Edmonton Journal from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada • 31

ITT ri(r 1 i EDITOR: JANET VLIEG, 780-498-5687; religionthejournal.canwest.com EDMONTON JOURNAL SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 2010 Bll Need a new Lent sacrifice? Try Facebook. Chocolate still most popular treat to give up RELIGION trrf 1 w. 0 i mi a- DENIS BALI BOUSE, REUTERS Despite a new interest in technological sacrifices, chocolate remains one of the most popular things people forgo during the 40-day period of Lent. MARIO ANZUONI, REUTERS Because of its addictive nature, technology might be a good thing to sacrifice for Lent. fEDMONTON AREA PETER KOLLMANN Columbia News Service NEW YORK College administrator Randy Gast has always given up chocolate during Lent.

Gast, a 53-year-old Lutheran, is going without Kit Kat bars and his two favourite sweets, until Easter Sunday. But this year, Gast is also sacrificing his use of Facebook, the social-networking site he joined to keep in touch with his wife, who works in another city, and his four children, who aren't living at home anymore. While Gast has given up chocolate for decades, Facebook is one of many newer things that he and other Christians may sacrifice for Lent, a 40-day period of repentance and renewal that is observed in preparation for Easter. Facebook, iPhones, BlackBer-rys and fancy cellphones with built-in cameras were non-existent in the 1990s but are now omnipresent. "I think Lent would be a time to tone down our need for technology because, let's face it, it's addictive," said Rev.

Dr. William J. Damrow, pastor of St Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Rochelle, N.Y. "Lent is an intensified period of time when we focus on our relationship with Christ. It's springtime for the soul." The word Lent is derived from the Middle English lente, which means springtime.

The 40-day ritual, which represents the time period during which Satan tempted Jesus in the desert as revealed in the Bible, began Feb. 17 on Ash Wednesday, and ends April 3, the day before Easter. For some faiths, the six Sundays between Ash Wednesday and Easter aren't considered part of the 40 days. Consequently, those who make Lenten sacrifices have the option to break the sacrifice for just that Sunday or to maintain their commitment. "Lent is a time in the desert, away from the world," said Jason Barone, I a Roman Catholic who is studying to be apriest at Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary in Nebraska.

Barone, 26, added that he's reducing his Internet usage to twice per week during Lent in accordance with his belief that our self-denial is an extension of Christ's self-denial. "Living in rural Nebraska, my main connection with the world is through the Internet," Barone said. "This world is passing away and that which is news and urgent today will be forgotten tomorrow. Lent is a good time to remind myself of that; it's a time of putting first things first and second things second." Traditional Lenten practices include fasting, doing good deeds and giving alms, engaging in prayer and reflection, studying Scripture and participating in worship services. Churches have mid-week Lenten services to offer more time for worshippers to be with God in preparation for Holy Week.

But Lent's meaning is more than simply going to church. Stephanie Hohl, a 24-year-old Lutheran from Florida, said she's not giving up anything this year, for no particular reason. But in previous years, she sacrificed chocolate and sweets, as well as watching television. "I felt that TV was becoming my god," Hohl said. "I was watching it more than I was doing anything eke, and I decided that I should spend some of the time that I was not going to be watching TV to be studying his Word." Despite a new interest in technological sacrifices, chocolate remains one of the most popular things people forgo.

While this reality may help folks better remember Jesus' sacrifices, it also affects sales at chocolate and candy stores. The week before Valentine's Day is usually a plus for these oudets, as many people buy chocolate for their sweethearts. But a dip in sales occurs soon after. Lent comes just in the nick of time, Damrow said as he sat behind his laptop in his pastoral study. "We all experience the excess of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's.

It's almost like noWs the time to rein it in a little bit." As winter approaches its end, Damrow suggests that Lent is an ideal time for a change in habit and personal reflection. Pedmoxton christian! ASSEMBLY 10950-135 Street 780452-9391 Sunday Service 10:30 a.m. Everyone Welcome! Catholic Churches of Edmonton SUNDAY MASS TIMES For a full list of mass times at all churches, please visit our website at www.caedm.ca Metaphysical New Thought See you Sundays 11:00 a.m. at 6324 -106 St. 780-989-3752 e-mail skedmontonSyahoo.ca www.spirituallivingcentre.com RSI Rev Jessiejerri Gresiuk, BA, Bed, BSc, RSP stirs thoughts about faith GOSPEL CENTRE 9445 -153 St 78M8M085 i Pentecostal Church ad Serace 78042498 www.gospelcentre.com no a The Edmonton Journal will be publishing faster (rvices WORSHIP DIRECTORY on Thursday, April 2010 Booking Deadline: Wednesday.

March 24. 2010 To place your Easter Services ad or for more information Phone: 780-429-5498 Fax: 780-429-5588 EDMONTON JOURNAL The United Church cSs ot Canada 'A complete listing is available at www.uccedm.org the white pages ot the phone book. St. Andrew's lHf 9915-148 St. 780-452-4454 Rev.

Dr. Geott Wilfong-Prltcnard Parish Nurse: Nadine Murphy 10:00 a.m. "Perish the Thought" www.salntandrewsunited.com Beverly United Church 11910-40 St. 780-477-8372 Rev. Deborah Hoekstra 9:30 a.m.

Worship ServiceSunday School Kirk United 13535-122 Ave. 780-455-0453 Service Time: 10:00 a.m. Or. Bob Kimmerly kirk.anwc.net Email: kirkuccedm.org Knox-Metropolitan 109 St 83rd Ave 780-439-1718 A Welcoming, Caring, iKktsivt Commit! of Faith 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Worship 1 Children and Youth Programs Minister: Steven Johann Music Director: Warren Mack www.knox-met.org knoxmettelusplanet.net McDougall US 10025-101 St.

1 780-428-1818 Revs. John Henry Welnlick ft Jean Hutchinson 10:30 a.m. Are you Blooming Where you are Planted? Saturday. March 13 Men's Breakfast a.m. Speaker: John J.

McDonald III, Publisher. The Edmonton Journal Sunday School Free Parking www.mcoouqaiiuniiw.com St. Paul's 5mZZ 11526-76 Ave. 780-436-1555 An Affirming Congregation wftttn the Unhid Church of Canada Rev. Dr.

Catherine F. MacLean, Denis Davis Taylor DM, Rev. Dirk Jessen Music: Dr. John Wiebe Brett Gore 10:00 am Worship Children Youth Programs www.stpautsunited.org stpaulsunitedtelus.net Robertson-Wesley 10209-123 St. 780-482-1587 An Affirming Congregation wmm the United Church of Canada Sunday Worship 10:30 am Hymn Festival Guest Preacher: Rev.

Rachel Frey Children's and Youth Programs Minister: Rev. Jim Allan Interim Minister: Rev. Heather Koots Director of Music: TammyJo Mortensen www.rwuc.org Southminster Steinhauer 10740 -19 Ave. 780-435-2028 An Affirming Congregation wiftin the United Church of Canada 10:00 a.m. Worship Service Ministry Team: Nancy Steeves, Jim Spiers www.smsuc.com Strathearn ISJ9 8510-95 Ave.

780-466-5822 Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m. Youth S.S., nursery www.STrainearn.snawweosoace.ca Trinity United Church IS 881 0 Meadowlark Road 78(M89-0860 Rev. Kathy Hogman Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m. Children and Youth Programs Visit us at www.trinitvunitededmonton.com rsraE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIS! Westwood Unitarian Congregation 11 135-65 Avenue 780-434-5819 10:30 a.m. "Working Together Speaker Rev.

Anne Barker www.westwoodunitarian.ca First Church of Christ. Scientist 1 1 08 SI 100 Ave. 780-422-47541 Sunday Service Sunday School 1 1 a.m. Reading Room hours ujujuuhrisHonscience.ob.co Testimonies or Healing weonescou 0 0 m- The Anglican Church of Canada DIOCESE OF EDMONTON The Rt. Rev.

Jane Alexander Synod Office: 10035 103 St. 780-439-7344 Parishes an listed in the phone book White Pages or at www.edmortton.artglican.org All Saints' Cathedral 10035 103 si. 780428323 Services at 8:00 a.m., 9:15 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. For Service Information call 780485-3020 St.

AugUStine 6110 Fulton Road 780-466-5532 www.staugustinesedm.ca SflOajn. Holy Eucharist Ich 10:00 a.m. Eucharist Sun. School St. Luke'S 8424-95 Avenue 780466-2061 Wednesday Sunday Services at 10:00 a.m.

Icm Rev. Canon Dan Van Alstine St. Margaret EllerslieRd.4U7SL 780437-7231 ajn. 10:30 a.m. Holy Communion 10:30 a.m.

Sunday School and Nursery Care 16-1 TheRev.Capt. Tun Chesterton St. Patrick Millwoods 780463-5452 1 block south of 23 Avenue on 85 Street 16-1 8:30 10:00 a.m. Holy Communion St. PeteS 11035-127 St 780455-3665 Holy Communion 8:30 ami 10:30 a.m.

lo-l Children's Program at 10:30 a.m. St. Timothy 8420-145 st 8:30 a.m. Holy Communion BCP 10:00 a.m. Family Eucharist BAS 16-1 Rev.

Joseph Walker 780483-5506 Games song HAROLD GNIEWOTTA I was getting out of bed on Sunday morning when a question came to me how many times have we heard the statement, "I believe. Do you believe?" We heard it and saw the ads long before the 2010 Winter Olympics began. Often, the statement "I believe" was made by an athlete. At other times, it was made by a child. The I Believe song was repeated many times on every day of the Games and includes lines such as "I believe in the power of a world brought together as one; I believe together we'll fly; I believe in the power of you and The Olympics advertising didn't say what the athletes believed in, but I took it to mean, "I believe I can get to the podium.

Do you believe I can? Will you watch me perform on TV? Will you support me and cheer me on?" Canadian athletes believed they could win. But they also practised, and did their very best in the competitions. Belief and action go together. Later that morning I picked up the Sunday bulletin at church. To my surprise I noted the word believe was used three times in the second lesson from Romans The words "believe" and "confess" seemed to jump out at me.

Was God telling me something? Interfatth Dinner, Sunday at 6:30 p.m. Delta Inn South, 4404 Gateway Blvd. Guest speaker: Bettina Gray, chair of the North American Interfaith Network. Tickets: $60 ($30 tax receipt). Entertainment and silent auction.

Call 780413159. Traditional Latin Mass every Sunday at 8 a.m. at St Anthony's Catholic Parish, 10661 82nd Ave. Weekday masses usually at 8 a.m. Rev.

Edwin Neufeld FSSPCall 780-963-5359 or 780439-2737. Karma Tashl Ling, tranquillity meditation and chenrezig practice with Ani Kunzang, Sundays at 10 a.m. and Wednesdays at 7 p.m. at 10502 70th Ave. Call 780633-6157 or visit karmatashiling.ca.

Yoga at the Star, Monday or Wednesday mornings or Tuesday or Thursday evenings at Star of the North Retreat Centre, 3A St Vital St. Albert. Call 780459-5511 or visit starofthenorth.ca. Hindu priest PandaJ Dixit speaks about his faith Monday at noon at the Edmonton Interfaith Centre for Education Action, 113, 11148 84th Ave. Bring your lunch.

Entrance through the back door in the alley across from Tim Hortons. Changing Islam From Within, with Zeyneb Salim of Georgetown University and Prof. Thomas Michel of the University of Chicago. Co-sponsors: Istanbul Foundation for Science and Culture, the ECMC Chair In Islamic Studies, University of Alberta and the King's University College. Tuesday, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., at King's, 9125 50th St.

No fee; no registration required. Visit augustana.ualberta.caronning. Healing Grace, a cross-denominational service for those struggling with mental illness or the after-effects of emotional trauma, offered on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Saints Cafe, All Saints Cathedral, 10035 103rd St. Yoga and meditation classes for men, Wednesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m.; for meal, and the family rejoiced in their new faith.

The Bible does not tell us what happened to this family after they became Christians. I have a fantasy they joined a Christian fellowship for worship. I speculate that soon after, the jailer asked the others on staff, "Do you know what happened to me when I was on duty the night of the great earthquake?" Then he told them the story of how the Apostle Paul saved him from death, and with Silas brought the message of Jesus Christ the Saviour to his family. There are thousands of people in society who say they believe but never open the Bible. They attend church only on Christmas Eve.

They use rough language because they want to "fit in with the crowd." There is a need for action to show they believe. The Vancouver Olympics are over but the question "I believe. Do you believe?" will live on. If you believe, show it, live the Christian life, worship God regularly, read the Bible and a devotional booklet, become a volunteer. The Bible calls this "bearing fruit" for the Kingdom.

With that will come a joy like die jailer's family experienced. I believe. Do you believe? Harold Gniewotta is a retired Lutheran minister who worships at Ascension Lutheran Church in Edmonton. He is a member of Inscribe Christian Writer's Fellowship. Ahmadlyya Muslim Women's Association of Edmonton invites women to its annual Interfaith Symposium March 17, from 7 to 9 p.m.

at BaiUil-Hadi Mosque, 7005 98th Ave. Topic: The Purpose of Life According to My Faith. Exclusive ladies event; free admission. Refreshments provided starting at 6:30 p.m. E-mail amianualberta.ca or call 780430-7966.

Community meal, March 20 at Hosanna Lutheran Church, 9009 163rd St. Complete hot meal served noon to 1 p.m. No charge. Canadian Company of Pilgrims of the Way of St. James, the Camino de Santiago, Edmonton chapter spring meeting, March 22 at 7 p.m.

in the lounge at All Saints Anglican Cathedral, 10035 103rd St. E-mail juliasantiago.ca. Erika Luckett Lisa Ferraro, March 26 at 7 p.m. at the Centre for Spiritual Living. Performing music inspired by Sufi poet Rumi.

Suggested donation $20. Easter Musical Passion Play, March 27 to 30 at Mill Woods Assembly, 2225 66th St Free admission; nursery care provided. For details including times, visit mwpa.com. Stonehouse25 rock band free concert, March 27 at 7 p.m. at Word of Faith, 3904 91st St.

Come early to get a good seat. Visit www.ewoff.org. Easter Sunday at the Winspear, April 4 at 10:30 a.m. The Centre for Spiritual Living Is sponsoring a musical extravaganza with singer-songwriter Faith Rivera as well as local musical talent No charge; donations accepted. Seating first-come.

Religion Calendar accepts notices of eventt open to the public. Notices must be received in writing by the Tuesday preceding publication. Fax 780-429-5500 or e-mail: religion thejournal. canwest.com. OFFERINGS Offerings Is your opportunity to express thoughts on religious issues.

Submissions-up to 750 words can be sent to: Religion Department, Edmonton Journal, Box 2421, Edmonton, T5J 2S6 or e-mail: JvllegtheJournal.canwest.com Please Include a few lines about your faith tradition and involvement In your place of worship. I live in a seniors' complex. Many of us face the maladies that seniors have: lethargy, limited energy, boredom and more. I think God was trying to give me a booster shot. The lesson from Romans emphasized "believe and confess." God seemed to be saying, "I know you believe, but the confessing, the witnessing needs to be strengthened, even if you are a senior." I love the passage in Acts which is a story of faith and action.

A terrified jailer, whose life had been spared, asked the apostles, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" The aposdes answered, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household." The jailer invited the apostles to his home and washed their wounds. The apostles shared the message of salvation with the family, and then the entire household was baptized into the Christian faith. The jailer and his wife served the apostles a CALENDAR women, Saturdays from 9:30 to 11 a.m., at Sal Baba Centre, 9619 82nd Ave. To register, call 780437-7243. Stand In the Light: Washed, Anointed, Sent, the 2010 Catholic Conference, March 12 to 13, at the Mayfield Inn and Suites Conference Centre.

Featuring local, national and internationally known speakers, including David Wells. For details and to register, visit catholicconference2010.ca or call the Alberta Catholic School Trustees' Association at 780484-6209. Men's Breakfast, March 13, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at McDougall United Church, 10025 101st with John J. McDonald III, the publisher of the Edmonton Journal, giving a speech called "The World of Newspapers Today." $10.

To reserve, contact Dolores at 780428-1818 or Changing our Ideas about progress, a Philosopher's Cafe discussion, March 13 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at Steeps, the Urban Tea House, 11116 Whyte Ave. What's So Critical About Faith? a lecture by Dr. Ron Kuipers of the Institute for Christian Studies, March 13, from 10 a.m. to noon at the King's University College, Room 101, 9125 50th St For details or to RSVT? contact Kathy Lynch, 1-888-326-5347, ext 221 or John 0' Leary at joleary icscanada.edu.

Healing Grace, a worship service for anyone dealing with emotional pain or mental illness, March 17, 6:30 p.m. at Saints Cafe, All Saints Cathedral, 10035 103rd St. Sponsored by Mars Hill Centre. A Fair Country: Telling Truths About Canada, a book by John Ralston Saul, is the focus of a six-week class on Wednesday evenings starting March 17 at the Unitarian Church of Edmonton, 10804 119th St. No charge; participants must bring a copy of the book.

To register, call 780454-S073 or e-mail chadminuce.ca. AD McDOUGALL UNITED CHURCH MEN'S BREAKFAST, Saturday, March 13, 9 a.m. with John J. McDonald III, Publisher of the Edmonton Journal: THE NEWSPAPER WORLD TODAY. How we receive news today has changed dramatically in recent years.

Come and hear Mr. McDonald's perspective on today's complex world of instant communication. Cost: $1 0. WOMEN'S BRUNCH, Saturday, March 20 11:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m.

with Rachel Notley, MLA Edmonton Strathcona. Rachel comes from a family devoted to public service. She is articulate and passionate about politics, and is steadfast in her commitment to the greater good for the citizens of Alberta. Cost: $10. THESE ARE PUBLIC COMMUNITY EVENTS.

To register, call Dolores at 780-428-1 81 8 or email dbellmcdougallunited McDougall United Church is located at 10025 -101 Street MacDonald Drive, "In the Heart of the City." The Religion Pages GOOD NEWS COLUMN is a feature for our regular ChurchReligious Advertisers. For information on how your church can become a regular advertiser on The Religion Page call 780-429-5498 8:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m. EDMONTON JOURNAL.