UJCC
- Sep 19, 2021
- 5 min read

Order of Worship September 19, 2021

Updated: Jul 5, 2022

UJCC Sunday House Worship Service

September 19, 2021 * 17th Sunday After Pentecost * Blessing of the Animals

10:30 AM

The Peace of Christ be with you! You are invited to use the following prayers & order of worship as we lift our hearts to God together!

“Many people who live with animals have noticed that their cat or dog becomes solicitous of them when they are feeling unwell. A cat who is normally aloof may come sit in the sick person's lap; a normally rambunctious dog may tone himself down when his human friend isn't up to romping or running. In some cases, the ability of animals to sense illness in a human has been lifesaving.” ― Linda Bender, Animal Wisdom: Learning from the Spiritual Lives of Animals

Reading: “Canticle of The Creatures,” St. Francis of Assisi

Most High, all-powerful, good Lord, Yours are the praises, the glory, and the honor, and all blessing.

To You alone, Most High, do they belong, and no human is worthy to mention Your name.

Praised be You, my Lord, with all Your creatures, especially Sir Brother Sun, Who is the day and through whom You give us light.

And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor; and bears a likeness of You, Most High One.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars, in heaven You formed them clear and precious and beautiful.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Wind, and through the air, cloudy and serene, and every kind of weather, through whom You give sustenance to Your creatures.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water, who is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom You light the night, and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.

Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us, and who produces various fruit with colored flowers and herbs.

Praised be You, my Lord, through those who give pardon for Your love, and bear infirmity and tribulation.

Blessed are those who endure in peace for by You, Most High, shall they be crowned.

Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death, from whom no one living can escape.

Woe to those who die in mortal sin. Blessed are those whom death will find in Your most holy will, for the second death shall do them no harm.

Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks and serve Him with great humility. Amen! (fa)

Songs of Centering “Great is the Lord" Becky Messer

"Great are You, Lord"

We Humbly Adore and Receive

Sermon “Lessons From Creation” Rev. Akiko Miyake-Stoner

Blessing of the Animals/Creation

Take some time now to bless your pets, if you have them. Thank God for the love and relationship you share and ask God for safety, health, and happiness for your pet.

If you have lost a pet, recall some memories of them and give thanks for the ways they enriched your life.

If you do not have any pets, that’s okay! Bless a houseplant, if you have one; give thanks to God for the miracle of life, of photosynthesis, of the oxygen the plant produces. Ask God to continue to bless it with health and ask God to bless you to be a good caregiver.

If you do not have a houseplant, that’s okay! Go into your front or backyard and feel the sun on your skin and notice the trees and plants that surround you. Give thanks to God for the wonder of creation and pray to be a good steward of the natural gifts God has given to us.

Litany for Creation and All Creatures

Holy God, Creator of heaven and earth,

You are Holy and Mighty, the Redeemer of the world,

Sanctifier of creation, blessed and glorious:

Grant that all your creatures may thank and serve you;