In September of 2001 Gilroy’s Lutheran Church of the Good
Shepherd, 1735 Hecker Pass Highway, celebrated its 50th
anniversary, and a number of renovation and redecoration projects
were unveiled at that time. Recently a Gilroy couple, Jack and
Norma Rhymers, made a memorial gift to the church in honor of
Jack’s parents, James and Violet Rhymers. The firm of Rioux
Decorative Finishes was engaged to design and execute an elegant
painting on the sanctuary ceiling beams.
In September of 2001 Gilroy’s Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 1735 Hecker Pass Highway, celebrated its 50th anniversary, and a number of renovation and redecoration projects were unveiled at that time. Recently a Gilroy couple, Jack and Norma Rhymers, made a memorial gift to the church in honor of Jack’s parents, James and Violet Rhymers. The firm of Rioux Decorative Finishes was engaged to design and execute an elegant painting on the sanctuary ceiling beams.
Each beam features a design of grape vines, clusters and wheat sheaves, somewhat similar to the design on the 50th anniversary banners flanking the altar. These scenes of nature are symbolic of the elements of bread and wine present in the sacrament of Holy Communion, the central act of Christian worship.
The pastor and congregation of Good Shepherd invite South County residents to join them at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday for a potluck supper to observe Fat Tuesday – (also known as Shrove Tuesday, from an old English word for “confess”), Mardi Gras (from the French for “Fat Tuesday”), or “carnival” (Latin for “flesh, farewell).” All of these terms refer to the last day before the beginning of the penitential season of Lent.
In the middle ages people rid their homes of meat and dairy products before Lent, especially since there was no refrigeration and few preservatives. They often did this by having a final party at which they used up meats and other luxury foods like butter and eggs.
There are famous carnival celebrations in New Orleans and Brazil, but on a smaller scale some churches celebrate the day with a Shrove Tuesday pancake supper, reminiscent of rummaging through cupboards and eating the last of the delicacies to be avoided during Lent. Cleaning out cupboards may be symbolic of cleaning the soul with a last confession before Lent begins.
The following day is Ash Wednesday, and the community is invited to join the people of Good Shepherd in a special liturgy at 7 p.m., when Pastor Ron Koch will observe the ancient tradition of the imposition of ashes on the foreheads of worshipers using ashes (symbols of sorrow) made from palm fronds left over from last year’s Palm Sunday services.
The following 40 days are known as the season of Lent (from and old English word for spring, “Lenten,” the time of lengthening days). Actually, there are 46 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter, but Sundays are not counted because every Sunday is considered a “feast” day in honor of the resurrection of Jesus. There are many biblical precedents for the number 40, for example, 40 days of Noah’s flood, 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, 40 days that Jesus fasted in the desert.
Lent is more than a time for inventorying sins and feeling bad about them. It also is a time of forgiveness and renewal. The traditional means to this is through three disciplines:
• Prayer, both individual and through additional worship services.
• Fasting, eating less to free oneself from the control of bodily desires.
• Charity, using time and money to help the less fortunate.
The penance practiced by Christians who observe Lent may seem less strict today than in past centuries, when church and state laws could punish people for eating meat or having parties. But the purpose remains the same: using this time as a 40-day retreat to prepare lives to welcome the risen Christ on Easter Day.
For more information about the observances at Good Shepherd call 842-2713.
