Tragedy of Abortion
Since the 1973 landmark Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade, which fully legalized abortion on demand, at any stage of pregnancy right up until birth—over forty million babies have been killed in their mother's wombs with the full sanction of the law in our nation's abortion clinics.
In the abortion debate we often hear about a "woman's right to choose." We must ask, "Choose to do what?" Do we allow all mothers to choose to bring their babies after they are born to clinics to be killed? Every decent person would rightly object to that as a murder. We agree no one has a moral or legal right to choose to kill her newborn child. But what's the difference between killing a newborn baby and killing that same baby a few days, or even hours or minutes earlier when she is still in the womb? The only difference is the baby's location and stage of development. Birth does not somehow transform a baby from a non-human entity that may be disposed of at will into a living human being deserving the protection of law. If the baby is a human being when she exits the womb, then why is she still not that same human being when she is in the womb?
The real issue in the emotional abortion debate, then, is not "choice" or "women's rights" but whether or not abortion takes a human life. To answer this, we must answer the more fundamental question—one which pro-abortionists refuse to address:When does human life begin? At conception? At some later stage of pregnancy? Not until birth?
Some dishonestly dodge this question, pretending such a determination is too difficult for them to make. But it's not a difficult issue. The word of God tells us life begins at conception, and that therefore when a woman is pregnant she is carrying a living, human being. David said to God, "You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psa. 139:13-14). But apart from the Bible, overwhelming scientific evidence corroborates the truth—known instinctively by every expectant mother—that within the womb is not an inhuman mass of flesh, but a living human baby. Abortion, thus, is the killing of a helpless, precious child who only wants to live, whose only crime is being unwanted. Some contend one can be a good "Christian" and favor legalized abortion, but the Bible unequivocally states that "God hates...hands that shed innocent blood" (Prov. 6:16-17). We must reach out with compassion to a woman contemplating abortion, while exposing and opposing the killing of unborn children, lest our hands be stained with innocent blood.
Tyler Young
Sympathy
We wish to express our sympathy to the family of Lucinda Webster, sister of Cecilia Bethune and aunt of Barbie Martinez and Kristal Sanchez. Funeral services were held on Monday, September 29th at St. Joseph's Catholic Church.
We wish to express our sympathy to the family of J.C. Eager, father of Delora Wood. Funeral were held this week in Lubbock.
Current Concerns
Estella Morolez had surgery on Tuesday, September 30th in Houston, TX. She is out of the hospital and staying with her son. The surgery went well. She is in good spirits. She will have to remain in Houston to get her stitches out on October 8th. From there they will get the dates for her radiation and hopefully return home.
Diana Martinez, stepmother of Alex Martinez, is not doing well. She has been placed on an oxygen machine and is bed ridden.
P. Jayapaul, one of our formerly supported missionaries, had surgery on Monday, September 29th.
Esperanza Munos, sister of Cecilia Bethune and aunt of Barbie Martinez and Kristal Sanchez is back at home. She is doing better.
Jesse Ramos, father of Rosie Simmons, has been put in the Deerings Nursing Home room 402.
Don Flowers, friend of Susan Simmons, is in ICU at Medical Center Hospital with numerous blood clots throughout his body. They have put filters in to keep the clots from going to his heart.
Prayer List
Fran Arbuckle; Mildred Bell; John Bethune; Bruce Cunningham; Mildred Heslip; Cecil Hext; I.B. Huff; Earlene Lewis; Clemente Martinez; Estella Morolez; Jesse Ramos; Mabel Riggs; Erin Whitlock; Marilyn Upshaw.
Shut-ins
Mary Dunn; Fay Gann; Cecil and Mildred Hext; Virgie Price; Charles Tucker.
Events
Watch In Search of the Lord's Way with Mack Lyon every Sunday morning at 7:30 am on CBS, channel 7. This week's topic will be entitled, "Jesus Calls Sinners."
The Lubbock Lectureship is set for October 12th ~ 16th. The theme is The Law of Christ. It will be held at the Southside Church of Christ in Lubbock, TX. Make plans to attend if you are able.
The McCamey Lectures will be held on October 19th-22nd. More information is posted on the news and notes board.
FYI
Attn Ladies: The new sign up sheet for food coordinators is on the news and notes board. Please be sure to sign up!
Odessa Christian School is in need of two daycare workers. The hours are from 10:30 to 5:30 Monday through Friday with paid holidays. They are also in need of substitute teachers and a computer teacher. If you are interested in any of the above positions please contact Shona Wood or Ardia Watson at 362-6311.
Bible Quiz Question
This week's answers must be submitted by October 8th. (Read Nehemiah 3:6-11).
Question: 1) Who repaired the Tower of the Furnaces? What ovens were these? 2) Who is Shallum? Who worked with him to repair the Wall? 3) Who repaired the Valley Gate? The Dung Gate? The Fountain Gate and Wall of Siloah?
Office News
Our food coordinators for the month of October are Lana Howard, Kathy Nunley.
This week's pantry items are crackers, canned soups, canned vegetables.
| October 5, 2008 | Morning | Evening |
|---|---|---|
Announcements | Charles Wood | Charles Wood |
Song Leader | Steve Horton | John Carroll |
Sermon | Allen Weakland | Allen Weakland |
Opening Prayer | Charles Wood | Charles Wood |
Scripture | Lon Howard | Alex Martinez |
Second Prayer | Ronnie Lane | Scot Straw |
Closing Prayer | Tony Marrs | Larry May |
|
||
West |
Frank Vargas |
Cody Wesson |
East |
John Wood |
Jeff Wood |
Other Responsibilities: Elder: Charles Wood ~ Deacon: Juan Morolez ~ Pulpit: Bill Brown ~ Table: Bill Butler ~ Song Leaders: Ronnie Lane
Sunday AM
"My Sin is Ever Before Me"
(Psalms 51:1-3)
Sunday PM
"Problems Can Be Good"
(Psalms 6:1-10)
Our Records
Bible Class... 93
Morning Worship... 172
Evening Worship... 94
Wednesday... 98
Contribution $4,721.90