August 2, 2025 Issue, Page 4 of 20

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RELIGION 4• SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, 2025 The Elk City News MARGIN-LESS LIVING AND IRRITATION · Americans average 90 min- enables us to think, and to en- utes daily watching news about joy intentional time with Jesus Wall Street’s negative perfor- so we can share God’s love with mance; local, violent crimes, others. If we have no margin and deadly accidents thou- and God says, “I want you to sands of miles away; far more do this,” our resentful response in a hurricane or earthquake is, “Sorry, God – I’d like to help, crisis. Result: Chronic anxiety but I already have too much on my plate.” “Margin” is the space be- · Better physical health: We tween your load and your limit. often begin building margin Area Church Directory We are stressed by too much: into our lives after the health (1) activity, (2) rapid change, crisis occurs. Our bodies need Sunday School 9:15, Worship 10:30 (3) information, (4) choice, (5) downtime to recuperate from Assembly of God Wed Prairie View Troops 3:30 580-225-2266 Dixie Yoder debt, (6) media exposure and, everyday life. Even the fastest Wed Prayer Meeting 6:30 Assembly of God Seventh-Day Adventist “Dr. Dixie, there are so many (7) electronic connection with race-cars make pit-stops for 115 W. 5th St., Erick Seventh-Day Adventist people. Our stretched-to-the maintenance. A car can’t be Pastor: Gary Griffin Retrop Baptist Church angry, worried, annoyed peo- Intersection Hwy 6 and 55 11375 N. 1990 Rd., Elk City ple—at home, at work, and limit, chronically hurried life- repaired while traveling 200 580-303-0791 580-472-3472 style devours margin and feeds miles per hour! Yet we expect Assembly of God Service times: for goodness sakes, even in 7th and Locust St., Sayre Catholic irritation. We give the home- our bodies and minds to be re- 2:00 pm Bible Study church! I want to be hopeful 580-928-4296 2:50 pm Church Service less the shelter they need; the stored while we race through Queen of All Saints even when life is stressful, but Jimmy Blanken, Min. 914 N. 5th St., Sayre sometimes their irritation bur- hungry, food they need; the life, with never enough time to Methodist First Assembly of God 580-928-2385 ies me. I know the economy is short-of-breath, oxygen they catch a deep breath. Margin is Rev. Danny Grover need. But we give the mar- essential to good health. 2701 S. Randall , Elk City United Methodist bad, and the world is a scary 580-225-1167 gin-less and stressed-out what · Stronger relationships: St. Mathews Catholic 702 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk place, but why do some people Kevin Akins, Min. City we don’t need: more constant Time spent with spouse, chil- 3001 E. Hwy 66, Elk City treat others like they’re the en- 580-225-0066 580-225-0262 emy?” activity, futilely hoping for dis- dren, parents and friends builds Grandview Assembly of God Scott Rodgers, Rev. Pioneer and Country Club, Elk City Rev. Danny Grover traction. strength into relationships. Margin-less living is a huge 580-225-7742 Christian United Methodist Here are some practical rea- Bryan Herrick Jesus offers quiet stillness, contributor to the collapse of Antioch Christian 320 S. Magnoliea St., Erick sons for irritation, although 580-526-3949 not another activity: “Come the American family. Margin Baptist 3200 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City bitterness and unforgivness, 580-243-0066 the root of rage toward others, to Me, all who labor and are allows time to talk, listen and United Methodist Great Plains Baptist Assn. Jeff McDowell is an issue that has to be dealt heavy-laden and overbur- enjoy one another. Margin-less 802 N. 4th St., Sayre • 580-928-2146 dened; I will cause you to living produces irritability that 1902 Watts St., Sayre Sun School: 9:30 AM/Worship:10:45 with in a deeper, more intense 580-928-2585 Christian Church way. rest. I will ease, relieve and damages family, work and spir- 1 S. Walnut, Erick Nazarene refresh your…mind, will, emo- itual relationships. Bible Baptist Church 580-526-3284 First Church of The Nazarene · People with electronics in tions.” (Matthew 11:28) 1018 W. B Avenue, Elk City 816 W. 6th St., Elk City 580-225-5344 First Christian Church the bedroom sleep 2½ fewer We don’t have to live in con- (Diciples of Christ) 580-225-2026 hours nightly than 75 years Margin is breathing room, stant “survival mode,” irritated, 1500 N. Randall, Elk City Rev. Andrew Dages Central Missionary Baptist ago. This means 45,625 hours produced by deliberately min- stressed out and struggling to 1205 W. B Avenue, Elk City 580-225-7801 less sleep over 50 years. Result: imizing non-essentials. It is make it through another day. 580-225-0212 Pentecostal making a reserve, no matter We can choose right now to First Christian Chronic fatigue. 1601 N. 4th St., Sayre Grace Temple how small, of time, money build a buffer into our lives Eastside Baptist · The average office worker’s 421 N. Booth Avenue, Elk City 580-928-3639 601 W. 20th St, Elk City desk is stacked with 36 hours and energy so the unexpected wherever possible. Slow down; Lindell & Nequita Brown, Pastors won’t push us over the edge. simplify; enjoy the benefits of 580-225-0742 Church of Christ of backlogged work; three Chase Brower, Min. Iglesia Evangelica Cristo Es La Margin-less living is the bench- margin and see what God ac- Church of Christ hours weekly is spent looking 216 N. Adams Ave., Elk City Pena through the stacks for needed mark of our culture; creating complishes next! Fairview Baptist 600 W. Main, Elk City 312 S. Lusk Avenue, Elk City 580-225-0718 documents. Result: Chronic margin is counter-culture. Gantt Carter, Min. Pastor, Jose Reyes Margin-less living is the dis- Infinite Grace Ministries 580-225-0203 580-799-2964 frustration · In an average lifetime, we ease of our decade; margin is exists to teach the Good News First Baptist 301 S. Magnolia Ave, Erick Presbyterian the cure. Among other things, of God’s love for humankind. Douglas Holland, Minister spend eight months opening 1600 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City 816-726-6988 junk mail; seven years play- margin allows: Together we’ll experience life 580-225-7951 First Presbyterian Bible Study 10am Sunday ing phone tag and waiting for transformation through His Worship 11am Sunday 217 N. Washington Ave., Elk City · More time with God: Un- limitless love and mercy. Visit First Baptist 580-225-3130 latecomers. Result: Chronic 400 S. Sheb Wooley, Erick Ladies Bible Study 10am Wednes- annoyance. der constant overload, we only infinitegrace.com or call 580- 580-526-3375 day react to the pressure. Margin 774-2884. Jason Klechner, Min. Evening Open Bible Study 7pm Non-Denominational Wednesday The Way Church First Baptist 201 S. Jefferson Ave., Elk City 504 N. 4th St., Sayre Church of Christ Elk City 580-928-5518 Meets at Pioneer & Bell 580-225-5295 Elk City Community 120 S. Randall Ave., Elk City First Hispanic Baptist 580-225-1184 919 W. 8th St., Elk City Northeast Church of Christ 580-225-7901 616 N. Locust Avenue 580-225-4395 Gateway 4227 W. 3rd St., Elk City Main Street Baptist 580-225-1184 1101 N. Main St., Elk City Westside Church of Christ 580-225-3052 Curtis Newton, Min. 580-225-2938 Church of God The Link Mt. Carmal Baptist 200 S. Main, Elk City 1801 W. A Avenue, Elk City 501 W. 1st, Elk City 580-225-2061 580-225-0227 Joe Thompson, Min. Trinity Fellowship Sayre One Church Jehovah’s Witnesses 580-928-2345 200 East Broadway, Elk City 580-210-8881 Jehovah’s Witnesses 402 E. Washington Ave., Sayre Christ Ministiries Kevin Brosius (pastor) 804 W. 6th St., Elk City 580-928-9330 580-243-9708 Prairie View Baptist Lutheran I-40 & S Hwy 34, Elk City Pastor Tod Thornton Christ Lutheran 1023 W. 2nd St., Elk City Call today to support the church page! 580-225-3000