Sanctity of Human Life Sunday

(An Article by The CORE Center of Delaware County, Ohio)

January 22, 2014, marks the 41st anniversary of the passage of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion-on-demand throughout the United States. The resulting death toll is more than 50 million pre-born children.

That number is too big to comprehend, both in volume and the impact it has had on our culture, but at Pregnancy Resources of Delaware County (The CORE Center), we understand the difference we can make, one person at a time. We are here for the woman, or couple, unprepared for pregnancy; we are also here for the woman who carries emotional and spiritual wounds from a past abortion experience.

Our services are free and confidential and include: Pregnancy tests | Life-saving ultrasounds | One-on-one peer education and support with a trained consultant on topics like pregnancy, sexual integrity, adoption, and parenting | Maternity clothes | An opportunity to earn points to spend at our Baby Boutique that offers diapers, baby items and baby clothes | Moms’ Support Group and Bible studies | Post-abortion healing workshops.

Please help us serve Delaware County residents in any of the following ways: Pray for our staff, volunteers, and clients | Refer someone in crisis for our services | Consider conducting a Baby Bottle fundraising campaign at your church or school | Make a personal gift to The CORE Center | Volunteer.

Cindy Violet, Executive Director
Pregnancy Resources of Delaware County (The CORE Center)
www.theCORECenter.org

652 West Central Avenue, Suite 30

Delaware, Ohio 43015

Phone: 740.417.9358

(Please be aware that The CORE Center has changed their name to Pregnancy Resources of Delaware County)

Let Your Light Shine!

Beginning in 2014, I will be taking over as the Local and Global Missions Coordinator at Orange Friends Church (OFC). I realize I have big shoes to fill. Both Dr. Robert Wafula and Doyle Hartman have successfully completed this task in recent years.

During the month of October, when we have the Taste of Missions event, we will concentrate on global missions, and what that means to OFC. 

For the month of January, we will be concentrating on local missions. Our outreach to local missions includes C.R.A.C.K. House Ministries, Pregnancy Decision Health Centers, The CORE Center, Faith Mission, and Gracehaven. In the upcoming weeks, I hope everyone learns a little more about these ministries, what they are accomplishing for the glory of God, and how we, at OFC, are contributing and can contribute to help these wonderful ministries.

I know Christmas Day has passed, but one of my favorite TV specials around the Christmas season is “A Charlie Brown Christmas”. Remember this story? Charlie Brown has purchased a less-than-desirable Christmas tree and all his friends make fun of him; and of course, Snoopy gets the biggest laugh of all. Well, later that day, the friends gather around that disgraceful Christmas tree that can’t seem to support its own weight. Finally, Linus speaks up and says, “Maybe it is not such a bad tree after all. Maybe it just needs a little loving.”

There are people amongst us who may “just need a little loving”…like the young teenager who is pregnant and facing tough decisions, the drug addict or alcoholic, those trying to find their next meal or a warm pair of shoes, the young person caught in the life of sex trafficking. The list could go on and on. There is darkness and there is hurt all around us.

During the month of January, I challenge each of us to look within our own hearts. How can we be the “light” that Jesus wants us to be? What can we do through prayer, financial giving, or volunteering? What can we do, while walking down the street, as we come upon strangers, to be that “light”?

That Charlie Brown Christmas tree, when given some love and attention, went from being pathetic and less-than-desirable, to full of life and light and brought joy to the Charlie Brown clan. We, at OFC, can do this same thing for the hurting and the broken, those who appear to be less desirable, those who cannot seem to support their own weight, like that Charlie Brown Christmas tree. Let’s join together and light up lives as we live to glorify God.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”  Matthew 5:16 (KJV)

Ron Clark

What Do You Want For Christmas?

Every year we are asked the same question, right? “What do you want for Christmas?” Well, when you are young, that is easy! I knew the question was coming so I had the JCPenney catalog (or any toy ads I could get my hands on) all marked up with the best options. Circling toys in the catalog was almost as fun as getting the marked item! As we get older, and perhaps wiser, we don’t mark up the ads. We may have one or two things that we mention to our loved ones, but most of us are pretty content with whatever we open up on Christmas morning. Don’t get me wrong. I love getting gifts. :) I just have found that my favorite things about Christmas are the people. I enjoy being with friends and family. I love seeing my kids and nieces and nephew open gifts and experience true excitement and awe. I love gathering with my church family for worship and singing Silent Night while lighting candles. Shared experiences are what mean so much. This is what symbolizes and celebrates the greatest gift of all. This Christmas Eve let us gather, once again, to celebrate the coming of God in flesh...together. This will be a cherished gift to one another this holiday season. That is my answer to the question.

Have a blessed and merry Christmas!

Pastor David