"He has no hands." That statement seems a bit out of place in this issue of LifeDate with our focus on "In the Hand of God." We can certainly find many references in the Bible to God’s hands, the hands that create, redeem, and sustain life. When we talk about our incarnate Savior, it’s important to remember he has physical hands, just like us. Through those hands came our salvation. No doubt about it, the value of life comes from the hand of God.

So, when the choir sings "He has no hands . . . no feet . . . no voice . . ." are they a bit "off key"? Not at all! While the hands of God give us His good and gracious gifts, we are called to use our hands and the gifts He gives us to His glory. Our hands are not those pierced on the cross for our salvation, but we can be the hands of God in service to others.

Here at Lutherans For Life, we prayerfully ask God to use us as His hands, feet, and voice on the life issues. Through written materials and DVDs, through teaching and preaching, through speaking and radio interviews thousands and thousands of people from pre-schoolers to seminarians to the elderly have heard about the value God gives to their lives. It’s made a difference! It’s changed and saved lives!

We humbly thank the Lord for allowing us to serve Him this past year. By the Lord’s will, LFL will continue to apply His Word to these difficult issues—and we look forward to doing it in brand new and exciting ways in 2008! In the coming months, you will be hearing a lot about two exciting projects at Lutherans For Life: Teaching For Life, our graded curriculum for use in Lutheran schools, and Renewal For Life, a comprehensive initiative meant to renew awareness among all Lutherans that life issues are spiritual issues to which the Scriptures speak.

In order for Lutherans For Life to not just continue what we have been doing, but also move forward to reach even more people with the Gospel of Life, we need more hands! We need hands in service, hands in prayer, and hands that give of the bounty they have been given to support this work.

Would you be willing to extend a hand to someone struggling with a life issue by partnering with Lutherans For Life? Is there a certain area of the ministry that is of particular interest to you? Perhaps you can use your hands at the local or state level. Or, perhaps you could support a need at the national office with a monetary gift.

On the next page of LifeDate, you will see something new, an LFL "Wish List." This is only a sampling of the projects that are funded through your gifts to Lutherans For Life. Perhaps you would like to designate a gift to help with one of these projects, or allow us to apply your gift to the area where there is the greatest need at this time.

Are you looking for a way to honor someone important in your life this Christmas season? You might consider a donation in honor or memory of a family member or friend. If you include their name and address, we will send a personal note (with donation amount excluded) to the person you have chosen to honor letting them know of your gift.

"He has no hands." Certainly, we know that God’s hands create, redeem and hold human life. It is because of His hand that we value life. As members of His body, the Church, we are called to be His hands to others as we speak up for the life His hands create. We can be God’s hands as we reach out with the Gospel to those who have made mistakes. Our hand can be His hand of hope to those hurting and struggling. And yes, our hands can give because of what He has given us so that God’s "For Life" message can reach even more people looking for hope and forgiveness.

Maybe you have never heard the choir anthem He Has No Hands, but these words from Hark, the Voice of Jesus Crying may be familiar:

(LSB 826, v. 4)