THE BLESSING OF PETS
THE CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader Bless the Lord, all you his creatures,
All And forget not all his benefits.
Leader Let us pray. Most high, omnipotent good Lord, grant your people grace to renounce gladly the vanities of this world; that, following the way of blessed Francis,we may for love of you delight in your whole creation with perfectness of joy. O God, you have made us and all living things. You are even more wonderful than what you havemade. We thank you for giving us these pets who bring us joy. As you take care of us, so also we ask your help that we might take careof those who trust us to look after them. By doing this, we share inyour own love for all creation. We ask this in Jesus' name.
All Amen.
- Emory and her puppy!
Genesis {1:30-31}
And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the
air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything
that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant
for food." And it was so. {31} God saw everything that he
had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was
evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
THE PRAYERS
Leader Let us give thanks to God our Father for all his gifts so freely bestowed upon us.... for the beauty and wonder of
your creation, in earth and sky and sea;
All We thank you, Lord.
Leader For the richness of the mountains, plains and rivers;
All We thank you, Lord.
Leader For all that is gracious in the lives of men and women;
All We thank you, Lord.
Leader For all creatures that breathe, and move, and have life;
All We thank you, Lord.
Leader For the songs of birds and the loveliness of flowers and trees;
All We thank you, Lord.
Leader For the trust you have shown in giving into our care these, our pets;
All We thank you, Lord.
Leader That each pet here may be treasured with care;
All We pray to you, Lord.
Leader That we may love and honour all your works, O God;
All We pray to you, Lord.
Leader That we may continue to grow in our grateful enjoyment of your abundant creation;
All To the honor and glory of your name, now and forever, we pray to you, Lord.
THE BLESSING PRAYER
All Most high, almighty Lord, our Creator, yours are the praise, the glory, the honour and all blessings! To you alone do all things belong. Be praised for giving us the animals, birds and fish which fill your world. May we think of you and thank you when we play with and care for our pets. Be praised for making us so happy to have our pets and to have them to play with. We ask you, Lord, that we may be good to our pets always, so that they may be happy also. Help us always to take care of them so that they will be healthy. O God, your world is wonderful. May we all come into your even greater world of the kingdom of heaven where we shall see even more wonderful things and where we shall live and love for ever. This we ask to your eternal praise, and to our blessing. Amen.
copyright - Rev. Robert Morrison and Rev. Richard J. Fairchild 1998 - 2006
Blessings of the Animals 2013 occurred in beautiful weather and outstanding comaraderie of pets and owners. Here are a collection of a few of our blessed loved ones and their caretakers who know that God loves all of creation!
