The Christian season of Lent is a period of 40 days excluding Sundays, that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends the Saturday before Easter Day. Lent comes from the word spring and, like spring, Lent is a time of renewal and rebirth. The mood of Lent is one of reflection, providing us with the opportunity to reflect on our faith.

Lent begins this week on Ash Wednesday. The name comes from the Christian tradition of using ashes to make the sign of a cross on the forehead to symbolize repentance and grieving. Come and join us for Ash Wednesday worship at St. Andrew's on February 6th. We will meet in the lower hall at 6:00 p.m. for a simple supper, followed by worship upstairs at 6:30 p.m.

Ash Wednesday is preceded by Shrove Tuesday when Christians have traditionally prepared pancakes. This is a tradition in which Christians gave up meat for Lent and used the last of the animal fat to make pancakes. Everyone is invited to a Pancake Supper at Calvin Goforth Presbyterian Church (1602 Sommerfeld Ave.) on Tuesday, February 5th. Drop in for some pancakes between 5:30–7:30 p.m. There will be a free-will offering to support Presbyterian World Service and Development.

Don't wait till Sunday to think about spiritual things at St. Andrew's and in Saskatoon. This weekend (Jan. 26-27) is packed with opportunities for reflection, fellowship, and study at St. Andrew's and in Saskatoon. You won't be able to take part in all of these events, but make space in your schedule to take in some of them if you can:

On Saturday...

• The Presbyterian Women's Breakfast will be Saturday at 9:00 a.m. at Smitty's, Quebec Avenue & Circle Drive. All women are invited to attend for breakfast, conversation, and a short program.
• Queen's House of Retreats is hosting its Fifth Annual Ecumenical Scripturefest from 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. This year's theme is Hospitality, with keynote presentation by Christine Mitchell, professor of Hebrew Scriptures at St. Andrew's College in Saskatoon. An ecumenical panel of presenters on biblical themes will include St. Andrew's own minister, the Rev. Amanda Currie. The cost for this conference is $35 including lunch.
• The Christian Education Committee invites everyone to a movie and discussion evening on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. We will be watching Amazing Grace, a touching film about the life and work of William Wilberforce and the abolition of slavery.

On Sunday...

• Sunday morning Bible Study @ 9:30 a.m. in the parlour at St. Andrew's. We continue our study of the Book of Acts.
• Sunday worship @ 11:00 a.m. The Gospel text will be Matthew 4:12-23, Jesus calling four fishermen to be his followers.
• After worship, join the Outreach Committee in the parlour @ 12:30 p.m. Bring a small lunch and listen to Henri Regamey speak about the programs of the Salvation Army here in Saskatoon.
• The closing worship service for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will be at 3:00 p.m. at Holy Spirit RC Parish, 114 Kingsmere Boulevard. The speaker will be the Rev. Leo English.

• Join the Thursday Group to learn about the famous Scottish Poet, Robert Burns. Dr. Walter Baxter will be speaking to the group and reciting poetry on Thursday afternoon (Jan. 17th) at 1:30 p.m. in the lower hall.
• Add your voice to the choir. It's Bring a Friend to Choir Week, so everyone is invited to choir practice on Thursday evening (Jan. 17th) at 7:30 p.m. Adam has planned for some "not too difficult" but "lots of fun" music for us to sing.
• Stay after worship on Sunday (Jan. 20th) for a no-litter lunch hosted by the Stewardship Committee. Bring your own cloth napkin (if you remember) and stay for a showing of Al Gore's movie, An Inconvenient Truth.
• Register your child or grandchild for "Along the Road with Jesus" this year's Vacation Bible Adventure program. It's for kids in grades 1-8 during the February School Break (Feb. 18-20). Registration forms are available in the entranceway at the church.
• Plan to take part in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Worship services and special events are taking place in churches across Saskatoon, starting on Sun. Jan. 20th.
  

• The St. Andrew's Choir is inviting anyone and everyone to join us once again for "Bring a Friend to Choir Week." We had such a great time in September that we just had to do it again! This is a no-commitment opportunity to sing with the choir. Just come to one choir practice on Thursday, January 17th @ 7:30 p.m. (Use the parking lot side door, and come up the stairs to the sanctuary.) Then enjoy leading the congregational song during worship on Sunday, January 20th. Adam will be planning some fun (and not too difficult) music for us to sing.
• Continuing with the theme of Environmental Stewardship, the Stewardship Committee is hosting a movie afternoon on Sunday, January 20th. Please join us for a litter free lunch and a showing of Al Gore's Inconvenient Truth after the Sunday service.
• The Christian Education Committee invites everyone to a movie and discussion evening on Saturday, January 26th @ 7:00 p.m. We will be watching Amazing Grace, a touching film about the life and work of William Wilberforce and the abolition of slavery.
• Coming up in February... Mark your calendar now and reserve your Wednesday evenings during Lent. Ash Wednesday worship will be on Wednesday, February 6th. The next five Wednesdays will be our next Adult Education class on "Bible Basics" - Feb. 13, 20, 27, March 5 & 12. Wednesday, March 19th will be our Holy Week Wednesday worship.

The international theme for the 2008 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is "Pray without Ceasing" based on 1 Thessalonians 5:17. The Prairie Centre for Ecumenism in Saskatoon always organizes a very full week of ecumenical prayer and worship across the city, and this year is no exception.

St. Andrew's will be hosting one of the early morning (7 a.m.) services on Wednesday, January 23rd. The service will be about 1/2 hour in length, followed by a light breakfast.

The St. Andrew's Choir will also be contributing to the week's events by participating in MusicFest, an ecumenical evening of music which is being held at Mayfair United Church (902 - 33rd St. W) on Wednesday January 23rd at 7:30 p.m. There are other services planned in churches across the city and throughout the week, so check out the schedule of services in Saskatoon on the Ecumenism in Canada website, and plan to join in the prayer of the whole church for unity and peace.