CPC THIS WEEK
January 19, 2012
THE E-NEWSLETTER OF CHRIST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
“Truly, an Anniversary to Mourn”
“I've noticed that everybody that is for abortion has already been born.”
~Ronald Reagan, quoted in New York Times, 22 September 1980
Though FDR was certainly justified in setting apart December 7, 1941 “as date that will live in infamy,” there is a date much more deserving of that solemnizing. What day would that be? It’s January 22, 1973; the date of the Supreme Court Decision, “Roe V. Wade.” This is the date that will truly live in infamy. As horrific as the Sunday morning attack was on Pearl Harbor that day, far worse has been the attack on infants in the safe harbor of their mother’s womb.
On that Sunday morning, at least 2,400 men and women lost their lives in a pre-emptive attack designed to keep American forces out of the Pacific engagements. Since January 22, 1973, over 53 million infants have been killed under the constitutional gymnastics of “the right to privacy” – so construed by Justice Harry Blackmun and his six concurring justices in their interpretation of the 14th Amendment. I’m so grateful that two men were willing to take the higher moral ground through their dissenting opinions and stand against the legalization of killing children. And, let’s be clear here – that’s exactly what it is, it is murder.
Yes, this can be an argument constructed under the umbrella of “right’s.” But whose rights? The mother? The baby? Behind every right there is an underlying assumption of responsibility. Though it may be somewhat simplistic, the baby has “rights,” the mother has “responsibilities.” Whether agreeing or not, she was elevated to a higher standard when her “pro-choice” right to sexual expression led to what should have been her “pro-life” responsibilities. Regrettably, our zeal for “life growing in the womb” has often been interpreted as a lack of love for the “life standing in the room.” In this we must work tirelessly as the church of Jesus Christ to improve. We must lovingly demonstrate the same amazing grace and compassion to those in trouble that we ourselves have received. Lest I be misunderstood as laying all responsibility at the feet of mothers, too often, factors leading to abortion come at the urging of selfish, or even absentee men and fathers. (I would say more here but it is suppose to be an article, not a book)
It’s very hard to believe that this Sunday will mark the 39th anniversary of a court decision that confused its role of interpretation with legislation. I would venture to say that much of what we have witnessed in the “legislative decisions” of the Supreme Court over the past decades can be traced to the actions of Roe v. Wade. Seven years after the announcement of the court’s decision the simple statement of then candidate Ronald Reagan cut through all the arguments with surgical precision. He got it right! But I’m not pro-life because of Ronald Reagan. I’m pro-life because my God is pro-life. And my God IS pro-life – as unmistakably portrayed in the scriptures - because He gives life! What is disappointing is that so many who called themselves followers of Christ will take the same route in abusing the scriptures to support their “pro-choice” position as did the justices with the constitution.
As the church universal and as the church local, we must not abandon this cause. We must work within the system to promote a biblical and moral position. We must support agencies and organizations that are willing, daily, to be on the front lines of the fight. We must consider our personal involvement in both adoption and foster opportunities. We must preach and teach God’s inerrant Truth on the sanctity of life. We must reach out with the forgiveness of Christ to those recovering from choices that led to the loss of life. And we must pray. Above all else, we must pray that the Sovereign God who alone brings life into being would work in the hearts and lives of those who, even today, stand on the threshold of ending or continuing life.
“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. – Psalm 139 13,14
Sufficient only in His Grace,
Bob
**SUNDAY'S SERMON**
“The Final Measure of Mankind’s Humanity”
Psalm 139:13-16
Elder Jim Roszell
CPC Adult Sunday School
Sunday, January 22th – Our own Diane Angilella, Director of the Richmond Birthright, will lead our Adult Sunday School class with a focus on Human Life Sunday.
IMPORTANT UPCOMING CPC MEETINGS:
Sunday, January 29th – Congregational meeting during Sunday School to elect church officers. Again, only church members may vote. Candidates have been through officer training and have been interviewed by the Session.
For Elder: Mike Allen, and Jesse Owens
For Deacon: Robert Foust
CONGREGATIONAL VOTE FOR CPC PASTORATE
Last Sunday the congregation voted (82%) to extend a call to Bob Clark as the next pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church. The call will be prosecuted at the Central Indiana Presbytery on Friday, February 10th. A 75% vote of the Presbytery is necessary to approve the call.
SANCTITY OF LIFE SUNDAY OPPORTUNITY:
Rachel Roy, who is active in Project Rachel the Catholic Church’s healing ministry for those who have been involved in abortion, will speak at 3:00 p.m. at Holy Family Church (815 West Main Street) on Sunday, January 22nd. The public is invited.
PRAYING FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH:
INDIA: THREATS IN KANDHAMAL
Three years after the widespread persecution of Christians in Odisha (formerly Orissa) state, India, gained worldwide attention, Christians in Kandhamal district continue to suffer at the hands of Hindu extremists. Three Christian leaders were brutally murdered in Kandhamal in 2011, and local authorities apparently did little to find and prosecute their killers.
In 2007 and 2008, many Christians were killed and at least 50,000 displaced in large-scale riots in Kandhamal, a large rural district in Odisha state on India’s eastern coast. Now, more than three years later, many of the Western NGOs have left, and riot victims have either returned home or moved on. While Westerners may have forgotten, Christians in Kandhamal have not. According to the Global Council of Indian Christians, “Memories of the horror during Christmas of 2007 are still fresh in the minds of Christians of Kandhamal.”
The fears of Kandhamal Christians were renewed after three Christian leaders were murdered in 2011. The first, Saul Pradhan, was killed in January. Police refused to conduct a post-mortem, claiming he died from the “bitter cold,” but Hindu radicals later confessed to the murder.
Seven months later, Michael Digal was murdered near Baliguda. Police initially claimed Digal died in a motorcycle accident, but his wounds pointed to assault rather than an accident. Under pressure from the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), investigators determined that Digal was likely targeted by Hindu radicals because he testified against some of the 2008 riot participants.
VOM helped the families of both Saul Pradhan and Michael Digal by providing housing, school fees for children and spiritual support for the widows.
Just last month, on Dec. 15, 2011, Christian legal activist Rabindra Parichhawas was murdered in Bhanjanagar. Attackers slit his throat and shot him before dumping his body.
These murders are evidence of the ongoing Hindu agenda to rid Kandhamal district of non-Hindus. During a Hindu supremacy rally in July 2011, Hindu-fundamentalist BJP political party members proclaimed, “Hindus are brothers; all others are traitors.” GCIC also reports that a BJP leader has been visiting Kandhamal villages, urging faithful Hindus to finish off Christian leaders one by one.
Sources: Global Council of Indian Christians, Asia News
Posted: January 18, 2012
THIS WEEK’S FRIENDLY REMINDER
Whenever you are in the building or the office, please make sure all the outside doors are locked before you leave!
ADDRESS CHANGE:
Lindsey(Koditek) and Dan's address:
Dan and Lindsey Hogan
8 Kimball Court
Apt. 507
Burlington, Ma. 01803
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!
January
24 Gary Eubank
24 Ross Harrington
25 Bill Trew
26 Twana Cheek
27 Mike Cougill