A GIFT FROM MY HEART

When it comes to the Offertory, we often think about the physical gifts we bring to the altar—the bread, the wine, and our collections. Jude Nnam’s "A Gift From My Heart" gently turns that idea around, asking a simple but profound question: "What shall I offer to the Lord to make Him happy?"

The verses walk through all the grand material things we might try to give God—from clothes and shoes to a ram, a cow, or even a car and a house. Yet, the song reminds us that He might not take any of it. Instead, the final section reveals what God truly desires from us: a loving, patient, humble, and caring heart. It is a wonderful piece for the presentation of gifts, shifting the congregation's focus from what is in their hands to what is in their souls.

Singing this piece is always a joy for the choir. The melody is straightforward and conversational, allowing the message to shine clearly. When the voices unite on the final lines detailing the virtues of a good heart, it feels less like a performance and more like a shared prayer for the whole church.