FROM THE PASTOR’S HEART…
Christianity doesn’t promise to add years to your earthly life, but it does promise to add life to your years. Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10) Long life is implied in the Bible, however. The Psalmist sang, “With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation.”(Ps.91:16) The fifth commandment states that loving your father and mother will result in the obedient’s days being “long in the land.” (Ex. 20:12)
It would be nice if long life was automatic and certain, but, of course, it isn’t. James compares life to a brief vapor. Jesus and all but a couple of the Apostles died in the first half of life. (Yes, by violence, but a violent death is still an alarmingly large possibility for the young in our day, too.) I delight in the many older adults and seniors in our congregation. Even though we all know the benefits of having children, youth and young adults in the church, we often overlook the value of the longer lived. Me? I’m a little selfish. I want to have more of all the above. Even as we strive to have a church that appeals to and disciples young people, we need a church that does the same for us older believers, too.
I recently saw this article about things we can do to live longer. It is not an exhaustive list. For example, I contend it helps one to live longer (and less painfully) by not stepping in front of busses, as Retta Nickell can attest! Be that as it may, read this and as Mr. Spock would say, “Live long and
prosper.”
5 WAYS TO ADD YEARS TO YOUR LIFE
Next time you’re asked, “Soup or salad?” order the salad.
Italian researchers found that eating as little as 1 cup of raw vegetables daily can add 2 years to your life. Why raw? Cooking can deplete up to 30% of the antioxidants in vegetables. To eat your quota, fill a ziplock sandwich bag with chopped red and green peppers, broccoli, and carrots. Toss the bag into your briefcase, along with a packet of dressing– the fat will boost your body’s absorption of certain nutrients,
Learn the Law of Lard: The fat you carry today could kill you tomorrow.
University of Alabama researchers discovered that maintaining a body-mass index of 25 to 35 can shorten your life by up to three years. (Excess body fat raises your risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke and colon cancer.) A Duke University study shows that sedentary men are 50% more likely to work out three times a week if their partners participate.
Crack open a fresh can of nuts and extend your expiration day.
When Loma Linda University researchers tracked the lifestyles of 34,000 Seventh Day Adventists– a population famous for its longevity– they discovered that those who munched nuts 5 days a week, earned an extra 2.9 years on the planet.
Never forget that your buddies have your back– even when it’s hunched over from osteoporosis.
In a study of seventy-somethings, researchers found that those with the largest network of friends had the longest lease on life. For the average guy, this could add up to 7 additional years of existence. Yes, some buddies may encourage risky behavior from time to time, but friendship ultimately provides more protection than peril. So try to learn a few new faces at work, trade lifting tips that gym, or simply say “hey” to that neighbor. You can all thank each other later.
Repeat after us: “There is life after retirement.”
Or at least that’s what you’d better believe if you want to live that long. In a Yale University study of older adults, people with a positive outlook on the aging process lived more than 7 years longer than those who felt doomed to deteriorating mental and physical health. Volunteer for a cause you’re passionate about: Selfless actions can put a positive spin on life and distract from unhealthy obsessing, reports a study in Psychosomatic Medicine.
-Pastor Carl
Words Of ThanksThank you so much for the diaper bear! It was so cute. I can’t believe you can fold diapers to look like that! The diapers also helped a lot...too bad they go through about a million a day!
Thank you,
Megan Holm Davis
UPDATE ON ADDRESSES:As of this date, Marion Vaughan is still at Manor Care, room 201A and Harry is still in the home at 2718 W. Hoffman.
About Our Church Newsletter:Would you be interested in receiving the church’s newsletter via e-mail? If so, please let Jan know in the church office. The email there is audpark@comcast.net.
Special Guests on July 29:The Reardan Gospel Quartet will be our special guests in worship on July 29th. Please come to welcome Chris Huffman, Joanne Stoltz, Lyle Anderson and Paul Lillengreen with accompanist: Ruth Nelson.
Church Office Hours: Summer HoursThe office will be open 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Monday-Friday through August 15th.
Summer Worship One service at 10:00 a.m.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOLAugust 11-15 9 a.m. – Noon
Vacation Bible School is coming quickly! Below you will find a list of the leaders and items we need. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Crystal Bassett at 487-1633 or 993-2338.
Beach items: balls, beach towels, pools, etc. (Please put your name on these items if you want them returned)
Clear or white Dixie cups the kids can color on for a craft project
Clear bottles with corks or something to close the bottle. (For message in the bottle project)
*Leaders:
Bible Storyteller
Craft Leader
Snack Leader
Recreation Leader
Reflection Time Leader (open & close each VBS session)
Puppeteer
Registration and “Hallway Traffic Control”
Discovery Time Leader
Books and cups for end-of-the-week presents to the kids
Jell-O, juice, fish crackers, small candies, small salted pretzels, honey graham cereal, raisins, resealable bags, bread, meat, cheese, peanut butter, jelly, frozen fruit pops
Heart-shaped cookie cutters
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN BRUNCH
The J.O.Y. of Membership
September 6, 2008 9:30 A.M.
Details are being worked on for this annual membership brunch. Please mark your calendars for a delightful get-together as a kick-off for our fall activities. All women of the church are invited so plan to come and bring a guest!
News of the Home Communion Program:I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all persons who have helped make our Home Communion successful the past three plus years. Without the loyal support of every server the program certainly would not have succeeded. Thank you also to all the wonderful persons who have allowed us the privilege of serving you; you truly have blessed each one of us.
I am not leaving and I will continue as a monthly server, however, I am going to serve on the Worship Team and Margie Harder has assumed the leadership for Home Communion. I encourage anyone who would like to join in this service to call Margie at 468-2125 and offer to become involved.
God has led Audubon Park UMC through this meaningful service to our shut-ins. It is my prayer the program will continue for many years to come.
If you are unable to attend church on the first Sunday of every month and would like to be served Home Communion, do not hesitate to either call Margie Harder at 468-2125 or the church office at 325-4541.
With gratitude- Joanne Harvey
MINISTERIAL EDUCATION FUND: Audubon Park’s 2008 apportionment amount for the Ministerial Education Fund/Black College Fund is $2,013.00
Men and women choose the ordained ministry because God calls them and the church supports them. The Ministerial Education Fund is United Methodism’s way of helping persons to answer that divine call. Our 13 US-based seminaries guide the way in educating leaders who will proclaim God’s word in a world that desperately needs that message.
Reasons to Give:
Why give to the Ministerial Education Fund? Because of our generosity, potential elders and deacons are recruited, educated and nurtured. Existing pastors hone skills through continuing education opportunities. The fund is vital to maintain the United Methodist Church’s commitment to theological education in the United States. Non-US-based seminaries are funded by other sources such as the The Advance. Our gifts assure that our clergy are committed to the highest standards and that they are prepared to lead our denomination into a positive, promising future.
“My motivation is to make a difference and be a light in this dark world,” said Derek Jacobs, a student at Perkins Theology in Dallas. For many students, including Jacobs, receiving a call into ministry is only one step on the journey. Next comes finding a seminary and figuring out how to pay for it. Jacobs and his family took the biggest leap of faith: “Moving to a place we knew nothing about, (with) no jobs. Yet, God has provided all of our needs according to his riches and glory.” One helpful source is the Ministerial Education Fund (MEF). “Seminary is very expensive-it takes money, funds, support– and the MEF has provided that to me.” Since 1968 the MEF apportionment has helped thousands of men and women become pastoral leaders in the United Methodist Church. Critical to the success of Jacobs and countless other seminary students is your congregation’s 100 percent support of the MEF.
GREETERS:A gentle reminder to those who have signed up to be greeters for the month of July:
July 20 Les and Margie Harder
July 27 Ruth Harris and Shirley Marion
LAMPLIGHTER REMINDER:A gentle reminder that the Lamplighters for the next weeks are:
July 20 Ritz Family and Jennifer Ash
July 27 Bob and Anne Kem
TO ALL ENTRYWAY SWEEPERS:The following people are scheduled to have this sweeping duty in the coming weeks:
July 20 Chris Nickell
July 27 George Hartman
TO SUNDAY PRAYER PARTNERS:The following people are scheduled to be praying during the worship services in the Prayer Room:
July 20 Carolyn Wilson
July 27 The Cree Family
GET READY FOR THE BLOCK PARTY!Audubon Park UMC is teaming up with neighbors and the NW Neighborhood Association to have a BLOCK PARTY On August 5th from 4:30 - 9:00 p.m. This is in conjunction with the National Night Out “Give Crime & Drugs a Going Away Party!”
Come and get to know your neighbors better, get your face painted, play games, and have fun! The Spokane Police will be there as well as a visit from Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick. Bring your kids and grandkids!
HOUSE SITTING FOR WINTER MONTHSAre you looking or needing a single and older person to live in your home ad provide security over the Winter Months while you are away. Please call Donald Newhall at 233-8078 (local call) for more information. Seven years experience with good references.
FOOD BANK NEWS:Thank you for your continual support of the Food Bank housed in our church. The “focus foods” for the summer are:
July: Cereal
August: Pasta and/or sauce
Remember, you can bring the food items to church on Sunday or drop them off at the office during the week in the morning.
Below are the “stats” for the neighbors our Food Bank served in June:
Households: 74
Total people: 307
Pounds of food: #6,502
We give out 140+ boxes of cereal each month, 140 jars of peanut butter and a minimum of 80 cans of tuna fish.
2008 Concerts Under the Pines at Audubon City Park will be held from 6:30 -8:30 PM as follows:
July 24th “The Ridlers”
Besides great musical talent, these guys know how to have fun! Each member has a biography that speaks to their own talents but as the saying goes, “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”
August 7th “Men of Rhythm”
Bring a chair, blanket, and picnic to enjoy with your neighbors.
APUMC will be distributing free bottles of water with our church info on them. If you can help with this outreach, please call the church office to volunteer.
Saturday, July 19Mariner’s Game: Seattle
Sunday, July 2010:00 a.m. Worship
Monday, July 217:00 p.m. Missions Team Meeting
7:30 p.m. AA Meeting
Tuesday, July 229:00 a.m. Downtown Food Bank
9:30 a.m. Quilters
Wednesday, July 2310:00 a.m. Overeaters Anonymous
2:30 p.m. “God is Closer Than You Think” Class
6:00 p.m. Potluck & “God is Closer Than You Think” Class
Thursday, July 2410:00 a.m. Needlework Group
10:30 a.m. Bazaar Workshop
10:30 a.m. Wesley Group
6:00 p.m. Stephen Ministry Supervision
Sunday, July 27
10:00 a.m. Worship
Monday, July 287:30 a.m. AA Meeting
Tuesday, July 299:00 a.m. Downtown Food Bank
9:30 a.m. Audubon Park Food Bank
9:30 a.m. Quilters
Wednesday, July 3010:00 a.m. Overeaters Anonymous
2:30 p.m. “God is Closer Than You Think” Class
6:00 p.m. Potluck and “God is Closer Than You Think” Class
Thursday, July 3110:00 a.m. Needlework Group
10:30 p.m. Bazaar Workshop
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