March 22, 2025 Issue, Page 4 of 12

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RELIGION 4• SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 2025 The Elk City News MARCH: OPTIMISM MONTH and far more than that, riv- curately and remain consis- ers of living water! (John tently pessimistic. 7:38) God does not offer We cannot know God puny, half-full cups to His intimately and continue in children! self-pitiful complaining. Too often we rely on how We cannot know God as we feel about people and cir- infinitely unlimited and live cumstances to determine in perpetual fear and anxiety. our mindset. God says our mindset is to be determined The prophet Habakkuk by who He is, and who He has faced tremendous cultural Area Church Directory made us to be in Christ. and economic upheaval. He The mind focused on described his determined, Assembly of God Sunday School 9:15, Worship 10:30 Wed Prairie View Troops 3:30 580-225-2266 people’s right or wrong be- chosen mindset: “I heard, Dixie Yoder Wed Prayer Meeting 6:30 havior will always produce and my whole inner self Assembly of God Seventh-Day Adventist the complaining, pessimis- trembled…my lips quivered, 115 W. 5th St., Erick Did you know that March is Pastor: Gary Griffin Retrop Baptist Church Seventh-Day Adventist National Optimism Month? tic “half empty” attitude. and down to my feet, I trem- Intersection Hwy 6 and 55 11375 N. 1990 Rd., Elk City The self-determined bled. I will wait quietly for 580-303-0791 580-472-3472 Ironically, March 9 is also Na- Assembly of God Service times: tional Panic Day! This seems mindset elevates the think- the day of trouble and distress 7th and Locust St., Sayre Catholic 2:00 pm Bible Study to express our confused per- ing slightly to “the glass is when (the Assyrians) invade 580-928-4296 Queen of All Saints 2:50 pm Church Service half-full”. and oppress my people. But Jimmy Blanken, Min. spective of what it means to 914 N. 5th St., Sayre “look on the sunny side!” The mind focused on though the fig tree does not First Assembly of God 580-928-2385 Methodist I am determinedly and God and what He is doing, blossom, and there is no fruit 2701 S. Randall , Elk City Rev. Danny Grover United Methodist intentionally hopeful about even in the middle of diffi- on the vines; though the fields 580-225-1167 702 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk St. Mathews Catholic life. I was carefully trained cult things, will have abun- yield no food, the flock is cut Kevin Akins, Min. 3001 E. Hwy 66, Elk City City by optimistic parents to ‘on dant, flowing rivers of true off and there are no cattle in 580-225-0066 580-225-0262 Grandview Assembly of God purpose’ look for the best in hope—a confident expec- the stalls, yet I will rejoice in Pioneer and Country Club, Elk City Rev. Danny Grover Scott Rodgers, Rev. any situation. I’ve often had tation of good from God the Lord. I will exalt in the 580-225-7742 Christian United Methodist to choose that attitude as an who is only good. victorious God of my salva- Bryan Herrick 320 S. Magnoliea St., Erick Antioch Christian adult when circumstances are tion! For the Lord God is my 3200 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City 580-526-3949 very difficult, and people are Pessimism, positive-think- Strength, my personal brav- Baptist 580-243-0066 sometimes annoyed because ing-optimism and opti-pes- ery and my invincible army. Jeff McDowell United Methodist Great Plains Baptist Assn. 802 N. 4th St., Sayre • 580-928-2146 they think I’m not being re- simism are all flawed thought He will cause me to walk— 1902 Watts St., Sayre Christian Church Sun School: 9:30 AM/Worship:10:45 alistic. Many believe if they patterns learned from imper- not stand still in terror—but 580-928-2585 1 S. Walnut, Erick Nazarene expect the worst, they’ll never fect people in a sin-broken to walk and make progress in 580-526-3284 world; driven by unstable the high places of trouble and Bible Baptist Church be disappointed. 1018 W. B Avenue, Elk City First Church of The Nazarene Two conflicting life per- circumstances and emotions. suffering. (Habakkuk 3:16-19 First Christian Church 816 W. 6th St., Elk City 580-225-5344 580-225-2026 spectives often cause friction A foundation of fluctuating AMP) (Diciples of Christ) 1500 N. Randall, Elk City Rev. Andrew Dages as the pessimistic “glass-half- feelings and situations makes Central Missionary Baptist 580-225-7801 empty” proponents clash it impossible to maintain a Infinite Grace Ministries 1205 W. B Avenue, Elk City 580-225-0212 Pentecostal with the “glass-half-full” peo- consistent positive attitude. replaces destructive, hope- First Christian ple. There’s a third, seldom True optimism, joy and con- less, complaining thought 1601 N. 4th St., Sayre Grace Temple Eastside Baptist 601 W. 20th St, Elk City acknowledged category: the fidence cannot become a habits with hope and confi- 421 N. Booth Avenue, Elk City 580-928-3639 Lindell & Nequita Brown, Pastors opti-pessimists in the middle life-habit unless it’s based on dence by focusing on God’s 580-225-0742 Church of Christ who consider the “glass-half- the unchangeable, infinite na- great goodness and tender Chase Brower, Min. Church of Christ Iglesia Evangelica Cristo Es La full-of-emptiness.” ture of God. love. By praying and giving fi- 216 N. Adams Ave., Elk City Pena Fairview Baptist 600 W. Main, Elk City Which attitude is correct? nancially, you are an essential 312 S. Lusk Avenue, Elk City 580-225-0718 Growing in intimacy with part of this ministry of hope. Gantt Carter, Min. Pastor, Jose Reyes Really, none of the three is 580-225-0203 580-799-2964 Biblically accurate. There God; knowing Him more Please consider Infinite Grace 301 S. Magnolia Ave, Erick are no specific references to fully and accurately, accord- Ministries in your year-round First Baptist Douglas Holland, Minister Presbyterian ing to His own description giving! Your generosity is an 1600 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City “half-empty”, “half-full”; cer- 580-225-7951 816-726-6988 tainly not “half-full of emp- of Himself, increases hope— eternal investment in this and Bible Study 10am Sunday First Presbyterian the confident expectation of future generations. Call 580- Worship 11am Sunday 217 N. Washington Ave., Elk City tiness”! But there are many First Baptist 580-225-3130 good. 774-2884 for information Ladies Bible Study 10am Wednes- references to a cup so full it 400 S. Sheb Wooley, Erick day is running over (Psalm 23:5), We cannot know God ac- about convenient auto-debit. 580-526-3375 Evening Open Bible Study 7pm Non-Denominational Jason Klechner, Min. 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