3. On reaching the accented word and beginning with it, sing in strict time. If there is no syllable after that which is accented, as, for example, in “Thy Kingdom come,” the accented syllable is held for the time value of one whole measure.
OFFERTORIES
611. Bless Thou the gifts our hands have brought
Samuel Longfellow, 1819-92
An offertory hymn to be sung by the choir or congregation or both.
For comments on the author, Samuel Longfellow, see [Hymn 28].
Concerning the place of the collection in the worship service, Henry Sloan Coffin says in his excellent book on public worship:
Whether the collection be made in the middle of the service or near its conclusion, it should be an act of worship. The gifts of the people should be carried up to the holy table, and received and placed upon it by the minister. While they are brought up, the congregation may stand and sing a dedication, “All things come of Thee, O Lord, and of thine own have we given Thee,” or a similar sentence. This may be varied by using Ken’s familiar doxology, or a verse from an appropriate hymn, such as Bishop How’s “We give Thee but Thine own.” When the Offering is for a cause—missions or a hospital or the Bible Society—a stanza from a hymn which fits the purpose may be selected for use as the dedication and be printed on the order of worship in the calendar. A minister may use a prayer in the act of dedication, but it is difficult to find variety in its expression, and the prayer should usually be comprised in a short sentence. Congregations are helped to realize that in this act they are the offerers if they join the choir in singing the dedication. (The Public Worship of God, Westminster Press, 1946.) Quoted by permission.
CANONBURY. For comments on this tune see [Hymn 296].