The 18th Sunday after Pentecost: Holy Eucharist & Blessing of the Animals
Special guest celebrant: The Rev. Deborah Rutter
October 4th at 11am11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Good Shepherd Episcopal Church
27 Good Shepherd Road
Bluemont, VA 20135
› Driving Directions
Join us as we welcome The Rev. Debbie Rutter as our celebrant, preacher, and animal blesser. Debbie was rector of Calvary Episcopal, Front Royal for 22 years, retiring in 2017. She is returning to Good Shepherd, for the second time after presiding at our reopening service, to help us with this special celebration on St. Francis Sunday.
St. Francis of Assisi lived a life of simplicity, charity and humility in the 13th century. He is remembered as a champion of justice and lover of animals.
All pets are welcome for an individual, socially-distanced blessing. The gathering will be held outside in the church’s roped-off parking areas, under the trees and with the church as the back drop. Please come with your family and friends to enjoy communion and fun with God’s creatures, great and small!
Readings for Holy Eucharist, Rite II, for the 18th Sunday after Pentecost:
The Collect: Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
How exciting that we are able to regather for worship again! Please note that, Because this virus is so easily aerosolized and infection most frequently occurs through the inhalation of contaminated respiratory droplets, there are several guidelines we must follow in order to stay safe...
- All participants are required to wear face masks. Please bring your own cloth mask if you can, but there is a supply of disposable masks available, if needed.
- Make frequent use of the hand sanitizer, located throughout the worship area and building.
- Please bring your own lawn chair or blanket for seating. If there are those without chairs, we will provide sanitized folding chairs for use during the service.
- Physical distance of six feet or more in every direction must be kept by everyone at all times, except that family groups may remain together.
- Bathrooms have been sanitized and are available for use. Adhere to physical distancing requirement and please sanitze after using. Sanitizing supplies are available in both restrooms.
- We will be collecting contact information for all attendees to allow for follow-up ("contact tracing") after the service, should this become necessary.
