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Are we confident that our light is bright
Vol. 47 February 8, 2022 Number 6
I WANT A CHIRCH THAT MEETS MY NEEDS
William Woodson
The statement made in the title is not only the desire of many in the
religious world, but is becoming the philosophy of many Christians,
because many of us are seeking a religion that "meets our needs." The
phrase itself has virtually become a new religious term. Many persons
praise or blame a particular congregation because it is or is not "meeting
my needs."
Let me hasten to say that if the phrase means that we need to satisfy
spiritual hunger, then it is a good expression, for surely everyone ought to
be in a Christian community where his/her deepest spiritual longings are
being addressed. The voice of God needs to be heard through spiritual
teaching, and we need opportunities to serve, love and be called to
repentance.
But being a part of the church to some means reaching for goals of "self-
actualization." So, if the church doesn't fulfill certain expectations, wants
and preferences, they must move on to another emotional department store
with different merchandise more appealing to their "tastes."
Sadly, and probably without realizing it, many congregations have
gotten into thinking that "we have to do all these things and plan all the
activities to meet people's needs so they won't leave." Consequently, well-
meaning leaders have turned God's church into a merchandising
institution. So, we promote this program and that program for this group
and that group.
But, in my judgment, the system has become turned upside down from
the way God intended it to be. Whatever happened to the attitude in a
Christian's heart of "I'd like to be a part of this congregation because of
what I can do to meet its needs?" When are we most fulfilled? When our
needs are met, or when we meet the needs of God's church on this earth?
We ought to be a part of a congregation not so our needs can be met, but
rather so we may best meet the needs of God's work.
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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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Christians need to recall the Truth of the
scriptures that personal fulfillment is a great
spiritual paradox. We are most filled when we
empty ourselves and be filled serving others.
Jesus taught us, "...whosever will be great
among you, let him be your minister
(servant)...even as the son of man came not to
be ministered unto, but to minister (serve)"
(Matthew 20:26-28).
Paul said of his own heart, "I am crucified
with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but
Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now
live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of
God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me"
(Galatians 2:20). And again, "I beseech you
therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that
ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy,
acceptable to God, which is your reasonable
service" (Romans 12:1). "Reasonable service" is
not being served (having your needs met) but
serving (meeting the needs of others). We need
to relearn the axiom, "It is more blessed to give
than to receive" (Acts 20:35).
Let's not demand that God's church be a
place where people (leadership or member-
ship) cater to our desires and preferences. Let's
turn it right side up again and be a part of a
congregation, not for what it can do for us, but
for what we can do for it!
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Community Outreach
Program
The Community Outreach Program wants to thank
you for “Packing the Pantry.” There was a
tremendous amount of grocery bags turned back in
to help those in need with food, cleaning supplies,
and personal hygiene items. Thank you so much for
all you help in this effort!
Challenge Youth
Conference (CYC)
On February 24-27, several of our
youth and adults will be travelling to
Pigeon Forge, TN for the annual
Challenge Youth Conference. This
year’s theme is “#FORME.” If you
haven’t already paid Alex your $50,
please do so ASAP. If your child is attending
without a parent, they will need to pick up a
Medical Release Form from the table in the foyer,
fill it out and give it back to Alex. Also, we need
bottled water, canned drinks, and individually
wrapped snacks, chips, cookies, Little Debbie’s. If
you can donate any of these items. Please put them
in the multipurpose room on the designated table.
Thanks so much for your help.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Brent & Codi
Hallmark in the birth of their
daughter, Charlie Grace, on Feb. 2.
She weighed 8 lbs. 8 oz. and was
20 inches long. She was
welcomed into the family by big
brother Liam and grandparents
Dennis & Debbie Hallmark. Mother and baby are
home doing well.
Tuesday Mornings with
the Master
Tuesday Mornings with the Master will resume
this Tuesday, Feb. 8 in the multipurpose room from
10:00-11:00 am. Anyone available to come and help
sign cards is welcomed.
Monthly Ladies’
Fellowship
The monthly ladies’ fellowship will be held this
Thursday, Feb. 10 at 6:00 pm in the multipurpose
room. Berta Kennedy will be teaching the Bible
lesson. All the ladies are invited to attend this hour
of Bible study!

Daily Bible Reading
February 9........................................ Leviticus 24-27
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
Birthdays &
Anniversaries
Birthdays: Jacie Dickinson (Feb. 9), Janie
McCaskill (Feb. 9), Debbie Duke (Feb. 11),
Leigh Bland (Feb. 15).
Anniversaries: None this week.
Our Sick
Greg & Tammy Hughes are home recuperating
from Covid. Doug Wallace is home with
diverticulitis. Bob Smith is at The Meadows in
Fulton for therapy for a broken arm. Barbara Bishop
is in Diversicare, Room 3B, on Eason Blvd. for
therapy for a broken femur. Billie McNutt’s brother,
Joe Cook, is home from the hospital recuperating.
Michelle Maclean, Billie McNutt’s niece, has been
diagnosed with cancer. Twinette Wallace’s brother,
Donny Dulaney, is trying a low dose chemo and
will have another scan in a couple of months to see
if it is working.
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, Mitch Maclean, Sheba
Tuggers, Larry Kennedy, Brian Carver, Marvin
Chamblee, Lacy Plaxico, Patricia Dillingham
Nursing Homes
Randy Attaway, Shirley McCarthy, Bob McClure
EMYG News
I don’t know who wrote this but it’s a good article:
There was a moment when Moses had the nerve to
ask God what His name is. God was gracious
enough to answer, and the name He gave is
recorded in the original Hebrew as YHWH.
Over time we’ve arbitrarily added an “a” and an “e”
in there to get YaHWeH, presumably because we
have a preference for vowels. But scholars and rabis
have noted that the letters YHWH represent
breathing sounds, or aspirated consonants. When
pronounced without intervening vowels, it actually
sounds like breathing. YH (inhale): WH (exhale).
So, a baby’s first cry, his first breath, speaks the
name of God. A deep sigh calls His name – or a
groan or gasp that is too heavy for mere words.
Even an atheist would speak His name unaware that
their very breathe is giving constant acknowledge-
ment to God. Likewise, a person leaves this earth
with their last breath when God’s name is no longer
filing their lungs.
So, when I can’t utter anything else, is my cry
calling out His name? Being alive means I speak
His name constantly. Is it heard the loudest when
I’m the quietest? In sadness, we breathe heavy
sighs. In joy, our lungs feel almost like they will
burst. In fear we hold our breath and have to be told
to breathe slowly to help us calm down. When
we’re about to do something hard, we take a deep
breath to find our courage.
When I think about it, breathing is giving him
praise. Even in the hardest moments!
This is so beautiful and fills me with emotion every
time I grasp the thought. God chose to give himself
a name that we can’t help but speak every moment
we’re alive. All of us, always, everywhere. Waking,
sleeping, breathing, with the name of God on our
lips.
Hope you have a great week! Alex
Brain Freeze this Wednesday, Feb. 9
immediately following Bible class in
the multipurpose room!

Men to Serve Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022 a.m.
Announcements..................................... Wade Bryan
Bible Reading.................................... Andy Baldwyn
Opening Prayer ..............................Jimmy Spearman
Lord’s Supper
Greg Hughes
Lead Singing...............................Bobby Joe Lindley
Closing Prayer..................................... Dale Dulaney
Ushers ..................Roger Sanderson & Jalon Mansel
Please meet in the library by 8:45 a.m.
Sunday 11:15 a.m. service
Opening Prayer ......................................... Joe Minor
Closing Prayer....................................Hugh Scribner
Lead Singing....................................Michael Wilson
Wednesday, February 16, 2022
Opening Prayer ...................................... Chad Willis
Lead Singing........................................ Greg Hughes
The elders kindly request that men leading in public
worship wear the best dress clothes they have.
Contact Ricky Lindsey (255-8136) if unable to serve.
Attendance & Contribution
Mid-Week, 2-2-22 ...................................................... 131
Sunday 1st
Worship, 2-6-22 ...................................... 154*
Sunday Bible Class..................................................... 143
Sunday 2nd
Worship.................................................... 134
Contribution (budget $7,900) ................................ $8,665
*This does not include the livestreamed views.
Pantry item........................................... Peanut butter