4
Vol. 45 September 22, 2020 Number 37
“I’LL JUST WORSHIP AT HOME”
Mark Lindley
Faithful Christians have a strong desire to attend worship services. To
worship God is a commandment, but it is also a high, exalted privilege. Wonderful
things happen during worship. God’s people teach and admonish one another
(Colossians 3:16). We reflect on the death of our Lord (Luke 22:19). God is praised
and adored (Hebrews 2:12). We fulfill God’s commandment for His people to
assemble on the first day of the week (Hebrews 10:25).
However, the recent Covid 19 pandemic has interrupted our lives and
changed the place of worship for many. Because there is the danger of spreading the
virus and infecting those most vulnerable, many congregations have met for worship
by means of Facebook Live. Although this has not been the ideal situation, social
media and technology have enabled Christians to worship with some degree of
togetherness.
Many Bible classes have been taught through Zoom. In some classes, there
have been discussions, comments and questions. It has been encouraging to
participate in Bible classes with others during this very difficult time, and we
appreciate all who have organized classes and sermons and made them available
online.
All these things have been helpful and encouraging; however, these ways of
worshiping and studying God’s Word cannot replace regular, public assemblies. The
clear teaching of Scripture is that God’s people are to come together in one place to
worship. Consider what Paul wrote to the church at Corinth: “When ye come together
therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper” (I Corinthians 11:20).
Observe from this text that the Corinthians had a practice of coming “together into
one place.” They were supposed to be partaking of the Lord’s Supper in their
assemblies, but they were not partaking in the proper manner. That is why Paul
wrote, “this is not to eat the Lord’s supper.” But the text makes the point: these early
Christians met in one place—the same place—for worship.
In the city of Troas, God’s people met together for worship. Scripture says,
“And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread,
Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech
until midnight” (Acts 20:7). These early Christians in Troas understood the great
importance of assembling together for worship.
In recent months, it has not been feasible for many congregations to meet for
worship. However, no one should use the pandemic as an excuse for neglecting
worship. As soon as Christians can safely assemble for worship, we should assemble.
Our attitude toward worship should be the same as David’s: “I was glad when they
said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD” (Psalm 122:1). One who says,
“I’ll just worship at home,” and refuses to assemble when the local congregation is
meeting, should evaluate his attitude toward worship.
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.
1606 East Main Street
P. O. Box 1761
Tupelo, Mississippi 38802
“Thou shalt observe to do all that they inform thee”
(Deut. 17:10)

Wednesday Bible Classes
This Wednesday, September
23, the elders have decided to
resume Wednesday night
Bible classes at 7:00 p.m. at
the East Main building. We
will NOT meet in the
auditorium as a whole but go directly to our
Bible classes so as not to congregate in the
hallways. Barry Kennedy will teach an adult
class in the auditorium. The young married
class taught by Mark Hitt will meet in Room 10
(downstairs). Roger Sanderson & Tim Davis
will teach the college class in their regular
room upstairs. Alex Blackwelder will teach the
7th-12th grades in the big classroom upstairs.
Several ladies (Missy Nichols, Ashley Davis,
Kristie Webb, Renee Childers) will teach the 3-
year-olds through 6th grade in the
multipurpose room. Sherry Kingsley will teach
the 2-year-olds and under in the nursery.
Everyone will be dismissed to the parking lot
following class. We are asking everyone school
age and up to wear a mask, if possible. We are
looking forward to being able to meet again in
Wednesday for Bible class.
Sympathy
Our sympathy is extended to Hunter & Haley
Underwood in the loss of their grandmother, Wilma
Underwood, on Sept. 20. Funeral services were held
Sept. 22 at 1:00 p.m. at Kessler Funeral Home in
Baldwyn.
Pine Vale
Fall Pantry Drive
East Main will be collecting items for Pine Vale’s
fall pantry drive for the next couple of weeks. They
will send a truck by sometime during the week of
October 19 to pick these items up. Our assigned items
are:
Batteries (AA or 9-volt)
Salad dressing (Ranch/Thousand Island)
Light bulbs (40w, 60w, 100w)
Pine Vale Children’s Home would like to thank
you for helping with the restocking of their panty and
for all the ways you help support their children.
Thank You Notes
Dear Brethren,
We thank our Heavenly Father for your
fellowship in the soul saving work. The response
from your preacher, elders, and members was
uplifting. We look forward to partnering with you
as you move forward to develop the evangelism
principles you learned. We love you all and are
praying for many souls to be saved. May God be
glorified, and the borders of His Kingdom
expanded. In His Service,
Rob, Nicole, Hannah & Jared Whitacre
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Fellow Christians,
We appreciate your continuing support for our
work at World Evangelism. We continue to try to
give the Christians overseas as much help as we can
with TV, literature and the “Voice of Truth”
magazine. We hope to see you next year and we
pray that all of you will stay in good health.
In Christian love,
Jerry & Paula Bates
John Duke stationed in Gulfport, MS
Caleb Williams stationed in Quantico, VA
Rob Cross & family stationed in South Korea
Ty Nichols stationed in Germany

Daily Bible Reading
September 23.......................................... Zechariah 1-2
September 24.......................................... Zechariah 3-4
September 25.......................................... Zechariah 5-6
September 26.......................................... Zechariah 7-8
September 27........................................ Zechariah 9-11
September 28...................................... Zechariah 12-14
September 29.............................................Malachi 1-2
Birthdays &
Anniversaries
Birthdays: Derik Rushing (Sept. 23), Tate
Malone (Sept. 24), Betty Beard (Sept. 26),
Billie McNutt (Sept. 26), Joyce Burney (Sept.
29), Keisha Gholston (Sept. 29).
Anniversaries: None this week.
Our Sick
Jean Mounce is at UAB following surgery last
week. Mary Lou Walden is at Cedars for therapy
following hip surgery. Pete Barber & Jill Rice
(Debbie Vines’ mother) continue at Sanctuary
Hospice House. Susan Reed has recovered from
COVID-19 & Codi Hallmark has tested positive for it.
Barbara Bishop is home following back surgery.
Linda Hand has developed cellulitis in her leg. Judy
Bates has a fractured vertebrae & some infection in
her back. Betty Westmoreland, James Simmons, aunt,
is in rehab at Baldwyn after falling. Brenda Dawson,
Marlon Geno & Shirley Lyons’ cousin, is in NMMC
following back surgery. Jean Jacobs, Hannon Ray’s
aunt, is in NMMC with COVID-19.
On-Going Illnesses
Steve Kelly, Evelyn Thompson, 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, Shirley Roberts, Merlene
Johnson, Thomas Lloyd, Brian Carver, Steve
Higginbotham, Tommy Goff, Sean Koehn
Nursing Homes
Evelyn Willis, Nancy Haywood, Randy Attaway,
Shirley McCarthy, Veona Harris, Bob & Clara McClure
EMYG News
WELCOME 7TH GRADERS!
Last Saturday evening, we had a blast
welcoming our new 7th graders. Next Monday
(28th) at 6:00 the Junior + Senior youth come
together for a brief devo and movie at the
church building.
(The Secret Life of Pets).
Often times we pray, “bless the youth of this
congregation, for they are the church of
tomorrow…” I understand the meaning
behind what is said, but let us not forget that
the youth is still part of the church of TODAY.
Encourage and pray for these kids as you have
the opportunity. It is evident that God is truly
at work in the lives of all of us. East Main loves
you EMYG.
Alex
Please check the bulletin board on the
east hallway at the church building for a
list of upcoming events and mark your
calendars!
Wednesday teen
Bible class will
resume in person
this week at 7:00
p.m. upstairs in the big classroom!

Men to Serve Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020 a.m.
Announcements................................. William Harris
Bible Reading...........................................Will Davis
Opening Prayer .............................Alex Blackwelder
Lord’s Supper
Tim Davis
Lead Singing......................................... Wade Bryan
Closing Prayer...................................... Paul Blansett
Ushers .................. Jalon Mansel & David Ramseyer
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.
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)
Attendance & Contribution
Mid-Week, 9-16-20 .................................................... 91*
Sunday 1st
Worship, 9-20-20 ........................................ 30
Sunday Bible Class.................................................... N/A
Sunday 2nd
Worship.................................................. 131*
Contribution (budget $7,900) ................................ $7,383
*This does not include the livestreamed views.
Pantry item........................................................ Soup
Mark Your Calendars!
Fall Family Retreat – November 14th
Services will be livestreamed this Sunday at
10:00 a.m. if you do not feel safe attending the
service in person.