Pet Blessing

Our Second Annual “Pet Blessing Day” will be held on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. on June 1st at the First Church of God, 1080 Harrison St., Galesburg, IL. on the front lawn in front of the Sanctuary. (Should the weather preclude us from being outside it will be held in our Multi-Purpose Room)

The service will include a personal blessing for every pet and pet owner. Plan to bring either your pet or a picture of your pet to be blessed on that day. Please make sure that your pet is either leashed or in a carrier of some sort.

All donations will go only to the ‘Knox County Humane Society’ (who house and seek new homes for abandoned pets), and the ‘Guardian Angels’, (whose mission is to help with medical costs if needed.)

We hope to see you there for this fun time and to meet with other pet owners as well.

Introduction
This event is a celebration of creation, and of God’s love for all He has created. Pets refers to all the living creatures— including horses, rabbits, hamsters, snakes, birds, turtles, iguanas, fish, guinea pigs, ferrets, hedge hogs, geckos, gerbils, skinks, mice, rats, foxes and of course, dogs and puppies, cats and kittens, cockroaches and chameleons, etc., (or even a camel).
When people are not able to bring their pet they could bring a picture, or stuffed animal, or toy to represent the beloved pet.

Setting
The service will be on the front lawn of: First Church of God, 1080 Harrison Street, here in Galesburg at 10 am. We anticipate the service would last an hour or less. We do encourage all pet owners to bring their pets in carriers or on leashes, etc. This assures all owners that nothing is going to startle the animal and cause it to run away in a strange neighborhood.

We anticipate having some free treats for the pets, as well as someone to take digital a picture of you and your pet that we can send to you via e-mail.

Special Focus
A special focus for this service will be acknowledging the relationship we have with our pets, as well as with all animals. To bless is an expression of goodwill and caring, as well as recognizing the God who created all of us, cares for us all.

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.

Tips for Attenders:
Please, bring a plastic bag in case the need arises to clean up after your pet.
You may want video the event on your cell phone or by some other means.
If you cannot bring your pet for some reason, you could bring a picture, a stuffed animal, etc. to stand in for them.
You may also wish to bring your special treats your pet loves, and some water should they need it.
All donations will go to both the:

· “Knox County Humane Society” that helps pets get back home, and others to find a home);

· and “Guardian Angels” (whose mission is to help with medical costs if needed.)

We hope to see you there for this fun time and to meet with other pet owners as well.

For more information about this event please feel free to look us up on our web site:fcoggalesburg.com; or search for us on our Facebook page: (simply type in: First Church of God, Galesburg, Illinois.