Millions gearing up to observe 'Sanctity of Human Life Sunday' By Craig M. Kibler Staff Writer The Layman Online Posted Thursday, January 4, 2007 Corrected Monday, Jan. 8, 2007 Millions of people nationwide are gearing up to observe "Sanctity of Human Life Sunday" on Jan. 21 – a time designated, organizers say, for individuals, ministers and congregations to unite and focus on the value of human life. Last year, in designating a "National Sanctity of Human Life Day," President George W. Bush said the day "underscore[s] our commitment to building a culture of life where all individuals are welcomed in life and protected in law." "America is making great strides in our efforts to protect human life," he said. "One of my first actions as president was to sign an order banning the use of taxpayer money on programs that promote abortion overseas. Over the past five years, I also have been proud to sign into law the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act, the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, and a ban on partial-birth abortion. In addition, my administration continues to fund abstinence and adoption programs and numerous faith-based and community initiatives that support these efforts. "When we seek to advance science and improve our lives," the president said, "we must always preserve human dignity and remember that human life is a gift from our Creator. We must not sanction the creation of life only to destroy it. America must pursue the tremendous possibilities of medicine and research and at the same time remain an ethical and compassionate society." Traditionally, the day chosen as "Sanctity of Human Life Day" has been the Sunday nearest the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in the Roe v Wade case (Jan. 22, 1973) that legalized abortion. Presbyterians Pro-Life is one of the groups that has prepared materials to assist individuals, ministers and congregations with abortion and euthanasia issues. Some of those materials include a sermon on God's care of the unborn, resources, pictures, fetal models and ministries that can be displayed in church lobbies or used in Sunday school classes to, as the organization says, "send a message that human life matters to God." The group has prepared a bulletin insert in color or black & white and an idea sheet. It also has prepared a children's sermon, titled "Big Feet, Little Feet," that cites Jeremiah 1:5: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;" and Psalm 139:16: "You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed." More information is available on the organization's Web site. Craig M. Kibler is the Director of Publications/Executive Editor of The Layman and The Layman Online. He can be reached at cmkibler@layman.org.

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