GATHERING. Gathering Music. Gathering Hymn. Greeting

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2 Gathering Music Music may be played or sung at the direction of the leader as the assembly gathers. Gathering Hymn All Creatures Worship God Most High If the rituals and practices of our liturgy are new to you, please participate as you feel comfortable and are able. Throughout the bulletin, the assembly is to say all bolded text aloud. All are invited to join in singing the hymns. GATHERING Greeting During the greeting the presiding minister and assembly bow toward one another. We learn from Eastern cultures the deep significance of a bow as a sign of mutuality and the presence of Christ among us. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you. [2]

3 God of the universe, we thank you for your many good gifts For the beauty of creation and its rich and varied fruits, for clean water and fresh air, for food and shelter, animals and plants. Forgive us for the times we have taken the earth s resources for granted and wasted what you have given us. Transform our hearts and minds so that we would learn to care and and share, to touch the earth with gentleness and with love, respecting all living things. We pray for all those who suffer as a result of our waste, greed and indifference, And we pray that the day would come when everyone has enough food and clean water. Help us to respect the rights of all people and all species and help us to willing share your gifts today and always. Amen. WORD A reading from Genesis. And 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. God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth. And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day. 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. God made the wild animals of the earth of every kind, and the cattle of every kind, and everything that creeps upon the ground of every kind. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth. So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them, and God said Prayer of the Day A Prayer of Gratitude for Creation, Fiona Murdoch, Eco- Congregation Ireland First Reading Genesis 1:20-28 [3]

4 to them, Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth. Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God. Psalm 148:7-10, 13 The assembly reads aloud verses of the Psalm and repeats the Alleluia after the leader each time. Gospel Matthew 6:25-33 As the gospel is announced, you may trace a small cross on your forehead, lips and breast, a prayer that the Word may dwell in our minds, on our lips and in our hearts. [4] Alleluia, alleluia. Alleluia, alleluia. 7 Praise the LORD from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps; 8 fire and hail, snow and fog, tempestuous wind, doing God's will; Alleluia, alleluia. Alleluia, alleluia. 9 mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars; 10 wild beasts and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds; Alleluia, alleluia. Alleluia, alleluia. 13 Let them praise the name of the LORD, whose name only is exalted, whose splendor is over earth and heaven. Alleluia, alleluia. Alleluia, alleluia. (repeated several times) The Holy Gospel according to Matthew. Glory to you, O Lord. Jesus said, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will 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 of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, What will we eat? or What will we drink? or What will we wear? For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for

5 the dominion and righteousness of God, and all these things will be given to you as well. The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. Sermon Hymn of the Day Earth Is Full of Wit and Wisdom Please bring your pet to one of the blessing stations in the park. Fellow creature, friend, and companion: May God your Creator bless, defend, heal, and keep you, this day and always. Amen. [5] Blessing of the Animals Music leaders may lead the assembly in singing during the blessing.

6 Welcome and Announcements Peace The assembly is invited to share God s peace with one another saying, Peace be with you, or similar words. Gathering of Gifts and Setting the Table The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you. MEAL Offertory Hymn All You Works of God, Bless the Lord [6]

7 The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. The Great Thanksgiving The thanksgiving includes the following: Dialogue and Preface It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ. By the witness of your saints you show us the hope of our calling and strengthen us to run the race set before us, that we may delight in your mercy and rejoice with them in glory. And so, with Francis of Assisi and all the saints, with the choirs of angels and all the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn: The Assembly repeats each phrase of the Holy, holy, holy after the music leader. We praise you, all-holy God, our maker, our lover, our keeper, nurturing our past, our present, our future; for the universe beyond our knowing, for seas and forests and fields, for the Atlantic, the Pacific; for creatures seen and unseen, for animals both wild and tame, for our ancestors from many cultures and continents. Holy, Holy Thanksgiving at the Table Blessed be God forever. Blessed be God forever. We praise you for your covenant people, for Moses and Miriam and Aaron, and for centuries of faithful Christians, for Mary Magdalene, Peter and Paul, for Francis, Bach, Martin Luther King, Jr. We praise you for your Son, Jesus, who saves us from sin and from evil, who continues to lead us to new life. Blessed be God forever. Blessed be God forever. [7]

8 In the night in which he was betrayed, Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his friends, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me. And so we remember your Son, his life, his death, and his glorious resurrection, his word, and his presence in this meal, and we proclaim the mystery of faith: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. We pray that you send your Spirit, your breath, your fire, your wisdom, upon us and everywhere in the church. Send your Spirit upon this bread and cup; inspire your people for service, and renew the world with your healing, your justice and your peace. Come, Holy Spirit. Come, Holy Spirit. We praise you, all-holy God, the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, Abba, Living Water, Breath of Life, today, tomorrow and forever. Amen! The Lord s Prayer As a sign of openness to the divine presence, you may join the presider in praying the Our Father with the ancient gesture of extended hands. Trusting in God s tender, motherly care, let us pray as Jesus taught us: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen. [8]

9 All who are hungry, come and eat the bread of life. All who are thirsty, come and drink the cup of salvation. All are welcome at Christ's table, including children. Bread is received in the hands. Wine is received either by drinking from the cup, or by saving the bread and dipping it in the cup. Gluten-free wafers are available from the presiding minister. Those not communing may come forward for a blessing, keeping your hands folded over your chest. For those unable to consume either wine or bread, communion is received fully in either element alone. Let us pray. Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; Where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; To be understood as to understand; To be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; It is in pardoning that we are pardoned; And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen. Live without fear: your Creator has made you holy, has always protected you, and loves you as a mother. Go in peace to follow the good road and may God s blessing be with you always. Amen. Go in peace. Share the Good News. Thanks be to God. Breaking of the Bread Communion Prayer after Communion A prayer attributed to St. Francis Blessing Sending Following the liturgy, all creatures great and small are invited to have a treat and get to know one another. [9]

10 SERVING IN THIS LITURGY PRESIDING MINISTER Ben Adams PREACHING MINISTER Amity Carrubba DEACON Garth Howe DEACON INTERN Brenda Kilpatrick MUSIC LEADERS Beau Surratt, Casey Cross WORSHIP ASSISTANTS Grant Peterson, Jessica Rhodes, Clara Wendland HOSPITALITY Marilynn Rochon, Sue Mathews [10]

11 A SHORT HISTORY OF SAINT FRANCIS Why do we bless pets on this day? Saint Francis of Assisi lived in Italy in the 12thcentury. Having grown up in a wealthy family, he renounced his wealth and worldly possessions and lived very simply. When Francis spoke, everyone listened, including the animals. He told the animals that Jesus loved them too. There is a story of a wolf who lived in the town of Gubbio. The wolf came into the town each evening, frightening the inhabitants or eating them. Francis went to speak to Brother Wolf and found out that the wolf was hungry. Francis explained that that was not reason enough to eat people and their pets or to terrorize them. The wolf became very gentle, the people fed him and he gave the children in town rides on his back. Francis brought us the Christmas crèche. He built a small outdoor stable and put people in the stable to portray Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the angels and added the animals. And so in honor of this blessed saint of the church we gather today with our animals and give thanks for what they do for us and for what they mean to us. Photo: St Francis Mural with the Wolf of Gubbio by Jim McIntosh via Flickr (CC BY 2.0). For more information about the story behind this image, visit [11]

12 Thank you to Kriser s South Loop for the pet treats today! Kriser s is located at 1103 S State St., Chicago, IL Pet adoption provided by Friends of Petraits Rescue. [12]