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Vol. 45 July 21, 2020 Number 29
THE COURTESY OF CHRIST
Barry Kennedy
On one occasion Louis XIV of France was narrating a story before his
courtiers at Versailles when suddenly he ended it very lamely. A few minutes
later the prince left the room. The king then said, “You must have noticed how
lamely my story ended. I forgot that it reflected on an ancestor of the prince
who has just left the room; and I thought it better to spoil a good story than to
distress a good man.” That was courtesy.1 How many of us would be so
courteous? It is true that many who are reading this would rarely say
something intentional to berate or hurt someone intentionally, but do we do
the same with our actions? Courtesy is one of the “manner traits” that one
should be taught at an early age. However, it has been said that “the toughest
problem facing some children is that of learning good manners without seeing
any.”2 How sad but how true this is. Our children tend to mimic our lives and
not our words.
The importance of courtesy for the Christian is seen by how it opens
doors. Of course, the door is a reference to the hearts of our fellow man.
“Hearts, like doors can open with ease to very, very little keys and don't forget
that they are these: ‘I thank you, sir’ and ‘if you please.’" (Author Unknown).3
It is hard to respond favorably to a rude, haughty, or hateful person.
Christians are to be the very opposite of such behavior. Jesus, our perfect
example, gives insight into how courtesy opens doors. One of those occasions
was when He passed through Jericho (Luke 19). A certain publican (Jewish tax
collector for the Romans) wanted to see Jesus but being “little of stature” and
the crowd so great he climbed a sycamore tree (Luke 19:3-4). Of all the people
there to see Jesus, He chose a despised publican with whom to dine (Luke
19:5). Of course, the crude crowd derided Jesus for going into the “sinners”
house (Luke 19:7). No doubt this made a tremendous impact upon Zacchaeus
and his household. In his defense, Zacchaeus’s said, “Behold, Lord, the half of
my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by
false accusation, I restore him fourfold” (Luke 19:8). Then Jesus offered
Zacchaeus the greatest courtesy ever extended to man. “This day is salvation
come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of
man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:9-10).
Jesus is still offering the same courtesy to all men today. How many
doors of opportunity will our courtesy open for us?
1
http://www.moreillustrations.com/Illustrations/courtesy%202.html; 2
Ibid.; 3
Ibid.
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 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.
TRANSFORMATION
David Shannon
"Early naturalist believed that caterpillars and
butterflies were separate, unrelated insects" (The
Butterfly Gardener's Guide). It might seem hard to
believe at first glance that the caterpillar transforms
into a butterfly. Some may look at a worldly person and
find it hard to believe they could become Christ-like.
This spiritual transformation is possible and evident in
every Christian's life. In 2 Corinthians 3 Paul esteemed
Christ and the New Testament as far better than Moses
and the old law. Paul closes this chapter with describing
the Christian life as a transformation...
“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in
a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed
into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the
Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18). The word
"transformed" was translated from "metamorphoo,"
which is also the word that would be used to describe the
change from a caterpillar into a butterfly.
Christians and the world are not two separately
created people. The world is the place of a caterpillar.
Christians are those who have decided to transform into
another image the image of the Lord. All people have
the choice to be transformed or remain as they are.
Caterpillars transform into a butterfly and the change is
complete. Christians are to continue transformation as
long as we live. We all "are being transformed" explains
Paul. We never stop this process. Paul referred to this in
Philippians using different language. This mature
Christian had still not reached the point of his
transformation being finished.
"Brethren, I do not count myself to have
apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things
which are behind and reaching forward to those things
which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of
the upward call of God in Christ Jesus"(Philippians 3:13-
14). We don't pass through a cocoon, but we do pass
through Jesus. Beholding the glory of the Lord' makes
the process of spiritual transformation possible. Imagine
staring into a mirror and seeing the image of Jesus
instead of your own. As you see inconsistencies between
the two images you change your life to reflect Jesus'
image. We can't physically behold Jesus; therefore, Paul
in this same chapter, teaches the importance of being a
servant of the New Testament. This testament is Christ's
covenant. In 2 Corinthians 3:4-6 Paul informs us that
through Christ and His covenant we find our sufficiency.
When we stop studying and living the New Testament,
we have stopped transforming our life.
How do we measure this transformation or know
it is continually occurring? Usually measurable numbers
are used in proper evaluations. This isn't enough in
spiritual life. The Pharisee bragged to God how many
times he fasted a week and how much he gave while the
tax collector humbly pleaded for God's mercy as a
sinner. In Luke 18, Jesus taught that the tax collector
was the one being exalted (glorious transformation!). If
you think you have already obtained your deepest
spiritual life with no need to humbly seek more from
God, you've stopped transforming.
Let's decide today to humbly submit all to the
Lord by daily staring into the New Testament to better
learn the Lord. Imitate Him in all ways all day. Every
day allow your life to be transformed into His image.
One day will be our last day then the trumpet shall sound
we shall all be changed we shall be like Him! (1
Corinthians 15:52 and 1 John 3:2)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sympathy
Our sympathy is extended to Katie Bates in the
loss of her grandmother, Margaret Miller, on July
17. A family service was held at Holland Harris
Funeral Home in Tupelo on July 20.
Wedding
Congratulations to Caleb Williams &
Sydney Clark who were united in
marriage July 18 at the Pine Grove
Church of Christ. They will reside in
Quantico, NC, where Caleb is stationed
in the Marines.
New Baby
Congratulations to Zac &
Savannah Tucker in the birth of their
daughter, Mary Mariea, on July 7.
She weighed 7 lbs. 15 oz. and was
20 ½ inches long. Dean & Kristie
Webb are the proud grandparents
and Evelyn Willis is the proud great-grandmother.
Mother and baby are home doing well.
John Duke stationed in Gulfport, MS
Caleb Williams stationed in Quantico, NC
Rob Cross & family stationed in South Korea
Ty Nichols stationed in Germany

3.
Daily Bible Reading
July 22....................................................Isaiah 31-35
July 23....................................................Isaiah 36-39
July 24....................................................Isaiah 40-41
July 25....................................................Isaiah 42-43
July 26....................................................Isaiah 44-45
July 27....................................................Isaiah 46-48
July 28....................................................Isaiah 49-51
Birthdays &
Anniversaries
Birthdays: Katy Beth Voyles (July 22), Harry
Cowan (July 23), Steve Kelly (July 23), Mary
Morgan Lyle (July 23), Tracy Lyle (July 23),
Drew Baldwyn (July 24), Britton Smith (July 24),
Judy Bates (July 27). Anniversaries: Jason &
Amanda Dickinson (July 26), Eric & Glenda
Barnette (July 27), Joe & Tammy Minor (July 27),
Dennis & Debbie Hallmark (July 28).
Our Sick
Pete Barber continues home hospice. Terry
Kingsley is home recuperating from neck surgery.
Linda Hand continues physical therapy at NMMC.
Crafton Laney will undergo surgery on his left eye
again July 22. It didn’t work the first time. His
cataract surgery on his right eye has been postponed
for now. Mark Hitt has recovered from the Corona
virus.
On-Going Illnesses
Jean Mounce, Mary Lou Walden, Steve Kelly,
Bettye Davis, Frankie Estes, Jennie Cox, Donny
Dulaney, Adam McCurley, Mary Jordan, James
Goddard, Bill Goff, Leroy Brown, Jadon Parish, Jerry
Smith, Mitch Maclean, Mary Starz, Sheba Tuggers,
Homer Smith, Jill Rice, Ann Letteri, Shirley Roberts,
Merlene Johnson
Nursing Homes
Evelyn Willis, Nancy Haywood, Randy
Attaway, Shirley McCarthy, Veona Harris, Bob &
Clara McClure (Missy Nichols’ parents)
Home Devotional
In what chapter of the Bible do you find?
Death of Sarah..........................................Genesis 23
Isaac & Rebekah ......................................Genesis 24
Jacob’s ladder...........................................Genesis 28
David fights Goliath...............................1 Samuel 17
12 apostles.............................................. Matthew 10
Name the days of Creation:
❖ Day one—Light
❖ Day two—Clouds and sky
❖ Day three—Flowers, grass and trees
❖ Day four—Sun, moon and stars
❖ Day five—Fish and birds
❖ Day six—Animals and man
❖ Day seven—God rested
Name the New Testament Divisions:
❖ Gospels
❖ History
❖ Letters
❖ Prophecy
Name the 12 sons of Jacob:
❖ Reuben
❖ Simeon
❖ Levi
❖ Judah
❖ Issachar
❖ Zebulun
❖ Joseph
❖ Benjamin
❖ Gad
❖ Asher
❖ Dan
❖ Naphtali
Can your tell a Bible story from the
following picture?

4.
Men to Serve Sunday, July 26, 2020 a.m.
Announcements................................Michael Wilson
Bible Reading............................................Sam Hood
Opening Prayer ....................................Larry Presley
Lord’s Supper
Jeff Mansel
Lead Singing......................................Hugh Scribner
Closing Prayer.......................................Harold Roby
Ushers ..................... Dale Dulaney & Mike Childers
Contact the church office (842-6116) if unable
to serve.
Bible Classes (streamed each week)
Adult class................Jeff Mansel (Facebook/YouTube)
Adult class.......... Barry Kennedy (Facebook/YouTube)
College class.....Roger Sanderson/Tim Davis (Facebook)
Young married class............................ Mark Hitt (Zoom)
High School class ................... Alex Blackwelder (Zoom)
The elders kindly request that men leading in public
worship wear the best dress clothes they have.
Attendance & Contribution
Mid-Week, 7-15-20 ................................................... N/A
Sunday 1st
Worship, 7-19-20 ........................................ 29
Sunday Bible Class.................................................... N/A
Sunday 2nd
Worship.................................................. 103*
Contribution (budget $7,900) ................................ $9,380
*This does not include the livestreamed views.
Mark Your Calendars!
Personal Evangelism Workshop – August 28th-29th
Gospel Meeting – September 13th-16th
Fall Family Retreat – November 13th-14th
Services will be livestreamed this Sunday at
10:00 a.m. if you do not feel safe attending the
service in person.