December 20, 2025 Issue, Page 4 of 10

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RELIGION 4• SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2025 The Elk City News CHRISTMAS EXPECTATIONS tree. Millions of advertising py Birthday Jesus” cake. It’s a dollars are spent annually great reminder of what we’re to convince consumers that celebrating and why. buying is what makes Christ- mas joyful. However, satis- Inviting Jesus to His own faction is measurably deeper party changes the mood when some of the money and emphasis. If it seems normally spent on personal like your event, with your gifts is donated to a charitable reputation on the line if ev- cause or a needy family. eryone isn’t happy, you’ll be Area Church Directory more defensive and angry Over-scheduling and when someone is rude or Assembly of God Prairie View Baptist Lutheran I-40 & S Hwy 34, Elk City over-decorating are two of doesn’t appreciate your ef- Pastor Tod Thornton Christ Lutheran Assembly of God 1023 W. 2nd St., Elk City the greatest stressors during fort. It’s wonderfully freeing Sunday School 9:15, Worship 10:30 115 W. 5th St., Erick 580-225-2266 Dixie Yoder the Christmas holiday, be- to recognize that Christmas Wed Prairie View Troops 3:30 Pastor: Gary Griffin cause time is stretched far isn’t about what’s given or Wed Prayer Meeting 6:30 Christmas can be a time Seventh-Day Adventist of joy and togetherness, or of beyond reasonable limits. received. It isn’t even about Assembly of God Seventh-Day Adventist 7th and Locust St., Sayre Retrop Baptist Church stress and family tension— Available activities include you, or your family. It’s about Intersection Hwy 6 and 55 11375 N. 1990 Rd., Elk City 580-928-4296 580-472-3472 often driven by unmet expec- Christmas plays and parties, Jesus: His birth as a fully hu- 580-303-0791 Jimmy Blanken, Min. Service times: tations; magnified by nostal- Christmas Eve services, light man Baby; His fully human Catholic 2:00 pm Bible Study gic Christmas hope and hype. tours, and much more. life lived without sin; His ful- First Assembly of God Queen of All Saints 2:50 pm Church Service ly human death on the cross. 2701 S. Randall , Elk City 580-225-1167 914 N. 5th St., Sayre Very often when families Added to the avalanche Its about His life given for us; 580-928-2385 Methodist Kevin Akins, Min. gather, because of underly- of events, we’re dismayed by recreating us in His image, Rev. Danny Grover the magical neighborhood forgiving all our sin so that United Methodist ing financial or relationship Grandview Assembly of God 702 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk transformation that appar- we can forgive when others Pioneer and Country Club, Elk City St. Mathews Catholic problems, members may not 3001 E. Hwy 66, Elk City City get along, increasing tension ently happened overnight. offend us. 580-225-7742 580-225-0262 Bryan Herrick 580-225-0066 and escalation of anger. At Suddenly, “every house but Rev. Danny Grover Scott Rodgers, Rev. first thought, it might seem ours” has candles twinkling We each have to choose Baptist Christian United Methodist easier to avoid holiday gath- in the windows and a musical to evaluate personal expec- Antioch Christian 320 S. Magnoliea St., Erick erings altogether. However, display of reindeer dancing tations. We have a way of Great Plains Baptist Assn. 3200 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City 580-526-3949 staying away creates greater on the roof. bringing what we expect into 1902 Watts St., Sayre 580-928-2585 580-243-0066 resentment in family mem- existence. If we expect a day Jeff McDowell United Methodist bers who already feel reject- Stop torturing yourself— of joyful celebration, that’s Calvary Baptist Church 802 N. 4th St., Sayre • 580-928-2146 we can’t all be Martha Stew- exactly what we’ll enjoy, in 1018 W B Avenue, Elk City Christian Church Sun School: 9:30 AM/Worship:10:45 ed. The better option is to art! A pre-lighted “non-liv- spite of what others do or say! 580-225-5344 1 S. Walnut, Erick Nazarene attend difficult gatherings, Pastor Brad Hyatt 580-526-3284 deciding ahead of time to re- ing” tree, from the current Expecting a day of tension Sunday Worship 11 am First Church of The Nazarene fuse to be offended by offen- crop of amazingly realistic and conflict, that’s what we’ll Wednesday 6 pm First Christian Church 816 W. 6th St., Elk City sive behavior. Dealing with inventory, is a beautiful sight. focus on, and that will be our (Diciples of Christ) 580-225-2026 Allow children to help deco- experience. Living out of Je- Central Missionary Baptist 1500 N. Randall, Elk City Rev. Andrew Dages stress and conflict in this way rate, even if, when they finish, sus’ life within us, let’s watch 1205 W. B Avenue, Elk City 580-225-7801 can be the beginning of heal- all the ornaments are two feet for opportunities to make 580-225-0212 Pentecostal ing within the family. First Christian from the floor and huddled this Christmas joyful and Eastside Baptist 1601 N. 4th St., Sayre Grace Temple One way to minimize in a bunch for company. But meaningful for others. 421 N. Booth Avenue, Elk City 580-928-3639 601 W. 20th St, Elk City who cares? They’re proud of 580-225-0742 Lindell & Nequita Brown, Pastors Christmas disappointment is Church of Christ their contribution to the fes- Infinite Grace Ministries Chase Brower, Min. to de-emphasize the materi- Church of Christ Iglesia Evangelica Cristo Es La alistic aspect of Christmas. tivities! teaches how to evaluate and Fairview Baptist Pena 216 N. Adams Ave., Elk City Research consistently shows manage expectations by fo- 312 S. Lusk Avenue, Elk City 580-225-0718 600 W. Main, Elk City people enjoy higher levels of Finally, the best way to cusing on the limitless love 580-225-0203 Gantt Carter, Min. Pastor, Jose Reyes change the level of Christ- and mercy of God. Visit in- 580-799-2964 contentment and joy when mas expectation is to invite finitegrace.com or call 580- First Baptist focused on the positive as- 1600 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City 301 S. Magnolia Ave, Erick Presbyterian pects of family and spiritu- Jesus to His own birthday 774-2884 to support and 580-225-7951 Douglas Holland, Minister al growth, rather than how party! For 40 years, it’s been encourage this vital ministry 816-726-6988 First Presbyterian many big gifts are under the our tradition to have a “Hap- today! First Baptist Bible Study 10am Sunday 217 N. Washington Ave., Elk City 400 S. Sheb Wooley, Erick Worship 11am Sunday 580-225-3130 580-526-3375 Ladies Bible Study 10am Wednesday Jason Klechner, Min. Evening Open Bible Study 7pm Non-Denominational Wednesday First Baptist The Way Church 504 N. 4th St., Sayre 201 S. Jefferson Ave., Elk City 580-928-5518 Church of Christ Elk City Meets at Pioneer & Bell Elk City Community First Hispanic Baptist 580-501-0175 120 S. Randall Ave., Elk City 919 W. 8th St., Elk City [email protected] 580-225-1184 580-225-7901 Gateway Main Street Baptist Westside Church of Christ 4227 W. 3rd St., Elk City 1101 N. Main St., Elk City 580-225-3052 580-225-1184 580-225-2938 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