The “Offertory" in liturgical worship

The Offertory is more than a transition from the “Liturgy of the Word” to the “Liturgy of the Table” in the historic pattern of Christian worship. It is also a time when we do several things of significance:  

First, we offer to God our tithes and offerings in gratitude for what He has given us and to the furthering of His Kingdom here on earth.  

Secondly, we also offer bread and wine representing the first fruits of our labor that the Lord will make into His Body and His Blood.   Offering our “first fruits” to God has roots in Old Testament worship. See Leviticus 23:9-14.

Chiefly, however, we offer and present unto God “ourselves, our souls and bodies to be a living sacrifice unto Him.” The Lord does tell us in Scripture that what He desires above all is us.