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Have you ever wondered why we do what we do during worship? What’s up with the passing the peace? Why do we have a community confession? What exactly are we saying when we profess the creed? Maybe you’ve wondered if there’s more to the offering besides collecting gifts for the church. If you’ve been asking, if you’ve been curious, if you’ve been wondering, this is the blog series for you! Now here’s my super short caveat:
1. These posts are based on the book of Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW), on my understanding of our tradition as Lutherans, and the ways scripture has influenced our practices. 2. And worship is super contextual. That means that every context may have different practices for their worship time, different understandings of the whys behind what happens, and that’s okay! 3. Also, even if you worship in the same context I do, your understanding or feeling might be different. And that’s okay too! So here is part 4 of Ask the Pastor – Worship Stuff: Offering What is “Offering”? So simply speaking, this is the time in worship where a plate or basket is passed or available. Those who are gathered are invited to place financial gifts, prayers, connection cards, etc. into the plate/basket. Offering isn’t always given during this time in worship. And not everyone’s offering is financial. What to Expect Every congregation has their own traditions. In our congregation, before the offering song begins, we give a brief introduction to this time where I say something along the lines of, "In response to the generous gifts God gives to us, we share our gifts. We give thanks for the abundance that God gives to us, for the incredible grace that we receive, and we give thanks for one another." During the pandemic we have moved from passing the plate to having a basket available by the exist for those who want to give in that way. We also have giving available online and by giving through Tith.ley. And we finish together in prayer, giving thanks for God’s gifts and asking for guidance in our discipleship together. Why? So why do this at all? I don’t mean why give to your church, because that’s a totally different blog post. I mean why have this time during worship dedicated for giving, especially now when there isn't a plate being passed during this portion of our service.
Do you still have questions around the offering in worship? What does this time in our service mean for you? How do you give thanks to God in your life, during church on Sunday and every day of the week?
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