November 26, 2006
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. (I Corinthians 6:19-20)
Dear Friends and Members of Grace,
"Grace to You" typically offers a devotional reflection seeking to build up its readers in the Christian faith or to spur them on in faithful living. At other times, this weekly email is used to draw our attention to the disturbing realities of our world. Sadly, this edition of "Grace to You" is fulfilling this latter function regarding a matter that many will find unthinkable.
The United Kingdom's Daily Mail (click here for the full story: ) recently reported a stunning change of position by the Anglican Church (a.k.a. the Church of England, of which the Episcopal Church is the American branch). Anglican Bishop Tom Butler, who is the vice chair of the Church of England's Mission and Public Affairs Council, has sparked controversy by authoring an official position paper of the church arguing that there are occasions when it is compassionate to leave a severely disabled child to die. This is not the church condoning abortion (sadly, some churches have already gone that route); this is the church condoning the withholding of medical treatment from disabled children outside the womb. What could be the justification for such an action? Among the reasons offered by Bishop Butler is the financial cost involved in offering such treatment to the child.
This surprise statement added to the controversy created a week earlier when the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecology called for a debate on the mercy killing of disabled infants. One of the voices arising in opposition to this macabre move is the UK Disabled Peoples Council, a group that has first hand knowledge of the value of human life, even when it is limited by disabilities.
There is no debating that the Lord's gift of medical technology comes at a great financial cost. That great financial cost is now tempting many to limit such cost by an even greater ethical cost. This debate brings up various ethical questions, including "How do we determine the value of a human life?" If we're going to put a price tag on the value of life, is a person's expectation of productivity to be a determining factor in the total dollars that can be assessed to their lifetime medical care? Will we cut off care from anyone at any age at any level of viability once they have expended their quotient of medical dollars? I pray that such questions illustrate the grave moral problems that will swamp any argument for the "mercy killing" of the disabled at any age.
Another way to put it is this: at what point does life become expendable? As Christians who honor the word of the Lord, the answer is simple: life is never expendable. The value of human life has a three-fold source. First, all life was created by God (that's the First Article of the Apostles & Nicene Creeds) and thus it has intrinsic value. Second, every human life was redeemed/paid for by Christ on the cross (that's the Second Article of the Apostles and Nicene Creeds). Third, every human being is either one in whom the Holy Spirit already dwells or in whom the Holy Spirit desires to dwell (that's the Third Article of the Apostles and Nicene Creeds).
With every human life holding such eternal value, we are called upon to defend the lives of those who cannot defend themselves - such as the disabled newborns. (The defense of the defenseless is a huge theme throughout Scripture with Proverbs 31:8,9 being an example - "Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.") And we are called upon to conduct our own lives in a manner that shows forth the value which God has given us.
While we are called to action, there is also comfort for us. No matter who we are or how great our limitations might be, our value is never in doubt. Our value is tied up in who our God is and what He has made us to be. Your value was clear when Christ put a high price upon you - gladly purchasing you with His blood that you might belong to Him for eternity.
The Peace of the Lord be with you,
Pastor Golden
Voters Meeting: All communicant members of Grace should mark their calendars for Sunday, December 10, 11:15 a.m. for a Voters Meeting. The agenda will include the election of 2007 congregational officers and the approval of the 2007 budget.
Christmas Cookies: This Saturday, December 2, is the third annual LWML Christmas Cookie Sale at Grace. Each family is asked to provide 10 dozen homemade cookies as well as candy for the sale. Such donations will be received at Grace from the evening of Wednesday, November 29 through noon on Friday, December 1.
Children Needed: We need plenty of children to be part of Grace's Christmas float on Saturday, December 9. We'll meet at Grace at 1 p.m. Any children planning on participating should inform Pastor or Ron Erxleben.
LifeLight: Our study of "Law & Gospel" just concluded. We'll resume on Monday, January 8, 2007, 7 p.m. for a study of Miracles - Biblical and Contemporary. Anyone interested in participating should contact Pastor Golden by December 17 so sufficient materials may be ordered.
Christmas Caroling: Summit Villa has requested that we share the Christmas joy by caroling for their residents sometime in December. Anyone interested in participating should contact Pastor Golden by Sunday, November 26.
Christmas Decorating: Join us on Saturday, December 2, 3 p.m. as we decorate Grace for Advent and Christmas. A potluck will follow.
2007 Officers: Congregational officers for 2007 will be elected at the Voter's Meeting on Sunday, December 10, 11:15 a.m. You may volunteer yourself or nominate another member to serve in one of those offices on the nomination roster in the narthex.
Advent & Christmas Services
Sunday, December 3 - First Sunday of Advent - "Promises, Promises"
Wednesday, December 6 - First Wednesday of Advent - "These Are the Signs"
Sunday, December 10 - Second Sunday of Advent - "He Comes To..."
Wednesday, December 13 - Second Wednesday of Advent - "The Simple Truth"
Sunday, December 17 - Third Sunday of Advent - Children's Program "From Heav'n Above"
Wednesday, December 20 - Third Wednesday of Advent - "Sing with a Joyful Tongue"
Sunday, December 24, 10 am - Fourth Sunday of Advent - "Anticipating What's Under the Wrapping"
Sunday, December 24, 5 pm - Christmas Eve - "The Love of God Made Manifest"
Sunday, December 24, 11 pm - Christmas Vigil - "Coming Out Party"
Monday, December 25, 10 am - Christmas Day - "The Joy of the Nativity"
Sunday, December 31, 10 am - First Sunday after Christmas - "Christmas Clothes"
Sunday, December 31 - 5 pm - New Year's Eve - "Time Change"