Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
   Once again we embark on what one hymn calls the pilgrim way of Lent. It’s a good analogy. We are all pilgrims. There are still pilgrimages in the world, when people journey slowly to some sacred place. In the past people used to do it to atone for their sins. We don’t do that much anymore, but that may be because we have largely lost the feeling that we should atone by some outward action. These days we mostly think of atoning as some kind of inward feeling we should have, but which we can keep to ourselves. It’s strange, we don’t hesitate to sin in front of other people; but we do hesitate to acknowledge that we have sinned in front of them. The nearest we get is to apologize to someone if we have hurt them in some way; and even that comes hard to us at times.
   Lent is a reminder that we all have things to atone for. Jesus told the story of the Pharisee in the temple who thanked God that he was not as other men, a sinner etc. Yet Jesus said that it was the repentant sinner who did not even dare to raise his eyes to heaven who went away justified, not the Pharisee. The odd thing is that the Pharisee was telling the truth. He probably was better than many another man in terms of his giving, his following the Law, and so on. In fact he was probably exactly the kind of person many a parish would like to have as a member: hard-working, generous, faithful, and devout. Trouble is, he did not realize that he was just as much in need of God’s forgiveness as anyone else. We can easily slip into believing that we stand well in God’s sight because we avoid the more obvious sins (or think we do), and look around at others who seem to be generally less devout, less hard-working, less ‘holy’. Lent is meant to be a sharp reminder to us that we all stand in need of God’s forgiveness.
       It is no coincidence that Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, that great annual reminder of our mortality. We don’t like being reminded that we are going to die; but it will happen anyway. As the ashes touch our foreheads we are told that we shall return to dust. That’s another way of reminding us that the time we have here to do the good we can is limited."
   It’s a reminder that we should try to atone for our past sins and failings, not by just lamenting them and bemoaning our weaknesses but by consciously trying to avoid them in the future (whatever future we have left) and by trying to do good. Ash Wednesday is a wake-up call. Now is the time to change, not some vague will-do-better-date in the future. Jesus also reminds us of those who plan for tomorrow not knowing that they will be called away from this world tonight.
   People often give up something for Lent. It’s not a bad discipline, and it is an ancient one. However, an alternative (or additional) approach is to add doing something for Lent. One good addition is to attend an extra Church service, or a Lenten program. It’s not much of a sacrifice of our time, when we owe all our time here to God’s gift of life. It will also remind us that we are indeed pilgrims on life’s journey.
   Yours in Christ, Fr. Michael + (fellow sinner).

Why you want to be here February 17^th
Married or single, male or female, it’s a day for everyone. All gals qualify as our much-loved sweethearts and we need boys to serenade our ladies as we commence our annual sweetheart breakfast following the 9am Eucharist. Both the chorus and kitchen crew on this special day is decidedly male and our thanks go out to all the guys who toil and serve, which we know they enjoy.
   During Mass that day couples will renew promises made to each other. This celebration and recommitment of marriage vows is in the presence of God and the entire congregation. Family, friends and guests are welcome to worship, celebrate and dine with us.

ANNUAL MEETING produced 5 new Vestry servants:
Senior Warden: Jim Stringfellow -Junior Warden: John Halvorsen - 3 year Vestry terms to be served by: Mike Bossow - Jamie Verley - Neil Holaday
All of our thanks for joining our other officers with your time and talents. Also our appreciation to outgoing servants: Marge Kiss & Pat Mueller.

Keeping friends in our prayers: Fr Jay Breisch is undergoing medical treatment for a heart condition and would love to hear from those interested. He was rector here for several years in the late 60's and early 70's. Fr Jay W. Breisch - 14508 High Meadow Way, North Potomac, MD 20878

The Outreach Committee Wants To Be Your Valentine! In January, our committee arranged a Potluck on January 20 for the occasion of the church’s annual meeting. Ham, chicken and other delicious dishes were had as our parish discussed its priorities for 2008.
   This month, our committee meeting focused on what we plan to accomplish or participate in during 2008. We will continue our dual focus on community outreach and fellowship within the parish. Among our plans are the following: Community outreach events (such as the Bay View Bash) -Completion of newcomer materials -Organization of a St. Luke’s t-shirt sale -Planning of church picnic and quarterly potluck meals -Planning of social club events - Planning of youth/family events -…and more! Our committee members look forward to 2008 and are always ready to welcome new members! Anyone interested in joining the Outreach Committee should contact Dana or Larry Washburn at (414) 327-0949 or larrydana@wi.rr.com. And here is the Outreach quote of the month:
    "Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons." --Ruth Ann Schabacker Yours in Christ, Dana Washburn Outreach Committee member

Treasurer’s Report December Income $21,218.35 Expense $15,486.89 Net income $5,731.46

Lent is upon us. Ash Wednesday is February 6th. Please prayerfully consider participating in our Lenten Journey: The Three Days of Easter, led by Marge Kiss. Ash Wednesday 5:30-6:15 Soup and Bread; 6:15-6:45 Overview of the program and presentation of the booklet; 7:00 Ash Wednesday Service. Tuesdays in Lent (Feb. 12th, Feb. 19th, Feb. 26th, Mar 4th and Mar 11th) 4:00 Evening Prayer; 4:30-5:15 Soup and Bread; 5:15 -6:00 Lenten Program. Please know that if you cannot join us for the soup and bread at 4:30, you are more than welcome to pop in for the program (and some soup) at 5:15. This program comes strongly recommended with 2 thumbs up

Open letter to the congregation of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
Thank you for your trusting vote of confidence at the annual meeting in regard to the election for Junior Warden. Following up to a conversation I had with a member of the parish, yes it is time for some of the new and younger members to take responsibility for things that go on around St. Luke’s. And yes many of us are more than willing to add our talents to your talents. So it is together, young, old, experienced, and newcomers that we will continue on with the great tradition already in place at St. Luke’s. Yours in Christ, John ~ Junior Warden

Expressions of Sympathy: Our prayers are with family and friends of longtime member and friend, Millie Roepke, whose funeral service was in January.

Save the date Southeast Milwaukee 3^rd Annual Youth Interfaith Service Retreat (YISR) April 25 – 26, 2008 Youth are needed to participate and help plan the event. Adults are needed to chaperone, plan and for work site assistance. Contact: Jeffrey Montoya, St. Veronica & St. Paul Youth Ministry 414.481.0777 – jeffmontoya@saintveronica.org At the S. E. Milwaukee Interfaith covenant signing in January attendees were treated to a short film highlighting last year’s service retreat. There was also heartwarming testimony by 3 youth that participated and from some elders who received help. Many lasting friendships were formed as local senior citizens were overwhelmed by the goodness of our youth.

Something to think about…. A sick man turned to his doctor, as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said, "Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side." Very quietly the doctor said, "I don’t know." "You don’t know? You a Christian man do not know what is on the other side?" The doctor was holding the handle of the door; on the other side came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness. Turning to the patient, the doctor said, "Did you notice my dog? He’s never been in this room before, He didn’t know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear. I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing….I know my Master is there and that is enough."