BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//LaughingBird - ECPv6.15.18//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:LaughingBird X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://laughingbird.net X-WR-CALDESC:Events for LaughingBird REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Australia/Melbourne BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20280401T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20280930T160000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20290331T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20291006T160000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20300406T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20301005T160000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20310405T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20311004T160000 END:DAYLIGHT END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:UTC BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:UTC DTSTART:20280101T000000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20291028T000000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20291028T235959 DTSTAMP:20260404T103114 CREATED:20200819T063523Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231203T111405Z UID:10002084-1887840000-1887926399@laughingbird.net SUMMARY:Proper 25 - Year A 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 Deuteronomy 34: 1-12 \n \n\n \n \n \n The people of Israel were camped on the Plains of Moab outside the promised land\, with Jericho opposite them on the other side of the river. Moses went off by himself and climbed to the top of Mount Nebo in the Pizgah Ranges. From there the LORD showed him the whole of the land: as far across Gilead to the west as Dan\, Ephraim\, and the Mediterranean sea; as far south as the Negev Desert; and as far north as Manasseh and Naphtali. He could see the land of Judah all the way south to Zoar\, including the valley of Jericho with its city of palm trees. The LORD said to Moses\, “What you are looking at is the land which I promised Abraham\, Isaac\, and Jacob that I would give to their descendants. I have allowed you to see it with your own eyes\, even though you will not set foot in it.” \nThen\, after a lifetime of working for the LORD\, Moses died there in the land of Moab\, as the LORD had decided. His body lies buried there in a valley\, somewhere beyond Beth-peor\, but to this day\, no one knows the exact location of his grave. Moses had lived for one hundred and twenty years\, and right up till the end his eyesight was sharp and he was as fit as a fiddle; as full of life and energy as ever. The Israelites stayed put on the plains of Moab while they grieved the death of Moses and observed the customary thirty day period of mourning. \nMoses had laid his hands on Joshua\, the son of Nun\, appointing him as his successor. As a result\, the spirit of wisdom filled Joshua\, and the Israelite people readily took their orders from him\, just as the LORD had commanded through Moses. \nThe world has never seen another prophet in the same league as  Moses\, for the LORD dealt with him in person\, face to face. No one else has ever done anything to equal the miraculous things he did when the LORD sent him to bring the people out of the land of slavery. Never again has anyone seen anything like the terrifying acts of power that God’s people saw Moses execute against the tyrant king and against his officers and his land. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Psalm 90: 1-6\, 13-17 \n \n\n \n \n \n Lord\, in every generation\nyou have been house and home to us. \nYou are God\, and have been from time before time;\neven before you brought the mountains to birth;\neven before you created the planet or anything on it. \nYou tell us when our time is up\,\nand return us to the earth from which we came. \nFrom where you look\,\na thousand years is like the blink of an eye\,\nand the ancient past like yesterday. \nOur lives pass as if you had erased them completely;\nthey are gone like a dream.\nLike cut flowers they are fresh and new one day\,\nand faded memories the next. \nIt’s time for a change\, LORD.\nHasn’t this gone on long enough?\nFor pity’s sake\, it’s time to give us a break. \nLet a new day dawn\nand give us our fill of your love and loyalty\,\nso that our lives may be full of smiles and laughter\ntill the end of our days. \nGive us more days of happiness\nthan the days of suffering you sent.\nMay the years where evil reigned\nbe cancelled out by years of joy. \nMake your actions clear to those of us in your service;\nlet your children see your strength in all its glory. \nPut us in your good books\, O Lord our God\,\nand give us a rich return for all our labour —\nmay the work of our hands turn to gold! \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n 1 Thessalonians 2: 1-8 \n \n\n \n \n \n Sisters and brothers\, you know first hand that our coming to you was not a lost cause. The appalling abuse we had suffered at Philippi could easily have made us give up\, as you know. But when we came to you\, our confidence in God gave us the courage to take to the field\, despite the strength of the opposition\, and to clearly announce to you the wonderful news of God’s love. Our desire to make this known is not motivated by anything shonky or deceitful\, or by vested interests. It was God who gave us the thumbs-up and entrusted us with this wonderful message\, and so as we seek to broadcast it\, we are not out to win any popularity prizes\, but to please God who can see what makes us tick. As you know and as God is our witness\, we never tried to sweet talk you or take advantage of you to make a buck. We weren’t after applause\, either from you or from anyone else. Although we could have justifiably pulled rank as the Messiah’s senior ambassadors and expected you to support us\, we didn’t. Instead we treated you with all the gentleness of a nursing mother tenderly caring for her own children. You have become so important to us\, and we care about you so much\, that we have set our hearts not only on sharing the message about God’s love with you\, but sharing our own lives with you. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Matthew 22: 34-46 \n \n\n \n \n \n Jesus had clearly floored the members of the ruling Sadducee Party when they had tried to take him on in a public debate\, and it wasn’t long before the devoutly religious Pharisee Party heard about it. They gathered together a delegation to challenge Jesus\, and one of their members who was a religious lawyer began to test him out with a question. “Teacher\, which commandment in the law is the most important?” \nJesus replied: \n“You will love the Lord your God with everything you are\, with all your heart and soul and mind.\nThis is the most important and number one commandment. And this next one comes second only to it:\nYou will love your neighbour as attentively as you love yourself.\nEverything else in the law and the prophets hangs on these two commandments.” \nNow while the Pharisee delegation were planning their next move\, Jesus took the initiative and put a question to them: “What is your thinking about the Messiah? Whose son is he?” \nThey replied\, “The son of King David.” \nJesus responded\, “Can you explain then why David\, inspired by the Holy Spirit\, calls the Messiah his Lord? For in the Psalm he says: \n‘God said to my Lord\,\n“Sit here as my right hand man\,\nwhile I put your enemies under your heel.”’ \n“Clearly King David is calling him Lord. Why would he address his own son in such terms?” \nThey were completely stumped\, and from that day on\, nobody dared to try taking him on with questions. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Below are the alternative 1st Reading and Psalm themed to the Gospel lection \n \n\n \n \n \n Prior to the revision of the Lectionary in 1992\, the 1st reading and the psalm that responded to it were chosen to link thematically with the gospel reading. After hearing the critique of those who said that the Hebrew Scriptures\, from which the first reading is usually chosen\, should be allowed to speak with their own voice rather than just add support to the gospel reading\, the Lectionary was revised so that during Ordinary Time\, the 1st reading runs in its own semi-continuous series\, working through various books of the Hebrew Bible. The older themed series continues to be available as an alternative. \nThe weekly prayers offered here at LaughingBird Resources are based on the four readings above\, and do not draw on the themed 1st reading and psalm. \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Leviticus 19: 1-2\, 15-18 \n \n\n \n \n \n The LORD spoke to Moses\, saying: \nGather the whole congregation of my people and tell them this: You are to be utterly dedicated to doing what is right\, because I am the LORD your God\, and I am utterly dedicated to doing what is right. \nYou are not to pervert the course of justice in the courts. Your decisions must be fair and transparent\, not showing bias either to the poor or to the powerful. You are to be absolutely fair in your judgments\, without fear or favour. You are not to go spreading malicious stories about anybody; and you are not to seek to profit from the misfortune of another. Why? Because I am the LORD. \nYou are not to harbour hatred in your heart towards anyone in your community. If someone you know does the wrong thing\, speak up and sort it out\, or you will end up being held responsible yourself. If anyone among your people has wronged you\, you are neither to bear a grudge\, nor try to get even. Instead you are to love your neighbour as attentively as you love yourself. Why? Because I am the LORD. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Psalm 1 \n \n\n \n \n \n LORD\, how good it will be for those\nwho turn a deaf ear to the advocates of greed;\nwho steer clear of corrupt short-cuts;\nand avoid those who sneer at goodness. \nInstead they relish your word\, LORD.\nCalming their minds\,\nthey savour the scriptures day and night. \nYou make them strong and healthy\,\nlike a Redgum tree with its roots deep in a river bank\,\nflowering abundantly every season\,\nand always laden with healthy leaves.\nAll that they do is vibrant with life. \nBut what a different story it is for the wicked;\nthey are about as secure as dry leaves in a cyclone. \nThey will have no defence\nwhen they are brought to justice\,\nand no friends among people of integrity. \nLORD\, you keep a protective eye\non all who walk a straight path of peace and justice\,\nbut nothing will save those who leave that road. \n©2002 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 have been our haven from generation to generation.\nFrom age to age\, you are God. \nYou created the mountains\,\nand brought the earth to birth.\nThrough your servant Moses you led your people to freedom\,\nand after seeing from afar the land of promise\,\nhe died\, returning to dust like all the children of earth. \nIn your child\, Jesus Christ\none even greater than Moses has come to us.\nOn him rests the Spirit of wisdom and truth\,\nand on his words hang all the law and the prophets.\nThough he was killed by love’s enemies\,\nyou raised him to life and seated him at your right hand.\nIn him we have seen the splendour of your work\nand through him you have entrusted us\nwith the wonderful news of your love for the world. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2002 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 child\, Jesus Christ\,\non whose words hang all the law and the prophets.\nThough he was killed by love’s enemies\,\nyou raised him to life and seated him at your right hand\,\nand through him you have entrusted us with the gospel. \n©2002 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 have been our haven from generation to generation.\nFrom age to age\, you are God. \nYou created the mountains\,\nand brought the earth to birth.\nThrough your servant Moses you led your people to freedom\,\nand after seeing from afar the land of promise\,\nhe died\, returning to dust like all the children of earth. \nIn your child\, Jesus Christ\none even greater than Moses has come to us.\nOn him rests the Spirit of wisdom and truth\,\nand on his words hang all the law and the prophets.\nThough he was killed by love’s enemies\,\nyou raised him to life and seated him at your right hand.\nIn him we have seen the splendour of your work\nand through him you have entrusted us\nwith the wonderful news of your love for 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©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Declaration of Grace / Absolution \n \n\n \n \n \n Though God tests our hearts\,\nour sins are not held against us\,\nbut God entrusts to us the message of the gospel\,\nthe promise of God’s forgiveness and love. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Commission & Benediction \n \n\n \n \n \n Go now\, with courage in our God.\nDeclare the message of the gospel\nwhich God has entrusted to us\,\nand in wholehearted love for God and for others\,\nshare not only the message\, but your very selves. \nAnd may God be your haven;\nMay Christ Jesus lead you into love - heart\, soul and mind;\nAnd may the Holy Spirit bless the work of your hands\nand gladden all your days. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2002 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\nLove? How?A sermon on Matthew 22:34-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nLove\, love and loveA sermon on Matthew 22:34-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nReading the Bible with JesusA sermon on Matthew 22:34-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nIf a thing’s worth doing\, we won’t see the resultA sermon on Deuteronomy 34: 1-12 and Matthew 22: 34-40 by Alison Sampson\n\n\n\nWhat Matters Most: Love or Holiness?A sermon on Matthew 22:34-46 by Nathan Nettleton URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/ap25/2029-10-28/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/P25.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20291101T000000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20291101T235959 DTSTAMP:20260404T103114 CREATED:20220829T022511Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250514T000525Z UID:10002704-1888185600-1888271999@laughingbird.net SUMMARY:All Saints Day - Year A 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 Revelation 7: 9-17 \n \n\n \n \n \n I had a vision of an enormous crowd\, bigger than anyone could ever count. It was made up of people from every nation; from all the different ethnic groups\, cultural groups and language groups. They were all standing together before the throne and before the Lamb of God. They were dressed in white robes and were waving banners and throwing flowers in the air. Their voices rose as one – an enormous roar – saying: \n“The life into which we have been saved\nbelongs to our God who is seated on the throne\,\nand to the Lamb of our God.” \nAround the throne stood the four awesome creatures\, and around them stood the twenty four elders\, and around them stood all the angels. All together they fell to their knees before the throne\, with their faces to the ground\, and worshipped God\, singing: \n“So say all of us!\nMay glory and wisdom\nand gratitude and honour\nand authority and strength\nand every good thing\nbe given to our God\,\nfrom now to forever!\nAnd so say all of us! \nThen one of the elders came and spoke to me\, saying\, “What can you tell me about these people in white robes? Who are they\, and where have they come from?” \nI replied\, “I’m not sure\, Sir\, but you have the answers.” \nThen he said to me\, “These are the people who have come through the ultimate atrocity. They have washed their robes as white as snow in the blood of the lamb. \nFor this reason they now have the privilege\nof gathering before the throne of God\,\nand there in the Temple they serve God\, day and night\,\nand the one who is seated on the throne\nprovides them refuge and safe shelter. \nNever again will they go hungry;\nnever again will they go thirsty;\nnever again will they be burned by the sun\,\nor left exposed to any searing heat. \nThe Lamb who is at the centre of the throne\nhas guided them through the wilderness\nand will now care for them forever.\nHe will wipe every tear from their eyes\nand guide them to crystal clear springs\nwhere the water of life bubbles up freely.” \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Psalm 34: 1-10\, 22 \n \n\n \n \n \n I will speak up in your favour\, every chance I get\, LORD.\nEvery time I open my mouth\, I’ll sing your praises. \nEverything I’m proud of is your doing\, LORD;\nthe news of your goodness puts a smile on the face of the helpless. \nI’ll put the spotlight on you\, LORD;\nand gather a crowd to spread the word. \nWhen I pounded on your door\, LORD\, you opened up;\nyou calmed my fears and put my mind at rest. \nThose who look to you light up with joy;\ntheir faces never grow dark with shame. \nWhen I had nothing\, I cried out\, LORD\, and you answered;\nyou got me out of some serious trouble. \nYou station your angels to watch over those who trust you;\nthey watch us\, guard us\, and get us safely through. \nMay everyone taste for themselves how good you are\, LORD;\nmay everyone find shelter in you and be happy. \nMay the people you have chosen treat you with respect\, LORD;\nfor those who do never want for anything. \nEven fearsome sharks go hungry sometimes\,\nbut people who entrust themselves to you never miss out. \nYou\, LORD\, are always ready to bail out those who serve your cause;\nno one who runs to you for safety will be handed over to death. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n 1 John 3: 1-3 \n \n\n \n \n \n Think about the extraordinary gift of love the Father has given us in allowing us to be known as God’s own children. Indeed that is what we now are. Of course\, the world around us has never recognised God\, and so it doesn’t recognise us as being God’s children either. My dear friends\, we are God’s beloved children already. What we are destined to become goes beyond even that\, but the details have not yet been made known to us. This much we know already: Christ will return to centre stage in clear view of everyone\, and when that happens\, we who will recognise him for who he really is will be just like him. Everyone who is living in eager anticipation of this will work at making themselves as pure as Christ. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Matthew 5: 1-12 \n \n\n \n \n \n Jesus found himself increasingly surrounded by crowds of people\, so one day he headed off up the mountain. He sat down up there and his committed followers gathered around to hear what he had to say. This is what he taught them: \n“Those who depend entirely on God for their welfare\nhave got it made\,\nbecause they are already at home in the culture of heaven. \n“Those who are stricken with grief\nhave got it made\,\nbecause they will receive the ultimate comfort. \n“Those who allow others to have first claim on everything\nhave got it made\,\nbecause the whole world will be given to them. \n“Those who hunger and thirst to see the world put right\nhave got it made\,\nbecause they will be richly satisfied. \n“Those who readily treat others better than they deserve\nhave got it made\,\nbecause they will be treated with extravagant mercy. \n“Those whose hearts are unpolluted\nhave got it made\,\nbecause they will see God. \n“Those who forge peace and reconciliation in places of hostility\nhave got it made\,\nbecause they will be known as God’s own children. \n“Those who are attacked and abused for sticking to what is right\nhave got it made\,\nbecause they are already at home in the culture of heaven. \n“When people turn on you\nand do all they can to make your life a misery;\nwhen they make false allegations about you\nand drag your name through the mud\,\nall because of your association with me\,\nyou have really got it made!\nKick up your heels and party\,\nbecause heaven is coming\nand you will be rewarded beyond your wildest dreams!\nYou are in great company\,\nbecause they were just as vicious\nto God’s faithful messengers in the past. \n©2002 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 bring all who trust in you out of the great ordeal\ninto the glorious reward of heaven\nand number them among the multitude of your saints. \nYou created the earth as an inheritance\nand destined all life for a glory that is yet to be revealed.\nThrough the law and your prophets and apostles\nyou called a people from every nation\, tribe and language. \nIn your child\, Jesus\, you revealed your desire\nto bless the poor in spirit and the pure of heart;\nto wipe away the tears of those who mourn;\nand to satisfy all hunger for righteousness and peace.\nThough he was persecuted and killed\,\nyou raised him to life\,\nand with him you are saving all who keep faith\nso that they may be like him\nwhen his final glory is revealed. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2002 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 our thanks to you\, O God\,\nfor from every nation\, tribe and language\nyou bring all who trust in you out of the great ordeal\ninto the glorious reward of heaven\nand number them among the multitude of your saints. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n General Prayer of Thanksgiving \n \n\n \n \n \n We give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nfor you bring all who trust in you out of the great ordeal\ninto the glorious reward of heaven\nand number them among the multitude of your saints. \nYou created the earth as an inheritance\nand destined all life for a glory that is yet to be revealed.\nThrough the law and your prophets and apostles\nyou called a people from every nation\, tribe and language. \nIn your child\, Jesus\, you revealed your desire\nto bless the poor in spirit and the pure of heart;\nto wipe away the tears of those who mourn;\nand to satisfy all hunger for righteousness and peace.\nThough he was persecuted and killed\,\nyou raised him to life\,\nand with him you are saving all who keep faith\nso that they may be like him\nwhen his final glory is revealed. \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©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Declaration of Grace / Absolution \n \n\n \n \n \n Salvation belongs to our God\nwho is seated on the throne\,\nand to the Lamb of God\nthrough whom we have received mercy. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Commission & Benediction \n \n\n \n \n \n Go now and live in awe of God.\nPurify yourselves in heart and in deed.\nHunger and thirst for righteousness;\nshow mercy\, and make peace. \nAnd may God take your burdens and free you from fear;\nMay Christ Jesus be your shepherd and your shelter;\nAnd may the Holy Spirit guide you to springs of the water of life. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2002 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\nLiving and Dying with the SaintsA sermon on Revelation 7:9-17 & Matthew 5:1-12 by Nathan Nettleton \n\n\n\nSaints and Odd-bods and a Very Big RockA sermon on Revelation 7:9-17 & Matthew 5:1-12 by Nathan Nettleton \n\n\n\nThe Be-Jesus-like AttitudesA sermon on Matthew 5:1-12 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nRe-imagining the Kingdom in the time of Global TraumaA sermon on Matthew 5:1-12 by Francesca Nuzzolese URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/a42/2029-11-01/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/42.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20291104T000000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20291104T235959 DTSTAMP:20260404T103114 CREATED:20200818T133835Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250514T003406Z UID:10002849-1888444800-1888531199@laughingbird.net SUMMARY:Proper 26 - Year A 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 Joshua 3: 7-17 \n \n\n \n \n \n The LORD said to Joshua: \n“Today I am going to begin making a hero of you in the eyes of the people\, so that they will recognise that I am with you in the same way that I was with Moses. You are the one who will give the order to the priests who carry the sacred Ark of the Covenant\, telling them to step into the waters of the Jordan with the Ark and then stand still in the river.” \nSo Joshua called an assembly of the people\, and said to them: \n“Gather round and hear what the LORD your God wants to say. The living God is in your midst and is ready to clear the way for you by driving out the seven nations that are occupying the land. This is how you will know it is true. Today\, the Ark of the Covenant — the sacred possession of the Lord of all the earth — will be carried into the Jordan River before your very eyes. And the minute the priests who carry the Ark of the LORD step into the water\, the flow of the river will be cut off upstream and the water will pile up in a heap. You are to select one person from each of the twelve tribes of Israel to participate in marking this occasion.” \nSo the people packed up their camp and got ready to cross the Jordan River into the land\, with the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant at the front. Now it was the wet season and the Jordan was in full flood\, breaking its banks in all directions. But when the people reached the river’s edge\, and the priests carrying the sacred Ark took their first steps into the water\, the swollen waters rushing down from upstream stood still\, and piled up in a heap up near Adaam\, a city near Zarethan. The waters flowing towards the Dead Sea were turned off like a tap\, leaving the riverbed dry\, and so the people were able to cross the river opposite Jericho. The entire Israelite population crossed through the river on a dry track while the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD stood on the dry riverbed in the middle of the Jordan. They stayed there\, with the Ark\, until the whole nation had passed through the Jordan to the other side. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Psalm 107: 1-7\, 33-37 \n \n\n \n \n \n Thank you\, LORD! Thank you for being so good.\nYour rock-solid love will never end. \nLORD\, we freely and openly acknowledge\nthat it was you who got us out of trouble;\nyou who put us back on the right track.\nYou gathered us from the four corners of the globe\,\nfrom wherever we had been lost or exiled. \nSome of us were lost in pitiless deserts\,\ndesperate to find shelter and company.\nWithout food or water\,\nour courage dried up and our steps grew weak. \nIn sheer despair\, we cried out to you\, LORD\,\nand in a flash\, you came to our rescue.\nYou guided us back to the main road\nand got us safely to the nearest town. \nWhen people become corrupt\, LORD\,\nyou dry up their water supplies;\nlakes become deserts\nand fruitful land\, a salt-scarred waste. \nBut you love to bring new life\, LORD;\nto pour water down dry creek beds\nand make the deserts burst into flower.\nYou love to open up arid land\nand make new places of plenty\nwhere the homeless and hungry\ncan build and plant and prosper. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n 1 Thessalonians 2: 9-13 \n \n\n \n \n \n Brothers and sisters\, when we were with you\, we all found ourselves jobs around the town\, as I’m sure you remember. We took night shifts and day shifts and whatever we could get\, so that we could pay our own way. We wanted to make sure we wouldn’t have to sponge off you while we were bringing you up to speed with the great news about God’s love. You believers experienced first-hand the way we conducted ourselves in our dealings with you\, and God too will witness that our behaviour was squeaky clean\, straight-down-the-line\, and beyond reproach. As you know\, we related to each of you personally in the way a concerned father might relate to each of his children. We encouraged you\, and spurred you on\, and spelt out to you the importance of living a life that God would be proud to be associated with\, for you are being called to live in the realm of God and to share the glory. \nWe are always thanking God that you recognised the word of God for what it was and took it on board when you heard from us. You didn’t dismiss it as just someone’s speculations\, but accepted it as God’s word and allowed it to start working within and among you who believe. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Matthew 23: 1-12 \n \n\n \n \n \n When the religious leaders had given up arguing with him\, Jesus turned to his followers and the gathered crowd\, and said: \n“The religious experts and the devout Pharisee party hold the authority to teach in the tradition of Moses. For that reason you should pay attention to what they teach and put it into practice. But do not do the things you see them doing\, because they do not practice what they preach. They weigh everyone else down with heavy demands for rigorous religious discipline\, but when people stagger under the load\, they themselves won’t get off their bums to help. Everything they do is done for show. They wear eye-catching ornaments displaying scripture quotes\, and they are always waving their bibles around for everyone to see. They love to be seated among the distinguished guests at formal occasions. They get a kick out of always being invited to appear at openings and premieres. They love to bask in the adulation of a gullible public\, and to have everyone calling them Reverend. But among you\, no one is to be called Reverend\, because there is only one you are to revere. To one another you are all brothers and sisters\, so don’t call anyone on earth Father. Your only Father is the one you have in heaven. Nor should any of you allow yourselves to be described as anointed teachers\, because you have only one anointed teacher – the Messiah. The one who will be regarded as the greatest among you will be the one who is always bending over backwards for others. Those who big-note themselves will be knocked off their perches\, but those who avoid the limelight will end up as everyone’s hero.” \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Below are the alternative 1st Reading and Psalm themed to the Gospel lection \n \n\n \n \n \n Prior to the revision of the Lectionary in 1992\, the 1st reading and the psalm that responded to it were chosen to link thematically with the gospel reading. After hearing the critique of those who said that the Hebrew Scriptures\, from which the first reading is usually chosen\, should be allowed to speak with their own voice rather than just add support to the gospel reading\, the Lectionary was revised so that during Ordinary Time\, the 1st reading runs in its own semi-continuous series\, working through various books of the Hebrew Bible. The older themed series continues to be available as an alternative. \nThe weekly prayers offered here at LaughingBird Resources are based on the four readings above\, and do not draw on the themed 1st reading and psalm. \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Micah 3: 5-12 \n \n\n \n \n \n The LORD has had a gutful of you prophets\nwhose lies cause God’s people to go off the rails.\nYou always have good news\nfor those who put money in your pocket\,\nbut you call down fear and misery\non those can’t afford to grease your palm. \nTherefore the LORD says:\n“Night after night you will be without dreams or visions.\nEverything will go dark and you will see nothing.\nYou so called prophets have had your day in the sun.\nNow your whole world is going black.\nYou visionaries will be exposed as frauds.\nYou expert forecasters will hang your heads in shame.\nYou will shut your mouths and hide your faces\,\nbecause I will leave you with nothing to say.” \nThat’s what the LORD says to you prophets\,\nbut it is different for me\, Micah.\nThe power of the LORD is with me\nand the spirit of the LORD fills me\,\nkeeping me honest\, impartial and strong\,\nso that I can do my job of confronting God’s people\nwith the extent of their immorality and corruption. \nSo hear this\,\nyou leaders who wield power and influence\nover the whole nation of God’s people;\nyou who despise and pervert justice\nand make a mockery of hopes for a fair-go;\nyou who built your power-base on the blood of others\nand Jerusalem on a foundation of corruption! \nHear this:\nThe city’s magistrates are taking bribes.\nIts religious leaders are taking cash for comment.\nIts preachers have sold out to the highest bidder.\nYet they make a big show of their trust in God\, saying\,\n“The LORD is on our side for sure!\nThe LORD will not let disaster come our way.” \nThe fact is\, that because of you lot\,\nJerusalem will be reduced to rubble and cleared like a field.\nThe Temple hill will be nothing but a tangled mass of weeds. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Psalm 43 \n \n\n \n \n \n Clear my name\, God;\nside with me against these godless tormentors.\nRescue me from their lies and abuse. \nI trusted you to look after me\, God;\nwhy have you pushed me aside?\nWhy are so many out to get me\,\nmaking my life such a misery? \nLet your truth blaze like a beacon\nso I can see the way to go;\nlet it light up the path and lead me\nto your home on the sacred mountain. \nThen I will offer myself to you in worship\, God;\noffer myself with uninhibited joy.\nI will praise you with music and song\,\nO God\, my God! \nWhy do I feel so defeated?\nWhy am I so anxious and agitated?\nI tell myself not to give up hope\,\nfor you are my God and my help\nand I’ll be glad of that again. \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\,\nO God of lasting love and Lord of goodness\,\nfor you have lifted the burden of oppression from us\nand called us into your own kingdom and glory. \nYou created the earth\, both dry lands and fertile valleys\,\nand entrusted it to us to tend and harvest.\nUnder your servants Moses and Joshua\nyou saved your people from the oppressors might\nand led them safely through the waters\ninto the land of promise. \nIn your child\, Jesus the Messiah\,\nyour Word has come to us as good news\,\nworking within us that we might live lives worthy of you.\nWhen he was killed by those\nwho mouth the truth but live a lie\,\nyou raised him to life\nand sent your Spirit as our true teacher\,\nleading us in the way of humility\nto the exaltation of your Kingdom. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2002 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 Word which has come to us as good news\nin your child\, Jesus the Messiah\,\nand works within us that we might live lives worthy of you\nand walk in the ways of humility\nto the exaltation of your Kingdom. \n©2002 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\,\nO God of lasting love and Lord of goodness\,\nfor you have lifted the burden of oppression from us\nand called us into your own kingdom and glory. \nYou created the earth\, both dry lands and fertile valleys\,\nand entrusted it to us to tend and harvest.\nUnder your servants Moses and Joshua\nyou saved your people from the oppressors might\nand led them safely through the waters\ninto the land of promise. \nIn your child\, Jesus the Messiah\,\nyour Word has come to us as good news\,\nworking within us that we might live lives worthy of you.\nWhen he was killed by those\nwho mouth the truth but live a lie\,\nyou raised him to life\nand sent your Spirit as our true teacher\,\nleading us in the way of humility\nto the exaltation of your Kingdom. \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©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Declaration of Grace / Absolution \n \n\n \n \n \n Through Christ\,\nGod snatches us from the oppression of sin\nand calls us into his own kingdom and glory\,\nfulfilling the promise\nto exalt all who humble themselves. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Commission & Benediction \n \n\n \n \n \n Go now\, in the freedom of the gospel of Christ.\nEncourage one another to lead lives worthy of God\nand walk together in service and humility.\nLet your words and your lives be one in Christ. \nAnd may the God of lasting love open the way before you;\nMay Jesus the Messiah be your one instructor;\nAnd may the Holy Spirit lead you on\ninto the promised land of God’s kingdom and glory. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2002 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\n Authority in the Community of FaithA sermon on Matthew 23:1-12 by Garry Deverell\n\n\n\nDelusions of GrandeurA sermon on Matthew 23:1-12 and 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nThe Word of FreedomA sermon on Matthew 23:1-12 and 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nBurdens Hard to BearA sermon on Matthew 23:1-12 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nHow Wide is your Rainbow Flag?A sermon on Matthew 23:1-12 by Nathan Nettleton URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/ap26/2029-11-04/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/P26.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20291104T000000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20291104T235959 DTSTAMP:20260404T103114 CREATED:20200818T133835Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231210T111002Z UID:10002085-1888444800-1888531199@laughingbird.net SUMMARY:Proper 26 - Year A 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 Joshua 3: 7-17 \n \n\n \n \n \n The LORD said to Joshua: \n“Today I am going to begin making a hero of you in the eyes of the people\, so that they will recognise that I am with you in the same way that I was with Moses. You are the one who will give the order to the priests who carry the sacred Ark of the Covenant\, telling them to step into the waters of the Jordan with the Ark and then stand still in the river.” \nSo Joshua called an assembly of the people\, and said to them: \n“Gather round and hear what the LORD your God wants to say. The living God is in your midst and is ready to clear the way for you by driving out the seven nations that are occupying the land. This is how you will know it is true. Today\, the Ark of the Covenant — the sacred possession of the Lord of all the earth — will be carried into the Jordan River before your very eyes. And the minute the priests who carry the Ark of the LORD step into the water\, the flow of the river will be cut off upstream and the water will pile up in a heap. You are to select one person from each of the twelve tribes of Israel to participate in marking this occasion.” \nSo the people packed up their camp and got ready to cross the Jordan River into the land\, with the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant at the front. Now it was the wet season and the Jordan was in full flood\, breaking its banks in all directions. But when the people reached the river’s edge\, and the priests carrying the sacred Ark took their first steps into the water\, the swollen waters rushing down from upstream stood still\, and piled up in a heap up near Adaam\, a city near Zarethan. The waters flowing towards the Dead Sea were turned off like a tap\, leaving the riverbed dry\, and so the people were able to cross the river opposite Jericho. The entire Israelite population crossed through the river on a dry track while the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD stood on the dry riverbed in the middle of the Jordan. They stayed there\, with the Ark\, until the whole nation had passed through the Jordan to the other side. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Psalm 107: 1-7\, 33-37 \n \n\n \n \n \n Thank you\, LORD! Thank you for being so good.\nYour rock-solid love will never end. \nLORD\, we freely and openly acknowledge\nthat it was you who got us out of trouble;\nyou who put us back on the right track.\nYou gathered us from the four corners of the globe\,\nfrom wherever we had been lost or exiled. \nSome of us were lost in pitiless deserts\,\ndesperate to find shelter and company.\nWithout food or water\,\nour courage dried up and our steps grew weak. \nIn sheer despair\, we cried out to you\, LORD\,\nand in a flash\, you came to our rescue.\nYou guided us back to the main road\nand got us safely to the nearest town. \nWhen people become corrupt\, LORD\,\nyou dry up their water supplies;\nlakes become deserts\nand fruitful land\, a salt-scarred waste. \nBut you love to bring new life\, LORD;\nto pour water down dry creek beds\nand make the deserts burst into flower.\nYou love to open up arid land\nand make new places of plenty\nwhere the homeless and hungry\ncan build and plant and prosper. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n 1 Thessalonians 2: 9-13 \n \n\n \n \n \n Brothers and sisters\, when we were with you\, we all found ourselves jobs around the town\, as I’m sure you remember. We took night shifts and day shifts and whatever we could get\, so that we could pay our own way. We wanted to make sure we wouldn’t have to sponge off you while we were bringing you up to speed with the great news about God’s love. You believers experienced first-hand the way we conducted ourselves in our dealings with you\, and God too will witness that our behaviour was squeaky clean\, straight-down-the-line\, and beyond reproach. As you know\, we related to each of you personally in the way a concerned father might relate to each of his children. We encouraged you\, and spurred you on\, and spelt out to you the importance of living a life that God would be proud to be associated with\, for you are being called to live in the realm of God and to share the glory. \nWe are always thanking God that you recognised the word of God for what it was and took it on board when you heard from us. You didn’t dismiss it as just someone’s speculations\, but accepted it as God’s word and allowed it to start working within and among you who believe. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Matthew 23: 1-12 \n \n\n \n \n \n When the religious leaders had given up arguing with him\, Jesus turned to his followers and the gathered crowd\, and said: \n“The religious experts and the devout Pharisee party hold the authority to teach in the tradition of Moses. For that reason you should pay attention to what they teach and put it into practice. But do not do the things you see them doing\, because they do not practice what they preach. They weigh everyone else down with heavy demands for rigorous religious discipline\, but when people stagger under the load\, they themselves won’t get off their bums to help. Everything they do is done for show. They wear eye-catching ornaments displaying scripture quotes\, and they are always waving their bibles around for everyone to see. They love to be seated among the distinguished guests at formal occasions. They get a kick out of always being invited to appear at openings and premieres. They love to bask in the adulation of a gullible public\, and to have everyone calling them Reverend. But among you\, no one is to be called Reverend\, because there is only one you are to revere. To one another you are all brothers and sisters\, so don’t call anyone on earth Father. Your only Father is the one you have in heaven. Nor should any of you allow yourselves to be described as anointed teachers\, because you have only one anointed teacher – the Messiah. The one who will be regarded as the greatest among you will be the one who is always bending over backwards for others. Those who big-note themselves will be knocked off their perches\, but those who avoid the limelight will end up as everyone’s hero.” \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Below are the alternative 1st Reading and Psalm themed to the Gospel lection \n \n\n \n \n \n Prior to the revision of the Lectionary in 1992\, the 1st reading and the psalm that responded to it were chosen to link thematically with the gospel reading. After hearing the critique of those who said that the Hebrew Scriptures\, from which the first reading is usually chosen\, should be allowed to speak with their own voice rather than just add support to the gospel reading\, the Lectionary was revised so that during Ordinary Time\, the 1st reading runs in its own semi-continuous series\, working through various books of the Hebrew Bible. The older themed series continues to be available as an alternative. \nThe weekly prayers offered here at LaughingBird Resources are based on the four readings above\, and do not draw on the themed 1st reading and psalm. \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Micah 3: 5-12 \n \n\n \n \n \n The LORD has had a gutful of you prophets\nwhose lies cause God’s people to go off the rails.\nYou always have good news\nfor those who put money in your pocket\,\nbut you call down fear and misery\non those can’t afford to grease your palm. \nTherefore the LORD says:\n“Night after night you will be without dreams or visions.\nEverything will go dark and you will see nothing.\nYou so called prophets have had your day in the sun.\nNow your whole world is going black.\nYou visionaries will be exposed as frauds.\nYou expert forecasters will hang your heads in shame.\nYou will shut your mouths and hide your faces\,\nbecause I will leave you with nothing to say.” \nThat’s what the LORD says to you prophets\,\nbut it is different for me\, Micah.\nThe power of the LORD is with me\nand the spirit of the LORD fills me\,\nkeeping me honest\, impartial and strong\,\nso that I can do my job of confronting God’s people\nwith the extent of their immorality and corruption. \nSo hear this\,\nyou leaders who wield power and influence\nover the whole nation of God’s people;\nyou who despise and pervert justice\nand make a mockery of hopes for a fair-go;\nyou who built your power-base on the blood of others\nand Jerusalem on a foundation of corruption! \nHear this:\nThe city’s magistrates are taking bribes.\nIts religious leaders are taking cash for comment.\nIts preachers have sold out to the highest bidder.\nYet they make a big show of their trust in God\, saying\,\n“The LORD is on our side for sure!\nThe LORD will not let disaster come our way.” \nThe fact is\, that because of you lot\,\nJerusalem will be reduced to rubble and cleared like a field.\nThe Temple hill will be nothing but a tangled mass of weeds. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Psalm 43 \n \n\n \n \n \n Clear my name\, God;\nside with me against these godless tormentors.\nRescue me from their lies and abuse. \nI trusted you to look after me\, God;\nwhy have you pushed me aside?\nWhy are so many out to get me\,\nmaking my life such a misery? \nLet your truth blaze like a beacon\nso I can see the way to go;\nlet it light up the path and lead me\nto your home on the sacred mountain. \nThen I will offer myself to you in worship\, God;\noffer myself with uninhibited joy.\nI will praise you with music and song\,\nO God\, my God! \nWhy do I feel so defeated?\nWhy am I so anxious and agitated?\nI tell myself not to give up hope\,\nfor you are my God and my help\nand I’ll be glad of that again. \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\,\nO God of lasting love and Lord of goodness\,\nfor you have lifted the burden of oppression from us\nand called us into your own kingdom and glory. \nYou created the earth\, both dry lands and fertile valleys\,\nand entrusted it to us to tend and harvest.\nUnder your servants Moses and Joshua\nyou saved your people from the oppressors might\nand led them safely through the waters\ninto the land of promise. \nIn your child\, Jesus the Messiah\,\nyour Word has come to us as good news\,\nworking within us that we might live lives worthy of you.\nWhen he was killed by those\nwho mouth the truth but live a lie\,\nyou raised him to life\nand sent your Spirit as our true teacher\,\nleading us in the way of humility\nto the exaltation of your Kingdom. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2002 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 Word which has come to us as good news\nin your child\, Jesus the Messiah\,\nand works within us that we might live lives worthy of you\nand walk in the ways of humility\nto the exaltation of your Kingdom. \n©2002 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\,\nO God of lasting love and Lord of goodness\,\nfor you have lifted the burden of oppression from us\nand called us into your own kingdom and glory. \nYou created the earth\, both dry lands and fertile valleys\,\nand entrusted it to us to tend and harvest.\nUnder your servants Moses and Joshua\nyou saved your people from the oppressors might\nand led them safely through the waters\ninto the land of promise. \nIn your child\, Jesus the Messiah\,\nyour Word has come to us as good news\,\nworking within us that we might live lives worthy of you.\nWhen he was killed by those\nwho mouth the truth but live a lie\,\nyou raised him to life\nand sent your Spirit as our true teacher\,\nleading us in the way of humility\nto the exaltation of your Kingdom. \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©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Declaration of Grace / Absolution \n \n\n \n \n \n Through Christ\,\nGod snatches us from the oppression of sin\nand calls us into his own kingdom and glory\,\nfulfilling the promise\nto exalt all who humble themselves. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Commission & Benediction \n \n\n \n \n \n Go now\, in the freedom of the gospel of Christ.\nEncourage one another to lead lives worthy of God\nand walk together in service and humility.\nLet your words and your lives be one in Christ. \nAnd may the God of lasting love open the way before you;\nMay Jesus the Messiah be your one instructor;\nAnd may the Holy Spirit lead you on\ninto the promised land of God’s kingdom and glory. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2002 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\n Authority in the Community of FaithA sermon on Matthew 23:1-12 by Garry Deverell\n\n\n\nDelusions of GrandeurA sermon on Matthew 23:1-12 and 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nThe Word of FreedomA sermon on Matthew 23:1-12 and 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nBurdens Hard to BearA sermon on Matthew 23:1-12 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nHow Wide is your Rainbow Flag?A sermon on Matthew 23:1-12 by Nathan Nettleton URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/ap26/2029-11-04/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/P26.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20291111T000000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20291111T235959 DTSTAMP:20260404T103114 CREATED:20200818T110524Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231217T232511Z UID:10002086-1889049600-1889135999@laughingbird.net SUMMARY:Proper 27 - Year A 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 Joshua 24: 1-3a\, 14-25 \n \n\n \n \n \n Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel together at Shechem. He called a meeting of their leaders — the tribal elders\, the clan chiefs\, the judges\, and the civil officials — and they gathered under the authority of God. Joshua addressed them\, saying: \n“The LORD\, the God of Israel\, wants you to hear this. Back in the dark ages\, your ancestors — Terah and his sons Abraham and Nahor — lived in the land beyond the Euphrates river and served other gods. Then the LORD led your father Abraham out of that land and into the land of Canaan\, and gave him a huge mob of descendants. So now\, treat the LORD with due respect\, and be absolutely fair dinkum and rock-solid in your commitment to doing all that the LORD asks of you. Have nothing more to do with any of the other objects of devotion that your ancestors worked for back in those days\, or when they were in Egypt. Put yourselves wholly at the service of the LORD. But if you are unwilling to serve the LORD\, then you can make up your own minds what you are going to devote yourselves to: the ignorant ways of your ancestors back there in the dark ages; or the trivialities of the culture around you here. But I have made up my mind for myself and for my family; we will devote ourselves to the LORD.” \nWhen Joshua finished his speech\, the leaders replied\, saying: \n“There is no way we would turn our backs on the LORD and devote ourselves to other gods. It was the LORD who broke us free from slavery and did such spectacular things before our very eyes in the land where we had been oppressed. As we travelled\, the LORD looked after us every step of the way and kept us safe from hostile nations. It was the LORD who made room for us by driving out the nations who were occupying this land. Therefore we will serve the LORD\, for the LORD is our God.” \nBut Joshua challenged them saying\, “You lot haven’t got what it takes to serve the LORD\, for the LORD has the most uncompromising standards. The LORD demands your undivided devotion\, and will not tolerate or forgive any unfaithfulness or breach of trust. If you do the wrong thing by the LORD and go running around after some other object of devotion\, the LORD will turn on you and do you some serious harm. The LORD will quit looking after you and destroy you instead.” \nBut the leaders of the people all insisted\, “No\, we will serve the LORD!” \nSo Joshua said\, “You people are all witnesses that you made this choice with clear heads and sound minds. You all understand that you are choosing to serve the LORD alone.” \n“We know what we are saying\,” they replied. \nThen Joshua said\, “Well then\, get rid of any other objects of devotion that you have in your lives\, and give your hearts wholly and solely to the LORD our God.” \nAnd the people answered Joshua\, saying\, “The LORD our God is the only one we will serve and the only one we will obey.” \nSo Joshua ratified the alliance between God and the people that day\, and there at Shechem he spelt out the terms and conditions of the alliance. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Psalm 78: 1-7 \n \n\n \n \n \n We are keen to learn of you\, LORD;\nyour people are eager to hear what you have to say. \nWe listen to those who pass on the old stories;\nthe dark mysteries of ancient wisdom.\nThese are things we must hear and know\,\nfor the wisdom of our ancestors must not be lost. \nWe will not deprive our children of these things.\nWe will pass on the stories to the next generation\, LORD\,\nstories of the wonderful things you have done\,\nso that they know how great and amazing you are. \nYou laid down the law for your people\, LORD\,\nand set out what you expected of your chosen ones.\nYou spelt it out to our ancestors\,\nand told them to teach it to their children\,\nso that the next generation would know your ways;\nso that those who had not yet even been born\nwould be able to grow up and pass it on to their children;\nso that they will trust their future to you\, God\,\nliving their lives by your instructions\nand never forgetting what you have done. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18 \n \n\n \n \n \n Sisters and brothers\, as you grieve over the recent death of some members of your congregation\, we do not want you to be left in the dark about what this means for their future. The pain of separation is real\, but your grief is different from the grief of others who have no hope beyond this. Why? Because we believe that Jesus died and rose back to life\, and that in the same way\, all those who have died will be gathered up by God with Jesus to share his life. We declare this to you with the utmost confidence\, for we have the Lord’s word for it. We who are still alive\, and who may still be here when the Lord arrives to take charge\, are certainly no better placed than those who have died. On that day\, when the order is given\, and the archangel roars\, and God sounds the siren\, the Lord will emerge from heaven in person\, and the first to their feet will be those who have died in union with the Messiah. Then the rest of us\, those of us who are still alive at the time\, will be snatched up too\, and there will be a great reunion in the clouds as we all meet the Lord in the air together. From then on\, there will be no more painful separations; we will all be with the Lord forever. So keep reminding one another about what I’ve said\, so that you may all take courage in this time of sadness. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Matthew 25: 1-13 \n \n\n \n \n \n While speaking to his followers\, Jesus said\, “When the time comes\, the arrival of the culture of heaven will be like this: \nAt a wedding celebration\, ten young women were given the job of holding up oil lamps and forming a guard of honour to greet the bridegroom when he arrived at the reception hall. Five of them had their wits about them\, but the other five were not the full bottle. These five dim-wits had their lamps alight\, but they didn’t bring any spare oil. The five bright-sparks had some extra with them\, just in case. The bridegroom was delayed by several hours\, and the ten girls all fell asleep in the foyer while they were waiting for him. Finally\, on the stroke of midnight\, there was a shout\, ‘Quick! The bridegroom has just come around the corner. On your feet and get those lamps waving!’ \nThe ten young women all jumped up and trimmed their lamps\, but by that time the five dim-wits were almost out of oil. They turned to the well-prepared women and said\, ‘Our lamps are going out. Can you spare us some oil?’ \nBut the well-prepared women replied\, ‘Sorry! If we try to make it go around all ten of us\, then all the lamps will run out and there’ll be no lights at all. You’ll have to go down to the shops and get some more for yourselves.’ \nBut while the five who had not kept their stocks up ran down to the shops\, the bridegroom pulled up\, and those who had been ready for him waved their lamps and followed him into the wedding feast. The door was locked behind them\, and when the other five returned\, they couldn’t get in. They banged on the door and called out\, ‘Sir\, Sir\, open the door for us.’ \nBut the bridegroom replied\, ‘I’m telling you straight\, I don’t recognise you.’” \n“And so\,” Jesus concluded\, “Keep yourselves ready\, because you have no way of knowing when the time will come.” \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Below are the alternative 1st Reading and Psalm themed to the Gospel lection \n \n\n \n \n \n Prior to the revision of the Lectionary in 1992\, the 1st reading and the psalm that responded to it were chosen to link thematically with the gospel reading. After hearing the critique of those who said that the Hebrew Scriptures\, from which the first reading is usually chosen\, should be allowed to speak with their own voice rather than just add support to the gospel reading\, the Lectionary was revised so that during Ordinary Time\, the 1st reading runs in its own semi-continuous series\, working through various books of the Hebrew Bible. The older themed series continues to be available as an alternative. \nThe weekly prayers offered here at LaughingBird Resources are based on the four readings above\, and do not draw on the themed 1st reading and psalm. \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Wisdom of Solomon 6: 12-16 \n \n\n \n \n \n Wisdom is a radiant beauty\nand her beauty never fades.\nThose who love her always recognise her\nand those who seek her have no trouble finding her. \nShe is open and generous\nwith all who desire her.\nGet up early to track her down\nand you’ll have no trouble.\nYou’ll find her right outside\,\nready and waiting for you. \nAnyone who gets their mind fixed on her\nis on the way to understanding everything clearly.\nAnyone who stays awake to her\nwill soon be without a care in the world.\nShe is always on the lookout for those who are worthy of her.\nShe bowls up and generously introduces herself.\nShe is there in their minds whenever they need her. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n OR Amos 5: 18-24 \n \n\n \n \n \n I\, the LORD\, am heartbroken over you people\nwho seem so eager to see the day\nwhen I will step in to put everything right.\nWhat have you got to look forward to on that day? \nWhat you see as a light at the end of the tunnel\nis a train coming the other way!\nFor you\, it will be like escaping from a crocodile\nonly to swim into the jaws of a shark;\nor flopping down in your favourite chair\nonly to sit on a deadly snake. \nCan’t you see that for you\nthe day of justice will be a dark and gloomy day\nand not any kind of bright new tomorrow? \nI can’t stand your religious festivals.\nWhen you gather for worship\, it makes me sick. \nI will not accept anything you offer me in worship\,\nno matter what it costs or how beautifully it is presented.\nYou can offer me all your sacrifices and gifts\,\nbut I will turn away in disgust. \nGo and sing your noisy songs somewhere else.\nI don’t want to hear another note you play. \nYour worship will remain like a foul stench to me\nuntil you flood your lives with justice;\nuntil your passion for doing what’s right\nis as unstoppable as a rolling river. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Wisdom of Solomon 6: 17-20 \n \n\n \n \n \n The first sign of wisdom in a person\nis a genuine hunger to learn from others.\nThose who seek guidance from others\nare clearly proving their love of wisdom\,\nand the love of wisdom\nis shown in living by her laws.\nLiving by her laws\nguarantees unending life\,\nand unending life is lived\nin close relationship with God. \nSo the desire for wisdom\nleads directly to the Kingdom of God. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n OR Psalm 70 \n \n\n \n \n \n Please God\, deliver me!\nHelp me\, LORD\, quickly! \nThese people are out to get me\, LORD;\nleave them confused\nwith egg all over their faces.\nThey are trying to do me harm;\nknock them off their perches\nand send them packing. \nWhen they smirk and make a joke of me\,\nrun them out of town in disgrace. \nPut a smile on the face\nof everyone who seeks you\, LORD.\nGive everyone who loves your ways\nreason to celebrate your greatness forever. \nBut right now\, God\, I need your help in a hurry;\nI can’t make ends meet.\nYou are the one who helps me;\nthe one who rescues me from danger.\nQuickly\, LORD\, help me without delay! \n©2002 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 your mysteries well up from ancient depths\,\nassuring us that we will be with you forever. \nIn the first of your mighty works\,\nyou created the earth and filled it with life.\nYou rescued a people from slavery\nand called them to choose between wisdom and foolishness\, between serving you and making their own gods. \nIn your child\, Jesus\, you have again called us to choose -\nto live in readiness\nfor the promised return\nof the one who died and rose again\,\nor to waste our opportunities\nand squander what you have given us.\nWe choose to serve you\,\nand with hearts full of gratitude\nwe trust in your protection and look for the day\nwhen at the trumpet’s sound the dead will arise\nand all will be embraced in the marriage of earth and heaven. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2002 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 As those who have chosen to serve you\,\nwe give thanks for your protection along the way\nand your promise of a day\nwhen at the trumpet’s sound the dead will arise\nand all will be embraced in the marriage of earth and heaven. \n©2002 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 your mysteries well up from ancient depths\,\nassuring us that we will be with you forever. \nIn the first of your mighty works\,\nyou created the earth and filled it with life.\nYou rescued a people from slavery\nand called them to choose between wisdom and foolishness\, between serving you and making their own gods. \nIn your child\, Jesus\, you have again called us to choose -\nto live in readiness\nfor the promised return\nof the one who died and rose again\,\nor to waste our opportunities\nand squander what you have given us.\nWe choose to serve you\,\nand with hearts full of gratitude\nwe trust in your protection and look for the day\nwhen at the trumpet’s sound the dead will arise\nand all will be embraced in the marriage of earth and heaven. \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©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Declaration of Grace / Absolution \n \n\n \n \n \n Jesus died and rose again\, and through Jesus\,\nthose who live or die in him\nwill be embraced in the mercy of God forever. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Commission & Benediction \n \n\n \n \n \n Go now\, and follow in the footsteps\nof those who have gone before us in Christ.\nRevere the Lord.\nServe God in sincerity and faithfulness.\nTeach those who come after you to trust in God. \nAnd may God protect you along the way;\nMay Christ Jesus keep you alert and prepared;\nAnd may the Holy Spirit fuel the lamp that guides your path. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2002 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\nSo\, how are you going to live?A sermon on Matthew 23:1-13 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\n Things you can’t shareA sermon on Matthew 23:1-13 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nGrief\, Fear\, and Rapturous WelcomesA sermon on 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 & Matthew 25:1-13 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nReady\, Coming or NotA sermon on 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 & Matthew 25:1-13 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nToo Good For HeavenA sermon on 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 & Matthew 25:1-13 by Suzanne Ross\n\n\n\nIsrael\, Gaza\, and the Book of JoshuaA sermon on the book of Joshua by Nathan Nettleton URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/ap27/2029-11-11/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/P27.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20291118T000000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20291118T235959 DTSTAMP:20260404T103114 CREATED:20200818T100253Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250514T003406Z UID:10002851-1889654400-1889740799@laughingbird.net SUMMARY:Proper 28 - Year A 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 Judges 4: 1-7 \n \n\n \n \n \n The death of Ehud left the Israelite people leaderless\, and before long corruption and immorality had got the better of them again. The LORD couldn’t stand the sight of their evil ways\, and abandoned them to the advancing army of King Jabin of Canaan\, who ruled from the city of Hazor. King Jabin’s troops\, under the command of General Sisera\, were a hardened fighting unit equipped with the latest in military hardware. Their harsh and oppressive rule was like a boot on Israel’s throat for the next twenty years\, and the people cried out to the LORD for help. \nDuring that era\, a prophet named Deborah emerged as a leader in Israel. She was a fiery woman\, and the Israelite people looked to her to arbitrate whenever disputes and conflicts flared up among them. She based herself in the hill country of Ephraim and held her hearings under a palm tree between Ramah and Bethel. The people came to her there\, and the place became known as the Palm of Deborah. \nOne day\, Deborah sent a message to a man named Barak telling him to report to her. Barak was the son of Abinoam\, and came from the town of Kadesh in Naphtali. When he arrived\, Deborah said to him: \n“I have a command for you from the LORD\, the God of Israel. You are to mobilise ten thousand soldiers from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun\, and take position at Mount Tabor. The LORD will incite Sisera\, the general of Jabin’s army\, to come out and tackle you. He will come with all his troops and his fancy military equipment\, and there will be a battle near the Kishon River. The LORD will hand you a complete victory over Sisera.” \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Psalm 123 \n \n\n \n \n \n It is to you that we look for help\, LORD;\nto you who rules from the throne of heaven! \nWhen people are injured\,\nthey look to the doctors for help;\nwhen they lie in hospital\,\nthey look to the nurses for compassion;\nand in the same way\nwe look to you\, the LORD our God:\nwe depend on your kindness and care. \nTreat us with compassion\, LORD\, treat us with compassion.\nWe’ve endured more than our fair share of contempt. \nWe have had an absolute gutful\nof being put down by the arrogant\nand treated like dirt by those who’ve got it easy. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n 1 Thessalonians 5: 1-11 \n \n\n \n \n \n Sisters and brothers\, there is really nothing much I can say about God’s ultimate timetable that you do not already know. You yourselves are up to speed with the fact that the day of the Lord will hit without warning like redback in a dark dunny. The propaganda machines will still be pumping out reports of secure borders and boom times ahead\, when suddenly the whole world will be turned on its head. It will be like the sudden rapid onset of labour for a pregnant woman: unpredictable\, intense\, and inescapable! \nBut\, my dear friends\, you are not in the dark about these things\, so that day won’t catch you off-guard like the red-back. Instead\, for all of you\, the lights have been turned on and bright light is now your natural habitat. We no longer live our lives stumbling around in the darkness\, so let us not laze around\, oblivious to what’s going on\, the way other people do. Instead\, let’s keep on our toes\, and be clear-headed. Those who drink themselves into a stupor and pass out\, dead to the world\, do so at night\, under the cover of darkness. But we are creatures of the light of the new day\, so let us keep our heads clear and our wits about us. Put on all the protection God has provided\, for our faith and love will protect our hearts better than a bullet-proof vest\, and our confident anticipation of being rescued into new life will protect our heads better than a crash helmet. God has not set us up for failure and punishment\, but to be rescued from all that into the life opened up for us by our Lord\, Jesus the Messiah. Jesus paid the ultimate price to secure that life for us\, so that whether we live until that day or die first\, we will be raised up to live with him. In light of all this\, keep on doing what I know you are doing: cheering one another on\, and helping one another to grow stronger. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Matthew 25: 14-30 \n \n\n \n \n \n While speaking to his followers\, Jesus said\, “Here is another illustration of what the culture of heaven will be like when the time comes: \n“A big-time entrepreneur decided to take an extended overseas holiday\, and to leave substantial investment funds in the hands of his three employees to do with as they saw fit. Taking account of the relative abilities of the three\, he gave one of them five million dollars\, one of them two million\, and the other\, one million. Then he cruised off and left them to it. The one who had received the five million got straight to work\, buying and selling\, and managed to generate a profit of another five million dollars. The one who had received the two million also managed to generate a hundred percent return. But the one who had received the one million went and locked the money in a safe and left it there. \nA long time later\, the boss returned without warning\, and called in the three to present their performance reports. The one who had received the five million reported first\, saying\, ‘Boss\, you gave me five million bucks to work with\, and I have doubled your money.’ \nThe boss replied\, ‘Well done. What I gave you was peanuts\, but you have earned my trust and admiration in your handling of it. Now I am going to put you in charge of much bigger things. Come and celebrate with me!’ \nThe one who had received the two million reported next\, saying\, ‘Boss\, you gave me two million bucks to work with\, and I have doubled your money.’ \nThe boss replied\, ‘Well done. What I gave you was peanuts\, but you have earned my trust and admiration in your handling of it. Now I am going to put you in charge of much bigger things. Come and celebrate with me!’ \nFinally\, the one who had received the one million made his report\, saying\, ‘Boss\, I knew how you were only too happy to reap the profits from other people’s work without contributing yourself\, and how harsh you are on those who fail; so I was afraid to take any risks. I kept your money locked away safely. Here\, have it back.’ \nAt that\, the boss went off his tree\, saying\, ‘You lousy gutless bludger! So you knew that I am only too happy to reap the profits from other people’s work\, did you? Well then you ought to have at least deposited my money in the bank where it would have earned me a bit of interest. So now I am taking your million and giving it to your mate with the ten million. Everyone with something to show for what they are given will be given even more and they will be rolling in it. But those with nothing to show will be stripped of even the little they have. As for you\, you worthless piece of garbage\, you’re out on your ear\, and I’ll put the word around so that you’ll never get another job. You can spend your days cursing and kicking yourself on the dole queue.’” \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Below are the alternative 1st Reading and Psalm themed to the Gospel lection \n \n\n \n \n \n Prior to the revision of the Lectionary in 1992\, the 1st reading and the psalm that responded to it were chosen to link thematically with the gospel reading. After hearing the critique of those who said that the Hebrew Scriptures\, from which the first reading is usually chosen\, should be allowed to speak with their own voice rather than just add support to the gospel reading\, the Lectionary was revised so that during Ordinary Time\, the 1st reading runs in its own semi-continuous series\, working through various books of the Hebrew Bible. The older themed series continues to be available as an alternative. \nThe weekly prayers offered here at LaughingBird Resources are based on the four readings above\, and do not draw on the themed 1st reading and psalm. \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Zephaniah 1: 7\, 12-18 \n \n\n \n \n \n The LORD God comes! Let us all be silent!\nThe day of the LORD is dawning.\nThe LORD is ready to make the sacrifice\,\nand others have been invited to feed on it. \nListen to what the LORD has to say: \n“At that time\, I will march into the city\, searchlights blazing\,\nand hunt down those who will be punished;\nthose who pickle themselves in their hot tubs\nand smugly suggest\nthat I\, the LORD\, will never do anything\,\neither for good or for bad. \nTheir number is up.\nTheir wealth will be carried off.\nTheir fancy houses will be smashed to the ground.\nAll they have built up will come to nothing.\nI will not let them live in the mansions they built\nor enjoy the wine they carefully cellared.” \nThe great day of the LORD is almost upon us\,\napproaching at the speed of sound;\napproaching with a horrifying noise;\nbloodcurdling shouts and screams of fear. \nThat day will be a day of fury\,\na day of grief and tearing hair out\,\na day doom and disaster\,\na day of filthy darkness and gloom\,\na day of choking smoke and clouds of dust\,\na day of sirens and screams and the sounds of battle\,\na day when the defences will crumble\nand cities and strongholds will fall. \nThe LORD will decimate the people.\nThey will stagger around\, dazed and confused\,\nbecause they have offended the LORD with their evil ways.\nTheir blood will be poured out on the dirt;\ntheir dismembered bodies spread out like dung. \nDespite their millions and all their finery\,\nthey won’t be able to buy their way out of trouble\non the day of the LORD'S fury.\nThe LORD'S passion will set fire to the earth\nand incinerate it entirely.\nWith a terrifying completeness\,\nthe LORD will terminate life on earth. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Psalm 90: 1-8\, (9-11)\, 12 \n \n\n \n \n \n Lord\, in every generation\nyou have been house and home to us. \nYou are God\, and have been from time before time;\neven before you brought the mountains to birth;\neven before you created the planet or anything on it. \nYou tell us when our time is up\,\nand return us to the earth from which we came. \nFrom where you look\,\na thousand years is like the blink of an eye\,\nand the ancient past like yesterday. \nOur lives pass as if you had erased them completely;\nthey are gone like a dream.\nLike cut flowers they are fresh and new one day\,\nand faded memories the next. \nThe burning heat of your anger wipes us out;\nyour indignation cuts us down. \nYou have spelt out the charges against us\,\nand brought our hidden offences out into the open. \nDay by day\, the weight of you anger drains the life out of us\,\nand our years come to a close with a whimper. \nHow many years have we got?\nSeventy\, perhaps eighty if our health holds.\nBut even a long life is a grind\, all hard work and heartache\,\nand in no time it’s over and we’re gone for good. \nDoes anyone treat your anger with the respect it deserves?\nSurely the extent of your indignation over sin\nis matched only by the honour that is your due.\n\nSo teach us to value each and every day\nso that we will be wise enough to make the most of them. \n©2002 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 have destined us for salvation\nthrough our Lord Jesus Christ. \nYou created the earth\nand entrusted it into our hands.\nYou called a people to be your own\,\nand when they were cruelly oppressed\nyou raised up your prophet\, Deborah\,\nand spoke through her of the day of deliverance. \nYou have spoken to us through your child\, Jesus\,\nteaching us to look to you and trust in your kindness\,\nand to be faithful stewards of your gifts.\nHe was scorned and mocked\nand died for us\, but was raised by you.\nYou have promised a day of judgment and deliverance\,\nwhen Christ will come\nas unexpectedly as a thief in the night\,\nto reveal the children of light\nand gather all who have been trustworthy\nwith what you have given\ninto his kingdom of joy. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2002 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 promise\nof a day when Christ will come\nto reveal the children of light\nand gather all who have been trustworthy\nwith what you have given\ninto his kingdom of joy. \n©2002 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 have destined us for salvation\nthrough our Lord Jesus Christ. \nYou created the earth\nand entrusted it into our hands.\nYou called a people to be your own\,\nand when they were cruelly oppressed\nyou raised up your prophet\, Deborah\,\nand spoke through her of the day of deliverance. \nYou have spoken to us through your child\, Jesus\,\nteaching us to look to you and trust in your kindness\,\nand to be faithful stewards of your gifts.\nHe was scorned and mocked\nand died for us\, but was raised by you.\nYou have promised a day of judgment and deliverance\,\nwhen Christ will come\nas unexpectedly as a thief in the night\,\nto reveal the children of light\nand gather all who have been trustworthy\nwith what you have given\ninto his kingdom of joy. \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©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Declaration of Grace / Absolution \n \n\n \n \n \n In the fullness of mercy\,\nGod has destined us not for wrath\nbut for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ\,\nwho died for us so that we may live with him. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Commission & Benediction \n \n\n \n \n \n Go now\, and live as children of the light.\nPut on the breastplate of faith and love\,\nand for a helmet\, the hope of salvation.\nMake the most of all God has given you\nand encourage one another in Christ. \nAnd may God’s hand be open to you in kindness;\nMay Christ Jesus welcome you into his joy;\nAnd may the Holy Spirit fill you with courage\, vigilance and faithfulness. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2002 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\nWhat have you done with it all?A sermon on Matthew 25:14-30 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\n ‘Ave a go\, ya mug!A sermon on Matthew 25:14-30 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nThe parable of the unjust economic systemA sermon on Matthew 25:14-30 by Alison Sampson\n\n\n\nImagining GraceA sermon on Matthew 25:14-30 by Nathan Nettleton URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/ap28/2029-11-18/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/P28.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20291118T000000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20291118T235959 DTSTAMP:20260404T103114 CREATED:20200818T100253Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231224T231619Z UID:10002087-1889654400-1889740799@laughingbird.net SUMMARY:Proper 28 - Year A 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 Judges 4: 1-7 \n \n\n \n \n \n The death of Ehud left the Israelite people leaderless\, and before long corruption and immorality had got the better of them again. The LORD couldn’t stand the sight of their evil ways\, and abandoned them to the advancing army of King Jabin of Canaan\, who ruled from the city of Hazor. King Jabin’s troops\, under the command of General Sisera\, were a hardened fighting unit equipped with the latest in military hardware. Their harsh and oppressive rule was like a boot on Israel’s throat for the next twenty years\, and the people cried out to the LORD for help. \nDuring that era\, a prophet named Deborah emerged as a leader in Israel. She was a fiery woman\, and the Israelite people looked to her to arbitrate whenever disputes and conflicts flared up among them. She based herself in the hill country of Ephraim and held her hearings under a palm tree between Ramah and Bethel. The people came to her there\, and the place became known as the Palm of Deborah. \nOne day\, Deborah sent a message to a man named Barak telling him to report to her. Barak was the son of Abinoam\, and came from the town of Kadesh in Naphtali. When he arrived\, Deborah said to him: \n“I have a command for you from the LORD\, the God of Israel. You are to mobilise ten thousand soldiers from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun\, and take position at Mount Tabor. The LORD will incite Sisera\, the general of Jabin’s army\, to come out and tackle you. He will come with all his troops and his fancy military equipment\, and there will be a battle near the Kishon River. The LORD will hand you a complete victory over Sisera.” \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Psalm 123 \n \n\n \n \n \n It is to you that we look for help\, LORD;\nto you who rules from the throne of heaven! \nWhen people are injured\,\nthey look to the doctors for help;\nwhen they lie in hospital\,\nthey look to the nurses for compassion;\nand in the same way\nwe look to you\, the LORD our God:\nwe depend on your kindness and care. \nTreat us with compassion\, LORD\, treat us with compassion.\nWe’ve endured more than our fair share of contempt. \nWe have had an absolute gutful\nof being put down by the arrogant\nand treated like dirt by those who’ve got it easy. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n 1 Thessalonians 5: 1-11 \n \n\n \n \n \n Sisters and brothers\, there is really nothing much I can say about God’s ultimate timetable that you do not already know. You yourselves are up to speed with the fact that the day of the Lord will hit without warning like redback in a dark dunny. The propaganda machines will still be pumping out reports of secure borders and boom times ahead\, when suddenly the whole world will be turned on its head. It will be like the sudden rapid onset of labour for a pregnant woman: unpredictable\, intense\, and inescapable! \nBut\, my dear friends\, you are not in the dark about these things\, so that day won’t catch you off-guard like the red-back. Instead\, for all of you\, the lights have been turned on and bright light is now your natural habitat. We no longer live our lives stumbling around in the darkness\, so let us not laze around\, oblivious to what’s going on\, the way other people do. Instead\, let’s keep on our toes\, and be clear-headed. Those who drink themselves into a stupor and pass out\, dead to the world\, do so at night\, under the cover of darkness. But we are creatures of the light of the new day\, so let us keep our heads clear and our wits about us. Put on all the protection God has provided\, for our faith and love will protect our hearts better than a bullet-proof vest\, and our confident anticipation of being rescued into new life will protect our heads better than a crash helmet. God has not set us up for failure and punishment\, but to be rescued from all that into the life opened up for us by our Lord\, Jesus the Messiah. Jesus paid the ultimate price to secure that life for us\, so that whether we live until that day or die first\, we will be raised up to live with him. In light of all this\, keep on doing what I know you are doing: cheering one another on\, and helping one another to grow stronger. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Matthew 25: 14-30 \n \n\n \n \n \n While speaking to his followers\, Jesus said\, “Here is another illustration of what the culture of heaven will be like when the time comes: \n“A big-time entrepreneur decided to take an extended overseas holiday\, and to leave substantial investment funds in the hands of his three employees to do with as they saw fit. Taking account of the relative abilities of the three\, he gave one of them five million dollars\, one of them two million\, and the other\, one million. Then he cruised off and left them to it. The one who had received the five million got straight to work\, buying and selling\, and managed to generate a profit of another five million dollars. The one who had received the two million also managed to generate a hundred percent return. But the one who had received the one million went and locked the money in a safe and left it there. \nA long time later\, the boss returned without warning\, and called in the three to present their performance reports. The one who had received the five million reported first\, saying\, ‘Boss\, you gave me five million bucks to work with\, and I have doubled your money.’ \nThe boss replied\, ‘Well done. What I gave you was peanuts\, but you have earned my trust and admiration in your handling of it. Now I am going to put you in charge of much bigger things. Come and celebrate with me!’ \nThe one who had received the two million reported next\, saying\, ‘Boss\, you gave me two million bucks to work with\, and I have doubled your money.’ \nThe boss replied\, ‘Well done. What I gave you was peanuts\, but you have earned my trust and admiration in your handling of it. Now I am going to put you in charge of much bigger things. Come and celebrate with me!’ \nFinally\, the one who had received the one million made his report\, saying\, ‘Boss\, I knew how you were only too happy to reap the profits from other people’s work without contributing yourself\, and how harsh you are on those who fail; so I was afraid to take any risks. I kept your money locked away safely. Here\, have it back.’ \nAt that\, the boss went off his tree\, saying\, ‘You lousy gutless bludger! So you knew that I am only too happy to reap the profits from other people’s work\, did you? Well then you ought to have at least deposited my money in the bank where it would have earned me a bit of interest. So now I am taking your million and giving it to your mate with the ten million. Everyone with something to show for what they are given will be given even more and they will be rolling in it. But those with nothing to show will be stripped of even the little they have. As for you\, you worthless piece of garbage\, you’re out on your ear\, and I’ll put the word around so that you’ll never get another job. You can spend your days cursing and kicking yourself on the dole queue.’” \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Below are the alternative 1st Reading and Psalm themed to the Gospel lection \n \n\n \n \n \n Prior to the revision of the Lectionary in 1992\, the 1st reading and the psalm that responded to it were chosen to link thematically with the gospel reading. After hearing the critique of those who said that the Hebrew Scriptures\, from which the first reading is usually chosen\, should be allowed to speak with their own voice rather than just add support to the gospel reading\, the Lectionary was revised so that during Ordinary Time\, the 1st reading runs in its own semi-continuous series\, working through various books of the Hebrew Bible. The older themed series continues to be available as an alternative. \nThe weekly prayers offered here at LaughingBird Resources are based on the four readings above\, and do not draw on the themed 1st reading and psalm. \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Zephaniah 1: 7\, 12-18 \n \n\n \n \n \n The LORD God comes! Let us all be silent!\nThe day of the LORD is dawning.\nThe LORD is ready to make the sacrifice\,\nand others have been invited to feed on it. \nListen to what the LORD has to say: \n“At that time\, I will march into the city\, searchlights blazing\,\nand hunt down those who will be punished;\nthose who pickle themselves in their hot tubs\nand smugly suggest\nthat I\, the LORD\, will never do anything\,\neither for good or for bad. \nTheir number is up.\nTheir wealth will be carried off.\nTheir fancy houses will be smashed to the ground.\nAll they have built up will come to nothing.\nI will not let them live in the mansions they built\nor enjoy the wine they carefully cellared.” \nThe great day of the LORD is almost upon us\,\napproaching at the speed of sound;\napproaching with a horrifying noise;\nbloodcurdling shouts and screams of fear. \nThat day will be a day of fury\,\na day of grief and tearing hair out\,\na day doom and disaster\,\na day of filthy darkness and gloom\,\na day of choking smoke and clouds of dust\,\na day of sirens and screams and the sounds of battle\,\na day when the defences will crumble\nand cities and strongholds will fall. \nThe LORD will decimate the people.\nThey will stagger around\, dazed and confused\,\nbecause they have offended the LORD with their evil ways.\nTheir blood will be poured out on the dirt;\ntheir dismembered bodies spread out like dung. \nDespite their millions and all their finery\,\nthey won’t be able to buy their way out of trouble\non the day of the LORD'S fury.\nThe LORD'S passion will set fire to the earth\nand incinerate it entirely.\nWith a terrifying completeness\,\nthe LORD will terminate life on earth. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Psalm 90: 1-8\, (9-11)\, 12 \n \n\n \n \n \n Lord\, in every generation\nyou have been house and home to us. \nYou are God\, and have been from time before time;\neven before you brought the mountains to birth;\neven before you created the planet or anything on it. \nYou tell us when our time is up\,\nand return us to the earth from which we came. \nFrom where you look\,\na thousand years is like the blink of an eye\,\nand the ancient past like yesterday. \nOur lives pass as if you had erased them completely;\nthey are gone like a dream.\nLike cut flowers they are fresh and new one day\,\nand faded memories the next. \nThe burning heat of your anger wipes us out;\nyour indignation cuts us down. \nYou have spelt out the charges against us\,\nand brought our hidden offences out into the open. \nDay by day\, the weight of you anger drains the life out of us\,\nand our years come to a close with a whimper. \nHow many years have we got?\nSeventy\, perhaps eighty if our health holds.\nBut even a long life is a grind\, all hard work and heartache\,\nand in no time it’s over and we’re gone for good. \nDoes anyone treat your anger with the respect it deserves?\nSurely the extent of your indignation over sin\nis matched only by the honour that is your due.\n\nSo teach us to value each and every day\nso that we will be wise enough to make the most of them. \n©2002 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 have destined us for salvation\nthrough our Lord Jesus Christ. \nYou created the earth\nand entrusted it into our hands.\nYou called a people to be your own\,\nand when they were cruelly oppressed\nyou raised up your prophet\, Deborah\,\nand spoke through her of the day of deliverance. \nYou have spoken to us through your child\, Jesus\,\nteaching us to look to you and trust in your kindness\,\nand to be faithful stewards of your gifts.\nHe was scorned and mocked\nand died for us\, but was raised by you.\nYou have promised a day of judgment and deliverance\,\nwhen Christ will come\nas unexpectedly as a thief in the night\,\nto reveal the children of light\nand gather all who have been trustworthy\nwith what you have given\ninto his kingdom of joy. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2002 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 promise\nof a day when Christ will come\nto reveal the children of light\nand gather all who have been trustworthy\nwith what you have given\ninto his kingdom of joy. \n©2002 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 have destined us for salvation\nthrough our Lord Jesus Christ. \nYou created the earth\nand entrusted it into our hands.\nYou called a people to be your own\,\nand when they were cruelly oppressed\nyou raised up your prophet\, Deborah\,\nand spoke through her of the day of deliverance. \nYou have spoken to us through your child\, Jesus\,\nteaching us to look to you and trust in your kindness\,\nand to be faithful stewards of your gifts.\nHe was scorned and mocked\nand died for us\, but was raised by you.\nYou have promised a day of judgment and deliverance\,\nwhen Christ will come\nas unexpectedly as a thief in the night\,\nto reveal the children of light\nand gather all who have been trustworthy\nwith what you have given\ninto his kingdom of joy. \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©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Declaration of Grace / Absolution \n \n\n \n \n \n In the fullness of mercy\,\nGod has destined us not for wrath\nbut for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ\,\nwho died for us so that we may live with him. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Commission & Benediction \n \n\n \n \n \n Go now\, and live as children of the light.\nPut on the breastplate of faith and love\,\nand for a helmet\, the hope of salvation.\nMake the most of all God has given you\nand encourage one another in Christ. \nAnd may God’s hand be open to you in kindness;\nMay Christ Jesus welcome you into his joy;\nAnd may the Holy Spirit fill you with courage\, vigilance and faithfulness. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2002 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\nWhat have you done with it all?A sermon on Matthew 25:14-30 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\n ‘Ave a go\, ya mug!A sermon on Matthew 25:14-30 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nThe parable of the unjust economic systemA sermon on Matthew 25:14-30 by Alison Sampson\n\n\n\nImagining GraceA sermon on Matthew 25:14-30 by Nathan Nettleton URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/ap28/2029-11-18/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/P28.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20291125T000000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20291125T235959 DTSTAMP:20260404T103114 CREATED:20200817T123742Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240101T002641Z UID:10002088-1890259200-1890345599@laughingbird.net SUMMARY:Christ the King Sunday (Proper 29) - Year A 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 Ezekiel 34: 11-16\, 20-24 \n \n\n \n \n \n I\, the Lord GOD\, will personally undertake the search and rescue mission for my missing people. When a mob of sheep has been attacked and scattered\, a good farmer will mount a search and not rest until they are all safely back together. I am just like that farmer. I will seek out my sheep. On a day of violent storms and clouds of black smoke\, they were scattered in all directions\, but I will rescue them from wherever they ended up. Even if my exiled people have disappeared among other peoples in other countries\, I will gather them up\, one at a time\, and bring the whole mob back home to their own land. I will let them graze contentedly on the rolling hills of this promised land. They will be free to stroll beside rivers and creeks\, and to make their home among their friends and family. I will give them the best pasture to feed on\, and the rich and fertile high country will be their home. They will have it easy\, and want for nothing. The rich high country pastures will provide them with everything they desire. I\, the Lord GOD\, will personally take care of my sheep and see to it that they can lie down with nothing to fear. \nThose who are lost\, I will seek.\nThose who have wandered off track\, I will bring back.\nThose who are wounded\, I will bandage up.\nThose who are weak\, I will nurse back to full strength.\nBut I will come down hard on the powerful fat-cats.\nJustice will be their staple diet. \nI\, the Lord GOD\, have this to say to those who have grown fat off the misery of others. You will have me to answer to when it is time to judge between you and those who have been trampled down and deprived. Like a bullying ram\, you stood over them and butted them with your horns\, exploiting their weakness and throwing your weight around until they were scattered\, helpless and half starved. So I am going to step in and save this mob of mine. They will no longer have to put up with your violent stand-over tactics. I will sort out the sheep and cull out the rogues. \nI will find a shepherd who I can trust to put him in charge of them\, one from the family of King David who works for me. He will provide for them and take care of them. I\, the LORD\, will be their God\, and David\, who answers to me\, will be their king. I the LORD\, have given my word. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Psalm 100 \n \n\n \n \n \n With all the earth we join in thunderous celebration\, LORD;\nraising the roof as we come into your presence singing;\ncoming gladly to offer you our devotion. \nLORD\, we know that you are God.\nYou made us\, and we belong to you.\nWe are your people\, fed and cared for by you alone. \nYour gates are open to us; thank you!\nIn your presence\, we sing your praises!\nWe name you as deserving all the credit and thanks! \nYou are the best\, LORD!\nYour love is rock-solid\, and always will be.\nDown through the ages\, you keep your word and stick by us. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Ephesians 1: 15-23 \n \n\n \n \n \n Having heard of your deep trust in the Lord Jesus and your active love for his people\, I could hardly stop thanking God for you. And I’m praying for you too. I ask the glorious God of our Lord Jesus the Messiah to give you his Spirit. The Spirit will fill you with wisdom and insight as you get to know God. That way you’ll get a clear picture of all that God wants you to see: \n\n\n\nthe promised goal of the mission to which you are called;\nthe extravagant generosity of God’s provision for us;\nand the immense capacity of the dynamic power which is put to work in us when we trust God.\n\n\n\nThis dynamic power is the same energy that God put to work in the Messiah when he raised him from death and enthroned him in heaven. Now the Messiah sits at God’s right hand\, reigning over the entire universe\, and there is not a single authority that can overrule him\, now or ever. Every religious hierarchy and military regime; every legal jurisdiction and people-power movement; every economic imperative and moral principle; God has put them all under the feet of the Messiah. God has decreed that all things will answer to him. The church\, then\, is central to what the Messiah is doing\, for it is his body\, already filled with the presence of the one who is filling each and every part of the entire universe. \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 \n Below are the alternative 1st Reading and Psalm themed to the Gospel lection \n \n\n \n \n \n Prior to the revision of the Lectionary in 1992\, the 1st reading and the psalm that responded to it were chosen to link thematically with the gospel reading. After hearing the critique of those who said that the Hebrew Scriptures\, from which the first reading is usually chosen\, should be allowed to speak with their own voice rather than just add support to the gospel reading\, the Lectionary was revised so that during Ordinary Time\, the 1st reading runs in its own semi-continuous series\, working through various books of the Hebrew Bible. The older themed series continues to be available as an alternative. \nThe weekly prayers offered here at LaughingBird Resources are based on the four readings above\, and do not draw on the themed 1st reading and psalm. \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Ezekiel 34: 11-16\, 20-24 \n \n\n \n \n \n I\, the Lord GOD\, will personally undertake the search and rescue mission for my missing people. When a mob of sheep has been attacked and scattered\, a good farmer will mount a search and not rest until they are all safely back together. I am just like that farmer. I will seek out my sheep. On a day of violent storms and clouds of black smoke\, they were scattered in all directions\, but I will rescue them from wherever they ended up. Even if my exiled people have disappeared among other peoples in other countries\, I will gather them up\, one at a time\, and bring the whole mob back home to their own land. I will let them graze contentedly on the rolling hills of this promised land. They will be free to stroll beside rivers and creeks\, and to make their home among their friends and family. I will give them the best pasture to feed on\, and the rich and fertile high country will be their home. They will have it easy\, and want for nothing. The rich high country pastures will provide them with everything they desire. I\, the Lord GOD\, will personally take care of my sheep and see to it that they can lie down with nothing to fear. \nThose who are lost\, I will seek.\nThose who have wandered off track\, I will bring back.\nThose who are wounded\, I will bandage up.\nThose who are weak\, I will nurse back to full strength.\nBut I will come down hard on the powerful fat-cats.\nJustice will be their staple diet. \nI\, the Lord GOD\, have this to say to those who have grown fat off the misery of others. You will have me to answer to when it is time to judge between you and those who have been trampled down and deprived. Like a bullying ram\, you stood over them and butted them with your horns\, exploiting their weakness and throwing your weight around until they were scattered\, helpless and half starved. So I am going to step in and save this mob of mine. They will no longer have to put up with your violent stand-over tactics. I will sort out the sheep and cull out the rogues. \nI will find a shepherd who I can trust to put him in charge of them\, one from the family of King David who works for me. He will provide for them and take care of them. I\, the LORD\, will be their God\, and David\, who answers to me\, will be their king. I the LORD\, have given my word. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Psalm 95: 1-7a \n \n\n \n \n \n We gather and sing to you\, LORD.\nWe raise the roof with shouts of joy\nfor you are the rock on which we are safe! \nWe come into your presence bursting with gratitude;\nwe set the house rocking as we sing your praises! \nFor you\, LORD\, are the greatest God of all;\nyou rank way above every other claim on our loyalty. \nYou hold the depths of the earth in your hands\,\nand the highest mountains are at your disposal. \nThe oceans and the dry lands alike belong to you\,\nfor you made them with your own hands. \nYou made us too\, LORD\, and we worship you\,\nfalling to our knees and bowing down to the ground! \nYou are our God and we are your people;\nyou tenderly care for us like a sheep rearing her young. \n©2002 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 your love is forever\, faithful from age to age. \nYou are our maker\, to who we belong\,\nfor you created the earth\nand you shepherd all who live in it.\nWhen your people were scattered and oppressed\,\nyou promised through your prophets to gather them home\nand feed them on the rich pasture of their own land. \nIn your child\, Jesus\, the promises have been fulfilled:\na shepherd king who seeks the lost\nand binds up the wounded.\nWhen he was killed\, you raised him from the dead\nand seated him at your side in the heavenly places.\nNow your immeasurable power is at work in us who believe\nto clothe us in compassion and righteousness\nso that we might be fit for the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2002 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 immeasurable power at work in us\nto clothe us in compassion and righteousness\nso that we might be fit for the kingdom\nwhich you prepared for us from the foundation of the world. \n©2002 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 your love is forever\, faithful from age to age. \nYou are our maker\, to who we belong\,\nfor you created the earth\nand you shepherd all who live in it.\nWhen your people were scattered and oppressed\,\nyou promised through your prophets to gather them home\nand feed them on the rich pasture of their own land. \nIn your child\, Jesus\, the promises have been fulfilled:\na shepherd king who seeks the lost\nand binds up the wounded.\nWhen he was killed\, you raised him from the dead\nand seated him at your side in the heavenly places.\nNow your immeasurable power is at work in us who believe\nto clothe us in compassion and righteousness\nso that we might be fit for 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©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Declaration of Grace / Absolution \n \n\n \n \n \n The Lord our God says:\n”I will seek the lost. I will bring back the strayed.\nI will bind up the injured and I will strengthen the weak.”\nIndeed the Lord is good.\nGod’s love and mercy are forever. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2002 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 hope to which God has called us.\nRecognise Christ in friend and stranger\,\nand as Christ has been gracious to you\,\nso be gracious to those in need. \nAnd may God give you a place of rest on rich pasture;\nMay Christ Jesus be the shepherd king who binds your wounds;\nAnd may the Holy Spirit give you wisdom\nand reveal to you the fullness of the one who fills all in all. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2002 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\n When 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\nA Hope to Live ByA sermon on Ephesians 1: 15-23 & Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nJustice as ‘Staple Diet’A sermon on Ezekiel 34:11-16\, 20-24\, Ps 100\, Ephesians 1:15-23\, Matt 25:31-46 by Rowland Croucher\n\n\n\n“I will lead my people”A sermon on Ezekiel 34:11-16\, 20-24 & Ephesians 1:15-23 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nDivided Up?A sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 & Ezekiel 34:11-16\, 20-24 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\n\n\n\nNations that Flourish and Nations that CollapseA sermon on Matthew 25: 31-46 by Nathan Nettleton URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/ap29/2029-11-25/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/P29.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20291202T000000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20291202T235959 DTSTAMP:20260404T103114 CREATED:20200722T020700Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240107T230906Z UID:10002089-1890864000-1890950399@laughingbird.net SUMMARY:1st Sunday of Advent - 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 Isaiah 64:1-9 \n \n\n \n \n \n If only\, LORD!\nIf only you would rip the sky open and come on down! \nThe mountains would tremble in your presence\,\nlike water boiling when the fire is stoked beneath it.\nThen the nations too would be shaking in their boots\nand your opponents would realise who they were up against! \nYou have done it before\, LORD.\nYou have surprised us by turning up among us\nand doing amazing things that set the earth quaking. \nNever\, in the history of the world\nhas anyone seen or heard of any God but you.\nNo matter how hard people looked\, or how hard they listened\,\nthey never found a shred of evidence\nof any other god doing anything for anyone. \nYou are the one who responds to those who love doing what is right;\nto those who keep you and your ways in mind. \nBut now\, LORD\, you are angry over the wrong we have done.\nWe thought you were out of sight and we became corrupt. \nIt was all downhill and now we are horribly polluted.\nEven our best efforts to do the right thing\nmust seem like a gift of used toilet paper to you.\nOur lives become drab and brittle like a dried leaf.\nOur immoral behaviour sweeps us away like the wind. \nThere is no one left who prays to you\, LORD\,\nor even attempts to stick with you.\nYou have turned your back on us\nand left us in the mess we made for ourselves. \nAnd yet\, LORD\, you are the one who conceived us.\nYou are the potter who moulds us like clay.\nEvery one of us has been hand-crafted by you. \nPlease don’t be too hard on us\, LORD.\nDon’t dwell on our sins and stay angry forever.\nThink of us\, instead\, as your own people. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Psalm 80: 1-7\, 17-19 \n \n\n \n \n \n God\, you are the one who watches over your people\nlike a lifeguard supervising a dangerous beach\,\nwatching from a high seat\, like a king enthroned.\nListen to our prayer and clearly flag the boundaries\,\nso that your tribes will no longer get out of their depth. \nUp and at it\, God!\nCome equipped to rescue us.\nCome and smile on us again\, God;\nsave us and revive us with your kiss of life. \nLORD God\, you rule over everything;\nhow much longer will you keep us in the sin bin\,\nturning away in anger when we pray? \nYou reduced our rations to tears alone;\ntears by the plate full\, tears by the cup full.\nYou made us the laughing stock of our enemies\nand even our neighbours turn up their noses. \nCome and smile on us again\, God;\nsave us and revive us with your kiss of life. \nTake our side again\, your wayward favourite child\,\nthe one you raised by hand to be your own.\nWe will never go off the rails again;\nsave us now and your name will be on our lips forever. \nLORD God\, you rule over everything;\nCome and smile on us again;\nsave us and revive us with your kiss of life. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n 1 Corinthians 1: 3-9 \n \n\n \n \n \n We greet you as God’s own children and wish you all the best – God’s love and peace\, given through the Lord Jesus\, the Messiah. \nI am forever thanking my God for you\, especially when I think about what God’s extravagant generosity has brought about in you since you entered into the life of Jesus the Messiah. Since you linked up with him your lives have become so much richer in every way; but most notable is the richness of your knowledge and of the things you have to say. Indeed\, the truth about the Messiah has become more and more strongly a part of who you are\, and of all you have to offer. Now\, it seems\, you are not short of anything. All the spiritual gifts are in action among you as you live in eager expectation of the grand finale when our Lord Jesus the Messiah takes centre stage. God is with you and will make you tough enough to hold the line until the end\, so that you can stand with your heads held high on the great day when our Lord Jesus brings everything to completion. Jesus is the Messiah\, our Lord\, and God’s Son; and it was into his shared life that you were called by God\, who is worthy of all our trust\, and who will never let you down. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Mark 13: 24-37 \n \n\n \n \n \n While looking at the temple\, Jesus spoke to four of his closest followers\, saying\, “As the end approaches\, there will be a time of great chaos and trauma on the earth. Then\, in the days after that\, it will seem as though the whole cosmos is going berserk. The sun will go black\, the moon will not shine\, the stars will come crashing to earth\, and the elemental powers of the universe will be shaken. Then\, and only then\, everyone will see the breathtaking arrival of the New Human\, riding on the clouds in power and glory. He will send out the angels\, and will gather everyone who has made the side from all points of the compass\, from the most far flung corners of the earth to the furthest reaches of heaven.” \nThen Jesus used an illustration to make his point\, saying\, “Take a lesson from the trees. Many of them give clear signs when the seasons are changing. When the wattles start putting out tender new leaves and unfurling their blooms you know that summer is just around the corner. This is much the same. When you see all these things happening you can be sure that the New Human is into the home straight\, and just about to make his arrival. The fact of the matter is that some of you will see these things in your own lifetime. The earth and the sky will only last for so long\, but there is no expiry date on my words. \n“But just when that day and hour will come\, nobody knows. The angels of heaven don’t know and not even the Son knows. The Conceiver of everything is the only one who knows. So watch out. Keep yourselves on the alert\, because you have no way of knowing when the time will come. It is like an employer going off on leave. He gives all his staff tasks to work at in his absence\, and leaves them to get on with it. He tells the leading hand to keep an eye out for his return. So keep your wits about you and don’t slack off\, because you have no way of knowing when the boss will be back. It could be any time of the day or night\, early or late\, and you don’t want to be caught asleep in his chair with your boots on his desk. So what I am telling you is exactly the same as what I am telling everybody else: keep yourselves on the ready at all times.” \n©2002 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 even when heaven and earth pass away\,\nyour words will never pass away. \nLike a potter you created the earth\,\nand we are all the work of your hands.\nAt your presence even the mountains quake\,\nand yet to your people who wait for you\,\nyou are the light\, revealing our salvation. \nIn your child\, Jesus\, you have come among us\,\nteaching us to live in readiness for your reign.\nThough he was killed\, you raised him to life\,\nrestoring to us the light of your presence\,\nand enriching us in every way\nso that we are not lacking in your gifts\nas we await the day\nwhen he comes on the clouds in glory\nand gathers his faithful ones from the ends of the earth;\nall who do right and remember you in their ways. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2002 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 restoring to us the light of your presence\nand enriching us in every way\nas we await the day\nwhen Christ comes on the clouds in glory\nand gathers his faithful ones from the ends of the earth. \n©2002 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 even when heaven and earth pass away\,\nyour words will never pass away. \nLike a potter you created the earth\,\nand we are all the work of your hands.\nAt your presence even the mountains quake\,\nand yet to your people who wait for you\,\nyou are the light\, revealing our salvation. \nIn your child\, Jesus\, you have come among us\,\nteaching us to live in readiness for your reign.\nThough he was killed\, you raised him to life\,\nrestoring to us the light of your presence\,\nand enriching us in every way\nso that we are not lacking in your gifts\nas we await the day\nwhen he comes on the clouds in glory\nand gathers his faithful ones from the ends of the earth;\nall who do right and remember you in their ways. \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©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Declaration of Grace / Absolution \n \n\n \n \n \n God is faithful and has called us into the communion of Christ.\nThough your sins be like filthy rags\,\nGod will not remember them\,\nbut gives you grace and strength\nso that you may be blameless on the day of the Lord. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Commission & Benediction \n \n\n \n \n \n Go now\, strengthened by the testimony of Christ.\nKeep alert and wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ.\nContinue to do right and remember God in your ways. \nAnd may God enrich you in speech and knowledge of every kind;\nMay Christ Jesus strengthen you to the end;\nAnd may the Holy Spirit guide you in faithful living until he comes. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2002 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 Future – what should we know? A sermon on Matthew 24:27-35\, 45-51 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhy don’t you tear the sky open? A sermon on Isaiah 64:1-9 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nFearing your Greatest Hope A sermon on Isaiah 64:1-9 and Mark 13:24-37 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nThe Gift of Advent A sermon on Isaiah 64:1-9;  1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 13:24-37 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nThe Season of “Not Yet”: Waiting and Wondering in Advent A sermon on Isaiah 64:1 and Mark 13:24-37 by Carolyn Francis\n\n\n\nWatch Out!A sermon on Mark 13:24-37 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nAs The World Is Shaken A sermon on Mark 13:24-37 & Isaiah 64:1-9 by Nathan Nettleton URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/b01/2029-12-02/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Advent1a.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20291209T000000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20291209T235959 DTSTAMP:20260404T103114 CREATED:20200722T092444Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240114T111248Z UID:10002090-1891468800-1891555199@laughingbird.net SUMMARY:2nd Sunday of Advent - 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 Isaiah 40: 1-11 \n \n\n \n \n \n Your God gives the order: \n“Comfort my people.\nComfort them.\nSpeak tenderly to Jerusalem\,\ncry out and tell her that she has served her time;\ntell her that she has paid her penalty;\nthat she has given the pound of flesh\, and then some\,\ndue for the crimes she committed.” \nA voice cries out: \n“Get the road through the wilderness ready.\nThe LORD is coming! Clear the track!\nStraighten out the road through the desert\,\nso that it is ready for our God. \nFill the potholes\, bridge the valleys\,\ncut through the mountains to level the grade.\nWhere the going is rough\, smooth it out;\nlay a new surface over the old corrugations. \nThen the LORD will come\,\nradiant in glory.\nEveryone on earth will see it together\,\nwe have the LORD’s word on it.” \nA voice says\, “Make the announcement!”\nAnd I replied\, “What announcement?” \n“Announce that people are as fickle as the weather;\nall of them\, about as constant as a cut flower. \nThe weather does one thing one day\, and another the next;\none breath from the LORD and flowers fade and wilt.\nNo kidding\, all people are as fickle as that. \nThe weather sweeps through and is gone;\nthe flower fades and is tossed out;\nbut every word our God says\nstands rock solid for all time. \nTake a stand where the whole of God’s city will hear you\,\nand broadcast the message everyone has been waiting for.\nYou are the bearer of good news for God’s people\,\nso open your mouth and don’t hold back;\nthere’s nothing to be scared of; just go for it!\nBroadcast it through all the cities in the land\,\nsaying\, ‘Here is your God!’ \nLook\, the Lord GOD comes with a show of strength\,\narms punching the air in triumph.\nThe Lord carries the spoils of victory\,\nthe rewards of a job well done. \nLike a farmer hand-rearing the lambs\,\nthe LORD will gather us in loving arms\,\ncuddle us close\,\nand gently lead us where we need to go. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Psalm 85: 1-2\, 8-13 \n \n\n \n \n \n LORD\, you smiled on your land\nand brought back the good times for your people. \nYou struck out the record of our guilt\nand pardoned all we had done wrong. \nWe are eager to hear all you have to say\, LORD God\,\nfor your words bring peace and wellbeing\nto those who stick with you\nand leave behind their foolish ways. \nSurely for all who respect you\,\nthe life you saved us for is within reach.\nOur land will be ablaze with your presence. \nWhat a life it will be!\nLove and loyalty will link arms;\njustice and peace will become lovers. \nFaithfulness will sprout and reach for the sky;\nintegrity will beam down on the earth. \nYou will give us every good thing\, LORD\,\nand the land will give bumper crops. \nJustice and integrity will spring up as you approach\,\nlining the road to welcome you among us. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n 2 Peter 3: 8-15a \n \n\n \n \n \n My dear friends\, keep in mind the fact that the Lord is not bound by the same sort of time lines as we are. The Lord can do more in a day than we could do in a thousand years\, and yet to the Lord\, a thousand years pass like a mere day. Some people think that if the Lord was going to come in glory as he promised\, he would have done it by now\, but really\, we should be thankful that he is not in a rush. The Lord wants everyone to turn their lives around and survive\, and he is willing to hold back a bit to give them the chance. But he won’t hold back forever. The day of the Lord will hit without warning like a redback in a dark dunny. Then\, with a deafening roar\, the sky will be destroyed and there will be a fiery meltdown of the galaxies. The earth and everything that goes on here will be totally exposed for all to see. \nSo\, if everything is headed for this total meltdown\, how should we be living here and now? We should be living lives that are utterly dedicated to God and which are patterned on the way God does things. We should be in a state of patient readiness\, constantly working to turn around anything that might be causing God to hold back the coming of that ultimate day. Even though that day will see the universe will go up in flames\, vaporising the sky and melting down the cosmic elements\, we know that God has promised us a renewed earth – a place worth waiting for – a place where justice and integrity will be at home. \nSo then\, my dear friends\, while you are waiting for all this to happen\, do your utmost to make sure that when it does\, the Lord will find you living in peace\, and without even a hint of corruption. As for how much longer the Lord will hold back; how ever long it is\, you can think of it as a sign of patience and an opportunity for even more to be saved. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Mark 1: 1-8 \n \n\n \n \n \n This is the great news about Jesus the Messiah\, the Son of God. The prophet Isaiah had already written about the opening scene: \n“Take note: I am sending my messenger ahead of you\nto blaze the trail for your arrival.\nIn the desert a voice is shouting: \n‘The Lord is coming!\nGet the road ready.\nClear the track. Straighten it out for him.’” \nJohn the baptiser showed up in the desert preaching to the people. He called them to be baptised\, to completely turn their lives around and receive God’s forgiveness for their toxic ways. Everyone came flocking to John from Jerusalem and from all the rural districts of Judea. They owned up to their wrongdoing and were baptised by John in the Jordan River\, promising to mend their ways. \nJohn was dressed in rough clothes made of camel hair and animal skins. He lived on bush tucker – grasshoppers and wild honey. This was the guts of his message: “After me comes the One who is way out of my league – I wouldn’t even qualify to get down on my knees and lick his boots. I’m only baptising you with water\, but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.” \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 you\, salvation is drawing near\,\nthe day when love and fidelity will embrace\,\nand peace and justice kiss. \nThe heavens\, the earth and all that is in them\ncame into being\, and will pass away\, at your say so.\nYou spoke to your people through the prophets\,\ncalling them to prepare the way for your justice\,\nand promising to hold them tenderly\nlike lambs to your breast. \nThrough the preaching of John the Baptiser\,\nyou prepared the way for your coming Messiah\,\n— your child\, Jesus —\nwho was baptised into death\nbut who you raised to new life.\nThrough him you baptise your people\nwith your Holy Spirit\,\nand so now\, in hope and gratitude\,\nwe wait for the day when you will establish\nnew heavens and a new earth\nwhere righteousness will be at home. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2002 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 promise to come to us like a shepherd\nand to bring about the day\nwhen love and fidelity embrace\, peace and justice kiss\,\nand new heavens and a new earth are established\nwhere righteousness will be at home. \n©2002 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 you\, salvation is drawing near\,\nthe day when love and fidelity will embrace\,\nand peace and justice kiss. \nThe heavens\, the earth and all that is in them\ncame into being\, and will pass away\, at your say so.\nYou spoke to your people through the prophets\,\ncalling them to prepare the way for your justice\,\nand promising to hold them tenderly\nlike lambs to your breast. \nThrough the preaching of John the Baptiser\,\nyou prepared the way for your coming Messiah\,\n— your child\, Jesus —\nwho was baptised into death\nbut who you raised to new life.\nThrough him you baptise your people\nwith your Holy Spirit\,\nand so now\, in hope and gratitude\,\nwe wait for the day when you will establish\nnew heavens and a new earth\nwhere righteousness will be at home. \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©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Declaration of Grace / Absolution \n \n\n \n \n \n The Lord is patient with us\,\nnot wanting any to perish\, but all to come to repentance.\nIf we will turn back to God\,\nGod has promised to bring us to the promised land\,\nforgetting our guilt\, and forgiving our sins. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Commission & Benediction \n \n\n \n \n \n Go now: wait and work for the coming of the day of God.\nIn the wild places prepare a straight path for the Lord.\nLead lives of holiness and godliness\,\nstrive to be found at peace\,\nand speak freely of the Lord’s comfort and promise. \nAnd may God our shepherd gather you in loving arms;\nMay Christ Jesus reconcile justice and peace within you;\nAnd may the Holy Spirit baptise you into the life of God. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2002 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\nWhat Hope is There?A sermon on Isaiah 40: 1-11 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nStriving for the UnattainableReflections on Mark 1:1-8; 2 Peter 3:8-15a; Isaiah 40:1-11 & Psalm 85 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nA Voice Cries OutA sermon on Mark 1.1-8 & Isaiah 40.1-11 by Garry Deverell\n\n\n\nPeace and Justice KissA sermon on Psalm 85:10-11 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nPatience as SalvationA sermon on 2 Peter 3: 8-15 & Mark 1: 1-8 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhat are we preparing for?A sermon on Isaiah 25: 6-9; Isaiah 40: 1-11; Psalm 85: 1-2\, 8-13; 2 Peter 3: 8-15a & Mark 1:1-8 by Alison Sampson URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/b02/2029-12-09/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Advent2.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20291209T000000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20291209T235959 DTSTAMP:20260404T103114 CREATED:20200722T092444Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250514T003410Z UID:10002953-1891468800-1891555199@laughingbird.net SUMMARY:2nd Sunday of Advent - 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 Isaiah 40: 1-11 \n \n\n \n \n \n Your God gives the order: \n“Comfort my people.\nComfort them.\nSpeak tenderly to Jerusalem\,\ncry out and tell her that she has served her time;\ntell her that she has paid her penalty;\nthat she has given the pound of flesh\, and then some\,\ndue for the crimes she committed.” \nA voice cries out: \n“Get the road through the wilderness ready.\nThe LORD is coming! Clear the track!\nStraighten out the road through the desert\,\nso that it is ready for our God. \nFill the potholes\, bridge the valleys\,\ncut through the mountains to level the grade.\nWhere the going is rough\, smooth it out;\nlay a new surface over the old corrugations. \nThen the LORD will come\,\nradiant in glory.\nEveryone on earth will see it together\,\nwe have the LORD’s word on it.” \nA voice says\, “Make the announcement!”\nAnd I replied\, “What announcement?” \n“Announce that people are as fickle as the weather;\nall of them\, about as constant as a cut flower. \nThe weather does one thing one day\, and another the next;\none breath from the LORD and flowers fade and wilt.\nNo kidding\, all people are as fickle as that. \nThe weather sweeps through and is gone;\nthe flower fades and is tossed out;\nbut every word our God says\nstands rock solid for all time. \nTake a stand where the whole of God’s city will hear you\,\nand broadcast the message everyone has been waiting for.\nYou are the bearer of good news for God’s people\,\nso open your mouth and don’t hold back;\nthere’s nothing to be scared of; just go for it!\nBroadcast it through all the cities in the land\,\nsaying\, ‘Here is your God!’ \nLook\, the Lord GOD comes with a show of strength\,\narms punching the air in triumph.\nThe Lord carries the spoils of victory\,\nthe rewards of a job well done. \nLike a farmer hand-rearing the lambs\,\nthe LORD will gather us in loving arms\,\ncuddle us close\,\nand gently lead us where we need to go. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Psalm 85: 1-2\, 8-13 \n \n\n \n \n \n LORD\, you smiled on your land\nand brought back the good times for your people. \nYou struck out the record of our guilt\nand pardoned all we had done wrong. \nWe are eager to hear all you have to say\, LORD God\,\nfor your words bring peace and wellbeing\nto those who stick with you\nand leave behind their foolish ways. \nSurely for all who respect you\,\nthe life you saved us for is within reach.\nOur land will be ablaze with your presence. \nWhat a life it will be!\nLove and loyalty will link arms;\njustice and peace will become lovers. \nFaithfulness will sprout and reach for the sky;\nintegrity will beam down on the earth. \nYou will give us every good thing\, LORD\,\nand the land will give bumper crops. \nJustice and integrity will spring up as you approach\,\nlining the road to welcome you among us. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n 2 Peter 3: 8-15a \n \n\n \n \n \n My dear friends\, keep in mind the fact that the Lord is not bound by the same sort of time lines as we are. The Lord can do more in a day than we could do in a thousand years\, and yet to the Lord\, a thousand years pass like a mere day. Some people think that if the Lord was going to come in glory as he promised\, he would have done it by now\, but really\, we should be thankful that he is not in a rush. The Lord wants everyone to turn their lives around and survive\, and he is willing to hold back a bit to give them the chance. But he won’t hold back forever. The day of the Lord will hit without warning like a redback in a dark dunny. Then\, with a deafening roar\, the sky will be destroyed and there will be a fiery meltdown of the galaxies. The earth and everything that goes on here will be totally exposed for all to see. \nSo\, if everything is headed for this total meltdown\, how should we be living here and now? We should be living lives that are utterly dedicated to God and which are patterned on the way God does things. We should be in a state of patient readiness\, constantly working to turn around anything that might be causing God to hold back the coming of that ultimate day. Even though that day will see the universe will go up in flames\, vaporising the sky and melting down the cosmic elements\, we know that God has promised us a renewed earth – a place worth waiting for – a place where justice and integrity will be at home. \nSo then\, my dear friends\, while you are waiting for all this to happen\, do your utmost to make sure that when it does\, the Lord will find you living in peace\, and without even a hint of corruption. As for how much longer the Lord will hold back; how ever long it is\, you can think of it as a sign of patience and an opportunity for even more to be saved. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Mark 1: 1-8 \n \n\n \n \n \n This is the great news about Jesus the Messiah\, the Son of God. The prophet Isaiah had already written about the opening scene: \n“Take note: I am sending my messenger ahead of you\nto blaze the trail for your arrival.\nIn the desert a voice is shouting: \n‘The Lord is coming!\nGet the road ready.\nClear the track. Straighten it out for him.’” \nJohn the baptiser showed up in the desert preaching to the people. He called them to be baptised\, to completely turn their lives around and receive God’s forgiveness for their toxic ways. Everyone came flocking to John from Jerusalem and from all the rural districts of Judea. They owned up to their wrongdoing and were baptised by John in the Jordan River\, promising to mend their ways. \nJohn was dressed in rough clothes made of camel hair and animal skins. He lived on bush tucker – grasshoppers and wild honey. This was the guts of his message: “After me comes the One who is way out of my league – I wouldn’t even qualify to get down on my knees and lick his boots. I’m only baptising you with water\, but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.” \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 you\, salvation is drawing near\,\nthe day when love and fidelity will embrace\,\nand peace and justice kiss. \nThe heavens\, the earth and all that is in them\ncame into being\, and will pass away\, at your say so.\nYou spoke to your people through the prophets\,\ncalling them to prepare the way for your justice\,\nand promising to hold them tenderly\nlike lambs to your breast. \nThrough the preaching of John the Baptiser\,\nyou prepared the way for your coming Messiah\,\n— your child\, Jesus —\nwho was baptised into death\nbut who you raised to new life.\nThrough him you baptise your people\nwith your Holy Spirit\,\nand so now\, in hope and gratitude\,\nwe wait for the day when you will establish\nnew heavens and a new earth\nwhere righteousness will be at home. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2002 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 promise to come to us like a shepherd\nand to bring about the day\nwhen love and fidelity embrace\, peace and justice kiss\,\nand new heavens and a new earth are established\nwhere righteousness will be at home. \n©2002 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 you\, salvation is drawing near\,\nthe day when love and fidelity will embrace\,\nand peace and justice kiss. \nThe heavens\, the earth and all that is in them\ncame into being\, and will pass away\, at your say so.\nYou spoke to your people through the prophets\,\ncalling them to prepare the way for your justice\,\nand promising to hold them tenderly\nlike lambs to your breast. \nThrough the preaching of John the Baptiser\,\nyou prepared the way for your coming Messiah\,\n— your child\, Jesus —\nwho was baptised into death\nbut who you raised to new life.\nThrough him you baptise your people\nwith your Holy Spirit\,\nand so now\, in hope and gratitude\,\nwe wait for the day when you will establish\nnew heavens and a new earth\nwhere righteousness will be at home. \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©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Declaration of Grace / Absolution \n \n\n \n \n \n The Lord is patient with us\,\nnot wanting any to perish\, but all to come to repentance.\nIf we will turn back to God\,\nGod has promised to bring us to the promised land\,\nforgetting our guilt\, and forgiving our sins. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Commission & Benediction \n \n\n \n \n \n Go now: wait and work for the coming of the day of God.\nIn the wild places prepare a straight path for the Lord.\nLead lives of holiness and godliness\,\nstrive to be found at peace\,\nand speak freely of the Lord’s comfort and promise. \nAnd may God our shepherd gather you in loving arms;\nMay Christ Jesus reconcile justice and peace within you;\nAnd may the Holy Spirit baptise you into the life of God. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2002 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\nWhat Hope is There?A sermon on Isaiah 40: 1-11 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nStriving for the UnattainableReflections on Mark 1:1-8; 2 Peter 3:8-15a; Isaiah 40:1-11 & Psalm 85 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nA Voice Cries OutA sermon on Mark 1.1-8 & Isaiah 40.1-11 by Garry Deverell\n\n\n\nPeace and Justice KissA sermon on Psalm 85:10-11 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nPatience as SalvationA sermon on 2 Peter 3: 8-15 & Mark 1: 1-8 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhat are we preparing for?A sermon on Isaiah 25: 6-9; Isaiah 40: 1-11; Psalm 85: 1-2\, 8-13; 2 Peter 3: 8-15a & Mark 1:1-8 by Alison Sampson URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/b02/2029-12-09/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Advent2.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20291216T000000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20291216T235959 DTSTAMP:20260404T103114 CREATED:20200722T093734Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240121T122728Z UID:10002091-1892073600-1892159999@laughingbird.net SUMMARY:3rd Sunday of Advent - 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 Isaiah 61: 1-4\, 8-11 \n \n\n \n \n \n The Spirit of the Lord GOD is working through me\,\nbecause the Lord picked me out\nand commissioned me for the job. \nI have been sent to deliver good news\nto all who have been used and abused\,\nto tend the wounds\nof those who are brokenhearted.\nI have been sent to preach a message;\na message that means freedom for the detainees\,\na message that will break the shackles and release the people. \nI have been sent to announce\nthat now is the LORD’s chosen time;\nthat the date has been set\nfor our God to give the enemies of life their just desserts. \nI have been sent to bring comfort\nto everyone who is grieving.\nI am to provide for those who mourn in the holy city;\nto deck them out in bright flowers\ninstead of sombre funeral clothes;\nto hand them a glass of bubbly\ninstead of their bitter cup of tears;\nto set them singing and dancing in celebration\ninstead of collapsing in despair. \nThey will be called the pillars of integrity\,\nerected by the LORD\,\na magnificent display of what God can do. \nThey will rebuild what has long laid in ruins\,\nthey will construct something grand from what is now rubble.\nThey will restore cities that have been destroyed;\nplaces that have known generations of devastation. \nThis is what the LORD has to say: \n“I love the way you do the right thing\nand give everyone a fair go.\nI hate it when people do the wrong thing\nand rip each other off.\nI will be true to my word and reward you well;\nI will make an alliance with you\nthat will stand the test of time. \nYour descendants will be famous all over the world;\nyour offspring will be talked about by people everywhere.\nEveryone who sees them will know without doubt\nthat I\, the LORD\, have set them up for life.” \nBecause of the LORD\, I will sing and dance in celebration;\neverything inside me is bursting with joy over my God.\nThe LORD has decked me out in the splendour\nof faithfulness and integrity\,\nclothes fit to celebrate a dream come true.\nI am like a bride and groom dressed for a wedding;\nwith flowers and jewels and everything done just right. \nIndeed\, just as the earth brings forth its vegetation\,\nand just as rich soil causes seeds to sprout and grow\,\nso too the Lord GOD will produce a bumper crop\nof honesty and integrity\,\nand all the world will see it\nand give due credit to God. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Psalm 126 \n \n\n \n \n \n When you brought us home to Zion from exile\, LORD\,\n    we had to pinch ourselves to be sure it wasn’t a dream. \nLaughter and singing kept bubbling up in us;\n    we were just over the moon! \nEven the nations around us had to admit\n    that you must have taken our side\, LORD.\nIndeed\, we could only celebrate and thank you\n.    for the wonderful things you had done for us. \nLORD\, we need your help again;\n    we are like dry creek-beds in need of rain. \nWe have worked with sweat and tears;\n    let us reap the rewards with celebration. \nLet those who laboured with heavy hearts\,\n    expecting nothing but despair\,\ncome home with pride renewed\,\n    celebrating unimaginable success. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Luke 1: 47-55 (alternative canticle) \n \n\n \n \n \n We turn the spotlight on your greatness\, God!\nWe dance with wholehearted joy over you\, our saviour!\nYou smiled upon us\, though we were nothing special\,\nand the memory of your generosity will last forever.\nYou have done wonderful and powerful things for us.\nThere is no other name in the same league as yours. \nIn every generation\, Lord\, you shower mercy\nto those who treat you with respect.\nYou have rolled up your sleeves in a show of strength\,\nand sent packing those who were so full of themselves. \nYou kicked the power mongers out of office\,\nand lifted the downtrodden back to their feet.\nYou put on a feast for those who are hungry\,\nand slam the door on the rich without giving them a bite. \nYou give a helping hand to your servant Israel\,\nand always remember them with tender care.\nThis is exactly what you promised long ago\, Lord\,\nwhen you made a vow to Abraham and Sarah\nfor every generation.” \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-24 \n \n\n \n \n \n Whatever is going on\, celebrate.\n    Always and everywhere\, pray.\n        Come what may\, express your thanks. \nIndeed\, as people in union with the Messiah Jesus\,\n    this is how God wants you to live. \nThe Spirit is working among you\, don’t pour cold water on it.\n    When you hear a message from God\, don’t despise it.\nWhatever is presented to you\, check up on it:\n    - if it proves to be good\, hang onto it.\n    - if it is corrupt in any way\, don’t touch it. \nI pray that the God of peace will personally clean you up and form you into people of thoroughgoing integrity. I pray that your whole beings — spirit\, soul and body — may remain healthy and uncompromised when our Lord Jesus the Messiah comes. The One who is calling you is unswervingly faithful\, and will personally get the job done. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n John 1: 6-8\, 19-28 \n \n\n \n \n \n     Once there was a man on a mission from God\, and his name was John. He gave a first-hand report about the light\, spelling it out so that everyone could believe. He wasn’t the light\, himself\, but he made it his job to draw everyone’s attention to the light.\n    John spelt out his position when he was questioned by a delegation of priests and temple officials who had been sent by the religious authorities in Jerusalem. They asked him who he thought he was\, and he made no bones about it\, but came right out and said\, “I am not the Messiah.”\n    So they asked\, “What are you then? Are you Elijah?”\n    “No\, I am not\,” he replied.\n    “Are you the prophet like Moses?”\n    “No.”\n    So they said\, “Who are you then? We need an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?”\n    John answered them with a quote from the prophet Isaiah: “I am the voice in the wilderness shouting\, ‘Clear the track for the Lord.’”\n    Now this delegation was from the devoutly religious Pharisee party\, and they wanted more information. They asked him\, “If you are neither the Messiah\, nor Elijah\, nor the prophet\, why are you baptising people?”\n    John gave them his answer\, “I am only baptising with water\, but rubbing shoulders with you\, unrecognised\, is the One who is coming to take over where I leave off. I wouldn’t even qualify to lick his boots.”\n    This incident took place at Bethany — the one on the other side of the Jordan — where John was baptising. \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 have turned our grief into songs of joy\,\nand clothed us in salvation and victory. \nYou planted the earth and all life\,\nand called a people to be your light in the world.\nWhen they were taken weeping into exile\,\nyou promised through your prophets\nto bring them home to Zion\, singing and laughing. \nSalvation has come in your Messiah\, Jesus\,\n— the one whose coming light\nyour servant\, John\, bore witness to.\nFilled with your Spirit\,\nJesus came proclaiming good news for the poor\,\nhealing for the broken hearted\,\nand the day of freedom to all who are bound.\nHe was killed by the proud and powerful\,\nbut with your wonderful power you raised him to life.\nIn his presence we are filled with expectant hope and joy\,\nand eager to embrace your eternal covenant. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2002 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 Jesus Christ - the one who embodied your Spirit\nand came proclaiming good news for the poor\,\nhealing for the broken hearted\,\nand the day of freedom to all who are bound. \n©2002 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 joyful thanks at all times\, O God\,\nfor you have turned our grief into songs of joy\,\nand clothed us in salvation and victory. \nYou planted the earth and all life\,\nand called a people to be your light in the world.\nWhen they were taken weeping into exile\,\nyou promised through your prophets\nto bring them home to Zion\, singing and laughing. \nSalvation has come in your Messiah\, Jesus\,\n— the one whose coming light\nyour servant\, John\, bore witness to.\nFilled with your Spirit\,\nJesus came proclaiming good news for the poor\,\nhealing for the broken hearted\,\nand the day of freedom to all who are bound.\nHe was killed by the proud and powerful\,\nbut with your wonderful power you raised him to life.\nIn his presence we are filled with expectant hope and joy\,\nand eager to embrace your eternal covenant. \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©2002 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 made an eternal covenant with us\,\npromising to make us holy in every way.\nIn grace and mercy God will keep us free\nfrom every fault at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Commission & Benediction \n \n\n \n \n \n Go now\, for you are chosen and sent in the Spirit.\nPray at all times\, be thankful in all circumstances.\nKeep what is good\, avoid every kind of evil.\nTo all in need bear witness that the time has come\nwhen the Sovereign Lord will save his people. \nAnd may God who gives peace make you holy in every way;\nMay Christ Jesus clothe you with salvation and victory;\nAnd may the Holy Spirit speak through you with the good news of hope. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2002 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\nPerhaps! Maybe! What if?!A sermon on Isaiah 61: 1-4\, 8-11 & Luke 1: 47-55 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nThe Spirit of the Lord is upon usA sermon on Isaiah 61:1-4 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nCelebrating Hope in the Face of DespairA sermon on Isaiah 61:1-4\,8-11\, 1Thessalonians 5:16-24 & John 1:6-8\,19-28 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nGetting Ahead of OurselvesA sermon on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8\,19-28; Isaiah 61: 1-4\, 8-11 & Psalm 126 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhen life Tumbles In What Then?A sermon on Isaiah 61:1-4\, 8-11\, Psalm 126\, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24\, John 1:6-8\, 19-28 by Rowland Croucher\n\n\n\nThe Witness of Joy and CourageA sermon on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8\, 19-28 & Isaiah 61:1-4\,8-11 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nPreparing by the RulesA sermon on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 & John 1:6-8\, 19-28 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nNot the Messiah\, People!A sermon on John 1:6-8\, 19-28 &  Isaiah 61:1-4\, 8-11 by Garry Deverell URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/b03/2029-12-16/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Advent3.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20291223T000000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20291223T235959 DTSTAMP:20260404T103114 CREATED:20200722T093951Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240128T115605Z UID:10002092-1892678400-1892764799@laughingbird.net SUMMARY:4th Sunday of Advent - 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 2 Samuel 7: 1-11\, 16 \n \n\n \n \n \n King David made himself at home in his new palace and\, thanks to the LORD\, there was no trouble from Israel’s enemies for some time.  One day the King consulted Nathan the prophet\, and said to him\, “It doesn’t seem right for me to be living it up in a palace built of the finest materials while the sacred Ark of God is still in a tent. It’s as though God was sleeping rough!”\nNathan replied\, “The LORD is with you\, so go ahead and do whatever you think should be done.”\nBut Nathan had spoken too soon. That same night\, the LORD gave him a different message to pass on to King David. This is what it said: \nDavid\, I am the LORD and you are my servant\, so listen to what I have to say to you. What makes you think that you are the one to build my house? I’ve been on the road with nothing more than a tent ever since I led the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt. I didn’t need a house then and I don’t need one now. You’re not the first caretaker I’ve appointed for the tribes of Israel\, and you won’t be the last\, so think about it – have I ever gone whingeing to any of them and demanded a fancy house?\nNow listen to me\, and listen good. I am the LORD who rules over everything. I made you what you are today – the leader of my people. If it wasn’t for me you’d still be cleaning up after the sheep. I’ve never let you down\, wherever you’ve gone. Whenever enemies have attacked you\, I’ve dealt with them\, right before your eyes. Thanks to me\, you will be known as one of the most famous people who ever lived.\nI have chosen a place for my people Israel\, a place where they can put down roots\, a place to call their own. They won’t need to be looking over their shoulders all the time\, because there won’t be any more trouble from the barbarians who have plagued them for so long. For the first time since the days when I sent the legendary heroes to bring justice to my people\, Israel will be at peace.\nWhat’s more\, I the LORD give you my word that I will make you the foundation stone of a great house. I will keep my eye on your family and your kingdom and keep them safe. I will see to it that there will always be one of your descendants on your throne. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Luke 1: 47-55 (canticle) \n \n\n \n \n \n We turn the spotlight on your greatness\, God!\nWe dance with wholehearted joy over you\, our saviour!\nYou smiled upon us\, though we were nothing special\,\nand the memory of your generosity will last forever.\nYou have done wonderful and powerful things for us.\nThere is no other name in the same league as yours. \nIn every generation\, Lord\, you shower mercy\nto those who treat you with respect.\nYou have rolled up your sleeves in a show of strength\,\nand sent packing those who were so full of themselves. \nYou kicked the power mongers out of office\,\nand lifted the downtrodden back to their feet.\nYou put on a feast for those who are hungry\,\nand slam the door on the rich without giving them a bite. \nYou give a helping hand to your servant Israel\,\nand always remember them with tender care.\nThis is exactly what you promised long ago\, Lord\,\nwhen you made a vow to Abraham and Sarah\nfor every generation.” \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Psalm 89: 1-4\, 19-26 (alternative canticle) \n \n\n \n \n \n LORD\, we will never stop singing about your rock-solid love;\n    we will transmit the story of your faithfulness\n        on down to every generation to come. \nYour love and loyalty were built to last for eternity;\n    we’ll go public with that message.\nYour faithfulness is beyond measure;\n    as infinite as the sky above us. \nYou said\,\n    “I have formed an alliance with my chosen leader;\n        I have given my word to David\, my servant.\n    I have guaranteed a firm foundation for his family forever;\n        there will always be one of his descendants on the throne.” \nLong ago\, in a vision\, you spoke to your faithful people\, saying: \n“I have crowned a great hero.\n    Among you\, my people\,\n        I found one fit for the throne.\nMy search ended with my servant David.\n    Pouring holy oil on his head\,\n        I have set him apart as the chosen one.\nHe’ll always be able to look to me for strength;\n    when he needs some muscle\,\n        I’ll be there to back him up. \nThe enemy will not get under his guard\,\n    the wicked will never drag him down.\nI’ll knock flat those who oppose him;\n    despise him and you answer to me!\nMy love for him is unshakable;\n    I’ll be faithful to him for ever.\nOn my say so\, he’ll rule supreme and unchallenged.\nI will put everything in his hands\,\n    from coast to coast with all that lies between them.\nHe will cry out to me\, ‘Oh\, my Father\, my God\,\n    you are the rock I cling to for safety!’” \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Romans 16: 25-27 \n \n\n \n \n \n To God be the glory forever! It is God who enables you to stand strong\, and who does so through the message about Jesus the Messiah which I was given the job of broadcasting. My message uncovers the great truth which had remained shrouded in mystery for centuries\, but which is now out in the open for every one to see. Through the writings of God’s inspired messengers\, it is even being made clear to those who have had no prior contact with our religious traditions. God\, who knows no limits\, gave the order for this to be done\, so as to gain the cooperation that arises from genuine trust. So here’s to the one and only wise God\, through Jesus the Messiah\, to whom belongs all the glory forever! And so say all of us! \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Luke 1: 26-38 \n \n\n \n \n \n God sent the angel Gabriel to a town called Nazareth in the region of Galilee\, to speak to a young woman named Mary. Mary was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph\, whose family line went back to King David. The angel approached Mary and said\, “Hello there! You’ve got it made! The Lord is with you and has chosen you.”\nBut Mary was freaking out over this and didn’t know what to make of the angel’s words\, so he spoke to her again\, saying\, “There is no need to be frightened\, Mary. God is smiling on you. Look what God is about to do: a child will be conceived in your womb. You will give birth to a baby boy\, and you will name him Jesus. He will have a great future\, and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will put him on the throne established by his ancestor David. He will lead God’s people forever\, establishing a culture that will never die out.”\nMary replied\, “How can this possibly happen? I am still a virgin.”\nThe angel said to her\, “The Holy Spirit will take hold of you\, and the life-force of the Most High will enfold you. Therefore the child that is born will belong to God\, and will be called God’s Son. Check it out: your wrinkly old relative Elizabeth is also carrying a baby boy in her womb. Even when she was young she was infertile\, but now she is six months pregnant. It just goes to show that when God gets involved\, nothing will ever be impossible.”\nSo Mary said\, “Okay. Count me in. I’m at the service of the Lord. Let these things happen to me just as you have said.”\nAnd with that\, the angel was gone. \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 your mercy embraces the faithful\,\none generation to the next\,\nand your fidelity\, for all ages. \nYou created the heavens and earth\,\nand chose for yourself a covenant people\,\nbringing them from slavery to a land of their own.\nIn your servant\, David\, you established your rule\nand promised his throne to the one\nwho would save your people and reign forever. \nAnd now\, the mystery kept secret for long ages\nhas been revealed to all the earth:\nyour own Son\, Jesus Christ\,\nis conceived by the Holy Spirit\nin the womb of Mary\nand emerges to claim the throne of his ancestor David.\nThough he was killed by the proud and powerful\,\nyou have raised him up\,\nand with him\, the humble of all the earth\,\nand of his reign there will be no end. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2002 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\,\nconceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of Mary\,\nwho emerges to claim the throne of his ancestor David.\nHis fidelity will outlast the heavens\nand of his reign there will be no end. \n©2002 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 your mercy embraces the faithful\,\none generation to the next\,\nand your fidelity\, for all ages. \nYou created the heavens and earth\,\nand chose for yourself a covenant people\,\nbringing them from slavery to a land of their own.\nIn your servant\, David\, you established your rule\nand promised his throne to the one\nwho would save your people and reign forever. \nAnd now\, the mystery kept secret for long ages\nhas been revealed to all the earth:\nyour own Son\, Jesus Christ\,\nis conceived by the Holy Spirit\nin the womb of Mary\nand emerges to claim the throne of his ancestor David.\nThough he was killed by the proud and powerful\,\nyou have raised him up\,\nand with him\, the humble of all the earth\,\nand of his reign there will be no end. \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©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Declaration of Grace / Absolution \n \n\n \n \n \n Though we have been ensnared by sin\,\nGod is able to strengthen us through the gospel of Christ\,\nfor nothing is impossible with God.\nGod’s mercy embraces us\, one generation to the next. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Commission & Benediction \n \n\n \n \n \n Go now\, and celebrate God’s love all your days.\nGive to Christ Jesus the obedience of faith\,\noffering yourself as the servant of the Lord\nand allowing God’s Word to be fulfilled in you. \nAnd may the only wise God establish you forever.\nMay the mysteries of Christ be conceived within you.\nAnd may the Holy Spirit strengthen you and encircle you. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2002 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\nAnnunciationA sermon on Luke 1: 26-55\, 2 Samuel 7: 1-16 & Romans 16:25-27 by Marita Munro\n\n\n\nVirginA sermon on Luke 1:26-35\, 38 by Alison Sampson\n\n\n\nThe Conception of GodA sermon on Luke 1:26-38 & 2 Samuel 7: 1-11\, 16 by  Nathan Nettleton URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/b04/2029-12-23/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Advent4.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20291225T000000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20291225T235959 DTSTAMP:20260404T103114 CREATED:20220904T230756Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260125T004203Z UID:10002167-1892851200-1892937599@laughingbird.net SUMMARY:The Feast of the Nativity (Christmas Eve/Day) DESCRIPTION:The Revised Common Lectionary provides three sets of readings for the Feast of the Nativity\, and  calls them Proper I\, Proper II\, and Proper III. Some church will use different ones for different services. Some will use one set each year. Others might use readings from all three sets in an extended service of lessons and carols. \n\n\n\nBelow you will find the three sets\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases and prayers. Below the third set you will find a list of sermons for the day. \n\n\n\nProper I\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 9: 2-7 \n \n\n \n \n \n The people who lived in a dark cloud of gloom\nhave seen a great light break through;\nthose in the blackest hell-holes\nhave seen their whole world light up. \nLORD\, you have built up the nation\,\nand given them every reason to celebrate.\nThe people revel in it all\,\nlike farmers when a drought breaks;\nlike children opening presents. \nFinally they are out from under the thumb\nof those who oppressed them.\nYou have broken their chains\nand run the slave drivers out of town\,\njust as you did in days long ago. \nThere will be a huge bonfire\nto burn everything left by the occupation forces\,\ntheir blood-stained uniforms and cruel boots\nwill go up in flames. \nFor see! A child has been born for us;\nthe gift of a son who will take charge of everything.\nHe will be given all these titles:\nMost Excellent Advisor;\nSupreme God;\nFather Forever\,\nPrince of Peace. \nThe reach of his arm will just keep growing\,\nand his realm will know peace without limit. \nHe will inherit all that David ruled\,\nand bring stability and security.\nDoing what is just and right\nwill be the hallmarks of his reign\nfrom now on and for all time. \nThe LORD’s heart is set on this;\nThe LORD who rules over everything will see that it happens. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Psalm 96 \n \n\n \n \n \n We sing like we’ve never sung before\, LORD;\n    singing to you with all the earth.\n        Every mention of your name sets us singing your praises. \nWe never tire of telling the story of how you bailed us out;\n    all over the world\, we speak of your incredible accomplishments;\n        everyone we meet hears us giving the credit to you. \nYou are the greatest\, LORD; we can’t praise you enough!\n    When it comes to gods\, you are in a league of your own;\n        all other objects of devotion are powerless. \nBut you\, LORD\, created the whole cosmos;\n    you are surrounded by majesty and celebration;\n        strength and beauty are signs of your presence. \nPeople of every race and creed recognise you\, LORD;\n    they recognise you behind all that is strong and true;\n    they name you as the one who deserves all the glory. \nWe offer ourselves to you\, LORD;\n    we fall to our knees in this beautiful place of worship;\n        with all the earth\, we celebrate you alone. \nYou are our king\, LORD; we’ll tell everyone everywhere!\n    You have set the world on firm foundations\,\n        and with you in charge\, everyone will get a fair go. \nLet the heavens and the earth celebrate;\n    let the roar of the sea join in;\n        let everything that walks\, flies or swims join the party! \nYou are on your way\, LORD\,\n    and even the roadside trees cheer as you approach\,\n        for you are coming to set things right on the earth. \nYou will sort things out and put things right\,\n    and reveal the truth about everything and everyone. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Titus 2: 11-14 \n \n\n \n \n \n     God’s extravagant generosity is now out in the open for everyone to see. No one is left out - God has come to save everyone and everything! There are some solid lessons in this for all of us - we are being trained in how to turn our backs on crass and indulgent lifestyles\, and how to get our lives back under control and on track\, to realign ourselves with God and rebuild our integrity. All this is for the here and now. As much as we are eagerly waiting for the day when all God’s promises are fulfilled\, when the full glory of our great God and Saviour\, Jesus Christ\, is writ large for all to see\, there’s no reason not to get on with living it right now! After all\, it was him who paid the ultimate price to bail us out of the degradation we’d sunk into. He didn’t stop at getting us out either\, he personally went to work\, decontaminating us and transforming us into a people he’s proud to be identified with\, a people who enthusiastically throw themselves into doing good. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Luke 2: 1-14\, (15-20) \n \n\n \n \n \n Many years ago\, the Roman Emperor Augustus gave orders for a census to be conducted throughout the whole empire. This was the first time it had been done while Quirinius was governor of Syria. Every man was required to go and register himself and his family in the town where he had been born. For Joseph\, this meant travelling all the way from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judea. Bethlehem had been the home town of King David\, and Joseph\, being a descendent of David\, had been born there too\, so that was where he had to report. Joseph’s fiancée\, Mary\, travelled with him to Bethlehem for the census. She was pregnant and the baby was due any day. There was no accommodation left anywhere in the town\, so they ended up sleeping rough in the stables behind a pub. Sure enough\, she went into labour while they were there and gave birth to her first child – a baby boy. Mary wrapped the baby in a bunny rug and made up a bed for him in a feed trough.\nThe region around Bethlehem was sheep country\, and that night there was a bunch of shearers spinning yarns around their campfire. Suddenly the whole sky lit up with the glory of God\, and the Lord’s messenger stood among them. They were packing death\, but the messenger said to them\, “It’s okay! There’s no need to panic. I’m here with good news\, news that will give everyone everywhere good reason to celebrate. A saviour has just been born in David’s town. He is God’s chosen one\, the Lord of all. Go and see for yourselves. You’ll know you’ve found him when you see a baby wrapped in a bunny rug and lying in a feed trough!”\nThe moment he’d finished speaking\, the messenger was joined by a whole crowd from heaven\, all praising God and shouting at the tops of their voices\, saying: \n“All the glory belongs to God in heaven\,\nand let there be peace on earth for all God’s people!” \n    Then it was all over – the crowd went back to heaven and the shearers were left sitting there looking at one another\, gob-smacked. “We’d better go and check this out\,” they said. “Let’s go into town and see if we can see what’s happened\, what the Lord has let us in on.”\nSo without messing around they headed straight into Bethlehem\, and sure enough\, they tracked down Mary and Joseph and saw the baby lying in the feed trough. When they saw all this\, they began telling everyone what they had heard about this child. People could hardly believe their ears when they heard what the shearers were saying. But their words were precious to Mary and she repeated them over and over in her mind\, wondering what would become of it all. The shearers headed off towards their camp again – a rowdy mob\, singing and shouting in the streets about how fabulous God was because of everything they had seen and heard. Everything had been just the way they had been told it would be. \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\,\nand to offer a new song of praise\,\nsinging: “Glory to you in the highest heaven\nand on earth peace among all you favour.” \nYou are the God who made the heavens\,\nthe Lord\, whose majestic light now shines\non those who walked in darkness.\nYour grace appears bringing salvation to all;\nyour child is given to us\, the firstborn of Mary\,\nand the heavenly host sings his praise. \nThough born in exile at the Emperor’s command\nand delivered over to death\,\nhe will rise to break the rod of oppression.\nThough clothed this night in bands of cloth\,\nhe will burn the blood stained clothes of war.\nThough laid this night in a manger\,\nhe will be seated on the throne of endless peace\nto rule with justice and righteousness\nfrom this time onward and forevermore. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2004 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 It is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise\, O God\,\nfor your grace appears bringing salvation to all;\nyour Son is given to us\, the firstborn of Mary.\nThough laid this night in a manger\,\nhe will be seated on the throne of endless peace\nto rule with justice and righteousness\nfrom this time onward and forevermore. \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\,\nand offer to you a new song of praise\,\nsinging: “Glory to you in the highest heaven\nand on earth peace among all you favour.” \nYou are the God who made the heavens\,\nthe Lord\, whose majestic light now shines\non those who walked in darkness.\nYour grace appears bringing salvation to all;\nyour child is given to us\, the firstborn of Mary\,\nand the heavenly host sings his praise. \nThough born in exile at the Emperor’s command\nand delivered over to death\,\nhe will rise to break the rod of oppression.\nThough clothed this night in bands of cloth\,\nhe will burn the blood stained clothes of war.\nThough laid this night in a manger\,\nhe will be seated on the throne of endless peace\nto rule with justice and righteousness\nfrom this time onward and forevermore. \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©2004 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 revealed his grace for the salvation of all people.\nJesus Christ is given to us\nto redeem us from all wickedness\nand to make us a pure people who belong to him\nand are eager to do good. \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\, glorifying and praising God\nfor all you have heard and seen.\nRenounce ungodly living and unworthy desires\,\nand take control of your life with godliness and honour. \nAnd may the God of grace increase your joy.\nMay Christ Jesus be born as Saviour within you.\nAnd may the Spirit\, the Wonderful Counsellor\,\nmake the good news known to you and through you. \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\nProper II\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 62:6-12 \n \n\n \n \n \n Jerusalem\, I have sent the town criers up onto the wall.\nI have told them to shout day and night\,\nand never let anyone shut them up.\nTheir job is to shout and chant without a break\,\nto keep up the pressure\nuntil the LORD puts Jerusalem back on her feet\nand makes her the toast of all the earth. \n“I have given my word\,” says the LORD\,\n“and you can count on it.”\n“Never again will I let your enemies in\nto plunder the food and wine\nthat you have put so much work into.\nFrom now on everyone will enjoy the fruits of their own labour;\nthose who bake the bread\nwill eat with thankful hearts;\nthose who pick the grapes\nwill enjoy the wine in my temple.” \nPeople of Jerusalem\, throw open your gates.\nGet everything ready for the home comers.\nResurface the road\,\nfill the potholes\, clear the stones\,\nput up signs to show everyone the way. \nThe LORD has an announcement to make\,\nand all the earth will hear it;\n“I am coming soon to save you\, Jerusalem\,\nand I will bring a reward\nto make up for all you have suffered. \nYou will be known as a people dedicated to me\,\nas the people I have reclaimed and brought home.\nYou will be called “the place to be\,\nthe city no one wants to leave.” \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Psalm 97 \n \n\n \n \n \n You\, LORD\, are the ruler of everything!\nThe whole earth celebrates!\nUp and down the coast\, everyone is shouting for joy! \nDeep\, dark clouds of mystery hide you from us;\njustice and integrity are the bedrock of your rule. \nYou are a consuming fire\, leaping in all directions\,\npurging the earth of its enemies. \nYour touch splits the darkness with bolts of light;\nthe earth is lit up and shakes like a leaf. \nYou are Lord of all the earth\, and in your presence\neven the mountains go weak and melt like wax. \nThe heavens herald you as the one who puts things right;\nall people everywhere witness your day of glory. \nThose who worshipped hollow facades\nwill hang their heads in shame.\nThose who take pride in the power of possessions\nwill be horrified when it all proves worthless.\nAll these false gods and short-lived saviours\ncrumble and fall before you\, the real thing. \nFrom the Temple Mountain to the farthest flung town\,\nyour people are celebrating with great joy\, O God\,\nbecause you have seen the truth and brought about justice. \nYou\, LORD\, are number one in all the universe;\nin a league of your own\,\nfar above anything else that seeks our allegiance. \nYou love those who detest evil\, LORD;\nYou stand guard over those who are loyal to you;\nYou come to their rescue if they fall prey to violence. \nWhen people have integrity and do what is right\,\nyou light up their lives and fill them with joy. \nAll who build their lives on the bedrock of your truth and justice\nare celebrating all you do\, LORD.\nJust the mention of your holy name\nand they burst forth with a flood of gratitude! \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Titus 3: 4-7 \n \n\n \n \n \n When God our Saviour showed up\,\n    overflowing with goodness\, love and kindness\,\n        we were rescued from the horrors of our past. \nGod saved us\,\n    for no other reason than because God wanted to.\nWe had never done anything to deserve it.\n    It only happened because God’s mercy is so extravagant. \nThe Holy Spirit stepped in\n    and took us down into the healing waters.\nWe came out thoroughly rejuvenated\,\n    like newborn babies with a fresh start before us. \nThrough our contact with Jesus Christ\, our Saviour\,\n    God has poured out the Holy Spirit on us\,\n        like a rich oil that soaks into every pore.\nSo now\, having been given a clean slate\n    through God’s extravagant generosity\,\nwe are marked out to receive the full inheritance\,\n    the life without limit that everyone has been longing for. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Luke 2: (1-7)\, 8-20 \n \n\n \n \n \n     Many years ago\, the Roman Emperor Augustus gave orders for a census to be conducted throughout the whole empire. This was the first time it had been done while Quirinius was governor of Syria. Every man was required to go and register himself and his family in the town where he had been born. For Joseph\, this meant travelling all the way from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judea. Bethlehem had been the home town of King David\, and Joseph\, being a descendent of David\, had been born there too\, so that was where he had to report. Joseph’s fiancée\, Mary\, travelled with him to Bethlehem for the census. She was pregnant and the baby was due any day. There was no accommodation left anywhere in the town\, so they ended up sleeping rough in the stables behind a pub. Sure enough\, she went into labour while they were there and gave birth to her first child – a baby boy. Mary wrapped the baby in a bunny rug and made up a bed for him in a feed trough.\nThe region around Bethlehem was sheep country\, and that night there was a bunch of shearers spinning yarns around their campfire. Suddenly the whole sky lit up with the glory of God\, and the Lord’s messenger stood among them. They were packing death\, but the messenger said to them\, “It’s okay! There’s no need to panic. I’m here with good news\, news that will give everyone everywhere good reason to celebrate. A saviour has just been born in David’s town. He is God’s chosen one\, the Lord of all. Go and see for yourselves. You’ll know you’ve found him when you see a baby wrapped in a bunny rug and lying in a feed trough!”\nThe moment he’d finished speaking\, the messenger was joined by a whole crowd from heaven\, all praising God and shouting at the tops of their voices\, saying: \n“All the glory belongs to God in heaven\,\nand let there be peace on earth for all God’s people!” \nThen it was all over – the crowd went back to heaven and the shearers were left sitting there looking at one another\, gob-smacked. “We’d better go and check this out\,” they said. “Let’s go into town and see if we can see what’s happened\, what the Lord has let us in on.”\nSo without messing around they headed straight into Bethlehem\, and sure enough\, they tracked down Mary and Joseph and saw the baby lying in the feed trough. When they saw all this\, they began telling everyone what they had heard about this child. People could hardly believe their ears when they heard what the shearers were saying. But their words were precious to Mary and she repeated them over and over in her mind\, wondering what would become of it all. The shearers headed off towards their camp again – a rowdy mob\, singing and shouting in the streets about how fabulous God was because of everything they had seen and heard. Everything had been just the way they had been told it would be. \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\,\nsinging: “Glory to you in the highest heaven\nand on earth peace among all you favour.” \nYou are the God whose Word raised the earth from the seas\,\nwhose presence melts mountains like wax\,\nand whose light rains down joy on loyal hearts.\nYour loving kindness has appeared - salvation by grace -\na child is given to us\, the firstborn of Mary\,\nand the heavenly host sings his praise. \nThough born in exile at the Emperor’s command\nand delivered over to death\nhe will rise to bring back your people\nand name them “Redeemed”.\nThough clothed this night in bands of cloth\,\nhe will be wrapped in thunder and crowned with glory.\nThough laid this night in a manger\,\nhe will be throned on justice and righteousness\,\nand will restore to all the joyous fruits of their labours. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2004 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 It is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise\, O God\,\nfor your loving kindness has appeared - salvation by grace -\na Son is given to us\, the firstborn of Mary.\nThough laid this night in a manger\,\nhe will be throned on justice and righteousness\,\nand will restore to all the joyous fruits of their labours. \n©1999 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\,\nsinging: “Glory to you in the highest heaven\nand on earth peace among all you favour.” \nYou are the God whose Word raised the earth from the seas\,\nwhose presence melts mountains like wax\,\nand whose light rains down joy on loyal hearts.\nYour loving kindness has appeared - salvation by grace -\na child is given to us\, the firstborn of Mary\,\nand the heavenly host sings his praise. \nThough born in exile at the Emperor’s command\nand delivered over to death\nhe will rise to bring back your people\nand name them “Redeemed”.\nThough clothed this night in bands of cloth\,\nhe will be wrapped in thunder and crowned with glory.\nThough laid this night in a manger\,\nhe will be throned on justice and righteousness\,\nand will restore to all the joyous fruits of their labours. \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©2004 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Declaration of Grace / Absolution \n \n\n \n \n \n The kindness and love of God our Saviour has been revealed\nand he has saved us according to his mercy.\nHaving been justified by his grace\,\nwe are now made heirs with Christ\nin the hope of eternal life. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©1999 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Commission & Benediction \n \n\n \n \n \n Go now\, glorifying and praising God\nfor all you have heard and seen.\nLove the Lord\, reject evil\,\nBe joyous in Christ and live faithful lives. \nAnd may God shield you and call you his redeemed.\nMay Christ Jesus be born as Saviour within you.\nAnd may the Spirit be poured out upon you\,\nmaking you heirs of hope with Christ. \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\nProper III\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 52: 7-10 \n \n\n \n \n \n Talk about a sight for sore eyes!\nHere comes the messenger\, galloping down the mountain\,\nbringing the news that God’s people have been hanging out for:\n“You are saved!\nGod is in control!\nFinally there will be peace!” \nSo now its time to celebrate like crazy! \nThose of you who were standing\, tense and silent\, on the lookout\ncan let your hair down and sing and dance.\nFearing the worst\, you saw the best:\nthe LORD returning home to reclaim the city! \nYou whose streets and homes were reduced to rubble\ncan raise your glasses and sing together\,\nfor the LORD has put an arm around your shoulders\,\nreclaimed your streets\, and begun rebuilding. \nIn full view of every nation\nthe LORD has brandished a hard fist\,\nready to deal with would-be oppressors.\nNow is the time for the whole earth to see\nthe freedom God promised\,\nthe peace we longed for! \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Psalm 98 \n \n\n \n \n \n We sing like we’ve never sung before\, LORD\,\nbecause you have done fantastic things.\nWith your sleeves rolled up you got stuck in\nand came out on top.  \nYour victory has made the headlines\, LORD\,\nnow the whole world can see that you were right all along. \nYou have never defaulted on your rock-solid love\,\nor your loyalty to your chosen people.\nFrom one end of the earth to the other\,\neveryone has seen your victory. \nWith all the world\, LORD\, we raise a noisy celebration\,\nsinging our lungs out and shouting your praise. \nThe bands strike up in your honour\, LORD\,\nfilling the air with festive music.\nWith a brass fanfare and a dancing beat\nwe loudly celebrate your reign over us. \nThe whole creation joins in the celebration:\nthe ocean and its creatures roar their approval;\nthe land and its animals\, cheer and stomp;\nrivers and lakes give a standing ovation\,\nmountains and hills erupt in applause. \nWe put on the whole show in your presence\, LORD\,\ncelebrating your arrival as you finally bring justice.\nWith you in charge we know things will be put right;\nnow every one on earth will get a fair go. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Hebrews 1: 1-4\, (5-12) \n \n\n \n \n \n Down through the years\, God has spoken to our ancestors through the prophets in all sorts of different ways. Lately though\, at long last\, God has sent a Son to speak to us directly. It was through this Son that God created the world in the first place\, and it will all belong to him in the end. You can see all the glory of God mirrored in this Son. God’s essential nature is imprinted on him perfectly. Everything in the universe holds together at his say so. The Son took action to bring about the forgiveness of sins\, and having done that he was given the most honoured seat in heaven as God’s right hand man. He had proven himself to be in a league above the angels\, and the title he was granted made this clear. \nThink about it; God never said to any of the angels: \n“You are my Son;\nfor I have conceived you and brought you to birth.” \nNor did God ever say of of angel:  \n“I am the Parent\,\nand this one is my Child.” \nWhen God’s firstborn is brought forth into the world\, God says: \n“All my angels are to worship him.”  \nReferring to the angels\, God says: \n“I make my angels but a puff of wind\,\nand my servants but flames of fire.” \nBut speaking to the Son\, God says: \n“Your throne\, O God\, will never be shaken.\nYour royal power is wielded for justice. \nYou have a passion for integrity and a loathing for corruption.\nTherefore God has chosen you above all others\,\nand crowned you with joy like no other has known.” \nAnd again speaking to the Son\, God says: \n“On day one\, Lord\, you laid the earth’s foundations\,\nand made the stars in the sky by hand.\nEarth and sky will one day be gone\,\nbut you are here for keeps.\nThey will wear out like favourite work clothes\nor be tossed out like last year’s fashions.\nBut you are untouched by time or wear\,\nand you will be with us forever.” \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n John 1: 1-14 \n \n\n \n \n \n At the very start\, there was one who is called the Word.\nThe Word was with God\,\nand the Word was God.\nFrom day one\, God and the Word were inseparable. \nIt was through the Word that everything was created.\nThere is absolutely nothing that doesn’t owe its existence to him. \nIn the Word was life.\nHe is the source of the life\nthat turns on the lights for everyone.\nThe light of his life breaks open the darkness\,\nand the darkness could not snuff it out. \nOnce there was a man on a mission from God;\nhis name was John.\nJohn gave a first-hand report about the light\,\nspelling it out so that everyone could believe.\nHe wasn’t the light\, himself\,\nbut he made it his job to draw everyone’s attention to the light. \nThe real light was on his way into the world;\nthe light that lights up inside of everyone. \nHe was in the world\nbut the world didn’t even notice him\neven though it owed its existence to him. \nHe turned up on his own planet\, among those he created\,\nbut his own people turned their backs on him. \nSome people accepted him\, though\,\nand put their trust in who he said he was\nand what he said he was on about.\nHe gave to those people all they needed\nto become children of God.\nBecoming God’s children had nothing to do\nwith sperm and egg\,\nor three-stage labour;\nthey became God’s children\nwhen they were born of God. \nThe Word\, though\, was born flesh and blood like everyone else.\nHe cast in his lot with us\nand rolled out his swag in our midst.\nWe have seen him in all his glory\,\nlike father\, like son;\nwarm and generous to a fault\,\nsolid and true to the core. \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 have revealed your justice to the nations\nand recalled your merciful love for your people. \nIn the beginning your Word created the world.\nThrough your Word\, life was brought into being\,\nand the life was the light that overcomes the darkness.\nYour messenger came bringing the good news of peace\nso that all might know the Word and believe. \nAnd tonight the good news is fulfilled:\nthe Word has become flesh.\nThough comforted at the breast\, he is your exact likeness.\nThough the world did not know him\,\nhe bears the imprint of your very being.\nThough his own people gave him no welcome\,\nin him we have seen your glory\, full of grace and truth.\nHe will come to rule the world in justice\nand in him all the earth shall see your salvation. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2004 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 It is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise\, O God\,\nfor your Word has become flesh among us.\nThough the world did not know him\,\nhe bears the imprint of your very being.\nThough his own people turned him away\,\nin him we have seen your glory\, full of grace and truth. \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\,\nfor you have revealed your justice to the nations\nand recalled your merciful love for your people. \nIn the beginning your Word created the world.\nThrough your Word\, life was brought into being\,\nand the life was the light that overcomes the darkness.\nYour messenger came bringing the good news of peace\nso that all might know the Word and believe. \nAnd tonight the good news is fulfilled:\nthe Word has become flesh.\nThough comforted at the breast\, he is your exact likeness.\nThough the world did not know him\,\nhe bears the imprint of your very being.\nThough his own people gave him no welcome\,\nin him we have seen your glory\, full of grace and truth.\nHe will come to rule the world in justice\nand in him all the earth shall see your salvation. \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©2004 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Declaration of Grace / Absolution \n \n\n \n \n \n Jesus Christ\, the exact likeness of God’s own being\,\nhas come into the world full of grace and truth.\nHe has made purification for sins\,\nand to all who believe in him\,\nhe gives the power to become children of God. \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\, and join your voices\nwith the song of joy in all creation.\nAnnounce peace.\nHerald salvation.\nLet the earth know that God reigns. \nAnd may God sustain you with his powerful Word.\nMay Christ Jesus be born as Saviour within you.\nAnd may the Spirit reveal to you the glory\nof the Father’s only Son\, full of grace and truth. \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\n“From little things\, big things grow.” A sermon on Luke 2: 1-20 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nA Homily from St Gregory Nazianzus for the Feast of the NativityA thematic sermon by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nA Homily from St Leo the Great for the Feast of the NativityA thematic sermon by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nThe Nativity Sermon of St John ChrysostomA thematic sermon by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nA Nativity Sermon from St Ephraim the SyrianA thematic sermon by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nThe Light ShinesA sermon on John 1:1-14 & Isaiah 9:2-7 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nToday!A thematic sermon by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nPeace on EarthA sermon on Luke 2: 1-20 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nThe Emmanuel ScandalA sermon on John 1: 1-14; Luke 2: 1-20 & Matthew 1: 18-25 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nChristmas LightsA Christmas sermon by Alison Sampson\n\n\n\nHuman BecomingA sermon on John 1:1-18; Luke 1:26-38; Luke 2:1-20 & Isaiah 9:2-7 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nThe Gospel in a Feed TroughA sermon on Luke 2:1-20 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nFor Christmas hope and healing\, look to the shadowsA sermon on Luke 2:1-20 by Alison Sampson\n\n\n\nMay the Word be With YouA sermon on John 1:1-14 by Roslyn Wright\n\n\n\nLight in the DarknessA sermon on Isaiah 9:2\, Luke 2:9 & John 1:3-9 by Nathan Nettleton URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/abc05/2029-12-25/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/ChristmasDay.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20291230T000000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20291230T235959 DTSTAMP:20260404T103114 CREATED:20200723T100028Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240128T120757Z UID:10002095-1893283200-1893369599@laughingbird.net SUMMARY:1st Sunday of Christmas - 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 Isaiah 61:10 - 62:3 \n \n\n \n \n \n Because of the LORD\, I will sing and dance in celebration;\neverything inside me is bursting with joy over my God.\nThe LORD has decked me out in the splendour\nof faithfulness and integrity\,\nclothes fit to celebrate a dream come true.\nI am like a bride and groom dressed for a wedding;\nwith flowers and jewels and everything done just right. \nIndeed\, just as the earth brings forth its vegetation\,\nand just as rich soil causes seeds to sprout and grow\,\nso too the Lord GOD will produce a bumper crop\nof honesty and integrity\,\nand all the world will see it\nand give due credit to God. \nJerusalem\, I will speak out on you behalf;\nI will stick to my guns and not shut up\nuntil your name has been cleared in public\nand you shine like the blazing sun at dawn\,\nsafe and secure and radiant. \nJerusalem\, the nations and governments around you\nwill all see that the LORD is on your side.\nYou will stand tall before them\,\nand take pride in the new name that God will give you. \nYou will be like a badge of honour to your God\,\na gold medal hung around the LORD’s neck. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Psalm 148 \n \n\n \n \n \n We sing your praises\, LORD!\nFrom every corner of the universe\,\nfrom high and low\, near and far\,\nwe join the chorus of praise! \nWith the angels and all who serve you in heaven\,\nwe sing your praises!\nWith the sun and moon\, stars and planets\,\nwe sing your praises!\nWith far flung galaxies and the milky way\,\nwe sing your praises! \nAll of them speak of you in glowing terms\, LORD\,\nfor they owe their very existence to you.\nYou ordered their creation\nand fixed them in place for all time. \nWe sing your praises\, LORD!\nEvery creature on earth joins the choir\,\nsinging your praises for all they’re worth:\ndolphins and whales\nand the ocean itself;\nbushfire and hail storm\,\nsnow and ice\,\ncyclones dancing to your tune;\nmountain ranges and rolling hills\,\norchards and rainforests\,\nanimals from both bush and farm\,\nreptiles and birds;\npeople of every race and class\,\npeople of power and influence;\nmen and women\, old and young\,\nevery voice on earth joins as one! \nOne and all\, we sing your praises\, LORD\,\nyours is the only name on our lips!\nYou alone outshine the glory of the universe! \nYou have given strength to your people\,\nand honour to your faithful ones\,\nto those you have chosen\nand hold close to your heart. \nYou\, LORD\, are the greatest! \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Galatians 4:4-7 \n \n\n \n \n \n When the clock had run down and the time was right\,\nGod sent a rescuer\,\nGod’s own Son;\nborn to a woman in the usual way\,\ngrowing up under the thumb of the law\,\njust like the rest of God’s people. \nGod sent him into such circumstances\nso that he could get everyone else out of them;\npaying the price of our freedom\nand giving us the opportunity\nto be adopted into God’s family. \nBecause you are now God’s children\,\nthe Spirit of God’s child\, Jesus\,\nhas been sent into your hearts;\nthe Spirit who makes us as eager for God\nas children running into their parents’ arms\ncrying\, “Daddy! Mummy!” \nSo you are no longer at the beck and call\nof those things which once dictated your every move;\nnow you are God’s own children\,\nand as God’s children\, you will receive from God\nall that has been kept in trust for God’s children. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Luke 2: 22-40 \n \n\n \n \n \n Forty days after the birth of Jesus\, Joseph and Mary went up to the Jerusalem temple to undergo the purification ritual required by the religious law. They took Jesus with them\, and offered the sacrifice which the religious law required of new parents. In their case\, because they could not afford much\, the required sacrifice was “a pair of young pigeons or doves.” While they were at the Temple\, they took the opportunity to make the ritual presentation of the baby to the Lord. This too was in line with God’s law\, for it specified that “every firstborn son will be marked out as being dedicated to the Lord.”\nA man named Simeon came into the temple that day at the prompting of the Spirit. Simeon was a man of deep integrity and prayer; a man clearly under the influence of the Holy Spirit. He was living in eager anticipation of the day when the sorrows of God’s people would be brought to an end\, and the Holy Spirit had let him know that he would see the Lord’s chosen Messiah in person before he died. So when Joseph and Mary brought the child into the temple to do all the customary things that the law required\, Simeon was there. He took Jesus in his arms\, and began to praise God in prayer\, saying: \n“At last you are letting your servant go in peace\, Lord\,\njust as you promised you would.\nFor now\, with my own eyes\,\nI have seen your rescue operation underway.\nI have seen the launch of the life you have been preparing\nin the midst of the world and its peoples.\nI have seen the light which will make you known to the nations\,\nthe light which will have your people basking in glory.” \nThe parents couldn’t believe their ears when they heard what was being said about their child. Simeon gave them both a blessing\, and spoke to the child’s mother\, Mary\, saying\, “This child is destined to be the making or breaking of many people in Israel. He will be a sign of what God is now up to\, and many people will turn against him\, and thus expose what they are really made of. And as for you\, his mother\, it will tear your heart out.”\nThere was also an elderly prophet in the temple that day. Her name was Anna\, and she was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher. She was eighty four years old\, and had lived as a widow ever since her husband had died after only seven years of marriage. She spent all her time in the temple\, worshipping God there\, day and night\, with prayer and great discipline. As Mary and Joseph presented the child in the temple\, Anna came up and began to speak of how wonderful God is. She spoke about the child to all those who were looking forward to the day when everything would be put right again for Jerusalem.\nWhen the family had completed everything that the law of the Lord required of them\, they headed back north to Galilee\, to their home town of Nazareth. The child grew up strong and healthy\, with a wise head on his shoulders\, and showing every indication that God was pleased with him. \n©2002 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 have fulfilled your promises\nand clothed us in the garments of salvation\nand the robes of righteousness. \nYour Word called forth the earth\, sky and glittering stars\nand your splendour is expressed in all creation.\nThrough your prophets\,\nyou called your people to be a fertile garden\,\nbringing forth a harvest of righteousness and praise. \nAnd now in the fullness of time\,\nour eyes have seen your salvation come.\nBorn of a woman\nand growing in strength and wisdom\,\nhe fulfilled the life-long yearnings\nof those awaiting your redemption.\nRising up as a sign of your grace\nand exposing the truth in our hearts\,\nhe was opposed by many\, and crucified\,\nbut you raised him to life\nand opened the way of salvation\nso that we might be adopted as your children and heirs. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2002 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 child\, Jesus\,\nwho was born of a woman\nand grew in strength and wisdom\nto fulfil the yearnings of all\nwho long to be adopted as your children and heirs. \n©2002 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 have fulfilled your promises\nand clothed us in the garments of salvation\nand the robes of righteousness. \nYour Word called forth the earth\, sky and glittering stars\nand your splendour is expressed in all creation.\nThrough your prophets\,\nyou called your people to be a fertile garden\,\nbringing forth a harvest of righteousness and praise. \nAnd now in the fullness of time\,\nour eyes have seen your salvation come.\nBorn of a woman\nand growing in strength and wisdom\,\nhe fulfilled the life-long yearnings\nof those awaiting your redemption.\nRising up as a sign of your grace\nand exposing the truth in our hearts\,\nhe was opposed by many\, and crucified\,\nbut you raised him to life\nand opened the way of salvation\nso that we might be adopted as your children and heirs. \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©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Declaration of Grace / Absolution \n \n\n \n \n \n When the fullness of time had come\,\nGod sent his Son\, born of a woman\,\nborn under the law\,\nin order to redeem those who were under the law\,\nso that we might receive adoption as God’s children. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Commission & Benediction \n \n\n \n \n \n Depart now in peace\, for your eyes have seen the salvation\nwhich God has prepared for all people.\nGrow in strength and wisdom\nand bring forth a harvest of righteousness and praise. \nAnd may God smile upon you and make you strong and wise;\nMay Christ Jesus share his inheritance with you freely;\nAnd may the Holy Spirit open your eyes to the presence of God’s Messiah. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2002 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\nWhat Now?A sermon on Luke 2: 22-40 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nReady To Die HappyA sermon on Galatians 4:4-7 & Luke 2: 22-40 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nThe Gift of BelongingA sermon on Luke 2: 22-40 by Alison Sampson\n\n\n\nExchanging GiftsA sermon on Galatians 4: 4-7 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nA sword will pierce your own soulA sermon on Isaiah 61:10 – 62:3 & Luke 2: 22-40 by Nathan Nettleton URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/b06/2029-12-30/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Christmas1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20300101T000000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20300101T235959 DTSTAMP:20260404T103114 CREATED:20220904T231259Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220904T231259Z UID:10002451-1893456000-1893542399@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/abc08/2030-01-01/2/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/08.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20300101T000000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20300101T235959 DTSTAMP:20260404T103115 CREATED:20220904T231259Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220904T231259Z UID:10002489-1893456000-1893542399@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/abc08/2030-01-01/2/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/08.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20300101T000000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20300101T235959 DTSTAMP:20260404T103115 CREATED:20220904T231259Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220904T231259Z UID:10002527-1893456000-1893542399@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/abc08/2030-01-01/2/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/08.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20300101T000000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20300101T235959 DTSTAMP:20260404T103115 CREATED:20220904T231259Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220904T231259Z UID:10002565-1893456000-1893542399@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/abc08/2030-01-01/2/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/08.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20300101T000000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20300101T235959 DTSTAMP:20260404T103115 CREATED:20220904T231259Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220904T231259Z UID:10002603-1893456000-1893542399@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/abc08/2030-01-01/2/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/08.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20300101T000000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20300101T235959 DTSTAMP:20260404T103115 CREATED:20220904T231259Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220904T231259Z UID:10002641-1893456000-1893542399@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/abc08/2030-01-01/2/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/08.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20300101T000000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20300101T235959 DTSTAMP:20260404T103115 CREATED:20220904T231259Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220904T231259Z UID:10002679-1893456000-1893542399@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/abc08/2030-01-01/2/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/08.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20300101T000000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20300101T235959 DTSTAMP:20260404T103115 CREATED:20220904T231259Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220904T231259Z UID:10002223-1893456000-1893542399@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/abc08/2030-01-01/2/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/08.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20300101T000000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20300101T235959 DTSTAMP:20260404T103115 CREATED:20220904T231259Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220904T231259Z UID:10002261-1893456000-1893542399@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/abc08/2030-01-01/2/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/08.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20300101T000000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20300101T235959 DTSTAMP:20260404T103115 CREATED:20220904T231259Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220904T231259Z UID:10002299-1893456000-1893542399@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/abc08/2030-01-01/2/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/08.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20300101T000000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20300101T235959 DTSTAMP:20260404T103115 CREATED:20220904T231259Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220904T231259Z UID:10002337-1893456000-1893542399@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/abc08/2030-01-01/2/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/08.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20300101T000000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20300101T235959 DTSTAMP:20260404T103115 CREATED:20220904T231259Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220904T231259Z UID:10002375-1893456000-1893542399@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/abc08/2030-01-01/2/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/08.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20300101T000000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20300101T235959 DTSTAMP:20260404T103115 CREATED:20220904T231259Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220904T231259Z UID:10002413-1893456000-1893542399@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/abc08/2030-01-01/2/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/08.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20300101T000000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20300101T235959 DTSTAMP:20260404T103115 CREATED:20220904T231259Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220904T231259Z UID:10002465-1893456000-1893542399@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/abc08/2030-01-01/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/08.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20300101T000000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20300101T235959 DTSTAMP:20260404T103115 CREATED:20220904T231259Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220904T231259Z UID:10002503-1893456000-1893542399@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/abc08/2030-01-01/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/08.png END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR