March 8, 2025 Issue, Page 4 of 10

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RELIGION 4• SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2025 The Elk City News SIGNIFICANCE FIRST — SAFETY SECOND hear about, including pro- the center of God’s will miscuous sex, drug use and had nothing to do with extreme sports like volca- safeness, convenience and no-boarding, train-surf- comfort. Rather it meant ing and cliff-diving, is a walking with integrity, backlash against the un- making the character of reasonable restrictions God visible to others, no of over-protection; it’s a matter what the circum- bored, foolish, destructive stances or results. Corrie attempt to fulfill our bold lived to tell the story; Bet- and daring design. sie did not. For Christians, the con- If we believe “safety in flict between significance the center of God’s will” Dixie Yoder and safety arises because means God wants us to be Area Church Directory A frustrated reader sent we’ve heard the Truth: wherever we’re most com- this email: “Dr. Dixie, it when Jesus writes our life fortable, or where we most Sunday School 9:15, Worship 10:30 feels like I am being “pro- story, it will ultimately, feel like being, we’ll per- Assembly of God Wed Prairie View Troops 3:30 580-225-2266 tected” almost out of exis- safely end in “happily ever sistently pursue the path of Assembly of God Wed Prayer Meeting 6:30 Seventh-Day Adventist tence. I’m being told how after.” But this is frequent- least resistance, remaining 115 W. 5th St., Erick Seventh-Day Adventist Retrop Baptist Church much bacteria is in my ly misunderstood as some- weak and afraid. We must Pastor: Gary Griffin Intersection Hwy 6 and 55 11375 N. 1990 Rd., Elk City kitchen sink, and whether thing that should happen ask, where would Chris- 580-303-0791 580-472-3472 Assembly of God Service times: I should have a tornado fully here on earth. Even tianity be if the disciples 7th and Locust St., Sayre Catholic when difficult life experi- had pursued safety rather 2:00 pm Bible Study shelter or not. ‘It (a hor- 580-928-4296 2:50 pm Church Service ences prove it’s not true, we than significant, construc- Queen of All Saints rific disaster) could hap- Jimmy Blanken, Min. 914 N. 5th St., Sayre pen tomorrow!’ speculates believe “God must be mad tive risk? Where will it be 580-928-2385 Methodist at me.” We half-heartedly in the next generation if First Assembly of God a so-called educational 2701 S. Randall , Elk City Rev. Danny Grover program that is watched hope that Jesus will come safety and comfort becomes United Methodist 580-225-1167 702 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk by American students. through for us, sort of like the ultimate goal of modern Kevin Akins, Min. St. Mathews Catholic 3001 E. Hwy 66, Elk City City Yesterday a store greeter Superman. After all, if Christianity? 580-225-0262 580-225-0066 instructed me ‘you have God exists to ensure our Grandview Assembly of God Rev. Danny Grover Scott Rodgers, Rev. safety, convenience and God is ultimate signifi- Pioneer and Country Club, Elk City a safe day now!’ What if I comfort, He will surely al- cance. We find our signif- 580-225-7742 Christian United Methodist want to have a significant- Bryan Herrick ways “show up” just in time icance in the intimacy and Antioch Christian 320 S. Magnoliea St., Erick ly productive day? This 580-526-3949 to save us from harm. joy of relationship with Baptist 3200 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City “safety first” culture won’t 580-243-0066 allow me to pursue that—I Him; collaborating with Jeff McDowell United Methodist But good men and wom- Him; concluding that it’s Great Plains Baptist Assn. might actually have to be 1902 Watts St., Sayre 802 N. 4th St., Sayre • 580-928-2146 uncomfortable or take a en die doing right: many best to be wherever God Christian Church Sun School: 9:30 AM/Worship:10:45 580-928-2585 risk!” who make heroic choices wants us to be, even far 1 S. Walnut, Erick Nazarene don’t live to tell their own beyond our comfort zone. Bible Baptist Church 580-526-3284 First Church of The Nazarene Ours is a confused cul- story. Observing that re- He loves us, and wants us 1018 W. B Avenue, Elk City First Christian Church 816 W. 6th St., Elk City ality, we shrink back anx- to trust Him for provision 580-225-5344 ture; obsessed with safety (Diciples of Christ) 580-225-2026 on one hand, and “no lim- iously from the productive and strength, as we risk the 1500 N. Randall, Elk City Rev. Andrew Dages Central Missionary Baptist its” on the other. In the risk that furthers the King- loss of safe, comfortable 1205 W. B Avenue, Elk City 580-225-7801 cultural rush to eliminate dom of God. convenience to expand His 580-225-0212 Pentecostal First Christian all risk and discomfort, Kingdom. 1601 N. 4th St., Sayre Grace Temple “It’s always safest in the Infinite Grace Minis- Eastside Baptist our God-given incentive to 421 N. Booth Avenue, Elk City 580-928-3639 601 W. 20th St, Elk City explore and push construc- center of God’s will.” Ho- tries exists to teach that we Lindell & Nequita Brown, Pastors 580-225-0742 Church of Christ tively beyond our known locaust survivor Corrie can trust the infinite love Chase Brower, Min. Church of Christ Iglesia Evangelica Cristo Es La boundaries has been terri- ten Boom recounted in and mercy of God. Be- Pena 216 N. Adams Ave., Elk City bly hindered. Human be- The Hiding Place how her cause God is faithful and Fairview Baptist 580-225-0718 600 W. Main, Elk City sister, Betsie, encouraged good, we can trust Him to 312 S. Lusk Avenue, Elk City ings, created in the image 580-225-0203 Gantt Carter, Min. Pastor, Jose Reyes of God, are predisposed to her with these words of strengthen us to be bold, 580-799-2964 pursue productive risk. We hope as they suffered star- courageous, and to ex- First Baptist 301 S. Magnolia Ave, Erick Presbyterian vation and constant threat plore, advancing through Douglas Holland, Minister are designed to find a por- 1600 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City 816-726-6988 tion of our significance in of death in Hitler’s Aus- necessary risk. Call 580- 580-225-7951 Bible Study 10am Sunday First Presbyterian progress and productivity. chwitz. For these women, 774-2884 for more infor- Worship 11am Sunday 217 N. Washington Ave., Elk City First Baptist 580-225-3130 enduring punishment for mation, and to find how 400 S. Sheb Wooley, Erick Ladies Bible Study 10am Wednes- The non-productive hiding Jews in their home, you can be part of this im- 580-526-3375 day risk-taking we continually the promise of safety in portant ministry. 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