Shrove Tuesday & Ash Wednesday Service:
Living Faith Lutheran has invited St. Hilda’s & St. Bart’s to their pancake/sausage supper on Tuesday Feb.17 with doors opening at 5:30 pm and food served from 6-6:30pm. Following at 7 pm, there will be a short Ash Wednesday service.
If you are wondering why Ash Wednesday will be on Tuesday night, please read Hergy’s explanation below:
“Normally an Ash Wednesday service is held in the afternoon or evening on Wednesday, but since we are following the "Jewish understanding" of a new day beginning at sundown, we are holding the service the evening before (Tuesday by our calendar. . .but Wednesday by the Jewish calendar).” Notes from Hergy about Shrove Tuesday
The Transfiguration of our Lord marks the end of the Season of Epiphany. Feb 17 Tuesday evening’s service marks the beginning of the season of Lent.
Shrove Tuesday, known as “Mardi Gras” (Greasy or Fat Tuesday) in many places, receives its name from the medieval practice of using up all dairy products in the home like butter and lard (oil or grease) prior to the 40 day period of fasting during Lent which began on “Ash Wednesday” (ashes were the traditional sign of penitence and/or mourning).
While “Mardi Gras” is an occasion for parades and parties these days, in the middle ages it was a day set aside for making confession. Those who confessed their sins to the priest were “shriven”— that is, granted forgiveness (along with acts of “penance” to perform during Lent). Thus the day became known as “Shrove Tuesday”.
“Penance” and “Penitence” are the root words from which the word “penitentiary” comes, implying that imprisonment is to be, not punishment, but a place and a time where sorrow and regret over one’s actions or sins demonstrate contrition or repentance and thereby allow for rehabilitation and restoration to the community.