Did you save your palm branches? It is time to bring them back again.
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, which falls on February 22 this year. During that service we will have the traditional Imposition of Ashes, where we smear ashes on our foreheads to remember that we are dust, and to dust we shall return. Don’t forget, though, that our dust is in the shape of the cross.
To get ready for that day we need to prepare some ashes. And to prepare the ashes, we need to collect some palm branches. Our ashes will be made from the palm branches that were used the previous Palm Sunday.
Last year we began a tradition, and now we will try it again. It is our annual Transfiguration Day bonfire! Our fire will take place on Sunday, February 19, after worship. And we need some fuel for our fire.
We encouraged people to take their palm branches home on Palm Sunday. Perhaps you placed yours behind a picture somewhere in your house.
Well now we need those palm branches back. We will gather as many palm branches as possible in a box at the entrance of the church. And on Transfiguration Sunday, February 19 we will burn them to make ashes for the beginning of Lent.
 Come and participate in our bonfire. It does not take long, and it helps us make that transition in to the more somber season of Lent. 
Then, on February 29—Happy Leap Year! February doesn’t have five Wednesdays very often—we begin our regular Lenten evening services. Supper is at 5:30, and worship is at 6:30.
Please sign up if you would like to help with meals.
Blessings to you all.