Blessing of the Backpacks and the Animals Sunday, August 24, 2025

The earth and everything in it belong to the Lord. The world and all its people belong to him. Psalm 24:1​

In the days and weeks ahead there will be children putting things into backpacks to head off to school and animals being left at home for the day. Lord we ask for your blessing for both and much more…

Lord we ask for your blessings for the teachers, para-professionals, administrators, custodians, bus drivers, school nurses and social workers, volunteers, lunch room and hallway monitors, parents and especially the children.

Lord we ask for your blessings on not only our pets, but all animals and creation itself; for veterinarians, farmers, forest rangers, and conservationists.

Join us Sunday, August 24 as we offer blessings for the start of the school year, for our pets and all creation.

8:30 AM – Worship in the Sanctuary
10 AM Worship outside welcoming our pets to join and receive a blessing

Let us extend our blessings to our neighbors by supporting VEAP, the Twin Cities’ largest food pantry, providing access to healthy foods (for both humans and pets), social services, and financial assistance. They also do a collection every year for school supplies. See the list below and prayerfully consider bringing a donation to share.

Food Pantries list of most needed items:

• Dog and cat food (particularly wet food, treats, litter, etc.)
• Whole grain rice (1-2 pound bags)
• Whole grain pasta
• Hearty soups (high protein, low sodium)
• Whole grain cereal (like Shredded Wheat, Kashi, bran cereals, Chex, etc.)
• Canned proteins (meat and beans)
• Canned fruit and vegetables
• Fresh Garden Produce
• Toilet paper
• Paper towels
• Diapers (all sizes) and baby wipes
• Cooking oil
• Coffee
• Baking essentials (flour, sugar, spices, baking soda/powder)
• Laundry detergent
• Dish soap
• Personal care items (shampoo, toothpaste, hand soap, shaving cream, toiletries, etc.)
• Gluten-free products (whole grains like brown rice, wild rice, quinoa, cornmeal; nut flours and butters; rice crackers, GF snacks, etc. Check for gluten-free product label.)
• Birthday candles, cake frosting, birthday-themed napkins/plates, cake mix, small birthday party favors like chalk, bubbles or bags of balloons
• Paper bags and re-usable, cloth totes (We’ll always take your extra paper grocery bags. We are not accepting plastic bag or totes donations).
  

​School supplies most needed: (Please make sure all items are new.)

• Backpacks
• Scientific calculators
• Wireless heaphones/earbuds
• (These three are high-demand items and the most impactful as they’re the most expensive for families to purchase on their own.)
  

Traditional supplies requested:

• Spiral notebooks
• Crayons
• Washable markers
  

For more information go to: VEAP.ORG

Make a Financial Contribution or Volunteer

• Designate Cash or write out Checks to VEAP and put in the offering plates at Worship or mail to the office: St. Luke’s 1701 W. Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington, MN 55431
• Make an online donation HERE
• Volunteer at VEAP