Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, located at 4887 Valleydale Road in Birmingham, will hold its annual Blessing of the Animals service on Sunday, Oct. 3 at 5 p.m.

The service commemorates the Oct. 4 feast day set aside in the church year to honor St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and ecology. All are welcome to bring their animals to receive a blessing. Please make sure that animals are on a leash or in a carrier during the service.

A memorial area will be set aside for animals that are no longer living to honor the joy and companionship that they brought to the owner’s lives. The public is welcome to bring photos of their deceased animals to honor in this display.

For more information, call 995-9673 or visit Sothl.org.