This week is the anniversary of the court cases that legalized abortion: Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton. Thousands of pro-life people will be marching for the rights of the unborn at the National March for Life in Washington, D.C. The theme is “Show up. Confess Christ. Be Lutheran.”
With this message, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) invites you to walk with your fellow Lutherans at the 47th Annual National March for Life in Washington, D.C., on Friday, Jan. 24, 2020.
“The church is called to confess Christ before the world,” said the Rev. Robert Zagore, executive director of the LCMS Office of National Mission. “The March for Life is an opportunity for the people of the LCMS to confess that we rejoice in God’s gift of life.”
“We stand together to speak against those who disparage life, even as we proclaim Jesus, who conquered death and the grave. We want the nation’s capital to be full of Lutherans this year as we meet to pray, sing and march.”
The first official March for Life took place on Jan. 22, 1974, the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision making abortion a constitutionally protected right in all 50 states. The march has been held annually ever since, and the LCMS has a long history of involvement as both a participant and a sponsor.
This Year’s March in Washington, D.C.
The 2020 March for Life will begin at 1 p.m. EST, Jan. 24, on Constitution Avenue between 12th and 14th streets. Shortly before that time, members of LCMS churches, schools and organizations in attendance will gather in a designated location to receive hats, signs and hymn sheets. They will then join other marchers from around the world to walk up Constitution Avenue to the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court.
On Jan. 23, the eve of the march, LCMS participants are invited to a rally at the Renaissance Washington D.C. Downtown Hotel. Anyone planning to attend the rally is asked to RSVP to the LCMS Church Information Center at infocenter@lcms.org or 888-843-5267 (THE-LCMS).
On Jan. 24, the morning of the march, marchers are invited to attend Divine Service at 9 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Alexandria, Va. A continental breakfast will follow the service. Wednesday, January 22nd, you can join Ingham County Right to Life in marching for life at the State Capitol Building in Lansing. A program with prayer and reflection will begin at 1:00 p.m. on the East Capitol Steps. The march will then take place at 1:30 p.m. around the Capitol grounds, ending at St. Mary Cathedral Hall where there will be a reception with refreshments.
Local March in Lansing
On Wednesday, January 22nd, you can join Ingham County Right to Life in marching for life at the State Capitol Building in Lansing. A program with prayer and reflection will begin at 1 p.m. on the East Capitol Steps. The march will then take place at 1:30 p.m. around the Capitol grounds, ending at St. Mary Cathedral Hall where there will be a reception with refreshments.
Photo of last year’s group from Lutheran High School Westland and Valley Lutheran High School courtesy of VLHS.
