December 6, 2025 Issue, Page 4 of 12

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RELIGION 4• SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2025 The Elk City News Winter: A Season of Hope every purpose under the cleansing grace. Isaiah heaven.” Winter is that 1:18 declares, “Though appointed time of wait- your sins are like scarlet, ing, when the soil gathers they shall be as white as strength for the planting snow.” Hope is found in to come. Hope is born in knowing that no matter this pause, for we trust how dark or cold life may that the barrenness of to- feel, God’s loving mercy day will yield the fruit of covers us like fresh snow, tomorrow. bringing purity and re- The long nights of win- newal. ter can feel heavy, but Winter is never the they also highlight the final word. It is a sea- Dixie Yoder beauty of light. Isaiah 9:2 son that points forward, Winter is approaching, proclaims, “The people teaching us patience Area Church Directory and with it cold, dark, who walked in darkness and anticipation. Ro- and December 21, the have seen a great light; mans 8:25 says, “But if Assembly of God Prairie View Baptist Lutheran I-40 & S Hwy 34, Elk City day of the year with the those who dwelt in the we hope for what we do Pastor Tod Thornton Christ Lutheran Assembly of God 1023 W. 2nd St., Elk City least sunlight. We tend to land of the shadow of not see, we wait for it 115 W. 5th St., Erick Sunday School 9:15, Worship 10:30 Wed Prairie View Troops 3:30 580-225-2266 think of winter as a lone- death, upon them a light with patience.” The wait- Pastor: Gary Griffin Wed Prayer Meeting 6:30 ly, sad time. There is, in has shined.” This verse, ing of winter mirrors the Seventh-Day Adventist Assembly of God fact, a “disorder“ named often read during Advent, waiting of faith. Just as 7th and Locust St., Sayre Retrop Baptist Church Seventh-Day Adventist reminds us that even in we trust that spring will Intersection Hwy 6 and 55 11375 N. 1990 Rd., Elk City after winter – seasonal 580-928-4296 580-472-3472 580-303-0791 anxiety disorder –SAD the darkest season, God’s come, we trust that God’s Jimmy Blanken, Min. Service times: for short. light breaks through. promises will be fulfilled. Catholic 2:00 pm Bible Study First Assembly of God 2:50 pm Church Service Winter, with its stark Winter becomes a symbol Hope is sustained by this 2701 S. Randall , Elk City Queen of All Saints landscapes and quiet of hope because it points anticipation, by the cer- 580-225-1167 914 N. 5th St., Sayre Kevin Akins, Min. 580-928-2385 Methodist stillness, often appears to us toward Christ, the tainty that life will bloom Rev. Danny Grover be a season of dormancy Light of the World, who again. United Methodist Grandview Assembly of God 702 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk and waiting. Trees stand came into human histo- Scripture assures us Pioneer and Country Club, Elk City St. Mathews Catholic 3001 E. Hwy 66, Elk City City bare, fields lie fallow, and ry to change our longing that God works in every 580-225-7742 580-225-0262 Bryan Herrick 580-225-0066 the air carries a chill that and silence. season, even in the qui- Rev. Danny Grover Scott Rodgers, Rev. seems to slow the rhythm Though the fields look et and cold. As Psalm Baptist Christian United Methodist of life. Yet beneath this bare, winter is not wast- 147:16–17 beautiful- Antioch Christian 320 S. Magnoliea St., Erick apparent stillness lies a ed. Beneath the frozen ly says, “He gives snow Great Plains Baptist Assn. 580-526-3949 1902 Watts St., Sayre 3200 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City profound truth: winter is ground, seeds lie dor- like wool; He scatters 580-928-2585 580-243-0066 Jeff McDowell United Methodist a season of hope. It is a mant, waiting for the the frost like ashes. He Calvary Baptist Church 802 N. 4th St., Sayre • 580-928-2146 time when creation rests, warmth of spring. Jesus casts forth His ice like 1018 W B Avenue, Elk City Christian Church Sun School: 9:30 AM/Worship:10:45 preparing for renewal, used agricultural imagery morsels…” Yet the psalm 580-225-5344 1 S. Walnut, Erick Nazarene and when faith reminds to describe hope and re- continues by affirming Pastor Brad Hyatt 580-526-3284 Sunday Worship 11 am First Church of The Nazarene us that light will always newal: “Unless a grain of God’s power to send His Wednesday 6 pm First Christian Church 816 W. 6th St., Elk City return after darkness. wheat falls into the earth word and melt the ice, (Diciples of Christ) 580-225-2026 and dies, it remains alone; bringing life once more. Central Missionary Baptist 1500 N. Randall, Elk City Rev. Andrew Dages Scripture offers rich im- 1205 W. B Avenue, Elk City 580-225-7801 agery that helps us see but if it dies, it bears Winter is hope embod- 580-225-0212 Pentecostal winter not as an end, but much fruit” (John 12:24). ied: a reminder that after First Christian as a promise of new be- Winter embodies this every cold night comes Eastside Baptist 1601 N. 4th St., Sayre Grace Temple 421 N. Booth Avenue, Elk City 580-928-3639 601 W. 20th St, Elk City ginnings. truth. What looks lifeless the dawn, and after every 580-225-0742 Lindell & Nequita Brown, Pastors Winter teaches us the is actually the beginning winter comes the spring. Chase Brower, Min. Church of Christ importance of rest. Just of transformation. Hope Infinite Grace Minis- Church of Christ Iglesia Evangelica Cristo Es La Fairview Baptist 216 N. Adams Ave., Elk City Pena as the earth pauses from is not always visible, but tries exists to share hope 600 W. Main, Elk City 312 S. Lusk Avenue, Elk City 580-225-0718 its labor, so too are we in- it is always present. in dark times. Your year- 580-225-0203 Gantt Carter, Min. Pastor, Jose Reyes vited to embrace stillness. We don’t usually have end gift enables us to 580-799-2964 Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds much snow in Oklahoma reach farther. Go to inifi- First Baptist 301 S. Magnolia Ave, Erick 1600 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City Douglas Holland, Minister Presbyterian us, “To everything there winters, but snow, with its nitegrace.com and click 580-225-7951 816-726-6988 is a season, and a time to pristine whiteness, offers the DONATE button to Bible Study 10am Sunday First Presbyterian a vivid picture of God’s help us share Truth! 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