Offertory sentence

Said by the celebrant at the beginning of the Offertory, Just after the announcements and just before the sacred ministers return to the altar to prepare the gifts

The Offertory Sentence is the cue for the servers in the choir stalls to rise and quickly return to their positions at the foot of the altar.

The Sentences

Announcements and notices may follow here, If there is a collection, the Priest may introduce it with one of the following sentences:

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

Offer unto God the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and pay thy vows unto the Most High. (Psalm 50:14)

Ascribe to the Lord the honour due his Name; bring offerings and come into his courts. (Psalm 96:8)

Walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:2)

I beseech you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present yourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. (Romans 12:1)

All things come of thee, O Lord, and of thine own do we give thee. (I Chronicles 29:14)

Give alms of thy goods, and do not turn thy face away from any poor man; and then the face of God shall not be turned away from you. (Tobit 4:7)

Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do unto them; for this is the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12)

Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive". (Cf. Acts 20:35)

While we have time, let us do good to all men, and especially unto them that are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:10)

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God (Hebrews 13:16)

If any one has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him. (I John 3:17)

Or this bidding:

Let us with gladness present the offerings and oblations of our life and labour unto the Lord.


DWM (pg. 568)