December 2008 Newsletter
Posted By cmbuuck on January 9, 2009
IN THE NEWS…Poll shows support for abortion drops to seven-year low. A new poll shows support for abortion drops to a seven year low. The study also found that the percentage of Americans who take a pro-life position on abortion is tied for its highest level during that same time period. 53 percent of Americans want most or all abortions legal and 44 percent want most or all abortions illegal. For the full story go to www.lifenewscom/nat 3984.html.
DID YOU KNOW? Ecumenical Pro-Life Involvement by Ed Szeto, Special Projects Coordinator for LCMS Life Ministries. Did you know that the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod is a member of the National Pro-Life Religious Council (NPRC)? Other well-known members of the NPRC include Lutherans For Life, Priests for Life, National Right to Life Committee, Anglicans for Life, Alpha Omega Life (Orthodox church), and Presbyterians Pro-Life. The NPRC is a Christian coalition which acknowledges Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and is called to affirm and witness to the Biblical standard of the value, dignity, and sanctity of human life. We would like to see every Christian denomination or fellowship proclaim and obey biblical teaching and Christian tradition that affirm the value of all human life. The members of the NPRC work together to exchange information on life issues, to strengthen communications amongst each other, to encourage and support one another, and to develop a public presence including sponsorship of projects, programs, statements, and literature. In addition to all these activities, the most positive impact may lie in the edification of brothers and sisters in Christ. It is important to work with other Christian pro-life organizations so that we may present a solid witness to the sanctity of human life in our society. It is through this witness that we can make a positive impact in our communities and in our nation. For more information on the National Pro-Life Religious Council, see their Website: www.nprcouncil.org. Ed Szeto reprensts LCMS Life Ministries at various NPRC meetings and events. You can contact him at ed.szeto@lcms.org.
“A LOOK INTO THE WOMB” Science has found its way into the world that was your home and mine for the first 9 months of our lives, and what we “see” is that human life in the womb differs from life outside the womb only in its degree of development and dependence. One thing is clear: those first 9 months were the most eventful you’ll ever experience. Your biography began at conception, and in that fertilized egg that you were – no bigger than a grain of sugar – were the coded instructions for all you are today. Did you wear braces: Do you wear eyeglasses? The need to straighten teeth or correct vision was already being shaped on Day One of your life. By 24 days your heart was beating and by 30 days your blood (not your mother’s) was flowing in your veins. By 6 weeks your brain waves could be recorded; by 9 weeks you were sucking your thumb; and by 10 weeks your perfectly formed body even had the fingerprints which are your legal identity today. “For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place… . All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139:13-16). We pray: O Creator, we praise You for making us – in your image! Dr. Jean Garton
COMING UP: “Pro Life” isn’t just a philosophical argument or a catchphrase for winning elections; honoring and preserving the sanctity of life at all stages is simply who we are as Christians. In our next issue, meet directors at LCMS World Relief and Human Care who believe that life ministries is the centerpiece of all that they do, whether that’s coordinating a housing project for women and children or heading adoption placement services.
THANK YOU to Pastor Arnold Piering for his faithful service in the pro-life movement.
WELCOME to Pastor Lewis Stier who will be replacing Pastor Piering as the Spiritual Advisor for our LFL Chapter.