The article discusses how true happiness comes from peace and love, not self-gratification. It argues that peace is a fruit of love, and love as defined in the Bible will lead to genuine happiness. When we follow peace and love God and others, we choose a life of happiness, rather than one consumed with grief.

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Are we confident that our light is bright
Vol. 47 March 8, 2022 Number 10
PEACE, LOVE, AND HAPPINESS
Barry Kennedy
Helen Keller once said of happiness, “Many persons have a wrong
idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-
gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.”1 It is hard to
imagine anyone not wanting to be happy. That being said, there are many
who are continually going through this life consumed with grief and
sorrow. Life will always have its share of heartaches. “Man that is born of a
woman is of few days, and full of trouble” (Job 14:1). Yet God’s Word says,
“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice” (Philippians 4:4).
How? It starts with understanding true happiness. Jesus said that life does
not consist of the abundance of things man possesses (Luke 12:15). When
one considers the sum of God’s Word for man, happiness seems to be
connected with two other words, i.e., peace and love. It seems to be that
peace is a fruit of love, which brings true happiness.
The word peace is often thought of as an absence of war or conflict
of any sort. Though that is an accurate definition for peace it does not
automatically lead to love or happiness. In fact, many, if not most of us,
have never actually been in a physical war, but we have been unhappy
from time to time. The Bible talks about a peace that passes all
understanding (Philippians 4:7). This is a peace of mind that no matter
what our circumstances are in this life, we know that God is with us
(Hebrews 13:5). That is what Paul was talking about in the context of this
verse. Paul told the Philippian brethren how this rejoicing can be
accomplished. Their rejoicing was contingent upon moderation (i.e.,
mercifulness or tolerance of slight deviations from moral or legal rectitude)
knowing that the Lord is at hand (v. 5). They did not have to be “careful”
(i.e., anxious) because they could cast their cares upon the Lord (v. 6; cf. 1
Peter 5:7). Then the peace of God would “keep” their hearts (v. 7). Doesn’t
that sound like a place of happiness to you?
True peace will not be pursued by anyone who does not have love
as their motivation. Paul said, “And now abide faith, hope, love, these
three; but the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13 NKJV). The
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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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context of Paul’s summation is a very extensive
definition of selfless “agape” love. It is a love
that suffers long and is kind; doesn't envy;
doesn’t parade itself; isn’t puffed up; behaves
right; doesn’t seek its own; isn’t easily
provoked; doesn't think evil; doesn’t rejoice in
iniquity; bears, believes, hopes, endures all
things, and never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8).
Just consider what peace could be had among
humanity if everyone loved like this. Peace
brought about by this kind of love will leave
one no choice but to be genuinely happy.
Jesus the “Prince of peace” (Isaiah 9:6),
loves us unconditionally (Romans 5:8; John
13:34; 15:12-13), and wants us to be truly happy
(John 10:10). It is hard to imagine anyone not
wanting to be happy, but if we are not willing
to follow peace (Hebrews 12:14), or love God
and our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-
39), then we have chosen a life without
genuine happiness. God help us all to live in
peace, love, and happiness.
1https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes
/h/helenkelle121539.html?src=t_true_happiness
~~~~~~~~~
Sympathy
Our sympathy is extended to Barry
Kennedy in the loss of his cousin, Johnny
Kennedy, on March 5. Funeral services will be
held March 10 at Kesler Funeral Home in
Booneville at 2:00 pm.
Tuesday Mornings with
the Master
Don’t forget Tuesday Mornings with the
Master every Tuesday in the multipurpose
room from 10:00-11:00 am. Anyone available to
come and help sign cards is welcomed.
New Quarter in Bible
Classes
We just began a new
quarter of study in our
Bible classes this past
Sunday. If you have
not been attending
Bible class, now would
be a great time to start.
There have been a few changes in some of the
adult classes for this quarter. First, the
college/young adult class is meeting upstairs at
the classroom on the west end of the building
(not the east anymore) and is being taught by
Roger Sanderson & Tim Davis on Sunday and
Wednesday. Also, on Sunday mornings Barry
Kennedy will be teaching a combined adult class
in the auditorium on Restoration and Dennis
Hallmark is teaching an adult class in the
multipurpose room on Nehemiah. On
Wednesday nights, there will be two adult
classes studying Timothy. Barry Kennedy will be
teaching in the auditorium and Dennis Hallmark
will be teaching in the multipurpose room.
Ladies’ Monthly
Fellowship
The ladies’ monthly
fellowship will be held
this Thursday, Mar. 10
from 6:00-7:00 pm in the
multipurpose room. All
the ladies are invited!
Daylight Saving Time
Begins Sunday
Daylight Saving Time will
begin this Sunday, March 13.
Don’t forget to set your clocks
FORWARD one hour Saturday
night before going to bed!

3. Daily Bible Reading
March 9.................................................... Judges 6-8
March 10................................................ Judges 9-12
March 11.............................................. Judges 13-16
March 12.............................................. Judges 17-19
March 13.............................................. Judges 20-21
March 14..................................................... Ruth 1-4
March 15.............................................. 1 Samuel 1-3
Birthdays &
Anniversaries
Birthdays: Patsy Nichols (Mar. 9), Scarlett
Smith (Mar. 12), Perry Hand (Mar. 14), Madi
Harris (Mar. 14). Anniversaries: None this
week.
Our Sick
Doug Wallace recuperating from eye surgery.
Bob Smith & Stella Pittman, Star Ray’s mom &
Barbara Wright’s sister, continue at The Meadows
in Fulton for therapy. Joe Cook, Billie McNutt’s
brother, is undergoing therapy at the Tupelo
Nursing Facility on Briar Ridge Rd. Barbara Bishop
continues therapy at Diversicare, Room 3B, on
Eason Blvd. Crafton Laney will have neck surgery
in Birmingham tomorrow. Michelle Maclean, Billie
McNutt’s niece, has been diagnosed with pancreatic
cancer. Twinette Wallace’s brother, Donny
Dulaney, is on a low dose chemo. Roy & Daisy
King, friends of Danny & Barbara Wright, both
have cancer.
On-Going Illnesses
Mary Lou Walden, Evelyn Thompson, Annie
Martin, Bettye Davis, Steve Kelly, Frankie Estes,
Shirley Lyons, Caroline Willis, Carol Hood, Bill
Goff, Adam McCurley, Sheba Tuggers, Larry
Kennedy, Brian Carver, Lacy Plaxico
Nursing Homes
Randy Attaway, Shirley McCarthy, Bob McClure
EMYG News
Ecclesiastes 3:4
[4] a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
Today, I want to share some funny Bible jokes that
will hopefully lift your spirits. Let’s begin!
Q. Why couldn’t Jonah trust the ocean?
A. Because he knew there was something fishy
about it.
Q. Who was the greatest financier in the Bible?
A. Noah; he was floating his stock while everyone
was in liquidation.
Q. Where was Solomon’s temple located?
A. On the side of his head.
Q. Where is the first tennis match mentioned in the
Bible?
A. When Joseph served in Pharaoh’s court.
Q. What excuse did Adam give to his children as to
why he no longer lived in Eden?
A. Your mother ate us out of house and home.
Q. What did Adam say on the day before
Christmas?
A. It’s Christmas, Eve!
Q. How does Moses make his coffee?
A. Hebrews it.
Q. How do we know Peter was a rich fisherman?
A. By his net income.
Q. Who were Gumby’s favorite Bible characters?
A. Shadrack, Meshack & AhBENDago.
Q. Who was the smartest man in the Bible?
A. Abraham. He knew a Lot.
I hope you have a fantastic week! Love y’all! Alex
Brain Freeze this Wednesday, Mar. 9
after Bible class in the multipurpose
room!

4. Men to Serve Sunday, Mar. 13, 2022 a.m.
Announcements...................................Mike Childers
Bible Reading.......................................Larry Presley
Opening Prayer .................................... Paul Blansett
Lord’s Supper
Michael Wilson
Lead Singing..............................................Mark Hitt
Closing Prayer................................. Jason Dickinson
Ushers ..................Roger Sanderson & Jalon Mansel
Please meet in the library by 8:45 a.m.
Sunday 11:15 a.m. service
Opening Prayer ..........................................Mark Hitt
Closing Prayer................................... Stuart Childers
Lead Singing......................................Hugh Scribner
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
Opening Prayer ...........................Bobby Joe Lindley
Lead Singing.................................Alex Blackwelder
The elders kindly request that men leading in public
worship wear the best dress clothes they have.
Contact Jimmy Spearman (840-8957) if unable to serve.
Attendance & Contribution
Mid-Week, 3-2-22 ...................................................... 167
Sunday 1st
Worship, 2-27-22 .................................... 168*
Sunday Bible Class..................................................... 192
Sunday 2nd
Worship.................................................... 145
Contribution (budget $7,900) .............................. $10,472
*This does not include the livestreamed views.
Pantry item........................................... Peanut butter
Our Vacation Bible School
is scheduled for
June 12th
-15th
from 6:30-8:00 pm!
There will be classes for all ages including adults.
Make plans now to attend!