Churches to host outdoor worship and blessing of the animals
COSHOCTON – “All Creatures Great and Small” will be the theme for worship for the congregations of Upper Room Assembly and Worship Center, The Salvation Army, and The Presbyterian Church. On June 25 at 10:30 a.m., worship will be held under the trees at the Court Square with the public invited. Three messages by the host pastors will celebrate animals of God’s creation: Fish of the sea, Captain Tom Clark, shepherd dogs, Pastor Stan Braxton, and birds of the air, Rev. Jonathan Carlisle, with scripture stories about those animals.
The “Blessing of the Animals” will be done at the end of worship with folks invited to bring small animals to be blessed. The blessing of each animal, by name, means that health, healing and life are being mediated from God for the benefit of the animal in its relationship with its human partners. We are all beneficiaries of God’s love and care. In the Genesis story, all animals, including people, are living peacefully in God’s presence. This tradition of blessing the animals dates back to Francis of Assisi.
There will be three offering baskets available for each congregation. Loose offerings will go to the Community Food Pantry of The Salvation Army. Music will be provided by the Upper Room worship team and a brass group from The Salvation Army. Nursery care will be available both outside and in Upper Room’s church on Main St. Upper Room will be the rain location.
Category: Faith
