Visit Amazon.com for books, CDs, gifts, and more!

BEST
of POD

ie4get_animated.gif (7090 bytes)

Last updated
11/29/98

THE FEAST OF ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI

THE BLESSING OF GOD'S ANIMALS

GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH, CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
OCTOBER 4, 1998

Opening Hymn All Things Bright and Beautiful

Descant

All things bright and beautiful. all creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all.

Each little flower that opens, each little bird that sings, He made their glowing colors, he made their tiny wings.

Descant

The cold wind in the winter, the pleasant summer sun,

The ripe fruit in the garden, he made them every one.

Descant

He gave us eyes to see then:, and lips that we might tell How great is God Almighty, who has made all things well.

Descant

Opening Collect

O God, who has made all the earth and every creature that dwells upon it: Help us we pray, to treat with compassion the living creature. entrusted to our care; That they may not suffer from neglect nor become the victims of any harm; and Grant that in caring for them we may find a deeper understanding of your love of all Creation, though Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Lesson: Genesis 1:1-2, 20-25

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters. And God said." Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let the birds fly shove the earth across the firmament of the heavens." So God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And God blessed them saying "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas and let birds multiply on the earth." And God said," Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds: cattle and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds." And it was so. And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds, and everything that creeps upon the ground according to its kind. And God saw it was good. Amen.

Anthem: God Made The Animals, Ruth Elaine Sehram
St. Cecilia Choir

A Song of Creation [Read in unison by all. Please remain seated.]

Canticle 12

Glorify the Lord, all you works of the Lord,

Praise him and highly exalt him forever.

In the firmament of his power, glorify the Lord,

Praise him and highly exalt him forever.

Let the earth glorify the Lord,

Praise him and highly exalt him forever.

Glorify the Lord, O mountains and hills,

Praise him and highly exalt him forever.

Glorify the Lord, O springs of water, seas and streams,

O whales and all that move in the waters.

All birds of the air, glorify the Lord,

Praise him and highly exalt him forever.

Glorify the Lord, O beasts of the wild,

And all you flocks and herds.

O men and women everywhere, glorify the Lord,

Praise him and highly exalt him forever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy

Spirit; as it was in the beginning is now and will be

Forever. Amen.

Anthem: Feed My Lambs, Natalie Sleeth

Choristers of The Royal School of Church Music

The Blessing of God's Animals

At this time, please come forward with your animals so that they may each be blessed. Please move forward in line. You will be greeted by a priest who will bless your pet. An acolyte will give your pet a special tag commemorating this shared experience. Once your pet has been blessed please return to your seat for the blessing (for humans) and dismissal.

 Dismissal Priest: Go in peace, to love and serve the Lord, caring for all his creatures.

People: Thanks be to God.

Organ Voluntary

All guests, no matter how many legs, (or wings) are invited to Hanahan Hall for treats. We have provided for all taste buds.