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BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS Second Sunday of Easter

April 19, 2020 – 10:00 a.m.

“But ask the animals, and they will teach you… in God’s hand is the life of every living thing.” Job 12:7, 10

“Still Fed by God, Still Feeding Others”

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 8922 Little River Turnpike – Fairfax, VA Church Office 703.978.3131 blclife.org

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Welcome to worship at

Bethlehem Lutheran Church. We hope that your worship in our

community strengthens your faith and brings you peace and joy. Bethlehem has adopted an affirmation of welcome to persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities and is recognized as Reconciling in Christ (reconcilingworks.org). We welcome everyone regardless of age, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental challenges, financial resources, or family status, and we invite everyone to participate fully in worship and all that is ours in Christ. If this is your first time here, please be sure to fill out the red welcome pad in your row, and let us know how we can be more in ministry together. All are welcome to receive the sacrament. Please come forward at the direction of the ushers. If you choose not to receive communion, you may come forward for a blessing. White grape juice is in the center of the communion tray. Gluten free wafers are also available. If coming forward is too difficult, please notify a worship leader and communion can come to you. Candles are a visible sign of our prayers. There are two stations on either side of the church; feel free to light one during the communion time or before the service. All candles will be extinguished after worship is concluded, signifying that our loving God has heard our prayers. Children are always welcome! We love having children participate in worship and they are encouraged to sing and read along. We also have Rainbow Bags in the narthex, filled with activities for little ones. After the second Scripture reading, kids may come forward for a “Children’s Talk.” Then Preschoolers who would like may choose to attend a brief lesson that takes place in the “Family Lounge” during the sermon. We also have a sound-proof area in our lobby where the service can still be seen and heard through the glass doors. Changing tables are available in the family/all-gender restroom (across from the Fellowship Hall) and the Women’s Room. Please let us know there is anything that you need while you are here. We invite you to pick up our newsletter and look for additional information at the Welcome Center near the entry doors.

Welcome!

Bethlehem Lutheran Church A Reconciling in Christ Congregation

since December 3, 2017

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WORSHIP NOTES

A Special Welcome to All Our Guests! The name of our church, Bethlehem (Hebrew for “house of bread”), reminds us that Jesus always feeds us through our good times…and especially through our difficult days, our drought. A shepherd, like the shepherds around Bethlehem, both nudges the sheep and lovingly watches over them in danger. Our hope is that you are both nudged and comforted today by the amazing grace of Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd. Please plan to stay with us after the service for refreshments and conversation. We are thankful that you are here! Large Print: A few large print copies of this service are available from the ushers. Sermon Podcasts and Manuscript: Podcasts of the sermon can now be downloaded in iTunes, search: “Pastor Dans Sermons”. The audio file, manuscript, plus a discussion forum is at Pastor Dan’s blog, www.themangerfairfax.blogspot.com An Invitation: Are you looking for a church home? If so, we invite you to become part of this wonderful community of faith. Come back again! Would you like more information about our ministry? Please visit our website www.blclife.org or make an appointment with Pastor Dan.

Introduction for this special day: Welcome to all creatures! We worship this Sunday outside with the critters that we love. Joining with one another, the Psalmists, and the saints who have gone before us, we rejoice with all living things and give thanks for all animals—great and small—that make our lives richer because of their presence. Through the season of Easter, we will focus on hearing God’s voice, the recognition that God is always calling us. Today, we reflect on God’s speaking to us through the animals, through the earth, and through all living things. This is our second Sunday morning “Blessing of the Animals” at BLC which has become a more common worship practice in recent

decades among Lutherans, often taking place on or near Earth Day (April 20) or around the commemoration of Francis of Assisi, 1182-1226 (October 4). Francis cared deeply for all creation and is usually depicted with small creatures on his shoulders or at his feet. He is also credited with this famous quote: “Preach the Gospel at all times; when necessary use words.”

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BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN CHURCH

Discovering, Celebrating, Sharing

INTRODUCTION FOR THE DAY In today’s gospel the risen Christ appears to the disciples and offers them the gift of peace. Even amid doubts and questions, we experience the resurrection in our Sunday gathering around word and meal, and in our everyday lives. Throughout the coming Sundays of Easter the first two readings will be from the Acts of the Apostles and the first letter of Peter. Even as the early Christians proclaimed the resurrection, we rejoice in the new birth and living hope we receive in baptism. WELCOME CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS All may make the sign of the cross (signified with this ☩), the sign marked at baptism: Jesus Christ, as we join in celebration with you and all creation, We ask for your blessing, on the creatures present here that we love and on all creatures celebrating in the wild. In the name of God, who creates all life, In the name of Jesus Christ, who redeems all life, and the name of the Spirit, who renews all life, we cry with all in the circle of life: Amen. Alleluia! The assembly is invited to place hands on their animals (or on a picture of animals). Lord, for all the animals in the whole wide world, We thank you, God!

(Scripture used in the liturgy)

(I John 1:9)

(Romans 15:7)

GATHERING Word Meal Sending

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Lord, for all the fun and friendship we have with animals, We thank you, God! Lord, for all the times we have hurt or neglected animals, We are sorry. Lord, for all the times we have used poisons that have killed animals, We are sorry. Lord, for all the times we have destroyed the homes of animals in the forests, oceans, or fields, We are sorry. Silence is kept for reflection. God is generous and faithful, forgiving sins without number, welcoming all to the feast, giving us a place among the saints. Through the humble obedience of ☩ Christ Jesus, who went to the cross for our sake, you are forgiven and made whole. The Spirit of God is at work in you, enabling you to live for one another. Amen.

(Ephesians 1:18)

(2 Corinthians 5:21)

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GATHERING HYMN: “Creative God, You Spread the Earth” Sung to the tune of “Canticle of Turning”

Creative God, you spread the earth with life in many forms: the deer and elk and columbine, the bee in humming swarms. Forgive us for each flow'r and bird now vanished by our hand. Teach us to treat with loving care the creatures of the land. The planet teemed with living things before all human birth, and even fire and beasts of prey renewed the life of earth. Forgive us, that, the last to come, we threaten sea and air. Teach us to tend life's fragile web with wise and tender care. O playful God, you fill the field with lavender and blue. You paint the bird with indigo, with red or tawny hue. Forgive us that we grieve your heart, destroying what you do, and teach us simpler, gentler ways to live on earth with you.

GREETING The presiding minister and the assembly signal the gathering of God’s people with the ancient Trinitarian greeting.

Sisters and brothers, called to freedom in Christ: Grace, mercy and peace be with you and all creation. And also with you.

(2 Corinthians 13:13)

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PRAYER OF THE DAY

Let us pray.

God, our Creator, help us to love All creatures as our kin, All animals as our partners on Earth, All birds as messengers of praise, All small beings as expressions of your mysterious design, And all frogs as voices of hope. Amen.

CHILDREN’S TALK & A VERSION OF PSALM 148 The assembly is invited to place hands on their animals (or on a picture of animals). All dogs and cats, large and small: Praise the Lord! All rabbits, hamsters, and guinea pigs: Praise the Lord! All goldfish, guppies, and swimming creatures: Praise the Lord! All robins, wrens, and singing birds: Praise the Lord! All bats, squirrels, and raccoons: Praise the Lord! All horses, cows, and sheep: Praise the Lord! All lizards, snakes and creeping things: Praise the Lord! Every animal in the sky, the sea, and the forest: Praise the Lord!

Gathering WORD Meal Sending

(Mark 10:14)

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FIRST READING: Job 12:7-10

A reading from Job. 7"But ask the animals, and they will teach you;

the birds of the air, and they will tell you;

8ask the plants of the earth, and they will teach you;

and the fish of the sea will declare to you.

9Who among all these does not know

that the hand of the LORD has done this?

10In his hand is the life of every living thing

and the breath of every human being.

Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.

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SECOND READING: 1 Peter 1:3-9 This epistle was written to encourage Christians experiencing hardships and suffering because of their faith in Christ. The letter opens by blessing God for the living hope we have through Christ’s resurrection even amid difficult circumstances and surroundings. 3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great

mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the

resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that is

imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5who are

being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready

to be revealed in the last time. 6In this you rejoice, even if now for a little

while you have had to suffer various trials, 7so that the genuineness of

your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is

tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor

when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8Although you have not seen him, you

love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him

and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, 9for you are receiving

the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.

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The assembly welcomes the Word with songs. Holy Scripture is brought down into the midst of the people, symbolic of the Living Word dwelling in our midst. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION “Halle, Halle, Hallelujah” Red Hymnal 172 GOSPEL: John 20:19-31 The risen Jesus appears to his disciples, offering them a benediction, a commission, and the gift of the Holy Spirit. But one of their number is missing, and his unbelief prompts another visit from the Lord. The Holy Gospel according to John. Glory to you, O Lord. 19When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the

doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of

the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with

you.” 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then

the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21Jesus said to them

again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,

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“Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive the sins of any, they are

forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

24But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not

with them when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, “We have

seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in

his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his

side, I will not believe.”

26A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was

with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among

them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27Then he said to Thomas, “Put

your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in

my side. Do not doubt but believe.” 28Thomas answered him, “My Lord

and my God!” 29Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have

seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to

believe.”

30Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples,

which are not written in this book. 31But these are written so that you

may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that

through believing you may have life in his name.

The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. Please be seated. SERMON (1 Timothy 4:13)

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HYMN OF THE DAY “GoD AND DoG” The assembly responds to and proclaims the spoken Word of God now in song. The Hymn of the Day might be understood as the congregation’s sermon. I look up and I see God, I look down and see my dog. Simple spelling G O D, same word backwards, D O G. They would stay with me all day. I’m the one who walks away. But both of them just wait for me, and dance at my return with glee. Both love me no matter what – divine God and canine mutt. I take it hard each time I fail, but God forgives, dog wags his tail. God thought up and made the dog, dog reflects a part of God. I’ve seen love form both sides now; it’s everywhere. AMEN. Bow wow. I look up and I see God, I look down and see my dog.

And my human frailty, I can’t match their love for me. © 2010 by Wendy Francisco. Used and Reprinted with permission of Wendy Francisco.

Francis cared deeply for all creation, and is usually depicted with small creatures on his shoulders or at his feet.

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BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS Placing a hand on your pet, or a picture of an animal/animals, you may offer this blessing: Gracious God, in your love you created us in your image and made us stewards of the animals that live in the skies, the earth, and the sea. Bless us in our care for our pets and animals (names of pets may be added here). Help us recognize your power and wisdom in the variety of creatures that live in our world, and hear our prayer for all that suffer overwork, hunger, and ill-treatment. Protect (pet's name and) all your creatures, and guard them from all evil, now and forever. Amen. PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION Having received the Word of God’s relentless grace and faithfulness, we can’t help but turn outward and pray for others. The love of Christ compels us. The minister leads the congregation in prayer. Each petition of the prayers concludes:

… Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

The prayers conclude:

With bold confidence in your love, almighty God, we place all for whom we pray into your eternal care; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

PEACE

The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you. All animals (including people) greet one another with a sign of Christ’s peace, and may say, “Peace be with you,” or similar sounds.

(John 20:19)

(I Timothy 2:1-2)

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OFFERING OFFERING PRAYER Loving God, we joyfully release what you have entrusted to us¾our talents, our time, and our treasures, signs of your gracious love. Receive them for the sake of him who offered himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. GATHERING OF GIFTS “For the Fruit of All Creation” Hymnal 679

(Isaiah 7:17)

Gathering Word MEAL Sending

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OFFERING PRAYER The minister leads the following prayer Let us pray. Silence is kept for reflection. Merciful God, our ordinary gifts seem small for such a celebration, but you make of them an abundance, just as you do with our lives. Feed us again in your love, for service in your name, in the strength of the risen Christ. Amen. HOLY COMMUNION CONNECTION

(Exodus 35:5)

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LORD’S PRAYER Lord remember us in your love, and teach us to pray.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,

thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread;

and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us;

and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

(Matthew 6:9-13)

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SENDING OUT Christ calls you to be his disciples, To serve him with love and compassion, To serve Earth by caring for her creatures. Will you care for creation? We will care for creation! We will nurture our animals! We will celebrate the circle of life with them! Amen. ANNOUNCEMENTS Brief announcements may be made, especially those related to the assembly’s participation in God’s mission in the world. BLESSING The presiding minister proclaims God’s blessing. The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord’s face shine on you with grace and mercy. The Lord look upon you with favor and ☩ give you peace. Amen.

(Numbers 6:23-26)

Gathering Word Meal SENDING

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SENDING HYMN “Alleluia! Christ Is Arisen” Hymnal 375 The children of the assembly are invited forward to pick up an instrument and lead the procession of God’s people out into the world with joy and hope.

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DISMISSAL We are sent out and into mission. Fed and forgiven, our feet now follow our prayers. Go out into God’s world. Live in peace with one another and with all God’s creatures. Thanks be to God.

Text and music from Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2019 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under

Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License. Words: RuthDuck © 1994GIA Publications, Inc.

“God and Dog.” By Wendy Francisco. Used by permission. Prayers and litanies adapted from seasonofcreation.com. Used by permission.

Art by Daniel Erlander. Used by permission.

"Creative God, You Spread the Earth." Words by Ruth Duck. Copyright 1994 GIA Publications. Used by permission OneLicense.com

Hymns reprinted with permission of CCLI License No. 14519, LicenSingOnline No, 600997, and OneLicense No. A-701485

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the

Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE

LICENSE with license No. A-701485. All rights reserved.

(Luke 7:50)

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Coming Up Next Week

Readings for Sunday, April 26, 2020

Acts 2:14a, 36-41

Receiving God’s promise through baptism Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19

I will call on the name of the LORD. (Ps. 116:13) 1 Peter 1:17-23

Born anew through the living word of God Luke 24:13-35

Eating with the risen Christ

Birthdays this Week Mike Crum, April 20th

Heather Roschke, April 20th Akiva Kirkland, April 23rd Grant Odom, April 23rd

Baptismal Birthdays this Week

Anniversaries this Week

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This Week’s Commemorations: Anselm, Bishop of Canterbury, died 1109 Tuesday, April 21, 2020 This eleventh-century monk was one of the greatest theologians of the Middle Ages. He is remembered for emphasizing the maternal aspects of God, and for the theory that the Son of God became human in order to make the necessary payment for our sin.

Day of the Creation (Día de la Creación) (LLC)

Wednesday, April 22, 2020 This observance invites us to notice and give God thanks for the wonders of the created universe. As

stewards of that creation, we are also challenged to be careful in our use of it.

Toyohiko Kagawa, renewer of society, died 1960 Thursday, April 23, 2020 Born in Kobe, Japan, Kagawa was orphaned as a young child. Later, when he became Christian, he was disowned by the rest of his family. Wishing to bring Christian principles into society, he worked among poor people, established schools and hospitals, and worked for peace.

Mark, Evangelist Saturday, April 25, 2020

He was not numbered among the twelve apostles, yet Mark was probably a member of the early church

community. The gospel that bears his name is the shortest and most direct, and many scholars think it

was the first to be written.

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Hymn Notes GoD and DoG was written by singer-songwriter and artist, Wendy Francisco, who lives in northern Colorado. After a long and painful time in her life, Wendy expressed, “I knew that God still loved me, but my life had kind of caved in,” and she wondered if God had a purpose for her. Wendy was able to emerge from this low time to find happiness again. “God restored everything,” she says. “God never left me.” Then one sunny spring afternoon in 2009 Wendy saw God’s grace revealed through her dog, Caspian. As she rushed out to run errands, the big fluffy white Colorado mountain dog stared up at her with an expression that said, If it were up to me, I would never leave you. As Wendy drove away she realized her dog’s sweet look was saying what God would say: “I never leave you.” Caspian’s look tugged at her heart and lingered in her memory. A few days later as Wendy was eating dinner with her husband, these words came to her: “I look up and I see God. I look down and see my dog.” She dropped her fork, looked at Don and said, “I’ve got to write a song.” She immediately left the table and went into the living room to write GoD and DoG. She said the words flowed quickly from her pen and she completed all the verses in about 45 minutes. A few months later Wendy decided to sing the song for the first time in public. Before she could get halfway through the song the audience gave her a rousing ovation. Wendy was so encouraged by the response she shared it on YouTube where it quickly became a phenomenon. She soon added the charming animated illustrations to the moving song telling of the unconditional love of both God and Dog. Wendy was thrilled when the video received hundreds of hits but was shocked when it went viral. Within a 40-day span, the video was viewed more than a million times. With over 2 million YouTube viewings to date, Francisco's story appeals to all ages, to animal enthusiasts, to people of religious persuasions, and especially to anyone who has been loved by a dog. YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H17edn_RZoY God and Dog, lyrics and drawings, are also available as a book from Amazon. vcs

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BLC PRAYER RING

Prayer requests are given to members of our Prayer Ring by email, including whatever details you choose to provide about your prayer need, and are also printed in our Sunday bulletin without details, so that our congregation may join in the prayers. Remembering Friends (people who are unable to come to church)…

Sylvia Betty Michele Prayer Concerns… Dave Bonnie’s sister May Dorothy Irma (Bonnie) Claudia (Bonnie) Bonnie Debbie (Marylou) Val Marie Mark (Bonnie) Kath (Ann) Majed (Marva) RW Burns (Shelley) Maureen (Hannelore) An Le Kimball (Hannelore) Ruth Jessica (Janet) Please pray for all those at home and overseas in the armed, diplomatic, and humanitarian services of our country, and for their families:

Kathryn Chris Kathy Logan (Bernice’s grandson) Clayton (Janet’s son-in-law) Nick (Janet’s nephew) Henry & Wendy and family

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BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN CHURCH 8922 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax, VA 22031

Phone: 703.978.3131 e-mail: bethlehemlutheran1@gmail.com

website: www.blclife.org

Ministers: People of the Congregation

Pastor: The Rev. Daniel Roschke email: pastor.blcfairfax@gmail.com

Office hours: Monday-Thursday, and as arranged

Pastor Dan’s Blog: https://themangerfairfax.blogspot.com/

Minister of Music: Esther Cho

Music Accompanist: Jenny Kong

Administrator: Marie Bakke email: bakkemarie@gmail.com

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Bethlehem Lutheran Church A Reconciling in Christ congregation

since December 3, 2017