bulletin 2-9-21

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Vol. 46 February 9, 2021 Number 6
WINNING THE BIG GAME
Barry Kennedy
Yesterday, millions of people are geared up for the once-a-year gridiron
gala known as the Super Bowl. The true champion team of the NFL was
determined, and their name will be recorded in the history books. Sometimes the
games are tense and exciting, other times (like last night) there is a blowout
victory. Either way, millions watched to see the outcome, or at least the
commercials.
Many Christians also find themselves gearing up for this day. The reason
Christians are making preparation is because it is the Lord’s day. Sunday has been
set aside by the Lord for His saints to come together (Hebrews 10:24-25), sing
songs of praise (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16-17), preach/teach the Word of
God (2 Timothy 4:1-5; 2:15), pray (Romans 12:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:17), give of
our means (1 Corinthians 16:1-2), and remember the death of our Lord by
partaking the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7; 2:42). These items are of far greater
importance than any athletic competition. However, the apostle Paul used
athletics to help illustrate the spiritual life.
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the
prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the
mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible
crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so
fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and
bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to
others, I myself should be a castaway (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).
Paul knew that the greatest victory one can achieve is winning the big game of
life. At the end of the Super Bowl there was only one winner, but the big game
spiritually has an unlimited winner’s bracket. How can we win the big game and
who gets to claim victory?
The one who has the greatest desire. It has been said that many desire to
go to Heaven, but few want to die to get there. Paul was not one of those people.
In fact, he said, “For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and
to be with Christ; which is far better:” (Philippians 1:23). Abraham wandered
about, living in tents searching for the promise with desire. “But now they desire
a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called
their God: for he hath prepared for them a city” (Hebrews 11:16). Though he
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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
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. --article continued from page 1—
died without receiving the desired land, he won the
big game by finding the Heavenly land.
The one who is the most disciplined. Paul
made mention of how the athletes competing in the
games are temperate in all things (1 Corinthians
9:25). To develop temperance, defined as self-
control, requires discipline. Discipline is very
difficult to both deliver and receive, but self-
discipline is the most difficult of all. Just like the
discipline that the athletes competing in the Super
Bowl need to win, Christians need discipline in
order to win the big game.
The one who is the most focused. A
focused athlete or team may not always win the
competition, but one can rest assured the winner
was focused. Paul said that he ran his race with the
victory in sight (1 Corinthians 9:26). He realized
that in order to achieve he had to maintain his focus
(1 Corinthians 9:27). “For to me to live is Christ,
and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). The one who
is willing to sacrifice all. When facing the finish
line, “All to Jesus I surrender all to Him I freely
give.” The Christian victory requires the greatest
sacrifice. “For if we have been planted together in
the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the
likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our
old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin
might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not
serve sin” (Romans 6:5-6).
Most people will never find themselves in a
big game such as the Super Bowl. However, we are
all in the big game of life, but the question is, are
we winning?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sympathy
Our sympathy is extended to Rommie Dilworth in the
loss of his uncle last week due to the Coronavirus.
It Is Not What You Have
A king suffered a terribly painful sickness. His
advisor told him that the only cure was to locate a
contented man and ask for his shirt to wear night and
day.
Immediately messengers were sent through the
kingdom to look for such a man and bring back his
shirt.
Months passed; finally, all the messengers returned
empty-handed. The king was exasperated. “Do you
mean to tell me there is not even a single man in all my
realm who is content?”
A messenger replied, “We found only one such man
in all your realm.”
“Why did you not bring his shirt?”
“Master, the man had no shirt.”
Dr. Dale Robbins writes, “I used to think people
complained because they had a lot of problems. But I
have come to realize that they have problems because
they complain. Complaining does not change anything
or make situations better. It amplifies frustration, spreads
discontent and discord, and can invoke an invitation for
the devil to cause havoc with our lives.” —Anonymous
“Do all things without complaining and
disputing, that you may become blameless and
harmless” (Philippians 2:14-15).
--Via House to House Heart to Heart, (Archive 1227)
John Duke stationed in Gulfport, MS
Caleb Williams stationed in Quantico, VA
Rob Cross & family stationed in South Korea

3. Daily Bible Reading
February 10...........................................Numbers 1-2
February 11...........................................Numbers 3-4
February 12...........................................Numbers 5-8
February 13.........................................Numbers 9-12
February 14.......................................Numbers 13-16
February 15.......................................Numbers 17-20
February 16.......................................Numbers 21-25
Birthdays &
Anniversaries
Birthdays: Debbie Duke (Feb. 11), Justin
Webb (Feb. 12), Leigh Bland (Feb. 15), Eden
Davis (Feb. 16). Anniversaries: Andy &
Sharon Clemmer (Feb. 14), Mike & Carol Cross
(Feb. 14).
Our Sick
James Simmons has been diagnosed with non-
Hodgkin’s lymphoma and will begin chemo
Thursday. Ashley Davis began chemo last week.
Betty Beard underwent cataract surgery last week
and will have the other eye done March 1. Lynn
Sanderson’s mother, Caroline Willis, is having
some health issues. Amy Hughes’ friend, David
Smith, continues in the St. Dominic Hospital in
Jackson, MS with a brain bleed. Dan Winkler, a
gospel preacher many here know, underwent
surgery last week to remove colon cancer. He is
doing well and received a good prognosis. Jean
Mounce is home recuperating from surgery. Kathy
Bates, Larry & Judy Bates’ daughter-in-law, was in
the hospital in Oxford with Covid. She is home now
and doing much better.
On-Going Illnesses
Mary Lou Walden, Steve Kelly, Bettye Davis,
Frankie Estes, Sean Koehn, Donny Dulaney, Adam
McCurley, James Goddard, Bill Goff, Tommy Goff,
Mitch Maclean, Mary Starz, Sheba Tuggers, Carol
Hood, Steve Higginbotham
Nursing Homes
Nancy Haywood, Randy Attaway, Veona Harris,
Shirley McCarthy, Bob & Clara McClure, Brenda
Dawson
EMYG News
Hello! I hope you’re doing well today.
Just a reminder that this Wednesday
we will have “Brain Freeze” which is
a time to have some ice cream and
fellowship. This is for all ages who
want to come.
This Friday night, we are having a
T.G.I.F. Valentine’s Day edition so
bring your friends as we spend
time creating a deeper love for
God as well as playing some
relationship building games.
Hebrews 10:22-25 says, “let us draw near to
God with a sincere heart and with the full
assurance that faith brings, having our
hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty
conscience and having our bodies washed
with pure water. 23 Let us hold
unswervingly to the hope we profess, for
he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us
consider how we may spur one another on
toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving
up meeting together, as some are in the
habit of doing, but encouraging one
another and all the more as you see the Day
approaching.”
As always, if we can help you in any way,
please let us know. We love you! Alex
Opportunity may knock
once, but
temptation bangs on
your front door forever!

4. Men to Serve Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021 a.m.
Announcements...................................Mike Childers
Bible Reading................................Alex Blackwelder
Opening Prayer ..................................... Wade Bryan
Lord’s Supper
Andy Clemmer
Lead Singing..............................................Mark Hitt
Closing Prayer................................... Terry Kingsley
Ushers ..........................Joe Minor & Andy Baldwyn
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)
Attendance & Contribution
Mid-Week, 2-3-21 ...................................................... 95*
Sunday 1st
Worship, 2-7-21 .......................................... 23
Sunday Bible Class................................................... 103*
Sunday 2nd
Worship.................................................. 134*
Contribution (budget $7,900) ................................ $8,542
*This does not include the livestreamed views.
Pantry item...............................Macaroni and cheese
Services will be livestreamed this Sunday at 10:00 a.m. if you
do not feel comfortable attending in person.
However, if you do feel comfortable meeting in person, we will
have our 8:30 a.m. worship, our 10:00 a.m. worship and our
11:15 a.m. Bible class this Sunday, Feb. 14.
(Also, in person Bible classes will be held this Wed., Feb. 10.)