1. 4
Hugh
Vol. 44 April 2, 2019 Number 12
Do We Have Any “Spare” Change?
Barry Kennedy
It is a warm sunny day; you and your family are enjoying a well-deserved
day off. The decision was made to go into the city, do a little shopping, grab a bite
to eat at one of your favorite restaurants, and maybe take in a movie. However, as
you are walking up to the department store you see him. He may be in a wheel
chair, holding a hand-written sign or just simply looking destitute. As you
approach many thoughts enter into your mind, “Is he going to mug us, he probably
is an alcoholic, or some similarly negative thought. Then he says, “Sir, do you by
any chance have any spare change?” With all that we have heard, as well as just
thought, we find it difficult to give this person anything. What should we do, what
is the best way to handle such a situation? The Bible offers examples that can help
us to understand our role in such an area.
Give him what he really needs. Peter and John found themselves in a very
similar situation (Acts 3:1-11). The lame man was laid at the gate of the temple on
a daily basis. As people passed by, to enter into the temple, he would ask alms of
them. Here is a man who was lame from his birth. His situation was known by
everyone in town. Notice what happened when he asked Peter and John to give him
a donation. “And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.
And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter
said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of
Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk” (Acts 3:4-6). Of course, we are not able
to give a lame man the ability to walk, but Peter let this man know that he had a
greater need than that of mere pocket change. Many benevolent groups physically
help those who are destitute, but many (if not most) fail to offer them the truth of
God’s Word (John 17:17; John 14:6; Galatians 1:6-9).
God expects His people to be good stewards with what He has given (1
Corinthians 4:2). Being a good steward would involve not enabling a bad situation
with a mere handout (Hebrews 12:5, 6). However, as Christians we are also told to
do good as we have the opportunity (Galatians 1:10). Peter and John took
advantage of an opportunity to truly help a soul in need. Peter informed the lame
man that he was welcome to what he had. These two apostles showed compassion
to the lame man by giving him a gift that would actually help him. We must ask
ourselves, “If I give this person a few dollars, will I really be helping him?”
--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)
2. --article continued from page 1--
Christians have something to give that is of far
more value than that of silver and gold. Jesus said,
“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to
every creature. He that believeth and is baptized
shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be
damned” (Mark 16:15, 16). The gospel, which is the
power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16), is the
greatest gift we could ever give. We are not
promised a life of leisure here on time’s side of
eternity; however, we must do all that we can to
fulfill the mission God has given (Luke 19:10;
Matthew 28:19, 20).
Give the benefit of doubt. We cannot know
what is in the heart of another person (1 Corinthians
2:11). This is not to say we are blind to the actions
of another. It should be that each person is given a
chance to make a real change. If that chance is
abused, we are reminded, “For even when we were
with you, this we commanded you, that if any
would not work, neither should he eat” (2
Thessalonians 3:10).
The next time we are asked, “Do you have
any spare change,” why not take it as an opportunity
to respect another as a fellow human being, created
in the image of God? May we offer real help and
not just a hand out. Are they interested in what
really matters? Will they like an opportunity to be
made whole in Christ? Will we give them what they
really need, a real change, or do we just have some
SPARE change?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Our Ladies’ Day
Our ladies’ day here at
East Main has been
scheduled for Saturday,
April 27 with Jane
Washington speaking on the
theme “Walking with the
Lord.” Registration begins at 9:00 a.m.
Sr. Saints Fellowship
The Sr. Saints’ monthly
fellowship will be held this
Thursday, Apr. 4 at Centerville
Fish & Steak House beginning at
6:00 p.m. The bus will leave the
building at 5:30 p.m.
Congregational
Fellowship
We will have a
congregational fellowship
meal this Sunday, Apr. 7 at
noon in the multipurpose
room. Everyone is invited
to please bring food and
enjoy this time of
fellowship with our church family.
Area Youth Meeting
The Area Youth Meeting will be held THIS
SUNDAY, APRIL 7 at 6:30 p.m. at the Gloster St.
congregation. Please let Tim Davis know if you will
be riding the bus.
New Ladies’ Bathroom
A new ladies’ bathroom will soon be under
construction in the old 2 & 3-year-old classroom with
seven stalls. The original bathrooms will remain the
same until construction is finished. Then, plans are
for the men to occupy the two original bathrooms.
We hope this will alleviate congestion between
worship times on Sunday.
Community Outreach Item
for March:
Dishwashing liquid
John Duke is stationed in Long Beach, MS.
Caleb Williams is stationed in Norway.
Dylan Kelly, Steve Kelly’s grandson, is in Kuwait.
3. Daily Bible Reading
April 3.....................................................1 Kings 7-8 2 Samuel 11-12
April 4...................................................1 Kings 9-11
April 5.................................................1 Kings 12-14
April 6.................................................1 Kings 15-16
April 7.................................................1 Kings 17-19
April 8.................................................1 Kings 20-22
April 9.....................................................2 Kings 1-3
Birthdays &
Anniversaries
Birthdays: Mark Hitt (Apr. 4), Kim
Johnson (Apr. 6), Ginny Berryhill (Apr. 7),
Susan Reed (Apr. 8), Jalon Mansel (Apr. 9),
Emily Williams (Apr. 9).
Anniversaries: None this week.
Our Sick
Jean Mounce, Steve Kelly, Maggie Minor,
Raleigh Bass, Betty Long, Nicole Wynne, and
Kannon Smith are all home recuperating from
surgery. Gary Geno, Marlon & Gail’s son, is home
from the hospital. Billie McNutt’s sister, Mary Starz
is in the hospital in Tampa, FL following a stroke.
Jill Rice, Debbie Vines’ mother, continues at the
Sanctuary Hospice House. Randy Groover, Dean
Webb’s brother-in-law, is battling cancer.
On-Going Illnesses
Laverne Raper, Frankie Estes, Donny Dulaney,
Adam McCurley, Linda McCurley, Mary Jordan,
Bretta Robinson, James Goddard, Bill Goff,
Tommy Goff, James Nichols, Sheba Tuggers,
Sherry Gregory, Shirley Owens, Nathan Hale,
Leroy Brown, Jadon Parish, Carol Nichols, Jerry
Smith, Mitch Maclean, Lee Graham, Weston
Agnew
Nursing Homes/Assisted
Living
Nancy Haywood, Randy Attaway, Shirley
McCarthy, Mary Southern, Veona Harris
New Directories
Our new church directories are ready and on the
table in the foyer. You may pick one up at your
convenience! Please only take one per family and
sign the list on the table.
Sr. & Jr. Youth Activity
The senior and junior
youth are invited to Skate
Zone in Tupelo on
Sunday, Apr. 14 from
5:30-7:30 p.m. hosted by
Heather & Lee DuBois.
The cost to skate will be covered but you may want
to bring money for concessions.
Gospel Meeting
The Southaven congregation will
host a Gospel Meeting April 7-10
with John DeBerry speaking at 6:00
p.m. Sunday and at 7:00 p.m.
Monday-Wednesday.
Ladies’ Day
The Hwy. 15 congregation in Pontotoc will host
a Ladies’ Day this Saturday, April 6 with Betty
Steward speaking on “Our Guiding Light.”
Registration begins at 9:00 a.m.
Ladies’ Fellowship
The monthly ladies’ fellowship will be held on
Thursday, Apr. 11 at 6:00 p.m. in the multipurpose
room. A food sign-up list will be posted Sunday.
Mark Your Calendar
VBS---June 2-5
4. Go Into All the World
“IN CHRIST ALONE...”
June 7th-8th
Please register at eastmaincoc.com ASAP!
Speakers: Eric Owens, Joe Wells, Jonathan Bates & Harrison Moran
This camp is for ages 13-22 and is being hosted by the East Main Church of Christ, 1606 East
Main St., Tupelo, MS 38804. Please see Josh or Barry Kennedy for more information.
Men to Serve Sunday, Apr. 7, 2019 a.m.
Announcements................................Michael Wilson
Bible Reading......................................Jacob Bradley
Opening Prayer ...................................Mike Childers
Lord’s Supper
Roger Sanderson & Terry Kingsley
Serve Congregation, East Side:
Will Davis, Joe Minor, Robert Parker
Serve Congregation, West Side:
Jimmy Spearman, Larry Long, Greg Lyle
Lead Singing....................................James Simmons
Closing Prayer..................................Andrew Wynne
Ushers ............Chad Willis & John Levi Pennington
Please meet in the library by 8:45 a.m.
Sunday Afternoon
Opening Prayer ..........................................Mark Hitt
Closing Prayer...................................... Jalon Mansel
Lead Singing.........................................Wesley Bass
Wednesday, April 10, 2019
Prayer .................................................Hugh Scribner
Lead Singing....................................Michael Wilson
Contact Ricky Lindsey (255-8136) if unable to serve.
The elders kindly request that men leading in public
worship wear the best dress clothes they have.
Greeters .................................Jeff & Natalie Mansel
.......................................Larry & Judy Bates
Prepare Lord’s Supper—April..........................Mark
& Carrie Hitt
Nursery.............................. Dundee & Hallie Donald
Pantry...............................................Canned chicken
Attendance & Contribution
Mid-Week, 3-27-19..............................................170
Sunday 1st
Worship, 3-31-19 ...............................187
Sunday Bible Class ..............................................184
Sunday 2nd
Worship.............................................162
Contribution (budget $7,900)..........................$9,080