Sanctity of Human Life Sunday is 1/18/09

Copperhill Church is observing Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, January 18, 2009. Here is a bit more background on this event, as well as key scriptures that address the status of unborn children.

From the CareNet site:

Twenty-three years ago, the Christian Action Council Education and Ministries Fund, which is today known as Care Net, asked President Ronald Reagan to create a special day to focus on the intrinsic value of human life and the fundamental right to life, as recognized by the American Founding Fathers.

In 1983, President Reagan issued a proclamation establishing a National Sanctity of Human Life Sunday (SOHLS). Since 1983, the SOHLS proclamation has also been issued by Presidents George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush.

The National Sanctity of Human Life Sunday is held on the Sunday in January that falls closest to the day on which the Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton decisions were handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court on January 22, 1973.

The belief that human life is precious and worthy of protection is not merely a political position. God's word speaks clearly of the personhood and value of the unborn:

"Your hands shaped me and made me. Will you now turn and destroy me? Remember that you molded me like clay. Will you now turn me to dust again? Did you not pour me out like milk ... and knit me together with bones and sinews? You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched over my spirit" (Job 10:8-12 NIV).

"Before I was born the LORD called me; from my birth he has made mention of my name...and now the LORD says--he who formed me in the womb to be his servant..." (Isaiah 49:1, 5).

"The word of the LORD came to me, saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations’" (Jeremiah 1:4-5).

"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 fully 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, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be" (Psalm 139:13-16).

"Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him" (Psalm 127:3).

"When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit... As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy" (1:41, 44).

On Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, and always, we celebrate that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made," and we acknowledge that all human life is precious, for we are made in His image. Let us also consider what this means in terms of living gospel-centered lives, with genuine concern for the lives of the unborn, as well as compassion and help for women and girls who face the difficulties of unplanned pregnancies or past abortions. That is what the Lord would have us do.

If you know of women or girls who need help in this area, please refer them to our partners at the pregnancy center here in Santa Clarita.