1 Lutherans For Life of Michigan February.March.April 2016 Lifelines The mission of LFL is to equip Lutherans to be Gospel-motivated voices For Life. INSIDE THIS ISSUE: 02 – Board Members …’Thank You’ 03 – Let’s Talk Life Theological Conference 04 – Life Issues Contest Guidelines 05 – ‘Thank You’ cont’d … 40 Days For Life info 06 – What’s Happening… 07 – in Michigan? 08 – What’s Happening in Michigan? cont’d 09 – PURE: By God For God Report 10 – Legislative Update … Owen’s Mission 11 – Membership … Life–Affirming Resources 12 – Notes & Quotes The Talk about “The Talk” by Elena Holley (student at Concordia Ann Arbor) It was a Friday morning, bright and early. And by bright and early, I really mean that it was 5 in the morning and the sun had yet to even begin to rise. Five college students, members of Concordia University-Ann Arbor’s Life Team, loaded up into a van in Ann Arbor, MI on October 30th with overnight bags, a case of water bottles, and a box of donuts, and coffee…lots and lots of coffee. Five hours later, we arrived at our hotel for the Lutherans for Life National Conference, for a weekend full of interesting observations and meaningful discussion. Most notable of these discussions during the weekend was the fact that, with the exception of myself, the biology major, not a single one of us had ever received “the talk,” in regards to the biology at least, on how exactly a pregnancy occurs. Even I did not have any of the specific details until I took an advanced biology course in my second semester of college. Even that was not an adequate experience. Sure, we all had the generic “birds and bees” talk with our parents or a sex ed class in school. However, not one of us could describe what has to happen biologically in order for that sperm and egg to fuse and implant and become a living person. Luckily for us, the second speaker on the agenda for Saturday was Dr. David Menton, who gave an amazing talk titled “Fearfully and Wonderfully Made” on that exact topic. He fully outlined the biology behind pregnancy, starting from the moment of conception. It was, to say the least, eye-opening, informative, and even, dare I say, quite entertaining! I cannot even begin to do his speech justice and I fully recommend that you take a look if you have not yet seen it. The video of Dr. Menton’s speech is available on the Lutherans for Life website and a quick search of his name will bring it up. Maybe it’s just me speaking as the biology nerd that I am, but I feel like the more I know about science, the more I just have to sit back and marvel at God’s creation. The way in which He designed us is just so incredibly complex, almost miraculous in the way that if even one small thing went astray in the process of fertilization, as Dr. Menton pointed out several times, life would cease to exist. As it says in Psalm 139:13-15: “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, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.” But, as you can see, five women in their twenties, coming from entirely different backgrounds, and not one of us had ever had a proper learning experience about the biology of fertilization and pregnancy before that moment. It’s crazy to think that any one of us could be a mother and, yet, we do not even know exactly how our bodies work and the exact process by which a woman becomes a mother. This shows us that something is wrong with the way that children and young adults are taught about the wonder of life and how it comes to be. I don’t think that they truly understand the miracle that is life and how precisely certain things need to be met in order for a new person to come to exist and be safely born into this world. If they had that knowledge, more of the upcoming generation of teenagers and young adults would respect life more for what it truly is: a gift from God, a miracle, something to be protected and preserved. We give thanks for the opportunity to have attended this year’s Lutherans for Life National Conference, through the gracious assistance of several donors. God’s blessings to all of you who made that possible. We learned so much, and are prepared to move forward on our own campus in Ann Arbor, as we are planning a sex ed seminar, both about the biological and the Godly aspects, for our campus community. God willing, we will be able to share our experiences and engage our peers in a conversation about God’s amazing creation and His gift of life!
Transcript
1
Lutherans For Life of Michigan
February.March.April 2016
Lifelines……….
The mission of LFL is to equip Lutherans to be Gospel-motivated voices For Life.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
02 – Board Members …’Thank You’
03 – Let’s Talk Life Theological Conference
04 – Life Issues Contest Guidelines
05 – ‘Thank You’ cont’d … 40 Days For Life info
06 – What’s Happening…
07 – in Michigan?
08 – What’s Happening in Michigan? cont’d
09 – PURE: By God For God Report
10 – Legislative Update … Owen’s Mission
11 – Membership … Life–Affirming Resources
12 – Notes & Quotes
The Talk about “The Talk” by Elena Holley (student at Concordia Ann Arbor)
It was a Friday morning, bright and early. And by bright and early, I really mean that it was 5 in the morning and the sun had yet to
even begin to rise. Five college students, members of Concordia University-Ann Arbor’s Life Team, loaded up into a van in Ann Arbor, MI
on October 30th with overnight bags, a case of water bottles, and a box of donuts, and coffee…lots and lots of coffee. Five hours later,
we arrived at our hotel for the Lutherans for Life National Conference, for a weekend full of interesting observations and meaningful
discussion.
Most notable of these discussions during the weekend was the fact that, with the exception of myself, the biology major, not a single
one of us had ever received “the talk,” in regards to the biology at least, on how exactly a pregnancy occurs. Even I did not have any of
the specific details until I took an advanced biology course in my second semester of college. Even that was not an adequate experience.
Sure, we all had the generic “birds and bees” talk with our parents or a sex ed class in school. However, not one of us could describe
what has to happen biologically in order for that sperm and egg to fuse and implant and become a living person.
Luckily for us, the second speaker on the agenda for Saturday was Dr. David Menton, who gave an amazing talk titled “Fearfully and
Wonderfully Made” on that exact topic. He fully outlined the biology behind pregnancy, starting from the moment of conception. It was, to
say the least, eye-opening, informative, and even, dare I say, quite entertaining! I cannot even begin to do his speech justice and I fully
recommend that you take a look if you have not yet seen it. The video of Dr. Menton’s speech is available on the Lutherans for Life
website and a quick search of his name will bring it up.
Maybe it’s just me speaking as the biology nerd that I am, but I feel like the more I know about science, the more I just have to sit back
and marvel at God’s creation. The way in which He designed us is just so incredibly complex, almost miraculous in the way that if even
one small thing went astray in the process of fertilization, as Dr. Menton pointed out several times, life would cease to exist. As it says in
Psalm 139:13-15: “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, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.” But, as you can see, five women in their twenties, coming from entirely
different backgrounds, and not one of us had ever had a proper learning experience about the biology of fertilization and pregnancy
before that moment. It’s crazy to think that any one of us could be a mother
and, yet, we do not even know exactly how our bodies work and the exact
process by which a woman becomes a mother. This shows us that something
is wrong with the way that children and young adults are taught about the
wonder of life and how it comes to be. I don’t think that they truly understand
the miracle that is life and how precisely certain things need to be met in order
for a new person to come to exist and be safely born into this world. If they
had that knowledge, more of the upcoming generation of teenagers and young
adults would respect life more for what it truly is: a gift from God, a miracle,
something to be protected and preserved.
We give thanks for the opportunity to have attended this year’s Lutherans
for Life National Conference, through the gracious assistance of several
donors. God’s blessings to all of you who made that possible. We learned so
much, and are prepared to move forward on our own campus in Ann Arbor, as
we are planning a sex ed seminar, both about the biological and the Godly
aspects, for our campus community. God willing, we will be able to share our
experiences and engage our peers in a conversation about God’s amazing
creation and His gift of life!
2
Ieuter Insurance Group, Midland
Pastor Timothy & Betty Loewe, Temperance [in honor of their grandchildren]
Boyd & Pauline Terry, Vassar
Larry & Martha Huber, Frankenmuth [in memory of Mary Huber]
William Schultz, Traverse City
Richard Sager, Jonesville [in memory of Hildegard L Sager]
Suzanne Hall, Birch Run [in memory of her parents, M/M V Urbytes, who chose life]
Julia Friend, Eastpointe
Kurt & Katherine Rodammer, Vassar
Richard & Laura Greiner, Dansville
Wallace Rodammer, Brighton
Elvera Bluemlein, Saginaw
Karen Perry, Traverse City [in memory of her husband, David Perry]
Marajean Block, Lambertville
Gary & Jean Peters, Bay City
George Schneider, Cedar
Anonymous Donor, Shelby Twp
Wayne & Marie Brehob, Dearborn
Marion Meilaender, Marshall
Dorothy Zink, Holt
[Thank You continued on page 5]
Thank you… LFL Vision Statement:
Every Lutheran, both individually and in
community, upholding the God-given value of
human life and influencing society to do the same.
LFL-MI BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Spiritual Advisor: Pastor Paul Clark [517] 420-4826
President: Connie Davis [586] 949-9261
Vice President:
Secretary: Lauren Schaidt [586] 228-2348
Treasurer: Earl Iseler [616] 866-8026 Life Ministries Coordinator:
Urban Outreach: Susan Hill [586] 468-7871
Technology Coordinator:
Lutheran Schools Outreach: Chris Schultz [734] 241-1607
Post Abortion Healing Outreach: Laverne Santangelo [586] 945-4949
Legislative Reporter: Pastor Paul Clark [989] 593-2354
Board Members at Large: Dorothy Zink [517] 694-7189 Katrina Brundage [618] 975-8361
Life Issues Project Consultants: Lori Looker [Written Projects] [586] 557-7833 Jeff Davis [Artistic Projects] [586] 913-5993
As part of the mission of Lutherans for Life of Michigan to educate and equip our young people to be Gospel-
motivated voices on Life issues, we are sponsoring a Life Issues Contest!
All Lutheran congregations are encouraged to participate in this contest by presenting this information and
opportunity to their 7th and 8th grade students. Projects should be created under the guidance of the pastor or
teacher, and submitted by the deadline of March 15th.
Pastors or teachers should judge their own students’ projects first and then send their one winning entry in the
artistic project category and/or one winning entry in the essay category to the state contest. At the state level, $100
for the top essay and $100 for the top artistic project, plus $75 for the runner-up in each category, will be awarded
according to the criteria below.
Step 1: Pick a LIFE ISSUE
Abortion Sexual Purity Euthanasia Assisted Suicide Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Step 2: Pick a Project
Essay OR
Artistic Project T-shirt or jewelry design Video Poster Work of art Technology (i.e. Prezi, Vine,
PowerPoint, Flipagram)
It is our hope and prayer that this contest will be a valuable exercise in teaching our young people the value of human life, the need to protect that life, as well as the need for sexual purity and marital faithfulness. Please submit Please submit the essay to: the artistic project to: Lori Looker Jeff Davis 43078 Hartwick 1000 Bagley Sterling Heights, MI Rochester Hills, MI 48313 48309 [email protected][email protected]
Essay Guidelines
+ Write 400-500 words + Research your subject well + Develop your theme clearly + Show how this issue relates to you + Use clear Biblical references and teachings + Use proper spelling and grammar + Be convincing and personal + Include a title page with the following information: title of essay, student’s name, name of congregation/school with address, telephone number and email address
Artistic Project Guidelines
+ Research your subject well
+ Develop your theme clearly
+ Show how this issue relates to you
+ Use clear Biblical references and teachings
+ Be convincing and personal
+ Exhibit excellent craftsmanship
+ Creativity
+ Send a few pictures (photographs or .jpg) and
a paragraph OR a short video (in the .mov format) in
which you display your project and explain its
meaning
+ Include a page with the following information:
title of project, student’s name, name of
congregation/school with address, telephone number
Pictured on L: Five students from Concordia Ann Arbor who attended the National LFL Conference (Elena Holley, Allison Schulz,
Meggan Muhle, Christian Allen, and Grace Gilson)
On the R: A group of Michigan attendees at the 2015 National Lutherans For Life Conference in Kentucky on October 30-31, 2015. Find photos, audio, & video from the 2015 National LFL Conference at: www.lutheranforlife.org/conference
On Sunday, November 8, 2015, nearly 400 teens and parents assembled in Lansing at Our Savior Lutheran Church for a youth gathering
called PURE: By God For God to be encouraged and motivated as they learned about relationships, respect, love, honor, and
commitment through the lens of a scripture-based, Christian world view. In addition, it was to strengthen young people's understanding
of the proper foundation for marriage. The idea for PURE: By God For God began with a longing to present teens and parents with useful
and inspiring information about the topic of purity.
The Michael Maher Band opened up PURE: By God For God with worshipful songs prior to the teens and parents separating and being
presented simultaneous messages on the topic of purity specifically designed for each of these two groups. Pastor Bill Yonker, senior
pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church of East Dundee, Illinois, captivated teens with his humorous and energetic style, while Pastor David
Maier, president of the Michigan District of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod, clearly and honestly delivered an informed presentation
woven around the theme of fighting to keep our families pure in this spiritual battle against Satan and sinful temptation.
During Pastor Maier's presentation, parents in attendance were encouraged to remain faithful in God's Word, to pray for and with their
kids, and to talk to their kids about resisting temptation. Pastor Maier also stressed that we are in a war with Satan and, because of that,
parents must not give in to what's "cool" or what seems the norm for everyone else. "A war changes what's cool," was one of the biggest
takeaways for a parent of an 8th grader. One mother of two teens stated, "The fact that this is a spiritual battle really called me to arms."
Another parent was reminded to, "...keep talking to them about what His word says for their lives....our kids are stronger than you might
think in saying no." When sexual temptation comes, according to another attendee, "...the name of Jesus is powerful and will kill the
mood quickly!"
Teens in attendance were inspired by the words of Pastor Yonker as he pointed out that, despite the obvious differences in males and
females, we are all the same in Christ - possessing three very basic needs: to be loved, to be valued, and not to be alone. Yonker also
challenged them to live a pure life by recognizing that they are children of God and, as such, have a higher calling - understanding that
there is always forgiveness for any sin. Near the end of the presentation, the teens were given the opportunity to sign a pledge of purity
which stated a promise to value their bodies as gifts from God while striving to make choices to honor God with their bodies.
PURE: By God For God blessed all who were involved that day. It is our prayer that all who heard the words of Pastor Maier and Pastor
Yonker will be inspired to set a godly example in the way they treat their bodies, remembering that life is an undeserved and precious gift.
The plans of God for teens today require discipline and patience. It is the responsibility of Christian parents and mentors to make every
effort to impress upon teens the need to trust God, seek His plans, keep praying, and spend time in scripture.
Pastor Yonker's presentation on purity from the November 8th event is available to watch at: oursaviorlansing.org. Click on the Vimeo
videos on the home web page.
Dave Wright, Family Life Director Our Savior Lutheran Church and School, Lansing, MI
10
Michigan Legislative Update On January 6th, the U.S. House voted 240-181 to repeal major parts of Obamacare and put a one-year moratorium on funding of
Planned Parenthood. It's the first time ever Congress has passed legislation defunding Planned Parenthood. The bill now goes to
the President's desk, where the most pro-abortion president in history will almost certainly veto it. However, this is still an important
development, because with the election of a new pro-life president, things will be in place to finally stop the flow of tax dollars to the
nation’s leading provider of abortions! [NOTE: As promised, President Obama vetoed this bill (HR 3762) the day it reached his desk.]
Here in Michigan, the Michigan Legislature wrapped up its work on December 16 with mixed results that left many important prolife
bills sidelined until it returns in mid-January 2016.
The Coercive Abortion Prevention Act has been pending on the House floor since late September. After negotiations between
the bill's sponsor and Gov. Snyder's team in November brought the governor's support, we pressed House leaders to act before
the holiday recess. But House leaders focused on only a few issues and adjourned the session thereafter, one day earlier than
planned.
On the positive side, the Senate approved SB 629 by a vote of 38-0, a bill initiated by Right to Life of Michigan to allow women
pregnant from rape, who carry their child, to terminate the parental rights of the rapist. Earlier this fall the House passed HB 4481 to
empower these women to deny rapists custody rights and parenting time. Together HB 4481 and SB 629 will also make Michigan
eligible for additional federal funding for rape survivor support programs. We have every expectation that these bills will be
completed in early 2016.
Also coming in early 2016, committee action on bills related to the undercover Planned Parenthood videos. The Senate Oversight
Committee will begin hearings on bills regarding fetal organ trafficking and other abortion clinic practices when the Legislature
returns in January.
[submitted by Pastor Paul Clark, LFL-MI Spiritual Counselor and Legislative Reporter]
Owen’s Mission
Owen’s Mission is a very special project of Lutherans For Life. The goal of this project is to honor Jesus by presenting a set of Touch of Life fetal models to every Lutheran elementary and high school in the country. (That’s 1078 schools affecting 139,000 students!) We want students to understand the God-given value of each life from the moment of conception. We want students to be motivated by what God has done as our Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier that gives value to life. We want students to value themselves and to value others as persons because of this God-given value. Where did Owen’s Mission come from? From a very small and special baby named Owen. Rev Dr James Lamb, former Executive Director of Lutherans For Life, shares his story:
“I held my little grandson, Owen, in the palm of my hand. He died at twenty-one weeks during pre-natal surgery to remove a large tumor. The nurse brought him to our son as we waited in the recovery room for Owen’s mother. I find it difficult to describe what I felt when I was able to hold him. I had held the twenty-week Touch of Life fetal model in my hands hundreds of times in front of students from preschoolers to seminarians. Holding Owen revived in me the reality behind those models. I will never hold them in the same way again.”
As Owen’s grandpa, Dr Lamb wanted to do something special to remember Owen, honor Jesus, and help others understand the
value God gives to even the smallest of lives. With the help of Owen’s family, Owen’s Mission was born. We are training
facilitators to present these fetal model sets along with a DVD message from Dr. Lamb.
This is a mission opportunity for individual, congregational, and/or school offerings. For more information on how you can obtain
a set of these fetal models for your school, contact Chris Schultz at [email protected] or
Y4Life Servant Events are a wonderful opportunity for chapters, life teams, schools and
churches to reach out to youth and engage them in making a meaningful difference for Life in
their community. They are adaptable to your area and your students and, best of all, they lay
the foundation for future ministry opportunities with youth. Laura Davis, national Y4Life
director, will help equip youth to be Gospel-motivated voices For Life! Email Laura for help
with life-affirming youth servant events nationwide: [email protected].
Life News is a monthly bulletin insert with life issue news, great quotes, and an encouraging devotion. Life News is a great way to keep your church informed on life issues all year long! Life News is available as a free, reproducible, PDF. Download at www.lutheransforlife.org
I WANT TO SPEAK OUT FOR LIFE!
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