January 17, 2026 Issue, Page 4 of 13

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4• SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 2026 RELIGION The Elk City News Area Church Directory Assembly of God Assembly of God 115 W. 5th St., Erick Pastor: Gary Griffin Assembly of God 7th and Locust St., Sayre 580-928-4296 Jimmy Blanken, Min. First Assembly of God 2701 S. Randall , Elk City 580-225-1167 Kevin Akins, Min. EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON grow old and die. Dixie Yoder A comment I hear often is “everything happens for a reason.” This general statement, while certainly meant compassionately, is so indefinite it offers very little comfort. People often don’t know what to say when faced with painful situations, and feel comfortable repeating “everything happens for a reason” because we’ve heard it repeatedly and believe it’s somewhere in the Bible! However, this statement more accurately fits gnostic Eastern fatalism not Christian faith in God’s goodness. Every indefinite statement contains a bit of truth. Certainly there’s a reason for everything, but expressed so vaguely, the “reason” becomes whatever anyone wants it to be. The question that follows is, “What is God’s reason for allowing this bad thing?” This unfortunately implies that God is to blame for consequences of our sinful choices, or the presence of sin in the world. The overall reason for life’s difficulties is simple: sin. Sin is why work is hard and never enough. Sin is why people selfishly hurt themselves and others. Sin is why we hurt physically, Because there simply isn’t any way for finite human beings to fully grasp the complex and infinitely loving activity of infinite God, we try to explain our circumstances with vague clichés that we’re hard pressed to defend Biblically if challenged. Often, because we haven’t learned about the power given to us in Christ, we fail to diminish the impact of sin by using our God-given authority. Instead of, “Why would God allow this?” we should ask, “Why did I allow or choose this?” Difficult things happen because sin contaminates every atom of our world. God’s merciful power guarantees that benefit will come out of every situation for those who have said ‘yes’ to God’s salvation: receiving God’s love; choosing, talking and acting more like Jesus every day. (Romans 8:28) Scripture frequently addresses the role of trials and temptations in spiritual and emotional maturity. The issue is never the intensity of the difficulty; but rather how we choose to respond to God and others in the difficulty. James 1:12-18: “Let no one say when tried, ‘I am tempted from God; for God is incapable of being tempted by evil and He Himself tempts no one.’ Rather, every person is tempted… enticed and baited by his own evil lust and passion. When evil desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin. Sin, fully matured, brings forth death. Do not be mis- led…Every good, perfect and free gift is from above; coming from the Father of all who gives light; in the shining of Whom there can be no rising, setting, or shadow cast by His turning…It was of His own free will that He gave us birth as sons…” Grandview Assembly of God Pioneer and Country Club, Elk City 580-225-7742 Bryan Herrick Baptist Catholic Queen of All Saints 914 N. 5th St., Sayre 580-928-2385 Rev. Danny Grover St. Mathews Catholic 3001 E. Hwy 66, Elk City 580-225-0066 Rev. Danny Grover Christian Antioch Christian 3200 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City 580-243-0066 Jeff McDowell Calvary Baptist Church 1018 W B Avenue, Elk City 580-225-5344 Pastor Brad Hyatt Sunday Worship 11 am Wednesday 6 pm Christian Church 1 S. Walnut, Erick 580-526-3284 Central Missionary Baptist 1205 W. B Avenue, Elk City 580-225-0212 Eastside Baptist 421 N. Booth Avenue, Elk City 580-225-0742 Chase Brower, Min. God is always good; working for our benefit in every situation God never fails to keep His Word God is inherently holy. He works within the evil caused by sin, but never instigates evildoing. Fairview Baptist 312 S. Lusk Avenue, Elk City 580-225-0203 Please consider making a new beginning possible for men, women and families deeply hurt by life. Many in crisis cannot pay for this essential Biblical Guidance ministry. Your financial gift to Infinite Grace Ministries reduces your tax liability while providing hope and healing to many. For your convenience, bank auto-debit is available. Call 580-774-2884 or send your donation to Infinite Grace Ministries, PO Box 466, Weatherford, OK 73096. Retrop Baptist Church Intersection Hwy 6 and 55 580-303-0791 Great Plains Baptist Assn. 1902 Watts St., Sayre 580-928-2585 There are unchangeable spiritual principles we can always count on: God’s perfect, righteous character never changes. When we hear the statement, “everything happens for a reason,” we can confidently say, “The reason every bad thing happens is sin. The reason good comes from every bad thing is that God loves us and is always faithful to do His good work, helping us grow up. That’s the reason.” Prairie View Baptist I-40 & S Hwy 34, Elk City Pastor Tod Thornton Sunday School 9:15, Worship 10:30 Wed Prairie View Troops 3:30 Wed Prayer Meeting 6:30 First Baptist 1600 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City 580-225-7951 First Baptist 400 S. Sheb Wooley, Erick 580-526-3375 Jason Klechner, Min. First Baptist 504 N. 4th St., Sayre 580-928-5518 First Christian Church (Diciples of Christ) 1500 N. Randall, Elk City 580-225-7801 First Christian 1601 N. 4th St., Sayre 580-928-3639 Church of Christ Church of Christ 216 N. Adams Ave., Elk City 580-225-0718 Gantt Carter, Min. 301 S. Magnolia Ave, Erick Douglas Holland, Minister 816-726-6988 Bible Study 10am Sunday Worship 11am Sunday Ladies Bible Study 10am Wednesday Evening Open Bible Study 7pm Wednesday Lutheran Christ Lutheran 1023 W. 2nd St., Elk City 580-225-2266 Seventh-Day Adventist Seventh-Day Adventist 11375 N. 1990 Rd., Elk City 580-472-3472 Service times: 2:00 pm Bible Study 2:50 pm Church Service Methodist United Methodist 702 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City 580-225-0262 Scott Rodgers, Rev. United Methodist 320 S. Magnoliea St., Erick 580-526-3949 United Methodist 802 N. 4th St., Sayre • 580-928-2146 Sun School: 9:30 AM/Worship:10:45 Nazarene First Church of The Nazarene 816 W. 6th St., Elk City 580-225-2026 Rev. Andrew Dages Pentecostal Grace Temple 601 W. 20th St, Elk City Lindell & Nequita Brown, Pastors Iglesia Evangelica Cristo Es La Pena 600 W. Main, Elk City Pastor, Jose Reyes 580-799-2964 Presbyterian First Presbyterian 217 N. Washington Ave., Elk City 580-225-3130 Non-Denominational The Way Church 201 S. Jefferson Ave., Elk City Church of Christ Elk City Meets at Pioneer & Bell 580-501-0175 [email protected] Elk City Community 120 S. Randall Ave., Elk City 580-225-1184 Main Street Baptist 1101 N. Main St., Elk City 580-225-2938 Westside Church of Christ 580-225-3052 Gateway 4227 W. 3rd St., Elk City 580-225-1184 Curtis Newton, Min. Mt. Carmal Baptist 1801 W. A Avenue, Elk City 580-225-2061 Church of God 501 W. 1st, Elk City 580-225-0227 Joe Thompson, Min. First Hispanic Baptist 919 W. 8th St., Elk City 580-225-7901 One Church 200 East Broadway, Elk City 580-210-8881 Kevin Brosius (pastor) Jehovah’s Witnesses Jehovah’s Witnesses 402 E. Washington Ave., Sayre 580-928-9330 The Link 200 S. Main, Elk City Trinity Fellowship Sayre 580-928-2345 Christ Ministiries 804 W. 6th St., Elk City 580-243-9708 SUPPORT & RECOVERY RESOURCES AA-Elk City Original Group– 113 Meadow Ridge Dr Suite K, Elk City–M-F at noon & M,W,F,S,Su at 7pm AA-Elk City Southside Group– 105 Meadow Ridge Dr, Elk City, Nightly at 7pm NA-Elk City– 100 S. Monroe Ave, Suite 18, Elk City, Nightly at 7pm CR - The Link Church - 200 S. Main St, Elk City, Mon at 7pm CR - Great Plains Baptist Association- 1906 N Watts, Sayre - Th 6:30 SUBSCRIBE TODAY Current news and great deals delivered right to your door! Call today to support the church page! 580-225-3000