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UID:10001673-1730419200-1730505599@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:All Saints Day - Year B
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Wisdom of Solomon 3: 1-9			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	The lives of good people are held safely in God’s hand\,\nand the horror of death will never get its claws into them. \nThe death of good people might look like a tragedy.\nIn the eyes of those who don’t know any better\nit might seem like they’ve suffered the same fate as everyone else\,\nbut it’s not so – they are at peace. \nIt might look to others as though they were punished\,\nbut they are actually anticipating a life that death can never touch. \nThe reward they receive will more than compensate\nfor the discipline they endured.\nThey were put to the test by God and they passed with flying colours.\nThey came through the fire like refined gold\,\nor like a sacrifice offered to God through the fire on the altar\,\nand God was proud to accept them. \nWhen God comes to reward them they will be radiant.\nThey will leap and dance like a string of fireworks.\nThey will be put in charge of nations and their people\,\nrejoicing that the Lord is their king forever. \nThe key to understanding the truth is to put your trust in the Lord.\nThose who are faithful will share a life of love with God.\nThe Lord’s chosen have dedicated themselves to God.\nThey are showered with extravagant generosity and mercy\,\nand the Lord keeps a protective eye on them forever. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  OR   Isaiah 25: 6-9  (alternative 1st reading)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Every people on earth will be invited to the sacred mountain\nfor the huge party thrown by the LORD who rules over everything.\nIt will be the feast to end all feasts\,\nwith the very finest of foods and wines:\nchoice meats\, wines aged to perfection\,\ngourmet delicacies to make every mouth water! \nAnd right here on this sacred mountain\nthe LORD will tear off the pall of death\nand release the nations from the coffin that held them.\nThe LORD will swallow up death once and for all. \nWith that\, the Lord GOD will wipe the tears from every eye\,\nand God’s people will no longer be humiliated and despised;\nThe LORD says so and that settles it. \nWhen that happens people will say\,\nWow! This is our God!\nWe hoped\, we waited\, we trusted God to save us.\nAnd our waiting has not been in vain.\nThe LORD has not let us down.\nCelebrate! Sing and dance\,\nfor God has come to our rescue and set us free. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 24			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	The whole planet belongs to you\, LORD —\nthe earth and everything that lies in it\,\ngrows from it\, or walks on it.\nYou raised the land above the seas\,\nand secured its foundations in the depths. \nWho will be granted a permit\nto climb your sacred mountain\, O God?\nWho may scale the summit to your holy presence? \nThose who have played a straight bat\,\nacting with integrity\,\nnot selling themselves out to delusions\,\nor playing fast and loose with the truth. \nYour rich goodness will come their way\, LORD\,\nand you will declare them innocent\nand set them free. \nThese are the people who take no shortcuts\nin their search for you.\nTheir greatest hunger is to know you\,\nthe God of their ancestors. \nWe hear the call:\n“Wake up! On your feet!\nOpen the gates and form a guard of honour!\nRoll out the red carpet\nbefore the glorious sovereign.” \nWho is this majestic ruler?\nIt is you\, LORD\, supreme and dynamic\,\nthe conqueror of conflict. \nWe hear it again:\n“Wake up! On your feet!\nOpen the gates and form a guard of honour!\nRoll out the red carpet\nbefore the glorious sovereign.” \nWho is this majestic ruler?\nIt is you\, the LORD who rules over everything.\nThis majestic ruler is you\, our God. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Revelation 21: 1-6a			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	I\, John\, had another extraordinary vision. I saw a completely revamped heaven and a radically reconstructed earth. The first heaven\, the first earth and the sea were all but a memory. Then I saw Jerusalem\, the city dedicated to God\, now made completely new. She was coming down the aisle from heaven itself\, from God\, and she looked sensational\, like a bride on her wedding day. I heard a loud voice coming from heaven’s throne. It said: \n“See\, God has moved in and set up home among ordinary people.\nGod will live with them and be their God\,\nand the people will gladly belong\nto the God who lives right in their midst. \nGod will wipe every tear from their eyes.\nDeath will be abolished forever;\npain and grief and tears will be things of the past.\nAll these things have been made obsolete.” \nThen the one sitting on the throne said\, “Look\, I am making everything new – absolutely everything!” \n“Write all this down\,” he said\, “because these words can be depended on. They are the truth.” \nThis is what he said: “The job is done! I am the whole story\, from A to Z. I am the beginning and I am the end.” \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  John 11: 32-44			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Jesus had arrived at Bethany where Lazarus had recently died and been buried by his sisters\, Martha and Mary. When Mary saw Jesus\, she embraced him and sobbed\, “Lord\, if only you’d been here. I know my brother wouldn’t have died if you had been here.” \nJesus was stirred up\, deep in his guts\, by her tears and by the crying of the people who were with her. “Where did you bury him?” he asked. \n“Come and we’ll show you\, Lord\,” they said. As they went\, Jesus too began weeping. This prompted some of the people to say\, “He must have really loved Lazarus\,” but others were more cynical\, saying\, “If he loved him so much\, how come he didn’t do something to keep him from dying? After all\, he had no trouble giving sight to a blind man.” \nJesus arrived at the tomb\, and by now he was quite worked up. The tomb was a cave with a big rock sealing the entrance. Jesus gave orders for it to be reopened. Martha\, the other sister of the dead man\, protested saying\, “Lord\, it will stink to high heaven. He’s already been dead for four days.” \nBut Jesus said\, “I told you\, didn’t I\, that if you believed\, you would see things so amazing that they could only be credited to God?” \nSo they went ahead and removed the rock from the entrance of the tomb. Jesus paused to pray\, saying\, “Father\, thank you for hearing my prayer. I know you always do\, but I want this crowd to hear me giving the credit to you\, because then they might believe that it was you who sent me.” \nHaving said that\, he raised his voice and bellowed\, “Lazarus\, get out here!” \nAnd sure enough\, the dead man came out\, still wrapped up like a mummy from head to toe. Jesus gave the order to unwrap him and set him free. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nPrayers\n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Eucharistic Preface			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Let us lift up our hearts.\nWe lift them to the Lord.\nLet us give thanks to the Lord our God.\nIt is right to give our thanks and praise. \nIt is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise\, O God\,\nfor you are preparing a rich banquet for all your saints\nthat we might rejoice forever in your salvation. \nThe earth is yours for you founded it\,\nand you have made your home among its inhabitants.\nThrough your prophets you gave us a vision\nof a world made new\,\nand of suffering and grief abolished forever. \nIn your son\, Jesus Christ\,\nwe have seen your deep anguish\nover the death of your faithful ones\,\nand in his life-giving ministry\nwe have seen your glory.\nThough he passed through the fires of death\,\nwe now see him raised up and making all things new.\nIn him is our hope of resurrection\nand vindication for all who have trusted you\,\nfor their souls are safe in your hands\nand you have declared them to be worthy of your life. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2003 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We give thanks for your son\, Jesus Christ\,\nwho is making all things new\,\nand securing our resurrection\nand the vindication for all who have trusted you\,\nfor their souls are safe in your hands\nand you have declared them to be worthy of your life. \n©2003 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nfor you are preparing a rich banquet for all your saints\nthat we might rejoice forever in your salvation. \nThe earth is yours for you founded it\,\nand you have made your home among its inhabitants.\nThrough your prophets you gave us a vision\nof a world made new\,\nand of suffering and grief abolished forever. \nIn your son\, Jesus Christ\,\nwe have seen your deep anguish\nover the death of your faithful ones\,\nand in his life-giving ministry\nwe have seen your glory.\nThough he passed through the fires of death\,\nwe now see him raised up and making all things new.\nIn him is our hope of resurrection\nand vindication for all who have trusted you\,\nfor their souls are safe in your hands\nand you have declared them to be worthy of your life. \nTherefore\, with our hearts lifted high\,\nwe offer you thanks and praise at all times\nthrough Jesus Christ our Lord\,\nwho lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit\,\none God\, for ever and ever.\nAmen. \n©2003 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Declaration of Grace / Absolution			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	These words are trustworthy and true:\nChrist Jesus is making all things new.\nThe first things have passed away\,\nand our disgrace is removed.\nVindication has come from the God of our salvation. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Commission & Benediction			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Go out confident that your lives are safe in God.\nKeep your hands clean and your hearts pure.\nDo not act falsely and do not swear deceitfully.\nTrust in the Lord\, even in the face of death\,\nand follow in the footsteps of all God’s saints. \nAnd may God keep a protective eye on you;\nMay Christ Jesus show you his grace and mercy;\nand may the Holy Spirit give you a vision\nof the life of the world made new. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nSermons\n\n\n\nSermons will open in new tabs from our SYCBaps church website. \n\n\n\nLife\, Death and TearsA sermon on John 11: 32-44; Revelation 21: 1-6a & Isaiah 25: 6-9 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/b42/2024-11-01/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/42.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T081845
CREATED:20220904T231259Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220904T231259Z
UID:10002214-1735689600-1735775999@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:New Years Day
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Ecclesiastes 3:1-13			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Things happen in their due season; there is a right time for everything that happens on earth: \na time to be born\,\nand a time to die;\na time to sow the seed\,\nand a time to harvest the crop; \na time to end a life\,\nand a time to rehabilitate;\na time to demolish\,\nand a time to create; \na time to cry\,\nand a time to laugh;\na time to grieve\,\nand a time to party; \na time to throw caution to the wind\,\nand a time to play it safe;\na time to make love\,\nand a time to keep your pants on; \na time to keep searching\,\nand a time to write off the loss;\na time to hold on to what you’ve got\,\nand a time to let it go; \na time to share another’s pain\,\nand a time to urge them to move on;\na time to keep your mouth shut\,\nand a time to speak your mind; \na time to love\,\nand a time to hate;\na time to fight;\nand a time to make peace. \nBut in the end\, what difference does it make what we do? I have observed everyone working hard at the jobs that God has given them. God sets things up so that there is a proper time and place for everything\, but we forget too quickly and fail to learn the lessons of history. We see what has happened and what is happening\, but we can’t make sense of the connections or see what God is doing in it all. So I figure that there is no point in losing too much sleep over it. The most important thing is for people to be happy and to enjoy their lives for as long as they live. What’s more\, there is nothing wrong with eating and drinking and finding satisfaction in our work. They are God’s gifts to us. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 8			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Our LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \nYour glory fills the universe! \nThe gurgling of babies makes more sense\nthan the clever arguments of your enemies.\nThe innocent chatter of children\nsilences the venomous talk of your opponents. \nWhen I gaze at your handiwork in the night skies\n— the moon\, the stars\, the milky way —\nthe whole cosmos under your control;\nI can’t help but wonder why you bother with us.\nWhy do you care so much for mere human beings\nwhen we count for so little in the scheme of things? \nAnd yet\, for reasons known to you alone\,\nyou created us almost on a par with yourself\nand decorated us with the highest honours and glory. \nYou have even entrusted us with power over your precious creation;\nyou placed the future of all life in our hands:\nsheep and cattle;\nemu and kangaroo\ninsects\, reptiles\, birds\, and sea creatures;\nair\, land and water and the planet itself. \nOur LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Revelaton 21: 1-6a			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	I\, John\, had another extraordinary vision. I saw a completely revamped heaven and a radically reconstructed earth. The first heaven\, the first earth and the sea were all but a memory. Then I saw Jerusalem\, the city dedicated to God\, now made completely new. She was coming down the aisle from heaven itself\, from God\, and she looked sensational\, like a bride on her wedding day. I heard a loud voice coming from heaven’s throne. It said: \n“See\, God has moved in and set up home among ordinary people.\nGod will live with them and be their God\,\nand the people will gladly belong\nto the God who lives right in their midst. \nGod will wipe every tear from their eyes.\nDeath will be abolished forever;\npain and grief and tears will be things of the past.\nAll these things have been made obsolete.”  \nThen the one sitting on the throne said\, “Look\, I am making everything new – absolutely everything!”  \n“Write all this down\,” he said\, “because these words can be depended on. They are the truth.” \nThis is what he said: “The job is done! I am the whole story\, from A to Z. I am the beginning and I am the end.” \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Matthew 25: 31-46			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	While speaking to his followers\, Jesus said\, “The day is coming when the New Human will turn up in all his glory\, accompanied by all his angels\, and he will be crowned as king. He will sit down on the judgment seat\, and all the nations of the world will be summoned to appear before him. Like a quality controller sorting out the good fruit from the rejects\, he will carefully sort the nations into two groups\, one on his right side and one on his left. Then the King will say to the group on his right side: \n‘Welcome\, you who have been given the thumbs up by my Father. Ever since the foundation of the world\, there has been a kingdom ready with your name on it. Come now\, and inherit it; because\nI was hungry and you lot fed me\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me a drink\,\nI came seeking asylum and you made me welcome\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot gave me clothes\,\nI was diseased and you took care of me\,\nI was in detention and you visited me.’ \nThen those compassionate nations will ask him\, ‘Lord\, when did we see you hungry and feed you\, or thirsty and give you a drink? When were you a refugee and we welcomed you\, or in detention and we visited you? When did we find you without clothes or sick and do something about it?’ \nAnd the King will reply\, ‘The fact is\, you did these things for people who were regarded as the dregs of society\, but who I love as my nearest and dearest; and each time you helped one of them\, you were helping me.’ \nThen he will say to the nations on the other side: \n‘You lot have been written off. Get out of my sight! A time of fire has been ignited by the devil and his agents\, and you will be swallowed up in it with them; because\nI was hungry and you lot didn’t give me a bite\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me nothing\,\nI came seeking asylum and you wouldn’t let me in\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot left me to freeze\,\nI was diseased and in detention\nand you turned your backs and wouldn’t come near me.’ \nThey too will ask\, ‘Lord\, when was it that we failed to take care of you? We don’t recall seeing you hungry or thirsty or seeking asylum or naked or sick or in detention.’ \nBut he will answer\, ‘The fact is\, you failed to do these things for those who were regarded as the dregs of society\, and each time you turned your backs on them\, you were turning your backs on me.’ \nAnd with that\, those nations will be gone\, swallowed up in the time of punishment. But the nations who did the right thing by others will enjoy life without limit.” \n©2023 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nPrayers\n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Eucharistic Preface			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Let us lift up our hearts.\nWe lift them to the Lord.\nLet us give thanks to the Lord our God.\nIt is right to give our thanks and praise. \nIt is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth we tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We thank you for gathering all our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore\, with our hearts lifted high\,\nwe offer you thanks and praise at all times\nthrough Jesus Christ our Lord\,\nwho lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit\,\none God\, for ever and ever.\nAmen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Declaration of Grace / Absolution			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	In Jesus Christ\, God makes all things new.\nThe former things have disappeared.\nGod will wipe away every tear from our eyes. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Commission & Benediction			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Go now\, and embrace the new time which God has given us.\nRecognize Christ in friend and stranger\,\nand as Christ has been gracious to you\,\nso be gracious to those in need. \nAnd may God dwell with you as your God.\nMay Christ be your food and drink\nand give you pleasure in your work.\nAnd may the Spirit be your beginning and end\nand hold all your times in her loving embrace. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nSermons\n\n\n\nSermons will open in new tabs from our SYCBaps church website. \n\n\n\n\nWhen I was hungry\, what did you do?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhen I joined your church\, you burned me out!A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nIcons on Street CornersA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWill the Sheep Plead for the Goats?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nJudging NationsA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/abc08/2025-01-01/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/08.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T081845
CREATED:20220904T231259Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220904T231259Z
UID:10002290-1735689600-1735775999@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:New Years Day
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Ecclesiastes 3:1-13			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Things happen in their due season; there is a right time for everything that happens on earth: \na time to be born\,\nand a time to die;\na time to sow the seed\,\nand a time to harvest the crop; \na time to end a life\,\nand a time to rehabilitate;\na time to demolish\,\nand a time to create; \na time to cry\,\nand a time to laugh;\na time to grieve\,\nand a time to party; \na time to throw caution to the wind\,\nand a time to play it safe;\na time to make love\,\nand a time to keep your pants on; \na time to keep searching\,\nand a time to write off the loss;\na time to hold on to what you’ve got\,\nand a time to let it go; \na time to share another’s pain\,\nand a time to urge them to move on;\na time to keep your mouth shut\,\nand a time to speak your mind; \na time to love\,\nand a time to hate;\na time to fight;\nand a time to make peace. \nBut in the end\, what difference does it make what we do? I have observed everyone working hard at the jobs that God has given them. God sets things up so that there is a proper time and place for everything\, but we forget too quickly and fail to learn the lessons of history. We see what has happened and what is happening\, but we can’t make sense of the connections or see what God is doing in it all. So I figure that there is no point in losing too much sleep over it. The most important thing is for people to be happy and to enjoy their lives for as long as they live. What’s more\, there is nothing wrong with eating and drinking and finding satisfaction in our work. They are God’s gifts to us. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 8			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Our LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \nYour glory fills the universe! \nThe gurgling of babies makes more sense\nthan the clever arguments of your enemies.\nThe innocent chatter of children\nsilences the venomous talk of your opponents. \nWhen I gaze at your handiwork in the night skies\n— the moon\, the stars\, the milky way —\nthe whole cosmos under your control;\nI can’t help but wonder why you bother with us.\nWhy do you care so much for mere human beings\nwhen we count for so little in the scheme of things? \nAnd yet\, for reasons known to you alone\,\nyou created us almost on a par with yourself\nand decorated us with the highest honours and glory. \nYou have even entrusted us with power over your precious creation;\nyou placed the future of all life in our hands:\nsheep and cattle;\nemu and kangaroo\ninsects\, reptiles\, birds\, and sea creatures;\nair\, land and water and the planet itself. \nOur LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Revelaton 21: 1-6a			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	I\, John\, had another extraordinary vision. I saw a completely revamped heaven and a radically reconstructed earth. The first heaven\, the first earth and the sea were all but a memory. Then I saw Jerusalem\, the city dedicated to God\, now made completely new. She was coming down the aisle from heaven itself\, from God\, and she looked sensational\, like a bride on her wedding day. I heard a loud voice coming from heaven’s throne. It said: \n“See\, God has moved in and set up home among ordinary people.\nGod will live with them and be their God\,\nand the people will gladly belong\nto the God who lives right in their midst. \nGod will wipe every tear from their eyes.\nDeath will be abolished forever;\npain and grief and tears will be things of the past.\nAll these things have been made obsolete.”  \nThen the one sitting on the throne said\, “Look\, I am making everything new – absolutely everything!”  \n“Write all this down\,” he said\, “because these words can be depended on. They are the truth.” \nThis is what he said: “The job is done! I am the whole story\, from A to Z. I am the beginning and I am the end.” \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Matthew 25: 31-46			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	While speaking to his followers\, Jesus said\, “The day is coming when the New Human will turn up in all his glory\, accompanied by all his angels\, and he will be crowned as king. He will sit down on the judgment seat\, and all the nations of the world will be summoned to appear before him. Like a quality controller sorting out the good fruit from the rejects\, he will carefully sort the nations into two groups\, one on his right side and one on his left. Then the King will say to the group on his right side: \n‘Welcome\, you who have been given the thumbs up by my Father. Ever since the foundation of the world\, there has been a kingdom ready with your name on it. Come now\, and inherit it; because\nI was hungry and you lot fed me\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me a drink\,\nI came seeking asylum and you made me welcome\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot gave me clothes\,\nI was diseased and you took care of me\,\nI was in detention and you visited me.’ \nThen those compassionate nations will ask him\, ‘Lord\, when did we see you hungry and feed you\, or thirsty and give you a drink? When were you a refugee and we welcomed you\, or in detention and we visited you? When did we find you without clothes or sick and do something about it?’ \nAnd the King will reply\, ‘The fact is\, you did these things for people who were regarded as the dregs of society\, but who I love as my nearest and dearest; and each time you helped one of them\, you were helping me.’ \nThen he will say to the nations on the other side: \n‘You lot have been written off. Get out of my sight! A time of fire has been ignited by the devil and his agents\, and you will be swallowed up in it with them; because\nI was hungry and you lot didn’t give me a bite\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me nothing\,\nI came seeking asylum and you wouldn’t let me in\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot left me to freeze\,\nI was diseased and in detention\nand you turned your backs and wouldn’t come near me.’ \nThey too will ask\, ‘Lord\, when was it that we failed to take care of you? We don’t recall seeing you hungry or thirsty or seeking asylum or naked or sick or in detention.’ \nBut he will answer\, ‘The fact is\, you failed to do these things for those who were regarded as the dregs of society\, and each time you turned your backs on them\, you were turning your backs on me.’ \nAnd with that\, those nations will be gone\, swallowed up in the time of punishment. But the nations who did the right thing by others will enjoy life without limit.” \n©2023 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nPrayers\n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Eucharistic Preface			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Let us lift up our hearts.\nWe lift them to the Lord.\nLet us give thanks to the Lord our God.\nIt is right to give our thanks and praise. \nIt is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth we tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We thank you for gathering all our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore\, with our hearts lifted high\,\nwe offer you thanks and praise at all times\nthrough Jesus Christ our Lord\,\nwho lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit\,\none God\, for ever and ever.\nAmen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Declaration of Grace / Absolution			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	In Jesus Christ\, God makes all things new.\nThe former things have disappeared.\nGod will wipe away every tear from our eyes. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Commission & Benediction			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Go now\, and embrace the new time which God has given us.\nRecognize Christ in friend and stranger\,\nand as Christ has been gracious to you\,\nso be gracious to those in need. \nAnd may God dwell with you as your God.\nMay Christ be your food and drink\nand give you pleasure in your work.\nAnd may the Spirit be your beginning and end\nand hold all your times in her loving embrace. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nSermons\n\n\n\nSermons will open in new tabs from our SYCBaps church website. \n\n\n\n\nWhen I was hungry\, what did you do?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhen I joined your church\, you burned me out!A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nIcons on Street CornersA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWill the Sheep Plead for the Goats?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nJudging NationsA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/abc08/2025-01-01/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/08.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T081845
CREATED:20220904T231259Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220904T231259Z
UID:10002366-1735689600-1735775999@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:New Years Day
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Ecclesiastes 3:1-13			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Things happen in their due season; there is a right time for everything that happens on earth: \na time to be born\,\nand a time to die;\na time to sow the seed\,\nand a time to harvest the crop; \na time to end a life\,\nand a time to rehabilitate;\na time to demolish\,\nand a time to create; \na time to cry\,\nand a time to laugh;\na time to grieve\,\nand a time to party; \na time to throw caution to the wind\,\nand a time to play it safe;\na time to make love\,\nand a time to keep your pants on; \na time to keep searching\,\nand a time to write off the loss;\na time to hold on to what you’ve got\,\nand a time to let it go; \na time to share another’s pain\,\nand a time to urge them to move on;\na time to keep your mouth shut\,\nand a time to speak your mind; \na time to love\,\nand a time to hate;\na time to fight;\nand a time to make peace. \nBut in the end\, what difference does it make what we do? I have observed everyone working hard at the jobs that God has given them. God sets things up so that there is a proper time and place for everything\, but we forget too quickly and fail to learn the lessons of history. We see what has happened and what is happening\, but we can’t make sense of the connections or see what God is doing in it all. So I figure that there is no point in losing too much sleep over it. The most important thing is for people to be happy and to enjoy their lives for as long as they live. What’s more\, there is nothing wrong with eating and drinking and finding satisfaction in our work. They are God’s gifts to us. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 8			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Our LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \nYour glory fills the universe! \nThe gurgling of babies makes more sense\nthan the clever arguments of your enemies.\nThe innocent chatter of children\nsilences the venomous talk of your opponents. \nWhen I gaze at your handiwork in the night skies\n— the moon\, the stars\, the milky way —\nthe whole cosmos under your control;\nI can’t help but wonder why you bother with us.\nWhy do you care so much for mere human beings\nwhen we count for so little in the scheme of things? \nAnd yet\, for reasons known to you alone\,\nyou created us almost on a par with yourself\nand decorated us with the highest honours and glory. \nYou have even entrusted us with power over your precious creation;\nyou placed the future of all life in our hands:\nsheep and cattle;\nemu and kangaroo\ninsects\, reptiles\, birds\, and sea creatures;\nair\, land and water and the planet itself. \nOur LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Revelaton 21: 1-6a			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	I\, John\, had another extraordinary vision. I saw a completely revamped heaven and a radically reconstructed earth. The first heaven\, the first earth and the sea were all but a memory. Then I saw Jerusalem\, the city dedicated to God\, now made completely new. She was coming down the aisle from heaven itself\, from God\, and she looked sensational\, like a bride on her wedding day. I heard a loud voice coming from heaven’s throne. It said: \n“See\, God has moved in and set up home among ordinary people.\nGod will live with them and be their God\,\nand the people will gladly belong\nto the God who lives right in their midst. \nGod will wipe every tear from their eyes.\nDeath will be abolished forever;\npain and grief and tears will be things of the past.\nAll these things have been made obsolete.”  \nThen the one sitting on the throne said\, “Look\, I am making everything new – absolutely everything!”  \n“Write all this down\,” he said\, “because these words can be depended on. They are the truth.” \nThis is what he said: “The job is done! I am the whole story\, from A to Z. I am the beginning and I am the end.” \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Matthew 25: 31-46			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	While speaking to his followers\, Jesus said\, “The day is coming when the New Human will turn up in all his glory\, accompanied by all his angels\, and he will be crowned as king. He will sit down on the judgment seat\, and all the nations of the world will be summoned to appear before him. Like a quality controller sorting out the good fruit from the rejects\, he will carefully sort the nations into two groups\, one on his right side and one on his left. Then the King will say to the group on his right side: \n‘Welcome\, you who have been given the thumbs up by my Father. Ever since the foundation of the world\, there has been a kingdom ready with your name on it. Come now\, and inherit it; because\nI was hungry and you lot fed me\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me a drink\,\nI came seeking asylum and you made me welcome\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot gave me clothes\,\nI was diseased and you took care of me\,\nI was in detention and you visited me.’ \nThen those compassionate nations will ask him\, ‘Lord\, when did we see you hungry and feed you\, or thirsty and give you a drink? When were you a refugee and we welcomed you\, or in detention and we visited you? When did we find you without clothes or sick and do something about it?’ \nAnd the King will reply\, ‘The fact is\, you did these things for people who were regarded as the dregs of society\, but who I love as my nearest and dearest; and each time you helped one of them\, you were helping me.’ \nThen he will say to the nations on the other side: \n‘You lot have been written off. Get out of my sight! A time of fire has been ignited by the devil and his agents\, and you will be swallowed up in it with them; because\nI was hungry and you lot didn’t give me a bite\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me nothing\,\nI came seeking asylum and you wouldn’t let me in\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot left me to freeze\,\nI was diseased and in detention\nand you turned your backs and wouldn’t come near me.’ \nThey too will ask\, ‘Lord\, when was it that we failed to take care of you? We don’t recall seeing you hungry or thirsty or seeking asylum or naked or sick or in detention.’ \nBut he will answer\, ‘The fact is\, you failed to do these things for those who were regarded as the dregs of society\, and each time you turned your backs on them\, you were turning your backs on me.’ \nAnd with that\, those nations will be gone\, swallowed up in the time of punishment. But the nations who did the right thing by others will enjoy life without limit.” \n©2023 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nPrayers\n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Eucharistic Preface			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Let us lift up our hearts.\nWe lift them to the Lord.\nLet us give thanks to the Lord our God.\nIt is right to give our thanks and praise. \nIt is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth we tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We thank you for gathering all our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore\, with our hearts lifted high\,\nwe offer you thanks and praise at all times\nthrough Jesus Christ our Lord\,\nwho lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit\,\none God\, for ever and ever.\nAmen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Declaration of Grace / Absolution			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	In Jesus Christ\, God makes all things new.\nThe former things have disappeared.\nGod will wipe away every tear from our eyes. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Commission & Benediction			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Go now\, and embrace the new time which God has given us.\nRecognize Christ in friend and stranger\,\nand as Christ has been gracious to you\,\nso be gracious to those in need. \nAnd may God dwell with you as your God.\nMay Christ be your food and drink\nand give you pleasure in your work.\nAnd may the Spirit be your beginning and end\nand hold all your times in her loving embrace. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nSermons\n\n\n\nSermons will open in new tabs from our SYCBaps church website. \n\n\n\n\nWhen I was hungry\, what did you do?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhen I joined your church\, you burned me out!A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nIcons on Street CornersA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWill the Sheep Plead for the Goats?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nJudging NationsA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/abc08/2025-01-01/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/08.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T081845
CREATED:20220904T231259Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220904T231259Z
UID:10002442-1735689600-1735775999@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:New Years Day
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Ecclesiastes 3:1-13			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Things happen in their due season; there is a right time for everything that happens on earth: \na time to be born\,\nand a time to die;\na time to sow the seed\,\nand a time to harvest the crop; \na time to end a life\,\nand a time to rehabilitate;\na time to demolish\,\nand a time to create; \na time to cry\,\nand a time to laugh;\na time to grieve\,\nand a time to party; \na time to throw caution to the wind\,\nand a time to play it safe;\na time to make love\,\nand a time to keep your pants on; \na time to keep searching\,\nand a time to write off the loss;\na time to hold on to what you’ve got\,\nand a time to let it go; \na time to share another’s pain\,\nand a time to urge them to move on;\na time to keep your mouth shut\,\nand a time to speak your mind; \na time to love\,\nand a time to hate;\na time to fight;\nand a time to make peace. \nBut in the end\, what difference does it make what we do? I have observed everyone working hard at the jobs that God has given them. God sets things up so that there is a proper time and place for everything\, but we forget too quickly and fail to learn the lessons of history. We see what has happened and what is happening\, but we can’t make sense of the connections or see what God is doing in it all. So I figure that there is no point in losing too much sleep over it. The most important thing is for people to be happy and to enjoy their lives for as long as they live. What’s more\, there is nothing wrong with eating and drinking and finding satisfaction in our work. They are God’s gifts to us. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 8			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Our LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \nYour glory fills the universe! \nThe gurgling of babies makes more sense\nthan the clever arguments of your enemies.\nThe innocent chatter of children\nsilences the venomous talk of your opponents. \nWhen I gaze at your handiwork in the night skies\n— the moon\, the stars\, the milky way —\nthe whole cosmos under your control;\nI can’t help but wonder why you bother with us.\nWhy do you care so much for mere human beings\nwhen we count for so little in the scheme of things? \nAnd yet\, for reasons known to you alone\,\nyou created us almost on a par with yourself\nand decorated us with the highest honours and glory. \nYou have even entrusted us with power over your precious creation;\nyou placed the future of all life in our hands:\nsheep and cattle;\nemu and kangaroo\ninsects\, reptiles\, birds\, and sea creatures;\nair\, land and water and the planet itself. \nOur LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Revelaton 21: 1-6a			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	I\, John\, had another extraordinary vision. I saw a completely revamped heaven and a radically reconstructed earth. The first heaven\, the first earth and the sea were all but a memory. Then I saw Jerusalem\, the city dedicated to God\, now made completely new. She was coming down the aisle from heaven itself\, from God\, and she looked sensational\, like a bride on her wedding day. I heard a loud voice coming from heaven’s throne. It said: \n“See\, God has moved in and set up home among ordinary people.\nGod will live with them and be their God\,\nand the people will gladly belong\nto the God who lives right in their midst. \nGod will wipe every tear from their eyes.\nDeath will be abolished forever;\npain and grief and tears will be things of the past.\nAll these things have been made obsolete.”  \nThen the one sitting on the throne said\, “Look\, I am making everything new – absolutely everything!”  \n“Write all this down\,” he said\, “because these words can be depended on. They are the truth.” \nThis is what he said: “The job is done! I am the whole story\, from A to Z. I am the beginning and I am the end.” \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Matthew 25: 31-46			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	While speaking to his followers\, Jesus said\, “The day is coming when the New Human will turn up in all his glory\, accompanied by all his angels\, and he will be crowned as king. He will sit down on the judgment seat\, and all the nations of the world will be summoned to appear before him. Like a quality controller sorting out the good fruit from the rejects\, he will carefully sort the nations into two groups\, one on his right side and one on his left. Then the King will say to the group on his right side: \n‘Welcome\, you who have been given the thumbs up by my Father. Ever since the foundation of the world\, there has been a kingdom ready with your name on it. Come now\, and inherit it; because\nI was hungry and you lot fed me\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me a drink\,\nI came seeking asylum and you made me welcome\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot gave me clothes\,\nI was diseased and you took care of me\,\nI was in detention and you visited me.’ \nThen those compassionate nations will ask him\, ‘Lord\, when did we see you hungry and feed you\, or thirsty and give you a drink? When were you a refugee and we welcomed you\, or in detention and we visited you? When did we find you without clothes or sick and do something about it?’ \nAnd the King will reply\, ‘The fact is\, you did these things for people who were regarded as the dregs of society\, but who I love as my nearest and dearest; and each time you helped one of them\, you were helping me.’ \nThen he will say to the nations on the other side: \n‘You lot have been written off. Get out of my sight! A time of fire has been ignited by the devil and his agents\, and you will be swallowed up in it with them; because\nI was hungry and you lot didn’t give me a bite\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me nothing\,\nI came seeking asylum and you wouldn’t let me in\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot left me to freeze\,\nI was diseased and in detention\nand you turned your backs and wouldn’t come near me.’ \nThey too will ask\, ‘Lord\, when was it that we failed to take care of you? We don’t recall seeing you hungry or thirsty or seeking asylum or naked or sick or in detention.’ \nBut he will answer\, ‘The fact is\, you failed to do these things for those who were regarded as the dregs of society\, and each time you turned your backs on them\, you were turning your backs on me.’ \nAnd with that\, those nations will be gone\, swallowed up in the time of punishment. But the nations who did the right thing by others will enjoy life without limit.” \n©2023 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nPrayers\n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Eucharistic Preface			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Let us lift up our hearts.\nWe lift them to the Lord.\nLet us give thanks to the Lord our God.\nIt is right to give our thanks and praise. \nIt is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth we tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We thank you for gathering all our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore\, with our hearts lifted high\,\nwe offer you thanks and praise at all times\nthrough Jesus Christ our Lord\,\nwho lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit\,\none God\, for ever and ever.\nAmen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Declaration of Grace / Absolution			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	In Jesus Christ\, God makes all things new.\nThe former things have disappeared.\nGod will wipe away every tear from our eyes. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Commission & Benediction			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Go now\, and embrace the new time which God has given us.\nRecognize Christ in friend and stranger\,\nand as Christ has been gracious to you\,\nso be gracious to those in need. \nAnd may God dwell with you as your God.\nMay Christ be your food and drink\nand give you pleasure in your work.\nAnd may the Spirit be your beginning and end\nand hold all your times in her loving embrace. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nSermons\n\n\n\nSermons will open in new tabs from our SYCBaps church website. \n\n\n\n\nWhen I was hungry\, what did you do?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhen I joined your church\, you burned me out!A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nIcons on Street CornersA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWill the Sheep Plead for the Goats?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nJudging NationsA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/abc08/2025-01-01/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/08.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T081845
CREATED:20220904T231259Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220904T231259Z
UID:10002518-1735689600-1735775999@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:New Years Day
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Ecclesiastes 3:1-13			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Things happen in their due season; there is a right time for everything that happens on earth: \na time to be born\,\nand a time to die;\na time to sow the seed\,\nand a time to harvest the crop; \na time to end a life\,\nand a time to rehabilitate;\na time to demolish\,\nand a time to create; \na time to cry\,\nand a time to laugh;\na time to grieve\,\nand a time to party; \na time to throw caution to the wind\,\nand a time to play it safe;\na time to make love\,\nand a time to keep your pants on; \na time to keep searching\,\nand a time to write off the loss;\na time to hold on to what you’ve got\,\nand a time to let it go; \na time to share another’s pain\,\nand a time to urge them to move on;\na time to keep your mouth shut\,\nand a time to speak your mind; \na time to love\,\nand a time to hate;\na time to fight;\nand a time to make peace. \nBut in the end\, what difference does it make what we do? I have observed everyone working hard at the jobs that God has given them. God sets things up so that there is a proper time and place for everything\, but we forget too quickly and fail to learn the lessons of history. We see what has happened and what is happening\, but we can’t make sense of the connections or see what God is doing in it all. So I figure that there is no point in losing too much sleep over it. The most important thing is for people to be happy and to enjoy their lives for as long as they live. What’s more\, there is nothing wrong with eating and drinking and finding satisfaction in our work. They are God’s gifts to us. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 8			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Our LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \nYour glory fills the universe! \nThe gurgling of babies makes more sense\nthan the clever arguments of your enemies.\nThe innocent chatter of children\nsilences the venomous talk of your opponents. \nWhen I gaze at your handiwork in the night skies\n— the moon\, the stars\, the milky way —\nthe whole cosmos under your control;\nI can’t help but wonder why you bother with us.\nWhy do you care so much for mere human beings\nwhen we count for so little in the scheme of things? \nAnd yet\, for reasons known to you alone\,\nyou created us almost on a par with yourself\nand decorated us with the highest honours and glory. \nYou have even entrusted us with power over your precious creation;\nyou placed the future of all life in our hands:\nsheep and cattle;\nemu and kangaroo\ninsects\, reptiles\, birds\, and sea creatures;\nair\, land and water and the planet itself. \nOur LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Revelaton 21: 1-6a			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	I\, John\, had another extraordinary vision. I saw a completely revamped heaven and a radically reconstructed earth. The first heaven\, the first earth and the sea were all but a memory. Then I saw Jerusalem\, the city dedicated to God\, now made completely new. She was coming down the aisle from heaven itself\, from God\, and she looked sensational\, like a bride on her wedding day. I heard a loud voice coming from heaven’s throne. It said: \n“See\, God has moved in and set up home among ordinary people.\nGod will live with them and be their God\,\nand the people will gladly belong\nto the God who lives right in their midst. \nGod will wipe every tear from their eyes.\nDeath will be abolished forever;\npain and grief and tears will be things of the past.\nAll these things have been made obsolete.”  \nThen the one sitting on the throne said\, “Look\, I am making everything new – absolutely everything!”  \n“Write all this down\,” he said\, “because these words can be depended on. They are the truth.” \nThis is what he said: “The job is done! I am the whole story\, from A to Z. I am the beginning and I am the end.” \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Matthew 25: 31-46			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	While speaking to his followers\, Jesus said\, “The day is coming when the New Human will turn up in all his glory\, accompanied by all his angels\, and he will be crowned as king. He will sit down on the judgment seat\, and all the nations of the world will be summoned to appear before him. Like a quality controller sorting out the good fruit from the rejects\, he will carefully sort the nations into two groups\, one on his right side and one on his left. Then the King will say to the group on his right side: \n‘Welcome\, you who have been given the thumbs up by my Father. Ever since the foundation of the world\, there has been a kingdom ready with your name on it. Come now\, and inherit it; because\nI was hungry and you lot fed me\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me a drink\,\nI came seeking asylum and you made me welcome\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot gave me clothes\,\nI was diseased and you took care of me\,\nI was in detention and you visited me.’ \nThen those compassionate nations will ask him\, ‘Lord\, when did we see you hungry and feed you\, or thirsty and give you a drink? When were you a refugee and we welcomed you\, or in detention and we visited you? When did we find you without clothes or sick and do something about it?’ \nAnd the King will reply\, ‘The fact is\, you did these things for people who were regarded as the dregs of society\, but who I love as my nearest and dearest; and each time you helped one of them\, you were helping me.’ \nThen he will say to the nations on the other side: \n‘You lot have been written off. Get out of my sight! A time of fire has been ignited by the devil and his agents\, and you will be swallowed up in it with them; because\nI was hungry and you lot didn’t give me a bite\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me nothing\,\nI came seeking asylum and you wouldn’t let me in\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot left me to freeze\,\nI was diseased and in detention\nand you turned your backs and wouldn’t come near me.’ \nThey too will ask\, ‘Lord\, when was it that we failed to take care of you? We don’t recall seeing you hungry or thirsty or seeking asylum or naked or sick or in detention.’ \nBut he will answer\, ‘The fact is\, you failed to do these things for those who were regarded as the dregs of society\, and each time you turned your backs on them\, you were turning your backs on me.’ \nAnd with that\, those nations will be gone\, swallowed up in the time of punishment. But the nations who did the right thing by others will enjoy life without limit.” \n©2023 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nPrayers\n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Eucharistic Preface			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Let us lift up our hearts.\nWe lift them to the Lord.\nLet us give thanks to the Lord our God.\nIt is right to give our thanks and praise. \nIt is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth we tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We thank you for gathering all our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore\, with our hearts lifted high\,\nwe offer you thanks and praise at all times\nthrough Jesus Christ our Lord\,\nwho lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit\,\none God\, for ever and ever.\nAmen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Declaration of Grace / Absolution			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	In Jesus Christ\, God makes all things new.\nThe former things have disappeared.\nGod will wipe away every tear from our eyes. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Commission & Benediction			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Go now\, and embrace the new time which God has given us.\nRecognize Christ in friend and stranger\,\nand as Christ has been gracious to you\,\nso be gracious to those in need. \nAnd may God dwell with you as your God.\nMay Christ be your food and drink\nand give you pleasure in your work.\nAnd may the Spirit be your beginning and end\nand hold all your times in her loving embrace. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nSermons\n\n\n\nSermons will open in new tabs from our SYCBaps church website. \n\n\n\n\nWhen I was hungry\, what did you do?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhen I joined your church\, you burned me out!A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nIcons on Street CornersA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWill the Sheep Plead for the Goats?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nJudging NationsA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/abc08/2025-01-01/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/08.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T081845
CREATED:20220904T231259Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220904T231259Z
UID:10002594-1735689600-1735775999@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:New Years Day
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Ecclesiastes 3:1-13			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Things happen in their due season; there is a right time for everything that happens on earth: \na time to be born\,\nand a time to die;\na time to sow the seed\,\nand a time to harvest the crop; \na time to end a life\,\nand a time to rehabilitate;\na time to demolish\,\nand a time to create; \na time to cry\,\nand a time to laugh;\na time to grieve\,\nand a time to party; \na time to throw caution to the wind\,\nand a time to play it safe;\na time to make love\,\nand a time to keep your pants on; \na time to keep searching\,\nand a time to write off the loss;\na time to hold on to what you’ve got\,\nand a time to let it go; \na time to share another’s pain\,\nand a time to urge them to move on;\na time to keep your mouth shut\,\nand a time to speak your mind; \na time to love\,\nand a time to hate;\na time to fight;\nand a time to make peace. \nBut in the end\, what difference does it make what we do? I have observed everyone working hard at the jobs that God has given them. God sets things up so that there is a proper time and place for everything\, but we forget too quickly and fail to learn the lessons of history. We see what has happened and what is happening\, but we can’t make sense of the connections or see what God is doing in it all. So I figure that there is no point in losing too much sleep over it. The most important thing is for people to be happy and to enjoy their lives for as long as they live. What’s more\, there is nothing wrong with eating and drinking and finding satisfaction in our work. They are God’s gifts to us. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 8			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Our LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \nYour glory fills the universe! \nThe gurgling of babies makes more sense\nthan the clever arguments of your enemies.\nThe innocent chatter of children\nsilences the venomous talk of your opponents. \nWhen I gaze at your handiwork in the night skies\n— the moon\, the stars\, the milky way —\nthe whole cosmos under your control;\nI can’t help but wonder why you bother with us.\nWhy do you care so much for mere human beings\nwhen we count for so little in the scheme of things? \nAnd yet\, for reasons known to you alone\,\nyou created us almost on a par with yourself\nand decorated us with the highest honours and glory. \nYou have even entrusted us with power over your precious creation;\nyou placed the future of all life in our hands:\nsheep and cattle;\nemu and kangaroo\ninsects\, reptiles\, birds\, and sea creatures;\nair\, land and water and the planet itself. \nOur LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Revelaton 21: 1-6a			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	I\, John\, had another extraordinary vision. I saw a completely revamped heaven and a radically reconstructed earth. The first heaven\, the first earth and the sea were all but a memory. Then I saw Jerusalem\, the city dedicated to God\, now made completely new. She was coming down the aisle from heaven itself\, from God\, and she looked sensational\, like a bride on her wedding day. I heard a loud voice coming from heaven’s throne. It said: \n“See\, God has moved in and set up home among ordinary people.\nGod will live with them and be their God\,\nand the people will gladly belong\nto the God who lives right in their midst. \nGod will wipe every tear from their eyes.\nDeath will be abolished forever;\npain and grief and tears will be things of the past.\nAll these things have been made obsolete.”  \nThen the one sitting on the throne said\, “Look\, I am making everything new – absolutely everything!”  \n“Write all this down\,” he said\, “because these words can be depended on. They are the truth.” \nThis is what he said: “The job is done! I am the whole story\, from A to Z. I am the beginning and I am the end.” \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Matthew 25: 31-46			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	While speaking to his followers\, Jesus said\, “The day is coming when the New Human will turn up in all his glory\, accompanied by all his angels\, and he will be crowned as king. He will sit down on the judgment seat\, and all the nations of the world will be summoned to appear before him. Like a quality controller sorting out the good fruit from the rejects\, he will carefully sort the nations into two groups\, one on his right side and one on his left. Then the King will say to the group on his right side: \n‘Welcome\, you who have been given the thumbs up by my Father. Ever since the foundation of the world\, there has been a kingdom ready with your name on it. Come now\, and inherit it; because\nI was hungry and you lot fed me\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me a drink\,\nI came seeking asylum and you made me welcome\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot gave me clothes\,\nI was diseased and you took care of me\,\nI was in detention and you visited me.’ \nThen those compassionate nations will ask him\, ‘Lord\, when did we see you hungry and feed you\, or thirsty and give you a drink? When were you a refugee and we welcomed you\, or in detention and we visited you? When did we find you without clothes or sick and do something about it?’ \nAnd the King will reply\, ‘The fact is\, you did these things for people who were regarded as the dregs of society\, but who I love as my nearest and dearest; and each time you helped one of them\, you were helping me.’ \nThen he will say to the nations on the other side: \n‘You lot have been written off. Get out of my sight! A time of fire has been ignited by the devil and his agents\, and you will be swallowed up in it with them; because\nI was hungry and you lot didn’t give me a bite\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me nothing\,\nI came seeking asylum and you wouldn’t let me in\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot left me to freeze\,\nI was diseased and in detention\nand you turned your backs and wouldn’t come near me.’ \nThey too will ask\, ‘Lord\, when was it that we failed to take care of you? We don’t recall seeing you hungry or thirsty or seeking asylum or naked or sick or in detention.’ \nBut he will answer\, ‘The fact is\, you failed to do these things for those who were regarded as the dregs of society\, and each time you turned your backs on them\, you were turning your backs on me.’ \nAnd with that\, those nations will be gone\, swallowed up in the time of punishment. But the nations who did the right thing by others will enjoy life without limit.” \n©2023 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nPrayers\n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Eucharistic Preface			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Let us lift up our hearts.\nWe lift them to the Lord.\nLet us give thanks to the Lord our God.\nIt is right to give our thanks and praise. \nIt is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth we tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We thank you for gathering all our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore\, with our hearts lifted high\,\nwe offer you thanks and praise at all times\nthrough Jesus Christ our Lord\,\nwho lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit\,\none God\, for ever and ever.\nAmen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Declaration of Grace / Absolution			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	In Jesus Christ\, God makes all things new.\nThe former things have disappeared.\nGod will wipe away every tear from our eyes. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Commission & Benediction			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Go now\, and embrace the new time which God has given us.\nRecognize Christ in friend and stranger\,\nand as Christ has been gracious to you\,\nso be gracious to those in need. \nAnd may God dwell with you as your God.\nMay Christ be your food and drink\nand give you pleasure in your work.\nAnd may the Spirit be your beginning and end\nand hold all your times in her loving embrace. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nSermons\n\n\n\nSermons will open in new tabs from our SYCBaps church website. \n\n\n\n\nWhen I was hungry\, what did you do?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhen I joined your church\, you burned me out!A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nIcons on Street CornersA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWill the Sheep Plead for the Goats?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nJudging NationsA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/abc08/2025-01-01/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/08.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T081845
CREATED:20220904T231259Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220904T231259Z
UID:10002670-1735689600-1735775999@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:New Years Day
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Ecclesiastes 3:1-13			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Things happen in their due season; there is a right time for everything that happens on earth: \na time to be born\,\nand a time to die;\na time to sow the seed\,\nand a time to harvest the crop; \na time to end a life\,\nand a time to rehabilitate;\na time to demolish\,\nand a time to create; \na time to cry\,\nand a time to laugh;\na time to grieve\,\nand a time to party; \na time to throw caution to the wind\,\nand a time to play it safe;\na time to make love\,\nand a time to keep your pants on; \na time to keep searching\,\nand a time to write off the loss;\na time to hold on to what you’ve got\,\nand a time to let it go; \na time to share another’s pain\,\nand a time to urge them to move on;\na time to keep your mouth shut\,\nand a time to speak your mind; \na time to love\,\nand a time to hate;\na time to fight;\nand a time to make peace. \nBut in the end\, what difference does it make what we do? I have observed everyone working hard at the jobs that God has given them. God sets things up so that there is a proper time and place for everything\, but we forget too quickly and fail to learn the lessons of history. We see what has happened and what is happening\, but we can’t make sense of the connections or see what God is doing in it all. So I figure that there is no point in losing too much sleep over it. The most important thing is for people to be happy and to enjoy their lives for as long as they live. What’s more\, there is nothing wrong with eating and drinking and finding satisfaction in our work. They are God’s gifts to us. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 8			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Our LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \nYour glory fills the universe! \nThe gurgling of babies makes more sense\nthan the clever arguments of your enemies.\nThe innocent chatter of children\nsilences the venomous talk of your opponents. \nWhen I gaze at your handiwork in the night skies\n— the moon\, the stars\, the milky way —\nthe whole cosmos under your control;\nI can’t help but wonder why you bother with us.\nWhy do you care so much for mere human beings\nwhen we count for so little in the scheme of things? \nAnd yet\, for reasons known to you alone\,\nyou created us almost on a par with yourself\nand decorated us with the highest honours and glory. \nYou have even entrusted us with power over your precious creation;\nyou placed the future of all life in our hands:\nsheep and cattle;\nemu and kangaroo\ninsects\, reptiles\, birds\, and sea creatures;\nair\, land and water and the planet itself. \nOur LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Revelaton 21: 1-6a			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	I\, John\, had another extraordinary vision. I saw a completely revamped heaven and a radically reconstructed earth. The first heaven\, the first earth and the sea were all but a memory. Then I saw Jerusalem\, the city dedicated to God\, now made completely new. She was coming down the aisle from heaven itself\, from God\, and she looked sensational\, like a bride on her wedding day. I heard a loud voice coming from heaven’s throne. It said: \n“See\, God has moved in and set up home among ordinary people.\nGod will live with them and be their God\,\nand the people will gladly belong\nto the God who lives right in their midst. \nGod will wipe every tear from their eyes.\nDeath will be abolished forever;\npain and grief and tears will be things of the past.\nAll these things have been made obsolete.”  \nThen the one sitting on the throne said\, “Look\, I am making everything new – absolutely everything!”  \n“Write all this down\,” he said\, “because these words can be depended on. They are the truth.” \nThis is what he said: “The job is done! I am the whole story\, from A to Z. I am the beginning and I am the end.” \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Matthew 25: 31-46			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	While speaking to his followers\, Jesus said\, “The day is coming when the New Human will turn up in all his glory\, accompanied by all his angels\, and he will be crowned as king. He will sit down on the judgment seat\, and all the nations of the world will be summoned to appear before him. Like a quality controller sorting out the good fruit from the rejects\, he will carefully sort the nations into two groups\, one on his right side and one on his left. Then the King will say to the group on his right side: \n‘Welcome\, you who have been given the thumbs up by my Father. Ever since the foundation of the world\, there has been a kingdom ready with your name on it. Come now\, and inherit it; because\nI was hungry and you lot fed me\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me a drink\,\nI came seeking asylum and you made me welcome\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot gave me clothes\,\nI was diseased and you took care of me\,\nI was in detention and you visited me.’ \nThen those compassionate nations will ask him\, ‘Lord\, when did we see you hungry and feed you\, or thirsty and give you a drink? When were you a refugee and we welcomed you\, or in detention and we visited you? When did we find you without clothes or sick and do something about it?’ \nAnd the King will reply\, ‘The fact is\, you did these things for people who were regarded as the dregs of society\, but who I love as my nearest and dearest; and each time you helped one of them\, you were helping me.’ \nThen he will say to the nations on the other side: \n‘You lot have been written off. Get out of my sight! A time of fire has been ignited by the devil and his agents\, and you will be swallowed up in it with them; because\nI was hungry and you lot didn’t give me a bite\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me nothing\,\nI came seeking asylum and you wouldn’t let me in\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot left me to freeze\,\nI was diseased and in detention\nand you turned your backs and wouldn’t come near me.’ \nThey too will ask\, ‘Lord\, when was it that we failed to take care of you? We don’t recall seeing you hungry or thirsty or seeking asylum or naked or sick or in detention.’ \nBut he will answer\, ‘The fact is\, you failed to do these things for those who were regarded as the dregs of society\, and each time you turned your backs on them\, you were turning your backs on me.’ \nAnd with that\, those nations will be gone\, swallowed up in the time of punishment. But the nations who did the right thing by others will enjoy life without limit.” \n©2023 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nPrayers\n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Eucharistic Preface			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Let us lift up our hearts.\nWe lift them to the Lord.\nLet us give thanks to the Lord our God.\nIt is right to give our thanks and praise. \nIt is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth we tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We thank you for gathering all our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore\, with our hearts lifted high\,\nwe offer you thanks and praise at all times\nthrough Jesus Christ our Lord\,\nwho lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit\,\none God\, for ever and ever.\nAmen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Declaration of Grace / Absolution			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	In Jesus Christ\, God makes all things new.\nThe former things have disappeared.\nGod will wipe away every tear from our eyes. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Commission & Benediction			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Go now\, and embrace the new time which God has given us.\nRecognize Christ in friend and stranger\,\nand as Christ has been gracious to you\,\nso be gracious to those in need. \nAnd may God dwell with you as your God.\nMay Christ be your food and drink\nand give you pleasure in your work.\nAnd may the Spirit be your beginning and end\nand hold all your times in her loving embrace. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nSermons\n\n\n\nSermons will open in new tabs from our SYCBaps church website. \n\n\n\n\nWhen I was hungry\, what did you do?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhen I joined your church\, you burned me out!A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nIcons on Street CornersA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWill the Sheep Plead for the Goats?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nJudging NationsA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/abc08/2025-01-01/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/08.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T081845
CREATED:20220904T231259Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220904T231259Z
UID:10002233-1735689600-1735775999@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:New Years Day
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Ecclesiastes 3:1-13			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Things happen in their due season; there is a right time for everything that happens on earth: \na time to be born\,\nand a time to die;\na time to sow the seed\,\nand a time to harvest the crop; \na time to end a life\,\nand a time to rehabilitate;\na time to demolish\,\nand a time to create; \na time to cry\,\nand a time to laugh;\na time to grieve\,\nand a time to party; \na time to throw caution to the wind\,\nand a time to play it safe;\na time to make love\,\nand a time to keep your pants on; \na time to keep searching\,\nand a time to write off the loss;\na time to hold on to what you’ve got\,\nand a time to let it go; \na time to share another’s pain\,\nand a time to urge them to move on;\na time to keep your mouth shut\,\nand a time to speak your mind; \na time to love\,\nand a time to hate;\na time to fight;\nand a time to make peace. \nBut in the end\, what difference does it make what we do? I have observed everyone working hard at the jobs that God has given them. God sets things up so that there is a proper time and place for everything\, but we forget too quickly and fail to learn the lessons of history. We see what has happened and what is happening\, but we can’t make sense of the connections or see what God is doing in it all. So I figure that there is no point in losing too much sleep over it. The most important thing is for people to be happy and to enjoy their lives for as long as they live. What’s more\, there is nothing wrong with eating and drinking and finding satisfaction in our work. They are God’s gifts to us. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 8			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Our LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \nYour glory fills the universe! \nThe gurgling of babies makes more sense\nthan the clever arguments of your enemies.\nThe innocent chatter of children\nsilences the venomous talk of your opponents. \nWhen I gaze at your handiwork in the night skies\n— the moon\, the stars\, the milky way —\nthe whole cosmos under your control;\nI can’t help but wonder why you bother with us.\nWhy do you care so much for mere human beings\nwhen we count for so little in the scheme of things? \nAnd yet\, for reasons known to you alone\,\nyou created us almost on a par with yourself\nand decorated us with the highest honours and glory. \nYou have even entrusted us with power over your precious creation;\nyou placed the future of all life in our hands:\nsheep and cattle;\nemu and kangaroo\ninsects\, reptiles\, birds\, and sea creatures;\nair\, land and water and the planet itself. \nOur LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Revelaton 21: 1-6a			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	I\, John\, had another extraordinary vision. I saw a completely revamped heaven and a radically reconstructed earth. The first heaven\, the first earth and the sea were all but a memory. Then I saw Jerusalem\, the city dedicated to God\, now made completely new. She was coming down the aisle from heaven itself\, from God\, and she looked sensational\, like a bride on her wedding day. I heard a loud voice coming from heaven’s throne. It said: \n“See\, God has moved in and set up home among ordinary people.\nGod will live with them and be their God\,\nand the people will gladly belong\nto the God who lives right in their midst. \nGod will wipe every tear from their eyes.\nDeath will be abolished forever;\npain and grief and tears will be things of the past.\nAll these things have been made obsolete.”  \nThen the one sitting on the throne said\, “Look\, I am making everything new – absolutely everything!”  \n“Write all this down\,” he said\, “because these words can be depended on. They are the truth.” \nThis is what he said: “The job is done! I am the whole story\, from A to Z. I am the beginning and I am the end.” \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Matthew 25: 31-46			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	While speaking to his followers\, Jesus said\, “The day is coming when the New Human will turn up in all his glory\, accompanied by all his angels\, and he will be crowned as king. He will sit down on the judgment seat\, and all the nations of the world will be summoned to appear before him. Like a quality controller sorting out the good fruit from the rejects\, he will carefully sort the nations into two groups\, one on his right side and one on his left. Then the King will say to the group on his right side: \n‘Welcome\, you who have been given the thumbs up by my Father. Ever since the foundation of the world\, there has been a kingdom ready with your name on it. Come now\, and inherit it; because\nI was hungry and you lot fed me\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me a drink\,\nI came seeking asylum and you made me welcome\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot gave me clothes\,\nI was diseased and you took care of me\,\nI was in detention and you visited me.’ \nThen those compassionate nations will ask him\, ‘Lord\, when did we see you hungry and feed you\, or thirsty and give you a drink? When were you a refugee and we welcomed you\, or in detention and we visited you? When did we find you without clothes or sick and do something about it?’ \nAnd the King will reply\, ‘The fact is\, you did these things for people who were regarded as the dregs of society\, but who I love as my nearest and dearest; and each time you helped one of them\, you were helping me.’ \nThen he will say to the nations on the other side: \n‘You lot have been written off. Get out of my sight! A time of fire has been ignited by the devil and his agents\, and you will be swallowed up in it with them; because\nI was hungry and you lot didn’t give me a bite\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me nothing\,\nI came seeking asylum and you wouldn’t let me in\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot left me to freeze\,\nI was diseased and in detention\nand you turned your backs and wouldn’t come near me.’ \nThey too will ask\, ‘Lord\, when was it that we failed to take care of you? We don’t recall seeing you hungry or thirsty or seeking asylum or naked or sick or in detention.’ \nBut he will answer\, ‘The fact is\, you failed to do these things for those who were regarded as the dregs of society\, and each time you turned your backs on them\, you were turning your backs on me.’ \nAnd with that\, those nations will be gone\, swallowed up in the time of punishment. But the nations who did the right thing by others will enjoy life without limit.” \n©2023 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nPrayers\n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Eucharistic Preface			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Let us lift up our hearts.\nWe lift them to the Lord.\nLet us give thanks to the Lord our God.\nIt is right to give our thanks and praise. \nIt is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth we tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We thank you for gathering all our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore\, with our hearts lifted high\,\nwe offer you thanks and praise at all times\nthrough Jesus Christ our Lord\,\nwho lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit\,\none God\, for ever and ever.\nAmen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Declaration of Grace / Absolution			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	In Jesus Christ\, God makes all things new.\nThe former things have disappeared.\nGod will wipe away every tear from our eyes. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Commission & Benediction			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Go now\, and embrace the new time which God has given us.\nRecognize Christ in friend and stranger\,\nand as Christ has been gracious to you\,\nso be gracious to those in need. \nAnd may God dwell with you as your God.\nMay Christ be your food and drink\nand give you pleasure in your work.\nAnd may the Spirit be your beginning and end\nand hold all your times in her loving embrace. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nSermons\n\n\n\nSermons will open in new tabs from our SYCBaps church website. \n\n\n\n\nWhen I was hungry\, what did you do?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhen I joined your church\, you burned me out!A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nIcons on Street CornersA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWill the Sheep Plead for the Goats?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nJudging NationsA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/abc08/2025-01-01/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/08.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T081845
CREATED:20220904T231259Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220904T231259Z
UID:10002309-1735689600-1735775999@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:New Years Day
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Ecclesiastes 3:1-13			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Things happen in their due season; there is a right time for everything that happens on earth: \na time to be born\,\nand a time to die;\na time to sow the seed\,\nand a time to harvest the crop; \na time to end a life\,\nand a time to rehabilitate;\na time to demolish\,\nand a time to create; \na time to cry\,\nand a time to laugh;\na time to grieve\,\nand a time to party; \na time to throw caution to the wind\,\nand a time to play it safe;\na time to make love\,\nand a time to keep your pants on; \na time to keep searching\,\nand a time to write off the loss;\na time to hold on to what you’ve got\,\nand a time to let it go; \na time to share another’s pain\,\nand a time to urge them to move on;\na time to keep your mouth shut\,\nand a time to speak your mind; \na time to love\,\nand a time to hate;\na time to fight;\nand a time to make peace. \nBut in the end\, what difference does it make what we do? I have observed everyone working hard at the jobs that God has given them. God sets things up so that there is a proper time and place for everything\, but we forget too quickly and fail to learn the lessons of history. We see what has happened and what is happening\, but we can’t make sense of the connections or see what God is doing in it all. So I figure that there is no point in losing too much sleep over it. The most important thing is for people to be happy and to enjoy their lives for as long as they live. What’s more\, there is nothing wrong with eating and drinking and finding satisfaction in our work. They are God’s gifts to us. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 8			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Our LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \nYour glory fills the universe! \nThe gurgling of babies makes more sense\nthan the clever arguments of your enemies.\nThe innocent chatter of children\nsilences the venomous talk of your opponents. \nWhen I gaze at your handiwork in the night skies\n— the moon\, the stars\, the milky way —\nthe whole cosmos under your control;\nI can’t help but wonder why you bother with us.\nWhy do you care so much for mere human beings\nwhen we count for so little in the scheme of things? \nAnd yet\, for reasons known to you alone\,\nyou created us almost on a par with yourself\nand decorated us with the highest honours and glory. \nYou have even entrusted us with power over your precious creation;\nyou placed the future of all life in our hands:\nsheep and cattle;\nemu and kangaroo\ninsects\, reptiles\, birds\, and sea creatures;\nair\, land and water and the planet itself. \nOur LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Revelaton 21: 1-6a			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	I\, John\, had another extraordinary vision. I saw a completely revamped heaven and a radically reconstructed earth. The first heaven\, the first earth and the sea were all but a memory. Then I saw Jerusalem\, the city dedicated to God\, now made completely new. She was coming down the aisle from heaven itself\, from God\, and she looked sensational\, like a bride on her wedding day. I heard a loud voice coming from heaven’s throne. It said: \n“See\, God has moved in and set up home among ordinary people.\nGod will live with them and be their God\,\nand the people will gladly belong\nto the God who lives right in their midst. \nGod will wipe every tear from their eyes.\nDeath will be abolished forever;\npain and grief and tears will be things of the past.\nAll these things have been made obsolete.”  \nThen the one sitting on the throne said\, “Look\, I am making everything new – absolutely everything!”  \n“Write all this down\,” he said\, “because these words can be depended on. They are the truth.” \nThis is what he said: “The job is done! I am the whole story\, from A to Z. I am the beginning and I am the end.” \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Matthew 25: 31-46			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	While speaking to his followers\, Jesus said\, “The day is coming when the New Human will turn up in all his glory\, accompanied by all his angels\, and he will be crowned as king. He will sit down on the judgment seat\, and all the nations of the world will be summoned to appear before him. Like a quality controller sorting out the good fruit from the rejects\, he will carefully sort the nations into two groups\, one on his right side and one on his left. Then the King will say to the group on his right side: \n‘Welcome\, you who have been given the thumbs up by my Father. Ever since the foundation of the world\, there has been a kingdom ready with your name on it. Come now\, and inherit it; because\nI was hungry and you lot fed me\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me a drink\,\nI came seeking asylum and you made me welcome\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot gave me clothes\,\nI was diseased and you took care of me\,\nI was in detention and you visited me.’ \nThen those compassionate nations will ask him\, ‘Lord\, when did we see you hungry and feed you\, or thirsty and give you a drink? When were you a refugee and we welcomed you\, or in detention and we visited you? When did we find you without clothes or sick and do something about it?’ \nAnd the King will reply\, ‘The fact is\, you did these things for people who were regarded as the dregs of society\, but who I love as my nearest and dearest; and each time you helped one of them\, you were helping me.’ \nThen he will say to the nations on the other side: \n‘You lot have been written off. Get out of my sight! A time of fire has been ignited by the devil and his agents\, and you will be swallowed up in it with them; because\nI was hungry and you lot didn’t give me a bite\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me nothing\,\nI came seeking asylum and you wouldn’t let me in\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot left me to freeze\,\nI was diseased and in detention\nand you turned your backs and wouldn’t come near me.’ \nThey too will ask\, ‘Lord\, when was it that we failed to take care of you? We don’t recall seeing you hungry or thirsty or seeking asylum or naked or sick or in detention.’ \nBut he will answer\, ‘The fact is\, you failed to do these things for those who were regarded as the dregs of society\, and each time you turned your backs on them\, you were turning your backs on me.’ \nAnd with that\, those nations will be gone\, swallowed up in the time of punishment. But the nations who did the right thing by others will enjoy life without limit.” \n©2023 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nPrayers\n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Eucharistic Preface			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Let us lift up our hearts.\nWe lift them to the Lord.\nLet us give thanks to the Lord our God.\nIt is right to give our thanks and praise. \nIt is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth we tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We thank you for gathering all our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore\, with our hearts lifted high\,\nwe offer you thanks and praise at all times\nthrough Jesus Christ our Lord\,\nwho lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit\,\none God\, for ever and ever.\nAmen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Declaration of Grace / Absolution			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	In Jesus Christ\, God makes all things new.\nThe former things have disappeared.\nGod will wipe away every tear from our eyes. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Commission & Benediction			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Go now\, and embrace the new time which God has given us.\nRecognize Christ in friend and stranger\,\nand as Christ has been gracious to you\,\nso be gracious to those in need. \nAnd may God dwell with you as your God.\nMay Christ be your food and drink\nand give you pleasure in your work.\nAnd may the Spirit be your beginning and end\nand hold all your times in her loving embrace. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nSermons\n\n\n\nSermons will open in new tabs from our SYCBaps church website. \n\n\n\n\nWhen I was hungry\, what did you do?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhen I joined your church\, you burned me out!A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nIcons on Street CornersA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWill the Sheep Plead for the Goats?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nJudging NationsA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/abc08/2025-01-01/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/08.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T081845
CREATED:20220904T231259Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220904T231259Z
UID:10002385-1735689600-1735775999@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:New Years Day
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Ecclesiastes 3:1-13			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Things happen in their due season; there is a right time for everything that happens on earth: \na time to be born\,\nand a time to die;\na time to sow the seed\,\nand a time to harvest the crop; \na time to end a life\,\nand a time to rehabilitate;\na time to demolish\,\nand a time to create; \na time to cry\,\nand a time to laugh;\na time to grieve\,\nand a time to party; \na time to throw caution to the wind\,\nand a time to play it safe;\na time to make love\,\nand a time to keep your pants on; \na time to keep searching\,\nand a time to write off the loss;\na time to hold on to what you’ve got\,\nand a time to let it go; \na time to share another’s pain\,\nand a time to urge them to move on;\na time to keep your mouth shut\,\nand a time to speak your mind; \na time to love\,\nand a time to hate;\na time to fight;\nand a time to make peace. \nBut in the end\, what difference does it make what we do? I have observed everyone working hard at the jobs that God has given them. God sets things up so that there is a proper time and place for everything\, but we forget too quickly and fail to learn the lessons of history. We see what has happened and what is happening\, but we can’t make sense of the connections or see what God is doing in it all. So I figure that there is no point in losing too much sleep over it. The most important thing is for people to be happy and to enjoy their lives for as long as they live. What’s more\, there is nothing wrong with eating and drinking and finding satisfaction in our work. They are God’s gifts to us. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 8			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Our LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \nYour glory fills the universe! \nThe gurgling of babies makes more sense\nthan the clever arguments of your enemies.\nThe innocent chatter of children\nsilences the venomous talk of your opponents. \nWhen I gaze at your handiwork in the night skies\n— the moon\, the stars\, the milky way —\nthe whole cosmos under your control;\nI can’t help but wonder why you bother with us.\nWhy do you care so much for mere human beings\nwhen we count for so little in the scheme of things? \nAnd yet\, for reasons known to you alone\,\nyou created us almost on a par with yourself\nand decorated us with the highest honours and glory. \nYou have even entrusted us with power over your precious creation;\nyou placed the future of all life in our hands:\nsheep and cattle;\nemu and kangaroo\ninsects\, reptiles\, birds\, and sea creatures;\nair\, land and water and the planet itself. \nOur LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Revelaton 21: 1-6a			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	I\, John\, had another extraordinary vision. I saw a completely revamped heaven and a radically reconstructed earth. The first heaven\, the first earth and the sea were all but a memory. Then I saw Jerusalem\, the city dedicated to God\, now made completely new. She was coming down the aisle from heaven itself\, from God\, and she looked sensational\, like a bride on her wedding day. I heard a loud voice coming from heaven’s throne. It said: \n“See\, God has moved in and set up home among ordinary people.\nGod will live with them and be their God\,\nand the people will gladly belong\nto the God who lives right in their midst. \nGod will wipe every tear from their eyes.\nDeath will be abolished forever;\npain and grief and tears will be things of the past.\nAll these things have been made obsolete.”  \nThen the one sitting on the throne said\, “Look\, I am making everything new – absolutely everything!”  \n“Write all this down\,” he said\, “because these words can be depended on. They are the truth.” \nThis is what he said: “The job is done! I am the whole story\, from A to Z. I am the beginning and I am the end.” \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Matthew 25: 31-46			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	While speaking to his followers\, Jesus said\, “The day is coming when the New Human will turn up in all his glory\, accompanied by all his angels\, and he will be crowned as king. He will sit down on the judgment seat\, and all the nations of the world will be summoned to appear before him. Like a quality controller sorting out the good fruit from the rejects\, he will carefully sort the nations into two groups\, one on his right side and one on his left. Then the King will say to the group on his right side: \n‘Welcome\, you who have been given the thumbs up by my Father. Ever since the foundation of the world\, there has been a kingdom ready with your name on it. Come now\, and inherit it; because\nI was hungry and you lot fed me\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me a drink\,\nI came seeking asylum and you made me welcome\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot gave me clothes\,\nI was diseased and you took care of me\,\nI was in detention and you visited me.’ \nThen those compassionate nations will ask him\, ‘Lord\, when did we see you hungry and feed you\, or thirsty and give you a drink? When were you a refugee and we welcomed you\, or in detention and we visited you? When did we find you without clothes or sick and do something about it?’ \nAnd the King will reply\, ‘The fact is\, you did these things for people who were regarded as the dregs of society\, but who I love as my nearest and dearest; and each time you helped one of them\, you were helping me.’ \nThen he will say to the nations on the other side: \n‘You lot have been written off. Get out of my sight! A time of fire has been ignited by the devil and his agents\, and you will be swallowed up in it with them; because\nI was hungry and you lot didn’t give me a bite\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me nothing\,\nI came seeking asylum and you wouldn’t let me in\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot left me to freeze\,\nI was diseased and in detention\nand you turned your backs and wouldn’t come near me.’ \nThey too will ask\, ‘Lord\, when was it that we failed to take care of you? We don’t recall seeing you hungry or thirsty or seeking asylum or naked or sick or in detention.’ \nBut he will answer\, ‘The fact is\, you failed to do these things for those who were regarded as the dregs of society\, and each time you turned your backs on them\, you were turning your backs on me.’ \nAnd with that\, those nations will be gone\, swallowed up in the time of punishment. But the nations who did the right thing by others will enjoy life without limit.” \n©2023 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nPrayers\n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Eucharistic Preface			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Let us lift up our hearts.\nWe lift them to the Lord.\nLet us give thanks to the Lord our God.\nIt is right to give our thanks and praise. \nIt is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth we tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We thank you for gathering all our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore\, with our hearts lifted high\,\nwe offer you thanks and praise at all times\nthrough Jesus Christ our Lord\,\nwho lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit\,\none God\, for ever and ever.\nAmen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Declaration of Grace / Absolution			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	In Jesus Christ\, God makes all things new.\nThe former things have disappeared.\nGod will wipe away every tear from our eyes. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Commission & Benediction			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Go now\, and embrace the new time which God has given us.\nRecognize Christ in friend and stranger\,\nand as Christ has been gracious to you\,\nso be gracious to those in need. \nAnd may God dwell with you as your God.\nMay Christ be your food and drink\nand give you pleasure in your work.\nAnd may the Spirit be your beginning and end\nand hold all your times in her loving embrace. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nSermons\n\n\n\nSermons will open in new tabs from our SYCBaps church website. \n\n\n\n\nWhen I was hungry\, what did you do?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhen I joined your church\, you burned me out!A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nIcons on Street CornersA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWill the Sheep Plead for the Goats?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nJudging NationsA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/abc08/2025-01-01/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/08.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T081845
CREATED:20220904T231259Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220904T231259Z
UID:10002461-1735689600-1735775999@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:New Years Day
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Ecclesiastes 3:1-13			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Things happen in their due season; there is a right time for everything that happens on earth: \na time to be born\,\nand a time to die;\na time to sow the seed\,\nand a time to harvest the crop; \na time to end a life\,\nand a time to rehabilitate;\na time to demolish\,\nand a time to create; \na time to cry\,\nand a time to laugh;\na time to grieve\,\nand a time to party; \na time to throw caution to the wind\,\nand a time to play it safe;\na time to make love\,\nand a time to keep your pants on; \na time to keep searching\,\nand a time to write off the loss;\na time to hold on to what you’ve got\,\nand a time to let it go; \na time to share another’s pain\,\nand a time to urge them to move on;\na time to keep your mouth shut\,\nand a time to speak your mind; \na time to love\,\nand a time to hate;\na time to fight;\nand a time to make peace. \nBut in the end\, what difference does it make what we do? I have observed everyone working hard at the jobs that God has given them. God sets things up so that there is a proper time and place for everything\, but we forget too quickly and fail to learn the lessons of history. We see what has happened and what is happening\, but we can’t make sense of the connections or see what God is doing in it all. So I figure that there is no point in losing too much sleep over it. The most important thing is for people to be happy and to enjoy their lives for as long as they live. What’s more\, there is nothing wrong with eating and drinking and finding satisfaction in our work. They are God’s gifts to us. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 8			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Our LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \nYour glory fills the universe! \nThe gurgling of babies makes more sense\nthan the clever arguments of your enemies.\nThe innocent chatter of children\nsilences the venomous talk of your opponents. \nWhen I gaze at your handiwork in the night skies\n— the moon\, the stars\, the milky way —\nthe whole cosmos under your control;\nI can’t help but wonder why you bother with us.\nWhy do you care so much for mere human beings\nwhen we count for so little in the scheme of things? \nAnd yet\, for reasons known to you alone\,\nyou created us almost on a par with yourself\nand decorated us with the highest honours and glory. \nYou have even entrusted us with power over your precious creation;\nyou placed the future of all life in our hands:\nsheep and cattle;\nemu and kangaroo\ninsects\, reptiles\, birds\, and sea creatures;\nair\, land and water and the planet itself. \nOur LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Revelaton 21: 1-6a			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	I\, John\, had another extraordinary vision. I saw a completely revamped heaven and a radically reconstructed earth. The first heaven\, the first earth and the sea were all but a memory. Then I saw Jerusalem\, the city dedicated to God\, now made completely new. She was coming down the aisle from heaven itself\, from God\, and she looked sensational\, like a bride on her wedding day. I heard a loud voice coming from heaven’s throne. It said: \n“See\, God has moved in and set up home among ordinary people.\nGod will live with them and be their God\,\nand the people will gladly belong\nto the God who lives right in their midst. \nGod will wipe every tear from their eyes.\nDeath will be abolished forever;\npain and grief and tears will be things of the past.\nAll these things have been made obsolete.”  \nThen the one sitting on the throne said\, “Look\, I am making everything new – absolutely everything!”  \n“Write all this down\,” he said\, “because these words can be depended on. They are the truth.” \nThis is what he said: “The job is done! I am the whole story\, from A to Z. I am the beginning and I am the end.” \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Matthew 25: 31-46			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	While speaking to his followers\, Jesus said\, “The day is coming when the New Human will turn up in all his glory\, accompanied by all his angels\, and he will be crowned as king. He will sit down on the judgment seat\, and all the nations of the world will be summoned to appear before him. Like a quality controller sorting out the good fruit from the rejects\, he will carefully sort the nations into two groups\, one on his right side and one on his left. Then the King will say to the group on his right side: \n‘Welcome\, you who have been given the thumbs up by my Father. Ever since the foundation of the world\, there has been a kingdom ready with your name on it. Come now\, and inherit it; because\nI was hungry and you lot fed me\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me a drink\,\nI came seeking asylum and you made me welcome\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot gave me clothes\,\nI was diseased and you took care of me\,\nI was in detention and you visited me.’ \nThen those compassionate nations will ask him\, ‘Lord\, when did we see you hungry and feed you\, or thirsty and give you a drink? When were you a refugee and we welcomed you\, or in detention and we visited you? When did we find you without clothes or sick and do something about it?’ \nAnd the King will reply\, ‘The fact is\, you did these things for people who were regarded as the dregs of society\, but who I love as my nearest and dearest; and each time you helped one of them\, you were helping me.’ \nThen he will say to the nations on the other side: \n‘You lot have been written off. Get out of my sight! A time of fire has been ignited by the devil and his agents\, and you will be swallowed up in it with them; because\nI was hungry and you lot didn’t give me a bite\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me nothing\,\nI came seeking asylum and you wouldn’t let me in\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot left me to freeze\,\nI was diseased and in detention\nand you turned your backs and wouldn’t come near me.’ \nThey too will ask\, ‘Lord\, when was it that we failed to take care of you? We don’t recall seeing you hungry or thirsty or seeking asylum or naked or sick or in detention.’ \nBut he will answer\, ‘The fact is\, you failed to do these things for those who were regarded as the dregs of society\, and each time you turned your backs on them\, you were turning your backs on me.’ \nAnd with that\, those nations will be gone\, swallowed up in the time of punishment. But the nations who did the right thing by others will enjoy life without limit.” \n©2023 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nPrayers\n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Eucharistic Preface			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Let us lift up our hearts.\nWe lift them to the Lord.\nLet us give thanks to the Lord our God.\nIt is right to give our thanks and praise. \nIt is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth we tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We thank you for gathering all our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore\, with our hearts lifted high\,\nwe offer you thanks and praise at all times\nthrough Jesus Christ our Lord\,\nwho lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit\,\none God\, for ever and ever.\nAmen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Declaration of Grace / Absolution			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	In Jesus Christ\, God makes all things new.\nThe former things have disappeared.\nGod will wipe away every tear from our eyes. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Commission & Benediction			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Go now\, and embrace the new time which God has given us.\nRecognize Christ in friend and stranger\,\nand as Christ has been gracious to you\,\nso be gracious to those in need. \nAnd may God dwell with you as your God.\nMay Christ be your food and drink\nand give you pleasure in your work.\nAnd may the Spirit be your beginning and end\nand hold all your times in her loving embrace. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nSermons\n\n\n\nSermons will open in new tabs from our SYCBaps church website. \n\n\n\n\nWhen I was hungry\, what did you do?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhen I joined your church\, you burned me out!A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nIcons on Street CornersA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWill the Sheep Plead for the Goats?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nJudging NationsA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/abc08/2025-01-01/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/08.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T081845
CREATED:20220904T231259Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220904T231259Z
UID:10002537-1735689600-1735775999@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:New Years Day
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Ecclesiastes 3:1-13			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Things happen in their due season; there is a right time for everything that happens on earth: \na time to be born\,\nand a time to die;\na time to sow the seed\,\nand a time to harvest the crop; \na time to end a life\,\nand a time to rehabilitate;\na time to demolish\,\nand a time to create; \na time to cry\,\nand a time to laugh;\na time to grieve\,\nand a time to party; \na time to throw caution to the wind\,\nand a time to play it safe;\na time to make love\,\nand a time to keep your pants on; \na time to keep searching\,\nand a time to write off the loss;\na time to hold on to what you’ve got\,\nand a time to let it go; \na time to share another’s pain\,\nand a time to urge them to move on;\na time to keep your mouth shut\,\nand a time to speak your mind; \na time to love\,\nand a time to hate;\na time to fight;\nand a time to make peace. \nBut in the end\, what difference does it make what we do? I have observed everyone working hard at the jobs that God has given them. God sets things up so that there is a proper time and place for everything\, but we forget too quickly and fail to learn the lessons of history. We see what has happened and what is happening\, but we can’t make sense of the connections or see what God is doing in it all. So I figure that there is no point in losing too much sleep over it. The most important thing is for people to be happy and to enjoy their lives for as long as they live. What’s more\, there is nothing wrong with eating and drinking and finding satisfaction in our work. They are God’s gifts to us. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 8			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Our LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \nYour glory fills the universe! \nThe gurgling of babies makes more sense\nthan the clever arguments of your enemies.\nThe innocent chatter of children\nsilences the venomous talk of your opponents. \nWhen I gaze at your handiwork in the night skies\n— the moon\, the stars\, the milky way —\nthe whole cosmos under your control;\nI can’t help but wonder why you bother with us.\nWhy do you care so much for mere human beings\nwhen we count for so little in the scheme of things? \nAnd yet\, for reasons known to you alone\,\nyou created us almost on a par with yourself\nand decorated us with the highest honours and glory. \nYou have even entrusted us with power over your precious creation;\nyou placed the future of all life in our hands:\nsheep and cattle;\nemu and kangaroo\ninsects\, reptiles\, birds\, and sea creatures;\nair\, land and water and the planet itself. \nOur LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Revelaton 21: 1-6a			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	I\, John\, had another extraordinary vision. I saw a completely revamped heaven and a radically reconstructed earth. The first heaven\, the first earth and the sea were all but a memory. Then I saw Jerusalem\, the city dedicated to God\, now made completely new. She was coming down the aisle from heaven itself\, from God\, and she looked sensational\, like a bride on her wedding day. I heard a loud voice coming from heaven’s throne. It said: \n“See\, God has moved in and set up home among ordinary people.\nGod will live with them and be their God\,\nand the people will gladly belong\nto the God who lives right in their midst. \nGod will wipe every tear from their eyes.\nDeath will be abolished forever;\npain and grief and tears will be things of the past.\nAll these things have been made obsolete.”  \nThen the one sitting on the throne said\, “Look\, I am making everything new – absolutely everything!”  \n“Write all this down\,” he said\, “because these words can be depended on. They are the truth.” \nThis is what he said: “The job is done! I am the whole story\, from A to Z. I am the beginning and I am the end.” \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Matthew 25: 31-46			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	While speaking to his followers\, Jesus said\, “The day is coming when the New Human will turn up in all his glory\, accompanied by all his angels\, and he will be crowned as king. He will sit down on the judgment seat\, and all the nations of the world will be summoned to appear before him. Like a quality controller sorting out the good fruit from the rejects\, he will carefully sort the nations into two groups\, one on his right side and one on his left. Then the King will say to the group on his right side: \n‘Welcome\, you who have been given the thumbs up by my Father. Ever since the foundation of the world\, there has been a kingdom ready with your name on it. Come now\, and inherit it; because\nI was hungry and you lot fed me\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me a drink\,\nI came seeking asylum and you made me welcome\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot gave me clothes\,\nI was diseased and you took care of me\,\nI was in detention and you visited me.’ \nThen those compassionate nations will ask him\, ‘Lord\, when did we see you hungry and feed you\, or thirsty and give you a drink? When were you a refugee and we welcomed you\, or in detention and we visited you? When did we find you without clothes or sick and do something about it?’ \nAnd the King will reply\, ‘The fact is\, you did these things for people who were regarded as the dregs of society\, but who I love as my nearest and dearest; and each time you helped one of them\, you were helping me.’ \nThen he will say to the nations on the other side: \n‘You lot have been written off. Get out of my sight! A time of fire has been ignited by the devil and his agents\, and you will be swallowed up in it with them; because\nI was hungry and you lot didn’t give me a bite\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me nothing\,\nI came seeking asylum and you wouldn’t let me in\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot left me to freeze\,\nI was diseased and in detention\nand you turned your backs and wouldn’t come near me.’ \nThey too will ask\, ‘Lord\, when was it that we failed to take care of you? We don’t recall seeing you hungry or thirsty or seeking asylum or naked or sick or in detention.’ \nBut he will answer\, ‘The fact is\, you failed to do these things for those who were regarded as the dregs of society\, and each time you turned your backs on them\, you were turning your backs on me.’ \nAnd with that\, those nations will be gone\, swallowed up in the time of punishment. But the nations who did the right thing by others will enjoy life without limit.” \n©2023 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nPrayers\n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Eucharistic Preface			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Let us lift up our hearts.\nWe lift them to the Lord.\nLet us give thanks to the Lord our God.\nIt is right to give our thanks and praise. \nIt is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth we tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We thank you for gathering all our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore\, with our hearts lifted high\,\nwe offer you thanks and praise at all times\nthrough Jesus Christ our Lord\,\nwho lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit\,\none God\, for ever and ever.\nAmen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Declaration of Grace / Absolution			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	In Jesus Christ\, God makes all things new.\nThe former things have disappeared.\nGod will wipe away every tear from our eyes. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Commission & Benediction			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Go now\, and embrace the new time which God has given us.\nRecognize Christ in friend and stranger\,\nand as Christ has been gracious to you\,\nso be gracious to those in need. \nAnd may God dwell with you as your God.\nMay Christ be your food and drink\nand give you pleasure in your work.\nAnd may the Spirit be your beginning and end\nand hold all your times in her loving embrace. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nSermons\n\n\n\nSermons will open in new tabs from our SYCBaps church website. \n\n\n\n\nWhen I was hungry\, what did you do?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhen I joined your church\, you burned me out!A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nIcons on Street CornersA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWill the Sheep Plead for the Goats?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nJudging NationsA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/abc08/2025-01-01/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/08.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T081845
CREATED:20220904T231259Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220904T231259Z
UID:10002613-1735689600-1735775999@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:New Years Day
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Ecclesiastes 3:1-13			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Things happen in their due season; there is a right time for everything that happens on earth: \na time to be born\,\nand a time to die;\na time to sow the seed\,\nand a time to harvest the crop; \na time to end a life\,\nand a time to rehabilitate;\na time to demolish\,\nand a time to create; \na time to cry\,\nand a time to laugh;\na time to grieve\,\nand a time to party; \na time to throw caution to the wind\,\nand a time to play it safe;\na time to make love\,\nand a time to keep your pants on; \na time to keep searching\,\nand a time to write off the loss;\na time to hold on to what you’ve got\,\nand a time to let it go; \na time to share another’s pain\,\nand a time to urge them to move on;\na time to keep your mouth shut\,\nand a time to speak your mind; \na time to love\,\nand a time to hate;\na time to fight;\nand a time to make peace. \nBut in the end\, what difference does it make what we do? I have observed everyone working hard at the jobs that God has given them. God sets things up so that there is a proper time and place for everything\, but we forget too quickly and fail to learn the lessons of history. We see what has happened and what is happening\, but we can’t make sense of the connections or see what God is doing in it all. So I figure that there is no point in losing too much sleep over it. The most important thing is for people to be happy and to enjoy their lives for as long as they live. What’s more\, there is nothing wrong with eating and drinking and finding satisfaction in our work. They are God’s gifts to us. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 8			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Our LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \nYour glory fills the universe! \nThe gurgling of babies makes more sense\nthan the clever arguments of your enemies.\nThe innocent chatter of children\nsilences the venomous talk of your opponents. \nWhen I gaze at your handiwork in the night skies\n— the moon\, the stars\, the milky way —\nthe whole cosmos under your control;\nI can’t help but wonder why you bother with us.\nWhy do you care so much for mere human beings\nwhen we count for so little in the scheme of things? \nAnd yet\, for reasons known to you alone\,\nyou created us almost on a par with yourself\nand decorated us with the highest honours and glory. \nYou have even entrusted us with power over your precious creation;\nyou placed the future of all life in our hands:\nsheep and cattle;\nemu and kangaroo\ninsects\, reptiles\, birds\, and sea creatures;\nair\, land and water and the planet itself. \nOur LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Revelaton 21: 1-6a			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	I\, John\, had another extraordinary vision. I saw a completely revamped heaven and a radically reconstructed earth. The first heaven\, the first earth and the sea were all but a memory. Then I saw Jerusalem\, the city dedicated to God\, now made completely new. She was coming down the aisle from heaven itself\, from God\, and she looked sensational\, like a bride on her wedding day. I heard a loud voice coming from heaven’s throne. It said: \n“See\, God has moved in and set up home among ordinary people.\nGod will live with them and be their God\,\nand the people will gladly belong\nto the God who lives right in their midst. \nGod will wipe every tear from their eyes.\nDeath will be abolished forever;\npain and grief and tears will be things of the past.\nAll these things have been made obsolete.”  \nThen the one sitting on the throne said\, “Look\, I am making everything new – absolutely everything!”  \n“Write all this down\,” he said\, “because these words can be depended on. They are the truth.” \nThis is what he said: “The job is done! I am the whole story\, from A to Z. I am the beginning and I am the end.” \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Matthew 25: 31-46			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	While speaking to his followers\, Jesus said\, “The day is coming when the New Human will turn up in all his glory\, accompanied by all his angels\, and he will be crowned as king. He will sit down on the judgment seat\, and all the nations of the world will be summoned to appear before him. Like a quality controller sorting out the good fruit from the rejects\, he will carefully sort the nations into two groups\, one on his right side and one on his left. Then the King will say to the group on his right side: \n‘Welcome\, you who have been given the thumbs up by my Father. Ever since the foundation of the world\, there has been a kingdom ready with your name on it. Come now\, and inherit it; because\nI was hungry and you lot fed me\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me a drink\,\nI came seeking asylum and you made me welcome\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot gave me clothes\,\nI was diseased and you took care of me\,\nI was in detention and you visited me.’ \nThen those compassionate nations will ask him\, ‘Lord\, when did we see you hungry and feed you\, or thirsty and give you a drink? When were you a refugee and we welcomed you\, or in detention and we visited you? When did we find you without clothes or sick and do something about it?’ \nAnd the King will reply\, ‘The fact is\, you did these things for people who were regarded as the dregs of society\, but who I love as my nearest and dearest; and each time you helped one of them\, you were helping me.’ \nThen he will say to the nations on the other side: \n‘You lot have been written off. Get out of my sight! A time of fire has been ignited by the devil and his agents\, and you will be swallowed up in it with them; because\nI was hungry and you lot didn’t give me a bite\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me nothing\,\nI came seeking asylum and you wouldn’t let me in\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot left me to freeze\,\nI was diseased and in detention\nand you turned your backs and wouldn’t come near me.’ \nThey too will ask\, ‘Lord\, when was it that we failed to take care of you? We don’t recall seeing you hungry or thirsty or seeking asylum or naked or sick or in detention.’ \nBut he will answer\, ‘The fact is\, you failed to do these things for those who were regarded as the dregs of society\, and each time you turned your backs on them\, you were turning your backs on me.’ \nAnd with that\, those nations will be gone\, swallowed up in the time of punishment. But the nations who did the right thing by others will enjoy life without limit.” \n©2023 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nPrayers\n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Eucharistic Preface			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Let us lift up our hearts.\nWe lift them to the Lord.\nLet us give thanks to the Lord our God.\nIt is right to give our thanks and praise. \nIt is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth we tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We thank you for gathering all our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore\, with our hearts lifted high\,\nwe offer you thanks and praise at all times\nthrough Jesus Christ our Lord\,\nwho lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit\,\none God\, for ever and ever.\nAmen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Declaration of Grace / Absolution			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	In Jesus Christ\, God makes all things new.\nThe former things have disappeared.\nGod will wipe away every tear from our eyes. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Commission & Benediction			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Go now\, and embrace the new time which God has given us.\nRecognize Christ in friend and stranger\,\nand as Christ has been gracious to you\,\nso be gracious to those in need. \nAnd may God dwell with you as your God.\nMay Christ be your food and drink\nand give you pleasure in your work.\nAnd may the Spirit be your beginning and end\nand hold all your times in her loving embrace. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nSermons\n\n\n\nSermons will open in new tabs from our SYCBaps church website. \n\n\n\n\nWhen I was hungry\, what did you do?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhen I joined your church\, you burned me out!A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nIcons on Street CornersA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWill the Sheep Plead for the Goats?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nJudging NationsA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/abc08/2025-01-01/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/08.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T081845
CREATED:20220904T231259Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220904T231259Z
UID:10002689-1735689600-1735775999@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:New Years Day
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Ecclesiastes 3:1-13			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Things happen in their due season; there is a right time for everything that happens on earth: \na time to be born\,\nand a time to die;\na time to sow the seed\,\nand a time to harvest the crop; \na time to end a life\,\nand a time to rehabilitate;\na time to demolish\,\nand a time to create; \na time to cry\,\nand a time to laugh;\na time to grieve\,\nand a time to party; \na time to throw caution to the wind\,\nand a time to play it safe;\na time to make love\,\nand a time to keep your pants on; \na time to keep searching\,\nand a time to write off the loss;\na time to hold on to what you’ve got\,\nand a time to let it go; \na time to share another’s pain\,\nand a time to urge them to move on;\na time to keep your mouth shut\,\nand a time to speak your mind; \na time to love\,\nand a time to hate;\na time to fight;\nand a time to make peace. \nBut in the end\, what difference does it make what we do? I have observed everyone working hard at the jobs that God has given them. God sets things up so that there is a proper time and place for everything\, but we forget too quickly and fail to learn the lessons of history. We see what has happened and what is happening\, but we can’t make sense of the connections or see what God is doing in it all. So I figure that there is no point in losing too much sleep over it. The most important thing is for people to be happy and to enjoy their lives for as long as they live. What’s more\, there is nothing wrong with eating and drinking and finding satisfaction in our work. They are God’s gifts to us. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 8			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Our LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \nYour glory fills the universe! \nThe gurgling of babies makes more sense\nthan the clever arguments of your enemies.\nThe innocent chatter of children\nsilences the venomous talk of your opponents. \nWhen I gaze at your handiwork in the night skies\n— the moon\, the stars\, the milky way —\nthe whole cosmos under your control;\nI can’t help but wonder why you bother with us.\nWhy do you care so much for mere human beings\nwhen we count for so little in the scheme of things? \nAnd yet\, for reasons known to you alone\,\nyou created us almost on a par with yourself\nand decorated us with the highest honours and glory. \nYou have even entrusted us with power over your precious creation;\nyou placed the future of all life in our hands:\nsheep and cattle;\nemu and kangaroo\ninsects\, reptiles\, birds\, and sea creatures;\nair\, land and water and the planet itself. \nOur LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Revelaton 21: 1-6a			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	I\, John\, had another extraordinary vision. I saw a completely revamped heaven and a radically reconstructed earth. The first heaven\, the first earth and the sea were all but a memory. Then I saw Jerusalem\, the city dedicated to God\, now made completely new. She was coming down the aisle from heaven itself\, from God\, and she looked sensational\, like a bride on her wedding day. I heard a loud voice coming from heaven’s throne. It said: \n“See\, God has moved in and set up home among ordinary people.\nGod will live with them and be their God\,\nand the people will gladly belong\nto the God who lives right in their midst. \nGod will wipe every tear from their eyes.\nDeath will be abolished forever;\npain and grief and tears will be things of the past.\nAll these things have been made obsolete.”  \nThen the one sitting on the throne said\, “Look\, I am making everything new – absolutely everything!”  \n“Write all this down\,” he said\, “because these words can be depended on. They are the truth.” \nThis is what he said: “The job is done! I am the whole story\, from A to Z. I am the beginning and I am the end.” \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Matthew 25: 31-46			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	While speaking to his followers\, Jesus said\, “The day is coming when the New Human will turn up in all his glory\, accompanied by all his angels\, and he will be crowned as king. He will sit down on the judgment seat\, and all the nations of the world will be summoned to appear before him. Like a quality controller sorting out the good fruit from the rejects\, he will carefully sort the nations into two groups\, one on his right side and one on his left. Then the King will say to the group on his right side: \n‘Welcome\, you who have been given the thumbs up by my Father. Ever since the foundation of the world\, there has been a kingdom ready with your name on it. Come now\, and inherit it; because\nI was hungry and you lot fed me\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me a drink\,\nI came seeking asylum and you made me welcome\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot gave me clothes\,\nI was diseased and you took care of me\,\nI was in detention and you visited me.’ \nThen those compassionate nations will ask him\, ‘Lord\, when did we see you hungry and feed you\, or thirsty and give you a drink? When were you a refugee and we welcomed you\, or in detention and we visited you? When did we find you without clothes or sick and do something about it?’ \nAnd the King will reply\, ‘The fact is\, you did these things for people who were regarded as the dregs of society\, but who I love as my nearest and dearest; and each time you helped one of them\, you were helping me.’ \nThen he will say to the nations on the other side: \n‘You lot have been written off. Get out of my sight! A time of fire has been ignited by the devil and his agents\, and you will be swallowed up in it with them; because\nI was hungry and you lot didn’t give me a bite\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me nothing\,\nI came seeking asylum and you wouldn’t let me in\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot left me to freeze\,\nI was diseased and in detention\nand you turned your backs and wouldn’t come near me.’ \nThey too will ask\, ‘Lord\, when was it that we failed to take care of you? We don’t recall seeing you hungry or thirsty or seeking asylum or naked or sick or in detention.’ \nBut he will answer\, ‘The fact is\, you failed to do these things for those who were regarded as the dregs of society\, and each time you turned your backs on them\, you were turning your backs on me.’ \nAnd with that\, those nations will be gone\, swallowed up in the time of punishment. But the nations who did the right thing by others will enjoy life without limit.” \n©2023 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nPrayers\n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Eucharistic Preface			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Let us lift up our hearts.\nWe lift them to the Lord.\nLet us give thanks to the Lord our God.\nIt is right to give our thanks and praise. \nIt is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth we tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We thank you for gathering all our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore\, with our hearts lifted high\,\nwe offer you thanks and praise at all times\nthrough Jesus Christ our Lord\,\nwho lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit\,\none God\, for ever and ever.\nAmen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Declaration of Grace / Absolution			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	In Jesus Christ\, God makes all things new.\nThe former things have disappeared.\nGod will wipe away every tear from our eyes. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Commission & Benediction			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Go now\, and embrace the new time which God has given us.\nRecognize Christ in friend and stranger\,\nand as Christ has been gracious to you\,\nso be gracious to those in need. \nAnd may God dwell with you as your God.\nMay Christ be your food and drink\nand give you pleasure in your work.\nAnd may the Spirit be your beginning and end\nand hold all your times in her loving embrace. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nSermons\n\n\n\nSermons will open in new tabs from our SYCBaps church website. \n\n\n\n\nWhen I was hungry\, what did you do?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhen I joined your church\, you burned me out!A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nIcons on Street CornersA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWill the Sheep Plead for the Goats?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nJudging NationsA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/abc08/2025-01-01/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/08.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T081845
CREATED:20220904T231259Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220904T231259Z
UID:10002252-1735689600-1735775999@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:New Years Day
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Ecclesiastes 3:1-13			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Things happen in their due season; there is a right time for everything that happens on earth: \na time to be born\,\nand a time to die;\na time to sow the seed\,\nand a time to harvest the crop; \na time to end a life\,\nand a time to rehabilitate;\na time to demolish\,\nand a time to create; \na time to cry\,\nand a time to laugh;\na time to grieve\,\nand a time to party; \na time to throw caution to the wind\,\nand a time to play it safe;\na time to make love\,\nand a time to keep your pants on; \na time to keep searching\,\nand a time to write off the loss;\na time to hold on to what you’ve got\,\nand a time to let it go; \na time to share another’s pain\,\nand a time to urge them to move on;\na time to keep your mouth shut\,\nand a time to speak your mind; \na time to love\,\nand a time to hate;\na time to fight;\nand a time to make peace. \nBut in the end\, what difference does it make what we do? I have observed everyone working hard at the jobs that God has given them. God sets things up so that there is a proper time and place for everything\, but we forget too quickly and fail to learn the lessons of history. We see what has happened and what is happening\, but we can’t make sense of the connections or see what God is doing in it all. So I figure that there is no point in losing too much sleep over it. The most important thing is for people to be happy and to enjoy their lives for as long as they live. What’s more\, there is nothing wrong with eating and drinking and finding satisfaction in our work. They are God’s gifts to us. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 8			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Our LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \nYour glory fills the universe! \nThe gurgling of babies makes more sense\nthan the clever arguments of your enemies.\nThe innocent chatter of children\nsilences the venomous talk of your opponents. \nWhen I gaze at your handiwork in the night skies\n— the moon\, the stars\, the milky way —\nthe whole cosmos under your control;\nI can’t help but wonder why you bother with us.\nWhy do you care so much for mere human beings\nwhen we count for so little in the scheme of things? \nAnd yet\, for reasons known to you alone\,\nyou created us almost on a par with yourself\nand decorated us with the highest honours and glory. \nYou have even entrusted us with power over your precious creation;\nyou placed the future of all life in our hands:\nsheep and cattle;\nemu and kangaroo\ninsects\, reptiles\, birds\, and sea creatures;\nair\, land and water and the planet itself. \nOur LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Revelaton 21: 1-6a			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	I\, John\, had another extraordinary vision. I saw a completely revamped heaven and a radically reconstructed earth. The first heaven\, the first earth and the sea were all but a memory. Then I saw Jerusalem\, the city dedicated to God\, now made completely new. She was coming down the aisle from heaven itself\, from God\, and she looked sensational\, like a bride on her wedding day. I heard a loud voice coming from heaven’s throne. It said: \n“See\, God has moved in and set up home among ordinary people.\nGod will live with them and be their God\,\nand the people will gladly belong\nto the God who lives right in their midst. \nGod will wipe every tear from their eyes.\nDeath will be abolished forever;\npain and grief and tears will be things of the past.\nAll these things have been made obsolete.”  \nThen the one sitting on the throne said\, “Look\, I am making everything new – absolutely everything!”  \n“Write all this down\,” he said\, “because these words can be depended on. They are the truth.” \nThis is what he said: “The job is done! I am the whole story\, from A to Z. I am the beginning and I am the end.” \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Matthew 25: 31-46			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	While speaking to his followers\, Jesus said\, “The day is coming when the New Human will turn up in all his glory\, accompanied by all his angels\, and he will be crowned as king. He will sit down on the judgment seat\, and all the nations of the world will be summoned to appear before him. Like a quality controller sorting out the good fruit from the rejects\, he will carefully sort the nations into two groups\, one on his right side and one on his left. Then the King will say to the group on his right side: \n‘Welcome\, you who have been given the thumbs up by my Father. Ever since the foundation of the world\, there has been a kingdom ready with your name on it. Come now\, and inherit it; because\nI was hungry and you lot fed me\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me a drink\,\nI came seeking asylum and you made me welcome\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot gave me clothes\,\nI was diseased and you took care of me\,\nI was in detention and you visited me.’ \nThen those compassionate nations will ask him\, ‘Lord\, when did we see you hungry and feed you\, or thirsty and give you a drink? When were you a refugee and we welcomed you\, or in detention and we visited you? When did we find you without clothes or sick and do something about it?’ \nAnd the King will reply\, ‘The fact is\, you did these things for people who were regarded as the dregs of society\, but who I love as my nearest and dearest; and each time you helped one of them\, you were helping me.’ \nThen he will say to the nations on the other side: \n‘You lot have been written off. Get out of my sight! A time of fire has been ignited by the devil and his agents\, and you will be swallowed up in it with them; because\nI was hungry and you lot didn’t give me a bite\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me nothing\,\nI came seeking asylum and you wouldn’t let me in\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot left me to freeze\,\nI was diseased and in detention\nand you turned your backs and wouldn’t come near me.’ \nThey too will ask\, ‘Lord\, when was it that we failed to take care of you? We don’t recall seeing you hungry or thirsty or seeking asylum or naked or sick or in detention.’ \nBut he will answer\, ‘The fact is\, you failed to do these things for those who were regarded as the dregs of society\, and each time you turned your backs on them\, you were turning your backs on me.’ \nAnd with that\, those nations will be gone\, swallowed up in the time of punishment. But the nations who did the right thing by others will enjoy life without limit.” \n©2023 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nPrayers\n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Eucharistic Preface			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Let us lift up our hearts.\nWe lift them to the Lord.\nLet us give thanks to the Lord our God.\nIt is right to give our thanks and praise. \nIt is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth we tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We thank you for gathering all our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore\, with our hearts lifted high\,\nwe offer you thanks and praise at all times\nthrough Jesus Christ our Lord\,\nwho lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit\,\none God\, for ever and ever.\nAmen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Declaration of Grace / Absolution			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	In Jesus Christ\, God makes all things new.\nThe former things have disappeared.\nGod will wipe away every tear from our eyes. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Commission & Benediction			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Go now\, and embrace the new time which God has given us.\nRecognize Christ in friend and stranger\,\nand as Christ has been gracious to you\,\nso be gracious to those in need. \nAnd may God dwell with you as your God.\nMay Christ be your food and drink\nand give you pleasure in your work.\nAnd may the Spirit be your beginning and end\nand hold all your times in her loving embrace. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nSermons\n\n\n\nSermons will open in new tabs from our SYCBaps church website. \n\n\n\n\nWhen I was hungry\, what did you do?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhen I joined your church\, you burned me out!A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nIcons on Street CornersA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWill the Sheep Plead for the Goats?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nJudging NationsA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/abc08/2025-01-01/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/08.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T081845
CREATED:20220904T231259Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220904T231259Z
UID:10002328-1735689600-1735775999@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:New Years Day
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Ecclesiastes 3:1-13			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Things happen in their due season; there is a right time for everything that happens on earth: \na time to be born\,\nand a time to die;\na time to sow the seed\,\nand a time to harvest the crop; \na time to end a life\,\nand a time to rehabilitate;\na time to demolish\,\nand a time to create; \na time to cry\,\nand a time to laugh;\na time to grieve\,\nand a time to party; \na time to throw caution to the wind\,\nand a time to play it safe;\na time to make love\,\nand a time to keep your pants on; \na time to keep searching\,\nand a time to write off the loss;\na time to hold on to what you’ve got\,\nand a time to let it go; \na time to share another’s pain\,\nand a time to urge them to move on;\na time to keep your mouth shut\,\nand a time to speak your mind; \na time to love\,\nand a time to hate;\na time to fight;\nand a time to make peace. \nBut in the end\, what difference does it make what we do? I have observed everyone working hard at the jobs that God has given them. God sets things up so that there is a proper time and place for everything\, but we forget too quickly and fail to learn the lessons of history. We see what has happened and what is happening\, but we can’t make sense of the connections or see what God is doing in it all. So I figure that there is no point in losing too much sleep over it. The most important thing is for people to be happy and to enjoy their lives for as long as they live. What’s more\, there is nothing wrong with eating and drinking and finding satisfaction in our work. They are God’s gifts to us. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 8			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Our LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \nYour glory fills the universe! \nThe gurgling of babies makes more sense\nthan the clever arguments of your enemies.\nThe innocent chatter of children\nsilences the venomous talk of your opponents. \nWhen I gaze at your handiwork in the night skies\n— the moon\, the stars\, the milky way —\nthe whole cosmos under your control;\nI can’t help but wonder why you bother with us.\nWhy do you care so much for mere human beings\nwhen we count for so little in the scheme of things? \nAnd yet\, for reasons known to you alone\,\nyou created us almost on a par with yourself\nand decorated us with the highest honours and glory. \nYou have even entrusted us with power over your precious creation;\nyou placed the future of all life in our hands:\nsheep and cattle;\nemu and kangaroo\ninsects\, reptiles\, birds\, and sea creatures;\nair\, land and water and the planet itself. \nOur LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Revelaton 21: 1-6a			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	I\, John\, had another extraordinary vision. I saw a completely revamped heaven and a radically reconstructed earth. The first heaven\, the first earth and the sea were all but a memory. Then I saw Jerusalem\, the city dedicated to God\, now made completely new. She was coming down the aisle from heaven itself\, from God\, and she looked sensational\, like a bride on her wedding day. I heard a loud voice coming from heaven’s throne. It said: \n“See\, God has moved in and set up home among ordinary people.\nGod will live with them and be their God\,\nand the people will gladly belong\nto the God who lives right in their midst. \nGod will wipe every tear from their eyes.\nDeath will be abolished forever;\npain and grief and tears will be things of the past.\nAll these things have been made obsolete.”  \nThen the one sitting on the throne said\, “Look\, I am making everything new – absolutely everything!”  \n“Write all this down\,” he said\, “because these words can be depended on. They are the truth.” \nThis is what he said: “The job is done! I am the whole story\, from A to Z. I am the beginning and I am the end.” \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Matthew 25: 31-46			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	While speaking to his followers\, Jesus said\, “The day is coming when the New Human will turn up in all his glory\, accompanied by all his angels\, and he will be crowned as king. He will sit down on the judgment seat\, and all the nations of the world will be summoned to appear before him. Like a quality controller sorting out the good fruit from the rejects\, he will carefully sort the nations into two groups\, one on his right side and one on his left. Then the King will say to the group on his right side: \n‘Welcome\, you who have been given the thumbs up by my Father. Ever since the foundation of the world\, there has been a kingdom ready with your name on it. Come now\, and inherit it; because\nI was hungry and you lot fed me\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me a drink\,\nI came seeking asylum and you made me welcome\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot gave me clothes\,\nI was diseased and you took care of me\,\nI was in detention and you visited me.’ \nThen those compassionate nations will ask him\, ‘Lord\, when did we see you hungry and feed you\, or thirsty and give you a drink? When were you a refugee and we welcomed you\, or in detention and we visited you? When did we find you without clothes or sick and do something about it?’ \nAnd the King will reply\, ‘The fact is\, you did these things for people who were regarded as the dregs of society\, but who I love as my nearest and dearest; and each time you helped one of them\, you were helping me.’ \nThen he will say to the nations on the other side: \n‘You lot have been written off. Get out of my sight! A time of fire has been ignited by the devil and his agents\, and you will be swallowed up in it with them; because\nI was hungry and you lot didn’t give me a bite\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me nothing\,\nI came seeking asylum and you wouldn’t let me in\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot left me to freeze\,\nI was diseased and in detention\nand you turned your backs and wouldn’t come near me.’ \nThey too will ask\, ‘Lord\, when was it that we failed to take care of you? We don’t recall seeing you hungry or thirsty or seeking asylum or naked or sick or in detention.’ \nBut he will answer\, ‘The fact is\, you failed to do these things for those who were regarded as the dregs of society\, and each time you turned your backs on them\, you were turning your backs on me.’ \nAnd with that\, those nations will be gone\, swallowed up in the time of punishment. But the nations who did the right thing by others will enjoy life without limit.” \n©2023 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nPrayers\n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Eucharistic Preface			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Let us lift up our hearts.\nWe lift them to the Lord.\nLet us give thanks to the Lord our God.\nIt is right to give our thanks and praise. \nIt is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth we tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We thank you for gathering all our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore\, with our hearts lifted high\,\nwe offer you thanks and praise at all times\nthrough Jesus Christ our Lord\,\nwho lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit\,\none God\, for ever and ever.\nAmen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Declaration of Grace / Absolution			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	In Jesus Christ\, God makes all things new.\nThe former things have disappeared.\nGod will wipe away every tear from our eyes. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Commission & Benediction			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Go now\, and embrace the new time which God has given us.\nRecognize Christ in friend and stranger\,\nand as Christ has been gracious to you\,\nso be gracious to those in need. \nAnd may God dwell with you as your God.\nMay Christ be your food and drink\nand give you pleasure in your work.\nAnd may the Spirit be your beginning and end\nand hold all your times in her loving embrace. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nSermons\n\n\n\nSermons will open in new tabs from our SYCBaps church website. \n\n\n\n\nWhen I was hungry\, what did you do?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhen I joined your church\, you burned me out!A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nIcons on Street CornersA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWill the Sheep Plead for the Goats?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nJudging NationsA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/abc08/2025-01-01/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/08.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T081845
CREATED:20220904T231259Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220904T231259Z
UID:10002404-1735689600-1735775999@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:New Years Day
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Ecclesiastes 3:1-13			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Things happen in their due season; there is a right time for everything that happens on earth: \na time to be born\,\nand a time to die;\na time to sow the seed\,\nand a time to harvest the crop; \na time to end a life\,\nand a time to rehabilitate;\na time to demolish\,\nand a time to create; \na time to cry\,\nand a time to laugh;\na time to grieve\,\nand a time to party; \na time to throw caution to the wind\,\nand a time to play it safe;\na time to make love\,\nand a time to keep your pants on; \na time to keep searching\,\nand a time to write off the loss;\na time to hold on to what you’ve got\,\nand a time to let it go; \na time to share another’s pain\,\nand a time to urge them to move on;\na time to keep your mouth shut\,\nand a time to speak your mind; \na time to love\,\nand a time to hate;\na time to fight;\nand a time to make peace. \nBut in the end\, what difference does it make what we do? I have observed everyone working hard at the jobs that God has given them. God sets things up so that there is a proper time and place for everything\, but we forget too quickly and fail to learn the lessons of history. We see what has happened and what is happening\, but we can’t make sense of the connections or see what God is doing in it all. So I figure that there is no point in losing too much sleep over it. The most important thing is for people to be happy and to enjoy their lives for as long as they live. What’s more\, there is nothing wrong with eating and drinking and finding satisfaction in our work. They are God’s gifts to us. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 8			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Our LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \nYour glory fills the universe! \nThe gurgling of babies makes more sense\nthan the clever arguments of your enemies.\nThe innocent chatter of children\nsilences the venomous talk of your opponents. \nWhen I gaze at your handiwork in the night skies\n— the moon\, the stars\, the milky way —\nthe whole cosmos under your control;\nI can’t help but wonder why you bother with us.\nWhy do you care so much for mere human beings\nwhen we count for so little in the scheme of things? \nAnd yet\, for reasons known to you alone\,\nyou created us almost on a par with yourself\nand decorated us with the highest honours and glory. \nYou have even entrusted us with power over your precious creation;\nyou placed the future of all life in our hands:\nsheep and cattle;\nemu and kangaroo\ninsects\, reptiles\, birds\, and sea creatures;\nair\, land and water and the planet itself. \nOur LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Revelaton 21: 1-6a			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	I\, John\, had another extraordinary vision. I saw a completely revamped heaven and a radically reconstructed earth. The first heaven\, the first earth and the sea were all but a memory. Then I saw Jerusalem\, the city dedicated to God\, now made completely new. She was coming down the aisle from heaven itself\, from God\, and she looked sensational\, like a bride on her wedding day. I heard a loud voice coming from heaven’s throne. It said: \n“See\, God has moved in and set up home among ordinary people.\nGod will live with them and be their God\,\nand the people will gladly belong\nto the God who lives right in their midst. \nGod will wipe every tear from their eyes.\nDeath will be abolished forever;\npain and grief and tears will be things of the past.\nAll these things have been made obsolete.”  \nThen the one sitting on the throne said\, “Look\, I am making everything new – absolutely everything!”  \n“Write all this down\,” he said\, “because these words can be depended on. They are the truth.” \nThis is what he said: “The job is done! I am the whole story\, from A to Z. I am the beginning and I am the end.” \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Matthew 25: 31-46			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	While speaking to his followers\, Jesus said\, “The day is coming when the New Human will turn up in all his glory\, accompanied by all his angels\, and he will be crowned as king. He will sit down on the judgment seat\, and all the nations of the world will be summoned to appear before him. Like a quality controller sorting out the good fruit from the rejects\, he will carefully sort the nations into two groups\, one on his right side and one on his left. Then the King will say to the group on his right side: \n‘Welcome\, you who have been given the thumbs up by my Father. Ever since the foundation of the world\, there has been a kingdom ready with your name on it. Come now\, and inherit it; because\nI was hungry and you lot fed me\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me a drink\,\nI came seeking asylum and you made me welcome\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot gave me clothes\,\nI was diseased and you took care of me\,\nI was in detention and you visited me.’ \nThen those compassionate nations will ask him\, ‘Lord\, when did we see you hungry and feed you\, or thirsty and give you a drink? When were you a refugee and we welcomed you\, or in detention and we visited you? When did we find you without clothes or sick and do something about it?’ \nAnd the King will reply\, ‘The fact is\, you did these things for people who were regarded as the dregs of society\, but who I love as my nearest and dearest; and each time you helped one of them\, you were helping me.’ \nThen he will say to the nations on the other side: \n‘You lot have been written off. Get out of my sight! A time of fire has been ignited by the devil and his agents\, and you will be swallowed up in it with them; because\nI was hungry and you lot didn’t give me a bite\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me nothing\,\nI came seeking asylum and you wouldn’t let me in\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot left me to freeze\,\nI was diseased and in detention\nand you turned your backs and wouldn’t come near me.’ \nThey too will ask\, ‘Lord\, when was it that we failed to take care of you? We don’t recall seeing you hungry or thirsty or seeking asylum or naked or sick or in detention.’ \nBut he will answer\, ‘The fact is\, you failed to do these things for those who were regarded as the dregs of society\, and each time you turned your backs on them\, you were turning your backs on me.’ \nAnd with that\, those nations will be gone\, swallowed up in the time of punishment. But the nations who did the right thing by others will enjoy life without limit.” \n©2023 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nPrayers\n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Eucharistic Preface			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Let us lift up our hearts.\nWe lift them to the Lord.\nLet us give thanks to the Lord our God.\nIt is right to give our thanks and praise. \nIt is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth we tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We thank you for gathering all our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore\, with our hearts lifted high\,\nwe offer you thanks and praise at all times\nthrough Jesus Christ our Lord\,\nwho lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit\,\none God\, for ever and ever.\nAmen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Declaration of Grace / Absolution			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	In Jesus Christ\, God makes all things new.\nThe former things have disappeared.\nGod will wipe away every tear from our eyes. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Commission & Benediction			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Go now\, and embrace the new time which God has given us.\nRecognize Christ in friend and stranger\,\nand as Christ has been gracious to you\,\nso be gracious to those in need. \nAnd may God dwell with you as your God.\nMay Christ be your food and drink\nand give you pleasure in your work.\nAnd may the Spirit be your beginning and end\nand hold all your times in her loving embrace. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nSermons\n\n\n\nSermons will open in new tabs from our SYCBaps church website. \n\n\n\n\nWhen I was hungry\, what did you do?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhen I joined your church\, you burned me out!A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nIcons on Street CornersA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWill the Sheep Plead for the Goats?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nJudging NationsA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/abc08/2025-01-01/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/08.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T081845
CREATED:20220904T231259Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220904T231259Z
UID:10002480-1735689600-1735775999@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:New Years Day
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Ecclesiastes 3:1-13			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Things happen in their due season; there is a right time for everything that happens on earth: \na time to be born\,\nand a time to die;\na time to sow the seed\,\nand a time to harvest the crop; \na time to end a life\,\nand a time to rehabilitate;\na time to demolish\,\nand a time to create; \na time to cry\,\nand a time to laugh;\na time to grieve\,\nand a time to party; \na time to throw caution to the wind\,\nand a time to play it safe;\na time to make love\,\nand a time to keep your pants on; \na time to keep searching\,\nand a time to write off the loss;\na time to hold on to what you’ve got\,\nand a time to let it go; \na time to share another’s pain\,\nand a time to urge them to move on;\na time to keep your mouth shut\,\nand a time to speak your mind; \na time to love\,\nand a time to hate;\na time to fight;\nand a time to make peace. \nBut in the end\, what difference does it make what we do? I have observed everyone working hard at the jobs that God has given them. God sets things up so that there is a proper time and place for everything\, but we forget too quickly and fail to learn the lessons of history. We see what has happened and what is happening\, but we can’t make sense of the connections or see what God is doing in it all. So I figure that there is no point in losing too much sleep over it. The most important thing is for people to be happy and to enjoy their lives for as long as they live. What’s more\, there is nothing wrong with eating and drinking and finding satisfaction in our work. They are God’s gifts to us. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 8			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Our LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \nYour glory fills the universe! \nThe gurgling of babies makes more sense\nthan the clever arguments of your enemies.\nThe innocent chatter of children\nsilences the venomous talk of your opponents. \nWhen I gaze at your handiwork in the night skies\n— the moon\, the stars\, the milky way —\nthe whole cosmos under your control;\nI can’t help but wonder why you bother with us.\nWhy do you care so much for mere human beings\nwhen we count for so little in the scheme of things? \nAnd yet\, for reasons known to you alone\,\nyou created us almost on a par with yourself\nand decorated us with the highest honours and glory. \nYou have even entrusted us with power over your precious creation;\nyou placed the future of all life in our hands:\nsheep and cattle;\nemu and kangaroo\ninsects\, reptiles\, birds\, and sea creatures;\nair\, land and water and the planet itself. \nOur LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Revelaton 21: 1-6a			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	I\, John\, had another extraordinary vision. I saw a completely revamped heaven and a radically reconstructed earth. The first heaven\, the first earth and the sea were all but a memory. Then I saw Jerusalem\, the city dedicated to God\, now made completely new. She was coming down the aisle from heaven itself\, from God\, and she looked sensational\, like a bride on her wedding day. I heard a loud voice coming from heaven’s throne. It said: \n“See\, God has moved in and set up home among ordinary people.\nGod will live with them and be their God\,\nand the people will gladly belong\nto the God who lives right in their midst. \nGod will wipe every tear from their eyes.\nDeath will be abolished forever;\npain and grief and tears will be things of the past.\nAll these things have been made obsolete.”  \nThen the one sitting on the throne said\, “Look\, I am making everything new – absolutely everything!”  \n“Write all this down\,” he said\, “because these words can be depended on. They are the truth.” \nThis is what he said: “The job is done! I am the whole story\, from A to Z. I am the beginning and I am the end.” \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Matthew 25: 31-46			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	While speaking to his followers\, Jesus said\, “The day is coming when the New Human will turn up in all his glory\, accompanied by all his angels\, and he will be crowned as king. He will sit down on the judgment seat\, and all the nations of the world will be summoned to appear before him. Like a quality controller sorting out the good fruit from the rejects\, he will carefully sort the nations into two groups\, one on his right side and one on his left. Then the King will say to the group on his right side: \n‘Welcome\, you who have been given the thumbs up by my Father. Ever since the foundation of the world\, there has been a kingdom ready with your name on it. Come now\, and inherit it; because\nI was hungry and you lot fed me\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me a drink\,\nI came seeking asylum and you made me welcome\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot gave me clothes\,\nI was diseased and you took care of me\,\nI was in detention and you visited me.’ \nThen those compassionate nations will ask him\, ‘Lord\, when did we see you hungry and feed you\, or thirsty and give you a drink? When were you a refugee and we welcomed you\, or in detention and we visited you? When did we find you without clothes or sick and do something about it?’ \nAnd the King will reply\, ‘The fact is\, you did these things for people who were regarded as the dregs of society\, but who I love as my nearest and dearest; and each time you helped one of them\, you were helping me.’ \nThen he will say to the nations on the other side: \n‘You lot have been written off. Get out of my sight! A time of fire has been ignited by the devil and his agents\, and you will be swallowed up in it with them; because\nI was hungry and you lot didn’t give me a bite\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me nothing\,\nI came seeking asylum and you wouldn’t let me in\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot left me to freeze\,\nI was diseased and in detention\nand you turned your backs and wouldn’t come near me.’ \nThey too will ask\, ‘Lord\, when was it that we failed to take care of you? We don’t recall seeing you hungry or thirsty or seeking asylum or naked or sick or in detention.’ \nBut he will answer\, ‘The fact is\, you failed to do these things for those who were regarded as the dregs of society\, and each time you turned your backs on them\, you were turning your backs on me.’ \nAnd with that\, those nations will be gone\, swallowed up in the time of punishment. But the nations who did the right thing by others will enjoy life without limit.” \n©2023 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nPrayers\n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Eucharistic Preface			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Let us lift up our hearts.\nWe lift them to the Lord.\nLet us give thanks to the Lord our God.\nIt is right to give our thanks and praise. \nIt is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth we tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We thank you for gathering all our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore\, with our hearts lifted high\,\nwe offer you thanks and praise at all times\nthrough Jesus Christ our Lord\,\nwho lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit\,\none God\, for ever and ever.\nAmen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Declaration of Grace / Absolution			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	In Jesus Christ\, God makes all things new.\nThe former things have disappeared.\nGod will wipe away every tear from our eyes. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Commission & Benediction			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Go now\, and embrace the new time which God has given us.\nRecognize Christ in friend and stranger\,\nand as Christ has been gracious to you\,\nso be gracious to those in need. \nAnd may God dwell with you as your God.\nMay Christ be your food and drink\nand give you pleasure in your work.\nAnd may the Spirit be your beginning and end\nand hold all your times in her loving embrace. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nSermons\n\n\n\nSermons will open in new tabs from our SYCBaps church website. \n\n\n\n\nWhen I was hungry\, what did you do?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhen I joined your church\, you burned me out!A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nIcons on Street CornersA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWill the Sheep Plead for the Goats?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nJudging NationsA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/abc08/2025-01-01/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/08.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T081845
CREATED:20220904T231259Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220904T231259Z
UID:10002556-1735689600-1735775999@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:New Years Day
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Ecclesiastes 3:1-13			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Things happen in their due season; there is a right time for everything that happens on earth: \na time to be born\,\nand a time to die;\na time to sow the seed\,\nand a time to harvest the crop; \na time to end a life\,\nand a time to rehabilitate;\na time to demolish\,\nand a time to create; \na time to cry\,\nand a time to laugh;\na time to grieve\,\nand a time to party; \na time to throw caution to the wind\,\nand a time to play it safe;\na time to make love\,\nand a time to keep your pants on; \na time to keep searching\,\nand a time to write off the loss;\na time to hold on to what you’ve got\,\nand a time to let it go; \na time to share another’s pain\,\nand a time to urge them to move on;\na time to keep your mouth shut\,\nand a time to speak your mind; \na time to love\,\nand a time to hate;\na time to fight;\nand a time to make peace. \nBut in the end\, what difference does it make what we do? I have observed everyone working hard at the jobs that God has given them. God sets things up so that there is a proper time and place for everything\, but we forget too quickly and fail to learn the lessons of history. We see what has happened and what is happening\, but we can’t make sense of the connections or see what God is doing in it all. So I figure that there is no point in losing too much sleep over it. The most important thing is for people to be happy and to enjoy their lives for as long as they live. What’s more\, there is nothing wrong with eating and drinking and finding satisfaction in our work. They are God’s gifts to us. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 8			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Our LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \nYour glory fills the universe! \nThe gurgling of babies makes more sense\nthan the clever arguments of your enemies.\nThe innocent chatter of children\nsilences the venomous talk of your opponents. \nWhen I gaze at your handiwork in the night skies\n— the moon\, the stars\, the milky way —\nthe whole cosmos under your control;\nI can’t help but wonder why you bother with us.\nWhy do you care so much for mere human beings\nwhen we count for so little in the scheme of things? \nAnd yet\, for reasons known to you alone\,\nyou created us almost on a par with yourself\nand decorated us with the highest honours and glory. \nYou have even entrusted us with power over your precious creation;\nyou placed the future of all life in our hands:\nsheep and cattle;\nemu and kangaroo\ninsects\, reptiles\, birds\, and sea creatures;\nair\, land and water and the planet itself. \nOur LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Revelaton 21: 1-6a			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	I\, John\, had another extraordinary vision. I saw a completely revamped heaven and a radically reconstructed earth. The first heaven\, the first earth and the sea were all but a memory. Then I saw Jerusalem\, the city dedicated to God\, now made completely new. She was coming down the aisle from heaven itself\, from God\, and she looked sensational\, like a bride on her wedding day. I heard a loud voice coming from heaven’s throne. It said: \n“See\, God has moved in and set up home among ordinary people.\nGod will live with them and be their God\,\nand the people will gladly belong\nto the God who lives right in their midst. \nGod will wipe every tear from their eyes.\nDeath will be abolished forever;\npain and grief and tears will be things of the past.\nAll these things have been made obsolete.”  \nThen the one sitting on the throne said\, “Look\, I am making everything new – absolutely everything!”  \n“Write all this down\,” he said\, “because these words can be depended on. They are the truth.” \nThis is what he said: “The job is done! I am the whole story\, from A to Z. I am the beginning and I am the end.” \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Matthew 25: 31-46			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	While speaking to his followers\, Jesus said\, “The day is coming when the New Human will turn up in all his glory\, accompanied by all his angels\, and he will be crowned as king. He will sit down on the judgment seat\, and all the nations of the world will be summoned to appear before him. Like a quality controller sorting out the good fruit from the rejects\, he will carefully sort the nations into two groups\, one on his right side and one on his left. Then the King will say to the group on his right side: \n‘Welcome\, you who have been given the thumbs up by my Father. Ever since the foundation of the world\, there has been a kingdom ready with your name on it. Come now\, and inherit it; because\nI was hungry and you lot fed me\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me a drink\,\nI came seeking asylum and you made me welcome\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot gave me clothes\,\nI was diseased and you took care of me\,\nI was in detention and you visited me.’ \nThen those compassionate nations will ask him\, ‘Lord\, when did we see you hungry and feed you\, or thirsty and give you a drink? When were you a refugee and we welcomed you\, or in detention and we visited you? When did we find you without clothes or sick and do something about it?’ \nAnd the King will reply\, ‘The fact is\, you did these things for people who were regarded as the dregs of society\, but who I love as my nearest and dearest; and each time you helped one of them\, you were helping me.’ \nThen he will say to the nations on the other side: \n‘You lot have been written off. Get out of my sight! A time of fire has been ignited by the devil and his agents\, and you will be swallowed up in it with them; because\nI was hungry and you lot didn’t give me a bite\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me nothing\,\nI came seeking asylum and you wouldn’t let me in\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot left me to freeze\,\nI was diseased and in detention\nand you turned your backs and wouldn’t come near me.’ \nThey too will ask\, ‘Lord\, when was it that we failed to take care of you? We don’t recall seeing you hungry or thirsty or seeking asylum or naked or sick or in detention.’ \nBut he will answer\, ‘The fact is\, you failed to do these things for those who were regarded as the dregs of society\, and each time you turned your backs on them\, you were turning your backs on me.’ \nAnd with that\, those nations will be gone\, swallowed up in the time of punishment. But the nations who did the right thing by others will enjoy life without limit.” \n©2023 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nPrayers\n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Eucharistic Preface			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Let us lift up our hearts.\nWe lift them to the Lord.\nLet us give thanks to the Lord our God.\nIt is right to give our thanks and praise. \nIt is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth we tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We thank you for gathering all our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore\, with our hearts lifted high\,\nwe offer you thanks and praise at all times\nthrough Jesus Christ our Lord\,\nwho lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit\,\none God\, for ever and ever.\nAmen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Declaration of Grace / Absolution			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	In Jesus Christ\, God makes all things new.\nThe former things have disappeared.\nGod will wipe away every tear from our eyes. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Commission & Benediction			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Go now\, and embrace the new time which God has given us.\nRecognize Christ in friend and stranger\,\nand as Christ has been gracious to you\,\nso be gracious to those in need. \nAnd may God dwell with you as your God.\nMay Christ be your food and drink\nand give you pleasure in your work.\nAnd may the Spirit be your beginning and end\nand hold all your times in her loving embrace. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nSermons\n\n\n\nSermons will open in new tabs from our SYCBaps church website. \n\n\n\n\nWhen I was hungry\, what did you do?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhen I joined your church\, you burned me out!A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nIcons on Street CornersA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWill the Sheep Plead for the Goats?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nJudging NationsA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/abc08/2025-01-01/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/08.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T081845
CREATED:20220904T231259Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220904T231259Z
UID:10002632-1735689600-1735775999@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:New Years Day
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Ecclesiastes 3:1-13			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Things happen in their due season; there is a right time for everything that happens on earth: \na time to be born\,\nand a time to die;\na time to sow the seed\,\nand a time to harvest the crop; \na time to end a life\,\nand a time to rehabilitate;\na time to demolish\,\nand a time to create; \na time to cry\,\nand a time to laugh;\na time to grieve\,\nand a time to party; \na time to throw caution to the wind\,\nand a time to play it safe;\na time to make love\,\nand a time to keep your pants on; \na time to keep searching\,\nand a time to write off the loss;\na time to hold on to what you’ve got\,\nand a time to let it go; \na time to share another’s pain\,\nand a time to urge them to move on;\na time to keep your mouth shut\,\nand a time to speak your mind; \na time to love\,\nand a time to hate;\na time to fight;\nand a time to make peace. \nBut in the end\, what difference does it make what we do? I have observed everyone working hard at the jobs that God has given them. God sets things up so that there is a proper time and place for everything\, but we forget too quickly and fail to learn the lessons of history. We see what has happened and what is happening\, but we can’t make sense of the connections or see what God is doing in it all. So I figure that there is no point in losing too much sleep over it. The most important thing is for people to be happy and to enjoy their lives for as long as they live. What’s more\, there is nothing wrong with eating and drinking and finding satisfaction in our work. They are God’s gifts to us. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 8			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Our LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \nYour glory fills the universe! \nThe gurgling of babies makes more sense\nthan the clever arguments of your enemies.\nThe innocent chatter of children\nsilences the venomous talk of your opponents. \nWhen I gaze at your handiwork in the night skies\n— the moon\, the stars\, the milky way —\nthe whole cosmos under your control;\nI can’t help but wonder why you bother with us.\nWhy do you care so much for mere human beings\nwhen we count for so little in the scheme of things? \nAnd yet\, for reasons known to you alone\,\nyou created us almost on a par with yourself\nand decorated us with the highest honours and glory. \nYou have even entrusted us with power over your precious creation;\nyou placed the future of all life in our hands:\nsheep and cattle;\nemu and kangaroo\ninsects\, reptiles\, birds\, and sea creatures;\nair\, land and water and the planet itself. \nOur LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Revelaton 21: 1-6a			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	I\, John\, had another extraordinary vision. I saw a completely revamped heaven and a radically reconstructed earth. The first heaven\, the first earth and the sea were all but a memory. Then I saw Jerusalem\, the city dedicated to God\, now made completely new. She was coming down the aisle from heaven itself\, from God\, and she looked sensational\, like a bride on her wedding day. I heard a loud voice coming from heaven’s throne. It said: \n“See\, God has moved in and set up home among ordinary people.\nGod will live with them and be their God\,\nand the people will gladly belong\nto the God who lives right in their midst. \nGod will wipe every tear from their eyes.\nDeath will be abolished forever;\npain and grief and tears will be things of the past.\nAll these things have been made obsolete.”  \nThen the one sitting on the throne said\, “Look\, I am making everything new – absolutely everything!”  \n“Write all this down\,” he said\, “because these words can be depended on. They are the truth.” \nThis is what he said: “The job is done! I am the whole story\, from A to Z. I am the beginning and I am the end.” \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Matthew 25: 31-46			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	While speaking to his followers\, Jesus said\, “The day is coming when the New Human will turn up in all his glory\, accompanied by all his angels\, and he will be crowned as king. He will sit down on the judgment seat\, and all the nations of the world will be summoned to appear before him. Like a quality controller sorting out the good fruit from the rejects\, he will carefully sort the nations into two groups\, one on his right side and one on his left. Then the King will say to the group on his right side: \n‘Welcome\, you who have been given the thumbs up by my Father. Ever since the foundation of the world\, there has been a kingdom ready with your name on it. Come now\, and inherit it; because\nI was hungry and you lot fed me\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me a drink\,\nI came seeking asylum and you made me welcome\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot gave me clothes\,\nI was diseased and you took care of me\,\nI was in detention and you visited me.’ \nThen those compassionate nations will ask him\, ‘Lord\, when did we see you hungry and feed you\, or thirsty and give you a drink? When were you a refugee and we welcomed you\, or in detention and we visited you? When did we find you without clothes or sick and do something about it?’ \nAnd the King will reply\, ‘The fact is\, you did these things for people who were regarded as the dregs of society\, but who I love as my nearest and dearest; and each time you helped one of them\, you were helping me.’ \nThen he will say to the nations on the other side: \n‘You lot have been written off. Get out of my sight! A time of fire has been ignited by the devil and his agents\, and you will be swallowed up in it with them; because\nI was hungry and you lot didn’t give me a bite\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me nothing\,\nI came seeking asylum and you wouldn’t let me in\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot left me to freeze\,\nI was diseased and in detention\nand you turned your backs and wouldn’t come near me.’ \nThey too will ask\, ‘Lord\, when was it that we failed to take care of you? We don’t recall seeing you hungry or thirsty or seeking asylum or naked or sick or in detention.’ \nBut he will answer\, ‘The fact is\, you failed to do these things for those who were regarded as the dregs of society\, and each time you turned your backs on them\, you were turning your backs on me.’ \nAnd with that\, those nations will be gone\, swallowed up in the time of punishment. But the nations who did the right thing by others will enjoy life without limit.” \n©2023 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nPrayers\n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Eucharistic Preface			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Let us lift up our hearts.\nWe lift them to the Lord.\nLet us give thanks to the Lord our God.\nIt is right to give our thanks and praise. \nIt is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth we tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We thank you for gathering all our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore\, with our hearts lifted high\,\nwe offer you thanks and praise at all times\nthrough Jesus Christ our Lord\,\nwho lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit\,\none God\, for ever and ever.\nAmen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Declaration of Grace / Absolution			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	In Jesus Christ\, God makes all things new.\nThe former things have disappeared.\nGod will wipe away every tear from our eyes. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Commission & Benediction			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Go now\, and embrace the new time which God has given us.\nRecognize Christ in friend and stranger\,\nand as Christ has been gracious to you\,\nso be gracious to those in need. \nAnd may God dwell with you as your God.\nMay Christ be your food and drink\nand give you pleasure in your work.\nAnd may the Spirit be your beginning and end\nand hold all your times in her loving embrace. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nSermons\n\n\n\nSermons will open in new tabs from our SYCBaps church website. \n\n\n\n\nWhen I was hungry\, what did you do?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhen I joined your church\, you burned me out!A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nIcons on Street CornersA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWill the Sheep Plead for the Goats?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nJudging NationsA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/abc08/2025-01-01/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/08.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T081845
CREATED:20220904T231259Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260201T003352Z
UID:10001906-1735689600-1735775999@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:New Years Day
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Ecclesiastes 3:1-13			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Things happen in their due season; there is a right time for everything that happens on earth: \na time to be born\,\nand a time to die;\na time to sow the seed\,\nand a time to harvest the crop; \na time to end a life\,\nand a time to rehabilitate;\na time to demolish\,\nand a time to create; \na time to cry\,\nand a time to laugh;\na time to grieve\,\nand a time to party; \na time to throw caution to the wind\,\nand a time to play it safe;\na time to make love\,\nand a time to keep your pants on; \na time to keep searching\,\nand a time to write off the loss;\na time to hold on to what you’ve got\,\nand a time to let it go; \na time to share another’s pain\,\nand a time to urge them to move on;\na time to keep your mouth shut\,\nand a time to speak your mind; \na time to love\,\nand a time to hate;\na time to fight;\nand a time to make peace. \nBut in the end\, what difference does it make what we do? I have observed everyone working hard at the jobs that God has given them. God sets things up so that there is a proper time and place for everything\, but we forget too quickly and fail to learn the lessons of history. We see what has happened and what is happening\, but we can’t make sense of the connections or see what God is doing in it all. So I figure that there is no point in losing too much sleep over it. The most important thing is for people to be happy and to enjoy their lives for as long as they live. What’s more\, there is nothing wrong with eating and drinking and finding satisfaction in our work. They are God’s gifts to us. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 8			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Our LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \nYour glory fills the universe! \nThe gurgling of babies makes more sense\nthan the clever arguments of your enemies.\nThe innocent chatter of children\nsilences the venomous talk of your opponents. \nWhen I gaze at your handiwork in the night skies\n— the moon\, the stars\, the milky way —\nthe whole cosmos under your control;\nI can’t help but wonder why you bother with us.\nWhy do you care so much for mere human beings\nwhen we count for so little in the scheme of things? \nAnd yet\, for reasons known to you alone\,\nyou created us almost on a par with yourself\nand decorated us with the highest honours and glory. \nYou have even entrusted us with power over your precious creation;\nyou placed the future of all life in our hands:\nsheep and cattle;\nemu and kangaroo\ninsects\, reptiles\, birds\, and sea creatures;\nair\, land and water and the planet itself. \nOur LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Revelaton 21: 1-6a			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	I\, John\, had another extraordinary vision. I saw a completely revamped heaven and a radically reconstructed earth. The first heaven\, the first earth and the sea were all but a memory. Then I saw Jerusalem\, the city dedicated to God\, now made completely new. She was coming down the aisle from heaven itself\, from God\, and she looked sensational\, like a bride on her wedding day. I heard a loud voice coming from heaven’s throne. It said: \n“See\, God has moved in and set up home among ordinary people.\nGod will live with them and be their God\,\nand the people will gladly belong\nto the God who lives right in their midst. \nGod will wipe every tear from their eyes.\nDeath will be abolished forever;\npain and grief and tears will be things of the past.\nAll these things have been made obsolete.”  \nThen the one sitting on the throne said\, “Look\, I am making everything new – absolutely everything!”  \n“Write all this down\,” he said\, “because these words can be depended on. They are the truth.” \nThis is what he said: “The job is done! I am the whole story\, from A to Z. I am the beginning and I am the end.” \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Matthew 25: 31-46			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	While speaking to his followers\, Jesus said\, “The day is coming when the New Human will turn up in all his glory\, accompanied by all his angels\, and he will be crowned as king. He will sit down on the judgment seat\, and all the nations of the world will be summoned to appear before him. Like a quality controller sorting out the good fruit from the rejects\, he will carefully sort the nations into two groups\, one on his right side and one on his left. Then the King will say to the group on his right side: \n‘Welcome\, you who have been given the thumbs up by my Father. Ever since the foundation of the world\, there has been a kingdom ready with your name on it. Come now\, and inherit it; because\nI was hungry and you lot fed me\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me a drink\,\nI came seeking asylum and you made me welcome\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot gave me clothes\,\nI was diseased and you took care of me\,\nI was in detention and you visited me.’ \nThen those compassionate nations will ask him\, ‘Lord\, when did we see you hungry and feed you\, or thirsty and give you a drink? When were you a refugee and we welcomed you\, or in detention and we visited you? When did we find you without clothes or sick and do something about it?’ \nAnd the King will reply\, ‘The fact is\, you did these things for people who were regarded as the dregs of society\, but who I love as my nearest and dearest; and each time you helped one of them\, you were helping me.’ \nThen he will say to the nations on the other side: \n‘You lot have been written off. Get out of my sight! A time of fire has been ignited by the devil and his agents\, and you will be swallowed up in it with them; because\nI was hungry and you lot didn’t give me a bite\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me nothing\,\nI came seeking asylum and you wouldn’t let me in\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot left me to freeze\,\nI was diseased and in detention\nand you turned your backs and wouldn’t come near me.’ \nThey too will ask\, ‘Lord\, when was it that we failed to take care of you? We don’t recall seeing you hungry or thirsty or seeking asylum or naked or sick or in detention.’ \nBut he will answer\, ‘The fact is\, you failed to do these things for those who were regarded as the dregs of society\, and each time you turned your backs on them\, you were turning your backs on me.’ \nAnd with that\, those nations will be gone\, swallowed up in the time of punishment. But the nations who did the right thing by others will enjoy life without limit.” \n©2023 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nPrayers\n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Eucharistic Preface			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Let us lift up our hearts.\nWe lift them to the Lord.\nLet us give thanks to the Lord our God.\nIt is right to give our thanks and praise. \nIt is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth we tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We thank you for gathering all our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore\, with our hearts lifted high\,\nwe offer you thanks and praise at all times\nthrough Jesus Christ our Lord\,\nwho lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit\,\none God\, for ever and ever.\nAmen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Declaration of Grace / Absolution			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	In Jesus Christ\, God makes all things new.\nThe former things have disappeared.\nGod will wipe away every tear from our eyes. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Commission & Benediction			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Go now\, and embrace the new time which God has given us.\nRecognize Christ in friend and stranger\,\nand as Christ has been gracious to you\,\nso be gracious to those in need. \nAnd may God dwell with you as your God.\nMay Christ be your food and drink\nand give you pleasure in your work.\nAnd may the Spirit be your beginning and end\nand hold all your times in her loving embrace. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nSermons\n\n\n\nSermons will open in new tabs from our SYCBaps church website. \n\n\n\n\nWhen I was hungry\, what did you do?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhen I joined your church\, you burned me out!A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nIcons on Street CornersA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWill the Sheep Plead for the Goats?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nJudging NationsA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/abc08/2025-01-01/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/08.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T081845
CREATED:20220904T231259Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220904T231259Z
UID:10002271-1735689600-1735775999@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:New Years Day
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Ecclesiastes 3:1-13			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Things happen in their due season; there is a right time for everything that happens on earth: \na time to be born\,\nand a time to die;\na time to sow the seed\,\nand a time to harvest the crop; \na time to end a life\,\nand a time to rehabilitate;\na time to demolish\,\nand a time to create; \na time to cry\,\nand a time to laugh;\na time to grieve\,\nand a time to party; \na time to throw caution to the wind\,\nand a time to play it safe;\na time to make love\,\nand a time to keep your pants on; \na time to keep searching\,\nand a time to write off the loss;\na time to hold on to what you’ve got\,\nand a time to let it go; \na time to share another’s pain\,\nand a time to urge them to move on;\na time to keep your mouth shut\,\nand a time to speak your mind; \na time to love\,\nand a time to hate;\na time to fight;\nand a time to make peace. \nBut in the end\, what difference does it make what we do? I have observed everyone working hard at the jobs that God has given them. God sets things up so that there is a proper time and place for everything\, but we forget too quickly and fail to learn the lessons of history. We see what has happened and what is happening\, but we can’t make sense of the connections or see what God is doing in it all. So I figure that there is no point in losing too much sleep over it. The most important thing is for people to be happy and to enjoy their lives for as long as they live. What’s more\, there is nothing wrong with eating and drinking and finding satisfaction in our work. They are God’s gifts to us. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 8			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Our LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \nYour glory fills the universe! \nThe gurgling of babies makes more sense\nthan the clever arguments of your enemies.\nThe innocent chatter of children\nsilences the venomous talk of your opponents. \nWhen I gaze at your handiwork in the night skies\n— the moon\, the stars\, the milky way —\nthe whole cosmos under your control;\nI can’t help but wonder why you bother with us.\nWhy do you care so much for mere human beings\nwhen we count for so little in the scheme of things? \nAnd yet\, for reasons known to you alone\,\nyou created us almost on a par with yourself\nand decorated us with the highest honours and glory. \nYou have even entrusted us with power over your precious creation;\nyou placed the future of all life in our hands:\nsheep and cattle;\nemu and kangaroo\ninsects\, reptiles\, birds\, and sea creatures;\nair\, land and water and the planet itself. \nOur LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Revelaton 21: 1-6a			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	I\, John\, had another extraordinary vision. I saw a completely revamped heaven and a radically reconstructed earth. The first heaven\, the first earth and the sea were all but a memory. Then I saw Jerusalem\, the city dedicated to God\, now made completely new. She was coming down the aisle from heaven itself\, from God\, and she looked sensational\, like a bride on her wedding day. I heard a loud voice coming from heaven’s throne. It said: \n“See\, God has moved in and set up home among ordinary people.\nGod will live with them and be their God\,\nand the people will gladly belong\nto the God who lives right in their midst. \nGod will wipe every tear from their eyes.\nDeath will be abolished forever;\npain and grief and tears will be things of the past.\nAll these things have been made obsolete.”  \nThen the one sitting on the throne said\, “Look\, I am making everything new – absolutely everything!”  \n“Write all this down\,” he said\, “because these words can be depended on. They are the truth.” \nThis is what he said: “The job is done! I am the whole story\, from A to Z. I am the beginning and I am the end.” \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Matthew 25: 31-46			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	While speaking to his followers\, Jesus said\, “The day is coming when the New Human will turn up in all his glory\, accompanied by all his angels\, and he will be crowned as king. He will sit down on the judgment seat\, and all the nations of the world will be summoned to appear before him. Like a quality controller sorting out the good fruit from the rejects\, he will carefully sort the nations into two groups\, one on his right side and one on his left. Then the King will say to the group on his right side: \n‘Welcome\, you who have been given the thumbs up by my Father. Ever since the foundation of the world\, there has been a kingdom ready with your name on it. Come now\, and inherit it; because\nI was hungry and you lot fed me\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me a drink\,\nI came seeking asylum and you made me welcome\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot gave me clothes\,\nI was diseased and you took care of me\,\nI was in detention and you visited me.’ \nThen those compassionate nations will ask him\, ‘Lord\, when did we see you hungry and feed you\, or thirsty and give you a drink? When were you a refugee and we welcomed you\, or in detention and we visited you? When did we find you without clothes or sick and do something about it?’ \nAnd the King will reply\, ‘The fact is\, you did these things for people who were regarded as the dregs of society\, but who I love as my nearest and dearest; and each time you helped one of them\, you were helping me.’ \nThen he will say to the nations on the other side: \n‘You lot have been written off. Get out of my sight! A time of fire has been ignited by the devil and his agents\, and you will be swallowed up in it with them; because\nI was hungry and you lot didn’t give me a bite\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me nothing\,\nI came seeking asylum and you wouldn’t let me in\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot left me to freeze\,\nI was diseased and in detention\nand you turned your backs and wouldn’t come near me.’ \nThey too will ask\, ‘Lord\, when was it that we failed to take care of you? We don’t recall seeing you hungry or thirsty or seeking asylum or naked or sick or in detention.’ \nBut he will answer\, ‘The fact is\, you failed to do these things for those who were regarded as the dregs of society\, and each time you turned your backs on them\, you were turning your backs on me.’ \nAnd with that\, those nations will be gone\, swallowed up in the time of punishment. But the nations who did the right thing by others will enjoy life without limit.” \n©2023 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nPrayers\n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Eucharistic Preface			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Let us lift up our hearts.\nWe lift them to the Lord.\nLet us give thanks to the Lord our God.\nIt is right to give our thanks and praise. \nIt is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth we tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We thank you for gathering all our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore\, with our hearts lifted high\,\nwe offer you thanks and praise at all times\nthrough Jesus Christ our Lord\,\nwho lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit\,\none God\, for ever and ever.\nAmen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Declaration of Grace / Absolution			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	In Jesus Christ\, God makes all things new.\nThe former things have disappeared.\nGod will wipe away every tear from our eyes. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Commission & Benediction			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Go now\, and embrace the new time which God has given us.\nRecognize Christ in friend and stranger\,\nand as Christ has been gracious to you\,\nso be gracious to those in need. \nAnd may God dwell with you as your God.\nMay Christ be your food and drink\nand give you pleasure in your work.\nAnd may the Spirit be your beginning and end\nand hold all your times in her loving embrace. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nSermons\n\n\n\nSermons will open in new tabs from our SYCBaps church website. \n\n\n\n\nWhen I was hungry\, what did you do?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhen I joined your church\, you burned me out!A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nIcons on Street CornersA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWill the Sheep Plead for the Goats?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nJudging NationsA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/abc08/2025-01-01/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/08.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T081845
CREATED:20220904T231259Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220904T231259Z
UID:10002347-1735689600-1735775999@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:New Years Day
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Ecclesiastes 3:1-13			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Things happen in their due season; there is a right time for everything that happens on earth: \na time to be born\,\nand a time to die;\na time to sow the seed\,\nand a time to harvest the crop; \na time to end a life\,\nand a time to rehabilitate;\na time to demolish\,\nand a time to create; \na time to cry\,\nand a time to laugh;\na time to grieve\,\nand a time to party; \na time to throw caution to the wind\,\nand a time to play it safe;\na time to make love\,\nand a time to keep your pants on; \na time to keep searching\,\nand a time to write off the loss;\na time to hold on to what you’ve got\,\nand a time to let it go; \na time to share another’s pain\,\nand a time to urge them to move on;\na time to keep your mouth shut\,\nand a time to speak your mind; \na time to love\,\nand a time to hate;\na time to fight;\nand a time to make peace. \nBut in the end\, what difference does it make what we do? I have observed everyone working hard at the jobs that God has given them. God sets things up so that there is a proper time and place for everything\, but we forget too quickly and fail to learn the lessons of history. We see what has happened and what is happening\, but we can’t make sense of the connections or see what God is doing in it all. So I figure that there is no point in losing too much sleep over it. The most important thing is for people to be happy and to enjoy their lives for as long as they live. What’s more\, there is nothing wrong with eating and drinking and finding satisfaction in our work. They are God’s gifts to us. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 8			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Our LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \nYour glory fills the universe! \nThe gurgling of babies makes more sense\nthan the clever arguments of your enemies.\nThe innocent chatter of children\nsilences the venomous talk of your opponents. \nWhen I gaze at your handiwork in the night skies\n— the moon\, the stars\, the milky way —\nthe whole cosmos under your control;\nI can’t help but wonder why you bother with us.\nWhy do you care so much for mere human beings\nwhen we count for so little in the scheme of things? \nAnd yet\, for reasons known to you alone\,\nyou created us almost on a par with yourself\nand decorated us with the highest honours and glory. \nYou have even entrusted us with power over your precious creation;\nyou placed the future of all life in our hands:\nsheep and cattle;\nemu and kangaroo\ninsects\, reptiles\, birds\, and sea creatures;\nair\, land and water and the planet itself. \nOur LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Revelaton 21: 1-6a			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	I\, John\, had another extraordinary vision. I saw a completely revamped heaven and a radically reconstructed earth. The first heaven\, the first earth and the sea were all but a memory. Then I saw Jerusalem\, the city dedicated to God\, now made completely new. She was coming down the aisle from heaven itself\, from God\, and she looked sensational\, like a bride on her wedding day. I heard a loud voice coming from heaven’s throne. It said: \n“See\, God has moved in and set up home among ordinary people.\nGod will live with them and be their God\,\nand the people will gladly belong\nto the God who lives right in their midst. \nGod will wipe every tear from their eyes.\nDeath will be abolished forever;\npain and grief and tears will be things of the past.\nAll these things have been made obsolete.”  \nThen the one sitting on the throne said\, “Look\, I am making everything new – absolutely everything!”  \n“Write all this down\,” he said\, “because these words can be depended on. They are the truth.” \nThis is what he said: “The job is done! I am the whole story\, from A to Z. I am the beginning and I am the end.” \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Matthew 25: 31-46			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	While speaking to his followers\, Jesus said\, “The day is coming when the New Human will turn up in all his glory\, accompanied by all his angels\, and he will be crowned as king. He will sit down on the judgment seat\, and all the nations of the world will be summoned to appear before him. Like a quality controller sorting out the good fruit from the rejects\, he will carefully sort the nations into two groups\, one on his right side and one on his left. Then the King will say to the group on his right side: \n‘Welcome\, you who have been given the thumbs up by my Father. Ever since the foundation of the world\, there has been a kingdom ready with your name on it. Come now\, and inherit it; because\nI was hungry and you lot fed me\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me a drink\,\nI came seeking asylum and you made me welcome\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot gave me clothes\,\nI was diseased and you took care of me\,\nI was in detention and you visited me.’ \nThen those compassionate nations will ask him\, ‘Lord\, when did we see you hungry and feed you\, or thirsty and give you a drink? When were you a refugee and we welcomed you\, or in detention and we visited you? When did we find you without clothes or sick and do something about it?’ \nAnd the King will reply\, ‘The fact is\, you did these things for people who were regarded as the dregs of society\, but who I love as my nearest and dearest; and each time you helped one of them\, you were helping me.’ \nThen he will say to the nations on the other side: \n‘You lot have been written off. Get out of my sight! A time of fire has been ignited by the devil and his agents\, and you will be swallowed up in it with them; because\nI was hungry and you lot didn’t give me a bite\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me nothing\,\nI came seeking asylum and you wouldn’t let me in\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot left me to freeze\,\nI was diseased and in detention\nand you turned your backs and wouldn’t come near me.’ \nThey too will ask\, ‘Lord\, when was it that we failed to take care of you? We don’t recall seeing you hungry or thirsty or seeking asylum or naked or sick or in detention.’ \nBut he will answer\, ‘The fact is\, you failed to do these things for those who were regarded as the dregs of society\, and each time you turned your backs on them\, you were turning your backs on me.’ \nAnd with that\, those nations will be gone\, swallowed up in the time of punishment. But the nations who did the right thing by others will enjoy life without limit.” \n©2023 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nPrayers\n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Eucharistic Preface			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Let us lift up our hearts.\nWe lift them to the Lord.\nLet us give thanks to the Lord our God.\nIt is right to give our thanks and praise. \nIt is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth we tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We thank you for gathering all our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore\, with our hearts lifted high\,\nwe offer you thanks and praise at all times\nthrough Jesus Christ our Lord\,\nwho lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit\,\none God\, for ever and ever.\nAmen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Declaration of Grace / Absolution			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	In Jesus Christ\, God makes all things new.\nThe former things have disappeared.\nGod will wipe away every tear from our eyes. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Commission & Benediction			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Go now\, and embrace the new time which God has given us.\nRecognize Christ in friend and stranger\,\nand as Christ has been gracious to you\,\nso be gracious to those in need. \nAnd may God dwell with you as your God.\nMay Christ be your food and drink\nand give you pleasure in your work.\nAnd may the Spirit be your beginning and end\nand hold all your times in her loving embrace. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nSermons\n\n\n\nSermons will open in new tabs from our SYCBaps church website. \n\n\n\n\nWhen I was hungry\, what did you do?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhen I joined your church\, you burned me out!A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nIcons on Street CornersA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWill the Sheep Plead for the Goats?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nJudging NationsA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/abc08/2025-01-01/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/08.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T081845
CREATED:20220904T231259Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220904T231259Z
UID:10002423-1735689600-1735775999@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:New Years Day
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Ecclesiastes 3:1-13			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Things happen in their due season; there is a right time for everything that happens on earth: \na time to be born\,\nand a time to die;\na time to sow the seed\,\nand a time to harvest the crop; \na time to end a life\,\nand a time to rehabilitate;\na time to demolish\,\nand a time to create; \na time to cry\,\nand a time to laugh;\na time to grieve\,\nand a time to party; \na time to throw caution to the wind\,\nand a time to play it safe;\na time to make love\,\nand a time to keep your pants on; \na time to keep searching\,\nand a time to write off the loss;\na time to hold on to what you’ve got\,\nand a time to let it go; \na time to share another’s pain\,\nand a time to urge them to move on;\na time to keep your mouth shut\,\nand a time to speak your mind; \na time to love\,\nand a time to hate;\na time to fight;\nand a time to make peace. \nBut in the end\, what difference does it make what we do? I have observed everyone working hard at the jobs that God has given them. God sets things up so that there is a proper time and place for everything\, but we forget too quickly and fail to learn the lessons of history. We see what has happened and what is happening\, but we can’t make sense of the connections or see what God is doing in it all. So I figure that there is no point in losing too much sleep over it. The most important thing is for people to be happy and to enjoy their lives for as long as they live. What’s more\, there is nothing wrong with eating and drinking and finding satisfaction in our work. They are God’s gifts to us. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 8			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Our LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \nYour glory fills the universe! \nThe gurgling of babies makes more sense\nthan the clever arguments of your enemies.\nThe innocent chatter of children\nsilences the venomous talk of your opponents. \nWhen I gaze at your handiwork in the night skies\n— the moon\, the stars\, the milky way —\nthe whole cosmos under your control;\nI can’t help but wonder why you bother with us.\nWhy do you care so much for mere human beings\nwhen we count for so little in the scheme of things? \nAnd yet\, for reasons known to you alone\,\nyou created us almost on a par with yourself\nand decorated us with the highest honours and glory. \nYou have even entrusted us with power over your precious creation;\nyou placed the future of all life in our hands:\nsheep and cattle;\nemu and kangaroo\ninsects\, reptiles\, birds\, and sea creatures;\nair\, land and water and the planet itself. \nOur LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Revelaton 21: 1-6a			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	I\, John\, had another extraordinary vision. I saw a completely revamped heaven and a radically reconstructed earth. The first heaven\, the first earth and the sea were all but a memory. Then I saw Jerusalem\, the city dedicated to God\, now made completely new. She was coming down the aisle from heaven itself\, from God\, and she looked sensational\, like a bride on her wedding day. I heard a loud voice coming from heaven’s throne. It said: \n“See\, God has moved in and set up home among ordinary people.\nGod will live with them and be their God\,\nand the people will gladly belong\nto the God who lives right in their midst. \nGod will wipe every tear from their eyes.\nDeath will be abolished forever;\npain and grief and tears will be things of the past.\nAll these things have been made obsolete.”  \nThen the one sitting on the throne said\, “Look\, I am making everything new – absolutely everything!”  \n“Write all this down\,” he said\, “because these words can be depended on. They are the truth.” \nThis is what he said: “The job is done! I am the whole story\, from A to Z. I am the beginning and I am the end.” \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Matthew 25: 31-46			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	While speaking to his followers\, Jesus said\, “The day is coming when the New Human will turn up in all his glory\, accompanied by all his angels\, and he will be crowned as king. He will sit down on the judgment seat\, and all the nations of the world will be summoned to appear before him. Like a quality controller sorting out the good fruit from the rejects\, he will carefully sort the nations into two groups\, one on his right side and one on his left. Then the King will say to the group on his right side: \n‘Welcome\, you who have been given the thumbs up by my Father. Ever since the foundation of the world\, there has been a kingdom ready with your name on it. Come now\, and inherit it; because\nI was hungry and you lot fed me\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me a drink\,\nI came seeking asylum and you made me welcome\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot gave me clothes\,\nI was diseased and you took care of me\,\nI was in detention and you visited me.’ \nThen those compassionate nations will ask him\, ‘Lord\, when did we see you hungry and feed you\, or thirsty and give you a drink? When were you a refugee and we welcomed you\, or in detention and we visited you? When did we find you without clothes or sick and do something about it?’ \nAnd the King will reply\, ‘The fact is\, you did these things for people who were regarded as the dregs of society\, but who I love as my nearest and dearest; and each time you helped one of them\, you were helping me.’ \nThen he will say to the nations on the other side: \n‘You lot have been written off. Get out of my sight! A time of fire has been ignited by the devil and his agents\, and you will be swallowed up in it with them; because\nI was hungry and you lot didn’t give me a bite\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me nothing\,\nI came seeking asylum and you wouldn’t let me in\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot left me to freeze\,\nI was diseased and in detention\nand you turned your backs and wouldn’t come near me.’ \nThey too will ask\, ‘Lord\, when was it that we failed to take care of you? We don’t recall seeing you hungry or thirsty or seeking asylum or naked or sick or in detention.’ \nBut he will answer\, ‘The fact is\, you failed to do these things for those who were regarded as the dregs of society\, and each time you turned your backs on them\, you were turning your backs on me.’ \nAnd with that\, those nations will be gone\, swallowed up in the time of punishment. But the nations who did the right thing by others will enjoy life without limit.” \n©2023 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nPrayers\n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Eucharistic Preface			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Let us lift up our hearts.\nWe lift them to the Lord.\nLet us give thanks to the Lord our God.\nIt is right to give our thanks and praise. \nIt is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth we tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We thank you for gathering all our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore\, with our hearts lifted high\,\nwe offer you thanks and praise at all times\nthrough Jesus Christ our Lord\,\nwho lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit\,\none God\, for ever and ever.\nAmen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Declaration of Grace / Absolution			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	In Jesus Christ\, God makes all things new.\nThe former things have disappeared.\nGod will wipe away every tear from our eyes. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Commission & Benediction			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Go now\, and embrace the new time which God has given us.\nRecognize Christ in friend and stranger\,\nand as Christ has been gracious to you\,\nso be gracious to those in need. \nAnd may God dwell with you as your God.\nMay Christ be your food and drink\nand give you pleasure in your work.\nAnd may the Spirit be your beginning and end\nand hold all your times in her loving embrace. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nSermons\n\n\n\nSermons will open in new tabs from our SYCBaps church website. \n\n\n\n\nWhen I was hungry\, what did you do?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhen I joined your church\, you burned me out!A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nIcons on Street CornersA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWill the Sheep Plead for the Goats?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nJudging NationsA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/abc08/2025-01-01/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/08.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T081846
CREATED:20220904T231259Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220904T231259Z
UID:10002499-1735689600-1735775999@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:New Years Day
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Ecclesiastes 3:1-13			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Things happen in their due season; there is a right time for everything that happens on earth: \na time to be born\,\nand a time to die;\na time to sow the seed\,\nand a time to harvest the crop; \na time to end a life\,\nand a time to rehabilitate;\na time to demolish\,\nand a time to create; \na time to cry\,\nand a time to laugh;\na time to grieve\,\nand a time to party; \na time to throw caution to the wind\,\nand a time to play it safe;\na time to make love\,\nand a time to keep your pants on; \na time to keep searching\,\nand a time to write off the loss;\na time to hold on to what you’ve got\,\nand a time to let it go; \na time to share another’s pain\,\nand a time to urge them to move on;\na time to keep your mouth shut\,\nand a time to speak your mind; \na time to love\,\nand a time to hate;\na time to fight;\nand a time to make peace. \nBut in the end\, what difference does it make what we do? I have observed everyone working hard at the jobs that God has given them. God sets things up so that there is a proper time and place for everything\, but we forget too quickly and fail to learn the lessons of history. We see what has happened and what is happening\, but we can’t make sense of the connections or see what God is doing in it all. So I figure that there is no point in losing too much sleep over it. The most important thing is for people to be happy and to enjoy their lives for as long as they live. What’s more\, there is nothing wrong with eating and drinking and finding satisfaction in our work. They are God’s gifts to us. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 8			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Our LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \nYour glory fills the universe! \nThe gurgling of babies makes more sense\nthan the clever arguments of your enemies.\nThe innocent chatter of children\nsilences the venomous talk of your opponents. \nWhen I gaze at your handiwork in the night skies\n— the moon\, the stars\, the milky way —\nthe whole cosmos under your control;\nI can’t help but wonder why you bother with us.\nWhy do you care so much for mere human beings\nwhen we count for so little in the scheme of things? \nAnd yet\, for reasons known to you alone\,\nyou created us almost on a par with yourself\nand decorated us with the highest honours and glory. \nYou have even entrusted us with power over your precious creation;\nyou placed the future of all life in our hands:\nsheep and cattle;\nemu and kangaroo\ninsects\, reptiles\, birds\, and sea creatures;\nair\, land and water and the planet itself. \nOur LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Revelaton 21: 1-6a			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	I\, John\, had another extraordinary vision. I saw a completely revamped heaven and a radically reconstructed earth. The first heaven\, the first earth and the sea were all but a memory. Then I saw Jerusalem\, the city dedicated to God\, now made completely new. She was coming down the aisle from heaven itself\, from God\, and she looked sensational\, like a bride on her wedding day. I heard a loud voice coming from heaven’s throne. It said: \n“See\, God has moved in and set up home among ordinary people.\nGod will live with them and be their God\,\nand the people will gladly belong\nto the God who lives right in their midst. \nGod will wipe every tear from their eyes.\nDeath will be abolished forever;\npain and grief and tears will be things of the past.\nAll these things have been made obsolete.”  \nThen the one sitting on the throne said\, “Look\, I am making everything new – absolutely everything!”  \n“Write all this down\,” he said\, “because these words can be depended on. They are the truth.” \nThis is what he said: “The job is done! I am the whole story\, from A to Z. I am the beginning and I am the end.” \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Matthew 25: 31-46			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	While speaking to his followers\, Jesus said\, “The day is coming when the New Human will turn up in all his glory\, accompanied by all his angels\, and he will be crowned as king. He will sit down on the judgment seat\, and all the nations of the world will be summoned to appear before him. Like a quality controller sorting out the good fruit from the rejects\, he will carefully sort the nations into two groups\, one on his right side and one on his left. Then the King will say to the group on his right side: \n‘Welcome\, you who have been given the thumbs up by my Father. Ever since the foundation of the world\, there has been a kingdom ready with your name on it. Come now\, and inherit it; because\nI was hungry and you lot fed me\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me a drink\,\nI came seeking asylum and you made me welcome\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot gave me clothes\,\nI was diseased and you took care of me\,\nI was in detention and you visited me.’ \nThen those compassionate nations will ask him\, ‘Lord\, when did we see you hungry and feed you\, or thirsty and give you a drink? When were you a refugee and we welcomed you\, or in detention and we visited you? When did we find you without clothes or sick and do something about it?’ \nAnd the King will reply\, ‘The fact is\, you did these things for people who were regarded as the dregs of society\, but who I love as my nearest and dearest; and each time you helped one of them\, you were helping me.’ \nThen he will say to the nations on the other side: \n‘You lot have been written off. Get out of my sight! A time of fire has been ignited by the devil and his agents\, and you will be swallowed up in it with them; because\nI was hungry and you lot didn’t give me a bite\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me nothing\,\nI came seeking asylum and you wouldn’t let me in\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot left me to freeze\,\nI was diseased and in detention\nand you turned your backs and wouldn’t come near me.’ \nThey too will ask\, ‘Lord\, when was it that we failed to take care of you? We don’t recall seeing you hungry or thirsty or seeking asylum or naked or sick or in detention.’ \nBut he will answer\, ‘The fact is\, you failed to do these things for those who were regarded as the dregs of society\, and each time you turned your backs on them\, you were turning your backs on me.’ \nAnd with that\, those nations will be gone\, swallowed up in the time of punishment. But the nations who did the right thing by others will enjoy life without limit.” \n©2023 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nPrayers\n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Eucharistic Preface			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Let us lift up our hearts.\nWe lift them to the Lord.\nLet us give thanks to the Lord our God.\nIt is right to give our thanks and praise. \nIt is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth we tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We thank you for gathering all our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore\, with our hearts lifted high\,\nwe offer you thanks and praise at all times\nthrough Jesus Christ our Lord\,\nwho lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit\,\none God\, for ever and ever.\nAmen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Declaration of Grace / Absolution			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	In Jesus Christ\, God makes all things new.\nThe former things have disappeared.\nGod will wipe away every tear from our eyes. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Commission & Benediction			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Go now\, and embrace the new time which God has given us.\nRecognize Christ in friend and stranger\,\nand as Christ has been gracious to you\,\nso be gracious to those in need. \nAnd may God dwell with you as your God.\nMay Christ be your food and drink\nand give you pleasure in your work.\nAnd may the Spirit be your beginning and end\nand hold all your times in her loving embrace. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nSermons\n\n\n\nSermons will open in new tabs from our SYCBaps church website. \n\n\n\n\nWhen I was hungry\, what did you do?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhen I joined your church\, you burned me out!A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nIcons on Street CornersA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWill the Sheep Plead for the Goats?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nJudging NationsA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/abc08/2025-01-01/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/08.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T081846
CREATED:20220904T231259Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220904T231259Z
UID:10002575-1735689600-1735775999@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:New Years Day
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Ecclesiastes 3:1-13			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Things happen in their due season; there is a right time for everything that happens on earth: \na time to be born\,\nand a time to die;\na time to sow the seed\,\nand a time to harvest the crop; \na time to end a life\,\nand a time to rehabilitate;\na time to demolish\,\nand a time to create; \na time to cry\,\nand a time to laugh;\na time to grieve\,\nand a time to party; \na time to throw caution to the wind\,\nand a time to play it safe;\na time to make love\,\nand a time to keep your pants on; \na time to keep searching\,\nand a time to write off the loss;\na time to hold on to what you’ve got\,\nand a time to let it go; \na time to share another’s pain\,\nand a time to urge them to move on;\na time to keep your mouth shut\,\nand a time to speak your mind; \na time to love\,\nand a time to hate;\na time to fight;\nand a time to make peace. \nBut in the end\, what difference does it make what we do? I have observed everyone working hard at the jobs that God has given them. God sets things up so that there is a proper time and place for everything\, but we forget too quickly and fail to learn the lessons of history. We see what has happened and what is happening\, but we can’t make sense of the connections or see what God is doing in it all. So I figure that there is no point in losing too much sleep over it. The most important thing is for people to be happy and to enjoy their lives for as long as they live. What’s more\, there is nothing wrong with eating and drinking and finding satisfaction in our work. They are God’s gifts to us. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 8			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Our LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \nYour glory fills the universe! \nThe gurgling of babies makes more sense\nthan the clever arguments of your enemies.\nThe innocent chatter of children\nsilences the venomous talk of your opponents. \nWhen I gaze at your handiwork in the night skies\n— the moon\, the stars\, the milky way —\nthe whole cosmos under your control;\nI can’t help but wonder why you bother with us.\nWhy do you care so much for mere human beings\nwhen we count for so little in the scheme of things? \nAnd yet\, for reasons known to you alone\,\nyou created us almost on a par with yourself\nand decorated us with the highest honours and glory. \nYou have even entrusted us with power over your precious creation;\nyou placed the future of all life in our hands:\nsheep and cattle;\nemu and kangaroo\ninsects\, reptiles\, birds\, and sea creatures;\nair\, land and water and the planet itself. \nOur LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Revelaton 21: 1-6a			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	I\, John\, had another extraordinary vision. I saw a completely revamped heaven and a radically reconstructed earth. The first heaven\, the first earth and the sea were all but a memory. Then I saw Jerusalem\, the city dedicated to God\, now made completely new. She was coming down the aisle from heaven itself\, from God\, and she looked sensational\, like a bride on her wedding day. I heard a loud voice coming from heaven’s throne. It said: \n“See\, God has moved in and set up home among ordinary people.\nGod will live with them and be their God\,\nand the people will gladly belong\nto the God who lives right in their midst. \nGod will wipe every tear from their eyes.\nDeath will be abolished forever;\npain and grief and tears will be things of the past.\nAll these things have been made obsolete.”  \nThen the one sitting on the throne said\, “Look\, I am making everything new – absolutely everything!”  \n“Write all this down\,” he said\, “because these words can be depended on. They are the truth.” \nThis is what he said: “The job is done! I am the whole story\, from A to Z. I am the beginning and I am the end.” \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Matthew 25: 31-46			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	While speaking to his followers\, Jesus said\, “The day is coming when the New Human will turn up in all his glory\, accompanied by all his angels\, and he will be crowned as king. He will sit down on the judgment seat\, and all the nations of the world will be summoned to appear before him. Like a quality controller sorting out the good fruit from the rejects\, he will carefully sort the nations into two groups\, one on his right side and one on his left. Then the King will say to the group on his right side: \n‘Welcome\, you who have been given the thumbs up by my Father. Ever since the foundation of the world\, there has been a kingdom ready with your name on it. Come now\, and inherit it; because\nI was hungry and you lot fed me\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me a drink\,\nI came seeking asylum and you made me welcome\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot gave me clothes\,\nI was diseased and you took care of me\,\nI was in detention and you visited me.’ \nThen those compassionate nations will ask him\, ‘Lord\, when did we see you hungry and feed you\, or thirsty and give you a drink? When were you a refugee and we welcomed you\, or in detention and we visited you? When did we find you without clothes or sick and do something about it?’ \nAnd the King will reply\, ‘The fact is\, you did these things for people who were regarded as the dregs of society\, but who I love as my nearest and dearest; and each time you helped one of them\, you were helping me.’ \nThen he will say to the nations on the other side: \n‘You lot have been written off. Get out of my sight! A time of fire has been ignited by the devil and his agents\, and you will be swallowed up in it with them; because\nI was hungry and you lot didn’t give me a bite\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me nothing\,\nI came seeking asylum and you wouldn’t let me in\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot left me to freeze\,\nI was diseased and in detention\nand you turned your backs and wouldn’t come near me.’ \nThey too will ask\, ‘Lord\, when was it that we failed to take care of you? We don’t recall seeing you hungry or thirsty or seeking asylum or naked or sick or in detention.’ \nBut he will answer\, ‘The fact is\, you failed to do these things for those who were regarded as the dregs of society\, and each time you turned your backs on them\, you were turning your backs on me.’ \nAnd with that\, those nations will be gone\, swallowed up in the time of punishment. But the nations who did the right thing by others will enjoy life without limit.” \n©2023 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nPrayers\n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Eucharistic Preface			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Let us lift up our hearts.\nWe lift them to the Lord.\nLet us give thanks to the Lord our God.\nIt is right to give our thanks and praise. \nIt is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth we tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We thank you for gathering all our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore\, with our hearts lifted high\,\nwe offer you thanks and praise at all times\nthrough Jesus Christ our Lord\,\nwho lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit\,\none God\, for ever and ever.\nAmen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Declaration of Grace / Absolution			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	In Jesus Christ\, God makes all things new.\nThe former things have disappeared.\nGod will wipe away every tear from our eyes. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Commission & Benediction			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Go now\, and embrace the new time which God has given us.\nRecognize Christ in friend and stranger\,\nand as Christ has been gracious to you\,\nso be gracious to those in need. \nAnd may God dwell with you as your God.\nMay Christ be your food and drink\nand give you pleasure in your work.\nAnd may the Spirit be your beginning and end\nand hold all your times in her loving embrace. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nSermons\n\n\n\nSermons will open in new tabs from our SYCBaps church website. \n\n\n\n\nWhen I was hungry\, what did you do?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhen I joined your church\, you burned me out!A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nIcons on Street CornersA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWill the Sheep Plead for the Goats?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nJudging NationsA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/abc08/2025-01-01/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/08.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250101T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T081846
CREATED:20220904T231259Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220904T231259Z
UID:10002651-1735689600-1735775999@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:New Years Day
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Ecclesiastes 3:1-13			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Things happen in their due season; there is a right time for everything that happens on earth: \na time to be born\,\nand a time to die;\na time to sow the seed\,\nand a time to harvest the crop; \na time to end a life\,\nand a time to rehabilitate;\na time to demolish\,\nand a time to create; \na time to cry\,\nand a time to laugh;\na time to grieve\,\nand a time to party; \na time to throw caution to the wind\,\nand a time to play it safe;\na time to make love\,\nand a time to keep your pants on; \na time to keep searching\,\nand a time to write off the loss;\na time to hold on to what you’ve got\,\nand a time to let it go; \na time to share another’s pain\,\nand a time to urge them to move on;\na time to keep your mouth shut\,\nand a time to speak your mind; \na time to love\,\nand a time to hate;\na time to fight;\nand a time to make peace. \nBut in the end\, what difference does it make what we do? I have observed everyone working hard at the jobs that God has given them. God sets things up so that there is a proper time and place for everything\, but we forget too quickly and fail to learn the lessons of history. We see what has happened and what is happening\, but we can’t make sense of the connections or see what God is doing in it all. So I figure that there is no point in losing too much sleep over it. The most important thing is for people to be happy and to enjoy their lives for as long as they live. What’s more\, there is nothing wrong with eating and drinking and finding satisfaction in our work. They are God’s gifts to us. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 8			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Our LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \nYour glory fills the universe! \nThe gurgling of babies makes more sense\nthan the clever arguments of your enemies.\nThe innocent chatter of children\nsilences the venomous talk of your opponents. \nWhen I gaze at your handiwork in the night skies\n— the moon\, the stars\, the milky way —\nthe whole cosmos under your control;\nI can’t help but wonder why you bother with us.\nWhy do you care so much for mere human beings\nwhen we count for so little in the scheme of things? \nAnd yet\, for reasons known to you alone\,\nyou created us almost on a par with yourself\nand decorated us with the highest honours and glory. \nYou have even entrusted us with power over your precious creation;\nyou placed the future of all life in our hands:\nsheep and cattle;\nemu and kangaroo\ninsects\, reptiles\, birds\, and sea creatures;\nair\, land and water and the planet itself. \nOur LORD and ruler\,\nall over the world\nthe mere mention of your name sets hearts pounding! \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Revelaton 21: 1-6a			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	I\, John\, had another extraordinary vision. I saw a completely revamped heaven and a radically reconstructed earth. The first heaven\, the first earth and the sea were all but a memory. Then I saw Jerusalem\, the city dedicated to God\, now made completely new. She was coming down the aisle from heaven itself\, from God\, and she looked sensational\, like a bride on her wedding day. I heard a loud voice coming from heaven’s throne. It said: \n“See\, God has moved in and set up home among ordinary people.\nGod will live with them and be their God\,\nand the people will gladly belong\nto the God who lives right in their midst. \nGod will wipe every tear from their eyes.\nDeath will be abolished forever;\npain and grief and tears will be things of the past.\nAll these things have been made obsolete.”  \nThen the one sitting on the throne said\, “Look\, I am making everything new – absolutely everything!”  \n“Write all this down\,” he said\, “because these words can be depended on. They are the truth.” \nThis is what he said: “The job is done! I am the whole story\, from A to Z. I am the beginning and I am the end.” \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Matthew 25: 31-46			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	While speaking to his followers\, Jesus said\, “The day is coming when the New Human will turn up in all his glory\, accompanied by all his angels\, and he will be crowned as king. He will sit down on the judgment seat\, and all the nations of the world will be summoned to appear before him. Like a quality controller sorting out the good fruit from the rejects\, he will carefully sort the nations into two groups\, one on his right side and one on his left. Then the King will say to the group on his right side: \n‘Welcome\, you who have been given the thumbs up by my Father. Ever since the foundation of the world\, there has been a kingdom ready with your name on it. Come now\, and inherit it; because\nI was hungry and you lot fed me\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me a drink\,\nI came seeking asylum and you made me welcome\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot gave me clothes\,\nI was diseased and you took care of me\,\nI was in detention and you visited me.’ \nThen those compassionate nations will ask him\, ‘Lord\, when did we see you hungry and feed you\, or thirsty and give you a drink? When were you a refugee and we welcomed you\, or in detention and we visited you? When did we find you without clothes or sick and do something about it?’ \nAnd the King will reply\, ‘The fact is\, you did these things for people who were regarded as the dregs of society\, but who I love as my nearest and dearest; and each time you helped one of them\, you were helping me.’ \nThen he will say to the nations on the other side: \n‘You lot have been written off. Get out of my sight! A time of fire has been ignited by the devil and his agents\, and you will be swallowed up in it with them; because\nI was hungry and you lot didn’t give me a bite\,\nI was thirsty and you gave me nothing\,\nI came seeking asylum and you wouldn’t let me in\,\nI didn’t have a stitch to wear\nand you lot left me to freeze\,\nI was diseased and in detention\nand you turned your backs and wouldn’t come near me.’ \nThey too will ask\, ‘Lord\, when was it that we failed to take care of you? We don’t recall seeing you hungry or thirsty or seeking asylum or naked or sick or in detention.’ \nBut he will answer\, ‘The fact is\, you failed to do these things for those who were regarded as the dregs of society\, and each time you turned your backs on them\, you were turning your backs on me.’ \nAnd with that\, those nations will be gone\, swallowed up in the time of punishment. But the nations who did the right thing by others will enjoy life without limit.” \n©2023 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nPrayers\n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Eucharistic Preface			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Let us lift up our hearts.\nWe lift them to the Lord.\nLet us give thanks to the Lord our God.\nIt is right to give our thanks and praise. \nIt is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth we tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We thank you for gathering all our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand with the whole earth tell of the greatness of your name\,\nfor you are the God who makes all things new. \nThe moon and the stars are your handiwork\,\nand the earth and its inhabitants reflect your glory.\nYou have created us\, dressing us in glory undeserved\,\nand entrusted the charge of the earth to our hands. \nYou have created a time for everything under heaven:\na time for remembering\,\nand a time to set plans for the future;\na time for prayer\nand a time to act with courage and compassion;\na time for sacrifice\nand a time to enjoy the fruits of our toil.\nIn Jesus Christ\, you have made your home among us\,\nand gathered our times into your time\,\nso that we might live the life of the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore\, with our hearts lifted high\,\nwe offer you thanks and praise at all times\nthrough Jesus Christ our Lord\,\nwho lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit\,\none God\, for ever and ever.\nAmen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Declaration of Grace / Absolution			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	In Jesus Christ\, God makes all things new.\nThe former things have disappeared.\nGod will wipe away every tear from our eyes. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Commission & Benediction			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Go now\, and embrace the new time which God has given us.\nRecognize Christ in friend and stranger\,\nand as Christ has been gracious to you\,\nso be gracious to those in need. \nAnd may God dwell with you as your God.\nMay Christ be your food and drink\nand give you pleasure in your work.\nAnd may the Spirit be your beginning and end\nand hold all your times in her loving embrace. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nSermons\n\n\n\nSermons will open in new tabs from our SYCBaps church website. \n\n\n\n\nWhen I was hungry\, what did you do?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhen I joined your church\, you burned me out!A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nIcons on Street CornersA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWill the Sheep Plead for the Goats?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nJudging NationsA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/abc08/2025-01-01/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/08.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250106T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250106T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T081846
CREATED:20220904T231506Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260208T003529Z
UID:10001911-1736121600-1736207999@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:The Feast of the Epiphany
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Isaiah 60:1-6			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	On your feet\, people of God! Let everyone see you!\nThe glory of the LORD\nhas set you aglow with light\nlike the sunrise on the rock. \nDarkness overpowers the earth and its peoples\,\nblinding them\, weighing them down;\nbut for you the sun always shines\,\nbecause the LORD has lit up your lives with glory. \nAs the brightness of your light intensifies\,\nnations and their rulers will be drawn to you\nlike moths to a flame. \nOpen your eyes! Look around you!\nThe crowds are streaming towards you.\nEveryone is coming\,\neven the children you thought had gone forever. \nWhat a sight for sore eyes!\nYou’ll be elated and proud – positively aglow.\nYou’ll be showered with gifts by those who arrive\,\npriceless gifts from overseas and around the world. \nThey’ll arrive by the truckload from everywhere\,\nfrom places rich and exotic and mysterious.\nPeople will bring gold and frankincense\,\nand lavish their praise on the LORD. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 72:1-7\, 10-14			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Send us a wise ruler\, O God\,\none who takes after you in justice and honesty;\none who does the right thing by everybody\,\nand is vigilant in ensuring justice for the poor;\none who will stand up for the disadvantaged\,\nprovide a way out of the poverty trap\,\nand stomp on those who exploit the vulnerable. \nThen the whole land will know prosperity and integrity;\nthe mountains\, the valleys\, the hills\, the plains. \nSend us a wise ruler\, O God\,\nwho will outlive the sun and moon\,\nwho will rule forever\, generation after generation. \nMay your chosen one give life to the land\nlike the spring rains in the wheat country.\nMay the people yield a bumper crop of honesty\,\nand may peace be as dependable\nas the southern cross in the night sky. \nGive your chosen one the top ranking in all the world\,\ndeferred to and revered\nby every other monarch\, president and governor.\nMay they all feel compelled to pay homage\,\nto come bearing gifts\, priceless and exotic\,\nand to put themselves and their nations\nat the service of your chosen one. \nAll this is only right for the one who rescues those in need\,\nand has compassion for the homeless and the refugees;\nwho champions the cause of the forgotten and the spurned\,\nand guarantees the lives of the powerless;\nwho rescues those subjected to violence and oppression\,\nand treasures their lives\, each and every one. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Ephesians 3:1-12			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	     I\, Paul\, am in jail for my commitment to Jesus Christ\, or more particularly\, for my efforts on Christ’s behalf to break down the walls that kept you Gentiles separated from his people. No doubt you have heard about how God\, in an amazing act of generosity\, assigned me to this job. You’ve also heard - since I just told you a page or so back - about how God let me in on this mystery directly. If you go back and read over what I said about this earlier\, you too will be able to understand what God has shown me concerning the mystery of Christ. No previous generation was ever given the opportunity to begin unravelling this mystery. The whole human race was in the dark about it until now. Now though\, the Holy Spirit is bringing it all out into the open through Christ’s chosen leaders and messengers. And\, in a nutshell\, this is what it is all about: the Gentiles are God’s chosen people too! Those who have had no previous contact with God’s people have exactly the same right of access to God as those who can trace their bloodline back to Abraham. There is only one body of people who will inherit all that God has promised\, and Jesus Christ has opened it up to everybody\, regardless of their origins. No more segregation - Christ has put the welcome mat out for everyone.\n    I’ve taken on the job of getting this message out into the public arena. I still can’t get over how generous God was in trusting me with the job and equipping me for it. Of the available candidates\, you wouldn’t have thought I’d have even made the short list\, but in an act of reckless good will\, God gave me the tap on the shoulder. So now I have the privilege of letting the Gentiles know that they too can share in the inexhaustible riches and extravagant generosity of Christ. God\, who created everything\, had always had this plan in mind\, but now I have the privilege of giving everyone else their first look at it! The wisdom of God has more angles and aspects than the finest diamond\, and more than any one person or group could every comprehend\, but through the church it is all being opened up. Through ordinary congregations of believers like you\, the powers of the universe and the authorities of the spiritual world are being schooled in God’s ways! God had always planned for it to be this way\, and the plan was put into effect through the actions of Jesus Christ our Lord. It is because we trust him that we now have the confidence to deal directly with God and the courage to live accordingly. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Matthew 2:1-12			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Jesus was born in Bethlehem\, in the territory of Judea\, during the reign of King Herod. Some time after his birth\, a group of eastern mystics turned up in Jerusalem looking for him. “Where can we find the child who has been born to be the king of the Jews?” they asked. “We observed the appearance of the star that heralds his birth\, and so we have come all this way to pay our respects.”\nWhen King Herod heard this\, he went berserk\, and when Herod was agitated\, everybody in Jerusalem was on edge. Pulling himself together\, he called in the city’s top priests and religious scholars and asked them whereabouts the Messiah was supposed to be born. They were in no doubt: “Bethlehem in Judea\,” they said. “The prophet Micah spelt it out quite clearly: \n‘Bethlehem in Judea\, you’re it!\nI’m going to put you on the map!\nYou will be the home town of my chosen ruler\,\nthe one who will lead my people on the right track.’” \nHaving sorted that out\, Herod met behind closed doors with the visiting mystics and pumped them for information about exactly when the star had first appeared. He then gave them directions to Bethlehem and sent them on their way\, saying\, “Go\, and leave no stone unturned until you find the child. When you’ve found him\, drop me a line so that I can come down and pay my respects too.”\nSo\, having gained this information from the king\, they hit the road. As they did\, they spotted the star again\, the same one they had first seen appear. Taking a line from the star\, they were able to track down the exact place where the child was. Their search was finally at an end\, and they were over the moon! They were allowed into the house and there they saw him\, a little child in the arms of his mother\, Mary. Overcome with awe\, they fell to their knees in reverent wonder before the child. From their luggage\, they gave him exotic gifts of gold\, aromatic frankincense\, and myrrh.\nThey were warned in a dream to avoid contacting Herod\, so they kept a low profile and took the back roads out of Judea as they began their journey home to their own country. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nPrayers\n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Eucharistic Preface			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Let us lift up our hearts.\nWe lift them to the Lord.\nLet us give thanks to the Lord our God.\nIt is right to give our thanks and praise. \nIt is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise\, O God\,\nfor you are the fulfilment of all our searching. \nSince the time you created all things\nyou have had a plan\n— hidden in mystery through the ages —\nto draw all the world into one body\,\nand to share with all peoples your promises of glory. \nAnd now the light has risen\,\nthe mystery is made known:\nyour beloved child\, Jesus\, is revealed to the whole world\nas Saviour and Redeemer\,\nand as the King who reigns in justice and peace.\nYou made him known first\nto the magi from the east\,\nwho came to pay him homage\,\nthough they knew of him only what the silent stars could tell. \nAnd now\, you draw us again to the feet of Jesus\n— the crucified and risen Christ —\nto offer our gifts of praise to the light of the world. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We give you thanks for your beloved child\, Jesus\,\nwho you made known to the magi from the east\,\nwho knew of him only what the silent stars could tell.\nYou have drawn us again to his feet\nand in him we have found the fulfilment of all our searching. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nGracious God\, our hearts rejoice in your presence\,\nas we give you our thanks and praise\,\nfor you are the fulfilment of all our searching. \nSince the time you created all things\nyou have had a plan\n— hidden in mystery through the ages —\nto draw all the world into one body\,\nand to share with all peoples your promises of glory. \nAnd now the light has risen\,\nthe mystery is made known:\nyour beloved child\, Jesus\, is revealed to the whole world\nas Saviour and Redeemer\,\nand as the King who reigns in justice and peace.\nYou made him known first\nto the magi from the east\,\nwho came to pay him homage\,\nthough they knew of him only what the silent stars could tell. \nAnd now\, you draw us again to the feet of Jesus\n— the crucified and risen Christ —\nto offer our gifts of praise to the light of the world. \nTherefore\, with our hearts lifted high\,\nwe offer you thanks and praise at all times\nthrough Jesus Christ our Lord\,\nwho lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit\,\none God\, for ever and ever.\nAmen. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Declaration of Grace / Absolution			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	God has declared that through our union with Christ\nand through our faith in him\nwe may enter God’s presence with all confidence.\nOur sins are no longer held against us\,\nGod’s grace has been given to us. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Commission & Benediction			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Go now\, seek out the Christ wherever he may be found\,\nand share the good news with all who bear him no ill will.\nBring light to those in thick darkness\,\na voice to those no one speaks for\,\nand hope to those no one cares for. \nAnd may God make you a sharer in the promised light.\nMay Christ Jesus fill you with his sense of what is right.\nAnd may the Holy Spirit be to you like rain\nthat gives life to the fertile earth. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nSermons\n\n\n\nSermons will open in new tabs from our SYCBaps church website. \n\n\n\n\nThe Visit of the MagiA sermon on Matthew 2: 1-12 by  Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nShocking NewsA sermon on Matthew 2: 1-12 by  Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nGifts that really matterA sermon on Isaiah 60:1-6 & Matthew 2: 1-12 by  Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nComing to LightA sermon on Matthew 2: 1-12 by  Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nAn Epiphany TsunamiA sermon on Matthew 2: 1-12 by  Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nA Little Child\, God Before the AgesA sermon on Matthew 2: 1-12 by  Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nThe Power and the KingsA sermon on Matthew 2:1-12; Isaiah 60:1-6 & Ephesians 3:1-12 by  Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nEpiphany and the Hope of UnityA sermon for the Feast of Epiphany by Fr Abel van der Veer\n\n\n\nMay a Multitude of Camels Cover You!A sermon on Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:1-12 & Matthew 2:1-12 by Fr Richard Treloar\n\n\n\nSearchingA sermon on Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-7\,10-14; Ephesians 3:1-12 & Matthew 2:1-12 by Fr Sam Goodes\n\n\n\nThe Feast of EpiphanyA sermon on Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:1-12 & Matthew 2:1-12 by the Revd Marilyn Hope\n\n\n\nWilde Fairytales and Epiphany LightA sermon for the Feast of Epiphany by Fr Matthew Dowsey\n\n\n\nBy a Different RouteA sermon on Isaiah 60:1-6\, Matthew 2: 1-12 & Ephesians 3:1-12 by the Revd Roxanne Addley\n\n\n\nGifts to be ReceivedA sermon for the Feast of Epiphany by the Revd Dr Craig D’Alton\n\n\n\nBrought to LightA sermon on Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:1-12 & Matthew 2:1-12 by  Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nGenerous LightA sermon on Matthew 2: 1-12 by  Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/abc10/2025-01-06/
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DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250112T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250112T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T081846
CREATED:20201022T005413Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250208T235040Z
UID:10001691-1736640000-1736726399@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:The Feast of the Baptism of our Lord - Year C
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Isaiah 43:1-7			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Listen up\, descendants of Jacob\,\nthis is what the LORD says to you: \n“I am the one who created you\,\nand formed you into a nation.\nDon’t be afraid of anything\,\nbecause I have put things right for you;\nI have singled you out by name\,\nyou are safe in my possession. \nI will stick with you when you cross through the waters\,\nwhen you ford swollen rivers\,\nI’ll get you safely to the other side.\nWhen you walk through fire you won’t be burned\,\nflames might surround you\,\nbut you’ll come out unscathed. \nYou can depend on this\, because I am the LORD who saves you\,\nthe Holy One\, the God of your land.\nIf need be\, I would surrender territory to bail you out.\nI would hand over whole continents in exchange for you. \nI love you and cherish you\,\nyou are my most treasured possession.\nIf anyone forces me to choose between you and them\,\nI’ll turn my back on them to rescue you. \nDo not be afraid\, my people\, because I’m sticking with you.\nEven if you get scattered all over the world\,\nI’ll reunite you from every corner of the globe.\nNorth\, south\, east and west\,\nI’ll leave no stone unturned until I find you all\,\nuntil every one of you\, my cherished children\,\nis free to come home from wherever you’ve ended up. \nI’ve marked you out as my chosen ones\,\nI’ve written my name on you.\nI created each and every one of you\nand you have done me proud\,\nyou have brought honour and glory to me.” \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 29			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	LORD God\, like your angels in heaven\nwe speak of you in glowing terms\,\nfor your glory and strength deserve rave reviews.\nWe give you a huge rap\, LORD;\nwe put up you name in lights\nand hold a huge ticker tape parade\nbut it still falls short of the worship you deserve. \nYour voice\, LORD\, rings out like thunder;\nresounding over the waters\,\ndrowning out even the waves of the sea.\nYour voice echoes with power;\nit would bring anyone to their knees. \nYour voice\, LORD\, shatters the Ironbark tree\,\nand splinters the Mountain Ash like match sticks.\nYour presence makes Mount Bogong jump like a calf;\nUluru like a rock wallaby. \nYour voice\, LORD\, strikes fire from stone.\nThe sound of your voice convulses the wilderness;\nthe Simpson Desert shudders in labour. \nYour voice\, LORD\, is like a cyclone\,\nhowling through a rainforest\,\nstripping the leaves from the trees. \nWe all gather to worship and cheer with all our might;\nfor you rule forever\, LORD\,\nand neither surging flood\nnor tidal wave can undermine you.\nGive strength to your people\, LORD!\nBless your people with peace! \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Acts 8: 14-17			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Philip had been preaching in Samaria and many people there embraced God’s message. The news got back to Jerusalem and the apostles sent Peter and John off to meet with the new believers. When they got there\, they found that although the people had been baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus\, the Holy Spirit had not yet been given to them. So Peter and John placed their hands on them and prayed for them and\, sure enough\, they all received God’s Holy Spirit. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Luke 3: 15-17\, 21-22			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	The activities of John the Baptiser struck a chord with the deep yearning for a national saviour\, and people began to speculate that perhaps John might be the one who God had chosen. John was quick to hose down such ideas\, saying\, “I’m only baptising you with water. The One who is coming is way out of my league – the chance to polish his boots would be more than I could aspire to. When he gets started\, it won’t be just water that he’ll be plunging you into. He’ll baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. He’s ready to start with his flame thrower in hand. He’ll release an uncontrollable fire into the dry bushland of your lives\, completely incinerating the rubbish and germinating the good seeds that lie in wait for that day.” \nNow among all the people coming to be baptised\, Jesus himself came and was baptised. As he was praying the sky opened up and the Holy Spirit came down bodily\, like a diving kookaburra\, and took hold of him. And a voice filled the air\, saying\, “You are my Son; the love of my life. You fill me with pride.” \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nPrayers\n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Eucharistic Preface			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Let us lift up our hearts.\nWe lift them to the Lord.\nLet us give thanks to the Lord our God.\nIt is right to give our thanks and praise. \nIt is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise\, O God\,\nfor in our union with Christ\, you baptise us in grace\nand declare us to be the children who please you. \nWhen your voice first thundered over the waters\,\nyou created the earth and all who live in it.\nYou called a people by name to be your own\,\nand you led them by fire\, through the waters\,\nto the promised land of freedom. \nYou sent your beloved child\, Jesus\, among us.\nBaptised by your servant\, John\,\nhe embodied your love\nand fulfilled your desire to redeem your children\nfrom all the earth.\nBaptised again in the fearful waters of death\,\nhe tore open the heavens\nso that all might be baptised with your Holy Spirit\nand pass safely through water and fire\ninto the glory you have prepared\nfor those with whom you are well pleased. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We thank you for your Son\, Jesus Christ\,\nwho comes to redeem your children from all the earth.\nBaptised in the fearful waters of death\,\nhe brings us safely through water and fire\ninto the glory you have prepared for your beloved children. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nfor in our union with Christ\, you baptise us in grace\nand declare us to be the children who please you. \nWhen your voice first thundered over the waters\,\nyou created the earth and all who live in it.\nYou called a people by name to be your own\,\nand you led them by fire\, through the waters\,\nto the promised land of freedom. \nYou sent your beloved child\, Jesus\, among us.\nBaptised by your servant\, John\,\nhe embodied your love\nand fulfilled your desire to redeem your children\nfrom all the earth.\nBaptised again in the fearful waters of death\,\nhe tore open the heavens\nso that all might be baptised with your Holy Spirit\nand pass safely through water and fire\ninto the glory you have prepared\nfor those with whom you are well pleased. \nTherefore\, with our hearts lifted high\,\nwe offer you thanks and praise at all times\nthrough Jesus Christ our Lord\,\nwho lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit\,\none God\, for ever and ever.\nAmen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Declaration of Grace / Absolution			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Do not fear\, for Christ has redeemed you.\nBaptised in the deep waters of death\nhe has washed away your sins\nin the depths of God’s mercy. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Commission & Benediction			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Go now\, confident that you are God’s  precious and pleasing children.\nTrust in God and do not fear.\nAccept the Word of God\nand point others to the one who baptises with Spirit and fire. \nAnd may God be your protection and your strength;\nMay Christ baptise you with his Holy Spirit.\nAnd may the Spirit be with you\nto empower you and give you peace. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nSermons\n\n\n\nSermons will open in new tabs from our SYCBaps church website. \n\n\n\n\nBaptised into MissionA sermon on Luke 3:15-17\, 21-22 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nLuke’s Baptism of JesusA sermon on Luke 3:15-17\, 21-22 by Garry Deverell\n\n\n\nIn the Face of FireA sermon on Luke 3:15-17\, 21-22 & Isaiah 43:1-7 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nFire and WaterA sermon on Luke 3:15-17\, 21-22 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/c11/2025-01-12/
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