January 31, 2026 Issue, Page 4 of 13

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4• SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 2026 RELIGION The Elk City News Area Church Directory Assembly of God Assembly of God 115 W. 5th St., Erick Pastor: Gary Griffin Assembly of God 7th and Locust St., Sayre 580-928-4296 Jimmy Blanken, Min. First Assembly of God 2701 S. Randall , Elk City 580-225-1167 Kevin Akins, Min. FORGIVE AND FORGET Dixie Yoder The phrase “forgive and forget” is often repeated as if it were a biblical command, yet Scripture never instructs believers to erase painful memories or pretend that wrongdoing never occurred. Instead, the Bible calls us to a deeper, more transformative kind of forgiveness—one that acknowledges the reality of harm while choosing not to be ruled by it. Understanding why we cannot simply “forgive and forget” helps us embrace a more honest and spiritually grounded path toward healing. Human beings are not designed to forget significant emotional experiences. God created our minds with memory so we can learn, grow, and protect ourselves. Trauma, betrayal, and deep wounds leave lasting impressions, and Scripture never condemns us for remembering. In fact, the Bible often encourages remembering—not to foster bitterness, but to cultivate wisdom. Proverbs 4:23 urges believers to “guard your heart,” a command that would be impossible to follow if forgetting past harm were required. Remembering helps us set healthy boundaries and avoid repeating and allowing cycles of injury. Forgiveness, according to Scripture, is not the erasure of memory but the release of vengeance. Romans 12:19 teaches, “Do not take revenge… for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” This means forgiveness is an act of surrendering justice to God, not pretending the offense never happened. When Jesus commands forgiveness in Matthew 18:21–22—“seventy times seven”—He is calling us to a posture of continual grace, not to a supernatural erasure of memory. Forgiveness is a choice empowered by the Holy Spirit, not a neurological reset. Forgetting will actually undermine true reconciliation. Biblical forgiveness requires truth, confession, and repentance. Luke 17:3 says, “If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.” This process assumes that the wrong is acknowledged and remembered. Forgetting would eliminate the possibility of accountability, which is essential for genuine restoration. God Himself does not “forget” in the literal sense; rather, He chooses not to hold our sins against us. Hebrews 8:12 says, “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” This is covenant language, meaning God will not treat us according to our past sins—not that He loses knowledge of them. His example teaches us that forgiveness is about releasing the debt, not erasing the history. Another reason we cannot simply “forgive and forget” is that healing takes time. Emo- tional wounds often require a process of lament, prayer, counsel, and spiritual growth. Psalm 34:18 reminds us that “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.” God does not rush us or demand instant emotional amnesia. Instead, He walks with us through the slow work of restoration. Forgetting would shortcut the very process through which God forms resilience, empathy, and spiritual maturity. Finally, remembering can become a testimony of God’s redemptive power. Joseph, after being betrayed by his brothers, did not forget their actions. Instead, he reframed them through God’s sovereignty: “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20). His memory became a platform for forgiveness, not a barrier to it. Likewise, Paul frequently remembered his past persecution of the church, not to condemn himself but to magnify God’s grace (1 Timothy 1:13–16). In the end, “forgive and forget” is a cultural slogan, not a biblical mandate. Scripture calls us to forgive fully, honestly, and repeatedly—but never to deny the reality of our wounds. We forgive because Christ forgave us, and we remember so that His grace can transform even the most painful parts of our story. Take advantage of the wealth of knowledge and resources available through Infinite Grace Ministries as you navigate the journey to freedom through Biblical forgiveness. Call 580-774-2884 or visit infinitegrace.com for more information. Grandview Assembly of God Pioneer and Country Club, Elk City 580-225-7742 Bryan Herrick Baptist Prairie View Baptist I-40 & S Hwy 34, Elk City Pastor Tod Thornton Sunday School 9:15, Worship 10:30 Wed Prairie View Troops 3:30 Wed Prayer Meeting 6:30 Retrop Baptist Church Intersection Hwy 6 and 55 580-303-0791 Catholic Queen of All Saints 914 N. 5th St., Sayre 580-928-2385 Rev. Danny Grover St. Mathews Catholic 3001 E. Hwy 66, Elk City 580-225-0066 Rev. Danny Grover Christian Great Plains Baptist Assn. 1902 Watts St., Sayre 580-928-2585 Antioch Christian 3200 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City 580-243-0066 Jeff McDowell Calvary Baptist Church 1018 W B Avenue, Elk City 580-225-5344 Pastor Brad Hyatt Sunday Worship 11 am Wednesday 6 pm Christian Church 1 S. Walnut, Erick 580-526-3284 Central Missionary Baptist 1205 W. B Avenue, Elk City 580-225-0212 Eastside Baptist 421 N. Booth Avenue, Elk City 580-225-0742 Chase Brower, Min. Fairview Baptist 312 S. Lusk Avenue, Elk City 580-225-0203 First Baptist 1600 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City 580-225-7951 First Baptist 400 S. Sheb Wooley, Erick 580-526-3375 Jason Klechner, Min. First Baptist 504 N. 4th St., Sayre 580-928-5518 First Christian Church (Diciples of Christ) 1500 N. Randall, Elk City 580-225-7801 First Christian 1601 N. 4th St., Sayre 580-928-3639 Church of Christ Church of Christ 216 N. Adams Ave., Elk City 580-225-0718 Gantt Carter, Min. 301 S. Magnolia Ave, Erick Douglas Holland, Minister 816-726-6988 Bible Study 10am Sunday Worship 11am Sunday Ladies Bible Study 10am Wednesday Evening Open Bible Study 7pm Wednesday Lutheran Christ Lutheran 1023 W. 2nd St., Elk City 580-225-2266 Seventh-Day Adventist Seventh-Day Adventist 11375 N. 1990 Rd., Elk City 580-472-3472 Service times: 2:00 pm Bible Study 2:50 pm Church Service Methodist United Methodist 702 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City 580-225-0262 Scott Rodgers, Rev. United Methodist 320 S. Magnoliea St., Erick 580-526-3949 United Methodist 802 N. 4th St., Sayre • 580-928-2146 Sun School: 9:30 AM/Worship:10:45 Nazarene First Church of The Nazarene 816 W. 6th St., Elk City 580-225-2026 Rev. Andrew Dages Pentecostal Grace Temple 601 W. 20th St, Elk City Lindell & Nequita Brown, Pastors Iglesia Evangelica Cristo Es La Pena 600 W. Main, Elk City Pastor, Jose Reyes 580-799-2964 Presbyterian First Presbyterian 217 N. Washington Ave., Elk City 580-225-3130 Non-Denominational The Way Church 201 S. Jefferson Ave., Elk City Church of Christ Elk City Meets at Pioneer & Bell 580-501-0175 [email protected] Elk City Community 120 S. Randall Ave., Elk City 580-225-1184 Main Street Baptist 1101 N. Main St., Elk City 580-225-2938 Westside Church of Christ 580-225-3052 Gateway 4227 W. 3rd St., Elk City 580-225-1184 Curtis Newton, Min. Mt. Carmal Baptist 1801 W. A Avenue, Elk City 580-225-2061 Church of God 501 W. 1st, Elk City 580-225-0227 Joe Thompson, Min. First Hispanic Baptist 919 W. 8th St., Elk City 580-225-7901 One Church 200 East Broadway, Elk City 580-210-8881 Kevin Brosius (pastor) Jehovah’s Witnesses Jehovah’s Witnesses 402 E. Washington Ave., Sayre 580-928-9330 The Link 200 S. Main, Elk City Trinity Fellowship Sayre 580-928-2345 Christ Ministiries 804 W. 6th St., Elk City 580-243-9708 SUPPORT & RECOVERY RESOURCES AA-Elk City Original Group– 113 Meadow Ridge Dr Suite K, Elk City–M-F at noon & M,W,F,S,Su at 7pm AA-Elk City Southside Group– 105 Meadow Ridge Dr, Elk City, Nightly at 7pm NA-Elk City– 100 S. Monroe Ave, Suite 18, Elk City, Nightly at 7pm CR - The Link Church - 200 S. Main St, Elk City, Mon at 7pm CR - Great Plains Baptist Association- 1906 N Watts, Sayre - Th 6:30 SUBSCRIBE TODAY Current news and great deals delivered right to your door! Call today to support the church page! 580-225-3000