July 21, 2021 Issue, Page 7 of 8

Page Text

July 21, 2021 7 Call today to support the church page! Devotional 580-225-3000 SOARING ABOVE Photo Credit: bigstockphoto/gualtiero boffi T he colorful balloon appears to magically drift across the sky, but it will quickly collapse without a whoosh of hot air. Our spirits can deflate without the warmth of God’s love to fill our souls. Let your Heavenly Father give you the power you need to soar above the stresses of everyday life. Worship in God’s House this week and get the lift you need. Daily Devotional Reading Philippians Philippians Philippians Philippians 1 Thess. 1 Thess. 1 Thess. 1:1-30 2:1-30 3:1-21 4:1-23 1:1-10 2:1-16 2:17-3:13 Hairy toes: Scriptures Selected by the American Bible Society ©2021, Keister-Williams Newspaper Services, P.O. Box 8187, Charlottesville, VA 22906, www.kwnews.com The worst thing ever? Area Church Directory nail? by genuine tragedy, and filled Breathlessly she divulged with people so self-focused Assembly of God First Baptist Church Seventh-Day Adventist that really bad, terrible, most that their entire existence Assembly of God Canute Seventh-Day Adventist awful, worst thing ever. “I apparently can be turned 115 W. 5th St., Erick 580-471-3688 11375 N. 1990 Rd., Elk City had a hair growing on the upside down by a pimple, a Pastor: Gary Griffin Pastor Martin Brown 580-472-3472 top of my big toe. Ladies, I Pastor Wes Via gray or stray hair, or the loss Retrop Baptist Church just cannot tell you how hu- of a ballgame. How sadly pa- Assembly of God Methodist 7th and Locust St., Sayre Intersection Hwy 6 and 55 miliated I was! I could hardly thetic! 580-928-4296 580-303-0791 Canute United Methodist look at him. If only I had Quenn of All Saints I am growing up in my abil- Jimmy Blanken, Min. Mains St. and Harton Ave, Canute been using this hair-removal 914 N. 5th St., Sayre 580-225-5080 ity to receive love from my tool, I wouldn’t have had to 580-928-2385 Timothy Israel, Min. Father. God has given me— First Assembly of God endure this terrible humili- 2701 S. Randall , Elk City Rev. Danny Grover ation. We need this tool— and every believer—the United Methodist privilege of being living ex- 580-225-1167 this is a must have!” Kevin Akins, Min. St. Mathews Catholic 702 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk As I hit the “off” button, amples of His love and hope, 3001 E. Hwy 66, Elk City City Dixie Yoder even when circumstances 580-225-0066 580-225-0262 I had no response to the Grandview Assembly of God gushing drama except, “Re- seem so hopeless. Pioneer and Country Club, Elk City Rev. Danny Grover Scott Rodgers, Rev. I was writing one afternoon Let’s be careful not to im- 580-225-7742 Christian ally? Her life must be pretty and randomly searching for Mark Little, Min. United Methodist empty and unchallenged if pose complaints about a Antioch Christian 320 S. Magnoliea St., Erick a nature show to run in the one hairy toe could upset ev- “hard week” because the dry- Baptist 3200 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City 580-526-3949 background, when an info- erything to that degree.” My mercial caught my attention. er broke down and stickers 580-243-0066 next thoughts were about grew in the yard on someone Great Plains Baptist Assn. Jeff McDowell United Methodist I heard the saleswoman ex- genuine tragedy and pain: 802 N. 4th St., Sayre claim, “And ladies, let me tell who is struggling with huge 1902 Watts St., Sayre my friend whose son died 580-928-2585 Christian Church 580-928-2146 you the worst thing ever!” loss, some of which isn’t vis- 1 S. Walnut, Erick tragically…one who is still ible unless we take time to Nazarene “Well,” I thought, “Perhaps I in the hospital struggling Bible Baptist Church 580-526-3284 should hear this really bad, listen. I am discovering an First Church of The Nazarene against cancer…my sister 1018 W. B Avenue, Elk City terrible, awful thing.” So, I entirely new vocabulary that 580-225-5344 First Christian Church 816 W. 6th St., Elk City who fought cancer and won. (Diciples of Christ) 580-225-2026 listened as she launched into I thought about my brother doesn’t include, “I know how you feel!” The quiet—usually Central Missionary Baptist 1500 N. Randall, Elk City Robert Barkely, Pastor a story intended to “prove” and I fighting to overcome 1205 W. B Avenue, Elk City 580-225-7801 that every woman should the devastating aftermath unspoken—response is, “No, Pentecostal have the hair removal tool you don’t.” 580-225-0212 of strokes…and people who First Christian Grace Temple she was peddling. Rolling don’t have enough to eat… Would you share your expe- 1601 N. 4th St., Sayre 601 W. 20th St, Elk City Eastside Baptist her eyes, she exclaimed, “I and the stupidity of poli- rience of encouragement and 421 N. Booth Avenue, Elk City 580-928-3639 Lindell & Nequita Brown, Pastors had an ingrown toenail…” tics…and the greatest trag- hope—your accounts of how 580-225-0742 Church of Christ “Could that be the most aw- edy of all, many who don’t someone helped you change Chris Carlisle, Min. Iglesia Evangelica Cristo Es La ful thing?” I wondered. “I Church of Christ Pena know Jesus loves them. your perspective from hope- 216 N. Adams Ave., Elk City know an ingrown toenail Fairview Baptist 600 W. Main, Elk City I was deeply offended with less to hopeful? 580-225-0718 Pastor, Jose Reyes is painful, but really? That the sales lady and her dis- 312 S. Lusk Avenue, Elk City Infinite Grace Ministries ex- 580-225-0203 Gantt Carter, Min. 580-799-2964 bad?” gusting fake drama. How ists to share the Good News This sales lady apparently dare she? How stupid! And Church of Christ Presbyterian of God’s love for humankind; First Baptist had the ability to talk while I heard the Lord say, “How 1600 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City Erick First Presbyterian to plant hope and encourage- both inhaling and exhaling else can she be, when her 580-225-7951 580-526-3397 217 N. Washington Ave., Elk City ment in people—those who because with no pause she whole life’s does culture has 580-225-3130 continued, “….so I went to already know God person- Church of Christ Elk City trained her to try to find First Baptist the podiatrist. He was so ca- physical perfection, satisfac- ally, and those who are still 400 S. Sheb Wooley, Erick Meets at Pioneer & Bell Non-Denominational skeptical about His existence 580-526-3375 580-225-5295 YOO-ta!” (Translating in my tion and meaning for exis- or goodness. Together we’ll Jason Klechner, Min. The Way Church head, I recognized this as the tence through gadgets and Northeast Church of Christ 201 S. Jefferson Ave., Elk City ultra-dramatic pronuncia- whatever attention she can experience life transforma- 616 N. Locust Avenue tion through the limitless First Baptist tion of “cute”.) Her audience get from other people?” 580-225-4395 Elk City Community 504 N. 4th St., Sayre waited with baited breath. I was strongly reminded of love and mercy of God. Visit 120 S. Randall Ave., Elk City 580-928-5518 Did he have to amputate her why I do what I do through infinitegrace.com or call 580- Westside Church of Christ 580-225-1184 toe? Did she have systemic Infinite Grace Ministries. 774-2884 to support this es- First Hispanic Baptist 580-225-3052 poisoning from her ingrown Our world is terribly broken sential ministry. 919 W. 8th St., Elk City Church of God Gateway 580-225-7901 4227 W. 3rd St., Elk City Church of God 580-225-1184 Main Street Baptist 501 W. 1st, Elk City Curtis Newton, Min. 1101 N. Main St., Elk City 580-225-0227 580-225-2938 Joe Thompson, Min. The Link Jehovah’s Witnesses 200 S. Main, Elk City Mt. Carmal Baptist 1801 W. A Avenue, Elk City Jehovah’s Witnesses Trinity Fellowship 580-225-2061 402 E. Washington Ave., Sayre Sayre 580-928-9330 580-928-2345 One Church 120 N. Main, Elk City Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Wit- Christ Ministiries 580-210-8881 ness 804 W. 6th St., Elk City Brannan Duncan, Min. 627 E. Benton Ave., Sayre 580-243-9708 Lutheran Prairie View Baptist I-40 S. Hwy. 34, Elk City Christ Lutheran 580-225-2844 1023 W. 2nd St., Elk City 580-225-2266