January 4, 2025 Issue, Page 4 of 8

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RELIGION 4+ SATURDAY, JANUARY. 4, 2025 The Elk City News hx ‘Touchstone Energy” ‘Cooperatives How Far Will You Go? 18920 1170 Rd SSS Great Plains Bank Eth City- 716 W 3rd St, Elk City 580-225-3442 EMPTY CROSS. EMPTY ‘Photo retstneatotacom/ichLegg Hi... far will you go in life? In the dictionary, the word “success” TOMB. EMPTY MANGER? is sted as a noun. But is it possible that true succes can be viewed as an ongoing journey, perhaps more aptly a verb? If so, what is the Its understandable! The Jesus’ genuine humanity, route and where do we find our direction? What about the detours Baby is manageable and will help us identify with the along the way? Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your sweet; stirring warm, loving emotional climate that sur- heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways feelings. Baby Jesus cant rounded Jesus’ earthly, adult acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” How far talk so He's not yet making life. As an adult, Jesus lived will you go in life? Begin by worshipping at your house of worship statements like “take up your and modeled what He taught. this week; you will go as far as your faith takes you. cross and follow Me’ to cause He reached out to people, in- us to think deeply and differ- teracting with social outcasts Weekly Scripture Reading ently about comfort. There's and wealthy leaders alike. He Philippians Philippians Philippians Hebrews. Hebrews, Hebrews Matthew no need to change person- forgave and washed away all 21-30 31-21 41-23 11-14 21-18 31-19 14-17 al thoughts and habits for a sin, including the offenses Scriptures Selected by the American Bible Society helpless Baby we see once a committed against Himself. ©2025, Keister-Williams Newspaper Services, PO. Box 8187, Charlottesville, VA 22906, www.kwnews.com year. Yet, He was often rejected, and lived daily with harass- Dixie Yoder One of Abraham Lincoln's ment from established reli- Area Church Directory “Dr. Dixie, I've heard you most important presidential gion. Sunday School 9:15, Worship 10:30 talk about taking Jesus out decisions was to build rec- Assembly of God Wed Prairie View Troops 3:30 580-225-2266 of the manger. I'm confused. onciliation between North Even though we certainly Assembly of God Wed Prayer Meeting 6:30 Seventh-Day Adventist How can we celebrate His and South after the Civil War honor Jesus's sacrificial death, birth without the manger? I ended. Lincoln's many other the Christian cross is con- 115 W. Sth St., Erick Retrop Baptist Church Seventh-Day Adventist really love the manger scene!” accomplishments won his- sistently pictured empty—a Intersection Hwy 6 and 55 11375 N. 1990 Rd., Elk City 580-472-3472 torical respect as one of our symbol of sacrificial death, Assembly of God 580-303-0791 Service times: Itoo love the Nativity! And, greatest presidents. But, what but a recognition that He no 7th and Locust St., Sayre Catholic 2:00 pm Bible Study because there are so many if the Lincoln Memorial— longer hangs there. The tomb 580-928-4296 Queen of All Saints 2:50 pm Church Service Jimmy Blanken, Min, holiday distractions, we really instead of Lincoln’s authori- is also empty. We honor His 914N. Sth St., Sayre do need the annual remind- tative presence on a throne- death, but believers don't cel- First Assembly of God 580-928-2385 Rev. Danny Grover er that Jesus came to earth, like chair—was a shabby log ebrate a tomb that holds His 2701 S. Randall , Elk City United Methodist placed in a humble manger at cabin with a baby sleeping in body inside. 580-225-1167 St. Mathews Catholic 702 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk birth; fully human and com- a rough, handmade cradle? Kevin Akins, Min. 3001 B. Hwy 66, Elk City City pletely helpless. Luke 2:52 No! While we acknowledge Perhaps the manger should 580-225-0066 580-225-0262 Grandview Assembly of God Rev. Danny Grover Scott Rodgers, Rev. explains that Jesus learned his impoverished beginnings, be empty as well! Jesus didn't Pioneer and Country Club, Elk City and grew just as every human and honor his difficult rise remain a helpless baby, any 580-225-7742 Christian United Methodist being must. He increased in to the highest office, Honest more than He remained dead Bryan Herrick Antioch Christian 320 S. Magnoliea St., Erick wisdom, understanding and Abe’ birthday is celebrated ‘on the cross or in the tomb. 3200 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City 580-526-3949 physical stature, Hebrews by recognizing his proficien- In 2025, let’s focus our at- 580-243-0066 United Methodist 5:8-9 shows us that although cy as an adult. His log cabin tention on our resurrected Great Plains Baptist Assn. Jeff McDowell 802 N. 4th St., Sayre+ 580-928-2146 He was the Son of God, He birthplace and his cradle are Friend, Husband, Savior and 1902 Watts St., Sayre Christian Church Sun School: 9:30 AM/Worship:10:45 learned active obedience empty. Lord! 580-928-2585 1S. Walnut, Erick | Nazarene | through what He suffered Bible Baptist Church 580-526-3284 as a human being. Because Annually celebrating Jesus’ As we step into 2025, thank 1018 W. B Avenue, Elk City First Church of The Nazarene His completed human expe- birth in a humble stable is a you for partnering with In- 580-225-5344 First Christian Church 816 W. 6th St., Elk City (Diciples of Christ) 580-225-2026 rience made Him perfectly wonderful reminder that He finite Grace in the battle to 1500 N. Randall, Elk City Rev. Andrew Dages equipped, He became the identified completely with us. restore and strengthen fami- Central Missionary Baptist 580-225-7801 Source of eternal salvation to However, daily, year-round lies by focusing on the limit- 1205 W. B Avenue, Elk City 580-225-0212 Pentecostal all those who listen to Him acknowledgment of the less love-power and mercy of First Christian Grace Temple and obey. power and authority of the God, Eastside Baptist 1601 N. 4th St., Sayre 601 W. 20th St, Elk City mature, adult, risen Jesus is 421 N. Booth Avenue, Elk City 580-928-3639 Lindell & Nequita Brown, Pastors Due to the influence of necessary to have well-devel- Your year-round financial 580-225-0742 Church of Christ a culture that often insists oped, effective “shoe-leather” gifts to Infinite Grace Minis- Chase Brower, Min. Church of Christ Iglesia Evangelica Cristo Es La “easier is better’, the Church, faith. We cannot grasp why tries reduces your tax liabili- Fairview Baptist 216 N. Adams Ave., Elk City Pena the Bride of the grown-up He willingly went to the cross ty while providing hope and 312 S. Lusk Avenue, Elk City 580-225-0718 600 W. Main, Elk City Gantt Carter, Min. Pastor, Jose Reyes Jesus, seems more comfort- for humankindif we focus on healing to many. Mail your 580-225-0203 580-799-2964 able celebrating a sweet Baby His sweet baby days, and nev- tax-deductible donation to First Baptist 301 S. Magnolia Ave, Brick in a manger than walking er grow up in understanding PO Box 466, Weatherford, 1600 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City Douglas Holland, Minister through everyday life with the kind of mature, spiritual OK 73096. Auto-debit is 816-726-6988 also available for your conve- 580-225-7951 Bible Study 10am Sunday First Presbyterian her Husband, the risen Son Man He became. 217 N. Washington Ave., Elk City of God. First Baptist Worship 11am Sunday nience. Call 580-774-2884 for Ladies Bible Study 10am Wednes- 580-225-3130 Reading Scripture details. 400. Sheb Wooley, Erick day thoughtfully, recognizing 580-526-3375 Jason Klechner, Min, Evening Open Bible Study 7pm Non-Denominational Wednesday ‘The Way Church First Baptist 201 S. Jefferson Ave., Elk City 504N. 4th St,, Sayre Church of Christ Elk City 580-928-5518 Meets at Pioneer & Bell 580-225-5295 Elk City Community Yow Auto Supply First Hispanic Baptist 120 S. Randall Ave., Elk City Northeast Church of Christ 580-225-1184 221 South Jefferson 919 W. 8th St. Elk City 616 N. Locust Avenue Elk City, Oklahoma 580-225-7901 Gateway 580-225-4395 580-225-2166 Main Street Baptist 4227 W. 3rd St., Elk City 1101 N. Main St., Elk City Westside Church of Christ 580-225-1184 580-225-2938 580-225-3052 Curtis Newton, Min. Kellye L. Fuchs CPA Church of God ‘The Link Mt. Carmal Baptist 501 W. 1st, Elk City 200 S. Main, Elk City Pamela J. Muncreif CPA 1801 W. A Avenue, Elk City Office: 0.225.887 580-225-2061 580-225-0227 Joe Thompson, Min, ‘Trinity Fellowship Fax: 580 225.1183 One Church Jehovah’s Witnesses Sayre 580-928-2345 |_—_—__&—__—_—_ 1121 South Main, Elk City 200 East Broadway, Elk City Jehovah's Witnesses Company PLLC 580-210-8881 Ceheea Pe nom 1000 N. Main, Elk City’ P.O, Box 2579, Elk City,OK 73648 Kevin Brosius (pastor) 402 E. Washington Ave., Sayre Christ Ministiries Phone: 580-243-0466 + Fax: 580-243-0472 580-928-9330 804 W. 6th St., Elk City 580-243-9708 Prairie View Baptist 1-40 & S Hwy 34, Elk City Pastor Tod Thornton Christ Lutheran 1023 W. 2nd St., Elk City Hours of Operation: Lobby: 9:00am - 3:00pm (Monday - Friday) Deiye-Theu: 9:00un «5:00pm (Mo nday: Friday) 100% CUSTOMER SATISFACTION Paeive- Tora! 9am 1240000 (S Job Opportunities Available Call today to support Your Hosts; The Phillips Family the church page! \ 2009 South Main Street J Elk City * 580-243-1200 580-225-3000 Locally owned and operated for over 30 years/Equal Opportunity Employer