Celebrate the Abundant Life was the theme for the Lutherans For Life of South Dakota Life Conference 2010.  Rev. Dr. James I. Lamb presented the keynote address The Abundant Life based on John 10:1-11.  He said a life of following the Shepherd is “not always easy. Sometimes our lives can get pretty dark … crisis pregnancies come into our families and to our lives and illness comes into our lives and death comes into our lives … and sometimes we wonder where the shepherd is … but the Good Shepherd comforts us with His rod and His staff … Our Good Shepherd gives us promise after promise after promise … ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’ ‘I am with you always.’ ‘I go ahead of you.’  And even though it seems like the Shepherd is not there in our lives, we trust in His promises and we know that He is … and someday He will lead us into His eternal dwelling where we will dwell with Him forever. And then, dear friends, the abundant life will truly be a life of abundance!” 

Following the Shepherd in the Valley of Death was the afternoon workshop led by Dr. Lamb.  This workshop helped us (participants) recognize our God-given value.  Our value comes from Who made us, GOD.  Jesus did not take our place because we had value; his dying on the cross and taking our place gave us value. This is the starting point in engaging the people of this society to change their thinking from valuing death over life.  Death has become this culture’s idol.  When we recognize the God-given value of life, good choices can be made in life’s difficult and painful situations.  Death has been swallowed up in victory by the power of the Gospel.

LFL Pastoral Advisor, Rev. Robert Moeller, led us in a Bible study prepared by Rev. Nabil Nour called “The Life God Intended for Us” based on John 10:10, with numerous  references from the book of John regarding eternal life.  Rev. Brad Urbach and Rev. Levi Willms led opening/closing devotions and prayers.  Rev. Moeller also presented Life: A Better Choice.  This is a fundraising campaign to purchase television ads across the state of SD.

The Annual Meeting of LFL of SD took place following the conference.  After SD LFL Chapter, secretary and president reports, an election for three state board members took place.  Lutherans For Life of South Dakota welcomes:  Jane Guericke, (who served in past years), Don Sperlich and Maralyn Hoops back to the state board.  We thank Lorraine Mosemann for her years of service on the state board.  Continuing on the board are:  Rev. Robert Moeller (pastoral advisor), Jill Johnson, Glady Reimnitz, and Lynette Auch.

Our sincere thank you to:  Rev. Dr. James I Lamb, Rev. Bob Moeller, Rev. Brad Urbach, Rev. Levi Willms, the members of Faith Lutheran Church for use of their facility, the ladies group who prepared food, the Lutherans For Life  Chapters  of SD for your assistance with hosting, publicity, registration, brunch/coffee, decorations, and door prizes.  Thank you to all who participated in any way.

Life:  A Better Choice is a campaign that everyone can be part of.  Join us as we raise funds to purchase informative, tasteful, refreshing, pro-life and pro-family television advertising across the state of South Dakota. 
Produced by VirtueMedia, one of these ads called "Humane Humanity" speaks of the profound value of all human life. The text is gentle and images impactful: "Over the years, humanity has made terrible mistakes. People were treated as less than human, even killed because they were a different skin color, a different faith, because they were unknown, unplanned and helpless…But over time, we are slowing learning that we are all God's children, created in his image. And to disregard the value of human life, whether through hate or indifference...is wrong…That all human creation regardless of race, religion, abilities or stage of human life, has an inalienable right to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness. A right to love and be loved….As Americans, let's cherish the sanctity of human life, because we know how it feels when others treat us as less than human."…(End Tag): Life. Respect it. Protect it….The images feature unborn and newborn babies, families, people of color and different faiths, handicapped, elderly, etc.. and ends with a powerful 9/11 image.
JOIN US in “witnessing to the sanctity of human life through education based on the Word of God,” by sending your financial gifts to: Lutherans For Life of SD, PO Box 193, Armour, SD  57313

What is the standard by which the value of life is judged today?  Perhaps you’ve heard it said that it would be better for an unwanted child, or a child who will have a physical or mental handicap, not to be born at all.  Maybe you’ve heard of assisted suicide as a “compassionate choice” for the elderly and the disabled in our society.  But, who is to decide who should live and who should die?

     Oliver was born a healthy-looking beautiful baby boy.  But as the months passed, his parents realized something was wrong.  Extensive medical tests confirmed that Oliver had severe brain damage.  He was blind and mute.  He could not walk, feed himself or hold anything in his hands.  The only things Oliver could do were eat, sleep and laugh.  As the doctor told his parents the news, they asked what could be done for him.  The doctor suggested that they could put him in an institution.  Oliver’s parents replied, “But he is our son.  We will take him home of course.”  At hearing this the doctor added, “then take him home and love him,” and that is exactly what the DeVinck family did for the next 32 years.
     Oliver’s family fed him, bathed him, clothed him and loved him as he lay in his bed day after day, year after year.  Oliver’s siblings took part in his care – feeding him his daily meals, changing his diapers, and tickling his chest to make him laugh.  Oliver’s mother once said to her son Christopher, “When you get to heaven, Oliver will run to you, embrace you, and the first thing he will say is ‘Thank you’”.
     Christopher has shared Oliver’s story with millions of readers through articles in the Wall Street Journal, Reader’s Digest and a book called, The Power of the Powerless:  A Brother’s Legacy of Love.
     Christopher says of his brother, “Oliver still remains the most hopeless human being I ever met, the weakest human being I ever met, and yet he was one of the most powerful human beings I ever met.”

By today’s standards some would argue that the life of a brain damaged ‘vegetable’ like Oliver wouldn’t be worth living…that the more compassionate choice would be abortion or withholding food and water until the person dies.  But Oliver’s life is a testimony to the sanctity of human life.  Without speaking a word, Oliver has inspired and touched millions more people than most of us will ever impact in a lifetime!

What should our response as Christians be?  If a child is born without hands we should say…we will be your hands.  If a man has no legs we should say…we will walk for you.  If a person is weak from sickness or age we should say…we will be your strength to carry on.  And if a child is unborn, we should say…we promise you the right to live, to love, to achieve, and even to fail, just as we have.

[2007 Heritage House ’76 Inc. Item #9932RL, www.hh76.com, 1-1-07]


Witness of the Crosses
This is a display consisting of approximately 700-800 crosses that serve as a memorial to the thousands of babies whose lives have been taken as the result of abortion in South Dakota.  It also serves as a reminder to the men, women, and families suffering after making an abortion decision that Jesus died to forgive them. To reserve the Witness of the Crosses Display call East River:  Ron Hoops at 605-395-6655 or e-mail at rrmmfarm@nrctv.com.  West River:  Milt Berg at 605-745-7039 or email at mb91803@gwtc.net

Become a Supporter of:  Life:  A Better Choice 

This is a television advertising campaign that everyone can be part of.  Join us as we raise funds to purchase informative, tasteful, refreshing, pro-life and pro-family television advertising across the state of South Dakota.  JOIN US in “witnessing to the sanctity of human life through education based on the Word of God,” by sending your financial gifts to: Lutherans For Life of SD, PO Box 193, Armour, SD  57313
Check out our updated website:  www.lutheransforlifesd.org!!!

Don’t forget the 2010 Diaper Derby!

Who? Any South Dakota congregation
What?  Collect diapers
When?  Mother’s Day through Father’s Day
Why?  To show appreciation to moms and dads for choosing life!
Where?  All across South Dakota
How?  Count the diapers, take a picture, distribute diapers to a crisis pregnancy center, women’s shelter, or contact center in your community, and send picture/results to LFL of SD.
Wait….To find out who is the winner for the Diaper Derby 2010!

"Life: A Better Choice" Campaign is an ongoing fund-raising campaign to place a series of ads on our local television stations throughout the year. These ads will address important life issues honestly, but tactfully and sensitively. Our goal is to encourage individuals and our culture to make better choices when it comes to life issues.  Approximately $50,000 per year could purchase more than 7,500 spots on broadcast television throughout the state. It would be great to have at least $25,000 raised by Life Sunday, January 24, 2010, so that we could begin in earnest.

We realize that $50,000 is a lot of money, but if this campaign would help just one mother facing a crisis pregnancy to choose to carry her baby to term, it would be worth it, wouldn’t it?  “What value can you put on human life?”  But an even more important question to ask is this: “What is the value of one human soul?” Please send your donations to: "Life: A Better Choice”, PO Box 193, Armour, SD  57313.  (Checks should be made out to:  Lutherans For Life of South Dakota

Lutherans For Life of South Dakota is going to Celebrate the Abundant Life and they cordially request your presence January 30, 2010 at Faith Lutheran Church in Pierre, SD.  This “celebration” will feature Rev. Dr. James I. Lamb, the National Director of Lutherans For Life, whose keynote address will be based on John 10:10. "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." 

Dr. Lamb will also lead the afternoon workshop that is titled, "Following the Shepherd into the Valley of Death". This is NOT a workshop on death and dying.  It's about following the Shepherd into the "valley of death" that is our culture. What do followers of the Shepherd have to offer to one another and to society that can make a difference?  (This was the theme of the 2009 National Life Conference held this past summer in St. Louis, MO, so those who attend will get a small taste of what the National Conference had to offer.)

  8:30 -   9:00 am – Registration/Brunch/In-Gathering

  9:00 -   9:30 am – Opening Devotions

  9:30 - 10:30 am – Keynote Address by Dr. Lamb

10:30 - 11:30 am – Bible Study

11:30 - 12:30 pm – Lunch at the Church

12:30 -   1:30 pm – Workshop by Dr. Lamb

  1:30 -   2:00 pm – “Life: A Better Choice” Presentation

  2:00 -   2:30 pm – Greetings from Pastor Wade Mobley and SD LFL Chapters

  2:30 -   3:30 pm – Annual Meeting of LFL of SD

  3:30 -   3:45 pm – Closing Devotions and Prayer

Pre-registration is not necessary, but helpful for planning purposes.  To pre-register or for more information contact:  Maralyn Hoops:  Ph:605-395-6655 or Email: rrmmfarm@nrctv.com.  A free-will offering will be taken during the lunch hour to help defray expenses and to continue in the mission of Lutherans For Life: “To witness to the sanctity of human life through education based on the Word of GOD."

An In-Gathering of Baby Items will be collected and distributed to the local shelter or crisis pregnancy center.  So bring your gifts for the LORD’S work.

You do NOT need to be a member of Lutherans For Life to attend.  Please come and Celebrate the Abundant Life with us.

The Annual Meeting for Lutherans For Life members will follow the conference at approx 2:30 pm. Two members from each chapter are asked to come and represent their chapter.  Nominations are being accepted for three positions whose terms have concluded on the state board.  Please contact Lynette Auch, 605-364-7318, lynetteauch@gmail.com if you are interested in being nominated to a LFL of SD State Board position.  You must be an active, paid member of National LFL to hold an office position of any kind at the chapter or state level.  Snow date is Saturday, February 6, 2010.