For Old Testament times until now, God's people have enjoyed special seasons, festivals, and observances. The reason for this or that season presents itself as we consider our human condition. We tend to get into patterns (ruts?). We can become set in our ways. Special festivals and observances allow us to stretch out of our set ways, and see God anew and afresh. The people of Israel knew the feast days such at Pentecost, Passover, and Tabernacles. These were times to focus on aspects of agriculture (planting and harvesting) as well as various themes that pertained to God (thanksgiving, hope, renewal). I would suggest that this Lenten season is an opportunity. It is an opportunity to honor God so that we may see God and ourselves in a new light, so as to be reinvigorated in our faith.

1. Give up something for Lent. Maybe it is sweets or cookies. Maybe it is no TV after 9 pm. Maybe it is less criticizing of your children. Why? Giving up such things will NOT make God like you better, NOR will it earn you His salvation or some special place in heaven. Why give up something? In some way, when we sacrifice, we have the opportunity to become more aware of Christ's sacrifice for us. A few hunger pangs, a little withdrawal from less coffee or less sugar, the biting of our sometimes venomous tongues, and we gain more solidarity with the Christ who gave up heaven and glory for an old, rugged cross. Take the opportunity to set aside something this Lent, not so as to earn God’s favor, but so as to join Him. We are called in God's Word to share in Christ’s sufferings. If less cookies or television can help us become a bit more cognizant of our Lord and His love for us, then that would be a good thing. Such is more likely to happen when we . . .

2. Include prayer and/or journaling in your Lenten observance. Often, giving up something in Lent allows a bit more time. Time to pray, to journal, to listen. One of the great opportunities of a season such as Lent is to become more mindful, more aware of God. Would not even five minutes alone with God be a great addition to our lives? Lent urges us toward such an opportunity. And our prayers may urge us to . . .

3. Consider some way for your inward Christian reflections to have an outward effect. For example, it you are giving up cookies, then bake a dozen and bring them over to the new family on your block. If you are taking more time to pray, ask God how you can be used in His service. Jesus would often go to lonely places to pray, but then he would come back ready to impact the towns He visited with God's message, love, and power. Where can you be used in God's service? It’s a dangerous prayer to pray, but I hope you will pray this: God how can I be better utilized for your Kingdom's work. Show me during this Lenten season?

You see, Lent IS an opportunity. We human beings need to be recalibrated, refocused, and reinvigorated. God has woven special times and seasons into the fabric of things, because He knows of our tendency toward tired ruts and religious monotony. So, Lent is a call to sacrifice, reflection, and ministry. Why? Because, as routine-loving humans, we need to be pushed and prodded to new and higher levels in our spirituality. What will you be giving up? What time will you establish for prayer and reflection? To what ministry is God calling you as you ask Him to show you? 40 days of opportunity are before us. These 40 days will culminate at the cross on Good Friday when we see more clearly the extent to which God has given for our sakes. Then, on Easter Sunday, hope will be reborn with the discovery of an empty tomb. God has done so much for us. God wants so much for us. So take advantage of your Lenten Opportunity. It is a gift for those who will take hold of it. We sacrifice, pray, and minister because this season is a season of opportunity to meet God anew and afresh. May these 40 days of opportunity lead to a holy recalibration and days of deeper devotion and ministry. To the Glory of God. Amen.

Rev. Brad Thompson

February is gone and March is upon us. I hope it brings the spring weather and a rebirth of Mother Nature. I think all of us can agree that we have seen a rebirth here at St. Paul's. We have seen our attendance increase, our income is greater than our expense, and the attendance at our activities has been great. We need to keep up this good work and make everyone feel welcome. If you see someone you don’t recognize, say "hi" and introduce yourself. You’d be surprised what a friendly "hello" can do to make people feel at ease. Remember, we all agreed that one of the reasons we love St. Paul's is because of our friends and family that attend. Let's make sure we extend this love to everyone who enters our doors.

The February Mardi Gras dinner took a great deal of effort, but we were happy to see a lot of volunteers who helped make it a huge success. Also, we were delighted to have some of the Santa Maria De Guadalupe members attend. Their contributions to our menu were outstanding! (Coincidentally, our hot water heater tank needed to be replaced just days before the dinner and our thanks to Randy Olinski for installing it. The cost of the water heater was covered by joint donations received from Jean and Clyde Dawson and Santa Maria De Guadalupe Church.)

Our next major projects involve repairing the walls in one of the Sunday School rooms upstairs and fixing a leak in the roof over the sanctuary . This work will begin when the weather is warmer. We will keep you posted on our progress.

Finally, in April our Share Wear clothes closet will reopen. Your donations of clean, gently used clothing will be greatly appreciated. Also, we will need volunteers to work at the closet from 9:00-12:00 noon the first Saturday of the month. This is one of our missions that helps us reach out to the people of Franklin Park. Please think about donating some time to support this important mission.

Peace be with you,
Debbie Wisowaty
Council President

Thank you to Randy Olinski for installing it.

MARDI GRAS THANK YOUs
Thank you to all the St. Paul's bakers and cookies, to Kelley Simzyk and Linda Olinski for their terrific decorating job, to everyone who donated food, basket or door prize donations,the clean up crew and last but not least, THANK YOU to our head chef, Pat Nicholson, for a marvelous meal!