We are now in the midst of that season of the forty-seven Lent, the forty days plus seven Sabbath Sundays, that runs from Ash Wednesday through Easter Sunday. This year's calendar has launched the Lenten season on February 17, and the culmination falls forty-seven days later, on April 4. During this time, might you consider "lengthening by shortening."

The word Lent come from the old English "lencten," referring to the "lengthening" of days that occurs in the Spring of the year. Soon (March 14) our clocks will "spring ahead," and our days may seem longer, if not brighter. The winter freeze will give way to some first whiffs of spring and even some Easter lilies, if we are patient. Spring is, by definition, a time for the lengthening of days.

Might we consider the paradox and do some "shortening" as the days lengthen? The call of the Lenten season is to slow down and shorten our busyness and consumption that we may better come to know God. We shorten our food or beverage consumption. We shorten our TV and DVD viewing. We shorten our destructive speech or unfriendly comments. We find silence to be more of a friend.

As we take time to shorten the "stuff" of our lives, we do NOT do so in order to make God like us better.

Our intention is NOT to gain brownie points. Rather, it is in the denial of excess that we find more room for God. And more room for life!

At reception of this newsletter, it is not too late to "shorten" some activity or construct of your life. Let go of it. Grab hold of God. That is to be the point and the rhythm of this season. I will give one example here of what you might consider. But whatever you choose, I pray that this will be a season for grabbing a better and clearer vision of God. May your faith increase.

Here is one idea. I will now list the gospel texts for Lent. Read the text for a particular Sunday each day of the week preceding its reading in church. You will thus have read the gospel text for Sunday six times before it is read in church and preached upon. Read it and reflect. Let go and "shorten" the activities that would keep from your reflection. Godspeed on your Lenten journey!

Read and reflect on the text for the six days PRECEDING its reading on Sunday:

Sunday, February 28: Luke 13:31-35
Sunday, March 7: Luke 13:1-9
Sunday, March 14: Luke 15:1-3; 11-32
Sunday, March 21: John 12:1-8
Palm Sunday, March 28: Luke 19:28-40
Good Friday, April 2: John 18:1-19:42
Easter Sunday, April 4: John 20:1-18

Pastor Brad

On April 10th we will hold our Spring Planning meeting at St. Paul's. The purpose of this meeting is to set short and long term goals for our church. For this to be successful, we will need ideas and input from many people. Everyone is welcome to attend. Come to the meeting and share your ideas and priorities for St. Paul's.

During Lent, we are again sponsoring a mission project for the Night Ministry. Like last year, we will be collecting loose change (dollars welcome too) every Sunday. After Easter Sunday, we will send a check to the Night Ministry to help them with the homeless teens in Chicago area. Our goal for this mission is $200.00. Let's keep up the good work and present them with a nice check! Remember, you don’t always have to give something up for Lent; you can give something, TOO, for the good of others.

See you Sunday.

Debbie Wisowaty
Council President

Thank you to Santa Maria de Guadalupe for their generous donation towards the purchase of our new refrigerator.