Let's Celebrate Fat Tuesday - Seeds of Scripture

Let’s Celebrate Fat Tuesday

February 9, 2016/CathyChung/

Topics to Dig Into

Who is He?

What is God like? Who is this man Jesus? How can we understand the Holy Spirit?

The Visible God

God is present and active in our lives, often working through people and ‘coincidences’. Thank and praise Him!

Making it Practical

Following Jesus in today’s world can be challenging. But living according to Jesus’ teaching is incredibly worthwhile. Call it life-changing.

He Knows You

God’s love is unconditional. He knows our hearts and continually invites us into relationship.

Ah-Ha!

Learning about the culture and language of Bible times can reveal new meaning in familiar scriptures. Let’s call them ah-ha moments.

These things happened as a warning to us, so that we would not crave evil things as [the Israelites] did, or worship idols as some of them did. As the Scriptures say, “The people celebrated with feasting and drinking, and they indulged in pagan revelry.” And we must not engage in sexual immorality as some of them did.

1 Corinthians 10:6-8 (NLT)

Woo-hoo! Let’s celebrate Fat Tuesday – the final day of Mardi Gras!

Why such a worldwide party?

Many revelers probably don’t realize Mardi Gras is the last hurrah before Lent which always begins on a Wednesday – 40 days prior to Easter. Lent is a season of repentance, humility, and self-denial preparing us for Christ’s crucifixion. So, on the eve of this somber season, people get their party on.

Why is it called Fat or Shrove Tuesday? And why are pancakes traditional?

Rich foods like milk, fats, eggs, and meat were forbidden during this season of self-denial, so people cleared out their ice boxes and feasted on pancakes. In Old England, the day included pancake tosses, pancake races, pancake recipe contests, and children going door-to-door asking for pancakes (like American trick-or-treating). It is still called Pancake Day.

The word ‘shrove’ comes from the Old English word ‘shrive’ which means to confess your sins. Over 1000 years ago, a monk declared that “in the week immediately before Lent everyone shall go to his confessor and confess his deeds and the confessor shall so shrive him.” (thisischurch.com)

So if you’re local to Medfield, join me at UCC for Pancakes with a Purpose from 5:30-7. Our youth hold this Shrove Tuesday supper to raise funds for their mission trip in July.

Did you learn something new about Shrove Tuesday? How will you celebrate?

#SeedsOfScripture #ShroveTuesday #Lent #Easter

1 Comment

CHERRILYNN BISBANO on February 9, 2016 at 10:19 AM

Thank you for this, Cathy. I did not know about the word Shrove and it's meaning. Great history lesson for me. Wish I could attend the pancake feast. Have a blessed lent season.

Reply

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