"I Wonder," a Lenten devotions program available through the Society of St. Andrew

The Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday, which falls on February 6th this year. It’s the traditional time when Christians ponder the sacrifice Jesus made on the Cross on our behalf. Daily contemplation and reflection during the 47 days of Lent can bring us to a deeper understanding of just what that sacrifice meant to Jesus as well as to ourselves.

“I Wonder …” is the theme of this year’s Lenten Devotions program from the Society of St. Andrew, a national nonprofit hunger-relief ministry and Advance Special #801600. The devotions program is a collection of personal “wonderings” and insights of ordinary people as they read, think, and pray about the symbols, people, and places that shaped Jesus’ last days on Earth. The daily devotions will also enjoin readers to think about how they might be Christ to others.

The devotions booklet is divided into five sections: the journey begins; symbols of Lent; stories and miracles; significant people; and events of Holy Week. In addition, the devotions program challenges readers to take seriously the scriptural injunctions to care for the poor; and it provides an opportunity for them to feed our hungry neighbors through the Society of St. Andrew’s hunger-relief ministry.

A Good Friday Fast, written by Ken Horne, Executive Director of the Society of St. Andrew, is a separate booklet that complements the Lenten devotions or can be used as a stand alone activity for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

All materials are free and a sample packet can be ordered for review before placing a congregational order. Orders can be placed online at http://www.endhunger.org/lent.htm, by email at church@endhunger.org, or by phone at 800-333-4597.

Upon reviewing the program, orders should be placed by January 23, 2008 to ensure delivery before Ash Wednesday. Every attempt will be made to expedite late orders. Good Friday Fast booklets should be ordered by March 7th. The Society of St. Andrew asks that churches help them remain good stewards of their resources by ordering only as many kits as they will use. The Society of St. Andrew asks that you call their office if you do no receive your materials within two weeks of ordering.

The Society’s Lenten Devotions program continues to grown in popularity each year. Last year donations from participants provided just under four million servings of fresh, nutritious food to families across the nation who don’t get enough to eat. Because the Society of St. Andrew maintains an extremely low administrative and fundraising overhead, nearly 93 cents of every donated dollar goes directly to saving fresh produce from going to waste and providing that food to the hungry.

The Society of St. Andrew’s national non-profit hunger-relief ministry feeds the hungry with excess fresh produce saved through its Potato and Produce Project, Gleaning Network, Harvest of Hope, and Hunger Relief Advocate programs. More information is available at www.endhunger.org.