation from God.
Pride is often the foundation for allowing the heart to be our one and
only guide. In fact, Solomon wrote, “Pride goeth before destruction, and a
haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). This verse is in the context of
Solomon’s warning not to follow the way that seems right. Some people
just cannot be told that they are wrong. To imply such is often met with
the words “Don’t judge me.” Most often that is just a “cop-out.” God’s
word is a mirror to the soul, and when one looks into this mirror, he is
forced to judge himself (James 1:25).
What if we have been following our hearts toward the wrong
destination? There is still hope! The apostle Paul said, “I verily thought
with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus
of Nazareth” (Acts 26:9). Paul’s heart was changed. No longer did his
heart tell him to persecute the Church, but he would become the
persecuted (2 Corinthians 11:23-25). Therefore, take heart for we are in
good company.
Is our way guided by feelings and emotion, or the inherent word of
God (2 Timothy 3:16-17)? What our hearts say today will have an eternal
weight (Proverbs 23:7). What does your heart say?
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
Early worship...............8:30 a.m.
Bible class................9:30 a.m.
Main worship.............10:00 a.m.
Bible class.............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)

2. Decide to Be Better
Each of us should form a resolution right now.
Husbands, promise yourself that your wife is
going to have a more caring husband till death
separates you.
Wives, promise yourself that your husband
will have a more appreciative wife till death
separates you.
Parents, resolve that you are going to love
your children and give more of yourselves to
them (Ephesians 6:4; Titus 2:3–4).
Children, resolve that you will honor and obey
your parents (Ephesians 6:1–3).
Stronger families begin with us. Determine to
do your best for those you love.
—Author Unknown
--via House to House Heart to Heart
Girls’ Joyful Rebellion
The girls’ Joyful
Rebellion Christmas Party
/Ornament Swap at Beth
Reed’s home will NOT be
Dec. 13 at 6:00 p.m. as
originally planned. It has
been postponed! Please see
Beth Reed for the new date.
Sympathy
Our sympathy is extended to Annie Martin in the
loss of her sister, Loyce Gardner, on Dec. 2. Funeral
services were held on Dec. 5 at Milling Funeral
Home in Union, MS.
Community Outreach Program
Christmas Project
The Community Outreach
Program would like to thank
everyone who adopted a child for
Christmas from area schools. The
packages were delivered to the
schools Dec. 8. Thanks to many of
you, these children will have presents under the tree!
Again, thank you so much for everyone’s help.
A special thank you to Kristie Webb & Lynn
Sanderson for organizing this project again this year.
East Main Sr. Saints
(Age 60 & Above)
Due to the Corona virus, the youth & their
parents have decided they will not host the
traditional Sr. Saints’ luncheon this year. However,
they would still like to honor you with a carry out
supper plate & happies delivered to your door this
Sun., Dec. 13 around 5:00 p.m. Please call the
church office if you would like the youth to deliver
to your home.
Thank You Notes
Dear East Main Outreach Program,
Thank you for my sweet little note that you sent
to my mailbox at ICC! That was such a pleasant
surprise. I’m so sorry for how long it’s taken me to
get back to you, but I just got a chance to check my
mail for the first time today all semester. With love,
Kylee Steward
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Congregation,
Dwayne & I would especially like to thank each
of you for your continued prayers and words of
encouragement. it has brought us much comfort
over the past weeks. We hope to be feeling much
better soon. Thanks again! Many blessings to all,
Mary & Dwayne Willis
John Duke stationed in Gulfport, MS
Caleb Williams stationed in Quantico, VA
Rob Cross & family stationed in South Korea
Ty Nichols stationed in Germany
We will NOT have the Christmas
card envelopes in the hallway at the
church building this year due to the
virus!

3. Daily Bible Reading
December 9....................................2 Corinthians 5-9
December 10..............................2 Corinthians 10-13
December 11........................................Galatians 1-3
December 12........................................Galatians 4-6
December 13.......................................Ephesians 1-3
December 14.......................................Ephesians 4-6
December 15..................................... Philippians 1-4
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Birthdays: Hilda Ratliff (Dec. 9), Wanda
Bishop (Dec. 10), Michelle Clifton (Dec. 11),
Mikki Gilliland (Dec. 11), Donny McKay
(Dec. 11), Jacob Bradley (Dec. 13), Larry Long
(Dec. 13), Jonathan Nichols (Dec. 13), Lynn
Sanderson (Dec. 15). Anniversaries: None this week.
Our Sick
Linda Hand continues in NMMC but improving.
Betty Kingsley continues in ICU at the Gilmore
Hospital in Amory with Covid. Christina Lindley
will undergo hernia surgery Dec. 8. Mary Lou
Walden fell and broke her thumb & fractured a
bone near her eye. Steve Kelly is battling shingles
& cellulitis. Sean Koehn continues radiation &
chemo at MD Anderson in TX. Brian Carver is in
the hospital in NC following surgery. Francis
Smith, Susan Reed’s aunt, continues in the hospital.
Lori & Hattie Sheffield, Casey Gullett, Wade &
Karen Bryan, Connie Kingsley, Barry Kennedy’s
uncle (Ronnie Johnson), Kirk Sheffield’s brother &
sister-in-law (Blair & Suzanne) all have COVID-19.
On-Going Illnesses
Jean Mounce, Bettye Davis, Frankie Estes, Stella
Pittman, Donny Dulaney, Adam McCurley, James
Goddard, Bill Goff, Tommy Goff, Leroy Brown,
Jadon Parish, Jerry Smith, Mitch Maclean, Mary
Starz, Sheba Tuggers, Homer Smith, Shirley
Roberts, Merlene Johnson, Thomas Lloyd, Steve
Higginbotham
Nursing Homes
Evelyn Willis, Nancy Haywood, Randy
Attaway, Shirley McCarthy, Veona Harris, Bob &
Clara McClure, Brenda Dawson
EMYG News
Howdy!
I hope you all are doing well. With the holiday
season in full gear, we are going to pick back up the
T.G.I.F. AFTER Christmas. This Saturday, Santa is
coming to town!!!!!!! If you want your picture made
with him, come by the multipurpose room between
12:00-1:00pm. This Sunday, we plan to prepare and
deliver food to the senior saints at 4:00pm.
Yesterday, Cassie and I were driving around
where we live and past our house are multiple battle
sites. We stopped and read each one and really tried to
soak in the fact that over 200 years ago, we would’ve
been standing in the middle of a nasty battle(s). When
I was younger, I didn’t care for history, but now that
I’m older to appreciate it, I do. While reading the
information about each battle, it put in perspective the
realness of the spiritual battle that we fight every day.
To some, reading about history does not affect
them because they were events that happened in the
past. And though that can be understood to a certain
level, history is always being made. The concept of
“Prehistoric Times” makes me laugh because there
has never been a time, where history just stops being
made. In the battle fought between God and Satan, to
some it just does not affect them because they can’t
see it or the simple sad fact that they don’t have any
interest in it. Sadly, what people don’t realize is when
they don’t have the interest in fighting in God’s Army,
by default, they’re fighting for Satan’s.
You, as the reader, who are you fighting for? See,
when you decide to become a child of God, you
become part of God’s Army. And when you’re part of
God’s Army, you become part of His-story. The book
of Revelation narrows down to God winning the
ultimate battle between good and evil. I like to be on
the winning side, don’t you? If you have become lazy
in your fight for God, how can us as your fellow
soldiers help you? Maybe you’ve been fighting for the
wrong side and need prayers, strength, and courage to
turn away?
Ultimately, when you are part of His-story, you
help to make history in this world the way God wants
you to make it. We love you and if there is anything
we can do to help you, please let us know. Alex
Parents of Youth
If you signed up to make food for the Sr. Saints
take out plates that the youth are delivering this
Sunday, Dec. 13, please have your food at the
building by 4:00 p.m. Sunday.

4. Men to Serve Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020 a.m.
Announcements..........................................Mark Hitt
Bible Reading..........................................Tanner Hitt
Opening Prayer ....................................Larry Presley
Lord’s Supper
Alex Blackwelder
Lead Singing...............................Bobby Joe Lindley
Closing Prayer...................................... Kent Nichols
Ushers ..................... Mike Childers & Dale Dulaney
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, 12-2-20 ........................................................ *
Sunday 1st
Worship, 12-6-20 ........................................ 16
Sunday Bible Class......................................................... *
Sunday 2nd
Worship.................................................... 77*
Contribution (budget $7,900) ................................ $8,458
*This does not include the livestreamed views.
Pantry item.........................................................Jelly
Services will be livestreamed this Sunday at
10:00 am if you do not feel safe attending the
service in person.