Blessing of Pets

Blessing of Pets October 4, 2020

The Reverend Brian D. Vasey, Pastor

Pet blessing GREETING

The animals of God's creation inhabit the skies, the earth, and the sea. They share in the fortunes of human existence and have a part in human life. God, who confers gifts on all living things, has often used the service of animals as reminders of the gifts of salvation. Animals were saved from the flood and afterwards made a part of the covenant with Noah. The paschal lamb recalls the Passover sacrifice and the deliverance from slavery in Egypt. A giant fish saved Jonah. Ravens brought bread to Elijah. Animals were included in the repentance of Nineveh; and all creation shares in the redemption of Christ. Therefore, with thanksgiving, we invoke God's blessing on these animals gathered before us.

Pet blessing PSALM 148

Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights!

Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host!

Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars!

Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!

Let them praise the name of the LORD, for he commanded and they were created.

He established them forever and ever; he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.

Praise the LORD from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps,

fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command!

Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars!

Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds!

Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth!

Young men and women alike, old and young together!

Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven.

He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his faithful people. Praise the LORD!

SCRIPTURE

Hear now these words of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ:

"Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns and yet your heavenly Father feeds them (Matthew 6:26)."

Pet blessing "Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave 99 in the wilderness and going after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' (Luke 15:4-6)."

THE BLESSING OF PETS

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us pray.

Blessed are you, O Lord of the universe; you create the animals and give us the ability to train them to help us in our work.

O God, how wonderful are the works of your hands.

Blessed are you, O Lord of the universe; for the sake of our comfort you give us these animals before us as our companions.

O God, how wonderful are the works of your hands.

Blessed are you, 0 Lord of the universe; you care for us even as you care for the birds of the air.

O God, how wonderful are the works of your hands.

Blessed are you, O Lord of the universe, you offered your Son to us as our Passover Lamb and in him willed that we should be called your children.

O God, how wonderful are the works of your hands.

Bless, O Lord, these our pets gathered before you, and fill our hearts with thanksgiving for their being.

Amen.

Pets form a procession to receive an individual blessing: Pet blessing

(Pet's name): The Lord bless you and keep you. Amen.

BLESSING

As God has blessed you with these pets, so may they be blessed by your love and care. And the blessing of Almighty God, Father, + Son and Holy Spirit be with you now and forever.

Amen.

HYMN

Attributed to Francis of Assisi

All creatures of our God and King,

Lift up your voice with us and sing:

Alleluia! Alleluia!

O burning sun with golden beam

And silver moon with softer gleam:

Oh, praise him! Oh, praise him!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Let all things their Creator bless

And worship God in humbleness,

Oh, praise him! Alleluia!

Oh, praise the Father, praise the Son,

And praise the Spirit, Three in One,

Oh, praise him! Oh, praise him!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!