Lutherans to march for life in nation’s capital

LCMS members carry an Eyes of Life sign (eyesoflife.org) near the U.S. Capitol during the 2019 National March for Life on Jan. 18 in Washington, D.C. (LCMS/Erik M. Lunsford)

“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.

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.

Other opportunities to support life

Each year, in addition to the march, the March for Life organization holds a variety of related events. Pre-march activities on Jan. 24 include a musical presentation at 11 a.m. and a rally on the National Mall at noon. At 3 p.m. outside the Supreme Court, speakers from Silent No More will share personal testimonies, and at 3:30, marchers will have the opportunity to visit their representative or senator to advocate for life.

On Jan. 23 and 24, the March for Life Expo will provide an opportunity for those who care about the sanctity of life to connect with a variety of pro-life organizations and ministries, including the LCMS. The Expo, which is free and open to the public, will take place on Jan. 23 (9 a.m.–8 p.m.) and 24 (8 a.m.–10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.–7 p.m.) at the Renaissance hotel.

The LCMS is not hosting its own conference in 2020, but LCMS members attending the march are encouraged to participate in the March for Life organization’s conference on Thursday, Jan. 24, at the Renaissance hotel. The cost is $40 per person. For more information, or to register, visit marchforlife.org/mfl-2020/conference.

Walk together in Washington, D.C.

The word “synod” means “walking together.” The leadership of the LCMS invites you to “walk together” for life with your fellow Lutherans this January in Washington, D.C. In addition to walking, you will pray, sing hymns and joyfully confess Christ at what the March for Life organization bills as the “largest pro-life event in the world.”

For more information about the National March for Life, visit marchforlife.org.

For more information about LCMS participation in the 2020 National March for Life, see lcms.org/marchforlife. Additional details will be posted as they become available.

Posted Oct. 30, 2019