Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper

Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, is observed in various Christian denominations. The name “Shrove” Tuesday is derived from the Old English verb “shrive,” It refers to the confession of sins as a preparation for Lent, a usual practice in Europe in the Middle Ages. Although the day is sometimes still used for self-examination and introspection, Shrove Tuesday eventually acquired the character of a carnival or festival (Mardi Gras) in many places and is often celebrated with parades. As the final day before the austerity of the Lenten fast, Shrove Tuesday (also known as Fat Tuesday in Latin America) also has many customs pertaining to food. Pancakes are traditional in a number of countries because eggs, sugar, and fat, commonly forbidden during the Lenten fast, are to be used up so they will not go to waste or become a temptation to break the fast.
Also a part of the ritual of Shrove Tuesday, is the burning of the previous year’s Holy week palms, finalizing the previous year’s Lenten sacrifice. Shrove Tuesday marks the beginning of the forty Day season of Lent. This it the time when we contemplate the 40 days that Jesus spent fasting in the desert where he resisted the temptation of Satan.
As is our tradition, our Lutheran Men’s group will serve up a delicious pancake supper with all the trimmings featuring their homemade pork sausage for us to enjoy. We will also observe the ritual of burning last year’s palms to make the ashes for our Ash Wednesday imposition of ashes. The burning of palms will begin at 6:30PM on February 21st, with our pancake supper immediately following. Come enjoy this night of fellowship with your church family.