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The community is invited to a blessing of the animals on the front lawn of First Lutheran Church at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 1. First Lutheran is located at the corner of S. Olive Avenue and Ontario Street.

In holding the blessing, church officials said they seek to gather with friends and neighbors in celebration of all God’s creatures great and small, and also give thanks for the deep bond between animals and their humans.

This brief prayer service followed by individual blessings of the animals, coincides with the festival of St. Francis (Oct. 4), who is known for being a champion of all creatures.