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Vol. 46 June 22, 2021 Number 23
READY FOR REST
Barry Kennedy
Everyone gets tired from time to time. Life has a way of
wearing us out and we need to take some time to rest. In the
creation account of Genesis, the Bible says that God “rested”
(Genesis 2:2). Of course, the rest mentioned in Genesis two refers to
a cessation of creating. God is infinite in His power, thus meaning
He does not need to recharge as mankind does on a nightly basis.
People, on the other hand, need to rest the body and mind from the
duties of day-to-day living. Almost everyone can see, or has seen
the need for physical rest, but can the need for spiritual rest be
understood by the reader?
Jesus mentioned rest twice in His great invitation. “Come unto
me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my
yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye
shall find rest unto your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29). Notice the original
words and their definitions as defined by Strong:
ἀναπαύω, anapauo meaning (reflexively) to repose (literally
or figuratively [be exempt], remain); by implication to
refresh: -take ease, refresh, (give, take) rest ἀνάπαυσις,
anapausis intermission; by implication recreation: -rest
Jesus pointed out the fact that the Jews were burdened by the heavy
weight of sin. Every year the Jews left the tabernacle/temple with
the knowledge that there would be a remembrance of sin when
they returned the next year. “But in those sacrifices, there is a
remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the
blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins” (Hebrews 10:3-4).
However, Jesus spoke of giving those who come to Him “rest” from
that heavy load. Jesus offered total forgiveness. “For I will be
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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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merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins
and their iniquities will I remember no more”
(Hebrews 8:12). What about the other use of
rest in this great invitation? To answer this, one
should consider Hebrews 4:8-11. The Hebrew
writer referred to the history of Israel
conquering the land of promise as recorded in
the book of Joshua. They obtained the land of
rest, i.e., Canaan (Joshua 21:43), but there is
another rest awaiting the Children of God.
Jesus said it is a “rest unto your souls” (Matthew
11:29). Consider the way John recorded this
truth. “And I heard a voice from heaven saying
unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in
the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that
they may rest from their labors; and their works do
follow them” (Revelation 14:13). This rest is the
rest of Heaven. What an awesome thought!
God, the Almighty Creator of the universe
(Genesis 1:1) offers sinful man the opportunity
to have our sins washed away, and to have an
eternity of rest with Him in Heaven! Jesus is
still saying, “come unto Me... and I will give you
rest.” “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man
cometh unto the Father, but by Me” (John 14:6).
The question is, “Are you ready for rest?”
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The Best Sermon
Many years ago, a farmer had an unusually
fine crop of grain. Just a few days before it was
ready to harvest, a terrible hail and windstorm
destroyed it. The farmer and his son went out on the
porch after the storm. The little boy looked at what
was formerly the beautiful field of wheat, and with
tears in his eyes looked up at his dad, expecting to
hear words of despair. All at once, his father started
to sing softly, “Rock of ages, cleft for me, let me
hide myself in Thee.”
Years after, when the little boy had grown to
manhood, he said, “That was the greatest sermon I
ever heard.” The farmer lost a grain crop but gained
a faithful son.
“You are the light of the world. . . . Let your light so
shine before men, that they may see your good works
and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:14, 16).
-House to House Heart to Heart, Archive 2128
Wedding Shower
You are invited to a wedding
shower in honor of Savanna Bell,
bride-elect of Clayton Long, this
Sunday, June 27 “drive by” from 2-
3:30 p.m. at the East Main church building. Clayton
& Savanna are registered at The Knot and Amazon.
The links are: https://theknot.com/youbelongwithme &
https://www.amazon.com/wedding/share/youBeLONGw
ithMe
Our Sympathy
Our sympathy is extended to Dale Dulaney in
the loss of his mother, Shirlene Dulaney, on June 17
after a brief battle with cancer. Funeral services
were held June 19 in Mantachie.
New Locking System for
the Building
Beginning this week at the church building a
new electronic locking system has been installed on
the doors. Please do not use your keys anymore but
a key card or fob. If you would like one, please let
Renee know and she will get you one. Scan the
card or fob on the black pad beside the door, it will
beep, and then you can pull the door open. Once
you are inside the door will lock back automatically
after a few seconds. We hope this system will help
keep the building more secure! Thank you for your
cooperation.

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Daily Bible Reading
June 23 .............................................Psalms 107-109
June 24 .............................................Psalms 110-115
June 25 .............................................Psalms 116-118
June 26 .................................................... Psalms 119
June 27 .............................................Psalms 120-130
June 28 .............................................Psalms 131-138
June 29 .............................................Psalms 139-144
Birthdays &
Anniversaries
Birthdays: Hollie Bowlin (June 27), Carol
Cross (June 28), Lisa Lindsey (June 28).
Anniversaries: Will & Ashley Davis (June
25).
Our Sick
Kathryn McKee is home recuperating from hip
replacement surgery. Betty Long was able to be at
services Sunday following her heart cath. Shauna
McMickin is doing a lot better. She is cancer free
but will have to have 3 more precautionary rounds
of chemo at St. Jude. James Simmons continues to
recuperate at home from his chemo. Prayers have
been requested for Randy Pearce (Chad Willis,
Kristie Webb & Rhonda Pennington’s cousin) who
is in ICU at NMMC.
On-Going Illnesses
Mary Lou Walden, Steve Kelly, Bettye Davis,
Frankie Estes, Shirley Lyons, Caroline Willis, Sean
Koehn, Carol Hood, Bill Goff, Donny Dulaney,
Adam McCurley, James Goddard, Mitch Maclean,
Mary Starz, Sheba Tuggers, Steve Higginbotham,
Lance Canerdy
Nursing Homes
Nancy Haywood, Randy Attaway, Veona Harris,
Shirley McCarthy, Bob/Clara McClure, Brenda
Dawson
EMYG News
Our VBS went well last week! Thanks to
everyone who helped: the Bible class teachers, the
kitchen workers, and those that brought food.
Thanks so much!
The senior youth will NOT have TGIF (Together
Growing in Faith) this Friday evening. It will
resume July 2.
Those going on the trip to the Ark Encounter &
Creation Museum June 23-26, are reminded to pick
up your itinerary from the table in the foyer. If you
have not already paid Alex, please do so. The cost
is $100 for those age 10 & up and $80 for those
under age 10. We will depart from the church
building Wednesday, June 23 at 7:00 a.m.
Alex will be speaking at the Batesville
congregation this Sunday, June 27 at 6:00 p.m.
during their summer series. The bus will leave the
building at 4:15 p.m. if you would like to ride over.
The next Wednesday night Brain Freeze will be
held on June 30 in the multipurpose room after
Bible study.
Be looking for July’s Youth Calendar of events
coming soon!
Our week at Maywood Christian Camp is July
18-24. Please register online ASAP to reserve your
spot. www.maywoodchristiancamp.com
Baptism
We are happy to announce that on Saturday,
June 19, Mary Robbins Bowlin was baptized into
Christ. Mary Robbins is the daughter of John &
Hollie Bowlin and the granddaughter of Donny &
Wanda McKay. We are so proud of Mary Robbins
in her decision to live pleasing to God.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Peace starts with a smile!

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Men to Serve Sunday, June 27, 2021 a.m.
Announcements................................Michael Wilson
Bible Reading.............................................Ian Willis
Opening Prayer ...................................Mike Childers
Lord’s Supper
Bobby Joe Lindley
Lead Singing.................................Alex Blackwelder
Closing Prayer................................... Terry Kingsley
Ushers .......................... Larry Long & John Mounce
Please meet in the library by 8:45 a.m.
Sunday 11:15 a.m. service
Opening Prayer .................................... Kent Nichols
Closing Prayer...................................Shawn Mounce
Lead Singing......................................Hugh Scribner
Wednesday, June 30, 2021
Opening Prayer ....................................Larry Presley
Lead Singing........................................ Kent Nichols
The elders kindly request that men leading in public
worship wear the best dress clothes they have.
Contact the church office (842-6116) if unable to serve.
Attendance & Contribution
Mid-Week, 6-16-21 .................................................... 145
Sunday 1st
Worship, 6-20-21 .................................... 190*
Sunday Bible Class..................................................... 188
Sunday 2nd
Worship.................................................... 129
Contribution (budget $7,900) ................................ $8,632
*This does not include the livestreamed views.
Pantry item................................................ Dry beans
Our Gospel Meeting is
Aug. 29th
-Sept. 1st
Neal Pollard, speaker
Mark your calendars!