bulletin 4-19-22

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Are we confident that our light is bright
Vol. 47 April 19, 2022 Number 16
ACHIEVING HAPPINESS IN THIS LIFE
Barry Kennedy
Many people use statistics to help establish a sense of urgency needed in order to
respond to a certain problem or lifestyle trend. Public opinion is often swayed based
upon the “numbers.” It is true that statistics can be made to substantiate one’s
agenda, but they still have a value in helping express how some people think, feel,
and conduct their lives. Statistics also have been valuable to businesses, helping them
to provide for the masses. That being said, what are some statistics for happiness
among Americans? According to Gallup, one of the most recognized names in the
world of “polling,”
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The vast majority of Americans report being "very"
(42%) or "fairly happy" (44%), but the combined 86% is down from 91% the
last time Gallup asked about this, in December 2008. It is also the lowest
overall percentage happy Gallup has recorded in periodic readings over 71
years and is only the fifth time happiness has dipped below the 90% mark in
23 readings since 1948.
With fewer than nine in 10 Americans feeling happy in the Dec. 2-15 Gallup
poll, one in seven (14%) are "not too happy," the highest measured to date.1
Why is this possible? What is the reason behind the decline of happiness? Could it be
the way people assume happiness is produced? Nathaniel Hawthorne put it this way,
Happiness in this world, when it comes, comes incidentally. Make it the
object of pursuit, and it leads us on a wild goose chase, and is never attained.
Follow some other object and very possibly we may find that we have caught
happiness without dreaming of it.2
Merriam Webster defines happiness as “a state of well-being and contentment: joy.”3
Therefore, happiness is a state of mind. If one is going to achieve a state of
happiness, he must change his mindset. So how can we achieve happiness in this
life?
We begin with self-esteem. According to Ed. D. Bill Flatt, “Self-esteem is how
you feel about being you, how you feel about being alive.”4
Brother Flatt continued
by discussing the benefits that coincide with one having high self-esteem.
High self-esteem is correlated with good health, confidence, accurate
perceptions of reality, flexibility, good ability to interact with others, trust,
happiness, success, involvement with others, openness, competence, good
home life, good decisions, academic success, and self-respect.5
Clearly, many problems we have today would be solved if people could develop a
better level of self-esteem.No doubt, many are wondering how to develop self-esteem.
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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)

2. --article continued from page 1--
The answer is in remembering that man was created
in the image of God (Genesis 1:26). Being made in
the image of God involves, among other things, the
ability to make choices, including the choice to be
happy. However, if we choose to search for
happiness in the things of this world true happiness
will never be achieved.
God, the Creator and Sustainer of life, gave
man everything needed to sustain life and godliness
(2 Peter1:3), including the offering of His only
begotten Son (John 3:16; John 14:6). Jesus said that
He came to offer the abundant life, now that is true
happiness. “The thief cometh not, but for to steal,
and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they
might have life, and that they might have it more
abundantly” (John 10:10). Knowing that God has
offered so much for every man, why would one
have any trouble not having a healthy level of self-
esteem? Maybe too many fail to study God’s Word
to see and understand what He has done for man.
Truly understanding these truths will help one to be
well on his way toward achieving happiness in this
life. To be continued...
1. https://news.gallup.com/poll/276503/happiness-not-
quite-widespread-usual.aspx
2.http://www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/h/happiness.
htm.
3.http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/
happiness
4.Flatt, Bill Ed. D. Personal Counseling, p. 263.
5.ibid p. 264.
~~~~~~~
Bridal Shower
A bridal shower will be held
in honor of Hallie Donald, bride-
elect of Logan Brown, on
Sunday, May 1 from 2:00-3:30
pm in the multipurpose room.
Hallie & Logan are registered at
Amazon, Belk and Bed, Bath &
Beyond. Home Goods gift cards are also welcomed
and their wedding registry at www.theknot.com also
has more suggestions.
A Men’s Day
A men’s day will be held this Saturday, Apr. 23 at
the North Hillcrest congregation in Aberdeen from 10
am until noon. Philip Hathcock and James Segars will
be the speakers.
Monthly Breakfast
Fellowship
Our monthly breakfast
fellowship will be held this Sunday,
Apr. 25 in the multipurpose room
before worship service from 8:15-
8:45 am. Everyone is invited to
come and enjoy this period of
fellowship.
Tuesday Mornings with
the Master
Don’t forget Tuesday Mornings with the Master
every Tuesday in the multipurpose room from 10-11
am. Anyone who can come & sign cards is welcomed.
On-Going Illnesses
Mary Lou Walden, Evelyn Thompson, Annie Martin,
Bettye Davis, Steve Kelly, Barbara Bishop, Bob
Smith, Doug Wallace, Frankie Estes, Shirley Lyons,
Caroline Willis, Carol Hood, Bill Goff, Adam McCur-
ley, Sheba Tuggers, Brian Carver, Lacy Plaxico, Roy
& Daisy King, Michelle Maclean, Freida Gardner,
Linda Butler, Pam Gassaway, Donny Dulaney
Nursing Homes
Randy Attaway, Shirley McCarthy, Bob McClure
Daily Bible Reading
April 20...........................................1 Chronicles 22-27
April 21...........................................1 Chronicles 28-29
April 22...............................................2 Chronicles 1-5
April 23...............................................2 Chronicles 6-9
April 24...........................................2 Chronicles 10-12
April 25...........................................2 Chronicles 13-16
April 26...........................................2 Chronicles 17-20

3. Birthdays & Anniversaries
Birthdays: Wanda Bryan (Apr. 20), LuAnne
Funderburk (Apr. 20), Blaine Roby (Apr. 20),
Ashley Davis (Apr. 23), Brittney Kennedy
(Apr. 23), Russell Deaton (Apr. 26), Greg Hughes
(Apr. 26), Sarah Smith (Apr. 26). Anniversaries:
Ricky & Lisa Lindsey (Apr. 22), Joe & Alicia Smith
(Apr. 23), Bobby Joe & Brenda Lindley (Apr. 24).
Our Sick
Eric Baker, a relative of Katherine Mansel & friend
of Andy Baldwyn, is recovering from brain surgery to
remove a tumor. Joe Cook, Billie McNutt’s brother,
underwent a procedure on his vertebra. Ricky Britt,
Berta Kennedy’s brother, is undergoing tests. Barry
Kennedy’s dad, Larry, is home following foot surgery.
Stella Pittman continues at The Meadows in Fulton.
EMYG News
The Monday after the Resurrection
By: Alex Blackwelder
Have you ever wondered what happened the
Monday after Jesus’ Resurrection? Were Jesus’
eleven disciples just twiddling their fingers waiting
for something else to happen? Were they sleeping
from a long eventful weekend? Or did they keep to
themselves as they tried to process the events of their
friend & brother, Jesus of Nazareth?
In Matthew’s Gospel account, we read, “Now the
eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to
which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw
him, they worshiped him, but some doubted. And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven
and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and
make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have
commanded you. And behold, I am with you always,
to the end of the age” (Mat. 28:16-20 ESV).
When I was younger, I used to think that after
Jesus commissioned His eleven disciples, He
ascended back up to the Father. And though that broad
timeline is correct, so much more happened than what
I had originally thought. In Mark’s Gospel account, it
says, “Now when he rose early on the first day of the
week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from
whom he had cast out seven demons. She went and
told those who had been with him, as they mourned
and wept. But when they heard that he was alive and
had been seen by her, they would not believe it”
(Mark 16:9-11).
Mark later records in verses 12-13, “After these
things he appeared in another form to two of them, as
they were walking into the country. And they went back
and told the rest, but they did not believe them.” I want
to believe that this is the same interaction that we read
about in Luke 24:13-34. In Luke 24:36-49, we read
about Jesus appearing to His disciples and in their
disbelief, Jesus asks for some food. In verse 42, they
give Jesus a broiled fish. Whether He ate that because
He was hungry or to help prove that He was still
physical/relatable to them, He took food and was
nourished.
Finally, in John’s Gospel account, it says, “On the
evening of that day, the first day of the week, the
doors being locked where the disciples were for fear
of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and
said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said
this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the
disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus
said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father
has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he
had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,
“Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of
any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold
forgiveness from any, it is withheld” (John 20:19-23).
In John 20:26;30-31 it says, “Eight days later, his
disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with
them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came
and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you;
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the
disciples, which are not written in this book, but these
are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the
Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may
have life in his name.” In John 21, Jesus reveals
Himself yet again to His disciples.
I know that in most of these accounts, the
weekday, “Monday” is not present. However, the days
following Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection are
vital to the direction of the church. To put it like this,
“Jesus is finalizing the last details before His open
house” that being, His Church. With all the context
surrounding each of these Gospel accounts, people
were amazed and some did not believe. But all who
did believe in His resurrection had one thing in
common! They couldn’t/wouldn’t keep silent about it!
Today, as we remember and celebrate His
resurrection, there is no greater news that we can
share than that of our Lord Jesus Christ. How He not
only conquered the grave but provides me an
opportunity to live with spiritual continual cleansing
on this earth. Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
What will your tomorrow look like in view of His
resurrection?

4. Men to Serve Sunday, April 24, 2022 a.m.
Announcements...................................Mike Childers
Bible Reading.......................................... Asher Bass
Opening Prayer .................................... Paul Blansett
Lord’s Supper
Alex Blackwelder
Lead Singing....................................Eddie Simmons
Closing Prayer....................................Hugh Scribner
Ushers ........................Terry Kingsley & Larry Long
Please meet in the library by 8:45 a.m.
Sunday 11:15 a.m. service
Opening Prayer ......................................Jake Donald
Closing Prayer........................................ Chad Willis
Lead Singing....................................Michael Wilson
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
Opening Prayer ......................................... Joe Minor
Lead Singing......................................... Wade Bryan
The elders kindly request that men leading in public
worship wear the best dress clothes they have.
Contact Jeff Mansel (871-0357) if unable to serve.
Attendance & Contribution
Mid-Week, 4-13-22 ...................................................... 59
Sunday 1st
Worship, 4-17-22 .................................... 195*
Sunday Bible Class..................................................... 174
Sunday 2nd
Worship.................................................... 150
Contribution (budget $7,900) ................................ $8,696
*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.