Description

North Scottsdale United Methodist Church (NSUMC) invites the community to a joyful and heartwarming celebration of pets, people, and compassion on Sunday, October 5th, in honor of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi—the patron saint of animals and the environment.

From 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM, pastors will be stationed in the church parking lot to bless pets of all shapes and sizes. Families are encouraged to bring their beloved animals—dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, or even well-behaved llamas—for a brief and meaningful blessing. Each pet will receive an individual prayer of blessing, a special prayer card, and a blessed collar tag to commemorate the day as a reminder of God’s love and protection.

Following the blessings, NSUMC will host a special worship service at 10:00 AM, honoring St. Francis of Assisi and his deep love for God’s creation. The service will reflect on the sacred bond between people and animals and explore how caring for creation is an essential part of Christian discipleship. Music, prayers, and a short message from Rev. Christopher Wurpts will center around the themes of peace, stewardship, and compassion—core values of both St. Francis and the NSUMC community.

Meanwhile, during the 10:00 AM Sunday School hour, NSUMC children will put their faith into action with a hands-on mission project: creating chew toys for local pet shelters. Using recycled and pet-safe materials, the kids will learn about giving back to animals in need and explore how even small acts of kindness can make a big difference.

“This celebration is such a beautiful way to remind our community that God’s love extends to all living creatures,” says Rev. Wurpts. “Whether you’re blessing a rescue pup or teaching a child about compassion, these moments invite us all to live a little more like St. Francis—with empathy, humility, and care for creation.”

The event is free and open to the public. NSUMC encourages families to come early for the pet blessing, grab breakfast and return to experience the joy and peace of this special worship service.

North Scottsdale United Methodist Church is a welcoming, inclusive community that celebrates God’s love through worship, service, education, and connection. Whether you're a long-time pet lover or just want to be part of a compassionate community event, we invite you to come, bring your pets, and experience this special Sunday with us.