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Together we seek to honor the Lord’s gift of life at all stages, from the preborn to the vulnerable elderly.

UPCOMING EVENTS 

Bethlehem Prayer at Planned Parenthood

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against…the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.—Ephesians 6:12

What happens when the Church shows up at an abortion clinic and prays? Hearts are changed (for all!), truth is proclaimed and lives are saved.  

Come gather with others from Bethlehem under the leadership of Pastor John Piper for a time of prayer on Saturday, June 24, at 10am.

Join us outside Planned Parenthood St. Paul on the first anniversary of the overturn of Roe v. Wade and pray on-site for an end to the shedding of innocent blood at this, the largest abortion clinic in the State of Minnesota, as well as all abortion clinics in our State.  

We will pray that Jesus Christ would be exalted as mighty Lord and merciful Savior, and that he would cause hearts to change so that abortion is renounced and abortion clinics close, and that the people and leaders of Minnesota would seek life-giving ways to face the challenges of difficult pregnancies. And more.

THE LORD HONORS THE PRAYERS OF HIS PEOPLE.

The national 40 Days for Life movement has documented:

  • Over 20,000 lives saved since the first 40 Days was held in 2007
  • Approximately 230 abortion workers have quit their jobs
  • 114 abortion centers have closed nationally due to the Vigils (prior to the overturn of Roe v Wade)—including the abortion clinic at Regions Hospital in St. Paul.

Directions and Parking:

Planned Parenthood St. Paul is located at 671 Vandalia Street, St. Paul (corner of Vandalia and Charles, five blocks north of I-94 at Vandalia exit). Parking is limited so the following should be considered:

  • Carpool if possible
  • Limited on-street parking is available north of Charles on Vandalia (east side of street).
  • On-street parking is available on the east side of Pillsbury Street, which runs along the west side of the Planned Parenthood block.
  • DO NOT park in the McDonald’s lot or in any private business lot; YOU WILL BE TOWED.
  • Public Transportation:
    • MTC #16 Bus to Vandaliao
    • MTC Light Rail to Hampden Avenue Station (on University), walk two blocks east to Vandalia and then turn left/north one block

Our Scriptural Mandate

  • Then God said,“Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.”—Genesis 1:27
  • For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.—Psalm 139:13–14
  • Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. If you say,“Behold, we did not know this,” does he who weighs the heart not perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it?—Proverbs 24:11–12

Human life is precious to the Lord. Every human being bears the spiritual image and likeness of the Creator of the universe. This distinction sets man above every creature. As Christians, we are called to defend the sanctity of human life. 

Sanctity of Life Ministry: Our mission

The Sanctity of Life Ministry (SOLM) helps Bethlehem put Scriptural convictions into action. The SOLM ... 

  • Educates and mobilizes Bethlehem to defend the rights of the preborn and other vulnerable people. Various forums and venues have been utilized over the years, including special speakers, films, seminars, and panel discussions. Annual presentations are made to Bethlehem’s youth and college age groups to help them be grounded in truth on life topics.
  • Supports New Life Family Services in their work ministering to women and men facing unplanned pregnancies. Our partnership includes prayer, financial support through fundraising projects, and volunteering to meet various needs.
  • Coordinates promotion of and Bethlehems participation in the annual “March for Life” at the State Capitol (held annually on January 22).
  • Supports and encourages sidewalk counseling and prayer support outside abortion clinics throughout the metro. Bethlehem partners with Pro-Life Action Ministries, a ministry which focuses on having an effective presence outside abortion clinics and which provides training and coordination for those interested in reaching women at the last “touch point” prior to having an abortion.

Current Concerns

With the reversal of Roe v. Wade by the U.S. Supreme Court on June 24, 2022, the legal status of abortion returned to each individual state. In Minnesota, abortion is still permitted throughout all nine months of pregnancy. Please be in prayer that our State joins other states which have codified in law that abortion is illegal. Such a reversal of current law will only be achieved by a change of heart among the people of Minnesota. 

The pro-choice controlled Minnesota State Legislature began the January 2023 session intent on following through with their campaign promises to make codifying abortion into State law. They introduced and fast-tracked HF1/SF1 known as the Protect Reproductive Options (PRO) Act, passing the bill forward through multiple committees during the first two weeks of the session. This bill:

  • Removes virtually any restrictions on abortion (including informed consent and parental notification)
  • Offers no regulation on health and safety standards of abortion facilities
  • Prevents local government from enacting regulations on these “reproductive care” services which would restrict access as outlined in the bill
  • States that children and adults have the right to access reproductive services, including sterilization and contraception

A second accompanying bill (HF91/SF70) has also been introduced which eliminates almost all remaining pro-life laws in Minnesota, including legalizing abortion until the moment of birth.

What Can We Do?

Quoting Brian Gibson, Executive Director of Pro-Life Action Ministries, “Pray as you’ve never prayed before for the protection of the babies.” We must come before the Lord asking Him to change the hearts and minds of those who serve our State, both in the Minnesota House and Senate. We need to see men and women vote what they know in their hearts to be true: that the preborn are human and that taking their lives—for any reason—is an affront to their Maker and constitutes the shedding of innocent blood. Pray that those who know truth will be bold and have the courage to speak out, even when their words are not well-received by their colleagues.

We must also contact our state legislators  (both in the State House and Senate) and ask them to vote “no” on both the PRO Act (HFl/SF1) as well as the accompanying bill (HF91/SF70). To better understand the dangers of the proposed legislation, please read the response submitted by Renee Carlson of Minnesota Family Council’s True North Legal to the Star Tribune Editorial Board’s endorsement of the PRO.

How to Get Involved

Each pro-life individual should ask themselves (and the Lord) what their role should be in advocating for the voiceless. At a minimum, each of us should be in prayer for the hearts of our fellow Americans. In addition to prayer, there are many pro-active ways to make a difference including:

Join the SOLM Team
Bethlehem’s Sanctity of Life Ministry (SOLM) is eager to welcome your involvement. Would you join us in helping our church engage in pro-life efforts? SOLM members meet quarterly for prayer and planning. To get involved, please contact Delsie Baxter (612-866-5075).

Receive the SOLM Email Updates
Email updates are sent with timely details about upcoming events, stories from interactions at the abortion clinics (including babies saved), and prayer requests. To sign up, contact Christian Hunt.

Monthly Prayer Meeting
Join others who share a burden for the preborn and vulnerable in our society, praying for such timely matters as critical legislation, partner ministry needs and initiatives and other sanctity of life concerns. Prayer is held the first Sunday of the month between Sunday morning services from approximately 10:40–10:55am in the prayer room (off the Commons).

Sidewalk Counselor or Prayer Supporter (outside abortion clinic)
In the past, Bethlehem focused its sidewalk counseling efforts on Whole Woman’s abortion clinic because of its close proximity. Since Whole Woman’s moved to Bloomington in March 2020, we now recommend people choose to minister outside an abortion clinic location near their home or work. A list of abortion clinic locations can be found by going to the website of Pro-Life Action Ministries. Pro-Life Action Ministries also offers excellent training to help people develop skills and feel comfortable in knowing how to have an effective witness in this unique ministry.

For information on coordinating with other Bethlehem attendees ministering at abortion clinics, please contact Delsie Baxter.

Receive New Life Family Service Prayer Texts
Sign up to receive texts from New Life Family Services (NLFS) as needs present themselves. You can play a role in helping women (and men) by praying for their hearts in “real time.” Simply text “Pray” to 612-482-4400.

Sign up to receive weekly prayer emails with prayer requests and praises from all New Life offices and programs. 

Volunteer With Partner Pro-Life Ministries
Our partner ministries welcome volunteers to serve in various ways. To learn what you can do to help, contact these representatives:

Pro-Life Action Ministries (plam.org)
Contact: Thomas Wilkin (651-797-6366) 

New Life Family Services (nlfs.org)
Contact: Traci Berrey (612-746-5677) 

Ongoing Meetings

May 7 Prayer Meeting 
The next “First Sunday” prayer meeting (we pray every first Sunday of the month) will be held in the Prayer Room off the Commons on Sunday, February 5, 10:40–10:55am. Join others who share this burden before the Throne and call out to God together! “Where two or more are gathered …”

July 10 SOLM Quarterly Meeting
The next quarterly meeting of the SOLM will take place on Monday, April 10, in Room 114, 6:30–8:30pm. Join us to pray for the hearts of our country and Bethlehem’s role in this spiritual battle and plan for how the Lord would have us be involved in this spiritual battle.

Resources