How to Live Longer
I love hanging around with our octogenarians and whatever you call folks in the 90's. (I fully expect that before Monday morning is out I will hear from more than one of who will tell me what you call a 90 year-old.) And we've got 'em! Wonderful people whose long and full lives are an encouragement to those of us who are coming up behind them. People like Cliff Armstrong who just turned 92 and turns up for church every Sunday morning, or Cornelia Schultz who came to worship wearing her bright red hat for Pentecost yesterday. Both my mother and my mother-in-law are past 90 with no sign of stopping and one of my Grandmothers lived to be 100.
I am not sure about how to insure a long a life. The first thing they tell you is that if you want to live long, pick your parents carefully--it's in the genes. But guess what? A recent study suggests two other factors that seem to make a difference. Christian Century magazine says, "research indicates that people who go to religious worship services at least once a week live seven years longer than those who don't. This is especially true for people who combine such attendance with service to others." (Christian Century, May 30, 2012, page 8)
Now I would never promise you seven extra years if you come to worship and find an avenue of service to others, but I can assure you that whatever years you have will be blessed by time spent with God's people in praise and time spent in caring about the needs of someone else. And I can assure you that no matter how long you live, if your life lacks a spiritual dimension and if you care only about yourself, your life can become shriveled and short of meaning, no matter how long you live. Long or short, your life will be enriched by gathering with God's people and by serving others. There is a wonderful line in one of the prayers from the "Service of Death and Resurrection" which says "help us to live as those who are prepared to die and to die as those who go forth to live, so that living or dying our life will be in you."
Next Sunday will be a very special day as we honor Revs. Monica and Brian William, thanking them for their ministry here. They will preach together at the 8:15, 9:30 and 11:00 "Shine" service, then at noon there will be a reception in their honor in the CLC. (At the 11:00am traditional service Dr. Todd Hibbard will be our preacher.) I hope you will be here to express your thanks and offer your blessing to Monica and Brian as they move on to their next appointments.
And week to week, I hope you will make your way to worship with God's people. Who knows? It might add seven years to your life.
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