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Vol. 47 August 23, 2022 Number 33
That’s Just How You See It
Barry Kennedy
Opinions are as common as people themselves. You fill a room with a
thousand people, you fill it with a thousand opinions. This reality has given
way to the idea that everything is relative. One grave problem with such a
theory is the fact of absolute truth. In fact, Jesus said, “And ye shall know the
truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). What is that truth? Jesus
answered that question in a pray for His disciples. “Sanctify them through
Thy truth: Thy word is truth” (John 17:17). Therefore, the word of God is the
standard allowing all men to achieve unity in doctrine and faith (1Corinthians
1:10ff).
It never seems to fail however, when some are told that an activity in
which they are involved is wrong, they respond with “That’s just how you see
it.” Clearly, one must be careful calling something sinful. “Judge not, that ye
be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with
what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again” (Matthew 7:1, 2).
That truth does not erase the next few verses in Matthew 7. Jesus illustrated
how judgments must be made. First, judge yourself and remove your beam,
then you can see clearly to remove the mote in your brother’s eye (Matthew
7:5). You see the reality is that we have beams and motes (i.e., real sins) in our
lives, no matter how we see it. God sees the sin of the world and wants it
eradicated. Jesus came to “seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).
He is “the lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).
God sees sin clearly, even if you and I have grown so accustomed to our sins
that we try to justify them. God did not send His only begotten Son to give us
the “right” to say that is just how you see it. He came to call man to
repentance (Luke 5:32). Jesus preached, “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is
at hand” (Matthew 4:17).
Our job is not to be the judges of the world, in fact, we don’t have to.
“He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him:
the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John
12:48). Therefore, when the Bible calls fornication, murder, gossip,
homosexuality, adultery, drunkenness, forsaking the assembly, division, and
any other vice sin, it is not an option to say, “That’s just how you see it.” Why?
Because That’s just how God sees it.” We just need to open our eyes to what
God has to say.
ELDERS
Mike Childers ............. 397-6453
Dennis Hallmark......... 255-5557
Mark Hitt .................... 322-0917
Bobby Lindley ............ 260-9193
DEACONS
Wade Bryan ................ 419-5552
Ricky Lindsey............. 255-8136
Jeff Mansel.................. 871-0357
Jimmy Spearman ........ 840-8957
Michael Wilson........... 891-0891
MINISTERS
Barry Kennedy....(931)787-7108
Alex Blackwelder ....... 706-1888
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.
Church Directory Update
Plans are to update our church directory soon! If
you have started coming to East Main since our last
directory, would like and updated picture, or have
had an address change, phone number change,
new births or weddings, please text or email this
new information to Jean Mounce at 662-491-0362 or
njm563@bellsouth.net OR Renee Childers at 662-
401-7328 or renchilders@yahoo.com. If you do not
have access to either of these and would like a new
picture, we will set aside a time within the next few
weeks to have your picture made. Please see Jean
Mounce for that. Thanks.
Sympathy
Our sympathy is extended to the family of Suanna
Lezon who passed from this life unexpectedly on Aug.
18. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Aug. 27
at 11 am with visitation prior from 9-11 am at the East
Main Church of Christ in Murfreesboro, TN. The
Lezon’s attended here many years before moving to
TN. Please keep Barclay, Clay, Rachael, Kate, and the
rest of the family in your prayers as they go through
this difficult time.
Also, we extend condolences to Ashley Davis in
the loss of her grandmother, Pauline Basden, on Aug.
22. Funeral services were held Tuesday, Aug. 23 at
Waters Funeral Home in Baldwyn. Please keep
Ashley & her family in your prayers.
Monthly Breakfast
This Sunday, Aug. 28 will be our
monthly family breakfast in the
multipurpose room from 8:15-8:45
am before worship services.
Everyone in the congregation is
invited to come and enjoy a light
breakfast and fellowship!
Congratulations
Congratulations to Larry & Judy
Bates in the birth of their great-
granddaughter, Saylee Kade Benson, on
Aug. 16. She weighed 6 lbs. 6 oz. and
was 18 ½ long. Mother and baby are
home now, doing well.
Jr. Youth Devotional
This Sunday, Aug. 28 the Junior
youth (ages 6th
grade and down) and
their parents are invited to the
multipurpose room following worship
services at noon for pizza and a short
devotional. Please bring $3 each to
cover the cost of the pizza. We hope
everyone in this age group will stay!
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
and help is welcomed.
Baptism
We rejoice in the baptism of Eli Rushing this past
Sunday afternoon. Eli is the son of Derik & Staci
Rushing. We are proud of Eli & his decision to live
pleasing to God. Be sure to congratulate him.
Thank You Note
To: East Main Church Family,
Thanks so much to all who came to my birthday
event and for all the cards. You certainly know how
to make a person feel special! Pat Putt
Our Family Retreat
East Main’s family retreat has
been planned for September 2-3 at
Maywood Christian Camp. Michael
Bates will be speaking on the theme
“Unplugged. Plug into the Power of
Prayer.” A sign-up list is posted on
the bulletin board across from the ladies’ bathroom if
you will be able to attend.
Our Fall Gospel Meeting
Our fall Gospel Meeting will be held
October 2-5 with Allen Webster speaking.
Mark your calendars and plan to attend
every service!

3.
Daily Bible Reading
August 24............................................ Ezekiel 33-36
August 25............................................ Ezekiel 37-39
August 26............................................ Ezekiel 40-43
August 27............................................ Ezekiel 44-48
August 28..................................................Daniel 1-3
August 29..................................................Daniel 4-6
August 30..................................................Daniel 7-9
Birthdays &
Anniversaries
Birthdays: Adaline Bates (Aug. 26), Easton
DuBois (Aug. 27), Connie Kingsley (Aug.
27), J. J. Reed (Aug. 27). Anniversaries:
None this week.
Our Sick
Debbie Duke underwent a chemo treatment last
week. Christina Lindley will undergo hernia surgery
this Friday at NMMC. Russell Deaton’s great-niece,
Jacy Raburn, will undergo surgery soon at St. Jude
to remove a tumor in her leg. Mark Hitt and Lori
Sheffield’s aunt, Mary Ann Hitt, has lymphoma in
her spine. Earline Dickerson, Diane Dickerson’s
mother-in-law and Pat Putt’s sister, is in Room 7 at
Sanctuary Hospice House. Callie Smith, an 8th
grade student at Mooreville underwent open heart
surgery Monday at LeBonheur. She is related to the
Kingsleys.
On-Going Illnesses
Mary Lou Walden, Bettye Davis, Betty Long,
Evelyn Thompson, Steve Kelly, Barbara Bishop,
Bob Smith, Doug Wallace, Frankie Estes, Shirley
Lyons, Stella Pittman, Caroline Willis, Carol Hood,
Bill Goff, Sheba Tuggers, Michelle Maclean, Ricky
Britt, Nathan Hale, Dawn Brown, Terry Blackmarr,
Freida Gardner, Willie Bob Gates, Brian Carver
Nursing Homes
Randy Attaway, Shirley McCarthy, Bob McClure
EMYG News
A Better Way
In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul concludes a
section on teaching about how the Holy Spirit
operates through gifts of healing, prophesying,
and speaking in tongues. The chapter ends with
Paul trying to get the church to desire the higher
gifts. And then he says, “I will show you a more
excellent way.” As we know that way is love.
This fall, it is my desire to help us
consider a better way of doing things. What do
we do when we’re stuck facing a decision that
both outcomes are good? How will we choose
which one is better? I believe we need to
understand that first off, we don’t have to fight
to make the better decision alone. In 1
Corinthians 10:13, we read that God is Faithful.”
We also know that God is near. Will we slow
down enough in life to be able to make our way
better? And finally, we know we can achieve a
better way of living our lives because we have
made God’s standard, our standard.
Paul says in Romans 12:2, “Do not be
conformed to this world, but be transformed by
the renewal of your mind, that by testing you
may discern what is the will of God, what is
good and acceptable and perfect.” You only act
how you think. If your ways are God’s ways,
then as you go about your life, you can discern
what is a better way for you to walk as a child of
His. As always, if I can help you in any way,
please let me know. Alex
Don’t forget to check your
mailbox in the foyer!

4.
Men to Serve Sunday, Aug. 28, 2022 a.m.
Announcements................................Michael Wilson
Bible Reading.....................................Daniel Morton
Opening Prayer ..............................Dennis Hallmark
Lord’s Supper
Wade Bryan
Lead Singing....................................Eddie Simmons
Closing Prayer.....................................Jake Kennedy
Ushers .................. Jalon Mansel & David Ramseyer
Please meet in the library by 8:45 a.m.
Sunday 11:15 a.m. service
Opening Prayer ..................................Hugh Scribner
Closing Prayer..................................Ethan Benefield
Lead Singing.................................Alex Blackwelder
Wednesday, August 31, 2022
Opening Prayer ....................................... Perry Hand
Lead Singing.....................................Barry Kennedy
The elders kindly request that men leading in public
worship wear the best dress clothes they have.
Contact Jimmy Spearman (840-8957) if unable to serve.
Attendance & Contribution
Mid-Week, 8-17-22 .................................................... 139
Sunday 1st
Worship, 8-21-22 ...................................... 159
Sunday Bible Class..................................................... 151
Sunday 2nd
Worship.................................................... 136
Contribution (budget $9,334) ................................ $7,146
*This does not include the livestreamed views.
Pantry item........................................... Peanut butter