November 8, 2025 Issue, Page 4 of 20

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RELIGION 4• SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2025 The Elk City News EASIER IS SELDOM BETTER cannot effectively accom- of discomfort and difficul- plish God’s work on earth ty. Always looking for the because their focus is on path of least resistance— self, not God. Difficult the “easy button”—keeps circumstances—always us from soaring fully into caused by sin, not God— God’s best for us. present us with the oppor- tunity to choose to focus King David acknowl- on God, just as Adam and edged the benefit accrued Eve were allowed to choose while enduring sin-caused in Eden. Our choices, not difficulties: “Before I was our circumstances, deter- afflicted I went astray, mine whether we grow but after I was afflicted, up or continue in childish I keep receiving, loving, Dixie Yoder frustration and anger. and obeying Your Word.” Working with people (Psalm 119:67) David ac- James 1:3-4; Hebrews knowledged that God’s Area Church Directory who struggle with difficult life situations, I often hear 10:36: “Understand that role in affliction is to help! trials simply produce “The Lord helps the afflict- Assembly of God Prairie View Baptist Lutheran statements like this: “Dr. I-40 & S Hwy 34, Elk City Dixie, I am so frustrated proof that your faith ex- ed but brings the wicked Pastor Tod Thornton Christ Lutheran Assembly of God 1023 W. 2nd St., Elk City by how hard things are! ists by bringing out en- to the ground.” (Ps 147:6) 115 W. 5th St., Erick Sunday School 9:15, Worship 10:30 durance, steadfastness and It’s important to recognize Wed Prairie View Troops 3:30 580-225-2266 Parenting is hard, work is Pastor: Gary Griffin patience... now you let this that God works in afflic- Wed Prayer Meeting 6:30 hard, marriage is hard… Seventh-Day Adventist everything is hard. I don’t do a thorough work, so tion, but is never the au- Assembly of God Retrop Baptist Church Seventh-Day Adventist that you’ll be fully devel- thor or source of it. If we 7th and Locust St., Sayre 11375 N. 1990 Rd., Elk City think I signed up for this!” 580-928-4296 Intersection Hwy 6 and 55 oped, lacking in nothing… are suspicious that God 580-303-0791 580-472-3472 Jimmy Blanken, Min. Service times: We Americans relent- for you need steadfast pa- is the cause, we won’t be Catholic 2:00 pm Bible Study lessly pursue easy be- tience and endurance, so able to trust Him to help First Assembly of God 2:50 pm Church Service Queen of All Saints cause we believe “easy” that you may fully accom- us move through the dif- 2701 S. Randall , Elk City 914 N. 5th St., Sayre plish the will of God, and ficulty. 580-225-1167 Methodist and “better” are the same. Kevin Akins, Min. 580-928-2385 This attitude is summed thus receive fully what is Rev. Danny Grover promised.” Every person “signed United Methodist up in a commercial for of- Grandview Assembly of God 702 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk up for this” simply by be- Pioneer and Country Club, Elk City St. Mathews Catholic fice products that features 3001 E. Hwy 66, Elk City City an “easy button”. Push A strength trainer de- ing born into the human 580-225-7742 580-225-0066 580-225-0262 velops stronger muscles by race on a sin-broken earth. Bryan Herrick Scott Rodgers, Rev. the button and PRESTO! Rev. Danny Grover All problems are solved. lifting increasingly heavier No matter how or through Baptist Christian weights. In the same way, whom the hard things United Methodist Grimm’s Fairy Tales and 320 S. Magnoliea St., Erick greater spiritual and emo- come, God promises to be Great Plains Baptist Assn. Antioch Christian 30-minute sit-coms rein- 3200 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City 580-526-3949 force the lie that there is a tional endurance grows at work in each one for our 1902 Watts St., Sayre 580-243-0066 as we respond in a Godly benefit—not to make life 580-928-2585 United Methodist magic word, wand or pill Jeff McDowell that will fix everything in way to adversity. When we easy, but better, by bring- Calvary Baptist Church 802 N. 4th St., Sayre • 580-928-2146 escape into TV, internet, ing us to full maturity. 1018 W B Avenue, Elk City Christian Church Sun School: 9:30 AM/Worship:10:45 an instant, with no effort 580-225-5344 food or drugs in an at- 1 S. Walnut, Erick Nazarene or change on our part. Pastor Brad Hyatt 580-526-3284 tempt to avoid discomfort; Infinite Grace Ministries Sunday Worship 11 am First Church of The Nazarene We quickly become of- or when we push our per- exists to help members of Wednesday 6 pm First Christian Church 816 W. 6th St., Elk City fended and disappointed sonal responsibilities onto Christ’s body, the church, (Diciples of Christ) 580-225-2026 others, we stay self-cen- to reach new levels of Central Missionary Baptist 1500 N. Randall, Elk City Rev. Andrew Dages when we discover life re- 1205 W. B Avenue, Elk City tered and immature; spir- spiritual maturity and sta- 580-225-7801 ally doesn’t have an “easy 580-225-0212 Pentecostal button”; that we have to itually “flabby” and weak. bility. In a violent and un- First Christian exert more effort than we stable world, knowing the Eastside Baptist 1601 N. 4th St., Sayre Grace Temple want to in order to get Power and resistance are unchangeability of God 421 N. Booth Avenue, Elk City 580-928-3639 601 W. 20th St, Elk City two essential ingredients is essential for living in 580-225-0742 Lindell & Nequita Brown, Pastors what we think we deserve. Chase Brower, Min. Church of Christ But the Bible indicates that for flight. As the engines peace! Call 580-774-2884 Iglesia Evangelica Cristo Es La Church of Christ an untried, unchallenged push the aircraft against for your personal appoint- Fairview Baptist 216 N. Adams Ave., Elk City Pena life always produces a lack the wind, lift is created and ment today. 312 S. Lusk Avenue, Elk City 580-225-0718 600 W. Main, Elk City of spiritual and emotional the plane soars into the 580-225-0203 Gantt Carter, Min. Pastor, Jose Reyes sky. The awesome power of Send your questions and 580-799-2964 tenacity. First Baptist the Holy Spirit cannot op- comments to: 301 S. Magnolia Ave, Erick 1600 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City Douglas Holland, Minister Presbyterian Untested, weak believers erate when we continually Dr. Dixie Yoder 580-225-7951 816-726-6988 who lack determination try to travel “downwind”, [email protected] Bible Study 10am Sunday First Presbyterian sidestepping the resistance First Baptist Worship 11am Sunday 217 N. Washington Ave., Elk City 400 S. Sheb Wooley, Erick Ladies Bible Study 10am Wednes- 580-225-3130 580-526-3375 day Jason Klechner, Min. Evening Open Bible Study 7pm Non-Denominational Wednesday First Baptist The Way Church 504 N. 4th St., Sayre Church of Christ Elk City 201 S. Jefferson Ave., Elk City 580-928-5518 Meets at Pioneer & Bell 580-225-5295 Elk City Community First Hispanic Baptist 120 S. Randall Ave., Elk City 919 W. 8th St., Elk City Northeast Church of Christ 580-225-1184 580-225-7901 616 N. Locust Avenue 580-225-4395 Gateway 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. Mt. Carmal Baptist Church of God The Link 1801 W. A Avenue, Elk City 501 W. 1st, Elk City 200 S. Main, Elk City 580-225-2061 580-225-0227 Joe Thompson, Min. Trinity Fellowship One Church Sayre 200 East Broadway, Elk City Jehovah’s Witnesses 580-928-2345 580-210-8881 Jehovah’s Witnesses Kevin Brosius (pastor) 402 E. Washington Ave., Sayre Christ Ministiries 580-928-9330 804 W. 6th St., Elk City 580-243-9708 Call today to support the church page! 580-225-3000