November 14, 2026 Issue, Page 4 of 13

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4• SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2026 RELIGION The Elk City News Area Church Directory Assembly of God Assembly of God 115 W. 5th St., Erick Pastor: Gary Griffin Queen of All Saints 914 N. 5th St., Sayre 580-928-2385 Rev. Danny Grover Assembly of God 7th and Locust St., Sayre 580-928-4296 Jimmy Blanken, Min. St. Mathews Catholic 3001 E. Hwy 66, Elk City 580-225-0066 Rev. Danny Grover First Assembly of God 2701 S. Randall , Elk City 580-225-1167 Kevin Akins, Min. THANKS-GIVING OR…KEEPING? Dixie Yoder Hoarding is officially recognized as one of hundreds of anxiety “disorders.” A “reality” TV show explores lives of hoarders whose possessions have become important beyond reason. The National Institute of Mental Health declares, “Twenty-five million Americans suffer from some form of anxiety disorder, with annual treatment exceeding $60,000,000,000.” (Yes, that is billion dollars!) Because these “disorders”, including hoarding, are increasing, we can reasonably ask, “What results are we getting for our sixty-billion dollars? Do current treatment programs address the underlying cause?” Saving for the future is wise; it’s a spiritual discipline largely rejected by our instant-gratification culture. However, if money or things have been allocated for a specific goal—a car, a down payment for a house, special occasion or a mission project—but we’re unwilling to let it go when the time comes, saving has become hoarding. Hoarding is holding tightly for ourselves what God has loaned us to enjoy and share with others, including money, time, possessions, mercy and forgiveness. The hoarding of physical things usually begins with collecting enjoyable objects: a hobby producing genuine pleasure as inherited items or articles of interest are displayed and shared. Collecting becomes hoarding when acquiring and keeping these things controls life in a way that interrupts normal living. A collector is able to part with even a valuable collection; a hoarder is unwilling to use, share or dispose of any item, and “stuff ” piles into a debilitating mass. Ancestral treasures help transfer family history into succeeding generations. However, clinging with white knuckles to family memorabilia is frequently evidence of guilt or sorrow over insecure, troubled relationships; perhaps an attempt to prove “how much we really loved each other.” This is especially evident when families split bitterly over possessions left by a deceased relative. Surrounding ourselves with things we won’t use but refuse to release indicates troubling emotional insecurity. But because only God provides true peace, safety and stability, one of anything will never be enough, and a thousand of anything will never be too many for the fearful, insecure person. This includes money, keepsakes, food stashes and miscellaneous stuff “we may need someday”. According to the Self Storage Association, Americans now possesses 1.875 billion square feet of personal storage outside our homes—a massive national hoard. This only accounts for rented storage units, not personally owned storage buildings, garages and attics. Scripture never condemns enjoying possessions, but insists that possessions must not control those who manage God’s created things. (Matthew 6:24) “No one can serve two masters…he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and deceitful riches…or whatever is trusted in.” (Luke 12:15) “Watch out! Guard against all kinds of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” Hoarding possessions instead of giving generously indicates the spiritual sin-problem of unbelief: not believing God will provide for daily needs (Matthew 6:25-33) not believing that knowing Jesus personally provides security. Psalm 91:2: “I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and Fortress; on Him I rely, and in Him I confidently trust!” not believing when God says, “You give, and it will be given to you; …pressed down…running over… (Luke 6:38). As we enter the Thanksgiving and Christmas shopping season, please consider sharing a portion of your holiday money with the helping ministries provided by Infinite Grace. Your generosity provides emotional freedom to those struggling against depression, anxiety, self-hatred and broken relationships. Jesus gave His life to purchase freedom for everyone. Your donation enables Infinite Grace Ministries to teach even more hurting people how to receive and enjoy that freedom. Call 580-774-2884 for more information on ways to give to this important ministry. Send your questions and comments to [email protected] Catholic Grandview Assembly of God Pioneer and Country Club, Elk City 580-225-7742 Bryan Herrick Baptist Great Plains Baptist Assn. 1902 Watts St., Sayre 580-928-2585 Calvary Baptist Church 1018 W B Avenue, Elk City 580-225-5344 Pastor Brad Hyatt Sunday Worship 11 am Wednesday 6 pm 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 Hispanic Baptist 919 W. 8th St., Elk City 580-225-7901 Main Street Baptist 1101 N. Main St., Elk City 580-225-2938 Mt. Carmal Baptist 1801 W. A Avenue, Elk City 580-225-2061 One Church 200 East Broadway, Elk City 580-210-8881 Kevin Brosius (pastor) 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 Christian Antioch Christian 3200 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City 580-243-0066 Jeff McDowell Christian Church 1 S. Walnut, Erick 580-526-3284 First Christian Church (Diciples of Christ) 1500 N. Randall, Elk City 580-225-7801 First Christian 1601 N. 4th St., Sayre 580-928-3639 New Life Christian Center 20210 East Co. Road 1120 Elk City, OK 73644 Pastor: Michael Anderson www.NewLifeElkCity.com Service Information Sundays: 10:00am & 6:00pm Wednesdays: 7:00pm Church of Christ Church of Christ 216 N. Adams Ave., Elk City 580-225-0718 [email protected] 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 PIONEER CHURCH OF CHRIST 900 N Pioneer, Elk City 580-501-0175 [email protected] pioneer-and-bell-speaktruth.github.io Bible Study 9:30 am Sunday Worship 10:30 am & 6 pm Wednesday 7 pm Westside Church of Christ 580-225-3052 Church of God 501 W. 1st, Elk City 580-225-0227 Joe Thompson, Min. Jehovah’s Witnesses Jehovah’s Witnesses 402 E. Washington Ave., Sayre 580-928-9330 Lutheran Christ Lutheran 1023 W. 2nd St., Elk City 580-225-2266 Retrop Baptist Church Intersection Hwy 6 and 55 580-303-0791 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 - Elk CIty 720 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City • 580-225-0262 [email protected] www.elkcityumc.com Sunday Worship: 9:00am (traditional); 11:00am (contemporary) Sunday School: 10:00 am Sunday Choir Practice: 10:15am Wednesday Night: 5:30pm Dinner; 6:00pm Nursery (0-2 years old), GLOW Kids (2 years old to 3rd grade), Highway 456 (4th-6th grade), Youth group (7th-12th grade), 6:30pm Adult Bible Study United Methodist - Erick 320 S Magnolia Ave, Erick 580-526-3949 [email protected] Sunday Worship: 9:00am United Methodist - Sayre 802 N. 4th St., Sayre • 580-928-2146 [email protected] Sunday School: 9:30am Sunday Choir Practice: 10:15am Sunday Worship: 10:45am Tuesday Bible Study: 12pm 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 Gateway 4227 W. 3rd St., Elk City 580-225-1184 Curtis Newton, Min. 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 & Every Night at 7pm AA-Elk City Southside Group– 105 Meadow Ridge Dr, Elk City, Nightly at 7pm Codependents Anonymous-White Buffalo, Mon 5:30pm 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 NA-Elk City– 100 S. Monroe Ave, Suite 18, Elk City, Nightly at 7pm SUBSCRIBE TODAY Current news and great deals delivered right to your door! Call today to support the church page! 580-225-3000