The Blessing of the Animals. St Mark s Greenpark - 16 th October 2016

Transcription

1 The Blessing of the Animals St Mark s Greenpark - 16 th October 2016

2 Welcome In the name of God: Creator, Redeemer and Giver of life. Amen. Grace to you and peace from God our Creator, the love at our beginning and without end, in our midst and with us. God is with us, here we find new life. Opening Hymn Morning Has Broken Benedicite Aotearoa O give thanks to our God who is good: Whose love endures forever. You sun and moon, you stars of the southern sky: Sunrise and sunset, night and day: All mountains and valleys, grassland and scree, Glacier, avalanche, mist and snow: You kauri and pine, rata and kōwhai, mosses and ferns: Dolphins and kahawai, sealion and crab, Coral, anemone, pipi and shrimp: Rabbits and cattle, moths and dogs,

3 Kiwi and sparrow and tūī and hawk: You Māori and Pākehā, women and men, All who inhabit the long white cloud: All you saints and martyrs of the South Pacific: All prophets and priests, all cleaners and clerks, Professors, shop workers, typists and teachers, Job-seekers, invalids, drivers and doctors: All sweepers and diplomats, writers and artists, Grocers, carpenters, students and stock-agents, Seafarers, farmers, bakers and mystics: All children and infants, all people who play: Repentance and Absolution Creator God, we praise you, we worship you, we give you thanks. We rejoice in the many gifts you have given us in creation; for all animals, birds and fish, for butterflies, spiders and all insects. They share the earth with us and suffer the consequences of our neglect and greed. Through creation, and through the creatures that inhabit it, we experience your love for all things. We have not cared for them as well as we might have done. In silence we ask forgiveness for all we have failed to be and do. We reflect in silence God forgives you. Forgive others. Forgive yourself.

4 Through Christ, God has put away your sin. Approach your God in peace. Sentence But ask the animals, and they will teach you; the birds of the air, and they will tell you; ask the plants of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of every human being. Job 12:7-10 Collect Lord of creation, whose glory is around and within us: open our eyes to your wonders, that we may serve you with reverence and know your peace at our lives end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. First Reading Genesis 1:1-2, Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church. Thanks be to God. Gradual Hymn Spirit of God in the Clear Running Water

5 Gospel Reading The Holy Gospel according to St Matthew chapter 6 beginning at the 25 th verse. Praise and Glory to God This is the Gospel of Christ. Praise to Christ, the Word. Homily Offertory Hymn Prayer of St Francis

6 Affirmation of Faith You, O God, are supreme and holy. You create our world and give us life. Your purpose overarches everything we do. You have always been with us. You are God. You, O God, are infinitely generous, good beyond all measure. You came to us before we came to you. You have revealed and proved your love for us in Jesus Christ, who lived and died and rose again. You are with us now. You are God. You, O God, are Holy Spirit. You empower us to be your gospel in the world. You reconcile and heal; you overcome death. You are our God. We worship you Intercessions Some particular prayers will be offered with the following versicle and response. Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God. As Christ teaches us we pray Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done,

7 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 for ever. Amen. Blessing of the Animals We head outside to bless the animals and their owners. (Prayers of thankgiving can be given with photos of pets) Closing Hymn All Creatures of our God and King Trees of the Field Dismissal Haere i runga i te aroha. Haere i runga i te rangimārie. Go now to love and serve the Lord. Go in peace. Amen. We go in the name of Christ.

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