Blessing of the Animals

Call to Worship Psalm 148

Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights!

Praise God, and all God’s angels; praise God, all the host!

Praise God, sun and moon; praise God, all you shining stars!

Praise God, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!

Let them praise the name of the Lord, for God commanded and they were created.

God established them forever and ever; fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.

Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and

frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command!

Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds!

Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth!

Young men and women alike, old and young together!

Let them praise the name of the Lord, for God’s name alone is exalted; His glory is above

earth and heaven.

God has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his faithful, for the people of Israel

who are close to God.

Praise the Lord!

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!

O my soul, praise him, for he is your health and salvation!

Come, all who hear; now to his temple draw near,

join me in glad adoration.

Praise to the Lord, above all things so wondrously reigning;

sheltering you under his wings, and so gently sustaining!

Have you not seen all that is needful has been

sent by his gracious ordaining?

Praise to the Lord, who will prosper your work and defend you;

surely his goodness and mercy shall daily attend you.

Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,

if with his love he befriends you.

Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore him!

All that has life and breath, come now with praises before him.

Let the Amen sound from his people again;

gladly forever adore him!

Joyful, joyful, we adore You, God of glory, Lord of love;

Hearts unfold like flowers before You, opening to the sun above.

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away;

Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!

All Your works with joy surround You, earth and heaven reflect Your rays,

Stars and angels sing around You, center of unbroken praise;

Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea,

Chanting bird and flowing fountain praising You eternally!

Mortals, join the mighty chorus, which the morning stars began;

God's own love is reigning o’er us, joining people hand in hand.

Ever singing, march we onward, victors in the midst of strife;

Joyful music leads us sunward in the triumph son