November 1, 2025 Issue, Page 4 of 12

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RELIGION 4• SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2025 The Elk City News HALLOWE’EN England, where the poor for people to hand out to would beg attendees for trick-or-treaters food and threaten mischief if food was withheld. Many object to Hal- Hallow means sanctify or lowe’en celebrations be- make holy. However, even cause of its ghoulish, pagan as Christian missionaries roots, and for Christians, tried to make All Saints there are certainly more Day the focus of celebra- beneficial events to com- tion, the ghoulish pagan- memorate, but I think ism of Samhain remained, we’re missing three subtle, and the observance of All but extremely powerful, Hallows Eve as a celebra- dangers of Hallowe’en: tion of the disembodied Dixie Yoder dead prevailed. Gifts of This over-indulgence of The origins of Hallowe’en food and drink were placed sugar that lasts far longer Area Church Directory lie in the ancient Celtic fes- outside the door to appease than one night of the year, tival Samhain (pronounced wandering spirits. This makes Americans, young Assembly of God Prairie View Baptist Lutheran I-40 & S Hwy 34, Elk City sow’win): a celebration fo- began the tradition of chil- and old, prone to diabe- Pastor Tod Thornton Christ Lutheran dren dressing up as spooks tes, tooth decay, obesity, Assembly of God 1023 W. 2nd St., Elk City cused on the spirits of the 115 W. 5th St., Erick Sunday School 9:15, Worship 10:30 dead. The festival was tra- and ghouls and going door ADHD and cancer. Sug- Wed Prairie View Troops 3:30 580-225-2266 Pastor: Gary Griffin ditionally held on the offi- to door to collect treats. In ar is highly addictive and Wed Prayer Meeting 6:30 Seventh-Day Adventist cial start of winter on the the mid 1800s, Irish immi- should be eaten, especially Assembly of God Seventh-Day Adventist Retrop Baptist Church Celtic calendar, November grants brought their ver- by children, very sparingly 7th and Locust St., Sayre Intersection Hwy 6 and 55 11375 N. 1990 Rd., Elk City sion of Hallowe’en to North at any time. 580-928-4296 580-472-3472 1 on our calendar. The win- Jimmy Blanken, Min. 580-303-0791 try darkness of November America, where it was cele- With so much lack and Service times: Catholic 2:00 pm Bible Study symbolized death to the brated with public costume hunger in our world, God First Assembly of God Queen of All Saints 2:50 pm Church Service Celts. parades and parties. must grieve over this 2701 S. Randall , Elk City 914 N. 5th St., Sayre egregious waste of the re- 580-225-1167 580-928-2385 Methodist Spending on Hallow- sources He has provided. Kevin Akins, Min. During Samhain, rev- Rev. Danny Grover elers would light bonfires een has increased from Imagine the life-giving United Methodist Grandview Assembly of God 702 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk to keep evil spirits away. It $8,000,000,000 (yes, provision the billions dol- Pioneer and Country Club, Elk City St. Mathews Catholic 3001 E. Hwy 66, Elk City City was believed the border be- that is billion!) in 2012 lars would buy! 580-225-7742 580-225-0262 580-225-0066 tween life and death soft- to $9,100,000,000 (bil- We dishonor God—Who Bryan Herrick Rev. Danny Grover Scott Rodgers, Rev. ened at midnight on Octo- lion) in 2017. More than is life—when we celebrate, Baptist Christian United Methodist ber 31, allowing wandering $480,000,000 (million) rather than abolish, our was spent on costumes for last enemy. (1 Cor. 5:26): Antioch Christian 320 S. Magnoliea St., Erick spirits to “come back” to Great Plains Baptist Assn. 580-526-3949 animals. $2,700,000,000 “The last enemy to be 1902 Watts St., Sayre 3200 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City destroy crops and cause 580-243-0066 mischief. The Celts wore (billion) purchased candy subdued and abolished is 580-928-2585 Jeff McDowell United Methodist animal-themed costumes that became a Halloween death.” Calvary Baptist Church 802 N. 4th St., Sayre • 580-928-2146 as they sacrificed crops and staple in the late 1950s, If believers don’t refuse 1018 W B Avenue, Elk City Christian Church Sun School: 9:30 AM/Worship:10:45 when candy companies Hallowe’en because of its 580-225-5344 1 S. Walnut, Erick Nazarene animals by throwing them Pastor Brad Hyatt began marketing sweets questionable foundations, 580-526-3284 into the raging bonfires, Sunday Worship 11 am First Church of The Nazarene hoping to summon the as the perfect Hallowe’en we should prayerfully re- Wednesday 6 pm First Christian Church 816 W. 6th St., Elk City protection of deities. This treat. Going door-to-door consider how we honor (Diciples of Christ) 580-225-2026 is identical to pagan Ba’al on Hallowe’en began in the God, treat our bodies, and Central Missionary Baptist 1500 N. Randall, Elk City Rev. Andrew Dages late 1930s. By the 1940s, allocate the resources God 1205 W. B Avenue, Elk City 580-225-7801 worship of the Canaanites in the Old Testament. dressing up as monsters has placed in our hands. 580-225-0212 Pentecostal First Christian In the 8th century, Pope and ringing doorbells be- Eastside Baptist 1601 N. 4th St., Sayre Grace Temple Gregory III designated came a nationwide affair. Infinite Grace Ministries 421 N. Booth Avenue, Elk City 580-928-3639 601 W. 20th St, Elk City November 1 All Saints Candy makers had al- teaches spiritual and emo- 580-225-0742 Lindell & Nequita Brown, Pastors Chase Brower, Min. Church of Christ Day to remember saints ready been using holidays tional maturity to individ- Church of Christ Iglesia Evangelica Cristo Es La and martyrs. This celebra- as a way to increase candy uals and families torn by Pena Fairview Baptist 216 N. Adams Ave., Elk City tion included a few Sam- sales—they produced the the addictions and relation- 312 S. Lusk Avenue, Elk City 580-225-0718 600 W. Main, Elk City hain customs. All Hallows’ heart-shaped chocolate al death resulting from a 580-225-0203 Gantt Carter, Min. Pastor, Jose Reyes Eve—the night before All box in the early 1900s to wrong focus in a sin-bro- 580-799-2964 market Valentine’s candy. ken world. Call 580-774- First Baptist 301 S. Magnolia Ave, Erick Saints Day—became Hal- 1600 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City Presbyterian Since candy is cheaper than 2884 for more information Douglas Holland, Minister lowe’en. Trick-or-treating 580-225-7951 816-726-6988 had some of its origins in fruit and kids love it, candy about this life changing Bible Study 10am Sunday First Presbyterian All Souls Day parades in became the obvious choice ministry today! First Baptist Worship 11am Sunday 217 N. Washington Ave., Elk City 400 S. Sheb Wooley, Erick Ladies Bible Study 10am Wednes- 580-225-3130 580-526-3375 day Jason Klechner, Min. Evening Open Bible Study 7pm Non-Denominational Wednesday First Baptist The Way Church 504 N. 4th St., Sayre Church of Christ Elk City 201 S. Jefferson Ave., Elk City 580-928-5518 Meets at Pioneer & Bell 580-225-5295 Elk City Community First Hispanic Baptist 120 S. Randall Ave., Elk City 919 W. 8th St., Elk City Northeast Church of Christ 580-225-1184 580-225-7901 616 N. Locust Avenue 580-225-4395 Gateway Main Street Baptist 4227 W. 3rd St., Elk City 1101 N. Main St., Elk City Westside Church of Christ 580-225-1184 580-225-2938 580-225-3052 Curtis Newton, Min. Mt. Carmal Baptist Church of God The Link 1801 W. A Avenue, Elk City 501 W. 1st, Elk City 200 S. Main, Elk City 580-225-2061 580-225-0227 Joe Thompson, Min. Trinity Fellowship One Church Sayre 200 East Broadway, Elk City Jehovah’s Witnesses 580-928-2345 580-210-8881 Jehovah’s Witnesses Kevin Brosius (pastor) 402 E. Washington Ave., Sayre Christ Ministiries 580-928-9330 804 W. 6th St., Elk City 580-243-9708 Call today to support the church page! 580-225-3000