Blessing of the Animals
Pastor Daniel Duke of Bethany Lutheran Church blesses Catherine Houser's dog "Calley" at Saturday's Blessing of the Animals service...
I had an interesting photo assignment this morning. I went to Bethany Lutheran Church for a service conducted by Pastor Daniel Duke called "The Blessing of the Animals." This service was held outside and the weather was quite nice. I think there were about 25 or 30 dogs and a few cats in attendance with their owners. Here is a prayer that was published on the cover of the bulletin for this service:
A Prayer for the Animals
Hear our humble prayer, O God, for our friends the animals, especially for animals who are suffering; for any that are hunted or lost or deserted or frightened or hungry; for all that must be put to death. We entreat for them all Thy mercy and pity, and for those who deal with them as we ask a heart of compassion and gentle hands and kindly words. Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to animals and so to share the blessings of the merciful.
- Albert Schweitzer