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notre dame montreal

Pet Service, Celebrating God’s Creation

This is a wonderful service to which people are invited to bring pets, cats, dogs, rabbits, whatever. Perhaps a fish in a tank on the altar!

Welcome, Notices and Opening Prayer

Minister: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth
All: And God said ‘Let the waters teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky’
Minister: So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind
All: And God saw that it was good

{picture of mouse}

Hymn For the beauty of the earth, for the beauty of the skies

Prayer (we say together)

Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe!
Through your Son, Jesus, the eternal Word, You have created all things:
Light and darkness, wind and sea Sun, moon and stars, Plants and living creatures.
Through your Son, our Saviour, You have reconciled all things to yourself
Everything in heaven and everything on earth
Through your Son, the Servant King, You have given us a share in your rule,
And called us to be His body here on earth, His ambassadors of love.
Lord of Creation, we worship and adore you
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.

{picture of dog}

Confession

O God whose Name is Love, you created this world and all that is in it. We ask you to look with compassion and mercy upon us all. Look upon your whole creation, O God , in all its sufferings. Sustain your world and protect your animal creatures from all the ravages of war and pollution.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer

Look upon humankind, O God, your supreme creation now fallen from your perfect will. Forgive us our selfishness, greed and cruelty and lead us gently back into your ways of love. Transform our hearts until they truly reflect the selfless compassion shown to us by your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, whose love was perfect and who loved to the end that he died to give us our salvation.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer

Change our hearts Lord whenever we are cold to the plight of animals who are used with cruelty and inspire those who govern and those in authority to legislate with compassion and justice for the good of all creation.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer

Forgive us Lord when we fail to capture the vision of your whole creation united in worship before your eternal throne. And give us O God, > penitence to raise your suffering creatures before you for your justice, mercy and blessing.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer

The minister will declare the words of forgiveness

Hymn If I were a butterfly,

{picture of cat}

The Offering

Let every creature in heaven, on earth, in the sea and in the depths, give praise and glory honour and blessing to you who suffered and gave so much for us. You have given us so many good things, our power and our strength. Accept our lives and money and use them to give glory to you. Amen.

Hymn All things bright and beautiful,

Reading - The sermon of St. Francis

‘O birds, my sisters, you owe much to God your Creator and you must praise Him always and everywhere for he has given you freedom to fly wherever you like, and he has also given you double and triple raiment, and he has preserved your seed in the ark of Noah, so that your kind should not grow less on earth; and furthermore you must thank him for the element of air which he has assigned to you. What is more you neither sow nor reap, and God feeds you, and has given you the streams and fountains to drink from, the mountains and the hills to shelter you and the high trees whereon you can build your nests. And although you can neither spin or sew, God clothes you and your children. Therefore the Creator loves you dearly, as he has given you so many blessings, and so, my sisters, beware of the sin of ingratitude and be always eager to praise God’

Hymn Who put the colours in the rainbow?

{picture of rabbit}

Bible Reading Colossians Chapter 1:15-23

Sermon

Prayers

Hymn (To tune 'Battle Hymn of the Republic')

The God who made us human, is the God who made the sea,
And the DNA and atom, and the rose and chimpanzee,
and to care for all his creatures,‘til they share our liberty, he’s chosen you and me.

Sing Hosannah! Alleluiah! Sing Hosannah! Alleluiah!
Sing Hosannah! Alleluiah! He’s chosen you and me!


So let us not abuse them, or confuse them in their ways
of reflecting back his glory, or of living lives of praise.
For all things know their Maker, and the very stones could raise his cries of victory.

Sing Hosannah! Alleluiah! Sing Hosannah! Alleluiah!
Sing Hosannah! Alleluiah! His cries of victory!


And a day is swiftly coming, when the floods will clap their hands
and the trees will start rejoicing, when Christ comes to judge the lands.
And his judgement will be final - earth will bow to his commands. Amen - so let it be!

Sing Hosannah! Alleluiah! Sing Hosannah! Alleluiah!
Sing Hosannah! Alleluiah! Amen - so let it be!


Then, Lord, forgive our trespasses, and when you come again,
may you find us being faithful, in the ways that you ordain.
So that we may see their happiness, and happy may remain for all eternity!

Sing Hosannah! Alleluiah! Sing Hosannah! Alleluiah!
Sing Hosannah! Alleluiah! for all eternity!


Final Prayer

Blessed are you, Lord God, for all living creation and all creatures you have made. You keep them in your care and not one is lost without your knowing. This world glorifies you and speaks to us of your beauty and love- teach us to respect it. May we learn to cherish all creatures for they are your gift to us and through them may we come to know you better and praise you, their Creator. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen.

{picture of bugs bunny rabbit}

Blessing of the people

May Christ who gathers into his love all things in heaven and on earth, give you his peace. And the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

Blessing of the animals

May Almighty God, Father Son and Holy Spirit, bless these animals, protect them from all thoughtlessness and cruelty, that with all creation they may praise and exalt Him for ever. Amen.