missionalweb.org

Essay by John Dally, published by the Alban Institute, and krisis

Sermon by Rev. Keith Wright. One in a series about the missional church.

Join Presbyterians Pro-Life on January 18th in celebrating an often forgotten, segment of our Presbyterian Church family--the unborn. January is the perfect time to consider precious life in the womb. Images of the Christmas story are fresh in our memory. Our souls are still impacted by the incredible irony of the King of Kings entering our world as a terribly vulnerable embryo in the womb of a virgin. He laid aside his glory and his power and took up unseen residence in the darkness of the womb of an unwed mother in a culture that stoned women who were discovered to be pregnant before marriage. Many pro-life churches commemorate "Sanctity of Human Life Sunday" as a way to memorialize the millions of babies that have been aborted each year since the Supreme Court decision known as Roe v. Wade legalized abortion in January of 1973. They plan a special service on the Sunday closest to the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, which in 2009 will be January 18. Other churches choose to simply celebrate God's gift of life without making a connection to any politically charged event or issue. It is right and good any time of the year to incorporate into our worship our acknowledgement that our very life is created and sustained by God and that we are made in his image to bring glory and praise to His name. Each year Presbyterians Pro-Life prepares materials to aid churches in planning a service around a theme celebrating God's gift of life. Visit the SOHLS home page to download our 2009 bulletin insert and other worship planning materials. If you would be interested in having someone from the PPL staff or Board of Directors speak at your church for a special life-affirming service or to share the work of Presbyterians Pro-Life with your congregation, please don't hesitate to contact PPL.

Throughout history, God has always been a sender. After all, He sent us His son, who in turn sends us. Part of the Threads family, this new study examines what “being sent” looks like in the church today. Christ was all about action--always seeking, saving, and serving. Uncover the meaning of missional and explore where you fit into the overall purpose of the church. Sessions feature a group of young adults and their hand-held cameras as they explore what being missional means in different contexts in this documentary feature.