Julie: Welcome! Yesterday was the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, who understood that our Creator God loves all the creatures of this earth, including those with fur and feathers and scales. Inspired by Saint Francis, we join today with all our brothers and sisters of creation. We sing with all God’s beautiful creation.
Opening Prayer: “But ask the animals, and they will teach you;
the birds of the air, and they will tell you;
...and the fish of the sea will declare to you.
In God’s hand is the life of every living thing...” (Job 12: 7, 8b, 10a)
AMEN
Opening Song: Morning Has Broken
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0TInLOJuUM
A Reading from Genesis 1
“God said, ‘Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the dome of the sky.’ So God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, of every kind, with which the waters swarm, and every winged bird of every kind. And God saw that it was good. And God blessed them. And God said, ‘Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind, cattle and creeping things and wild animals of the earth of every kind.’ And it was so. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, ‘Let us make humankind.’ And God blessed them. God saw everything that God had made, and indeed, it was very good.”
These are the inspired words of an anonymous storyteller and we affirm them by saying AMEN.
A Reading from the Gospel of Matthew 6: 25-26
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat [or drink], or
about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than
clothing? Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns,
yet Abba God feeds them. Are not you more important than they?”
These are the inspired words of the anonymous storyteller we call Matthew and we affirm them by saying AMEN.
Please extend your hands as we pray our blessing together.
Blessing of the Animals
Julie: Let us now bless our beloved animals, the embodiment of unconditional love for which we are so very grateful.
ALL: Blessed creature of God, you were created by God, and you are loved by God and your humans. May you and your human family experience joy and companionship together and continue to be a blessing to each other. AMEN
Remembrance of Those Who Have Died
Julie: We remember our animal companions who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge and are no longer with us physically but are always in our hearts. We give thanks for the gifts they gave us and the variety of ways they enriched and blessed our lives. We are confident that our Creator continues to care for them just as we continue to love them.
ALL: AMEN.
Intentions: We bring to the table the people dedicating their lives to the welfare of animals and the ecosystems in which they live, the farmers and veterinarians, that they may always be guided by You to treat the animals in their care with dignity and respect.
We bring to the table those who are working at policy and project levels, and for those tending to the needs of all of creation, which is threatened by climate change and environmental destruction.
We bring to the table all who see the interconnectedness of creation, that we may mend the brokenness that has led to exploitation and even extinction, of some of Your Creation.
Closing Blessing
Julie: Please extend your hands as we pray our blessing together.
May we serve our common home, the Earth, by caring for all creation.
May Sophia Wisdom guide us as we nurture our pets and all animal kin!
May we celebrate the circle of love and life with them! AMEN
Closing Song: Canticle of the Sun
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