It is hard to believe, but it won't be too long until Lent begins. Ash Wednesday is February 9th. With that date, we begin our 40 day (not counting the Sundays) journey that leads us from the Mount of Transfiguration (the last Sunday of Epiphany) to Mount Calvary, where we see the true glory of our Lord Jesus Christ revealed as He submits to crucifixtion for our sake.

It is part of our lenten tradition here at Zion to have midweek worship services to mark that journey. We usually have a theme for a journey so that each week ties together and leads us along the path to Calvary. This year will be no different. This year we will follow the theme: "Lent: A Time for Renewal."

With a theme like that there comes the implication that things need to be renewed. Renewal suggests that something that once was new, but over time has either faded or been misused, so much so that it needs to be restored. This is true of a piece of furniture in your home. Years of paint and nicks cover the beauty of the wood underneath. In this case, renewal might mean stripping the piece all the way down to bare wood so that the true treasure may be revealed.

This is also the case with many aspects of our Christian life. During this lenten time of renewal, we will strive, by the power of the Holy Spirit, scrape off the layers of sin and misuse that we have slathered on concepts like servanthood, obedience, witness, true religion, priorities, godly fear, unity faith and hope. These topics have not gone our of use. Rather it is the way that these topics have been part of our life, or better NOT a part of our life, that causes the need for renewal.

One thing we will find along this journey is that renewal, true Christian renewal, does not begin from within us or by our effort. Renewal always comes from the Word of God and the work of the Holy Spirit among us. Our Lord Jesus going to the cross of Calvary is what does the renewing among us.

During this lenten season, it is important that we take the opportunity to allow the Lord to do the renewing among us. We can frustrate the process by not regularly being in worship and Bible Study. You can renew yourself by contemplating what God means to you. ONLY when the Lord is living and active in you life can you truly be renewed. This is what every Christian wants. For the Christian knows that we are sinful and in need of renewal.

May this lent be the Time of Renewal here at Zion. For each one of us individually and for us as the entire body of Christ in this place. For when we are renewed by the Word, in its written proclaimed and Sacremental forms, then He can and will use us as instruments of renewal in our families, our community and our world. Only renewed Children of God can be used in such a way.

So please make a point to be a part of our Lenten worship. In addition to our regular Divine Service (6 pm on Sat and 8 & 10:30 am on Sun), we will be gathering on Wednesdays at 3:30 & 7 pm. This Lent, starting this month, is the time of renewal. God grant this to us all!