A Time of Blessing – St. Nick’s News Oct. 4, 2024

Full St. Nick’s News for October 4, 2024

Dear Friends –

October 5th is our Pet Blessing from noon to 3pm. It is one of my favorite events. It is a time we set aside to remember the faithful witness of St. Francis who is venerated for his love of animals and all of creation. St. Francis believed that God can be found and is reflected in nature. Francis called the sun, moon, wind, and earth his brothers and sisters. He loved all God’s creatures – no matter the size, shape, or furriness. St. Francis, with his great love for God and awe of creation, has shown us how to embrace animals as our family.

We bless our animals in thanksgiving for the love they share for us and with us. For many, our pets show us unconditional love. So we remind ourselves they are holy and we ask God’s continued blessing upon them. You are invited to bring your animals to the blessing. You can also bring a picture of your pet. We are also having a pet parade too. I know some of our littles want to be in the parade and plan on bringing their favorite stuffed animals in costumes and to be blessed.

This Sunday we are also hearing, in our Gospel, yet another story of Jesus blessing the little children. This is wonderful timing, as we are starting our Children’s Chapel time at our 9:30am worship. We take seriously our responsibility to lift up all ages in the faith. During October and November, we are helping our children learn about our holy scriptures, how worship works, and how to pray by offering an age-appropriate time of worship during the first part of our worship. They will learn the doxology (a song of thanks), the Lord’s prayer, and some tried and true songs of faith. Children’s Chapel is for children, toddler to 5th grade. Our teenagers are welcome to help during this time. If you or your child would prefer they stay in our sanctuary, we love having our children in worship as always. You can direct any questions to either me or Jena, our family minister.

I love the timing of having a familiar annual event like our Blessing of the Animals along with the start of a new ministry in Children’s chapel. The life of faith is dynamic and God is always on the move. God is always leading, guiding, and blessing us.

I commend this prayer by Sophie Piper as we head into this weekend:

Thank you, dear God, for the blessing of things that stay the same:
for the people we have known for ever and the familiar paths where we walk.

Thank you dear God, for the blessing of things that change:
for newcomers with their new customs, new ways of doing things,
new paths to discover.

Thank you, dear God, for the blessing of the old and the blessing of the new
Amen.

God’s Peace, Love, and Blessings,
Beth+

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