Happy Shrove Tuesday! 

Some call it Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday, too. And it’s all the same–a time to clear out the “fat” and anything holding us back from getting closer to God.

Really, Laurel, fat??

1. Well, the “fat” is a symbol of people clearing out the butter, eggs and cream from their homes, so many people eat PANCAKES on this day! (I’d recommend an omelet, too.) The idea is to clear space to focus on God…and maybe treat our bodies better, too.
2. If you like your butter just where it is (in the fridge or on the counter), then think about a SWITCH OUT—what is holding you back from spending more time with God, the one being who loves you more than all others love you combined. (God invented you, after all!)

What will you SWITCH OUT for time with God?

(See last week’s Blog post for more info!)

• Facebook?
• Instagram?
• TV time on Tuesdays?

Tomorrow, February 14 – TWO HOLIDAYS ON ONE DAY!

• Ash Wednesday Worship at 6:30pm (Sanctuary)
  • This is a once-a-year Worship time where we focus on two things:
    • 1) We live in human bodies, and we will die one day. (Genesis 3:19-“For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.) 
    • 2) Each of us makes mistakes and do not show love to God and God’s Creation (people, animals, plants, etc.), so we confess our sins and repent to God. This is part of God’s promise in the Bible that our spiritual selves will live on forever with God. Wow!
  • This first day of Lent leads up to Easter, when we focus on the ultimate loving sacrifice of Jesus dying on the cross for the forgiveness of our wrongdoings. The ashes are put on our foreheads as a visible symbol of our 1)Humanity and 2)Confession of sins. It is in the shape of a cross to remind us that Jesus is the Way we are forgiven. The ashes are not showy or a “Look at me, I’m an awesome Christian!”; instead, they are a longtime church tradition for us to publicly confess our sin and say out loud that Jesus is our Savior. Pretty cool, right?

• Valentine’s Day – share lots of God’s love!
  • These 2 holidays haven’t happened on the same day since 1945!
  • EVERYONE could use a little extra kindness today–even that girl or boy who is really hard to be friends with. You can do it!

This Friday, February 16–Family Game Night from 6:30-8:30pm (Fellowship Hall)

Free event for ALL, kids, parents, and adults without kids. We’re making mini tacos + providing drinks for you! Bring a game or snack to share (optional), and let the games begin!

February 18—Sunday morning Worship at 9:00am (Sanctuary); BFG from 10:15-11:15 –the first Sunday of Lent (P.S. Sundays in Lent don’t count toward your “SWITCH OUT,” so watch a Netflix movie with some chocolate and pancakes. After church, of course.)   = )

Can’t wait to see you all this week!

Laurel