I, the LORD, am on the verge of making
the heavens and the earth brand new again.
The traumas of the past will be long forgotten,
fading from memory.

Kick up your heels and start the party!
Celebrate what I’m bringing into existence.
I’m creating Jerusalem as a place of joy,
a place full of happy peaceful people.

Jerusalem will be my pride and joy.
Its people will be my greatest delight.
Cries of fear will no longer be heard there.
The sounds of grieving will be gone for good.

Never again will there be babies who die young,
or adults who don’t live to a ripe old age.
If anyone dies at a hundred,
people will say they were cut down in their prime.
If they fall short of a hundred,
it will seem like some horrible curse.

They will live secure in the houses they have worked for.
They will enjoy the fruits of their own labours.

Never again will anyone build a house,
only to have the bank confiscate it.
Never again will anyone sweat and toil
only to see the profit go to someone else.

My people will live long and sturdy like the great trees.
My chosen people will love their work and enjoy its fruits.

Their work will not be wasted.
Their children will not be doomed.
I, the LORD, will see that their children flourish,
and that all will be well for their children’s children.

Before their prayers pass their lips, I will answer.
I’ll tune in before they’ve opened their mouths.

The dingo and the lamb will feed side by side.
The crocodile will go vegetarian.
Snakes will bite nothing but the dust!
There will be no killing or maiming on my holy mountain;
I, the LORD, have given my word!

©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you, LORD!
Your anger was roused against us,
but you set it aside and comforted us instead.

You alone, LORD, are able to set us free,
so we put our trust in you, and have nothing to fear.
All our strength and power come from you, LORD GOD,
you have become our hero, our saviour!

You will put your saving love on tap,
deep draughts to be enjoyed by everyone.
On that day we will all say to one another,
“Thank the LORD! Let God’s name be on everyone’s lips!”

We will tell the world what you have done,
we will shout your name and declare you to be number one.
We will sing your praises because of all you have accomplished,
and give you the glory all over the earth.
With all the citizens of Zion, we lift our voices to you
with shouts and laughter and songs of celebration,
for you are the ultimate, the greatest, the Holy One,
and you live among us, your people!

©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

My dear friends, let me stand on the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ and spell out what you should do: sever ties with any members of the church who are bludging off the rest of you, and not pulling their weight the way we taught you. We set the pace when we were with you, as you well know, so keep it up. We did not slack off and we didn’t sponge off anyone’s hospitality. We worked our guts out and paid our own way so that we would not be a drain on you at all. This was not because we he had no fair claim on your support; we clearly did. But it was more important to us to set an example for you to follow. You remember the rule we all operated by when we were with you: If you don’t work you don’t eat. But now we are hearing reports that some of you have become bludgers who don’t lift a finger unless it’s to pry into someone else’s business. Well, since we all share in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ, let me lay down the law to these people — and you know who you are. Pull your finger out and put your shoulder to the wheel. Take your fair share of the workload without making a big deal of it and you’ll have earned your keep. Brothers and sisters, don’t ever run out of steam for doing what is right.

©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

Some people were talking about the temple and waxing lyrical about what a spectacular building it was with its ornate stonework and all the beautiful fixtures which had been donated and dedicated to God. Jesus spoke up, saying, “The days are coming when everything you see here will be flattened. There will be nothing left of these great stones but a heap of rubble.”

“Can you tell us when these things are going to happen?” they asked, “and what warning sign we should watch for? What will tip us off that it is about to happen?”

Jesus replied, “Be on your guard. Don’t fall for all the doomsday madness. There will be no shortage of people bobbing up and saying, ‘Follow me! I’m the One!’ or ‘The world is about to end!’ Don’t even begin to take them seriously. Every time there’s a new war or a flare-up in some trouble-spot, the fanatics will crank up the speculation again. Keep your cool. These things will happen, but they are not an indication that the end is close. Nations will set out to destroy each other. There will be ethnic conflicts and civil wars. There will be horrendous natural disasters. In many places people will face starvation and there will be terrible outbreaks of disease. There will be terrifying signs, as though the sky itself was going to fall in.

“But before all this happens, the world will turn against you. You will be harassed, arrested and locked up in detention centres because of your association with me. You will be dragged before the religious authorities, the civil magistrates, and even the political leaders. These hearings will give you an opportunity to speak out for the truth. Make up your minds now not to worry about it in advance. Don’t bother trying to plan what you will say in the witness box. When the time comes, I will give you the words. I will give you such wisdom that all the lawyers seeking to undo you will be left floundering, lost for words.

“Even those closest to you may end up betraying you. Some of you will be dobbed in by members of your own family or close relatives and friends. People everywhere will despise you because of your association with me, and some of you will be killed. Nevertheless there is not even a hair on your head that is not safe in my care. By toughing it out you will gain your souls.”

©2004 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

Prior to the revision of the Lectionary in 1992, the 1st reading and the psalm that responded to it were chosen to link thematically with the gospel reading. After hearing the critique of those who said that the Hebrew Scriptures, from which the first reading is usually chosen, should be allowed to speak with their own voice rather than just add support to the gospel reading, the Lectionary was revised so that during Ordinary Time, the 1st reading runs in its own semi-continuous series, working through various books of the Hebrew Bible. The older themed series continues to be available as an alternative.

The weekly prayers offered here at LaughingBird Resources are based on the four readings above, and do not draw on the themed 1st reading and psalm.

Hear what the LORD who rules over everything has to say:

Take note, the day is coming,
raging towards you like a bushfire.
Those who are arrogant and corrupt
will go up like tinder-dry grass.
The day that comes will incinerate them
without leaving a trace.

But for you who love me and bring honour to my name,
the day of peace and integrity will dawn.
The sun will shine on you warmly
with gentle healing rays.

©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

We sing like we’ve never sung before, LORD,
because you have done fantastic things.
With your sleeves rolled up you got stuck in
and came out on top.

Your victory has made the headlines, LORD,
now the whole world can see that you were right all along.

You have never defaulted on your rock-solid love,
or your loyalty to your chosen people.
From one end of the earth to the other,
everyone has seen your victory.

With all the world, LORD, we raise a noisy celebration,
singing our lungs out and shouting your praise.

The bands strike up in your honour, LORD,
filling the air with festive music.
With a brass fanfare and a dancing beat
we loudly celebrate your reign over us.

The whole creation joins in the celebration:
the ocean and its creatures roar their approval;
the land and its animals, cheer and stomp;
rivers and lakes give a standing ovation,
mountains and hills erupt in applause.

We put on the whole show in your presence, LORD,
celebrating your arrival as you finally bring justice.
With you in charge we know things will be put right;
now every one on earth will get a fair go.

©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 you invite us to draw deeply from your well of salvation.

You created heaven and earth as the first of your works
and chose a people to be your delight.
Though we marred your creation
with war and insurrection,
you have given us a vision of a day beyond the terrors:
a day when the sound of weeping will give way to delight,
when all creation will live in peace
and people will long enjoy the fruits of their labours.

In your child, Jesus the Christ,
you have begun the re-creation of all things.
When he was betrayed by friends,
arrested, persecuted,
and put to death,
you raised him to new life
and through him, you strengthen us
so that we might not grow weary in doing what is right
but through endurance, gain our souls.

Therefore with .....

©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

We thank you that in your Son, Jesus Christ,
you have begun the re-creation of all things,
and that through him you strengthen us
so that we might not weary in doing what is right
but through endurance gain our souls.

©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)

We give you all thanks and praise, O God,
for you invite us to draw deeply from your well of salvation.

You created heaven and earth as the first of your works
and chose a people to be your delight.
Though we marred your creation
with war and insurrection,
you have given us a vision of a day beyond the terrors:
a day when the sound of weeping will give way to delight,
when all creation will live in peace
and people will long enjoy the fruits of their labours.

In your child, Jesus the Christ,
you have begun the re-creation of all things.
When he was betrayed by friends,
arrested, persecuted,
and put to death,
you raised him to new life
and through him, you strengthen us
so that we might not grow weary in doing what is right
but through endurance, gain our souls.

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.

©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

Before we call, the Lord answers,
while we are still speaking, our saviour hears.
God has promised that our sins will not be remembered
nor come to mind again.

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

©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

Go now and tell the world what God does.
Do not chase after self-proclaimed messiahs,
but draw deeply from God’s saving well
and speak the words the Spirit gives you.
Do not be weary in doing what is right.

And may God delight in you and give you strength;
May Christ Jesus lead you in the ways of new life;
And may the Holy Spirit give you the words and wisdom
to withstand all that would tear you down.

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

©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net