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Coming up just a few weeks from now, churches across our country will remember the sanctity of life from the womb to the tomb on Sunday, January 17. At North Roanoke, we have been blessed in the past to collect donations for the Blue Ridge Women's Center, to do some work at their facilities, and to pray for our community to see that life is a gift from God -- expectant mothers, reluctant fathers, governing officials at every level -- and to also pray the church would be a place of refuge for those plagued by guilt from their past and a place where the most vulnerable would encounter the love of God.
On Sunday, January 17, I plan to preach on the sanctity of human life, and, immediately following the service, we will have an opportunity to pray silently for our community and our country. We will assemble along Peters Creek Road in front of our church building. When I last checked the statistics, I learned there are close to 1,000 abortions in Roanoke every year -- approximately 75 babies whose lives are taken every month. Imagine if God moved in the hearts of those who offer the abortions to stop their work. Imagine if those who are feeling pressured to abort their child found hope and help in local churches throughout our Valley. Imagine if the people of God would adopt and foster at a much greater rate than we presently do. Imagine if those all around us who do not know the gift of life and life everlasting would encounter the love of God in Christ in 2021 -- imagine... and then join us on Sunday, January 17 to pray accordingly. This initiative is being coordinated by Tony and Becky Clark, and they have written a letter to us that I have posted below. Please give it a read, and I look forward to praying for our Valley together soon! --- Dear church family, As Pastor Daniel has mentioned, January 17, 2021 will be Sanctity of Life Sunday. This is a day traditionally set aside to celebrate the value of human life that God has created. In a world that not only refutes the facts of creation and argues the timeline of human life but also accepts and encourages the choice to deny such life to a child, we need to come together and pray for the unborn. In a recent search on lovelife.org, these staggering statistics were noted:
We know the decision to choose life can be scary and confusing to the mother and father. Many times there are circumstances that seem out of their control — finances, health, relationship. For this reason, it’s even more important for us, the church, to cover them in prayer — to let them know they are not alone. Let them know that our Father has plans for them as well as for their child. Let them know their lives have a purpose, and “He works all things for the good of all who love him and have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28). As we approach the New Year, we look forward to the opportunity to stand together in prayer for the unborn and the uncertain. Please join us on Sunday, January 17, 2021 immediately following our service. We will demonstrate to the Valley our dedication to the sanctity of human life as we participate in silent prayer and fellowship in front of the church parking lot (Hebrews 10:22). Please feel free to reach out to us, and we will be happy to answer any questions! In Christ’s Love, Tony and Becky Clark Tony (704) 787-6416 Becky (704)467-6427 bandtclark@windstream.net
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