CHURCHES DRAW CROWDS FOR ASH WEDNESDAY

The devout lined up by the hundreds in Cape Girardeau Wednesday to have ash crosses marked on their foreheads.

It was Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the 40 days of Lent for religions that follow the church calendar. The day is observed by Catholic, Anglican and Lutheran churches in America to reflect purification and penitence.

The Rev. Jeff Sippy, pastor of Hanover Lutheran Church, estimated about 130 people came to be blessed at his church. An average Sunday service there attracts about 200 worshipers.

"This is an opportunity to return to God in response to his grace and forgiveness," Sippy said. "We confess our sins as a group, remember our sinful state before God, and then impose the ashes."

The imposition of the ashes, which consists of a pastor or priest marking a worshiper's forehead with the sign of the cross, springs from a Biblical reference at Genesis 3:19: "...for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return."

Sippy said Ash Wednesday observances come from tradition, not scripture, but could be beneficial if congregations remembered the motives behind the traditions.

The tradition came from ancient peoples, who wore sackcloth and ashes to symbolize a return to God, said Brother Ken Lund, pastoral associate at St. Vincent de Paul Church.

Morning Mass ceremonies attracted about 800 church members at St. Vincent de Paul on Wednesday, and Lund said an estimated 500 attended the evening Mass. Church membership is about 1,400.

"Ash Wednesday always brings Catholics out, even if they don't come during the year," he said.

Sometimes Ash Wednesday is the start of symbolic fasting for those who observe the season of Lent. Many Catholics give up something they like, to show their devotion.

For other religions, including most Protestant churches, Ash Wednesday is just another day. The Rev. Mark Anderson of Lynwood Baptist Church said his congregation would meet Wednesday night, but he probably wouldn't even mention Ash Wednesday.

"We do special things on Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter," he said. "Tonight, we'll just have our usual service."