Times Are Changing
Politicians, both on the right and left, are increasingly out of touch with their constituents. As they wring their hands over protecting a woman’s “right to choose,” they have lost sight of a shifting in public assessment of abortion. According to the most recent polls, the majority of people in America have become pro-life!

A new survey, conducted by Virginia Commonwealth University, shows that twelve percent of those polled said abortions should always be illegal. Another 44% said abortions should be allowed only in cases of rape or incest or when the pregnancy directly endangers the mother’s physical health. Such cases constitute as little as 2 or 3 percent of all reasons for an abortion, according to the Alan Guttmacher Institute, the research arm of Planned Parenthood.

Only 39 percent in the VCU survey say abortions should always be legal.

Adding the above opposed figures together we find that 56 percent of Americans oppose approximately 97 percent of the abortions performed annually in the United States and fewer than 4 in 10 support abortion as it is now being practiced in this country. Other recent polls confirm these findings. In August, 2005, a CBS News poll found 53 percent of respondents said all or most abortions should not be permitted.

Last April a Gallup Poll showed most Americans oppose most abortions. According to this poll 59 percent of Americans say they oppose all or most abortions.

The Virginia Commonwealth University Life Sciences Survey conducted telephone interviews with 1,002 American adults from September 14-29. The margin of error in the poll is three percent. (Steven Ertelt, LifeNews.com Editor, 10/9/05)

Keep this in mind when the squabbling begins again over the next Supreme Court nominee. To be perceived as pro-life has been the kiss of death for many qualified jurists. Instead, to be pro-choice should disqualify a would-be candidate.

Some legislators are willing to represent the convictions of the people. Read about the Right to Life Act of 2005.

After all the publicity of the Terri Schiavo case students have become aware as never before of the controversies surrounding euthanasia and assisted suicide. Many children have grandparents or older neighbors whom they interact with on a daily basis. It is easy for them to see the value these people’s lives portray. This brings a personal experience to the essay that gives it a deeper meaning both for the student and the reader.

Other experiences with handicapped people can vividly express the value of those lives -- value to God, certainly, for He made them and loves them. But, these people also have an important place in our lives and our interactions with them will only make ourselves the richer for the experience.

High school age students are faced with whole new sets of problems -- but they are just as related to the sanctity of human life as anything else we have mentioned. As they begin dating it is important for them to make a conscious decision about how they will conduct themselves and what they will expect from others. Abstinence education and/or decisions have caused many to declare for sexual abstinence outside of marriage. Obviously, this can avoid a whole big set of problems their peers might soon be facing.

In science classes they will also be learning about the advances in medicine and our knowledge of the human body. Christian ethics must be applied to all the most recent scientific advances.

Of course there are topics that can best be served through research and interviews with other people. The important thing is for our Christian young people to be thinking and making their decisions for life now. Encourage them to take part either in the elementary or high school level contest. Be sure to notice that home schooled and public high school Lutheran students may also enter.

Sponsored by Lutherans For Life of Illinois

All of us, as educators and parents, strive to teach our children God’s truth about the sanctity of life. There are very encouraging statistics that indicate the attitude and behavior of young people has shifted to be more pro-life. A poll at the LCMS Youth Gathering in New Orleans indicated that almost 76% of those polled reported being pro-life, up more than 7% from 1998. Other polls have showed support for abortion dropping and fewer babies being aborted in the U.S. For the past 10 years we have been conducting this essay contest to give the students an opportunity to witness to all their values and opinions about God’s gift of life. We thank all that have participated in the past and encourage others to join in.

Topic: Essays should deal with a life issue, such as the unborn, the handicapped, the elderly, abortion, euthanasia, or the preservation and sanctity of life. Many younger children have difficulty writing about abortion since it is incomprehensible to them. Encourage each student to write about a topic that he or she is familiar with, perhaps a personal application to a Biblical story or concept pertaining to a life issue. The essays should reflect the student’s viewpoint on one of these issues, substantiated by God’s Word when possible.

Statistics: Whenever possible, the source of statistics used should be referenced.

Identification: All entries should be typed or handwritten in ink and must include the student’s name, grade and school name. It would be very helpful if each teacher would enclose a separate list (preferably typed) of the names of the participating students.

Levels and Length: There are three levels and suggest lengths for the essays:

Grades 3/4 -- 100 words
Grades 5/6 -- 250 words
Grades 7/8 -- 250 words

Again this year: Some teachers have asked if they could send in only their better essays. I encourage any teacher that would like to do so. There is no limit. All students who write essays will receive a sticker. Let me know the total number of stickers to send.

Awards: Three students, one from each of the levels above, will receive a $25.00 cash gift and will have their essays published in the Northern Light (the Northern Illinois District Newsletter) and other newsletters. The second place winners at each level will receive a $15.00 cash gift. All participants will receive a large pro-life sticker.

Contest Dates: To coordinate with Life Awareness Week, please submit all entries no sooner than January 19, 2004, and no later than February 7, 2005.

Please direct all entries and inquires to:

Sandy Goss
629 East Central
Lombard, IL 60148
630-495-1093

2006 Lutherans For Life Essay Contest for High School Students

First Place $1,000 for College Expenses

I. ELIGIBILITY: To be eligible to compete, students must be in grades 9-12, be a resident of Illinois, enrolled in a Lutheran High School and/or a member of a Lutheran Church. (Non-Lutherans enrolled in a Lutheran High School are eligible.)

II.SUBJECT MATTER: A life issue topic witnessing to the sanctity of human life such as: the handicapped, abortion, euthanasia, cloning, embryonic stem cell research, etc.

III. JUDGING CRITERIA:

A. Organization
1. The focus and position of the paper must be clearly stated and supported using good paragraph structure.

B. Supporting Material
1. Include personal belief and Biblical references. When possible other independent sources should also be used. A bibliography and footnotes should be include.

C. Effectiveness of paper
1. The essay should make a moving, lasting impression on the reader and promote pro-life beliefs. Correct grammatical structure is important.

IV. PRIZES FOR THE WINNERS:

A. FIRST PLACE $1,000 SCHOLARSHIP
B. SIX RUNNER UP AWARDS $100 EACH

V. TO ENTER: Deadline February 12, 2006. Essay must be typed.

Right to Life Act of 2005
Congressman Duncan Hunter of California and other members of Congress have introduced the Right to Life Act of 2005. The bill recognizes unborn children as persons under the Constitution of the United States. The importance of this is obvious when we remember that the basis of Roe v Wade rests on the assumption that unborn babies are not persons. As part of the Roe v Wade decision the Court stated: “If the suggestion of personhood is established, the appellants’ case, of course, collapses, for the fetus’ right to life would be guaranteed specifically by the Ammendment” (The "Ammendment" to the Constitution which holds that no State “shall deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law…”) If passed by the House and Senate this would be the end of the abortion industry as we know it in the United States.

Congressman Hunter stated, “In 1973, the United States Supreme Court, in the landmark case of Roe v Wade, refused to determine when human life begins and therefore found nothing to indicate that the unborn are persons protected by the Fourteenth Ammendment.” As stated above, this act would establish that personhood and the whole court case will collapse in on itself.

Not only would the federal law be affected but, necessarily, all state laws dealing with abortion would have to comply. Nowhere could an unborn’s life be taken without due process of law.

Illinois Congressmen who support the Right to Life Act are: Rep. Henry Hyde, Rep. Timothy Johnson, Rep. Ray LeHood, Rep. Donald Manzullo and Rep. John Shimkus. If your congressman is not listed, contact him and tell him how you feel. If he is listed, contact him to tell him how much you appreciate his position.

Our first story told how the majority of Americans now are opposed to abortion in 97-98% of the cases. Now is the time to push for this legislation -- now is the time when we might make it happen.

Websites to look at are: www.house.gov and www.righttolife.org.

LFL Sermons for Life Sunday, 2006

“Christ will be exalted in my body whether by life or by death” (Philippians 1:20b) This is the message that is shared in LFL Life Sunday materials -- The Savior is at work in all circumstances of our lives, and He is at work for our spiritual good.

In 2006 the anniversary of Roe v Wade will fall on Sunday, January 22. Some of the materials that could be used with the Life Sunday theme are mentioned here and they are all available at lutheransforlife.org

SERMONS

I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.
(Hebrews 2:8b-10)

Dr. Richard Eyer develops the theme “There is more to suffering than meets the eye, because we know Jesus Christ!” Whatever our struggles, the cross of Jesus helps make sense out of our suffering.

In Life, In Death, Christ is Exalted
(Philippians 1:20-26)

Dr. Lamb points out that it’s not what we do with our lives that exalts Christ. He is exalted because of what He is able to do. Therefore, every life, regardless of circumstances or state of health, is a life through whom Christ can be exalted.

In Life, In Death, Abide in Me
(Philippians 1:20-21)

Dr. Glenn Schaeffer tells the story of chronically ill Marcel Tremblay who committed suicide because he saw no meaning to his life. “He needed to know of the God of love and grace who gives us reason to live even when we experience the worst of times.”

Reluctant Messenger-Powerful Message
(Jonah 3:1-5, 10)

Dr. Lamb offers this sermon based on the Old Testament reading for January 22, 2006. His point is “We do not have to be reluctant messengers of life when we have such a powerful and positive message of life.”

In life . . . People who live under the shadow of the cross look at life differently.

Christ’s presence on the cross assures us of His love (1 John 4:9)

Christ’s presence in Word and Sacrament assures us nothing can separate us from the love of the cross (Romans 8:31-39)

Christ’s presence and saving purpose in the suffering of the cross assures us of His presence and purpose in our suffering (1 Peter 1:6-9)

It is the abiding presence of Christ that gives purpose to every life:

People who are healthy
People who are ill
People with disabilities
People who are unconscious

Christ is exalted in people’s lives not because of what they are able to do, but because of what Christ does through them. As long as God gives life, He gives life meaning and purpose. Thus, we must never intend for someone to die. We can confidently pray in life: “In cloud and sunshine, oh abide with me.”

In death . . . People who live under the shadow of the cross look at death differently.

Christ’s presence at the cross destroyed the powers of darkness (Colossians 2:15).

Christ’s presence in Word and Sacrament assures us we are united with Him in His death and resurrection (1 Corinthians 11:25; Romans 6:4).

Christ’s presence at the right hand of the Father assures us of a place in heaven when we die (John 14: 1-3)

It is the abiding presence of Christ that gives meaning to death.

Death has been swallowed up in victory (1 Corinthians 15:54).

To die is gain (Philippians 1:21)

“Death is but the narrow gate to life.” (Martin Luther)

Christ is exalted in the death of a Christian because of what He has done to destroy death and bring life and immortality (21 Timothy 1:10)

It is okay to allow those who are dying to die according to God’s timetable, Not everything that can be done needs to be done. We can confidently pray in death, “I triumph still if Thou abide with me.”

Lutherans For Life

We are asking our congregations and schools to support Lutherans For Life of Illinois by encouraging each of their members to contribute one penny for each year of their life. We hope that you will participate in this project.

This year there is no specific time frame for conducting this collection, making it possible for you to participate during Life Awareness month or other times such as Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or any time that fits your calendar.

Please place an appropriate container in a prominent location in your church and/or school and mark it as “Pennies for Life.” Then convert the pennies to a check and mail it to us in care of our Treasurer:

Brian Umbach
5811 North Old Hickory Lane
Peoria, IL 61615

Your gift will be used by LFL for many educational projects, including the elementary and high school essay contests.

See our online Pennies for Life information. In addition, the following announcement could be placed in your bulletin:

Support Lutherans For Life by contributing one penny (or more if you like) for each year of your life. These pennies can be placed in the special container marked “Pennies for Life” found in xxxxx.

Thanks for your help!

PENNIES FOR LIFE MEANS LIFE FOR BABIES

Illinois LFL has been greatly blessed during 2005. Our members and supporters have given to us most generously. We have been putting that money to good work in Illinois.

Some of the expenses that remain in our budget are:

Bulletins & mailing -- $2,100
Essay contests -- $2,600
Education displays -- $1,000 (2004) $2,000 (2005)
Meeting expenses -- $450 (2004) $1,000 (2005)

Since we display more frequently and give out more material now, we are spending more money.

For example: each year Eastern Illinois University has a Health Fair. This year we handed out over 360 tabloids promoting sexual abstinence outside of marriage at this one event alone. In addition there were other LFL materials on the table that students took home with them.

Many new publications are coming out of LFL headquarters and other older ones have been revised and have added color. We stock these 100 at a time and they are quickly depleted. More meetings are having displays and more materials are going home with more people. Our goal, after all, is to educate people on the sanctity of human life based on the Word of God. The material resources of LFL are excellent tools for highlighting the Biblical teachings about life and our value to God. When our resources permit we will bring more LFL materials to more people throughout the state. We have doubled our budget for education display materials. The outlay for attending meetings has increased a like amount.

We have added several hundred members in Illinois and there are five new LFL chapters trying to organize. We all need to continue our efforts so we can keep changing hearts to value life as a God given gift to be treasured. It can never be discarded for the sake of convenience or selfishness. Your participation in Pennies for Life along with all the other things you do and gifts you make will be the difference.

We know that in this battle between forces of life and forces of death, life will be triumphant. We are privileged that we have been blessed to be there for that final victory.

Everyone is eager to see the new Life Bibles. Every reference to sanctity of human life will be highlighted in red. In addition many names familiar to long-time supporters of LFL have written commentaries on various topics that are included.

The Bibles were first promised for the spring of 2005. Technical problems have delayed the whole process for almost a year. There is some hope that we will see them before the end of 2005. Since the matter is completely out of the hands of anyone from LFL, we can only wait and hope it won’t be too long.

Redeemer Ev. Lutheran Church -- Elmhurst

We would also like to repeat our thanks and deep appreciation to all who have given so generously during the past year. Remember that a percentage of your LFL National dues will be rebated to your local chapter and to your Illinois State Federation. With your backing LF materials will fine their way into more lives.