Giving to the Lord’s church is an act of worship. At our church Sojourn we treat it as such. Each week I write a liturgical reading, which our worship leaders use to introduce the offering. Following this reading, our ushers pass baskets up and down the aisles so our congregation can give.
Here are several of our readings. Feel free to use them in your own worship services. I’ll publish more in the weeks to come.
Liturgical Reading Based On Hebrews 11:6:
Giving to God’s church is an act of faith, especially when our own budgets are tight. Read the underlined portion aloud with me:
Heb 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Lord we bring our offerings in faith, trusting that you provide for us, and that you will do more with our offerings than we could do alone.
If you’re not a Christian, we’re not asking for your money. This service is our gift to you. For those who have put their faith in God, the giving baskets will go around as we continue to stand and sing.
Offering Liturgical Reading for those Satisfied in Christ:
When we are most satisfied with God, we are most open-handed with His church, whom He loves and has entrusted with His mission.
Read the underlined portion aloud with me:
O God, most merciful and gracious,
Of whose bounty we have all received,
Accept this offering of your people.
That it may promote peace and goodwill among all peoples,
And advance the kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
If you’re not a Christian, we’re not asking for your money. This service is our gift to you. For those who are satisfied with Christ, knowing he is the solid ground we stand upon, the giving baskets will go around as we continue to stand and sing.
Liturgical Offering Reading For A Service Theme Of Caring For The Poor
When we give to God’s church, we help carry a message to the poor that they can have far more than the fulfillment of their short-term needs – they can live forever as children of the king.
Read the underlined portions aloud with me:
Dear God, receive our offering.
Guide those who use it, that it may help to bring
Fullness of life to those who live in need and who long for our care. Amen.
If you’re not a Christian, we’re not asking for your money. This service is our gift to you. For those who had nothing but now have everything in Christ, the giving baskets will go around as we continue to sing.
Liturgical Offering Reading For A Service Theme Of Hospitality
God invited us into his family through the sacrifice of his son, even though we were hostile to him and to others. Our giving is a way of worshiping him for his extreme hospitality to us.
Read the underlined portions aloud with me:
What should I return to the Lord for his invitation
to feast at his table, as his dearly loved child?
I will give what I have promised,
In the presence of all God’s people.
If you’re not a Christian, we’re not asking for your money. This service is our gift to you. For those who have accepted God’s generosity in Christ, the giving baskets will go around as we continue to sing.
Liturgical Offering Reading For A Service Theme Of Family
God has made us his family. Now we are brothers and sisters, no longer alone.
Read the underlined portions aloud with me:
Generous Father, you have given us life, and a people to live with.
We bring these offerings, knowing you will use them
To bring others into our family, so that the lonely
Have a home, forever.
If you’re not a Christian, we’re not asking for your money. This service is our gift to you. For those of you who are in this family of God, the giving baskets will go around as we continue to sing.
Get chord sheet, piano lead sheet and audio for the modern offering hymn “All I Have Is Yours.”