Bulletin 7-9-19

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Vol. 44 July 9, 2019 Number 26
I Keep Fighting But I Can’t Seem to Win
Barry Kennedy
There he was, all alone and surrounded by the enemy. He knew that
reinforcements were on their way that and his only hope was to keep fighting until
help arrived. However, it seemed as though the harder that he fought, the less he
advanced in the battle. He seemed to be attacking in the right way, striking the
enemy where it counts the most, and feeling as though he was “holding his own.”
Nevertheless, he was faced with the fact that the harder he fought, the victory
seemed farther and farther away. Imagine the frustration he must have felt. The
endlessness of the battle, the hopelessness of victory, not to mention the weariness
of the body brought on by the battle had him frustrated beyond imagination. Does
he give up and surrender to the enemy, or does he keep pressing on, praying that
help will soon arrive?
Sounds like a scene from some action movie. Not exactly, actually it was
a dream that kept me tossing throughout the night. Dreams are amazing little
motion pictures of the mind. Most dreams are not logical and make very little sense
at all, but on the other hand there is a spiritual point that can be made from such a
dream as this.“Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of
understanding will draw it out” (Proverbs 20:5). That is not to say that God is
speaking to us through our dreams; instead, His Word is our light of direction
today (Psalm 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17; John 5:39). So what are some spiritual
tidbits we might glean from this dream that could help all of us in our Christian
walk?
We are surrounded by the enemy (1 Peter 5:8). Satan has been
portrayed in many different ways. Often we find ourselves subconsciously seeing
him as the man in red with the little horns, pointed tail and a pitchfork. If that were
the case, there would not be any problem spotting him anywhere. The Bible tells
us that he can be transformed into an angel of light, making it imperative that we
all maintain a healthy level of vigilance. Consider the words of God to Ezekiel:
“Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore
hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me” (Ezekiel 3:17). The
temptation to sin is ever before us, surrounding us as an army bent on conquering
every soul ever to walk the earth. However, God has promised that He will never
leave nor forsake us ever (Hebrews 13:5) and with God on our side, who could
possibly be against us (Romans 8:31)?
Reinforcements are often close, but not quite there yet. We are given
instruction from above as to the care and attitude we are to have one toward
another. Jesus said we are to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:39).
He also emphasized the impact this would have upon the world around us. “By this
--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--
shall all men know that ye are My disciples. IF YE
HAVE LOVE ONE TOWARD ANOTHER” (John
13:35). However, far too many of us find ourselves
“too busy” to concern ourselves with one another’s
walk of faith. We say “go thy way be ye warmed and
filled. . .’ (James 2:16), but we never consider the fact
that we might be that reinforcement that this soul
needs to endure his fight. Paul wrote to the Roman
congregation, “We then that are strong OUGHT to
bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please
ourselves”(Romans 15:1). Are we leaving our
brothers and sisters alone in the battle with Satan?
It may sometimes seem as though the harder
we fight, the less we advance. Satan has many
weapons in his arsenal, but two of the most deadly
are the weapons of doubt and discouragement. If we
doubt our God, Satan has already won a crucial battle
in the war of the soul. Sin is the transgression of
God’s law (1 John 3:4) and the result of sin is death
(Romans 6:23); therefore, anytime we sin we bring
ourselves to the precipice of eternal destruction. God
does not want man to suffer the consequences of sin,
and thus He sent His only begotten Son to die in our
stead (John 3:16; Romans 5:8). We are the recipients
of His matchless love when we willingly submit to
Him in loving obedience (John 14:15; 15:14; Hebrews
5:8, 9; etc.). Satan, on the other hand, would love
nothing more that to tear down the confidence and
hope that every Christian has in God and himself.
Satan does not mind it when we take a step forward,
just so long as we take two steps backward. Paul said
that it helps to have the right mindset. “Brethren, I
count not myself to have apprehended: but this one
thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind,
and reachig forth unto those things which are before, I
press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of
God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13, 14). We must
maintain our focus on the goal; no matter where our
earthly reinforcements may be, God is always with us.
To Be Continued…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Community Outreach
Program
The Community Outreach Program will
be donating 100 backpacks filled with
school supplies to area schools again this
year. Please take a tab of what school
supply you would be willing to donate from
the marker board in the foyer beside the
water fountain. All supplies need to be returned to the
building by JULY 14. Thanks, so much for your help!
Sympathy
Our sympathy is extended to Tammy Minor &
Stephanie Baldwyn in the loss of their father, Wig
Franks, on July 3. Funeral services will be held on July 7
at McNeece Morris Funeral Home in Mantachie.
Also, we extend condolences to James Simmons in
the loss of his cousin, Glenda Spivey, on July 3. A
private family memorial service was held.
Sr. Saints’ Activity
The Senior Saints (age 60 and
above) are invited to the
multipurpose room this Saturday,
July 13 from 9:00-11:00 a.m. for
fun, food & games. Please sign the
list posted beside the tract rack in the foyer if you plan
to attend.
Ladies’ Monthly
Fellowship
ALL the ladies are invited to Los
Toros Mexican Restaurant off Veterans’
Blvd. this Thursday, July 11 at 6:00
p.m. for the monthly ladies’ fellowship.
Please come and enjoy time with fellow
sisters in Christ! You’ll be glad you did!
Brazil Mission Trip
Jeff & Natalie Mansel will be leaving July 10 on a
two-week mission trip to Brazil to work with
Dionisio. Please keep them in your prayers for safe
travels and that much seed will be planted.
Mexico Mission Trip
Wade, Karen & Bethany Bryan, Bobby Joe Lindley,
the Wrights from the Hwy. 15 congregation in Pontotoc,
and a brother from Texas will be leaving July 12 for a
1½ week mission trip to Palenque to work with
Domingo. Please keep them in your prayers also.
John Duke is stationed in Long Beach, MS
Caleb Williams is stationed in Quantico, VA

3. Daily Bible Reading
July 10 .................................................Ecclesiastes 1-6
July 11 ...............................................Ecclesiastes 7-12
July 12 ........................................ Song of Solomon 1-4
July 13 ........................................ Song of Solomon 5-8
July 14 ...........................................................Isaiah 1-4
July 15 ...........................................................Isaiah 5-8
July 16 .........................................................Isaiah 9-12
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Birthdays: Natalie Mansel (July 10), Amy
Voyles (July 10), Barry Kennedy (July 11),
Jennifer Ray (July 11), Wade Bryan (July 13),
Hallie Donald (July 15). Anniversaries:
Andrew & Nicole Wynne (July 12), Waymon &
Dolline Gibson (July 16).
Our Sick
Jean Mounce came home from UAB Wed., bur had to
go back Thursday. She is in a step-down room of ICU.
Annie Martin & Kelly Thompson both spent a few days
at NMMC last week. They are home now and doing
better. Evelyn Willis continues therapy at the Meadows.
Please do not visit until after 3 p.m. Jill Rice, Debbie
Vines’ mother, continues at Sanctuary Hospice. Tracy
Lyle’s dad, James Nichols, continues at the Baldwyn
Nursing Facility. Ann Letteri, Sandra Simmons’ sister, is
on home hospice. Continue to remember Mary Lou
Walden & Pat Putt who are recovering from injuries.
Harry Cowan is having complications from surgery he
had several weeks ago. Robin Tindall is home
recovering from surgery also. Barbara Roberts, Brenda
Lindley’s sister is not doing well at all.
On-Going Illnesses
Laverne Raper, Frankie Estes, Steve Kelly, Donny
Dulaney, Adam McCurley, Linda McCurley, Mary
Jordan, Bretta Robinson, James Goddard, Bill Goff,
Tommy Goff, Sheba Tuggers, Leroy Brown, Jadon
Parish, Carol Nichols, Caroline Willis, Jerry Smith,
Mitch Maclean, Lee Graham, Randy Groover, Penny
Lane Geno, Don Blackwell, Mary Starz, Chiquita Allen,
Heather Williams, Aspen White
Nursing Homes
Nancy Haywood, Randy Attaway, Shirley McCarthy,
Mary Southern, Veona Harris
Evelyn Willis’ Address
Many have asked for Evelyn Willis’ address at the
Meadows: Mary Evelyn Willis, Room 104
c/o The Meadows
P. O. Drawer 127
Fulton, MS 38843
Phone: 862-2165 (ext. 1042)—2-4 pm or 6:30-7:30 pm
Jean Mounce’s Address
Jean Mounce has been in and out of the hospital since
October 2018. She still has a long road to recovery. She
would love to hear from you by card, phone call, text or
even a visit: Norma Jean Mounce
c/o UAB Hospital
619 19th
Street S.
Birmingham, AL 35249-1900
Phone: 491-0362 (her cell phone)
Sunday’s Contribution to
Maywood Christian Camp
The elders have decided that
this Sunday, July 14 all the
weekly contribution will go to
Maywood Christian Camp.
Many of our youth and adults will be heading over there
Sunday for a spiritually uplifting week!
Family Rally
The New Albany congregation
would like to invite everyone of
all ages to a Family Rally on
Saturday, July 13 beginning at
1:00 p.m. Reed Swindle will be speaking on “The
Church Family.” There will be classes for adults, teens,
and children on “How we can help the family at home
and in the church?”
Our Gospel Meeting is scheduled
for Sept. 22-25 with Scott Cain.
Mark your calendars!
ALL YOUTH & their parents are
invited to a “Back to School Bash”
Saturday, July 27 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at
Tombigbee State Park. More information
to follow!

4. Summer Series
Our summer series class on Sunday mornings during the Bible class hour is going very well.
All the adult classes and the 9th
-12th
grade class are meeting in the auditorium through Sunday,
August 25. This year’s topic is “What does the Bible say about _____?” Below is a list of
remaining topics. (The college class will continue to meet upstairs during the summer.)
Date Topic Teacher
14-Jul-19 Monuments Dennis Hallmark
21-Jul-19 Demons Barry Kennedy
28-Jul-19 Animals Jeff Mansel
4-Aug-19 #7 Wade Bryan
11-Aug-19 Mountains Michael Wilson
18-Aug-19 Money Roger Sanderson
25-Aug-19 Trees Wesley Bass
Men to Serve Sunday, July 14, 2019 a.m.
Announcements................................Michael Wilson
Bible Reading.......................................Larry Presley
Opening Prayer ..................................... Wade Bryan
Lord’s Supper
Hugh Scribner & Terry Kingsley
Serve Congregation, East Side:
Larry Bates, Larry Long, Robert Parker
Serve Congregation, West Side:
Eddie Simmons, Grady Vines, Harold Roby
Lead Singing....................................James Simmons
Closing Prayer................................. Jason Dickinson
Ushers ................Mark Gilliland & David Ramseyer
Please meet in the library by 8:45 a.m.
Sunday Afternoon
Opening Prayer ....................................... Perry Hand
Closing Prayer............................................Mark Hitt
Lead Singing........................................ Wesley Bass
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
Prayer........................................... Rommie Dilworth
Lead Singing......................................Hugh Scribner
Contact Jimmy Spearman (610-0706) if unable to serve.
The elders kindly request that men leading in public
worship wear the best dress clothes they have.
Greeters ..................................Dean & Kristie Webb
................................William & Marla Harris
Prepare Lord’s Supper—July...............Kristie Webb
& Evelyn Willis
Nursery...........Stephanie Baldwyn & Maggie Minor
Pantry...............................................Canned chicken
Attendance & Contribution
Mid-Week, 7-3-19................................................119
Sunday 1st
Worship, 7-7-19 .................................168
Sunday Bible Class ..............................................178
Sunday 2nd
Worship.............................................158
Contribution (budget $7,900)..........................$8,083