Heritage Weekly for January 31, 2009

Dear HOFC Family,

It appears the battle for life will not be getting any easier over the coming four years. Here are some helpful truths to have in mind as we bear witness to the world.

Fifteen Pro-Life Truths to Speak
By John Piper January 24, 2003

“You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” – Jesus Christ

1. Existing fetal homicide laws make a man guilty of manslaughter if he kills the baby in a mother’s womb (except in the case of abortion).
2. Fetal surgery is performed on babies in the womb to save them while another child the same age is being legally destroyed.
3. Babies can sometimes survive on their own at 23 or 24 weeks, but abortion is legal beyond this limit.
4. Living on its own is not the criterion of human personhood, as we know from the use of respirators and dialysis.
5. Size is irrelevant to human personhood, as we know from the difference between a one-week-old and a six-year-old.
6. Developed reasoning powers are not the criterion of personhood, as we know from the capacities of three-month-old babies.
7. Infants in the womb are human beings scientifically by virtue of their genetic makeup.
8. Ultrasound has given a stunning window on the womb that shows the unborn at eight weeks sucking his thumb, recoiling from pricking, responding to sound. All the organs are present, the brain is functioning, the heart is pumping, the liver is making blood cells, the kidneys are cleaning fluids, and there is a fingerprint. Virtually all abortions happen later than this date.
9. Justice dictates that when two legitimate rights conflict, the limitation of rights that does the least harm is the most just. Bearing a child for adoption does less harm than killing him.
10. Justice dictates that when either of two people must be inconvenienced or hurt to alleviate their united predicament, the one who bore the greater responsibility for the predicament should bear more of the inconvenience or hurt to alleviate it.
11. Justice dictates that a person may not coerce harm on another person by threatening voluntary harm on themselves.
12. The outcast and the disadvantaged and exploited are to be cared for in a special way, especially those with no voice of their own.
13. What is happening in the womb is the unique person-nurturing work of God, who alone has the right to give and take life.
14. There are countless clinics that offer life and hope to both mother and child (and father and parents), with care of every kind lovingly provided by people who will meet every need they can.
15. Jesus Christ can forgive all sins, and will give all who trusts him the help they need to do everything that life requires.

There is an abortion provider very near our church. Ask God how the gospel of Christ might be most fruitfully shared with those who work there, with a view to saving life now and for eternity. They are making no secret (at least now that the facility is built) of what they do. The title of the place is Planned Parenthood: Aurora Health Center – Abortion Services. In fact the web site makes it pretty clear that abortions is all they do, yet they have the gall to call themselves a “health center”!

Planned Parenthood
3051 E. New York St.
Aurora, IL 60504
P: 630.585.0500

Pray also for the work of the Pregnancy Information Center which is also in Aurora trying to rescue babies from Planned Parenthood. Pray how you might further their cause.

Next week’s (6th week of 2009) memory verse: Psalm 86:11-12 (in the translation of your choice)
(Review: Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalms 16:11; Ephesians 2:8-10; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Micah 6:8)
*If you have fallen behind or haven’t begun, don’t get discouraged! Skip to this week’s verse and start from there. Ask the Lord to help you to be diligent in hiding His Word in your heart.

><>><>><> 2/1 LORD’S DAY<><<><<><

Sermon:
1 Timothy 1:1-11 Guard Against False Teachers!

Hymns:
P 26 A Mighty Fortress is Our God
P 76 O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing
P 275 How Firm a Foundation
P 350 ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus
P 625 Doxology

><> OTHER NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS <><

Announcements:

We will have a celebration of new life for the Vejvoda family in next week, Lord willing
> Desert will be provided
> Please bring additional food as Vejvodas are asked not to bring any as the guests of honor

Upcoming Events:
2/8 – Fellowship Meal following service
2/8 – Celebration of New Life for Vejvoda Family
2/11 – Elder/Head of household meeting @ Fowler home – 7 p.m.
2/22 – Sunrise Nursing home visit – 3 p.m.
2/25 – Ladies Fellowship – 7:30 p.m.
2/28 – Men’s breakfast @ Harner’s – 6 a.m.