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Are we confident that our light is bright
Vol. 46 December 7, 2021 Number 47
One Gospel for all the World
Barry Kennedy
Bob Woods tells the story of a couple who took their son, 11, and
daughter, 7, to Carlsbad Caverns. As always, when the tour reached the deepest
point in the cavern, the guide turned off all the lights to dramatize how
completely dark and silent it is below the earth's surface. The little girl, suddenly
enveloped in utter darkness, was frightened and began to cry. Immediately was
heard the voice of her brother: "Don't cry. Somebody here knows how to turn on
the lights." In a real sense, that is the message of the gospel: light is available,
even when darkness seems over-whelming.1
How often do we consider the fact that we are surrounded by darkness? I
doubt very seriously that we expend very much effort thinking on such
negativity. After all, there are many more positive subjects to which we could
give our attention. However, the truth of the matter is that the darkness referred
to as sin is all around us. How is the child of God going to remain positive being
surrounded by all that temptation (1 John 2:16)? We must remind ourselves of
the good news. That’s right, the Gospel of our Lord Jesus the Christ which is
“the power of God unto salvation” (Romans 1:16). One important fact that to
remember is that God’s divine wisdom has given only one Gospel for the entire
world. Think of all the confusion that exists in the religious world today. It is
interesting that such division exists when the Bible clearly condemns it. “Now I
beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the
same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly
joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians
1:10). This “confusion” would be ended if everyone would allow the Bible, and
not personalities, guide them (2 Peter 1:20).
What does it matter anyway? Everyone knows that there is only one
Gospel, right? Paul made it clear that there is only one gospel and that it carries
with it the power of God for salvation (Galatians 1:6-9; Romans 1:16). However,
in the letter written to the church in Galatia, Paul said, “there are some who
trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ” (Galatians 1:7 NKJV). The
result, Paul said, “Even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel
than that what we have preached to you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8
NKJV). Paul restated this truth for emphasis, as recorded in verse nine. God set
everything up according to His divine plan and it is up to us to conform our will,
and lives, to the following of that plan (Romans 6:17; 12:1, 2; 2 Timothy 1:13).
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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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The gospel is for all! People can now be
made one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28;
Colossians 3:11). The gospel can be summarized as
the death, burial, and resurrection of the Christ (1
Corinthians 15:1-5). That is why we call it the good
news. Without that death, burial, and resurrection
no one would have hope (Hebrews 9:22). Jesus
bought the church with the highest price ever
imagined, His blood (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 1:18, 19).
This truth is what keeps the child of God positive in
a world of darkness. We can know that we are
“walking in the light” (1 John 1:7). We can know
that we are saved (1 John 2:1-6). Yes, God has
given one gospel to the entire world, that the world
through Christ might be saved (Acts 4:12).
The question we must ask ourselves is this,
“Am I obeying His gospel?” If not, we are not
saved (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). The Lord will return
in the clouds as He left (Acts 1:11), and where will
you and I stand that day? Will we hear the words, “I
never knew you: depart from me, ye that work
iniquity” (Matthew 7:23), or “Well done thou good
and faithful servant. . . enter thou into the joy of thy
Lord” (Matthew 25:21, 23)? There is only one way
to life (John 14:6) and there is only one gospel
(Galatians 1:6-9). Thanks be to God that His gospel
is for all, and that we have the opportunity to go
“into all the world and preach the gospel to every
creature” (Mark 16:15).
1 Bob Woods, Pulpit Digest
(www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/g/gospel.htm)
~~~~~~~~~
Community Outreach Program
Christmas Angels Project
The Community Outreach
Program would like to thank
everyone who adopted a child in
need for the Christmas holidays.
They were delivered Tuesday to
the area schools. The school counselors were so
appreciative of East Main for helping their kids
have a merry Christmas.
Change of Address
Eddie & Jeannie Simmons have a new address:
Mailing: P. O. Box 24
Tishomingo, MS 38873
Physical: 29 CR 87
Dennis, MS 38838
Please make a note of this in your church directory.
Sympathy
Our sympathy is extended to Lori Blansett in the
loss of her father, Larry Cobb, on Dec. 2. Funeral
services were held Dec. 4 in New Albany.
Our sympathy is also extended to the family of
Laney Goff who passed away unexpectedly on Dec.
3. Graveside services were held Dec. 6. Laney was
related to several here in our congregation.
Monthly Ladies’
Fellowship
The ladies’ monthly fellowship will be held this
Thursday, Dec. 9 at 6:00 pm in the multipurpose
room. All the ladies are invited. There will be NO
meal.
Men’s Tool Swap
All the men of the
congregation are
invited to a tool swap
and chili supper on
Thursday, Dec. 16 at
6:00 pm in the
multipurpose room.
Please sign the list posted in the foyer under the TV
screen if you plan to attend so we can get a count of
how many to prepare for.
Brain Freeze
Don’t forget that Brain Freeze
will be held this Wednesday, Dec. 8
following Bible class in the
multipurpose room. Everyone is
invited!

Daily Bible Reading
December 8....................................... Philippians 1-4
December 9........................................Colossians 1-4
December 10..............................1 Thessalonians 1-5
December 11..............................2 Thessalonians 1-3
December 12...................................... 1 Timothy 1-6
December 13...................................... 2 Timothy 1-4
December 14.....................................Titus-Philemon
Birthdays &
Anniversaries
Birthdays: Hilda Ratliff (Dec. 9), Wanda
Bishop (Dec. 10), Michelle Clifton (Dec.
11), Mikki Gilliland (Dec. 11), Donny
McKay (Dec. 11), Larry Long (Dec. 13), Nic
Nichols (Dec. 13). Anniversaries: None this week.
Our Sick
Carester Hallmark spent a few days in NMMC
last week. He is home now. Patricia Dillingham,
Mary Ann Wallace’s cousin’s wife, continues in
NMMC. Barry Kennedy’s father, Larry; Lee
DuBois’ mother, Janet; and Wade Bryan’s mother,
Linda; are all having health problems. Susan Reed’s
husband, Jerry, is home from the hospital. Asher is
home with mono.
On-Going Illnesses
Mary Lou Walden, Evelyn Thompson, Annie
Martin, Steve Kelly, Bettye Davis, Frankie Estes,
Shirley Lyons, Barbara Bishop, Caroline Willis,
Carol Hood, Bill Goff, Donny Dulaney, Adam
McCurley, Mitch Maclean, Mary Starz, Sheba
Tuggers, Steve Higginbotham, Stella Pittman, April
& Olivia Pounders, Glenda Barnette, Debbie
McCoy, Michelle Bellew, Larry Kennedy, Brian
Carver, Duke Loden, Mary Puckett, Marvin
Chamblee, Brent Norris
Nursing Homes
Randy Attaway, Shirley McCarthy, Bob McClure
EMYG News

Monday, Dec. 13 @ 6 pm in the
multipurpose room.
Please bring a finger food & a wrapped
ornament!
Men to Serve Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021 a.m.
Announcements................................Michael Wilson
Bible Reading........................................ Aaryn Vines
Opening Prayer ...................................Mike Childers
Lord’s Supper
Mark Hitt
Lead Singing......................................Donny McKay
Closing Prayer................................... William Harris
Ushers .................... Kevin Pannell & Ricky Lindsey
Please meet in the library by 8:45 a.m.
Sunday 11:15 a.m. service
Opening Prayer .....................................Wesley Bass
Closing Prayer..........................................Will Davis
Lead Singing........................................ Kent Nichols
Wednesday, December 15, 2021
Opening Prayer ................................. Stuart Childers
Lead Singing...............................Bobby Joe Lindley
The elders kindly request that men leading in public
worship wear the best dress clothes they have.
Contact Michael Wilson (891-0891) if unable to serve.
Attendance & Contribution
Mid-Week, 12-1-21 .................................................... 120
Sunday 1st
Worship, 12-5-21 .................................... 153*
Sunday Bible Class..................................................... 158
Sunday 2nd
Worship................................................... N/A
Contribution (budget $7,900) .............................. $11,078
*This does not include the livestreamed views.
Pantry item........................................... Peanut butter