Sullivan UMC—J. Michael Smith

Joys and Concerns from worship services yesterday

…for an end to the draught (Susan Connor)

…for the family of Andy Bolsen

…thanks for our musicians in both worship services  (Chip Hagen)

…for the health of Mardi Gott (Ann Wheeler)

…for the health of Glen Righter (Ann Wheeler)

…for the health of Sandy Stone (Paul)

…for the health of Clancy Appleby (Janet and Roger Roney)

…for the family of Phyllis Moccobee (Mary Ann Hargis)

Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday

The Shrove Tuesday dinner and the Ash Wednesday worship are a matched set—they go together.  One is for our fun and fellowship, the other is for our faith.  Both have to do with the start of LENT.

Some history about all that:  In the early days of the church, EASTER was the day when new converts were baptized and sinners were re-admitted.  (a story for another day)  

The time period leading up to EASTER was called lent (which means springtime). The church declared that the six weeks leading up to Easter would be the Lenten Season, a time for new Christians to learn about the faith and a time for expelled sinners to repent.  Those notorious sinners would wear ashes smear themselves with ashes to let everyone know they were in the process of repenting.

The Lenten Season was declared to be 40 days prior to Easter—not counting Sundays.  (This means that if you gave up chocolate for Lent—you can sneak a taste on Sundays.)  If you count back 40 days from Easter Day, not counting Sundays, you always start on a Wednesday.  This Wednesday (February 18) will be 40 days (not counting Sundays) until Easter Sunday. 

Wednesday became the day when Christians would begin their season of either repentance or learning.  Since Easter Day was resurrection to new life, the first day of Lent was a time to acknowledge the reality of sin and death.  

Priests put ashes on the foreheads of those who were repenting of sin.  Then one year (in the 5^th or 6^th century, the priests got to thinking:  everyone sins!  Including us!  We should all be starting the season by putting ashes (in the shape of a cross) on our foreheads.  From there, the Ash Wednesday worship eventually became one of the richest, most somber, most gracious, and most hope-filled worship services in the entire year.  It marked the beginning of six weeks of cutting out the bad stuff in our lives, living modestly and soberly, and avoiding frivolous indulgences.

Of course—the issue then arose—how to have one last fling before the season of Lent began?  Let’s let it all hang out the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday!  It was known as Fat Tuesday (or in French, “Mardi Gras.”)  The term “shrove” means to confess.  One last donut breakfast (fasnachts) in German.  One last pancake supper.  Eat hearty—then prepare for confession and the cleansing—reviving season of Lent.  

So—tomorrow—Shrove Tuesday pancakes. 5-7 p.m.

Wednesday—Ash Wednesday worship.  6 p.m.

Be sure you experience the WHOLE  start of Lent 2026