King David made himself at home in his new palace and, thanks to the LORD, there was no trouble from Israel’s enemies for some time.  One day the King consulted Nathan the prophet, and said to him, “It doesn’t seem right for me to be living it up in a palace built of the finest materials while the sacred Ark of God is still in a tent. It’s as though God was sleeping rough!”
Nathan replied, “The LORD is with you, so go ahead and do whatever you think should be done.”
But Nathan had spoken too soon. That same night, the LORD gave him a different message to pass on to King David. This is what it said:

David, I am the LORD and you are my servant, so listen to what I have to say to you. What makes you think that you are the one to build my house? I’ve been on the road with nothing more than a tent ever since I led the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt. I didn’t need a house then and I don’t need one now. You’re not the first caretaker I’ve appointed for the tribes of Israel, and you won’t be the last, so think about it – have I ever gone whingeing to any of them and demanded a fancy house?
Now listen to me, and listen good. I am the LORD who rules over everything. I made you what you are today – the leader of my people. If it wasn’t for me you’d still be cleaning up after the sheep. I’ve never let you down, wherever you’ve gone. Whenever enemies have attacked you, I’ve dealt with them, right before your eyes. Thanks to me, you will be known as one of the most famous people who ever lived.
I have chosen a place for my people Israel, a place where they can put down roots, a place to call their own. They won’t need to be looking over their shoulders all the time, because there won’t be any more trouble from the barbarians who have plagued them for so long. For the first time since the days when I sent the legendary heroes to bring justice to my people, Israel will be at peace.
What’s more, I the LORD give you my word that I will make you the foundation stone of a great house. I will keep my eye on your family and your kingdom and keep them safe. I will see to it that there will always be one of your descendants on your throne.

©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

We turn the spotlight on your greatness, God!
We dance with wholehearted joy over you, our saviour!
You smiled upon us, though we were nothing special,
and the memory of your generosity will last forever.
You have done wonderful and powerful things for us.
There is no other name in the same league as yours.

In every generation, Lord, you shower mercy
to those who treat you with respect.
You have rolled up your sleeves in a show of strength,
and sent packing those who were so full of themselves.

You kicked the power mongers out of office,
and lifted the downtrodden back to their feet.
You put on a feast for those who are hungry,
and slam the door on the rich without giving them a bite.

You give a helping hand to your servant Israel,
and always remember them with tender care.
This is exactly what you promised long ago, Lord,
when you made a vow to Abraham and Sarah
for every generation.”

©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

LORD, we will never stop singing about your rock-solid love;
    we will transmit the story of your faithfulness
        on down to every generation to come.

Your love and loyalty were built to last for eternity;
    we’ll go public with that message.
Your faithfulness is beyond measure;
    as infinite as the sky above us.

You said,
    “I have formed an alliance with my chosen leader;
        I have given my word to David, my servant.
    I have guaranteed a firm foundation for his family forever;
        there will always be one of his descendants on the throne.”

Long ago, in a vision, you spoke to your faithful people, saying:

“I have crowned a great hero.
    Among you, my people,
        I found one fit for the throne.
My search ended with my servant David.
    Pouring holy oil on his head,
        I have set him apart as the chosen one.
He’ll always be able to look to me for strength;
    when he needs some muscle,
        I’ll be there to back him up.

The enemy will not get under his guard,
    the wicked will never drag him down.
I’ll knock flat those who oppose him;
    despise him and you answer to me!
My love for him is unshakable;
    I’ll be faithful to him for ever.
On my say so, he’ll rule supreme and unchallenged.
I will put everything in his hands,
    from coast to coast with all that lies between them.
He will cry out to me, ‘Oh, my Father, my God,
    you are the rock I cling to for safety!’”

©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

To God be the glory forever! It is God who enables you to stand strong, and who does so through the message about Jesus the Messiah which I was given the job of broadcasting. My message uncovers the great truth which had remained shrouded in mystery for centuries, but which is now out in the open for every one to see. Through the writings of God’s inspired messengers, it is even being made clear to those who have had no prior contact with our religious traditions. God, who knows no limits, gave the order for this to be done, so as to gain the cooperation that arises from genuine trust. So here’s to the one and only wise God, through Jesus the Messiah, to whom belongs all the glory forever! And so say all of us!

©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

God sent the angel Gabriel to a town called Nazareth in the region of Galilee, to speak to a young woman named Mary. Mary was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, whose family line went back to King David. The angel approached Mary and said, “Hello there! You’ve got it made! The Lord is with you and has chosen you.”
But Mary was freaking out over this and didn’t know what to make of the angel’s words, so he spoke to her again, saying, “There is no need to be frightened, Mary. God is smiling on you. Look what God is about to do: a child will be conceived in your womb. You will give birth to a baby boy, and you will name him Jesus. He will have a great future, and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will put him on the throne established by his ancestor David. He will lead God’s people forever, establishing a culture that will never die out.”
Mary replied, “How can this possibly happen? I am still a virgin.”
The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will take hold of you, and the life-force of the Most High will enfold you. Therefore the child that is born will belong to God, and will be called God’s Son. Check it out: your wrinkly old relative Elizabeth is also carrying a baby boy in her womb. Even when she was young she was infertile, but now she is six months pregnant. It just goes to show that when God gets involved, nothing will ever be impossible.”
So Mary said, “Okay. Count me in. I’m at the service of the Lord. Let these things happen to me just as you have said.”
And with that, the angel was gone.

©2001 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 your mercy embraces the faithful,
one generation to the next,
and your fidelity, for all ages.

You created the heavens and earth,
and chose for yourself a covenant people,
bringing them from slavery to a land of their own.
In your servant, David, you established your rule
and promised his throne to the one
who would save your people and reign forever.

And now, the mystery kept secret for long ages
has been revealed to all the earth:
your own Son, Jesus Christ,
is conceived by the Holy Spirit
in the womb of Mary
and emerges to claim the throne of his ancestor David.
Though he was killed by the proud and powerful,
you have raised him up,
and with him, the humble of all the earth,
and of his reign there will be no end.

Therefore with .....

©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

We give thanks for your Son, Jesus Christ,
conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of Mary,
who emerges to claim the throne of his ancestor David.
His fidelity will outlast the heavens
and of his reign there will be no end.

©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)

We give you all thanks and praise, O God,
for your mercy embraces the faithful,
one generation to the next,
and your fidelity, for all ages.

You created the heavens and earth,
and chose for yourself a covenant people,
bringing them from slavery to a land of their own.
In your servant, David, you established your rule
and promised his throne to the one
who would save your people and reign forever.

And now, the mystery kept secret for long ages
has been revealed to all the earth:
your own Son, Jesus Christ,
is conceived by the Holy Spirit
in the womb of Mary
and emerges to claim the throne of his ancestor David.
Though he was killed by the proud and powerful,
you have raised him up,
and with him, the humble of all the earth,
and of his reign there will be no end.

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

Though we have been ensnared by sin,
God is able to strengthen us through the gospel of Christ,
for nothing is impossible with God.
God’s mercy embraces us, one generation to the next.

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

©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

Go now, and celebrate God’s love all your days.
Give to Christ Jesus the obedience of faith,
offering yourself as the servant of the Lord
and allowing God’s Word to be fulfilled in you.

And may the only wise God establish you forever.
May the mysteries of Christ be conceived within you.
And may the Holy Spirit strengthen you and encircle you.

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

©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net