Members and Friends of Historic First Lutheran:
A reminder that this Sunday is MARDI GRAS SUNDAY! Mardi Gras, today a major secular celebration, began within the church as the last big celebration before the penitential season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. You won't want to miss our special worship celebration at 10:00 a.m.! Everyone in attendance will receive a set of beads to wear. A great band will be leading our worship -- Mark McCormick, Karen Murphy, Tim Murphy, Jacob Notbohm and Lisa Simikic. I have a special surprise for you in terms of my clergy apparel that you won't want to miss -- it will bring a smile to your face. Festive Mardi Gras music will be filling the gym during our Cajun luncheon after worship. Bring your friends! And wear purple, green and gold!!!
Pastor Christopher Schaar
Check out this information:
What is Mardi Gras?
The word Mardi Gras (pronounced Mar-dee Grah) and the celebration are French in origin, from the middle ages. Many think the French celebration developed from the Lupercalia ( pagan rituals), of ancient Greece and Rome. The Catholic Church's observance of Lent brought the celebration to the Christians as a pre-lent feast called Boeuf Gras. Explorers and settlers brought this observance with them to New Orleans and Mobile. The celebration has evolved and grown since then. Technically speaking, Mardi Gras (literally translated from French the words in the printed order means, Tuesday Fat. But nouns are pronounced first in French so when corrected to English format it means, Fat Tuesday) refers to only one day, the day before lent begins (Ash Wednesday). The entire season is called Carnival.
What do the colors of Mardi Gras (purple, green and gold) symbolize?
These colors were introduced by the Rex organization during his first roll! Purple represents Justice; Green represents Faith; Gold represents Power.