874

We Are an Offering

Scripture References

Further Reflections on Scripture References

Not “we give an offering,” but “we are an offering.” With a rising sense of hope and expectation, we acknowledge who we are – in Christ – and declare our availability to serve God’s purposes in this world.

 

Sing!  A New Creation

Confessions and Statements of Faith References

Further Reflections on Confessions and Statements of Faith References

When we sing about the offering of our gifts, we quickly find several thoughts interwoven with each other. The first is the foundational thought that God’s generosity in Christ has brought us salvation and all good things in life. God has “created heaven and earth and all other creatures from nothing” (Belgic Confession, Article 12) and he continues to “provide whatever I need in body and soul” (Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 9, Question and Answer 26). But God’s greatest act of generosity is shown in the gift of his Son “by a most perfect love” (Belgic Confession, Article 20) through whom we find the forgiveness of our sins and eternal life. This generosity of God is always in the background of each song in this section.

 

God’s children are called to respond thankfully to God’s generosity. Our gifts, therefore, take on the nature of a testimony of thankfulness to our generous God. We aim that “with our whole lives we may show that we are thankful to God for his benefits, so that he may be praised through us” (Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 32, Question and Answer 86). Indeed, all our living, including our gifts, are intended to show “how I am to thank God for such deliverance” (Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 1, Question and Answer 2). It is natural, therefore, that our giving of offerings is accompanied with songs that express this gratitude.

874

We Are an Offering

Introductory/Framing Text

Not “we give an offering,” but “we are an offering.” With a rising sense of hope and expectation, we acknowledge who we are – in Christ – and declare our availability to serve God’s purposes in this world. 

Additional Prayers

A Prayer of Dedication
 
Gracious God, you have given us a place to live, a people to live with, a word to live by.
All that we have we give to you.
 
You have endowed us with temperament, conscience, DNA, the stuff of human life.
All that we are we give to you.
 
We don’t know what the future holds, but we know who holds our future.
All that we hope to be we give to you through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
— Cornelius Plantinga, Jr.
874

We Are an Offering

Tune Information

Name
OFFERING
Key
C Major

Musical Suggestion

In a worship service you could receive the offering during the singing of this song. Consider inviting the congregation to come prepared to offer symbols of the gifts and abilities that God has blessed them with. You may also want to add closing or sending sentences and a blessing at this point.
(from Reformed Worship, Issue 104)
— Joyce Borger
874

We Are an Offering

Author and Composer Information

Dwight Liles is a Southern Gospel songwriter who has written or co-written many classic Southern Gospel songs. His songs have been recorded by such artists as the Cathedral Quartet, Legacy Five, and Karen Peck and New River; however, the majority of his compositions have been recorded by the Gaither Vocal Band. He lives in Nashville.
— Southern Gospel History (http://www.sghistory.com/index.php?n=D.Dwight_Liles)

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