Today’s service has THREE choices.  You may view the Live Stream on Facebook at this link: https://fb.me/e/2fpgLvz8l, hear it in the church parking lot at 107.1 FM, or join us in person outside (masking voluntary). 

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Gathering Music                Polly Dunford

Welcome and Announcements   Thor Raines

My Story                    Andi Nelson

Opening Prayer Prayer of St. Francis (in unison)

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,

where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light; and

where there is sadness, joy.

O, God, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

to be understood as to understand;

to be loved as to love;

for it is in giving that we receive;

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

Opening Hymn “A Place in the Choir” Handout

      by Bill Staines

Refrain:  All God’s creatures got a place in the choir, some sing low,

some sing higher, some sing out loud on the telephone wire,

and some just clap their hands, or paws, or anything they got now.

1)  Listen to the bass, it’s the one on the bottom where the bullfrog croaks

and the hippopotamus moans and groans with a big t’ do,

and the old cow just goes “Moo.” Refrain

2)  The dogs and the cats they take up the middle while the honeybee hums

and the cricket fiddles, the donkey brays and the pony neighs

and the old coyote howls. Refrain

3)  Listen to the top where the little birds sing on the melodies

with the high notes ringing.  The hoot owl hollers over ev’rything

and the jaybird disagrees. Refrain

4)  Singing in the night time, singing in the day the little duck quacks,

then he’s on his way.  The possum ain’t got much to say,

and the porcupine talks to himself. Refrain

5)  It’s a simple song of living sung ev’rywhere by the ox and the fox

and the grizzly bear, the grumpy alligator and the hawk above,

the sly raccoon and the turtle dove. Refrain

Scripture Reading       The Creation Story (Abbreviated from Genesis 1:1-34)

In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and a great dimness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. On the first day, God created light and darkness. On the second day, God created the sky above and the waters below. On the third day, God formed the land and called it Earth, and gathered the water and called it Sea. God blessed the earth with vegetation and food. On the fourth day, God separated the day from the night, creating the sun, the moon, and the stars. On the fifth day, God brought forth swarms of living creatures in the air, in the water, and on the land, and God bid them to be fruitful and multiply. On the sixth day, God created humankind in God’s image, giving them dominion over the animals. God blessed them and bid them to be fruitful and multiply. On the seventh day, God saw that everything that God had made was very good and God rested and blessed the seventh day and made it sacred.

Message     “Saint Francis, our Earth, and the Pets We Love”              Dr. Keith Ray

Prayers of the People

Leader: Let us give thanks to God our Creator for all the gifts so freely bestowed upon us and for the beauty and wonder of your creation, in earth and sky and sea;

All: We thank you, Lord.

Leader: For the richness of the mountains, plains and rivers;

All: We thank you, Lord.

Leader: For all that is gracious in the lives of men and women;

All: We thank you, Lord.

Leader: For all creatures that breathe, and move, and have life;

All: We thank you, Lord.

Leader: For the songs of birds and the loveliness of flowers and trees;

All: We thank you, Lord.

Leader: For the trust you have shown in giving into our care these, our pets;

All: We thank you, Lord.

Leader: That each pet here may be treasured with care;

All: We pray to you, Lord.

Leader: That we may love and honor all your works, O God;

All: We pray to you, Lord.

Leader: That we may continue to grow in our grateful enjoyment of your abundant creation;

All: To the honor and glory of your name, now and forever, we pray to you, Lord. Amen.

Blessing of the Animals

Closing Hymn/Offertory     “If I Were a Butterfly”                   Handout

        by Brian Howard

1)  If I were a butterfly, I’d thank you, Lord, for giving me wings.

If I were a robin in a tree, I’d thank you, Lord that I could sing.

If I were a fish in the sea, I’d wiggle my tail and I’d giggle with glee;

but I just thank you, Father, for making me me.

Refrain:  Oh, you gave me a heart and you gave me a smile.

You gave us Jesus and you made me your child,

and so I thank you, Father, for making me me!  

2)  If I were an elephant, I’d thank you, Lord, by raising my trunk.

If I were a kangaroo, you know I’d hop right up to you.

If I were an octopus, I’d thank you, Lord, for my fine looks;

but I just thank you, Father, for making me me. Refrain

3)  If I were a wiggly worm, I’d thank you, Lord, that I could squirm.

If I were a fuzzy fuzzy bear, I’d thank you, Lord, for my fuzzy wuzzy hair.

If I were a crocodile, I’d thank you, Lord, for my great smile;

but I just thank you, Father, for making me me.  Refrain

Benediction                           Dr. Keith Ray

Discussion

Shalom (Song of Peace)

Before we sing, we reflect, what does “Shalom” mean?  “Shalom” is taken from the root Hebrew word shalam*, which means to be safe in mind, body or estate.  It refers to an inward sense of completeness, fullness or a type of wholeness that encourages one to give generously, lavishly.  When we say or sing “Shalom”, we are literally saying, “I sincerely wish and hope you will abound in well-being and flourish in peace and all good things good and true.

*Related to Arabic salima  “was safe”, aslama “surrendered, submitted.”

Shalom, my friends, Shalom, my friends. Shalom, Shalom.

Till we meet again, till we meet again, Shalom, Shalom.

******************************************************************************************************

 Calendar of Service  

October 16 - Dr. Keith Ray

October 23 - South Main Chapel and Mercy Center meal (Serving TBD)

October 30 - David Johnson

Service locations in the sanctuary on 1st and 3rd Sundays, and at our woods stage on 2nd, 4th and 5th Sundays as long as the weather permits. Please bring a chair if you have one.  Transportation available into the woods area for anyone who feels unsteady on the path.

****************************

A New Church Directory is in the making!  Thanks to Manella Calhoun for getting this project rolling!   Ed Yokley will be taking photos of everyone who is “camera ready” for several Sundays.  Bring that smile!!

****************************

Church Clean Up is scheduled for Saturday, October 15, at 9:30 AM.  So far, Thor Raines and Laurie Gentry are signed up to help.  Please volunteer to help!

****************************

Market Theatre —  October 27- November 14    “Rent”   

Drew Whitley plays Tom Collins, Thor Raines is part of the ensemble, and Rosie Thompson is the Assistant Stage Manager.  Go to markettheatre.org and click on Tickets.  These seats will sell out quickly!

*******************************

Bible Study Update  —  You are invited to join our exploration of the Bible on Mondays at 6:30 PM (returning to original time). If interested, contact David Johnson (ampaw2t@gmail.com) or Cynthia Warner (cynthiakwarner@mac.com) to be added to the email list.

************************** 

Keenagers trip to Chattooga Belle Farms in Long Creek is set for Wed., October 19.  There will be side tours to Ramsey Creek Preserve natural cemetery and Chau Ram County Park.  Meet at the church at 11:00 AM to carpool.  If you’re planning to eat lunch at Chattooga Belle, let Karen Manley (mountainmama@bellsouth.net) know right away because a count is needed.

**************************

Remember in prayer: Bruce Kalley and family; Bonnie Marsden and family; Tim and Michael Little-Bell and family; Linda McFall; Mike Johnston; Shea Marsden; Taylor Bishop (Whitney’s niece); Jason Harding; Steve Hallowell; Pat Weddle; Glenn Burns; Jackie Moore; Whitney Bishop; Latha and Cheryl Semones; Immigrant families; Victims of all violence, oppression, and injustice; Victims of COVID-19; People of Ukraine; Victims of Hurricanes Fiona and Ian.