Today is Ash Wednesday, and many Christians begin 40 days of contemplation and repentance leading to the celebration of Easter.

Members of Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran Church gather for worship at noon today, participating in the traditional Ash Wednesday liturgy with the imposition of ashes and Holy Communion. Ashes will be placed on the foreheads of worshippers as a sign of humility. Vicar Jennifer Hepler will preach.

This evening at 7 p.m., Lutherans will join for worship with Episcopalians at St. Andrew's-in-the-Pines, 316 North Peachtree Pkwy., a practice which has continued since its inception in 1984. Pastors of both congregations will lead the service and the choirs will join to provide special music.

Christ Our Shepherd will observe Lent with a series of midweek soup suppers followed by brief worship services incorporating sermon dramas. Soup and sandwiches will be served at 6 p.m. and worship begins at 7 p.m. each Thursday night beginning March 16.

The first sermon drama focuses on Jesus' disciples Andrew, Matthew, and Judas, all played by men of the church. On March 23, the eighth-grade drama team will depict the Last Supper. On March 30, disciples Nathaniel, Philip, and Bartholomew teach Joseph of Arimethea what it means to obey God. Similar dramas will continue through April 13. There will also be a children's sermon and special music during each service.

Lent itself began as 40 hours of preparation for adults for baptism on Easter, in celebration of Jesus' Resurrection, according to Christ Our Shepherd's senior pastor, the Rev. John Weber. Over time, this interval grew to the 40 days Christians now venerate with sacrifice and solemnity.

The church is located in Peachtree City at Peachtree Parkway North and Ga. Highway 54. Weber said the public is welcome at any of these services. For further information, the Lutheran church office number is 770-487-8717. The number at St. Andrew's is 770-487-8415.