January 24, 2026 Issue, Page 4 of 13

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4• SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 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. YOU DO YOU Dixie Yoder I’ve been thinking of cliches that have become a part of our vocabulary, that we repeat without really thinking about the meaning. So, for the first few weeks of 2026, I’m going to highlight a popular phrase each week, and dig into its meaning. In modern culture, few phrases are as widely used as “you do you.” It sounds “empowering and liberating”—two popular buzzwords—encouraging authenticity and confidence. Yet beneath its appealing surface lies a message that is ultimately dangerous, spiritually shallow, and deeply selfcentered. From a biblical perspective, “you do you” is not just incomplete advice—it points us in the opposite direction of the life God calls us to live. At its core, “you do you” promotes radical selfdetermination, the idea that the highest authority in life is our own desires, preferences, and impulses. Scripture consistently warns against this mindset. Proverbs 14:12 cautions, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” The Bible does not celebrate doing whatever feels right; it warns that our instincts, left unchecked, will lead us into destruction. Human beings are not naturally inclined toward wisdom or righteousness. Jeremiah 17:9 reminds us, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” If our hearts are deceitful, then following them blindly—“doing you”— cannot be wise counsel. The phrase also encourages a selffocused worldview, where personal fulfillment becomes the ultimate goal. Yet Jesus teaches the opposite. In Matthew 16:24, He says, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” The call to discipleship is not “glorify yourself,” but “deny yourself.” Christian life is fundamentally about surrendering to our Creator, not magnified selfexpression. It is about aligning our desires with God’s will, not elevating our desires above it. “You do you” subtly implies that individual autonomy outweighs community responsibility. It suggests that as long as something feels right to me, others must accept it without question. But Scripture paints a picture of believers deeply interconnected, responsible for one another’s wellbeing. Philippians 2:3–4 instructs, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” The Christian life is outwardfacing, not inwardcurved. “You do you” encourages the opposite: a life where personal preference trumps humility, accountability, and love. The phrase also undermines the idea of moral truth. If everyone simply “does themselves,” then right and wrong become subjective. But Scripture teaches that truth is not selfgenerated; it is revealed by God. Psalm 119:105 declares, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” God’s Word— not personal preference— guides the believer’s steps. When culture says, “Follow your truth,” Scripture says, “Follow God’s truth.” Finally, “you do you” fails because it cannot deliver what it promises. It claims to lead to freedom, but selfcentered living ultimately leads to emptiness. Jesus offers a better way: “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly”(John 10:10). Abundant life is not found in selfrule but in joyful submission to the One who created us. In the end, “you do you” is appealing because it removes limits, accountability, and sacrifice. But the Christian life is built on all three. True freedom is not found in doing whatever we want; it is found in becoming who God calls us to be. The world says, “You do you.” Scripture says, “Become like Christ.” Only one of those paths leads to life. Please consider making a new beginning possible for men, women and families deeply hurt by life. For your convenience, bank auto-debit is available. Call 580-774-2884 or send your tax-deductible donation to Infinite Grace Ministries, PO Box 466, Weatherford, OK 73096. Grandview Assembly of God Pioneer and Country Club, Elk City 580-225-7742 Bryan Herrick Baptist 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 Retrop Baptist Church Intersection Hwy 6 and 55 580-303-0791 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 Great Plains Baptist Assn. 1902 Watts St., Sayre 580-928-2585 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. Fairview Baptist 312 S. Lusk Avenue, Elk City 580-225-0203 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