For a second time, the LORD gave orders to Jonah, saying, “Get up, go to the great city of Nineveh, and sound the call there with the words I give you.”
So this time Jonah did as the LORD had told him to, and got up and went to Nineveh. Now the city of Nineveh was so big that even God was amazed, and it would have taken Jonah three days to walk through it. He made a start, walking through the city for a day, and as he went he sounded a call, “In just a few days, Nineveh will be in ruins!”
And the people of Nineveh believed that this call came from the great God, so they took immediate action. They called a day of repentance, and everybody, no matter what their rank in society, dressed in funeral clothes and went without food to show that they were serious about changing their ways.
Seeing what they did, and how they really were turning away from evil and getting their lives back on track, God had a change of heart, and cancelled the disaster that had been planned for the people of Nineveh.

©2003 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

A hush comes over every fibre of my being;
for you alone I wait, God;
my future is in your hands.

You alone are the rock I cling to;
my protection, my salvation;
nothing can rattle me.

My freedom and honour depend on you, God,
for you are a solid rock and a safe refuge to me.

Everyone should put their trust in you, God,
and pour their hearts out to you always,
for you are our safety and security.

Ordinary battlers are but a puff of smoke;
toffs and silvertails are nothing but a mirage.
In the overall scheme of things,
no one is of any great consequence.

Those who try stand-over tactics to get ahead,
or think they can make their fortune from crime,
will find that their hopes are in vain;
the money they make
will come at the expense of their peace of mind.

You have given your word, God;
I have heard you say this more than once:
that power is your middle name
and rock-solid love and loyalty are your nature.
Lord, you treat everyone as they deserve
for what they have done.

©2003 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

Sisters and brothers,
the present circumstances of our lives
are not the be all and end all,
because time is almost up.

From now on, don’t get too bound up in anything,
but live in light of what is to come:

those who are married
as though they are still waiting for love;

those who are grieving
as though comfort is within reach;

those who are celebrating
as though real joy is yet to come;

those who are shopping
as though there is nothing worth owning;

those who are involved in business and politics
as though they are of no consequence.

Why?
Because the world as we know it
is on the way out.

©2003 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

After John the baptiser was arrested, Jesus headed up to Galilee and began spreading the good news of God. This was the guts of his message:

“The time has come!
The culture of God is close at hand.
Turn your lives around and accept the good news.”

One day, as he was walking along the beach at Lake Galilee, Jesus came across Simon and his brother Andrew setting their nets in the water, because they made their living from fishing. Jesus called to them and said, “Come with me, and I’ll have you bringing in people rather than fish.”
Right then and there, they gave the fishing away and followed Jesus.
A bit further up the beach, he came across James and his brother John, the sons of Zebedee. They were on board their boat, repairing their fishing tackle. Straight away Jesus called them, and they left their old man in the boat with the hired crew, and set off with Jesus.

©2002 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 are our rock of safety,
our stronghold, our refuge, our glory.

You created the earth and its inhabitants,
and called them to put their trust in you.
Through your prophets you revealed your willingness
to show mercy to those who turn from evil,
humbling themselves and following your ways.

When the time was fulfilled,
your kingdom drew near to us
in your child, Jesus of Nazareth.
He came among us proclaiming the good news
and calling everyone to repent and follow you.
He was killed by those who trust in wealth and power,
but you raised him to life
and turned our mourning into joy.
Even now as this world passes away,
you call us to cast your nets wide
so that all might be drawn in to the haven
of your strength and love.

Therefore with .....

©2003 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

We give you thanks that,
even as this world passes away,
you cast your nets wide
so that you might draw everyone into the haven
of your strength and love
and show mercy to all who repent and follow you.

©2003 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)

We give you all thanks and praise, O God,
for you are our rock of safety,
our stronghold, our refuge, our glory.

You created the earth and its inhabitants,
and called them to put their trust in you.
Through your prophets you revealed your willingness
to show mercy to those who turn from evil,
humbling themselves and following your ways.

When the time was fulfilled,
your kingdom drew near to us
in your child, Jesus of Nazareth.
He came among us proclaiming the good news
and calling everyone to repent and follow you.
He was killed by those who trust in wealth and power,
but you raised him to life
and turned our mourning into joy.
Even now as this world passes away,
you call us to cast your nets wide
so that all might be drawn in to the haven
of your strength and love.

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.

©2003 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

Whenever a people humble themselves,
turn from their evil ways,
and put their hope and trust in divine mercy,
God sees and forgives their sin,
and enfolds them in the strength and love of Christ our Lord.

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

©2003 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

Go now, follow where Christ calls you
and proclaim the message God gives you.
Wait in hope for God.
Avoid become bound up in the business of the world,
but live in readiness for the inbreaking of the Kingdom.

And may God be your haven and your glory;
May Christ Jesus give you courage for his mission;
And may the Spirit embrace your soul in God’s silence.

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

©2003 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net