Psalm 96:8

Twenty years ago I was the young minister of children and youth at a large United Methodist church on the east coast. The semi-retired minister of visitation was the Reverend Walter Donoway, who was approaching his ninetieth birthday. He made regular hospital and home rounds and on Sunday mornings often said the prayer or received the offering. He had never been a tall man and was now somewhat stooped. But when it came time for the offering he stood erect. Unlike most ministers I've heard, he didn't talk about the pledge drive nor encourage us to be cheerful givers. Instead he would intone in a firm voice, "Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name! Bring an offering, and come into the courts of the Lord. Worship the Lord in holy splendor!" (Psalm 96:8-9). It was a striking thi…