Join our Lent challenge: 40 day, 40 items
Wednesday, March 6 is the first day of Lent - a 40-day period leading up to Easter. During this time, many choose to give something up or do something extra. This year, we challenge you to join us in doing both.
The Challenge
Every day, find one item in your home that you don't need and put it in a box. As you do this, take a few minutes to reflect and count your blessings. When Lent is over, donate the box to your local Salvation Army Store and feel good knowing that your unwanted items will help fund life-chnging programs that serve those in need.
More Lent Ideas
- Mail a thoughtful letter to a friend or family member
- Volunteer your time
- Call someone instead of texting
- Pay for the person behind you in line at the store or drive-thru
- Donate an old instrument to a child who wants to learn
- Memorize a Bible verse each week or subscribe to a verse of the day email
- Give up evening TV time to foster a deeper rest and reflection
- Deliver a meal to a neighbor or friend
- Release a daily coffee habit and use the savings to bless someone else
The Purpose of Lent
Lent is a season of reflection and preparation that many Christians observe before the celebration of Jesus Christ's resurrection from death on Easter Sunday. This year, it begins on Ash Wednesday - March 6 - and continues each day, excluding Sundays, through Easter Sunday - April 21. Lent, and the Easter season in general, come during a time of rebirth in nature that reminds us of the opportunity for rebirth in our own lives. This rebirth is possible because of the sacrifice made by Christ when he came to Earth to live, serve, and then die upon a cross, paying the penalty for our sin. Through Christ's death and resurrection, He made a way for our sins to be forgiven - all we have to do is ask. He extends grace, truth and love to each one of us, so that we can be made new in Him (read 2 Corinthians 5:17-19). Those who observe Lent by sacrificially giving something up or doing something for others are remembering the great sacrifice Christ made in giving up His life for our own.
If you have questions about Lent or Easter, who Jesus is, and what this means for your own life, we invite you to come to our Worship and Service Centers to learn more. We have ordained pastors and other staff who can speak with you or pray with you, whenever you need it. Learn more.