Two notes played at once on the same string

Looking at a church hymnal, I see two notes on top of one another and they are on the same string? Can you explain that?

How can you play 5th string open and 5th string 3rd fret at the same time?

Hi!

Are you sure you have the right positions on the string? Is there an alternate tuning that is required? Could it be a misprint?

It's hard to tell without seeing the example in question.

Trevor M.