The LORD says:

I have made a promise to the people of Israel and Judah, and you can bet your bottom dollar that the days are not far off when I will make good on that promise. When those days come, when the time is good and right, I will appoint a new king who will rule with integrity and bring about justice. He will appear from the family of David, like a new branch on an old tree. At that time peace and safety will be restored to Judah, and Jerusalem will have nothing to fear. The city will come to be known as “The City of the LORD’s Justice.”

©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

I gladly offer you everything I am, LORD .

I have put my trust in you, God;
please don’t let me down;
don’t give my enemies grounds to gloat.

Be there for those who hang in there for you, no matter what:
don’t leave them with egg on their faces.
Save that for the two-faced scabs who deserve it.

Let me in on your way of doing things, LORD;
teach me how to follow your tracks.

Steer me along your ways of truth, and teach me all about them.
Only you can save me from disaster, God,
so I’ll wait for you before setting out.

Your love and mercy have been as timeless and dependable as the rock;
please don’t change your mind about them now!

Don’t keep a record of everything I’ve done wrong in the past.
Let your unshakable love colour your view of me,
and keep your reputation for generosity intact!

You always do what is good and right, LORD,
and so you patiently retrain those who do wrong.

You pilot a safe course for those who are not too full of themselves;
you give lessons on your ways to the humble folk.

Every path you tread, LORD, is marked by solid love and loyalty
for the benefit of all who keep our end of the bargain with you.

©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

There is no way we could ever thank God enough for all the joy that you Christians in Thessalonica have given us. We pray hard for you all the time, day and night, and ask God to let us catch up with you face to face so that we can do whatever we can to strengthen your faith even more.

It’s all up to God the provider, and to our Lord Jesus. If they put us on track, we’ll be over to you like a shot. In the mean time, may the Lord see to it that your love keeps growing in leaps and bounds, just like our love for you has. May the God who conceived us all, continue to intensify the strength and purity of your hearts so that when the Lord Jesus comes with all his followers, you may be in perfect condition to take your place among them.

©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

Jesus spoke to those gathered around him in the temple, saying:

“At that time the whole cosmos will seem to be going berserk. The sun, the moon, the stars, the earth and the seas will be out of control, and waves of blind panic will sweep across every nation. The terrifying sense of doom will be more than some people can bear - they’ll drop in their tracks in a dead faint as the elemental powers of the universe tremor and crash around them. Then, and only then, those who are still standing will see the breathtaking arrival of the New Human, riding on the clouds in power and glory. When these things start happening, get up on your feet and stand tall, because the moment is approaching when everything will finally be put right for you.”

Then Jesus used an illustration to make his point, saying:

“Most trees give clear signs when the seasons are changing. When the wattles start unfurling their blooms you know that summer is just around the corner. This is much the same. When you see all these things happening you can be sure that the reign of God is almost upon you. The fact of the matter is that some of you will see these things in your own lifetime. The earth and the sky will only last for so long, but there is no expiry date on my words.

“Keep on your toes and don’t let yourself get entangled in wasteful trivialities like partying and keeping up with the Jones’. If you get sucked into all that you’ll lose all sense of perspective and you’ll flap blindly into the coming day like a moth into a windshield. It’s not as though there is any way of avoiding it. That day will come to everyone on earth at once, ready or not. So stay on your watch constantly. Pray for strength, pray for guts, pray for the ability to keep your wits about you; you’ll need the lot when these things happen if you’re going to dodge and weave your way clear so that you can stand tall before the New Human.”

©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

Let us lift up our hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

It is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise, O God,
for even when the the whole earth is thrown into chaos
your tenderness and lasting love are our sure hope.

You created the heavens and the earth,
and though even they will pass away,
the words you have spoken to us
are an everlasting covenant of promise.

The words of your son, Jesus Christ,
shook the earth and opened our eyes to your coming reign.
He led us in the paths of your truth
and taught us your ways of faithful love.
He was crucified by the enemies of justice,
but you raised him to new life
and sent his Spirit to restore and strengthen our faith
as the day of redemption draws near.
Your promise will be fulfilled in coming days
when Christ comes on the clouds
to establish your reign of justice and righteousness forever.

Therefore with .....

©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

We give thanks for the words of your son, Jesus Christ,
which shook the earth and opened our eyes to your coming reign,
assuring us that even when the world is thrown into chaos
your tenderness and lasting love remain as our sure hope.

©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)

We give you our thanks and praise, O God,
for even when the the whole earth is thrown into chaos
your tenderness and lasting love are our sure hope.

You created the heavens and the earth,
and though even they will pass away,
the words you have spoken to us
are an everlasting covenant of promise.

The words of your son, Jesus Christ,
shook the earth and opened our eyes to your coming reign.
He led us in the paths of your truth
and taught us your ways of faithful love.
He was crucified by the enemies of justice,
but you raised him to new life
and sent his Spirit to restore and strengthen our faith
as the day of redemption draws near.
Your promise will be fulfilled in coming days
when Christ comes on the clouds
to establish your reign of justice and righteousness forever.

Therefore, with our hearts lifted high,
we offer you thanks and praise at all times
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

The Lord does not remember your faults,
nor the sins of your past,
but will strengthen your hearts in holiness
so that you may be blameless before God
at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Sisters and Brothers,
  your sins are forgiven;
    be at peace.

©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

Go now and let the Lord steer you in the way of truth.
Be on your guard so that you will not be caught up
in the trivialities and anxieties of the world.
Be alert at all times and pray for strength
to escape the traps that would keep you from God.

And may God make you increase in love for one another;
May Christ Jesus teach you how to live in God’s ways;
and may the Holy Spirit strengthen your hearts in holiness,
as you ready yourselves for the coming of the Lord.

We go in peace to love and serve the Lord,
   In the name of Christ. Amen.

©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net