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- “When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh” (Genesis 9:14-15). (Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Austin, Texas)
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- “Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, ‘As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark’” (Genesis 9:8-10). (First Lutheran Church & School, Torrance, Calif.)
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- “Four things on earth are small, yet they are exceedingly wise … the lizard can be grasped in the hand, yet it is found in kings’ palaces” (Proverbs 30:24, 28). (First Lutheran Church & School, Torrance, Calif.)
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- “God blessed them, saying, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth’” (Genesis 1:22). (Karl Gronberg, pastor of Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Austin, Texas)
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- “And God saw that it was good” (Genesis 1:21b). (St. Paul-Reformation Lutheran Church, St. Paul, Minn.)
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- Blessing all Gods creatures “And God said, ‘Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the dome of the sky’” (Genesis 1:20). (William Hurst, pastor of First Lutheran Church & School, Torrance, Calif.)
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- “O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures” (Psalm 104:24). (First Lutheran Church & School, Torrance, Calif.)
The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi is observed on Oct. 4. St. Francis was an Italian friar who took a vow of poverty and cared for the poor. He also believed nature – including its creatures – was the mirror of God. He preached that it is our duty to protect and enjoy nature as both the stewards of God’s creation and as creatures ourselves. In 1979, Pope John Paul II declared St. Francis to be the Patron of Ecology.
Many ELCA congregations celebrate the wonders of God’s creation and the legacy of St. Francis by holding pet-blessing services and activities for the community around this time of the year. It is a time to remember how God’s creatures – of all sizes, shapes and species – bless our lives and are essential to the environment that sustains all living things, including humankind. We commit ourselves to caring for their wellbeing in the world whether they be service animals, pets, domesticated animals, wild animals, pets in shelters, bugs or creatures that fly, crawl, run or swim.
