July 19, 2025 Issue, Page 4 of 10

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RELIGION 4• SATURDAY, JULY 19, 2025 The Elk City News Emotional Boa Constrictors that feel so familiar gradual- In the beginning, human- ly squeeze life and hope out kind’s only natural enemy, of relationships. Joined to Lucifer, appeared in the form Christ, believers are the only of a beautiful, cunning ser- natural enemy of the satan pent and entered the sinless and his destructive forces. Garden. The first couple had In Christ, the satan has been been given authority over the defeated and we stand victo- entire earth and every living rious. creature God had created (Genesis 1:28-29). That au- Not everyone goes phys- Area Church Directory thority included angels, also ically into the Everglades to created by God. Adam and hunt snakes, but everyone af- Sunday School 9:15, Worship 10:30 Eve had the authority to send fected by the Everglades ecol- Assembly of God Wed Prairie View Troops 3:30 580-225-2266 Dixie Yoder the serpent and the fallen an- ogy and economy is involved Wed Prayer Meeting 6:30 Assembly of God Seventh-Day Adventist I do not like snakes! I’ve gel, Lucifer, out of Eden. in some way: 115 W. 5th St., Erick Seventh-Day Adventist everyone’s tax dollars sup- Pastor: Gary Griffin Retrop Baptist Church heard the good things experts Intersection Hwy 6 and 55 11375 N. 1990 Rd., Elk City say about snakes—they’re The first couple had com- port the fight 580-303-0791 580-472-3472 plete freedom to eat from many call the experts to re- Assembly of God Service times: ecologically necessary and 7th and Locust St., Sayre Catholic every tree in Eden, except port where a snake has been 2:00 pm Bible Study beneficial. Many have beauti- 580-928-4296 2:50 pm Church Service one. But because not having sighted Queen of All Saints ful designs and colors in their Jimmy Blanken, Min. 914 N. 5th St., Sayre scales. And there are even that one thing made them some go through the train- Methodist First Assembly of God 580-928-2385 people who insist they make feel cheated, and the thought ing necessary for a support- Rev. Danny Grover of more produced a sense of ing role in the war against the 2701 S. Randall , Elk City United Methodist good pets. 580-225-1167 excitement, the first couple snakes such as training and St. Mathews Catholic 702 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk Kevin Akins, Min. City failed to stop the entrance record keeping. 3001 E. Hwy 66, Elk City Snakes—reptiles in gen- 580-225-0066 580-225-0262 eral—simply give me the of sin, rebellion, disobedi- Grandview Assembly of God Scott Rodgers, Rev. Pioneer and Country Club, Elk City Rev. Danny Grover creeps. A friend of mind ence and selfishness. Sin has We don’t all fight the emo- multiplied rapidly over the tional boas the same way— 580-225-7742 Christian United Methodist speculates that most people Bryan Herrick centuries: invading cultures but fight we must! And we Antioch Christian 320 S. Magnoliea St., Erick hate snakes because of the 580-526-3949 that make no effort to halt its must be sure we’re fighting Baptist 3200 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City Garden of Eden. I think I 580-243-0066 dislike them because they spread. the right thing. When we United Methodist Great Plains Baptist Assn. Jeff McDowell look slimy (I know they aren’t fight against people, the battle 802 N. 4th St., Sayre • 580-928-2146 A boa kills by wrapping is misplaced because we can’t 1902 Watts St., Sayre Sun School: 9:30 AM/Worship:10:45 really) and some are poison- 580-928-2585 Christian Church ous. However, the creature itself around its prey, tight- change other people. The real 1 S. Walnut, Erick Nazarene ening and squeezing until battle is between our own 580-526-3284 in Eden is called a serpent; Bible Baptist Church First Church of The Nazarene never a snake, and apparently breath is gone. Some pet ears: choosing consistently to 1018 W. B Avenue, Elk City 816 W. 6th St., Elk City 580-225-5344 First Christian Church had little in common with the owners have been killed by believe what God says is true, (Diciples of Christ) 580-225-2026 snakes we are familiar with. snakes they had fed and han- when it doesn’t feel true, and 1500 N. Randall, Elk City Rev. Andrew Dages Central Missionary Baptist dled from very small. They rejecting the satan’s lie when it 1205 W. B Avenue, Elk City 580-225-7801 Animal Planet’s show from incorrectly believed that does feel true. 580-225-0212 Pentecostal “their snake” was different, First Christian the ‘90’s, Swamp Wars, fol- 1601 N. 4th St., Sayre Grace Temple placing trust in a creature Infinite Grace Ministries Eastside Baptist lowed wildlife experts bat- 421 N. Booth Avenue, Elk City 580-928-3639 601 W. 20th St, Elk City tling to keep the Everglades whose inherent wild nature exists to teach the Good News Lindell & Nequita Brown, Pastors had never changed. of God’s love for humankind. 580-225-0742 Church of Christ from being overtaken by Chase Brower, Min. Iglesia Evangelica Cristo Es La Our desire is to plant hope Church of Christ pythons and boa constric- 216 N. Adams Ave., Elk City Pena tors that have been released Worry, hatred, disappoint- and encouragement in peo- Fairview Baptist 600 W. Main, Elk City 312 S. Lusk Avenue, Elk City 580-225-0718 into the wild over the years ment, bitterness, jealousy, ple: those who already know Gantt Carter, Min. Pastor, Jose Reyes envy and rage are destructive God personally, and those 580-225-0203 580-799-2964 and are rapidly multiplying. Because the boas have been emotional boa constrictors who are still skeptical about First Baptist 301 S. Magnolia Ave, Erick Presbyterian that roam freely and begin His existence or goodness. Douglas Holland, Minister introduced into an environ- 1600 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City 816-726-6988 ment with no natural preda- to wrap around us soon after Together we’ll experience life 580-225-7951 First Presbyterian Bible Study 10am Sunday tors, it has become necessary birth. As they grow bigger, transformation through the Worship 11am Sunday 217 N. Washington Ave., Elk City fed by our ignorance of how limitless love and mercy of First Baptist 580-225-3130 for people to fight to keep 400 S. Sheb Wooley, Erick Ladies Bible Study 10am Wednes- their numbers and influence to diminish their strength, God. Visit infinitegrace.com 580-526-3375 day in check. the emotional constrictions or call 580-774-2884. 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