Posted By cmbuuck on September 15, 2015

 

Please Join Us

October 30-31, 2015

Lutherans for Life (LFL) National Conference

Petersburg, Kentucky

 

The Annual Lutherans for Life (LFL) conference will be held at the Creation Museum in Petersburg, Kentucky, on October 30-31, 2015

Theme of the conference is “Created-Redeemed-Called.” Dr. Jim Lamb, LFL Executive Director, says our “theme focuses on the value God gives to human life. You cannot find three better words to encapsulate that value. Every human being is someone created by God, someone redeemed by Jesus, and someone God either has called or desires to call into an eternal relationship with Him. When you have the very power of the Triune God giving life value, nothing else really matters!”

“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you … ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine’” (Isaiah 43:1).

See www.lutheransforlife.org/conference/

If you are interested in riding a bus, the St. Michael Life Team and the LFL Fort Wayne Chapter are organizing motor coach transportation from Fort Wayne to this conference. The $88.50 per person motor coach cost is based on 24 minimum passengers. This price includes driver gratuities, continental breakfast, and transportation between the Creation Museum and the conference hotel. Registration for the motor coach is first come, first serve; deadline to register for the motor coach is September 15. If our minimum passenger number is not fulfilled, the fee will be refunded. For more information and to register for the motor coach, contact Dennis Brink at fw.lfl@att.net or 260-238-4046, or look under “Bus Transportation” on the above web page.

Please note: You are responsible for registering separately for the conference and hotel; cost of these are not included in the bus registration.

 

Registration Form

ITINERARY – Friday, October 30, 2015

6:00 AM – Coach arrives at St. Michael, 2131 Getz Rd.

6:15 AM – Depart St. Michael

10:00 AM – Arrive Creation Museum

10:00 AM – Conference check-in

10:00 AM to 4:00 PM – Creation Museum Tour

2:00 to 4:00 PM – Optional pre-conference seminars

4:45 PM – Hotel check-in (Cincinnati Airport Marriott)

5:00 to 9:00 PM – Opening Worship, Banquet, Keynote

 

ITINERARY – Saturday October 31, 2015

8:30 AM – Conference Begins

Noon – Lunch

12:30 to 3:00 PM – Creation Museum Tour

3:00 to 5:00 PM – Conference Continues

5:30 PM – Depart Conference

9:30 PM – Estimated Arrival St. Michael

* Dinner stop will be made enroute home. Expense is on your own.

 

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Posted By cmbuuck on September 15, 2015

 

Life Affirming News

 

TODAY’S SPIRITUAL THOUGHT: 

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’ ” (John 8:12)

 

NEWS #1: 8TH UNDERCOVER VIDEO OF PLANNED PARENTHOOD AND BABY PARTS TRAFFICKING RELEASED

NRL News Today /  8-25-15

Latest video reveals business end of baby parts procurement and the psychological toll taken on many fetal research workers.

The Center for Medical Progress (CMP) Tuesday released its 8th video exposing the harvesting and trafficking of baby body parts.

During the lunch meeting, Cate Dyer, chief executive officer of the fetal tissue procurement company StemExpress LLC, casually discusses the purchase and shipment of aborted baby organs — some of which are fully intact — with undercover CMP investigators. Dyer further suggests the need for “another 50 livers a week.”

In the discussion, Dyer also explains the shipping of whole baby cadavers to labs and recommends a warning label for workers opening the package — since some don’t want to see the heads, hands, and feet of unborn children. Her conversation provides insight into the psychological toll organ harvesting takes on many of the employees in the fetal tissue research industry. “Their lab techs freak out and have meltdowns,” Dyer explains, while laughing over lunch.

 

NEWS #2: FINAL EXIT NETWORK SENTENCED IN MINNESOTA WOMAN’S ASSISTED SUICIDE

Euthanasia Prevention Coalition / 8-24-15

Judge applies maximum sentence to pro-death organization in assisting in the 2007 death of Doreen Dunn.

Final Exit Network (FEN) was ordered Monday to pay $30,000 — the maximum sentence allowed under Minnesota law. Judge Christian Wilton also fined the group another $3,000 towards the woman’s funeral costs.

Last May the group was convicted by a jury in the death of the 57-year-old Apple Valley woman. Doreen Dunn ended her life with assistance from members of the organization. The conviction marked the first time the group had been found guilty of such a charge.

During trial proceedings, the Dakota County prosecutor said the group provided the woman with a “blueprint” to end her life and then removed the equipment she used to conceal the suicide from family and authorities.

The two FEN members arrived at Dunn’s home on May 30, 2007, to assist the woman in ending her life. They removed the equipment used in the suicide and left — making it appear Dunn died of natural causes. Dunn’s husband arrived home later to discover the woman dead on the couch.

Doreen Dunn suffered from depression after experiencing years of chronic pain but had no life-threatening illness. The family remains puzzled by her death.

Criminal cases against FEN’s coordinator and medical director are still pending.

 

Researchers Grow First Almost Fully-Formed Brain

Center for Bioethics and Culture Network / 8-21-15

Researchers at the University of Ohio announced success in growing an almost fully-formed brain using adult human skin cells. One bioethicist, Wesley Smith, suggests there is no need to pursue unethical human cloning for further research and no need for fetal tissue or organ experimentation.

 

‘God Is Not Silent’

By Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison

“It is the deadly hatred with which Satan attacks Christ. It is the thirst for a vengeance against Christ, which Satan cannot satisfy. It is the anxiety before Christ the judge. It is the rage of the fatally wounded beast.” — Rev. Hermann Sasse’s sermon on the Fourth Sunday after Trinity, 1942

Tuesday morning, the Center for Medical Progress released another video exposing Planned Parenthood and the evil and immense pain that occur inside its clinics. The video is graphic. Little arms and legs are ripped from tiny bodies. They are callously referred to as “specimens,” sold at a price.

Jesus warned us about this. He reminded us that the devil would be hard at work, seeking to devour hearts and minds. He told us the world would try to silence His Word of life, and that His truth would be shunned. Satan will stop at nothing to rage at Christ, even if it means murdering the tiniest of people and selling their bodies for profit.

But God is not silent. He has a word for us, too. He comforts us in the knowledge that the devil’s attempts are desperate and futile, for Jesus came to save people, regardless of their size. He reminds us that He has “overcome the world” (John 16:33) and “came that [we] may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). His point? Satan is fighting a losing battle, and he knows it.

So also, we pray, is Planned Parenthood. Its leadership can make excuses and attempt to justify its actions, complain that the videos are edited or that the Center for Medical Progress isn’t a legitimate organization. The chatter doesn’t matter. In Christ, the tide has already turned. God is not silent. He will not allow Satan to prevail.

Even now, He is causing young people to rise up, no longer content to let this genocide continue. His Church is standing up, too, as congregations and individuals show mercy to those who suffer the emotional pain of an abortion and come alongside moms and babies in financial and spiritual need. LCMS Life Ministry carries on its joyful work as well, supporting crisis pregnancy centers, providing educational life materials, teaching youth about chastity and working closely with our friends at Lutherans For Life and the National Pro-Life Religious Council.

Satan will roar for a time, but his evil, murderous ways won’t last. Sasse reminds us, “Before the power of Jesus the unbridled power of Satan has to stop,” for Jesus “takes the dominion of the world away from Satan.

“Satan cannot overpower us,” Sasse continues. “He cannot stand before this Lord Jesus. That’s why he rages.” Be comforted. Pray boldly. Speak bravely. Defend life. Act courageously. Let your frustration and disgust be turned to prayer and action on behalf of our littlest neighbors, for Satan cannot win, and God is not silent.

The Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison is president of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.

 

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Posted By cmbuuck on August 12, 2015

 

August 16th  4PM

Headwaters Park West

 

Join us at the First Annual Uniting our City for Life Picnic. This event is to show our appreciation to our local pro life supporters and strengthen awareness about the abortion issue within Fort Wayne and surrounding areas.

Entrance Fee: $25 per family includes dinner and a 1 year Allen County Right to Life membership, or renewal of your current membership.

Reservations: Contact Abigail at 260.471.1849 or email abigail@ichooselife.org to reserve your space.

 

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Posted By cmbuuck on August 10, 2015

 

Trip Planned to Creation Museum for LFL Conference

October 30-31, 2015

 

The Fort Wayne Chapter of Lutherans for Life (LFL) and the St. Michael Life Team are organizing motorcoach transportation from Fort Wayne to the October 30-31 Annual Lutherans for Life (LFL) Conference, to be held at the Creation Museum in Petersburg KY.

Theme of the conference is “Created-Redeemed-Called.” Dr. Jim Lamb, LFL Executive Director, says our “theme focuses on the value God gives to human life. You cannot find three better words to encapsulate that value. Every human being is someone created by God, someone redeemed by Jesus, and someone God either has called or desires to call into an eternal relationship with Him. When you have the very power of the Triune God giving life value, nothing else really matters!”

“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you … ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine’” (Isaiah 43:1).

For more information about the Creation Museum, visit http://creationmuseum.org/

Along with a tour of the museum, the conference includes:

• Ken Ham on “The Gospel in Genesis”
• Dr. David Menton on “Fearfully and Wonderfully Made”
• Col. John Eidsmoe on “Evolution vs. the Sanctity of Human Life”
• Timothy Goeglein on “Faith in the Halls of Power”
• Buddy Davis with a “Creation Concert”
• Rev. Dr. James I. Lamb on “Created, Redeemed, Called—The Trinitarian Value of Human Life”
• John Hawkins on estate planning
• Lori Trinche on Life Teams

Cost for the motorcoach is based on 24 minimum passengers and is $88.50 per person. This price includes driver gratuities, continental breakfast enroute, and transportation between the Creation Museum and the conference hotel. Registration is first come, first served. Deadline for the motorcoach registration is September 15, 2015; if our minimum passenger number is not fulfilled, the fee will be refunded. For more information and to register for the motorcoach, contact Dennis Brink at fw.lfl@att.net or 260-238-4046.

Please note: You are responsible for registering for the conference and reserving a room at the conference hotel. See http://www.lutheransforlife.org/conference/.

 

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Posted By cmbuuck on August 10, 2015

 

Life Affirming News

 

Congress Will Investigate Planned Parenthood for Selling Body Parts of Aborted Babies

By Steven Ertelt / Washington D.C. / July 15, 2015

Speaker John Boehner announced today that committees in the House of Representatives will take a look at the Planned Parenthood abortion business after a shocking new expose’ video that caught Planned Parenthood’s top doctor describing how the abortion business sells the body parts of aborted babies.

The Senate will vote soon on legislation that would de-fund the Planned Parenthood abortion business.

By Steven Ertelt / Washington D.C. / July 24, 2015

In the wake of two shocking videos showing top Planned Parenthood doctors arranging the sale of body parts form aborted babies, Senator James Lankford, an Oklahoma Republican, introduced a bill to end taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood for a year while they are investigated for possible illegal practices. Now, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has put forward a fast-track process to get a vote on the measure as quickly as possible.

From The Hill:

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell started a fast-track process Friday on legislation to strip Planned Parenthood of federal funding in the wake of two controversial videos showing officials discussing delivery of fetal parts.

The Republican leader began “Rule 14,” which will let the legislation skip the committee process and be placed on the Senate calendar so it can be brought up for a floor vote.

McConnell has been asked by pro-life senators to allow a vote on an amendment to an unrelated highway funding bill to de-fund Planned Parenthood, but the pro-life Senate Republican leader appears to want to avoid a debate about putting forward an unrelated amendment so lawmakers don’t vote against it on that basis alone.

Specifically, the Senate bill, Defund Planned Parenthood Act, would set a one-year moratorium on Planned Parenthood funding from the government, unless the organization ceases performing abortions, his office informed LifeNews.com. This would allow more federal dollars to go toward organizations like community health centers, which serve low-income populations and provide direct health care to women across the country without also killing unborn children in abortions.

“The recent videos uncovering Planned Parenthood’s inhumane abortion practices have hit a nerve with many Americans,” said Lankford. “While the government investigates Planned Parenthood to determine if their practice of adapting their abortion procedures to harvest the organs of children violates federal law, they should not continue to receive taxpayer money. Planned Parenthood receives more than $500 million in taxpayer money every year.”

 

Genesis 4:8-10

Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”

“I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

The Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.”

Prayer Fr. Frank Pavone 40 Days for Life:

Father, today we hear your voice, and we respond to the question you ask each of us: “Where is your brother?”

We recognize in the unborn child our brother, our sister, and we recommit ourselves today to care for them.

Yes, Father, you have entrusted us to the care of one another. We rejoice that you have given us the grace to respond.

As we work to renew our culture, we look forward to the great day of the coming of your Son, when every eye will see him, even of those who pierced him, and every knee shall bend, and every tongue confess, to the glory of God the Father, that Jesus Christ is Lord! Amen

Mitochondrial Disease Research Makes Progress

The Wall Street Journal recently reported on two new experiments: one on the use of cell reprogramming and the other on cloning which have led to progress against mitochondrial disease. While ethically informed research could reduce or eliminate the disease, pro-life advocates oppose any type of experimentation that creates a demand on human eggs, as the cloning therapy would require. Progress and advancement for the sake of some individuals, advocates say, should not come at the harm of others.

New Push for a “Universal Principle” for Family Building

A JAMA Internal Medicine article — referencing recent passage of Maryland legislation to extend infertility treatments to same-sex couples — calls for a “universal principle” for family building. The author states, “Building a family is a universal human principle shared by single individuals and unmarried opposite-sex couples, as well as gay and lesbian couples.” The alarm has sounded that a push for marriage equality will lead to a push for “family equality” which will increase the market for eggs, sperm, and wombs.

Egg Freezing Full of False Promises

An investigative documentary produced by Time magazine takes an in-depth look at the practice of egg freezing, which is increasingly being utilized by professional women who wish to delay childbearing. The success rates, according to the documentary, are remarkably low (less than 24% of eggs frozen result in a live birth).

[SOURCE: Center for Bioethics and Culture Network’s “This Week in Bioethics Ending July 17, 2015”]

 

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Posted By cmbuuck on August 10, 2015

 

Life Affirming News

 

Disposal of Aborted Fetal Remains

Indiana Right To Life / May 2015

SB 329 directs the Indiana State Department of Health, which regulates abortion clinics in Indiana, to issue emergency rules effective July 1, 2015 and final rules effective January 1, 2016, as to how abortion clinics are to dispose of aborted babies. In addition, in keeping with Indiana’s existing miscarriage law, women seeking abortions are to be informed of disposal methods and allowed to choose a different method at her own expense (e.g., burial).

The treatment of the bodies of aborted babies commands our dignity and respect. Indiana law was vague on the treatment of aborted remains, as was administrative law. A former Indianapolis Planned Parenthood abortion worker testified that she witnessed for three years the remains of aborted babies poured down the drain without any type of sanitation or treatment. An unborn baby’s body was found in the sewer system in Fort Wayne, Ind., as well. This is unconscionable from a human dignity standpoint, as well as an environmental concern.

Indiana Embraces Adoption

Indiana Right To Life / May 2015

“Indiana a National Leader in Adoptions”

What an exciting headline from WISH-TV! We believe adoption is a loving option and we’re thrilled to see Indiana as frontrunner among the states. According to the Indiana Youth Institute:

“Indiana has the nation’s fourth highest rate of adoption per live births, the ninth highest rate of adoption per nonmarital births, and the eleventh highest rate of adoption per 100,000 adults. Between 2009 and 2013, an annual average of 3,678 children were adopted in Indiana. Overall, 2.7 percent of Hoosier children now live in adoptive families.”

Gov. Mike Pence at an adoption fair: “We give credit to mothers who choose adoption as the best option for their children and the adoptive parents who open their hearts and their homes. We also recognize social workers and adoption agencies who work to facilitate adoptions domestically, internationally and through foster care. Finally, we laud those who raise the awareness of adoption as a loving option.”

Gov. Mike Pence pledged to make Indiana the most adoption-friendly state in the union. These numbers show we’re well on our way to reaching that goal! Last year, Gov. Pence appointed member to the Governor’s Adoption Study Committee. Since taking office, he has hosted numerous adoption fairs. And during the 2014 legislative session, Gov. Pence signed a bill providing the first-ever state income tax credit for Indiana parents who choose adoption.

Adoption empowers birth mothers and completes families. We stand with those working to promote adoption and are grateful for Indiana’s leading adoption efforts!

Three-Parent Children

by James Lamb / LifeDate / Summer 2015

The goal of the procedure that led to the reality of “three-parent children” is to prevent mitochondrial disease. This procedure is now allowed in Britain. The mitochondria are not part of a cell’s nucleus but exist in the cytoplasm of the cell separate from the nucleus. Mitochondria are often referred to as the cell’s “power house” or “battery.” The mitochondrion does contain some genetic material: 37 out of our 20,000 genes.

A variety of mitochondrial diseases occur when these genes are missing or defective. It can be determined through genetic testing if a woman’s egg cell has defective mitochondrial genes. Let’s call this woman Sally. The idea of this procedure is to use a donor egg with no mitochondrial disease. Let’s call our donor Jane. You remove the nucleus from Jane’s egg. Now you have an egg cell with no nucleus and a healthy mitochondrion. You take the nucleus from Sally’s egg and transfer it into Jane’s egg. Now you have an egg cell with Sally’s nucleus and her 20,000 genes and Jane’s mitochondrion with her 37 genes. That’s the basics.

Maternal Spindle Transfer – This is pretty much what is described above. Neither Sally nor Jane’s eggs are fertilized. Fertilization with Joe’s sperm happens after the transfer of Sally’s nucleus into Jane’s egg cell. Joe’s sperm makes him the third “parent” of the resulting embryonic child. This child, then, has genetic “input” from Jane’s nucleus, Joe’s sperm, and a tiny amount from Sally’s mitochondrion.

Pronuclear Transfer – The first thing that happens here is that both Sally and Jane’s eggs are fertilized with Joe’s sperm. Now you are no longer working with two egg cells but with two embryonic children. The child from Sally’s egg will have mitochondrial disease. The child from Jane’s egg will not. Next you do the same as above. Before the nuclei (already fertilized) can accomplish their first cell division, Jane’s nucleus is removed and discarded. Sally’s fertilized nucleus is transferred into Jane’s cytoplasm with the good mitochondrion.

There are many problems with these procedures. Maternal Spindle Transfer raises these issues:

The nucleus is subject to harm in the transfer.

There is uncertainty about genetic compatibility.

There is uncertainty about genetic abnormalities and the introduction of mutations.

The procedure violates the one-flesh union of marriage. “Three parents,” by definition, is contrary to God’s design.

Not all the embryos produced may survive and, thus, there may be a violation of the Fifth Commandment against murder and hurting and harming.

The First Commandment is always an issue in such technology. We fail to trust in God’s truth and put ourselves in the place of God.

The above problems are all inherent in Pronuclear Transfer as well. Plus, you definitely have the intentional destruction of human life inherent in this procedure. Many ethicists also oppose this technology because it might open the door to the creation of designer children.

While we can understand the great desire to prevent our children from contracting disease, we cannot resort to technology that does so at the cost of hurting and harming other children and violates God’s plan for procreation within the one-flesh union of marriage.

Adoption would be a God-pleasing way of receiving the gift of children without introduction of life-threatening technology.

 

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