What is the Offertory?
The Offertory is a response to the message. It is a prayer asking God to renew us by His grace and to continue to strengthen our faith in Him. The words of the traditional Offertory are from Psalm 51:10-12. The Offertory is also our confession of faith that God can and will do these things.
What does the Offertory have to do with our worship?
There are several places in our worship where God comes to us with His grace and we respond to that grace with prayer, praise, or confession of faith. This is one of those times. This is our response to hearing the message for the day. We confess to God that He can use what we have heard to do wonders in our lives and we ask Him to work those wonders in us this day.
What does the Bible say about this?
Genesis 28:10-22 – Jacob flees to an uncertain life in an uncertain place. God affirms His promises to Him. Having heard the Word, Jacob dedicates his life to God.
Isaiah 6 – Isaiah is carried in a vision to the throne of God, where he despairs because he is unworthy of God’s presence. God cleanses him from sin. Isaiah dedicates himself to God’s service.
Luke 5:1-11 – Jesus preaches and performs the miracle of the great catch of fish. Peter confesses that he is unworthy to be in Jesus presence. Jesus calls him to catch men. Peter dedicates his life to serving Christ.
1 Peter 1:3-9 – Peter blesses God for the living hope by which believers are strengthened in trials and tests. We are called to rejoice in God’s mercy.
Suggestions
Find ways to see God’s mercy in various aspects of life. How can we use that mercy to be a blessing? What has God shown us through His Word this week? How can He use that in us to be a blessing to others? You may want to sing any of the following hymns: Lutheran Service Book: 694, 696, 702, 704, 783.
Object Lesson
Find some useful gadget in your home. Show it to your family and help them use it. Explain that when we sing the Offertory after the sermon, we are asking God to help us use the grace He has given us.
Prayer
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Your presence and take not Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of your salvation and uphold me with Your free Spirit.” Amen.