CHRISTIANS READY TO MARK BEGINNING OF LENT.

Byline: Mary Beth Alexander Daily News Staff Writer

Roman Catholics, Episcopalians, Lutherans and Methodists will congregate in Los Angeles-area churches today to celebrate Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent.

Considered the season of preparation before Easter, Lent is a time for personal sacrifices, fasts and the reconfirmation of faith in Jesus Christ, community religious leaders said.

"It's a period of renewal," said Pastor Dana Hanson of First Lutheran Church of Northridge. "It's a good time for us to realize that a new season has started and to basically stand back and contemplate who we are as people."

Many church services will include the traditional wiping of ashes from palm fronds on the forehead as a sign of repentance and faith.

"It's a voluntary act of the faithful, demonstrating that they're indeed entering into the spirit of Lent," said the Rev. Ray Morales of St. Mel Catholic Church in Woodland Hills.

Lent marks the 40 days leading to Easter Sunday - not counting the Sundays in between. For many observers, it is a time to make personal sacrifices as a show of faith.

Some observers will give up candy or coffee. Others will pray more, spend more quality time with their families, or more leisure hours helping the needy.

In his message today, Cardinal Roger Mahony will encourage Catholics to observe Lent by volunteering in soup kitchens or food pantries - or contributing to the needy the money saved by giving up coffee and candy, said the Rev. Gregory Coiro, spokesman for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

Many Lent observers will avoid eating meat Fridays - a tradition long held to honor Christ's death on the cross on Good Friday. The abstinence will end Easter Sunday, the day celebrating Christ's resurrection.