Every. Life. Matters.

Tomorrow - January 22 - is a day that forever changed our country. In 1973, the landmark Roe vs. Wade case brought the legalization of the practice of abortion to all fifty states. During these 46 years, over 60 million legal abortions have happened in the land of the free. Many of you are aware this is an issue I am very passionate about - it is very personal for me. I am adopted. This summer I will turn 50. I have never met my birth mother and do not know the circumstances surrounding her pregnancy from late 1968 into the summer of 1969, and I probably never will. Questions like these will go unanswered more than likely, at least on this side of eternity.

But here is the unmistakable truth: I am forever thankful for the gift of LIFE I received from my birth mother! I am blessed beyond words by the gift of ADOPTION - Jim and Dorothy Taylor ARE my parents and raised me in a Christian home and gave me opportunities and experiences to grow and develop! Because of this gift of LIFE given to me, I was able to marry the love of life Marla Knackmuhs 26 1/2 years ago! Because of this gift of LIFE given to me, I watched last summer as my daughter Jordan had the opportunity to both graduate from college and marry Jacob, the love of her life! Because of this gift of LIFE given to me, I watched last Saturday as my son Peyton competed in his first college track and field meet in Terre Haute, Indiana. I cannot even allow myself to consider a world without Jordan Vangen and Peyton Taylor - this gift of LIFE was and is really something special! 

What's the point? Every. Life. Matters. Yesterday at Clinton FCC, we were so blessed by Penny Weaver, executive director of the New Life Pregnancy Center in Decatur. If you missed yesterday due to weather or other factors, please take time to watch the message on the Clinton FCC Facebook page - Penny had so much to share about LIFE - you will be blessed! And grab a baby bottle - we are once again participating in the New Life "Change for Life" fundraiser - I would LOVE to see Clinton FCC raise at least $5,000.00 for New Life this year! Every. Life. Matters. Thanks NLPC and Penny for all you do for the cause of LIFE in the land of the free!

This Sunday January 27 at Clinton FCC - keep in mind the following opportunities for you:

#1 - DISCOVER FCC will take place at 9:30am in the Family Life Center Alcove at 9:30am - we will look at the BELIEFS, the HISTORY and the MINISTRIES of Clinton FCC - all are welcome! Please RSVP if possible w/ the office at 935-3139.

#2 - PIZZA POTLUCK connections event at 6pm in the Family Life Center. Grab your favorite pizza and come on out for pizza, pop and games, and also receive a copy of the 2018 Annual Report - they will NOT be available before Sunday evening so come on out!

#3 - I Am a Church Member - we will be distributing this book by Thom Rainer to each family this Sunday as we prepare to study this book together on Sunday mornings in February. I am really looking forward to all four Sundays in February as we consider:

** Feb 3 - The Church is the Bride of Christ - what does this mean? How should this impact us?
** Feb 10 - UNITY warms the heart of God - what does this look like as a church?
** Feb 17 - The Church is NOT about me - how does this work in a consumeristic culture?
** Feb 24 - The Church has an opportunity (and a calling) to LEAVE a LEGACY - how can we make this happen?

Have a great week - see you Sunday! And hopefully we can have a weekend sans snow, wind and ice!

blessings

GT