The Offertory

The Offertory

The Offertory is a splendid time to remind people about their Christian stewardship responsibilities every week. The reference can be very brief and specific, or perhaps a longer general meditation, “drip feeding” different aspects of stewardship over the year. It is important to refer to time and talents just as much as money. Remember to sometimes include thanks for wider community resources, and make links to the wider Church and the organisations your congregation supports.

Why not construct a list of the different aspects of stewardship in your parish, and arrange to mention each one at the Offertory over the next 3 or 6 or 12 months? For example:

time and skills of the Fabric committee
offerings of the Sunday school for an IDWAL mission schools project
a recently legacy, and what the PCC has resolved to spend it on
the skills of the flower arrangers
the skills and care of local doctors, dentists, nurses etc
the time the choir and organist take to practise leading worship
the £89 raised by a missionary coffee morning, and how it will be used
the work of the local Council in recycling waste collections
the helpers at the midweek Pram service
the skills of the tower project for wisdom in getting good value for money
the ministry of car drivers who regularly bring other people to services
the welcome provided by sidespeople
the dedication of the catering teams
everyone who gives through the weekly envelope system
those who tend the churchyard, nurturing God’s environment
those who give by bank standing order or charity voucher
the Inland Revenue for the generous tax benefits through Gift Aid
the auditor’s (independent examiner’s) skill in checking the church’s finances
relevant projects done by the local school
the gifts that have helped to maintain the ministry in other local churches
those who have left generous legacies to the church in the past

Try to ensure that not all the items are “internal” to the church, but include the wider ministry in the community, other local churches, twin parishes, overseas missions etc.

The list can be quite lengthy, and it is important not to leave key parts of church and community life off it! Be prepared to react to events as they happen (eg generous response to emergency appeals, unexpected legacy), but remember to put the displaced item back into the cycle later on.

Some sample offertory prayers and meditations

Father, from all you give us, we present this bread and wine. As we serve you now, accept our offering and sustain us with your promise of eternal life. Grant this through Christ our Lord. RM

When we make our offering this morning, how do you think God will feel? Will God respond with “That was wonderful. You shouldn’t really have done it. Your generosity pleases me. Thank you for your generous gift.” I believe God does care about how we give. Please be generous. OMSS

We give what we have, but not all – help us to be more generous.
We serve as we are called – help us to see when you are calling us further.
We love within our limits – help us to break down those barriers.
So that we may love and serve you and give wholeheartedly. In Jesus’ name.
We hand you our gifts on a plate, you gave us your love on a cross.
Help us to reconcile the difference between our giving and yours,
for Jesus’ and the world’s sake. Marjorie Dobson, quoted in FF

Paul appeals to the Christians in Rome “Brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship”. When we come to church, we offer God three things: our time – an hour or so of our talents – our abilities to pray, pray, listen and worship – and our money. God accepts them because He wants not out gifts, but ourselves as givers. God wants us. We are the living sacrifice. OMSS

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation; through your goodness we have this money to offer, the fruit of our labour and of the skills you have given us. Take us and our possessions to do your work in the world. Blessed be God for ever.
Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation; through your goodness we have this bread to offer, which earth has given and human hands have made. For us it becomes the bread of life. Blessed be God for ever.
Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation; through your goodness we have this wine to offer, fruit of the vine and fruit of human hands. For us it becomes the cup of salvation. Blessed be God for ever.
Church of the Province of South Africa 1975, quoted in FF

Save us Lord, from the temptation to buy what we do not need;
from confusing what we need with what we want;
from wasting what we do not own,
from owning what we will never use,
from idealizing the past as a golden age;
from bequeathing our children a sorry inheritance.
Strengthen the arm and the will of all who,
for the good of the world you made and love,
challenge our greed and inform us about appropriate living.
May their words gain a good hearing
so that the world may have a good future. Church of Scotland

Generous God, creator, redeemer, sustainer, at your table we present this money, symbol of the work you have given us to do. Use it, use us, in the service of your world, to the glory of your name. Amen NPW

Father of all,
help me to see that the work of the church is my responsibility.
If the work needs time – I will find time
If the work needs money – I will find money
If the work needs me – I will be there.
Lord God, we pray for the rich,
that they may seek guidance to use their money for your glory.
We pray for the poor,
that their needs will not make them forgetful of their need for you.
We pray for all those whose business is money,
that they remember true stewardship. Firm Foundations, Diocese of Lichfield

Resources

First Fruits (FF) by Mann, Stevens & Wilmington; Canterbury 2001 contains a wide variety of collects & prayers, hymns & songs, sketches & talks etc.

One Minute Stewardship Sermons (OMSS) by Claughen; Morehouse (USA) 1997 has lots of ideas for offertory prayers and meditations.

New Patterns for Worship (NPW) CHP 2002

The Roman Missal (RM) ICEL 1973