The World Now Has More Seniors Than Young People - for the First Time In History

 "There are now more seniors in the world than young children," reports the International Business Times, citing a new report from the U.S. Census Bureau report. And it warns that "The share of the population aged 65 and over is projected to nearly double, from 10.5 percent (about 1 in 10 people) in 2025 to 19.6 percent (about 1 in 5 people) by 2060." 

The world is expected to add another 2 billion people from 2025 to 2060, increasing global population from around 8 billion to around 10 billion... "Over one-half of that growth (1.148 billion) is projected to come from an increase in the population aged 65 and over," the report states. "By contrast, the population at younger ages (age 0-19) is projected to stay relatively constant due to persistent low fertility. As the size of the older population grows rapidly and the youthful age population remains roughly the same, the percentage of the population aged 65 and over is projected to increase."

The report notes that the birthrate in 71 percent of countries is now below the replacement level of 2.1. China, in particular, has seen its birthrate plummet. In 2023, birth rates per woman in China hit 1.06... Aside from lower birth rates, the fact that people are living longer is one of the primary driving factors. The report notes that people are also living a healthier, more active life for a longer time.  

2026 Branson Retreat

2026 Branson Retreat

Aug. 31-Sept. 3, 2026

Thousand Hills Resort Hotel, Branson, MO

Registration opens February 16, 2026.

Join us in Branson for four days of worship, fellowship and fun as we mark the 20th year of Abundant Living Retreats. For two decades, God has used Abundant Living Retreats to encourage, inspire and equip His people, and this year promises to be especially meaningful. Our theme, “People After God’s Own Heart,” will lead us through the life of David as we reflect on what it means to pursue God with faith, courage and devotion at every stage of life. A highlight of the retreat will be experiencing the powerful “David” production at the Sight & Sound Theater, where Scripture is brought to life in a breathtaking way. We hope you can join us, and bring a friend, this fall in Branson!

Widowhood Workshop

https://widowhoodworkshop.com/



Dean Miller Bible Class (Living with Loss Workshop)

https://youtu.be/Clx4sjdtMNs

Where Do We Go When We Die?

What happens to us immediately after we die?* In this episode of the Post Sermon Podcast, Barrett and Wes McAdams unpack the "intermediate state" — the disembodied period between physical death and the resurrection — drawing primarily from 2 Corinthians 4–5. Wes explains why the Bible's relative silence on afterlife details isn't a problem but a clue: Scripture is far more concerned with how we're living now than with satisfying our curiosity about what's next. They tackle common misreadings of the Rich Man and Lazarus, examine Paul's "jars of clay" theology, and address whether 1 Thessalonians 4 teaches a secret rapture (spoiler: it doesn't). The conversation lands on the hope that drives everything — not mere "life after death," but what N.T. Wright calls "life after life after death": bodily resurrection, new creation, and reigning with Jesus in the renewed heavens and earth.

https://youtu.be/uUb4glVUFXk

The Art and Science of Happiness

The art and science of happiness | Arthur Brooks | TEDxKC

https://youtu.be/G7Pf2Xb5PdA

Harvard Professor of happiness, Arthur Brooks, turns the tables on the idea of the "bucket list" as a way of achieving satisfaction, showing us where real joy and contentment are far more likely to be found. Arthur C. Brooks is the William Henry Bloomberg Professor of the Practice of Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School and Professor of Management Practice at the Harvard Business School.

Before joining the Harvard faculty in 2019, he served for 10 years as president of the Washington, D.C.-based American Enterprise Institute (AEI), one of the world’s leading think tanks. Under his leadership, the Institute more than doubled its annual revenues, deepened its outreach to leaders across the ideological spectrum and expanded its research portfolio to include work on poverty, happiness and human potential.

Brooks is the author of 12 books, including the #1 New York Times bestseller “From Strength to Strength.” He is also a columnist for The Atlantic and host of the podcast “How to Build a Happy Life with Arthur Brooks.” Brooks gives more than 100 speeches per year around the U.S., Europe and Asia. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. 

Aging With Dignity

Aging With Dignity

Ministries serving seniors and supporting families facing Alzheimer’s, dementia, and the burdens of caregiving.

https://ministrywatch.com/aging-with-dignity/

Branson Trip 2025

Branson Trip

 November 13-15, 2025

Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 

Grand Oaks Hotel, Branson, MO

• Grand Oaks Hotel (moderate) has interior corridors, elevators, a deluxe breakfast, a fitness center, an indoor pool with two hot tubs, and a zero-entry outdoor pool. All of the rooms at the Grand Oaks Hotel have microwaves and refrigerators. Grand Oaks Hotel has meeting rooms. Grand Oaks Hotel is located just off Highway 76 behind Ripley's Super Fun Zone. It is within walking distance of Ripley's Super Fun Zone, McDonald's, Price Chopper Grocery Store, and Wal-Mart (up a hill). www.grandoakshotel.net/

Nov. 13                 Thursday

7:30 am                Leaving the church building
12:30 pm             Arriving at Lambert's Café, Ozark, MO for lunch
3:00 pm                Arriving individually – check into the hotel
                                Free time with dinner on your own
6:30 pm               Depart for Sight & Sound Theatre
7:30 pm               David Show
10:15 pm             Return to hotel

Nov 14                  Friday

                             Deluxe breakfast (eggs, sausage or bacon, biscuits & gravy, waffles, cereal, pastries, fruits, beverages)

                            Morning free time and lunch on your own

1:15 pm               Depart for Clay Cooper Theatre
2:00 pm               Clay Cooper’s Country Express Show
4:30 pm               Return to hotel
5:15 pm               Depart for Grand Country Buffet
5:30 pm               Dinner at Grand Country Buffet
6:45 pm               Depart for Grand Shanghai Theatre
7:30 pm               Texas Tenors Christmas Show
9:45 pm               Return to hotel

Nov. 15                 Saturday
                                Deluxe breakfast (see above)
                                Depart for home

Rates for shows and lodging:

# in Room	Cost per person
Single	$469.00 / person
Double	$325.00 / person
Triple	$279.00 / person
Quad	$259.00 / person

At least 1/2 is due by August 5, 2025

The remainder is due by September 6, 2025

If you have questions, please call Kevin or Katie Rayner at the church office at 405-341-3353

Transportation (Being updated as I get information)

Many people drive their cars and carpool with others.

Shows

• David Show (Sight and Sound Theatre): Master Poet. Fearless Warrior. Anointed King. The production focuses on the biblical story of David and Goliath. From still waters to shadowed valleys, David's ascent to the throne is filled with towering giants, wild animals, and Philistine soldiers. After unprecedented victories lead to devastating failures, this passionate warrior will face the biggest battle of all: the one within himself. Experience one of the most legendary Bible stories as it comes to life with spectacular special effects, massive sets, and live animals in this brand-new original stage production.

• Clay Cooper's Country Express Show: Clay and his cast of 25 incredible entertainers show their versatility while performing all styles of music, including country, rock n roll, gospel, and patriotic. The singing, dancing, and hysterical comedy will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish! Clay and his gang guarantee a family-friendly show that is great for all ages! Clay Cooper's Country Express is MORE than country! In November and December, Clay Cooper's Country Express features an Ozark Mountain Christmas Celebration that has become a "MUST SEE" in Branson. The first half features highlights from our regular season show, and the second half is all Christmas!

• "The Texas Tenors Show - Deep in the Heart of Christmas," is a sensational Branson show designed to bring out that feeling of a traditional family Christmas. Everyone loves to hear them any time of year; singing everything from country ballads to opera's favorite arias, but something about the amazing vocals displayed by "The Texas Tenors," with that incredible harmony, that sounds extra fabulous during the holidays! The Texas Tenors are the most successful music group and third highest selling artist in the history of America's Got Talent. In 2019, they were honored to be included among the top 50 acts in the world and the only vocal group from the United States invited to compete on NBC's prime time series "America's Got Talent: The Champions." There's truly no place like Branson for the holidays, and no show with quite the same appeal as "The Texas Tenors - Deep in the Heart of Christmas!"

WE HAVE A GROUP FOR TEXTING IF YOU WANT TO BE ADDED FOR COMMUNICATION PURPOSES.