Lent begins

On Ash Wednesday, February 6, Lent begins. During this 40-day period, Christians reevaluate their spiritual lives. It's a time for us to have a spiritual check-up and to strive to live the Christian life more faithfully and more intentionally.

One might go on a spiritual retreat, for example, spending time with a prayer warrior, Bible expert or theologian. During Lent, attending the various church services and study opportunities can help people grow spiritually and become more informed about the Christian faith.

Our pilgrimage through Lent should inspire us to serve God more faithfully in our daily lives.

Pancake Dinner

February 5th (5:30 – 7 PM)

Come on, come all – join us in celebrating Lakeside’s 6th annual Fat Tuesday pancake dinner. Join us for dinner, 5:30 – 7 PM on February 5th. The Family Ministries, Boy Scouts and Lakeside Fishermen are cooking and serving. "Fat Tuesday" (Mardi Gras in French) originates from ancient pagan traditions that were Christianized by the Catholic Church. The name comes from the tradition of slaughtering and feasting upon a fattened calf on the last day of Carnival. The day is also known as Shrove Tuesday (from "to shrive," or hear confessions), Pancake Tuesday, and fetter Dienstag. The custom of making pancakes comes from the need to use up fat, eggs and dairy before the fasting and abstinence of Lent begins. The Scouts and Men’s Group want to be clear, fasting and abstinence from food is at your discretion!

Anyway, Fat Tuesday always falls 46 days prior to Easter Sunday (40 days of Lent plus 6 Sundays). Fat Tuesday is always celebrated the day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent - an austere season of fasting and penitence.

The term Mardi Gras encompasses a much longer period of celebration leading up to Fat Tuesday. Every year, the season of Mardi Gras begins on January 6 (Twelfth Night feast of the Epiphany). Of course the Epiphany is the day that the three kings, or Wise Men, visited the Christ Child. The Mardi Gras season runs for several weeks and culminates at midnight on Fat Tuesday, the final day for merrymaking before Lent begins.

Relay For Life Team Registration

The American Red Cross Relay for Life event is scheduled for Friday/Saturday, June 6 - 7. This event will begin at 6:00 p.m. on June 6th at La Plata High School. We are looking for members to join our TEAM. This event is a wonderful opportunity to support those who have recently been diagnosed with cancer, those who have survived and honor those who have lost their battle.

If you would like to join us this year you can sign up under our team the - Lakeside Lifesavers - www.charlescountyrelay.org

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Debbie Sherouse. (301) 645-4094.