Lenten Daily Reflections
"Thirty Pieces of Silver ... an offering of Love"

Muslin bags - http://www.papermart.com/
   3" width x 4" height      24/pkg.
   Item #09926200

Insert - (see below for wording)
  Printed on card stock
  Size of text box = 2.75" width x 4.75" height

The pouches are to be handed out 30 days before Holy/Maundy Thursday to everyone (adults as well as children) who want to journey through this Lenten reflection.  For families with children, all were encouraged to take a muslin pouch.  This is a wonderful way of asking parents and children to come together at the end of the day to talk of how each found opportunities to reflect the love of Jesus to others.  Each evening, there is time to place a silver coin in the bag only if you might see ways in which the love of Jesus was offered to others.  It isn't about the money.  If you choose to put a quarter in the pouch each day, it will only be $7.50     It is more about the awareness of how each of us shows God's love to another person.  At a given point in the Holy/Maundy Thursday worship service, allow for the placing of the filled bags on the altar or in a basket near the altar.  Make sure that it is known where the money will go...to a local food pantry, a homeless shelter, a battered women's shelter, etc.  The children especially loved this Lenten reflection.  It gave them a time of participating in their own Lenten journey in a way that they could understand.

(Wording of text insert)

       Thirty Pieces of Silver
(Betrayal Money or Offerings of Love?)

Our Lenten journey is a time of
rediscovery and renewal.  It's a time
to resolutely set our sights on
Jerusalem and walk with Jesus into
the Garden of Gethsemane and up to
his cross.  It is our time to draw
closer to our Lord, to reflect his
nature to others and to share his love
in some way.

Jesus was betrayed with 30 pieces of
silver and a kiss.  Do you think that it's
possible to turn 30 pieces of  betrayal
silver into an offering  Jesus' love?
YES!  This pouch can be filled with
30 pieces of silver ... nickels, dimes,
quarters.  At the end of your day,
"be still" and come before God.  Ask
yourself this question, "Have I
reflected the love of Christ to another
today?"  If so, place a piece of silver
in the pouch.  It isn't about the money.
It's about us becoming more like
Jesus Christ.  This truly is our Lenten
journey.