The day before the start of Lent is called a number of things: 

• Mardi Gras
• Shrove Tuesday
  
• Fat Tuesday

This day's initial intent was to help us use up all the sugar and fat in our cupboards so that we would not be tempted to indulge during the 40 days of Lent. Over time this practice involved with people eating pancakes for dinner on the day before Lent. They also have a King's cake. 

March 4th we will gather for dinner consisting of pancakes and fresh fruit starting at 6:00 p.m. The dinner will be a fundraiser for the youth group mission trip this summer. Suggested donation is $5. Following dinner, we will head up to the sanctuary to prepare ourselves for the start of Lent, with a service of Ashes. We will reflect on our own mortality and receive the imposition of ashes upon our foreheads that reminds us that in life and in death we belong to God. For we came from dust and to dust we shall return.