MARYJANE PIERCE NORTON
Discipleship Ministries
During Lent, many of us are reminded once again to examine our lifestyles and ask, “What can we do for others?” Lent is a good time to commit to giving money to a project that helps those in need. One way to involve the whole family is to collect coins during the season of Lent, then donate what has been collected after Easter.
Follow our “Coins For Lent Giving Calendar” (pdf or online) as a guide. If you decide to do this as a family or as a congregation, first determine where you would like your money to go. Maybe you have a community food bank that could use funds to purchase food for the hungry. Maybe you would like to contribute to a larger project beyond your local community.
Projects that particularly target those in need include Children’s Fund for Christian Mission. Information about the Children’s Fund may be found at www.gbod.org/childrensfund. This money benefits projects selected by the General Board of Global Ministries for the United Methodist Church. There are activities on the website developed by the General Board of Discipleship that help you know more about each project. Haitian Artisans for Peace International (HAPI) has benefited from the Children’s Fund for Christian Mission: a half basketball court and 50 goats for a Pass the Gift ​initiative.
Heifer International is another agency that addresses need around the world. You can find out more about Heifer International at www.heifer.org. Or you may know of another project to which you would like to give your money. Select one for your gifts.
Once you have selected a project, decide what coins you want to collect. You may want to contribute a quarter for every item on the giving calendar. You may want to simply collect loose change and give whatever coins you have for each item.
Now make a container to collect the money. Use a plastic tub, or a jar, or a coin bank that you aren’t currently using in your home. Decorate this and place it where all can see.
Items on the daily guide will remind us of all we have and how little others may have. Each Sunday, take time to pray as a family for the project for which you are collecting money and the people who will benefit from your gifts. Our giving begins on Ash Wednesday and concludes with Holy Saturday. In Lent and always, Sundays are for worship and praise to God.
Ash Wednesday – February 18: A coin for every lamp.
February 19: A coin for every light switch.
February 20: A coin for every candle
February 21: A coin for every light bulb
February 22: Pray today, thanking God for the gift of light. Pray for those who live in darkness.
February 23: A coin for every box of band aids.
February 24: A coin for every bottle of vitamins.
February 25: A coin for every box of tissues.
February 26: A coin for every prescription medication.
February 27: A coin for every thermometer.
February 28: A coin for every doctor or dentist who cares for you
March 1: Pray today, thanking God for your health. Pray for those who are sick.
March 2: A coin for every ball cap or hat.
March 3: A coin for every pair of shoes.
March 4: A coin for every pair of jeans.
March 5: A coin for every coat.
March 6: A coin for every t-shirt.
March 7: A coin for every scarf.
March 8: Pray today, thanking God for clothing that protects you from the elements. Pray for those who lack clothing to keep them warm and dry.
March 9: A coin for every ball.
March 10: A coin for every electronic game.
March 11: A coin for every radio.
March 12: A coin for every television.
March 13: A coin for every doll.
March 14: A coin for every board game.
March 15: Pray today, thanking God for how you can enjoy entertainment in your home. Pray for those who would be grateful for just one of these items.
March 16: A coin for every box of cereal.
March 17: A coin for every can of soup.
March 18: A coin for every type of bread.
March 19: A coin for every jar of jelly.
March 20: A coin for every bottle of salad dressing.
March 21: A coin for every jar of peanut butter.
March 22: Pray today, thanking God for the food you enjoy. Pray for those who have no food this day.
March 23: A coin for every room in your home.
March 24: A coin for every electrical outlet in your home.
March 25: A coin for every chair in your home.
March 26: A coin for every desk in your home.
March 27: A coin for every bathroom.
March 28: A coin for every bed.
March 29: Pray today, thanking God for shelter. Pray for those who have no place to sleep at night.
March 30: A coin for every Bible.
March 31: A coin for every book of hymns or sacred songs in your home.
April 1: A coin for every cross in your home.
April 2: A coin for every prayer you say today.
April 3: A coin for every story of Jesus you can tell.
April 4: A coin for every person in your family.
Easter Sunday: April 5: Pray, thanking God for Jesus and for the many ways we can gather and worship God. Pray for those who do not have the freedom to freely worship God.
View “Coins For Lent Giving Calendar” Online or Download pdf of the calendar.
Last Updated on February 2, 2024