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SUMMARY:Proper 29 - Christ the King - 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 23:1-7			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	The God of Jacob\, the mighty One of Israel\,\nchose David\, the son of Jesse\,\nloved him\, and raised him up to be a great King.\nAt the end of his reign\,\nDavid spoke these final words from his death bed: \nThe Spirit of the LORD speaks through me.\nThe words that roll from my tongue come from God.\nA message comes from the ancient solid Rock\,\nfrom the God of Israel\, saying to me: \n“A true leader has a heart for justice\nand exercises power with the constant awareness\nof being under the eye of God.\nSuch a leader is as welcome as the dawn\,\nas popular as sunshine on the weekend\,\nas valuable as spring rains on the wheat fields.” \nI\, David\, have established my dynasty on this principle\,\nand God has made a permanent alliance with me\,\nsigned\, sealed and delivered.\nSurely then I can depend on God to stand by me\nand make my hopes and dreams come true. \nLeaders who shun God are a very different story.\nYou wouldn’t touch them with a barge pole.\nThey are a plague on the land\, like feral blackberry vines\,\nwhich can only be dealt with by bulldozing them into a pile\nand burning them on the spot. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 132: 1-12\, (13-18)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	O LORD\, keep David in mind\nand give him credit for the tough times he endured. \nRemember the promise he made to you\, LORD.\nHe named you as the Mighty God of Jacob\nand swore a sacred vow\, saying: \n“I will not go home or lay my head on the pillow;\nI will not get a wink of sleep or a moment’s rest\,\nuntil I find a home for the LORD\,\na place for the Mighty God of Jacob to live.” \nWe have heard the call to worship you\, LORD.\nWe will make our pilgrimage to your home\nlike David did when he brought your sacred Ark\nfrom the Field of Yaarim\nto the place where we now kneel in worship. \nCome\, LORD\, and settle into your new home\,\nmove into the Temple with your mighty Ark.\nMay your priests be instantly recognizable by their passion for justice;\nmay your faithful people erupt with shouts of joy. \nBe true to the word you gave to your servant\, David\,\ndon’t turn your back on your chosen leader.\nYou\, LORD\, gave a guarantee to David\, saying\,\n“I will see to it that one of your own sons inherits your throne.\nAnd after that\, if your sons are faithful to our alliance\nand stick to the ways I teach them\,\nthen their sons too will inherit your throne\,\none after the other for ever and ever.” \nYou\, LORD\, have chosen Zion\,\nidentified it as the place you wish to live.\nYou said of it: \n“This is where I will settle permanently\,\nI’ll put down roots because I love it here.\nI’ll see that there is always plenty of food here\,\nand even the poor will have more than enough to eat.\nSalvation will be like a badge of office for Zion’s priests\,\nand faithful crowds will roar their appreciation.\nHere I will consolidate David’s power;\nI have chosen him and put his name up in lights.\nI will have his enemies run out of town\,\nwhile his reputation will shine brighter and brighter.” \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Revelation 1:4 b-8			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Greetings and best wishes. May the One who is and who was and who is yet to come be generous to you and give you peace. May the seven spirits who gather around heaven’s throne do likewise for you. And so too may Jesus Christ. He is the key witness whose testimony will not be silenced\, no matter what. He is the first one to have been reborn from the grave. He is the one to whom everyone who holds power on earth must answer. \nAll glory and power to Jesus Christ\,\nfor he loves us.\nHe cut us loose from our sins\,\neven spilling his own blood to get it done. \nHe made us citizens of a new global domain\nand priests in the service of his God and Father.\nAll glory and power to Jesus Christ\,\nfrom now to forever. So say all of us! \nBe on the watch - he’s on his way!\nRolling in on the clouds - no one will fail to see him.\nEven those who cut him down will have to look\,\nand the sight of him will cause weeping and wailing\nfrom every race and nation on earth. \nThat’s the long and the short of it\, and so say all of us! \n“I’m the first and the last; the be all and end all\,” says the Lord God\, the invincible one\, who is and who was and who is yet to come. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  John 18:33-37			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Faced with the request to have Jesus executed\, Pilate went back into his headquarters and interviewed Jesus again. “Do you see yourself as the King of the Jews?” he asked. \nJesus replied\, saying\, “Is that your own question or has someone else been wording you up?” \n“Give me a break\,” Pilate retorted\, “I’m obviously not one of the Jews\, am I? It wasn’t my people who had you dragged in here. It was your mob\, your own race\, your own religious leaders. What in the world have you done?” \nJesus answered\, “My reign is not tied to this world. If my power base depended on this world\, those who have given their allegiance to me would be fighting tooth and nail to keep me out of the hands of that mob. But it’s not like that. My reign is not tied to this world.” \nPilate latched on to that: “So you are claiming to be a king then?” \n“You’re the one who’s putting the ‘king’ label on me\,” Jesus replied. “If you want to know what I’m on about\, what I was born into the world for\, it’s this: I’m the key witness whose job it is to speak the truth\, the whole truth\, and nothing but the truth. Everyone who has given their allegiance to the truth responds to my voice.” \n©2000 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				  Daniel 7: 9-10\, 13-14			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Before my very eyes\,\nthrones were set up\,\nand down sat One who has ruled since the dawn of time.\nHe was dressed in white robes\, bright as snow\,\nand had a head of hair like clean wool. \nHis throne was an explosion of fire\nand its wheels were raging flames.\nA torrent of fire poured forth where ever he went\nand spread in all directions.\nAn army of servants answered his every call\,\nand a squillion more stood to attention\, awaiting his word.\nThe royal commission began\,\nand the books were laid open. \nThe vision continued as I watched into the night.\nI saw the arrival of one who appeared to be human\nsurrounded by clouds from the sky.\nHe approached the One who has ruled since the dawn of time\nand his entrance was formally announced. \nHe was installed as king\nand given great glory and authority\,\nso that the people of every race and nation and language\nwould gladly serve him.\nHis term of office is forever\,\nit will never come to an end.\nHis reign as king\nwill never be overthrown. \n©2012 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 93			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	LORD\, you are the great ruler.\nMajesty enfolds you like a royal robe\nand strength radiates from you. \nYou have fixed the world firmly in its place.\nYour throne is immovable\, LORD;\never was and ever shall be. \nSurging floods have risen\, O LORD\,\nsurging up with a mighty roar;\nengulfing everything in thunderous sound. \nYou are more impressive than the surging waters\,\nmore powerful than the crashing waves;\nyou are number one in all the universe\, LORD! \nWhatever you say is set in stone.\nThe place you live\, O LORD\, is clearly sacred;\nits holiness will outlast time. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nPrayers\n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Eucharistic Preface			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Let us lift up our hearts.\nWe lift them to the Lord.\nLet us give thanks to the Lord our God.\nIt is right to give our thanks and praise. \nIt is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise\, O God\,\nfor you are the One who was\, and is\, and is to come\,\nand you reign over all from beginning to end. \nYou created the earth and its inhabitants\,\nand chose gifted men and women to lead your people\,\nexalting those who rule with justice and humility. \nIn faithfulness to your servant\, David\,\nyou sent your child\, Jesus Christ\, into the world\nto testify to the truth and shepherd your people.\nThough he was accused of treason before Pilate\nand executed by his own nation\,\nhe was the first born from the dead\,\nraised by your power\nto free us from sin and make us your holy people.\nYou gave him glory and dominion forever\,\nand he rules over all\nwith an authority that comes\, not from this world\,\nbut from you\, our God and our Rock. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2003 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We give thanks for your Son\, Jesus Christ\,\nwho you sent into the world\nto testify to the truth and shepherd your people.\nRaising him from the dead\,\nyou gave him glory and dominion\,\nand set him to rule over all forever. \n©2003 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nfor you are the One who was\, and is\, and is to come\,\nand you reign over all from beginning to end. \nYou created the earth and its inhabitants\,\nand chose gifted men and women to lead your people\,\nexalting those who rule with justice and humility. \nIn faithfulness to your servant\, David\,\nyou sent your child\, Jesus Christ\, into the world\nto testify to the truth and shepherd your people.\nThough he was accused of treason before Pilate\nand executed by his own nation\,\nhe was the first born from the dead\,\nraised by your power\nto free us from sin and make us your holy people.\nYou gave him glory and dominion forever\,\nand he rules over all\nwith an authority that comes\, not from this world\,\nbut from you\, our God and our Rock. \nTherefore\, with our hearts lifted high\,\nwe offer you thanks and praise at all times\nthrough Jesus Christ our Lord\,\nwho lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit\,\none God\, for ever and ever.\nAmen. \n©2003 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Declaration of Grace / Absolution			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Jesus Christ\, the ruler of all the earth\,\nloves us and\, at the cost of his own blood\,\nfreed us from our sins\,\nmaking us citizens of his realm\nand priests forever in the service 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 out as faithful witnesses to the one who reigns forever.\nLook to Christ as your shepherd and your ruler\,\nand listen for his voice.\nClothe yourselves in righteousness\nand make every place a place to worship God. \nAnd may God strengthen you and fulfil your dreams;\nMay Christ Jesus be the rising sun that lightens your days;\nand may the Holy Spirit speak to you and through you\n    with words of grace and peace. \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\nMaking a Joke of the KingA sermon on John 18:33-37 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nThe Clash of KingdomsA sermon on John 18:33-37 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nClashing Kingdoms and the Grey ZonesA sermon on John 18:33-37 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nFake News and a Kingdom of TruthA sermon on John 18:33-37 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nTo King or Not to KingA sermon on John 18:33-37 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nCome: Consider Your KingA sermon on Christ the King by Vivian Grice
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/bp29/2030-11-24/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20301124T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20301124T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T095534
CREATED:20201013T022132Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241228T230305Z
UID:10002161-1921708800-1921795199@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:Proper 29 - Christ the King - 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 23:1-7			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	The God of Jacob\, the mighty One of Israel\,\nchose David\, the son of Jesse\,\nloved him\, and raised him up to be a great King.\nAt the end of his reign\,\nDavid spoke these final words from his death bed: \nThe Spirit of the LORD speaks through me.\nThe words that roll from my tongue come from God.\nA message comes from the ancient solid Rock\,\nfrom the God of Israel\, saying to me: \n“A true leader has a heart for justice\nand exercises power with the constant awareness\nof being under the eye of God.\nSuch a leader is as welcome as the dawn\,\nas popular as sunshine on the weekend\,\nas valuable as spring rains on the wheat fields.” \nI\, David\, have established my dynasty on this principle\,\nand God has made a permanent alliance with me\,\nsigned\, sealed and delivered.\nSurely then I can depend on God to stand by me\nand make my hopes and dreams come true. \nLeaders who shun God are a very different story.\nYou wouldn’t touch them with a barge pole.\nThey are a plague on the land\, like feral blackberry vines\,\nwhich can only be dealt with by bulldozing them into a pile\nand burning them on the spot. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 132: 1-12\, (13-18)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	O LORD\, keep David in mind\nand give him credit for the tough times he endured. \nRemember the promise he made to you\, LORD.\nHe named you as the Mighty God of Jacob\nand swore a sacred vow\, saying: \n“I will not go home or lay my head on the pillow;\nI will not get a wink of sleep or a moment’s rest\,\nuntil I find a home for the LORD\,\na place for the Mighty God of Jacob to live.” \nWe have heard the call to worship you\, LORD.\nWe will make our pilgrimage to your home\nlike David did when he brought your sacred Ark\nfrom the Field of Yaarim\nto the place where we now kneel in worship. \nCome\, LORD\, and settle into your new home\,\nmove into the Temple with your mighty Ark.\nMay your priests be instantly recognizable by their passion for justice;\nmay your faithful people erupt with shouts of joy. \nBe true to the word you gave to your servant\, David\,\ndon’t turn your back on your chosen leader.\nYou\, LORD\, gave a guarantee to David\, saying\,\n“I will see to it that one of your own sons inherits your throne.\nAnd after that\, if your sons are faithful to our alliance\nand stick to the ways I teach them\,\nthen their sons too will inherit your throne\,\none after the other for ever and ever.” \nYou\, LORD\, have chosen Zion\,\nidentified it as the place you wish to live.\nYou said of it: \n“This is where I will settle permanently\,\nI’ll put down roots because I love it here.\nI’ll see that there is always plenty of food here\,\nand even the poor will have more than enough to eat.\nSalvation will be like a badge of office for Zion’s priests\,\nand faithful crowds will roar their appreciation.\nHere I will consolidate David’s power;\nI have chosen him and put his name up in lights.\nI will have his enemies run out of town\,\nwhile his reputation will shine brighter and brighter.” \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Revelation 1:4 b-8			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Greetings and best wishes. May the One who is and who was and who is yet to come be generous to you and give you peace. May the seven spirits who gather around heaven’s throne do likewise for you. And so too may Jesus Christ. He is the key witness whose testimony will not be silenced\, no matter what. He is the first one to have been reborn from the grave. He is the one to whom everyone who holds power on earth must answer. \nAll glory and power to Jesus Christ\,\nfor he loves us.\nHe cut us loose from our sins\,\neven spilling his own blood to get it done. \nHe made us citizens of a new global domain\nand priests in the service of his God and Father.\nAll glory and power to Jesus Christ\,\nfrom now to forever. So say all of us! \nBe on the watch - he’s on his way!\nRolling in on the clouds - no one will fail to see him.\nEven those who cut him down will have to look\,\nand the sight of him will cause weeping and wailing\nfrom every race and nation on earth. \nThat’s the long and the short of it\, and so say all of us! \n“I’m the first and the last; the be all and end all\,” says the Lord God\, the invincible one\, who is and who was and who is yet to come. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  John 18:33-37			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Faced with the request to have Jesus executed\, Pilate went back into his headquarters and interviewed Jesus again. “Do you see yourself as the King of the Jews?” he asked. \nJesus replied\, saying\, “Is that your own question or has someone else been wording you up?” \n“Give me a break\,” Pilate retorted\, “I’m obviously not one of the Jews\, am I? It wasn’t my people who had you dragged in here. It was your mob\, your own race\, your own religious leaders. What in the world have you done?” \nJesus answered\, “My reign is not tied to this world. If my power base depended on this world\, those who have given their allegiance to me would be fighting tooth and nail to keep me out of the hands of that mob. But it’s not like that. My reign is not tied to this world.” \nPilate latched on to that: “So you are claiming to be a king then?” \n“You’re the one who’s putting the ‘king’ label on me\,” Jesus replied. “If you want to know what I’m on about\, what I was born into the world for\, it’s this: I’m the key witness whose job it is to speak the truth\, the whole truth\, and nothing but the truth. Everyone who has given their allegiance to the truth responds to my voice.” \n©2000 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				  Daniel 7: 9-10\, 13-14			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Before my very eyes\,\nthrones were set up\,\nand down sat One who has ruled since the dawn of time.\nHe was dressed in white robes\, bright as snow\,\nand had a head of hair like clean wool. \nHis throne was an explosion of fire\nand its wheels were raging flames.\nA torrent of fire poured forth where ever he went\nand spread in all directions.\nAn army of servants answered his every call\,\nand a squillion more stood to attention\, awaiting his word.\nThe royal commission began\,\nand the books were laid open. \nThe vision continued as I watched into the night.\nI saw the arrival of one who appeared to be human\nsurrounded by clouds from the sky.\nHe approached the One who has ruled since the dawn of time\nand his entrance was formally announced. \nHe was installed as king\nand given great glory and authority\,\nso that the people of every race and nation and language\nwould gladly serve him.\nHis term of office is forever\,\nit will never come to an end.\nHis reign as king\nwill never be overthrown. \n©2012 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 93			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	LORD\, you are the great ruler.\nMajesty enfolds you like a royal robe\nand strength radiates from you. \nYou have fixed the world firmly in its place.\nYour throne is immovable\, LORD;\never was and ever shall be. \nSurging floods have risen\, O LORD\,\nsurging up with a mighty roar;\nengulfing everything in thunderous sound. \nYou are more impressive than the surging waters\,\nmore powerful than the crashing waves;\nyou are number one in all the universe\, LORD! \nWhatever you say is set in stone.\nThe place you live\, O LORD\, is clearly sacred;\nits holiness will outlast time. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nPrayers\n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Eucharistic Preface			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Let us lift up our hearts.\nWe lift them to the Lord.\nLet us give thanks to the Lord our God.\nIt is right to give our thanks and praise. \nIt is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise\, O God\,\nfor you are the One who was\, and is\, and is to come\,\nand you reign over all from beginning to end. \nYou created the earth and its inhabitants\,\nand chose gifted men and women to lead your people\,\nexalting those who rule with justice and humility. \nIn faithfulness to your servant\, David\,\nyou sent your child\, Jesus Christ\, into the world\nto testify to the truth and shepherd your people.\nThough he was accused of treason before Pilate\nand executed by his own nation\,\nhe was the first born from the dead\,\nraised by your power\nto free us from sin and make us your holy people.\nYou gave him glory and dominion forever\,\nand he rules over all\nwith an authority that comes\, not from this world\,\nbut from you\, our God and our Rock. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2003 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We give thanks for your Son\, Jesus Christ\,\nwho you sent into the world\nto testify to the truth and shepherd your people.\nRaising him from the dead\,\nyou gave him glory and dominion\,\nand set him to rule over all forever. \n©2003 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nfor you are the One who was\, and is\, and is to come\,\nand you reign over all from beginning to end. \nYou created the earth and its inhabitants\,\nand chose gifted men and women to lead your people\,\nexalting those who rule with justice and humility. \nIn faithfulness to your servant\, David\,\nyou sent your child\, Jesus Christ\, into the world\nto testify to the truth and shepherd your people.\nThough he was accused of treason before Pilate\nand executed by his own nation\,\nhe was the first born from the dead\,\nraised by your power\nto free us from sin and make us your holy people.\nYou gave him glory and dominion forever\,\nand he rules over all\nwith an authority that comes\, not from this world\,\nbut from you\, our God and our Rock. \nTherefore\, with our hearts lifted high\,\nwe offer you thanks and praise at all times\nthrough Jesus Christ our Lord\,\nwho lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit\,\none God\, for ever and ever.\nAmen. \n©2003 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Declaration of Grace / Absolution			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Jesus Christ\, the ruler of all the earth\,\nloves us and\, at the cost of his own blood\,\nfreed us from our sins\,\nmaking us citizens of his realm\nand priests forever in the service 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 out as faithful witnesses to the one who reigns forever.\nLook to Christ as your shepherd and your ruler\,\nand listen for his voice.\nClothe yourselves in righteousness\nand make every place a place to worship God. \nAnd may God strengthen you and fulfil your dreams;\nMay Christ Jesus be the rising sun that lightens your days;\nand may the Holy Spirit speak to you and through you\n    with words of grace and peace. \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\nMaking a Joke of the KingA sermon on John 18:33-37 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nThe Clash of KingdomsA sermon on John 18:33-37 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nClashing Kingdoms and the Grey ZonesA sermon on John 18:33-37 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nFake News and a Kingdom of TruthA sermon on John 18:33-37 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nTo King or Not to KingA sermon on John 18:33-37 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nCome: Consider Your KingA sermon on Christ the King by Vivian Grice
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/bp29/2030-11-24/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20301201T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20301201T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T095534
CREATED:20250105T034751Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250105T034844Z
UID:10002163-1922313600-1922399999@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:1st Sunday of Advent - Year C
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Jeremiah 33:14-16			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	The LORD says: \nI have made a promise to the people of Israel and Judah\, and you can bet your bottom dollar that the days are not far off when I will make good on that promise. When those days come\, when the time is good and right\, I will appoint a new king who will rule with integrity and bring about justice. He will appear from the family of David\, like a new branch on an old tree. At that time peace and safety will be restored to Judah\, and Jerusalem will have nothing to fear. The city will come to be known as “The City of the LORD’s Justice.” \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 25:1-10			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	I gladly offer you everything I am\, LORD . \nI have put my trust in you\, God;\nplease don’t let me down;\ndon’t give my enemies grounds to gloat. \nBe there for those who hang in there for you\, no matter what:\ndon’t leave them with egg on their faces.\nSave that for the two-faced scabs who deserve it. \nLet me in on your way of doing things\, LORD;\nteach me how to follow your tracks. \nSteer me along your ways of truth\, and teach me all about them.\nOnly you can save me from disaster\, God\,\nso I’ll wait for you before setting out. \nYour love and mercy have been as timeless and dependable as the rock;\nplease don’t change your mind about them now! \nDon’t keep a record of everything I’ve done wrong in the past.\nLet your unshakable love colour your view of me\,\nand keep your reputation for generosity intact! \nYou always do what is good and right\, LORD\,\nand so you patiently retrain those who do wrong. \nYou pilot a safe course for those who are not too full of themselves;\nyou give lessons on your ways to the humble folk. \nEvery path you tread\, LORD\, is marked by solid love and loyalty\nfor the benefit of all who keep our end of the bargain with you. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  1 Thessalonians 3:9-13			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	There is no way we could ever thank God enough for all the joy that you Christians in Thessalonica have given us. We pray hard for you all the time\, day and night\, and ask God to let us catch up with you face to face so that we can do whatever we can to strengthen your faith even more. \nIt’s all up to God the provider\, and to our Lord Jesus. If they put us on track\, we’ll be over to you like a shot. In the mean time\, may the Lord see to it that your love keeps growing in leaps and bounds\, just like our love for you has. May the God who conceived us all\, continue to intensify the strength and purity of your hearts so that when the Lord Jesus comes with all his followers\, you may be in perfect condition to take your place among them. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Luke 21:25-36			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Jesus spoke to those gathered around him in the temple\, saying: \n“At that time the whole cosmos will seem to be going berserk. The sun\, the moon\, the stars\, the earth and the seas will be out of control\, and waves of blind panic will sweep across every nation. The terrifying sense of doom will be more than some people can bear - they’ll drop in their tracks in a dead faint as the elemental powers of the universe tremor and crash around them. Then\, and only then\, those who are still standing will see the breathtaking arrival of the New Human\, riding on the clouds in power and glory. When these things start happening\, get up on your feet and stand tall\, because the moment is approaching when everything will finally be put right for you.” \nThen Jesus used an illustration to make his point\, saying: \n“Most trees give clear signs when the seasons are changing. When the wattles start 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 reign of God is almost upon you. 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“Keep on your toes and don’t let yourself get entangled in wasteful trivialities like partying and keeping up with the Jones’. If you get sucked into all that you’ll lose all sense of perspective and you’ll flap blindly into the coming day like a moth into a windshield. It’s not as though there is any way of avoiding it. That day will come to everyone on earth at once\, ready or not. So stay on your watch constantly. Pray for strength\, pray for guts\, pray for the ability to keep your wits about you; you’ll need the lot when these things happen if you’re going to dodge and weave your way clear so that you can stand tall before the New Human.” \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 even when the the whole earth is thrown into chaos\nyour tenderness and lasting love are our sure hope. \nYou created the heavens and the earth\,\nand though even they will pass away\,\nthe words you have spoken to us\nare an everlasting covenant of promise. \nThe words of your son\, Jesus Christ\,\nshook the earth and opened our eyes to your coming reign.\nHe led us in the paths of your truth\nand taught us your ways of faithful love.\nHe was crucified by the enemies of justice\,\nbut you raised him to new life\nand sent his Spirit to restore and strengthen our faith\nas the day of redemption draws near.\nYour promise will be fulfilled in coming days\nwhen Christ comes on the clouds\nto establish your reign of justice and righteousness forever. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We give thanks for the words of your son\, Jesus Christ\,\nwhich shook the earth and opened our eyes to your coming reign\,\nassuring us that even when the world is thrown into chaos\nyour tenderness and lasting love remain as our sure hope. \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 our thanks and praise\, O God\,\nfor even when the the whole earth is thrown into chaos\nyour tenderness and lasting love are our sure hope. \nYou created the heavens and the earth\,\nand though even they will pass away\,\nthe words you have spoken to us\nare an everlasting covenant of promise. \nThe words of your son\, Jesus Christ\,\nshook the earth and opened our eyes to your coming reign.\nHe led us in the paths of your truth\nand taught us your ways of faithful love.\nHe was crucified by the enemies of justice\,\nbut you raised him to new life\nand sent his Spirit to restore and strengthen our faith\nas the day of redemption draws near.\nYour promise will be fulfilled in coming days\nwhen Christ comes on the clouds\nto establish your reign of justice and righteousness forever. \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 does not remember your faults\,\nnor the sins of your past\,\nbut will strengthen your hearts in holiness\nso that you may be blameless before God\nat the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. \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 let the Lord steer you in the way of truth.\nBe on your guard so that you will not be caught up\nin the trivialities and anxieties of the world.\nBe alert at all times and pray for strength\nto escape the traps that would keep you from God. \nAnd may God make you increase in love for one another;\nMay Christ Jesus teach you how to live in God’s ways;\nand may the Holy Spirit strengthen your hearts in holiness\,\nas you ready yourselves for the coming of the Lord. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nSermons\n\n\n\nSermons will open in new tabs from our SYCBaps church website. \n\n\n\n\nThe Future – what should we know? An Advent sermon by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nThe Hope and the FearA sermon on Luke 21:25-36 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nHolding your Heads HighA sermon on Luke 21:25-36 by Andrew Woff\n\n\n\nThe New BranchA sermon on Jeremiah 33:14-16 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nApocalypse Now?A sermon on Luke 21:25-36 by Alison Sampson\n\n\n\nEarth-Shattering ExpectationsA sermon on Luke 21:25-36 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nExpecto Patronum!A sermon on Luke 21:25-36 & Jeremiah 33:14-16 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/c01/2030-12-01/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20301208T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20301208T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T095534
CREATED:20201020T021249Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250116T120000Z
UID:10002164-1922918400-1923004799@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:2nd Sunday of Advent - Year C
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Baruch 5:1-9			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Jerusalem\, take off your funeral suit. The time of grief is over!\nDress to the nines in the beauty of God’s glory. \nGod has given you righteousness as a gift.\nWear it like a full length coat.\nGod has given you a share of divine glory.\nWear it as a crown.\nGod will see that every nation on earth\ngets an eyeful of your splendour! \nThanks to God\, you will gain a name for justice\, for peace\,\nand for reflecting the glory of God. \nOn your feet\, Jerusalem. Climb the lookout.\nScan the horizon. Look who’s coming!\nGod has given the go ahead to bring home your children.\nFrom every direction they come\,\nsinging with joy because God remembered them. \nThey were marched away from you on foot\nwith enemy soldiers driving them ruthlessly.\nBut when God brings them home\,\nthey will be driven by chauffeurs\nwith bands playing and ticker tape raining down. \nGod has even ordered special road works for their coming:\nno more dangerous mountain passes or river fords.\nA spectacular new freeway\nwill make travelling a breeze for God’s people.\nThey’ll be able to come home safely\,\nenjoying all that God has done. \nEven the hot sun won’t bother them\,\nbecause God has ordered shady trees to line the way. \nGod will lead the homecoming procession.\nEveryone will return\,\nsinging the praises of God’s mercy and justice.\nGod’s glorious presence\nwill light up the road before them. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  OR   Malachi 3:1-4			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	The LORD who rules over everything has this to say: \n“Look\, I am sending my own messenger to get things ready for my arrival. Then\, all of a sudden\, the Lord you have been looking for will turn up in the temple. You have been longing to see the messenger who will come to put my promises on the table. Well\, he’s coming alright. But will anyone be able to cope with him when he does? Will anyone be able to stand firm in his presence? \nYou see\, he’ll be like a bush fire that clears all the debris from the forest floor\, or like paint stripper that takes a surface back to bare metal. He will tear through the whole family of priests and burn away the rubbish once and for all\, until they shine like pure polished gold. Then they’ll do what they are supposed to do and bring the right kind of offerings to the LORD. That way the offerings of the people of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to God again\, just like they were in the past.” \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Luke 1:68-79 (canticle)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We sing your praises\, Lord God of Israel\,\nbecause you have smiled upon us and put things right for us. \nFrom the family of your servant David\nyou have called forth a hero with the power to save us.\nYou promised this years ago\, in the preaching of your prophets.\nYou said you would break us loose from the grip of our enemies\nand from the traps of those who had it in for us. \nYou have been true to your word\nand honoured the agreement you made with our ancestors.\nWay way back\, you swore to Abraham and Sarah\nthat you would snatch us clear of enemy hands\nand give us the opportunity to serve you openly\,\nwithout having to watch our backs;\nto dedicate ourselves totally to you\nand to doing what is right for the rest of our lives. \nAnd now you have given us this child.\nHe will be known as a prophet of the great God.\nHe will go ahead of the coming Lord\,\ngetting everything prepared.\nHe will let your people know that you offer salvation\nand make it clear that their sins are forgiven. \nOur God\, your tender and patient love\nwill dawn on us and light up the world for us.\nEven in the darkest hours\, in the blackest hell-holes of our world\,\nyour love will break through and illuminate the way of peace. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Philippians 1:3-11			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Every time you Christians at Philippi pop up in my thoughts\, I can’t help but thank God for you. It is a real joy to pray for you people and I do so often. Of course I do - you’ve shared so much with us in this new life we’re announcing\, and you have ever since day one. It was God who commenced this great work in you\, turning the first sod\, and one thing I’d bet my life on is that God will stick to the job\, without cutting a single corner\, so that the completed project is ready for a grand unveiling on the day when Jesus Christ appears. \nIt is no surprise that I get so carried away about you and hold such a special place for you in my heart. You’ve always been so committed to me\, sticking by me through thick and thin. I’ve experienced the generous love of God through you; I did when we worked side by side to present and defend God’s message\, and I still do now\, locked up here in prison. As God is my witness\, I can assure you that I long to be able to show you how much I care for you. Sometimes I feel as though even Jesus couldn’t love you more than I do! \nSo I’m praying for you\, that you may be so full of love that it just pours out in all directions! And I don’t mean sentimental mushy stuff. I’m praying that your love will be the kind that sharpens your senses and puts steel in your backbone so that you can discern what is right and see it through no matter what. With that kind of love you can be sure that when Christ turns up there’ll be no mud sticking to you. Between now and then you’ll have been working together with Jesus like a well oiled machine producing one good thing after another\, all bearing the marks of justice and integrity which draw attention to the glory of God’s goodness. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Luke 3:1-6			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	John\, the son of Zechariah\, received a message from God in the desert. This happened when Tiberius had been Roman Emperor for fifteen years. Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea at the time\, and Herod the Second held the reins up in Galilee. Herod’s brother Philip had the job in the region of Iturea and Trachonitis\, and in Abilene\, Lysanias was in charge. In Jerusalem\, Annas and Ciaphas were jointly holding the office of High Priest. \nWhen he received the message from God\, John went up and down the Jordan valley 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. The prophet Isaiah had foreshadowed this when he wrote: \n“In the desert a voice is shouting: \n‘The Lord is coming!\nGet the road ready.\nClear the track. Straighten it out for him. \nFill the potholes. Bridge the valleys.\nCut through the obstructions to level the grade.\nReplace meandering tracks with a new direct route.\nLay a new surface over the old corrugations. \nThe Lord is coming to save the world\nand everyone on earth will see it happen.’ ” \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 from your deepest mercy comes our hope of salvation. \nIn the beginning you began creating the world\nand you will bring it to completion at your final appearing.\nThrough your prophets you promised to save us\nfrom all that would drive us into slavery. \nYou sent your servant\, John\,\nto prepare the way for your anointed one\nby proclaiming a baptism of repentance\,\na refining fire to purify your people.\nIn your child\, Jesus\, we have seen the dawn of justice\,\nand the glory of your mercy and righteousness.\nWhen he was crucified\nyou raised him to new life with the power to save.\nNow we eagerly await the glorious day of his appearing\,\nwhen all your children will be gathered home\,\noverflowing with love\, joy and the fruits of righteousness\nto your glory and praise. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2003 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We give thanks for our hope of salvation\nwhich springs from your deepest mercy.\nLike a refining fire\, you sent your servant John\,\nto prepare the way for your anointed one\nby proclaiming a baptism of repentance\,\nto make us pure and blameless before him. \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 from your deepest mercy comes our hope of salvation. \nIn the beginning you began creating the world\nand you will bring it to completion at your final appearing.\nThrough your prophets you promised to save us\nfrom all that would drive us into slavery. \nYou sent your servant\, John\,\nto prepare the way for your anointed one\nby proclaiming a baptism of repentance\,\na refining fire to purify your people.\nIn your child\, Jesus\, we have seen the dawn of justice\,\nand the glory of your mercy and righteousness.\nWhen he was crucified\nyou raised him to new life with the power to save.\nNow we eagerly await the glorious day of his appearing\,\nwhen all your children will be gathered home\,\noverflowing with love\, joy and the fruits of righteousness\nto your glory and praise. \nTherefore\, with our hearts lifted high\,\nwe offer you thanks and praise at all times\nthrough Jesus Christ our Lord\,\nwho lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit\,\none God\, for ever and ever.\nAmen. \n©2003 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Declaration of Grace / Absolution			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	In God’s deepest mercy\,\nwe were called to a baptism of repentance\,\nso that our sins might be forgiven\nand we might be pure and blameless\nbefore the coming Christ. \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 prepare the way for the Lord.\nShare in the gospel of God’s grace;\nProclaim salvation and the forgiveness of sins;\nMake straight paths for justice and mercy. \nAnd may God complete the good work begun in you;\nMay Christ Jesus rejoice in your faith and compassion;\nand may the Holy Spirit fill your love with wisdom\,\nand produce in you a harvest of righteousness. \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\nInviting TroubleA sermon on Malachi 3:1-4 & Luke 1:68-79 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nShaping up for the Coming FutureA sermon on Luke 3:1-6; Malachi 3:1-4 & Philippians 1:3-11 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWho can endure Christmas?A sermon on Malachi 3: 1-4 & Luke 3:1-6 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nOpen Up The WayA sermon on Luke 3:1-6 & Malachi 3:1-4 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWelcoming FireA sermon on Luke 3:1-6; Malachi 3:1-4 & Philippians 1:3-11 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nThe Wilderness WayA sermon on Luke 3:1-6 & Malachi 3:1-4 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nSilence and a SongA sermon on Luke 1:68-79 by Carolyn Francis
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/c02/2030-12-08/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Advent2.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20301208T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20301208T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T095534
CREATED:20201020T021249Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250514T000532Z
UID:10002770-1922918400-1923004799@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:2nd Sunday of Advent - Year C
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Baruch 5:1-9			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Jerusalem\, take off your funeral suit. The time of grief is over!\nDress to the nines in the beauty of God’s glory. \nGod has given you righteousness as a gift.\nWear it like a full length coat.\nGod has given you a share of divine glory.\nWear it as a crown.\nGod will see that every nation on earth\ngets an eyeful of your splendour! \nThanks to God\, you will gain a name for justice\, for peace\,\nand for reflecting the glory of God. \nOn your feet\, Jerusalem. Climb the lookout.\nScan the horizon. Look who’s coming!\nGod has given the go ahead to bring home your children.\nFrom every direction they come\,\nsinging with joy because God remembered them. \nThey were marched away from you on foot\nwith enemy soldiers driving them ruthlessly.\nBut when God brings them home\,\nthey will be driven by chauffeurs\nwith bands playing and ticker tape raining down. \nGod has even ordered special road works for their coming:\nno more dangerous mountain passes or river fords.\nA spectacular new freeway\nwill make travelling a breeze for God’s people.\nThey’ll be able to come home safely\,\nenjoying all that God has done. \nEven the hot sun won’t bother them\,\nbecause God has ordered shady trees to line the way. \nGod will lead the homecoming procession.\nEveryone will return\,\nsinging the praises of God’s mercy and justice.\nGod’s glorious presence\nwill light up the road before them. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  OR   Malachi 3:1-4			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	The LORD who rules over everything has this to say: \n“Look\, I am sending my own messenger to get things ready for my arrival. Then\, all of a sudden\, the Lord you have been looking for will turn up in the temple. You have been longing to see the messenger who will come to put my promises on the table. Well\, he’s coming alright. But will anyone be able to cope with him when he does? Will anyone be able to stand firm in his presence? \nYou see\, he’ll be like a bush fire that clears all the debris from the forest floor\, or like paint stripper that takes a surface back to bare metal. He will tear through the whole family of priests and burn away the rubbish once and for all\, until they shine like pure polished gold. Then they’ll do what they are supposed to do and bring the right kind of offerings to the LORD. That way the offerings of the people of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to God again\, just like they were in the past.” \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Luke 1:68-79 (canticle)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We sing your praises\, Lord God of Israel\,\nbecause you have smiled upon us and put things right for us. \nFrom the family of your servant David\nyou have called forth a hero with the power to save us.\nYou promised this years ago\, in the preaching of your prophets.\nYou said you would break us loose from the grip of our enemies\nand from the traps of those who had it in for us. \nYou have been true to your word\nand honoured the agreement you made with our ancestors.\nWay way back\, you swore to Abraham and Sarah\nthat you would snatch us clear of enemy hands\nand give us the opportunity to serve you openly\,\nwithout having to watch our backs;\nto dedicate ourselves totally to you\nand to doing what is right for the rest of our lives. \nAnd now you have given us this child.\nHe will be known as a prophet of the great God.\nHe will go ahead of the coming Lord\,\ngetting everything prepared.\nHe will let your people know that you offer salvation\nand make it clear that their sins are forgiven. \nOur God\, your tender and patient love\nwill dawn on us and light up the world for us.\nEven in the darkest hours\, in the blackest hell-holes of our world\,\nyour love will break through and illuminate the way of peace. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Philippians 1:3-11			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Every time you Christians at Philippi pop up in my thoughts\, I can’t help but thank God for you. It is a real joy to pray for you people and I do so often. Of course I do - you’ve shared so much with us in this new life we’re announcing\, and you have ever since day one. It was God who commenced this great work in you\, turning the first sod\, and one thing I’d bet my life on is that God will stick to the job\, without cutting a single corner\, so that the completed project is ready for a grand unveiling on the day when Jesus Christ appears. \nIt is no surprise that I get so carried away about you and hold such a special place for you in my heart. You’ve always been so committed to me\, sticking by me through thick and thin. I’ve experienced the generous love of God through you; I did when we worked side by side to present and defend God’s message\, and I still do now\, locked up here in prison. As God is my witness\, I can assure you that I long to be able to show you how much I care for you. Sometimes I feel as though even Jesus couldn’t love you more than I do! \nSo I’m praying for you\, that you may be so full of love that it just pours out in all directions! And I don’t mean sentimental mushy stuff. I’m praying that your love will be the kind that sharpens your senses and puts steel in your backbone so that you can discern what is right and see it through no matter what. With that kind of love you can be sure that when Christ turns up there’ll be no mud sticking to you. Between now and then you’ll have been working together with Jesus like a well oiled machine producing one good thing after another\, all bearing the marks of justice and integrity which draw attention to the glory of God’s goodness. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Luke 3:1-6			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	John\, the son of Zechariah\, received a message from God in the desert. This happened when Tiberius had been Roman Emperor for fifteen years. Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea at the time\, and Herod the Second held the reins up in Galilee. Herod’s brother Philip had the job in the region of Iturea and Trachonitis\, and in Abilene\, Lysanias was in charge. In Jerusalem\, Annas and Ciaphas were jointly holding the office of High Priest. \nWhen he received the message from God\, John went up and down the Jordan valley 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. The prophet Isaiah had foreshadowed this when he wrote: \n“In the desert a voice is shouting: \n‘The Lord is coming!\nGet the road ready.\nClear the track. Straighten it out for him. \nFill the potholes. Bridge the valleys.\nCut through the obstructions to level the grade.\nReplace meandering tracks with a new direct route.\nLay a new surface over the old corrugations. \nThe Lord is coming to save the world\nand everyone on earth will see it happen.’ ” \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 from your deepest mercy comes our hope of salvation. \nIn the beginning you began creating the world\nand you will bring it to completion at your final appearing.\nThrough your prophets you promised to save us\nfrom all that would drive us into slavery. \nYou sent your servant\, John\,\nto prepare the way for your anointed one\nby proclaiming a baptism of repentance\,\na refining fire to purify your people.\nIn your child\, Jesus\, we have seen the dawn of justice\,\nand the glory of your mercy and righteousness.\nWhen he was crucified\nyou raised him to new life with the power to save.\nNow we eagerly await the glorious day of his appearing\,\nwhen all your children will be gathered home\,\noverflowing with love\, joy and the fruits of righteousness\nto your glory and praise. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2003 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We give thanks for our hope of salvation\nwhich springs from your deepest mercy.\nLike a refining fire\, you sent your servant John\,\nto prepare the way for your anointed one\nby proclaiming a baptism of repentance\,\nto make us pure and blameless before him. \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 from your deepest mercy comes our hope of salvation. \nIn the beginning you began creating the world\nand you will bring it to completion at your final appearing.\nThrough your prophets you promised to save us\nfrom all that would drive us into slavery. \nYou sent your servant\, John\,\nto prepare the way for your anointed one\nby proclaiming a baptism of repentance\,\na refining fire to purify your people.\nIn your child\, Jesus\, we have seen the dawn of justice\,\nand the glory of your mercy and righteousness.\nWhen he was crucified\nyou raised him to new life with the power to save.\nNow we eagerly await the glorious day of his appearing\,\nwhen all your children will be gathered home\,\noverflowing with love\, joy and the fruits of righteousness\nto your glory and praise. \nTherefore\, with our hearts lifted high\,\nwe offer you thanks and praise at all times\nthrough Jesus Christ our Lord\,\nwho lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit\,\none God\, for ever and ever.\nAmen. \n©2003 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Declaration of Grace / Absolution			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	In God’s deepest mercy\,\nwe were called to a baptism of repentance\,\nso that our sins might be forgiven\nand we might be pure and blameless\nbefore the coming Christ. \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 prepare the way for the Lord.\nShare in the gospel of God’s grace;\nProclaim salvation and the forgiveness of sins;\nMake straight paths for justice and mercy. \nAnd may God complete the good work begun in you;\nMay Christ Jesus rejoice in your faith and compassion;\nand may the Holy Spirit fill your love with wisdom\,\nand produce in you a harvest of righteousness. \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\nInviting TroubleA sermon on Malachi 3:1-4 & Luke 1:68-79 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nShaping up for the Coming FutureA sermon on Luke 3:1-6; Malachi 3:1-4 & Philippians 1:3-11 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWho can endure Christmas?A sermon on Malachi 3: 1-4 & Luke 3:1-6 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nOpen Up The WayA sermon on Luke 3:1-6 & Malachi 3:1-4 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWelcoming FireA sermon on Luke 3:1-6; Malachi 3:1-4 & Philippians 1:3-11 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nThe Wilderness WayA sermon on Luke 3:1-6 & Malachi 3:1-4 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nSilence and a SongA sermon on Luke 1:68-79 by Carolyn Francis
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/c02/2030-12-08/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Advent2.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20301215T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20301215T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T095534
CREATED:20201020T093355Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250514T000532Z
UID:10002768-1923523200-1923609599@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:3rd Sunday of Advent - Year C
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Zephaniah 3: 14-20			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Lift your voices\, all you children of Israel.\nSing and shout for joy!\nLet your hair down\, Jerusalem.\nCelebrate with all your heart! \nThe LORD has let you out of jail\nand forced your enemies to turn tail and run.\nThe one who rules over Israel – the LORD –\nis right alongside you\, so you have nothing to fear.\nNo disaster can touch you now. \nThe great day is coming\, Jerusalem\,\nwhen you will hear this message: \n“Relax! Don’t be afraid\, people of Zion.\nYour hands can stop trembling now!\nThe LORD\, your God\, is right alongside you;\na champion who always comes out on top.\nGod will be bursting with joy over you\,\ncelebrating as though it was always your birthday!\nGod will nourish you with love\nuntil the spring is back in your step.” \nThe LORD\, your God\, says to you: \n“I will bring your misfortune to an end;\nand set you free from its humiliation.\nThose who have kicked you around\nwill have me to deal with!\nI will rescue and reunite\nthe crippled and the refugees.\nNo longer will they be treated with contempt.\nI’ll see that they are honoured all over the world.\nWhen that time comes\,\nI will gather you together and bring you all home.\nWith your own eyes\nyou’ll see me restore all that is rightly yours.\nThen you will be honoured everywhere.\nEveryone on earth will sing your praises.\nI\, the LORD\, have spoken.” \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Isaiah 12:2-6 (canticle)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	You alone\, LORD\, are able to set us free\,\nso we put our trust in you\, and have nothing to fear.\nAll our strength and power come from you\, LORD GOD\,\nyou have become our hero\, our saviour! \nYou will put your saving love on tap\,\ndeep draughts to be enjoyed by everyone.\nOn that day we will all say to one another\,\n“Thank the LORD! Let God’s name be on everyone’s lips!” \nWe will tell the world what you have done\,\nwe will shout your name and declare you to be number one.\nWe will sing your praises because of all you have accomplished\,\nand give you the glory all over the earth.\nWith all the citizens of Zion\, we lift our voices to you\nwith shouts and laughter and songs of celebration\,\nfor you are the ultimate\, the greatest\, the Holy One\,\nand you live among us\, your people! \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Philippians 4:4-7			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Celebrate the Lord non-stop. I repeat - celebrate! Let your hair down! See that you get a reputation for gentleness - pushiness only gets up everyone’s nose and we can’t afford that when the Lord is so close. \nDon’t go getting anxious about anything\, but pray about everything. Worrying never fixed anything\, so take action: repackage your concerns as prayers. Spell out to God what it is you want\, giving thanks in advance\, and get it off your chest. You’ll find it is such a relief! The peace of God\, which no one can ever make sense of\, will move in and take over. The fears and anxieties will be pushed aside and your troubled hearts and minds will take refuge in Christ Jesus to relax and recover. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Luke 3:7-18			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	John’s baptism became the ‘in thing’ and people flocked out to be baptised by him. John was not convinced by them though\, and bellowed\, “You slippery bunch of snakes! What makes you think that running down here for a quick wash will get you off scot free when the judgment comes? You’ve got to walk the walk. Show by your actions that you’ve turned your lives around as you say you have. And don’t go thinking that you’ve got the inside running just because you can trace your family tree back to Abraham. I’m telling you straight: descendants of Abraham are thick on the ground and\, at the snap of a finger\, God could turn these rocks into a few more. Family trees count for nothing. It is what sort of fruit the tree bears that matters. If the fruit is rubbish\, God will have no hesitation in wielding the axe\, cutting the tree off at the ground and tossing it on the fire.” \nThat got their attention! “What should we do then?” they asked him. \nJohn replied\, “Live differently. If you have two coats and someone else has none\, then share. If you have food\, do the same again – share. That’s the sort of thing you should do.” \nEven some of the people who collected taxes for the Roman occupation forces came out to be baptised. “Teacher\, what should we do?” they asked. \nJohn replied\, “Don’t rip anybody off. Collect only what the law prescribes and no more.” \nSome members of the security forces came too and asked\, “What about us? What should we do?” \n“No stand-over tactics and no protection rackets\,” John replied. “No intimidation or throwing your weight around to extort money out of people. You get paid your wages – be satisfied with that.” \nJohn’s activities struck a chord with the deep yearning for a national saviour\, and people began to speculate that perhaps John might be the one who God had chosen. John was quick to hose down such ideas\, saying\, “I’m only baptising you with water. The One who is coming is way out of my league – the chance to polish his boots would be more than I could aspire to. When he gets started\, it won’t be just water that he’ll be plunging you into. He’ll baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. He’s ready to start with his flame thrower in hand. He’ll release an uncontrollable fire into the dry bushland of your lives\, completely incinerating the rubbish and germinating the good seeds that lie in wait for that day.” \nJohn made a lot of speeches like that. He was constantly on the job\, getting the word out\, bringing the people up to speed with the good news about what God was doing. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nPrayers\n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Eucharistic Preface			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Let us lift up our hearts.\nWe lift them to the Lord.\nLet us give thanks to the Lord our God.\nIt is right to give our thanks and praise. \nIt is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise\, O God\,\nfor you are coming in the fire of love\nto baptise your people and gather them home. \nIn love\, you created the earth and its inhabitants\nand sent faithful prophets like your servant John\,\nto call us\, and all Abraham’s children\,\nto turn to you and bear fruits of justice and mercy. \nIn your child\, Jesus\, you made your home in our midst.\nLiberating the lame and gathering the outcast\,\nhe confronted our oppressors\nand lifted us from shame to honour.\nWhen he was cut down and killed\nyou raised him to resurrection life.\nNow\, as the day of his coming draws near\,\nhe plunges us into his Spirit and fire\nto renew us in love\, and banish our fear\,\nso that we might praise your name forever\nand draw freely from the well of your salvation. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We give you thanks that you come\nto baptise us in your Spirit and fire\,\nrenewing us in love and banishing our fear\,\nso that we might praise your name forever\nand draw freely from the well of your salvation. \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 are coming in the fire of love\nto baptise your people and gather them home. \nIn love\, you created the earth and its inhabitants\nand sent faithful prophets like your servant John\,\nto call us\, and all Abraham’s children\,\nto turn to you and bear fruits of justice and mercy. \nIn your child\, Jesus\, you made your home in our midst.\nLiberating the lame and gathering the outcast\,\nhe confronted our oppressors\nand lifted us from shame to honour.\nWhen he was cut down and killed\nyou raised him to resurrection life.\nNow\, as the day of his coming draws near\,\nhe plunges us into his Spirit and fire\nto renew us in love\, and banish our fear\,\nso that we might praise your name forever\nand draw freely from the well of 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©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Declaration of Grace / Absolution			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	God is your saviour; you have nothing to fear.\nThe Lord has taken away the judgments against you\nand invited you to draw freely\nfrom the well of salvation. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Commission & Benediction			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Go now and rejoice in the Lord always.\nDo not be afraid or worried about anything\,\nbut in everything trust God and pray.\nBear fruits worthy of repentance\,\nsharing what you have and being gentle with all. \nAnd may God rejoice over you with gladness;\nMay Christ Jesus renew you in his love;\nand may the Holy Spirit give you peace beyond understanding\nto guard your hearts and minds in 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\nSermons\n\n\n\nSermons will open in new tabs from our SYCBaps church website. \n\n\n\n\nWhen you don’t feel like rejoicingA sermon on Philippians 4.4-7 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nRejoice! A Study in Faith’s AbsurdityA sermon on Zephaniah 3.14-20; Philippians 4.4-7 & Luke 3.7-18 by Garry Deverell\n\n\n\nWrath or GenerosityA sermon on Luke 3.7-18 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nLighting FiresA sermon on Zephaniah 3.14-20; Philippians 4.4-7 & Luke 3.7-18 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nCould Hannah Gadsby be the Messiah?!A sermon on Luke 3.7-18 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nChristmas Joys and Fair-weather SupportersA sermon on Zephaniah 3.14-20 & Luke 3.7-18 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/c03/2030-12-15/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Advent3.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20301215T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20301215T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T095534
CREATED:20201020T093355Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250119T021208Z
UID:10002165-1923523200-1923609599@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:3rd Sunday of Advent - Year C
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Zephaniah 3: 14-20			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Lift your voices\, all you children of Israel.\nSing and shout for joy!\nLet your hair down\, Jerusalem.\nCelebrate with all your heart! \nThe LORD has let you out of jail\nand forced your enemies to turn tail and run.\nThe one who rules over Israel – the LORD –\nis right alongside you\, so you have nothing to fear.\nNo disaster can touch you now. \nThe great day is coming\, Jerusalem\,\nwhen you will hear this message: \n“Relax! Don’t be afraid\, people of Zion.\nYour hands can stop trembling now!\nThe LORD\, your God\, is right alongside you;\na champion who always comes out on top.\nGod will be bursting with joy over you\,\ncelebrating as though it was always your birthday!\nGod will nourish you with love\nuntil the spring is back in your step.” \nThe LORD\, your God\, says to you: \n“I will bring your misfortune to an end;\nand set you free from its humiliation.\nThose who have kicked you around\nwill have me to deal with!\nI will rescue and reunite\nthe crippled and the refugees.\nNo longer will they be treated with contempt.\nI’ll see that they are honoured all over the world.\nWhen that time comes\,\nI will gather you together and bring you all home.\nWith your own eyes\nyou’ll see me restore all that is rightly yours.\nThen you will be honoured everywhere.\nEveryone on earth will sing your praises.\nI\, the LORD\, have spoken.” \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Isaiah 12:2-6 (canticle)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	You alone\, LORD\, are able to set us free\,\nso we put our trust in you\, and have nothing to fear.\nAll our strength and power come from you\, LORD GOD\,\nyou have become our hero\, our saviour! \nYou will put your saving love on tap\,\ndeep draughts to be enjoyed by everyone.\nOn that day we will all say to one another\,\n“Thank the LORD! Let God’s name be on everyone’s lips!” \nWe will tell the world what you have done\,\nwe will shout your name and declare you to be number one.\nWe will sing your praises because of all you have accomplished\,\nand give you the glory all over the earth.\nWith all the citizens of Zion\, we lift our voices to you\nwith shouts and laughter and songs of celebration\,\nfor you are the ultimate\, the greatest\, the Holy One\,\nand you live among us\, your people! \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Philippians 4:4-7			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Celebrate the Lord non-stop. I repeat - celebrate! Let your hair down! See that you get a reputation for gentleness - pushiness only gets up everyone’s nose and we can’t afford that when the Lord is so close. \nDon’t go getting anxious about anything\, but pray about everything. Worrying never fixed anything\, so take action: repackage your concerns as prayers. Spell out to God what it is you want\, giving thanks in advance\, and get it off your chest. You’ll find it is such a relief! The peace of God\, which no one can ever make sense of\, will move in and take over. The fears and anxieties will be pushed aside and your troubled hearts and minds will take refuge in Christ Jesus to relax and recover. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Luke 3:7-18			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	John’s baptism became the ‘in thing’ and people flocked out to be baptised by him. John was not convinced by them though\, and bellowed\, “You slippery bunch of snakes! What makes you think that running down here for a quick wash will get you off scot free when the judgment comes? You’ve got to walk the walk. Show by your actions that you’ve turned your lives around as you say you have. And don’t go thinking that you’ve got the inside running just because you can trace your family tree back to Abraham. I’m telling you straight: descendants of Abraham are thick on the ground and\, at the snap of a finger\, God could turn these rocks into a few more. Family trees count for nothing. It is what sort of fruit the tree bears that matters. If the fruit is rubbish\, God will have no hesitation in wielding the axe\, cutting the tree off at the ground and tossing it on the fire.” \nThat got their attention! “What should we do then?” they asked him. \nJohn replied\, “Live differently. If you have two coats and someone else has none\, then share. If you have food\, do the same again – share. That’s the sort of thing you should do.” \nEven some of the people who collected taxes for the Roman occupation forces came out to be baptised. “Teacher\, what should we do?” they asked. \nJohn replied\, “Don’t rip anybody off. Collect only what the law prescribes and no more.” \nSome members of the security forces came too and asked\, “What about us? What should we do?” \n“No stand-over tactics and no protection rackets\,” John replied. “No intimidation or throwing your weight around to extort money out of people. You get paid your wages – be satisfied with that.” \nJohn’s activities struck a chord with the deep yearning for a national saviour\, and people began to speculate that perhaps John might be the one who God had chosen. John was quick to hose down such ideas\, saying\, “I’m only baptising you with water. The One who is coming is way out of my league – the chance to polish his boots would be more than I could aspire to. When he gets started\, it won’t be just water that he’ll be plunging you into. He’ll baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. He’s ready to start with his flame thrower in hand. He’ll release an uncontrollable fire into the dry bushland of your lives\, completely incinerating the rubbish and germinating the good seeds that lie in wait for that day.” \nJohn made a lot of speeches like that. He was constantly on the job\, getting the word out\, bringing the people up to speed with the good news about what God was doing. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nPrayers\n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Eucharistic Preface			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Let us lift up our hearts.\nWe lift them to the Lord.\nLet us give thanks to the Lord our God.\nIt is right to give our thanks and praise. \nIt is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise\, O God\,\nfor you are coming in the fire of love\nto baptise your people and gather them home. \nIn love\, you created the earth and its inhabitants\nand sent faithful prophets like your servant John\,\nto call us\, and all Abraham’s children\,\nto turn to you and bear fruits of justice and mercy. \nIn your child\, Jesus\, you made your home in our midst.\nLiberating the lame and gathering the outcast\,\nhe confronted our oppressors\nand lifted us from shame to honour.\nWhen he was cut down and killed\nyou raised him to resurrection life.\nNow\, as the day of his coming draws near\,\nhe plunges us into his Spirit and fire\nto renew us in love\, and banish our fear\,\nso that we might praise your name forever\nand draw freely from the well of your salvation. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We give you thanks that you come\nto baptise us in your Spirit and fire\,\nrenewing us in love and banishing our fear\,\nso that we might praise your name forever\nand draw freely from the well of your salvation. \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 are coming in the fire of love\nto baptise your people and gather them home. \nIn love\, you created the earth and its inhabitants\nand sent faithful prophets like your servant John\,\nto call us\, and all Abraham’s children\,\nto turn to you and bear fruits of justice and mercy. \nIn your child\, Jesus\, you made your home in our midst.\nLiberating the lame and gathering the outcast\,\nhe confronted our oppressors\nand lifted us from shame to honour.\nWhen he was cut down and killed\nyou raised him to resurrection life.\nNow\, as the day of his coming draws near\,\nhe plunges us into his Spirit and fire\nto renew us in love\, and banish our fear\,\nso that we might praise your name forever\nand draw freely from the well of 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©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Declaration of Grace / Absolution			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	God is your saviour; you have nothing to fear.\nThe Lord has taken away the judgments against you\nand invited you to draw freely\nfrom the well of salvation. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Commission & Benediction			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Go now and rejoice in the Lord always.\nDo not be afraid or worried about anything\,\nbut in everything trust God and pray.\nBear fruits worthy of repentance\,\nsharing what you have and being gentle with all. \nAnd may God rejoice over you with gladness;\nMay Christ Jesus renew you in his love;\nand may the Holy Spirit give you peace beyond understanding\nto guard your hearts and minds in 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\nSermons\n\n\n\nSermons will open in new tabs from our SYCBaps church website. \n\n\n\n\nWhen you don’t feel like rejoicingA sermon on Philippians 4.4-7 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nRejoice! A Study in Faith’s AbsurdityA sermon on Zephaniah 3.14-20; Philippians 4.4-7 & Luke 3.7-18 by Garry Deverell\n\n\n\nWrath or GenerosityA sermon on Luke 3.7-18 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nLighting FiresA sermon on Zephaniah 3.14-20; Philippians 4.4-7 & Luke 3.7-18 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nCould Hannah Gadsby be the Messiah?!A sermon on Luke 3.7-18 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nChristmas Joys and Fair-weather SupportersA sermon on Zephaniah 3.14-20 & Luke 3.7-18 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/c03/2030-12-15/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Advent3.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20301222T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20301222T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T095534
CREATED:20201021T003415Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250126T045130Z
UID:10002166-1924128000-1924214399@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:4th Sunday of Advent - Year C
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Michah 5:2-5a			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	The LORD says to Bethlehem of Ephrathah: \n“You might only be a one-horse town\, Bethlehem\,\nbut I will put you on the map.\nYou will be the home town of the new ruler\,\nthe one who will lead Israel for me.\nHis origins will go way back.\nHis claim will be as old as the hills.” \nThe LORD'S people will be lost – God is giving up on them –\nbut only until the labour is over\nand the mother holds God’s newborn ruler in her arms.\nGod’s chosen ruler will bring his people home to Israel\,\nreuniting the refugees as a family again.” \nMade strong by the LORD he will take his stand.\nHe will rule his people on the authority of his glorious God.\nHe will care for them and provide all they need\,\nand they will live in freedom and safety.\nAll over the earth his greatness will be acknowledged\,\nand he will be the one who establishes peace. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 80:1-7			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	God\, you are the one who watches over your people\n    like a lifeguard supervising a dangerous beach\,\n        watching from a high seat\, like a king enthroned.\nListen to our prayer and clearly flag the boundaries\,\n    so that your tribes will no longer get out of their depth. \nUp and at it\, God!\n    Come equipped to rescue us.\nCome and smile on us again\, God;\n    breathe life back into us and save us. \nLORD God\, you rule over everything;\n    how much longer will you keep us in the sin bin\,\n        turning away in anger when we pray? \nYou reduced our rations to tears alone;\n    tears 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;\n    breathe life back into us and save us. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  OR   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©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Hebrews 10:5-10			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Christ came into the world saying\, \n“God\, you don’t want more sacrifices and offerings.\nI know you get no pleasure from all that stuff\,\neven when it’s done sincerely and by the book.\nBut you have prepared a body for me\, God\,\nand I come now to do what you really want\,\nfor it is what I do that is really ‘by the book’. \nDo you see what he’s saying there? He’s saying that God gets neither satisfaction nor pleasure from all the different kinds of offerings that the law prescribed for sin and for various other things. And he’s going further than that because he’s saying that he’s here to do what God really wants. This is a total change over. He is abolishing the previous system and putting a new one in place. So now\, according to what God really wanted\, Jesus has dealt with sin once and for all\, at the cost of his own body\, and brought us all up to scratch for God. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Luke 1:39-45\, (46-55)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	When the angel told Mary that both she and her relative Elizabeth were going to have babies\, Mary took the first opportunity to make the trip to visit Elizabeth. Elizabeth lived with her husband Zechariah in a Judean town in the hills. Mary sang out as soon as she arrived at their house\, and when she heard the greeting\, Elizabeth felt the baby jump in her womb. The Holy Spirit welled up in Elizabeth and she cried out with joy\, saying: \n“You have been blessed like no other woman!\nAnd doubly blessed is the child in your womb!\nAnd what about me? Why am I so blessed\,\nthat my Lord’s own mother should knock at my door?\nThe moment your greeting reach my ears\,\nthe baby in my womb began bouncing with glee!\nClearly you are God’s favoured one\,\nbecause you believed what God said to you;\ntrusting God to follow through on every promise. \nMary too was bursting with joy. She said: \n“Let me turn the spotlight on God’s greatness!\nWith all that I am I dance with joy over God\, my saviour!\nGod has smiled upon me\, though I was no one special.\nNow I’ll be remembered forever as the favoured one.\nThe supreme God has done wonderful things for me.\nNo other name is in the same league as God’s. \nIn every generation\, those who treat God with respect\nare rewarded with showers of mercy.\nWith sleeves rolled up\, God has made a show of strength\,\nand sent packing those who were so full of themselves. \nGod has kicked the power mongers out of office\,\nand lifted the downtrodden back to their feet.\nGod has put on a feast for those who were hungry\,\nand slammed the door on the rich without giving them a bite. \nThe Lord’s servant Israel receives a helping hand.\nGod always remembers them with tender care.\nThis is exactly what God promised long ago\,\na vow made to Abraham and Sarah for every generation.” \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nPrayers\n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Eucharistic Preface			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Let us lift up our hearts.\nWe lift them to the Lord.\nLet us give thanks to the Lord our God.\nIt is right to give our thanks and praise. \nIt is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise\, O God\,\nfor you are coming to restore us and save us\,\nand your mercy embraces the faithful in each generation. \nIn ancient days you founded the earth\nand promised mercy to Abraham and his offspring forever.\nThrough the law you provided a way of repentance\nand through your prophets you called for justice and peace. \nNow you come to us in your child\, Jesus Christ\,\nat whose name even unborn babies rejoice.\nIn him we have seen your promised ruler\nwho will establish the reign of peace\,\npulling tyrants from thrones\nand lifting up the downtrodden\,\nfilling the hungry with good things\nand sending the greedy away empty.\nThough enemies mocked him\, scorned him and killed him\,\nby your strength you restored him to life\,\nand through his bodily offering\nyou sanctified your people once and for all. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We give thanks that your mercy embraces each generation\nand we rejoice that you are coming to restore us and save us.\nWith eager longing we await your promised ruler\nwho will establish your reign of peace\nand sanctify your people once and for all. \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 are coming to restore us and save us\,\nand your mercy embraces the faithful in each generation. \nIn ancient days you founded the earth\nand promised mercy to Abraham and his offspring forever.\nThrough the law you provided a way of repentance\nand through your prophets you called for justice and peace. \nNow you come to us in your child\, Jesus Christ\,\nat whose name even unborn babies rejoice.\nIn him we have seen your promised ruler\nwho will establish the reign of peace\,\npulling tyrants from thrones\nand lifting up the downtrodden\,\nfilling the hungry with good things\nand sending the greedy away empty.\nThough enemies mocked him\, scorned him and killed him\,\nby your strength you restored him to life\,\nand through his bodily offering\nyou sanctified your people once and for all. \nTherefore\, with our hearts lifted high\,\nwe offer you thanks and praise at all times\nthrough Jesus Christ our Lord\,\nwho lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit\,\none God\, for ever and ever.\nAmen. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Declaration of Grace / Absolution			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	God’s mercy embraces the faithful\, one generation to the next.\nThe light of God’s presence restores us and saves us.\nThrough what Jesus Christ did in his own body\,\nonce and for all\,\nyou are purified and made fit for 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\, with your hope in God’s mercy\nfor all God has promised you will be fulfilled.\nTrust God’s strength for your safety\,\nwalk in the ways of peace\,\nand be ready to greet the coming Lord. \nAnd may God our Saviour look with favour upon you;\nMay Christ Jesus use his wonderful power for you;\nand may the Holy Spirit leap joyously with you\n    and pour forth from you in songs of praise. \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\nGod-bearers in Insignificant PlacesA sermon on Micah 5:2-5a & Luke 1: 39-55 by  Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nMagnifitastic!A sermon on Luke 1: 39-55 by  Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nNot domestic\, not a goddess: Mary the prophetA sermon on Luke 1: 38-55 by Alison Sampson\n\n\n\nUpending the World as We Know ItA sermon on Luke 1: 39-55 by  Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nThe Blessed Virgin Mary meets Indiana JonesA sermon on Luke 1: 38-55 by Margie Dahl\n\n\n\nLet it BeA sermon on Luke 1: 46-55 by Liza B. Lamis
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/c04/2030-12-22/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20301225T000000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20301225T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T095534
CREATED:20220904T230756Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260125T004203Z
UID:10002995-1924387200-1924473599@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/abc05/2030-12-25/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20301229T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20301229T235900
DTSTAMP:20260404T095534
CREATED:20201021T011018Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250514T000531Z
UID:10002766-1924732800-1924819140@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:1st Sunday of Christmas - Year C
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  1 Samuel 2: 18-20\, 26			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	While he was still a young boy\, Samuel served the LORD on the staff of the place of worship in the town of Shiloh. When he was working he wore a special religious cape over the robes his mother made for him. Hannah used to make small copies of the robes the priests wore\, and bring them to him each year when she and her husband came up to Shiloh for the annual sacrifice. When they came\, Eli the priest would give Elkanah and Hannah a blessing\, saying\, “You have given your son as a gift to the LORD. May the LORD reward the two of you with more children to take his place.” \nAfter Eli had blessed them\, Elkanah and Hannah would return home to their own town. Year by year Samuel continued to grow into an impressive young man. Everybody liked him and the LORD was pleased with him. \n©2000 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				  Colossians 3: 12-17			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	You are a special and much loved people\, hand picked by God. To mark you out as God’s people\, you have a uniform to wear. It consists of generosity\, humility\, tolerance and a passionate concern for others\, all of which must be worn without any pretentiousness. The thing you do have to wear it with is love. Without love\, you won’t even be able to keep the rest of it on - it would all look totally out of place. \nChrist has called you to be united as one body\, with his peace surging through your veins and keeping the whole body strong. I’ll give you some instructions here for life in the body\, but if you let the peace of Christ shape the way you live\, you’ll find it comes naturally. Hang in there with each other. No doubt there will be times when you will rub each other up the wrong way\, but be forgiving. The Lord had no hesitation forgiving you\, so follow his lead and forgive each other. Cultivate a mindset of gratitude. Provide rich soil in your hearts into which the word of Christ can sink deep strong roots. Don’t keep good advice to yourself. Share what you have learned and guide one another in the ways of wisdom. Then you’ll all have plenty to be grateful about. Let your gratitude overflow in the songs you sing together - whatever the style\, offer them as spirited gifts to God. At all times\, whatever you are up to\, see to it that the things you say and do are all things that Christ would be proud to be associated with. Let everything you do for Christ be a way of communicating your thanks to God\, for it is God who has given you life. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Luke 2: 41-52			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Every year\, Mary and Joseph and most of their friends and family travelled to Jerusalem for the celebration of the Passover festival. When Jesus was twelve years old\, they all went up for the festival as usual. At the end of the celebration\, they all hit the road as one and began heading home. No one noticed that Jesus was left behind in Jerusalem. Everyone just assumed he was with someone else in the crowd\, and they’d done a day’s travel before his parents began to look for him. When they couldn’t find him anywhere among their friends and relatives\, they turned around and went back to Jerusalem to mount a search. It took three days to find him and they were nearly at their wits’ end. Jesus was fine though. They found him in the temple\, sitting among the teachers\, hanging on every word they said and probing them with questions of his own. Those who had been listening in were staggered by his grasp of the issues and his ability to participate in such learned discussion. His parents were not nearly so impressed! “Young man\, what do you think you’re doing running off on us like this?” Mary demanded. “Your father and I have been worried sick and we’ve hunted everywhere.” \nJesus replied\, “Why were you looking everywhere? Surely you know me well enough to know that this was where I’d be\, in the house of my Father.” \nThey didn’t really cotton on to what he meant\, but the whole incident became another of Mary’s treasured memories. Jesus went home to Nazareth with his parents and was careful to cooperate with their wishes. With each passing year\, he grew in wisdom and maturity. God was pleased with him and everybody liked having him around. \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\,\njoining with the joyous cries of all creation\,\nfor you oversee and nourish our growth to fullness of life. \nYour word called forth the sun\, moon and stars\,\nand your breath gave life to every creature.\nYou chose a people to be close to you\,\nand you spoke through them by your law and prophets. \nYou sent your Son\, Jesus\, among us\,\nand even as a child his zeal for your ways\nand his wisdom impressed all who heard him.\nHis passion for the integrity of your house\nand for the holiness of your people\nturned the powerful against him.\nThey crucified him\nbut you raised him to new life.\nNow his peace rules in our hearts\,\nhis word dwells in us richly\,\nand we are clothed in his love\,\nto the glory of your holy name. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2003 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We give you thanks for the peace of Christ which rules in our hearts\,\nfor his word which dwells in us richly\, clothing us in his love\,\nand nourishing our growth to maturity\nin wisdom\, in compassion and in love\,\nto the glory of your holy name. \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\,\njoining with the joyous cries of all creation\,\nfor you oversee and nourish our growth to fullness of life. \nYour word called forth the sun\, moon and stars\,\nand your breath gave life to every creature.\nYou chose a people to be close to you\,\nand you spoke through them by your law and prophets. \nYou sent your Son\, Jesus\, among us\,\nand even as a child his zeal for your ways\nand his wisdom impressed all who heard him.\nHis passion for the integrity of your house\nand for the holiness of your people\nturned the powerful against him.\nThey crucified him\nbut you raised him to new life.\nNow his peace rules in our hearts\,\nhis word dwells in us richly\,\nand we are clothed in his love\,\nto the glory of your holy name. \nTherefore\, with our hearts lifted high\,\nwe offer you thanks and praise at all times\nthrough Jesus Christ our Lord\,\nwho lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit\,\none God\, for ever and ever.\nAmen. \n©2003 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Declaration of Grace / Absolution			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	God’s word called you into existence\,\nand fixed you forever in God’s love.\nLet the peace of Christ rule in your hearts\,\nand sing with gratitude\,\nfor the Lord has forgiven you. \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\, as God’s chosen ones\, holy and beloved.\nLet the word of Christ dwell in you richly;\nclothe yourselves with love;\nforgive one another\,\nand do everything you do in the name of Christ\,\ngiving thanks to God. \nAnd may God bless you and repay you for all you give;\nMay Christ Jesus send his peace to rule in your hearts;\nand may the Holy Spirit raise you to maturity\nin wisdom\, in compassion and in love. \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\nWhat’s that precocious kid got to do with us?A sermon on Luke 2:41-52 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nFinding Jesus – Finding OurselvesA sermon on Luke 2:41-52 & Colossians 3:12-17 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nDay by Day Like Him We GrowA sermon on Luke 2:41-52 & Colossians 3:12-17 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nListening\, learning\, growingA sermon on Luke 2:41-52 & Colossians 3:12-17 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhen you lose JesusA sermon on Luke 2:41-52 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/c06/2030-12-29/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20301229T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20301229T235900
DTSTAMP:20260404T095534
CREATED:20201021T011018Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250202T001518Z
UID:10002168-1924732800-1924819140@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:1st Sunday of Christmas - Year C
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  1 Samuel 2: 18-20\, 26			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	While he was still a young boy\, Samuel served the LORD on the staff of the place of worship in the town of Shiloh. When he was working he wore a special religious cape over the robes his mother made for him. Hannah used to make small copies of the robes the priests wore\, and bring them to him each year when she and her husband came up to Shiloh for the annual sacrifice. When they came\, Eli the priest would give Elkanah and Hannah a blessing\, saying\, “You have given your son as a gift to the LORD. May the LORD reward the two of you with more children to take his place.” \nAfter Eli had blessed them\, Elkanah and Hannah would return home to their own town. Year by year Samuel continued to grow into an impressive young man. Everybody liked him and the LORD was pleased with him. \n©2000 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				  Colossians 3: 12-17			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	You are a special and much loved people\, hand picked by God. To mark you out as God’s people\, you have a uniform to wear. It consists of generosity\, humility\, tolerance and a passionate concern for others\, all of which must be worn without any pretentiousness. The thing you do have to wear it with is love. Without love\, you won’t even be able to keep the rest of it on - it would all look totally out of place. \nChrist has called you to be united as one body\, with his peace surging through your veins and keeping the whole body strong. I’ll give you some instructions here for life in the body\, but if you let the peace of Christ shape the way you live\, you’ll find it comes naturally. Hang in there with each other. No doubt there will be times when you will rub each other up the wrong way\, but be forgiving. The Lord had no hesitation forgiving you\, so follow his lead and forgive each other. Cultivate a mindset of gratitude. Provide rich soil in your hearts into which the word of Christ can sink deep strong roots. Don’t keep good advice to yourself. Share what you have learned and guide one another in the ways of wisdom. Then you’ll all have plenty to be grateful about. Let your gratitude overflow in the songs you sing together - whatever the style\, offer them as spirited gifts to God. At all times\, whatever you are up to\, see to it that the things you say and do are all things that Christ would be proud to be associated with. Let everything you do for Christ be a way of communicating your thanks to God\, for it is God who has given you life. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Luke 2: 41-52			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Every year\, Mary and Joseph and most of their friends and family travelled to Jerusalem for the celebration of the Passover festival. When Jesus was twelve years old\, they all went up for the festival as usual. At the end of the celebration\, they all hit the road as one and began heading home. No one noticed that Jesus was left behind in Jerusalem. Everyone just assumed he was with someone else in the crowd\, and they’d done a day’s travel before his parents began to look for him. When they couldn’t find him anywhere among their friends and relatives\, they turned around and went back to Jerusalem to mount a search. It took three days to find him and they were nearly at their wits’ end. Jesus was fine though. They found him in the temple\, sitting among the teachers\, hanging on every word they said and probing them with questions of his own. Those who had been listening in were staggered by his grasp of the issues and his ability to participate in such learned discussion. His parents were not nearly so impressed! “Young man\, what do you think you’re doing running off on us like this?” Mary demanded. “Your father and I have been worried sick and we’ve hunted everywhere.” \nJesus replied\, “Why were you looking everywhere? Surely you know me well enough to know that this was where I’d be\, in the house of my Father.” \nThey didn’t really cotton on to what he meant\, but the whole incident became another of Mary’s treasured memories. Jesus went home to Nazareth with his parents and was careful to cooperate with their wishes. With each passing year\, he grew in wisdom and maturity. God was pleased with him and everybody liked having him around. \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\,\njoining with the joyous cries of all creation\,\nfor you oversee and nourish our growth to fullness of life. \nYour word called forth the sun\, moon and stars\,\nand your breath gave life to every creature.\nYou chose a people to be close to you\,\nand you spoke through them by your law and prophets. \nYou sent your Son\, Jesus\, among us\,\nand even as a child his zeal for your ways\nand his wisdom impressed all who heard him.\nHis passion for the integrity of your house\nand for the holiness of your people\nturned the powerful against him.\nThey crucified him\nbut you raised him to new life.\nNow his peace rules in our hearts\,\nhis word dwells in us richly\,\nand we are clothed in his love\,\nto the glory of your holy name. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2003 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We give you thanks for the peace of Christ which rules in our hearts\,\nfor his word which dwells in us richly\, clothing us in his love\,\nand nourishing our growth to maturity\nin wisdom\, in compassion and in love\,\nto the glory of your holy name. \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\,\njoining with the joyous cries of all creation\,\nfor you oversee and nourish our growth to fullness of life. \nYour word called forth the sun\, moon and stars\,\nand your breath gave life to every creature.\nYou chose a people to be close to you\,\nand you spoke through them by your law and prophets. \nYou sent your Son\, Jesus\, among us\,\nand even as a child his zeal for your ways\nand his wisdom impressed all who heard him.\nHis passion for the integrity of your house\nand for the holiness of your people\nturned the powerful against him.\nThey crucified him\nbut you raised him to new life.\nNow his peace rules in our hearts\,\nhis word dwells in us richly\,\nand we are clothed in his love\,\nto the glory of your holy name. \nTherefore\, with our hearts lifted high\,\nwe offer you thanks and praise at all times\nthrough Jesus Christ our Lord\,\nwho lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit\,\none God\, for ever and ever.\nAmen. \n©2003 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Declaration of Grace / Absolution			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	God’s word called you into existence\,\nand fixed you forever in God’s love.\nLet the peace of Christ rule in your hearts\,\nand sing with gratitude\,\nfor the Lord has forgiven you. \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\, as God’s chosen ones\, holy and beloved.\nLet the word of Christ dwell in you richly;\nclothe yourselves with love;\nforgive one another\,\nand do everything you do in the name of Christ\,\ngiving thanks to God. \nAnd may God bless you and repay you for all you give;\nMay Christ Jesus send his peace to rule in your hearts;\nand may the Holy Spirit raise you to maturity\nin wisdom\, in compassion and in love. \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\nWhat’s that precocious kid got to do with us?A sermon on Luke 2:41-52 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nFinding Jesus – Finding OurselvesA sermon on Luke 2:41-52 & Colossians 3:12-17 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nDay by Day Like Him We GrowA sermon on Luke 2:41-52 & Colossians 3:12-17 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nListening\, learning\, growingA sermon on Luke 2:41-52 & Colossians 3:12-17 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhen you lose JesusA sermon on Luke 2:41-52 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/c06/2030-12-29/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20310101T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20310101T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T095534
CREATED:20250208T235923Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260125T004614Z
UID:10002997-1924992000-1925078399@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:The Feast of the Holy Name
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				  Numbers 6: 22-27			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	The LORD told to Moses to pass on the following instructions to Aaron and his sons for their work as priests: \n“These are the words of blessing you are to use when you bless the Israelite people:\nMay the LORD set you up for life and look after you; \nMay the LORD smile upon you and be generous to you; \nMay the LORD keep an eye on you\nand give you a life in which all is well.\nWith these words you will remind my people who they belong to\, and I will bless them.” \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				  Galatians 4:4-7 (alternative)			\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				  Philippians 2: 5-11 (alternative)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Model your attitude on the attitude of the Messiah\, Jesus. \nAlthough Jesus was the same as God in every way\,\nhe did not think of his God-like privileges\nas something to be milked for all they were worth. \nInstead\, he laid it all aside\nand\, with no more privileges than a slave\,\nwas born as a human being. \nHaving become a human being\,\nhe was the model of humility.\nHe didn’t demand his own way\nbut let God set the agenda;\neven when it included his own death\,\nand a gruesome public death at that. \nBecause of all this\,\nGod has raised him to the status of number one\nand honoured him more highly\nthan anyone else in the universe. \nSo now\, just the mention of the name ‘Jesus’\nshould bring everyone to their knees;\neveryone who has ever lived or ever will. \nEveryone\, everywhere will honour God\nby openly acknowledging\nthat Jesus the Messiah is Lord of all! \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Luke 2: 15-21			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	When the angels went back to heaven\, 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.\nMary and Joseph followed the law and custom of their people and held a ceremony for the baby boy when he was eight days old to circumcise him and name him. They named him Jesus – the name which God’s messenger had given him before he was conceived in the womb. \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\,\njoining with the whole world\nin telling of the greatness of your name. \nFrom the moment you created and named every living thing\nyour handiwork has been a source of awe and wonder.\nLike the moon and stars you set in place\,\nyour face has shone upon us and blessed us with peace. \nIn the fullness of time you sent your Son\,\nborn of woman and named by angels\,\nso that we too might be adopted by you\,\nand through your Spirit\, the treasure of our hearts\,\nlive worthily of the name you have given us. \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 sending your Son\,\nborn of woman and named by angels\,\nso that we too might be adopted by you\,\nand live worthily of the name you have given us. \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 join with the whole world to give you thanks and praise\, O God\,\nand telling of the greatness of your name. \nFrom the moment you created and named every living thing\nyour handiwork has been a source of awe and wonder.\nLike the moon and stars you set in place\,\nyour face has shone upon us and blessed us with peace. \nIn the fullness of time you sent your Son\,\nborn of woman and named by angels\,\nso that we too might be adopted by you\,\nand through your Spirit\, the treasure of our hearts\,\nlive worthily of the name you have given us. \nTherefore\, with our hearts lifted high\,\nwe offer you thanks and praise at all times\nthrough Jesus Christ our Lord\,\nwho lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit\,\none God\, for ever and ever.\nAmen. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Declaration of Grace / Absolution			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	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©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.\nYou have been named as God’s adopted children:\nLive worthily of the glory with which God has dressed you. \nAnd may God bless you and keep you.\nMay Christ Jesus make his face to shine upon you\nand be gracious to you.\nAnd may the Spirit smile upon you and give you peace. \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\nExchanging GiftsA sermon on Galatians 4: 4-7 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/abc07/2031-01-01/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/07.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20310105T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20310105T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T095534
CREATED:20200726T120716Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260201T003939Z
UID:10002998-1925337600-1925423999@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:2nd Sunday of Christmas
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				  Jeremiah 31: 7-14 			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	This is what the LORD has to say: \nSing and celebrate with God’s people.\nRaise the shout for the number one nation.\nBroadcast the news and give due credit\,\nfor I\, the LORD\, have come to save my people\,\nthe few who have remained faithful. \nSee\, I am going to bring them home from across the border.\nI will gather them from the ends of the earth.\nI won’t only bring the strong and agile ones\,\nbut the blind and the crippled\,\nthe one’s who are heavily pregnant\nand those with small children clinging to their ankles.\nI will bring them all back here\,\nthe whole mob of them. \nThere will be floods of tears as they return\,\nbut I will reassure them and lead them home.\nI will make sure there are refreshments available along the route\,\nand that the road is clear and easy to follow\,\nfor I have made these people my own children\,\nand I love them as my one and only. \nListen to what I\, the LORD\, have to say\, you nations of the world\,\nand pass it on across the land and over the seas.\nLet everyone know that the one who scattered Israel\nis gathering them back together\nlike a farmer bringing his flocks in to safety. \nYou see; I\, the LORD\, have bailed out my people.\nI freed them when the odds were stacked against them. \nThey will come and gather here at the city heights\nto sing out loud.\nWhen they see what I have prepared for them\,\nthey won’t be able to wipe the smiles off their faces.\nWhat a feast I will spread before them:\nbreads and wines and every delicacy\,\nthe finest meats\, cooked to perfection.\nAnd it will go on forever!\nLike a well watered garden\,\ntheir lives will go on and on flourishing. \nThey will break out into joyous dancing\,\nmen and women\, young and old\, celebrating together.\nI will replace their grief with a thousand reasons to smile.\nI will comfort them\, and turn their tears to laughter. \nAll of them\, priests and people\, will eat their fill\nand be more than satisfied with what I provide.\nI\, the LORD\, have given my word on this. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Sirach 24: 1-12 (alternative 1st reading)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Wisdom outlines her own credentials\,\nand tells her people of her glorious deeds. \nIn front of those assembled by the Most High God\, she speaks freely\,\ntelling God’s gathered crowd of her accomplishments. \n“I was breathed into existence by God Most High\,\nand I covered the earth like a rolling mist. \nI lived at large in the skies\,\nand my throne was in the pillar of cloud. \nI covered the entire universe in my travels\,\nfrom the outer reaches of space to the bowels of the earth. \nI held sway over everything on the planet\,\nfrom the waves of the sea to the peoples and nations. \nEverywhere\, I searched for a place where I would be at home.\nWhose land should should I settle down in? \n“Then the One who created everything gave me an order.\nMy Creator told me where to roll out my swag.\nGod said\, ‘Go and settle in the land of Israel.\nThere you will receive what I have prepared for you.’ \nGod created me at the beginning\, before time began\,\nand I will go on forever\, from age to age. \nI served the Creator in the sacred tent of worship\,\nand took my place in the Temple on Mount Zion. \nGod gave me a place to settle in the beloved city.\nYes\, Jerusalem became my home town. \nI put down roots among an honoured people\,\namong the chosen ones who belong to the Lord. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net\n \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 147: 12-20			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Your chosen city gives you all the glory\, LORD;\nthe people sing your praises from your sacred mountain! \nYou a like a wall of safety around the city\,\nand you see that our children grow up healthy and happy. \nYou give us peace in our own land\,\nand good crops to keep us well fed. \nYou give orders to the earth itself\,\nand your word is quickly acted upon. \nWhen you say “Blazing Sun”\, the shadows shrink to nothing;\nwhen you say “Dry”\, the trees wither to brown. \nWhen you say “Heat”\, everything begins to melt;\nwhen you say “Fire”\, it all goes up in smoke. \nWhen you give the word\, everything greens up again;\nyour breath comes like a cool change;\nthe rains return and the creeks flow once more. \nYou broadcast your message to your people\,\nand spell out the standards of justice you want us to live by. \nIt is a privilege to know your ways\,\nfor not everyone has been given such inside information.\nLORD\, we sing your praises! \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Wisdom of Solomon 10: 15-21  (alternative canticle)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Lord\, your Holy Spirit of Wisdom\nrescued your dedicated and innocent people\nfrom the nation who had oppressed them. \nShe got inside the heart and mind of your servant\, Moses\,\nand enabled him to stand up to a dangerous king\nwith an awesome display of your power. \nShe rewarded the labour of your dedicated people.\nShe guided them along the best route through the wilderness.\nShe sheltered them from the heat of the sun\,\nand lit up the night sky above them. \nShe got them across the Red Sea\,\nleading them safely through the deep waters. \nBut she drowned their enemies\,\nand the sea spewed up their bodies on the shore. \nAnd so\, the people who were in the right\ncarried off the belongings of those in the wrong.\nThey sang songs in your honour\, Lord\,\nsinging your praises as one\,\nnaming you as their defender. \nIndeed\, Wisdom gave voice to the mute\nand the gift of speech to newborn infants\,\nso that all could join in singing your praises. \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net\n \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Ephesians 1: 3-14			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Blessed be God! All praise and honour be to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! God has gathered up all the spiritual blessings of heaven and given them to us in our union with Christ. This followed on from decisions that God had made even before laying the foundations of the world. Way back then\, God was anticipating our arrival and laying down plans for us. God was getting ready to immerse us in divine love so that we would emerge ready\, willing and able to dedicate our lives totally to God.\n   God set the wheels in motion for us to be adopted as his own children. This was to be done through Jesus Christ\, because God takes great delight in doing such things through him. God wanted his beloved Son to get all the credit for the boundless love that was being lavished on us. Christ paid the ultimate price\, shedding his own blood in his endeavour to reclaim us for God’s family. Given how often we’d turned our backs on God\, he could easily have given up on us\, but he was so extravagant in his love and reckless in his generosity that he just forgave us for everything and put his life on the line to save us.\n   God\, who can see and understand perfectly what we could never comprehend\, has let us in on the mystery of the divine plan. God took great delight in opening this up and giving us a preview in Christ. This is how it will unfold when the time is right: God will unify all things into one perfect communion in Christ\, reconciling everything\, from the depths of the earth to the farthest reaches of heaven.\n    In Christ we are identified as God’s beneficiaries and our future is secured. God’s plans always find a way\, and right from the word go we have been a part of those plans. This was to ensure that we\, being the first people to throw in our lot with Christ\, would be able to live lives that clearly reflected the wonderful goodness of God. It didn’t stop with us though — you’re in on this too! The message of God’s rescue mission reached you\, and once you realized it was fair dinkum and put your trust in Christ\, you became part of him\, just like us. At that moment your future was signed and sealed by the Holy Spirit. Now you know it will be delivered! Everything planned for God’s people will be yours — a life overflowing with the glory and splendour of God. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  John 1: (1-9)\, 10-18			\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. \nJohn was blowing his trumpet the minute he turned up:\n“This is the one I was telling you about\,” he said.\n“Second to me only by the clock:\nhe’s way out of my league – always was\, always will be.” \nWe are the beneficiaries of his open-handed love;\nfrom the depths of his being\nthe gifts tumble forth in wild profusion. \nMoses gave us some basic operating instructions\,\nbut it was through Jesus Christ that life broke through\nin all its richness\, passion and integrity. \nNo one has ever found out what God looks like\,\nbut that’s no obstacle to getting to know God.\nThe one who is closest to God’s heart\,\nthe one and only Son\,\nhas put God within reach of us all. \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 freely bestowed your glorious grace on us. \nIn the beginning you brought all things into being\nthrough the Word who was with you\,\nand destined us for adoption as your children\,\nmaking known the mysteries of your will\,\nthrough the law and prophets. \nIn Jesus\, your Word became flesh among us\,\nthat the fullness of your grace and truth\nmight enlighten the world.\nThough he came to what was his own\,\nhis own people did not accept him\,\nbut crucified him.\nYou redeemed him from the strong hands of death\,\nand turned our grieving into joy.\nSo now\, as those you have marked with your Holy Spirit\,\nwe live for the praise of your glory\,\nour lives like a well nourished garden\nand our hearts radiant over your good gifts of bread and wine. \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 glorious grace\, O God\,\nfor through your beloved Son\,\nyou have given us power to become your children\,\nand marked us with the seal of your Holy Spirit\,\nso that we might live for the praise of your glory. \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 freely bestowed your glorious grace on us. \nIn the beginning you brought all things into being\nthrough the Word who was with you\,\nand destined us for adoption as your children\,\nmaking known the mysteries of your will\,\nthrough the law and prophets. \nIn Jesus\, your Word became flesh among us\,\nthat the fullness of your grace and truth\nmight enlighten the world.\nThough he came to what was his own\,\nhis own people did not accept him\,\nbut crucified him.\nYou redeemed him from the strong hands of death\,\nand turned our grieving into joy.\nSo now\, as those you have marked with your Holy Spirit\,\nwe live for the praise of your glory\,\nour lives like a well nourished garden\nand our hearts radiant over your good gifts. \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	From the fullness of Christ\nwe have received redemption through his blood.\nOur sins are forgiven\naccording to the riches of his grace lavished upon us. \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 bear witness to the light so others might believe.\nSince you are chosen in Christ\,\n    live before him in love\, holy and blameless.\nLive with hope in Christ\, for the praise of his glory. \nAnd may God fill the earth with peace;\nMay Christ give you grace upon grace from his fullness;\nAnd may the Holy Spirit\, the pledge of your inheritance\,\nlead you on straight paths where you will not stumble. \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\nBecoming FleshA sermon on Ephesians 1:3-14 & John 1:1-18 by  Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhere did he come from?A sermon on John 1: 1-18 by  Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nBecoming Flesh\, Becoming GodA sermon on John 1:1-18 & Ephesians 1: 3-14 by  Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nA Christmas TsunamiA sermon preached in response to the South Asia Tsunami disaster by  Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nThe Baby Who Brings Us HomeA sermon on Jeremiah 31:7-14; Ephesians 1:3-14 & John 1: 1-18 by  Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nGod gives us a futureA sermon on John 1:1-18 and Jeremiah 31:7-14 by Alison Sampson\n\n\n\nGod’s economy of salvationA sermon on Jeremiah 31:7-14; Ephesians 1:3-14 & John 1: 1-18 by Jeff Wild
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/abc09/2031-01-05/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Christmas2.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20310119T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20310119T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T095534
CREATED:20250223T030905Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250223T030907Z
UID:10002177-1926547200-1926633599@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:2nd Sunday between Epiphany and Lent - Year C
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Isaiah 62:1-5			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Jerusalem\, 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. \nNever again will you be called “the reject”;\nno more will your land be called “God-forsaken”.\nInstead you will be called “the love of my life”;\nand your land will be called “God’s own country”\,\nbecause the LORD sees the good in you\,\nand is committed to living with you for better or for worse. \nJust like an eager young couple\ngiving themselves to one another in marriage\,\nso will you and your creator be united.\nIn the same way that they fall madly in love\,\nso will you and your God fill each other with joy. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 36:5-10			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	You unwavering love fills the universe\, LORD;\nyour loyalty is as timeless as the milky way. \nYour passion for doing right\nis as solid as the mountain ranges;\nyour understanding of us\nis as deep as the oceans. \nYou set out to save the lives of every creature\, LORD\,\nand no one – not man nor woman\,\nnot bird nor beast – is left out of your care. \nYour love\, O God\, is our greatest treasure!\nYou keep a place for everyone\nunder the shelter of your wings. \nYou invite all who come to feast at your table;\nthe wine of your love flows like a river\nand no one’s glass is allowed to run dry. \nLife bursts forth from you like a fountain;\nlight shines from you and lights up our world. \nDon’t ever give up on us\, LORD;\nkeep loving all who trust you\,\nkeep rescuing all whose hearts are in the right place. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  1 Corinthians 12:1-11			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Sisters and brothers\, let me talk to you about spiritual gifts. There is a lot of confusion about these things\, so I want to make sure that you know what needs to be known. You’ll remember how confusing it was before you began following Christ - you were easy prey to those who make all kinds of claims and promises in order to seduce people into making gods out of material things. I want to make sure you’re not easily sucked in again\, so I’ll try to make these things clear. A good rule of thumb is this: if someone says\, “Bugger Jesus!” then you can bet your bottom dollar that they’re not getting their ideas from the Spirit of God. By the same token\, if you hear people say\, “For better or for worse\, we’ll do what Jesus wants\,” you can take it as read that they couldn’t have said that if the Holy Spirit was not a force in their lives. \nWhen it comes to spiritual abilities\, there is a huge variety\, but you can trace them all to the same Spirit. There are all sorts of different ways of doing the Lord’s work\, but it’s the same Lord who is served in all of them. Some people get enthused and energised about one thing\, some about another\, but it is the same God who fires the passions in both. \nThe Spirit is at work in everyone\, and that work takes shape in each person in a way that will be of benefit to all. In one person you see it expressed in the ability to give wise advise; that ability has been given through the Spirit. In another person you see the ability to draw on a wealth of knowledge for the benefit of others; that too comes from the Spirit. Another person is able to keep trusting God when everyone else starts doubting\, and of course faith like that comes from the Spirit. Someone else has a gift that enables them to heal the sick\, and you guessed it\, the same Spirit again! Someone else can work miracles\, someone else can tell you what God wants you to hear. Another has the uncanny ability to discern what sort of spirit is behind whatever’s going on. Another is gifted with the ability to speak strange languages and still another with the ability to translate them. All these gifts\, and more still\, are triggered off in people by one and the same Spirit. The Spirit takes account of each person’s unique potential and decides accordingly how best to equip them. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  John 2:1-11			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	There was a wedding in the town of Cana\, in Galilee and Jesus\, his mother\, and his disciples were all among the invited guests. During the celebrations\, disaster struck - the hosts ran out of wine! Mary thought Jesus might be able to do something about it\, so she told him\, “They’re out of wine.” \nJesus replied\, “Mum\, the catering is not our job\, not yours and not mine. And this is hardly the time for me to be drawing attention to myself!” \nBut Mary took no notice of him and went and told the drinks waiters to go and ask him for instructions. Now the Jewish people have a special ritual way of washing their hands before eating and so\, at the wedding\, there were six big stone water tubs provided for that purpose. Each one held about a hundred litres. Jesus pointed them out to the drinks waiters and said\, “Top up those tubs with water.” \nWhen they had filled them to the brim\, he said to them\, “Now\, ladle some out into a carafe and take it to the Master of Ceremonies.” \nThey did as he said. When the MC tasted the water that had become wine\, he was impressed. The waiters knew where it had come from\, but the MC had no idea. He called the bridegroom and said to him\, “You’ve got it all back to front. You’re supposed to serve your best wines first up. Once everyone’s had a skinful you can bring out the cheap stuff and they’ll never know the difference. But you’ve waited until everyone’s legless\, and now you’re pulling the cork on the pick of the cellar!” \nThis action by Jesus took place in Cana of Galilee. It was the first indicator Jesus gave that he wasn’t just anybody. It gave people a glimpse of his glory\, and it convinced his disciples that he was for real. \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 give yourself to us in marriage\nand intoxicate us with the wine of your love. \nYou created everything: skies\, mountains and seas\,\nand filled the universe with your justice and faithful love.\nYou chose for yourself a beloved people\nand in them the light of your salvation dawned for all nations. \nYou sent your child\, Jesus Christ\, among us\nto gather all people under the warmth of your wings.\nSharing with us our joys and sorrows\,\nhe brought forth new gifts in us\nwhen we thought we had run dry.\nWhen his hour had come\,\nhe was cursed and killed\,\nbut you raised him to life again\nand through him\, filled us with the wine of your Spirit\,\nequipping each one of us with gifts\nto be used in your service for the common good. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We thank you for your son\, Jesus Christ\,\nwho gathers us under the warmth of your wings\,\nfills us with the wine of your love\,\nand sends to us your Spirit to equip us with gifts\nto be used in your service for the common good. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nfor you give yourself to us in marriage\nand intoxicate us with the wine of your love. \nYou created everything: skies\, mountains and seas\,\nand filled the universe with your justice and faithful love.\nYou chose for yourself a beloved people\nand in them the light of your salvation dawned for all nations. \nYou sent your child\, Jesus Christ\, among us\nto gather all people under the warmth of your wings.\nSharing with us our joys and sorrows\,\nhe brought forth new gifts in us\nwhen we thought we had run dry.\nWhen his hour had come\,\nhe was cursed and killed\,\nbut you raised him to life again\nand through him\, filled us with the wine of your Spirit\,\nequipping each one of us with gifts\nto be used in your service for the common good. \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	The Lord’s mercy spans the sky\nand our salvation lights up like the dawn.\nSeek shelter under the warmth of God’s wings\,\nfor the Lord embraces all life in tender mercy. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Commission & Benediction			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Go now\, with your trust in Christ\nwho has quenched your thirst with the wine of God’s love.\nDo not be silent about God’s faithful love\,\nbut shelter in the warmth of God’s wings\nand keep your hearts honest. \nAnd may God rejoice over you and call you “My Delight”;\nMay Christ Jesus bring out the best in you\, to his glory;\nAnd may the Spirit equip you all with gifts for the common good. \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\n\nTransformed by LoveA sermon on Isaiah 62.1-5; Psalm 36.5-10 & John 2.1-11 by Garry Deverell\n\n\n\nGetting It All Back To FrontA sermon on 1 Corinthians 12:1-3 & John 2:1-11 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nThe WeddingA sermon on John 2:1-11 by Ian Cook\n\n\n\nGifts for the Common GoodA sermon on 1 Corinthians 12:1-3 by Alison Sampson\n\n\n\nLooking for a signA sermon on Isaiah 62:1-5\, Psalm 36:5-10\, 1 John 2:1-11 & 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 by Samara Pitt\n\n\n\nThe Wedding SignerA sermon on John 2:1-11 by Margie Dahl\n\n\n\nEnough and So Much MoreA sermon on 1 Corinthians 12:1-3 & John 2:1-11 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/c12/2031-01-19/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20310126T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20310126T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T095534
CREATED:20201028T000748Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250223T025817Z
UID:10002175-1927152000-1927238399@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:3rd Sunday between Epiphany and Lent - Year C
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Nehemiah 8: 1-3\,5-6\,8-10			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(The people of Jerusalem had returned home from exile and rebuilt the walls of the city.) On the first day of the seventh month they all gathered in the park near the Water Gate. Ezra\, the Bible teacher\, was there. At the people’s request\, Ezra brought out a copy of the book of the law of Moses. The people wanted him to read out the teachings that the LORD had given to Israel. They set up a stage for Ezra to stand on and all the people gathered around – men\, women and all the children who were old enough to make sense of it. Early in the morning Ezra took his place on the stage\, opened the book of the law and began reading it to the crowd. When he opened the book\, everybody stood up in honour of what they were about to hear. Ezra read non-stop until lunch time\, and all the people paid close attention to everything they heard from the law. When Ezra had finished reading\, he stood up and led the people in a prayer\, giving thanks to the LORD\, the great God. The people raised their hands in prayer and responded saying\, “Yes\, LORD! Amen!” Then they all dropped to their knees and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground. \nSo in this way the people were brought up to speed with all that was contained in the book of God’s law. A number of other Bible teachers were on hand to move among the crowd and explain things to people so that everyone could understand what was being read. As the teachings began to sink in\, many people began sobbing as they realised how far Israel had strayed from the law of the LORD. Seeing their distress\, Nehemiah the governor\, Ezra the priest\, and the other Bible teachers addressed the crowd\, saying: \n“This is a special day\, dedicated to the LORD your God. This is not a day for mourning and crying but for celebration. Go home and party! Indulge yourselves with good food and fine wine\, and share some with those who don’t have enough. This is how we should celebrate a day dedicated to the LORD. So cheer up! Celebrate the LORD who makes us strong!” \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 19			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Your glory is written in the sky\, God;\nyour artistry is carved on the face of the earth.\nFrom one day to another\, the message passes on\,\nand each night puts the next one in the know. \nNot a word is spoken\,\nnot a sound do they make;\nyet their silence reverberates around the earth\nand their unspoken message echoes from pole to pole. \nYou made the sun at home flying across the sky.\nIt takes to its task with the eagerness of a bridegroom;\nas exultant as an athlete breasting the tape.\nAs your messenger\, God\, it does its rounds\,\nfrom one end of the sky to the other\,\nwarming everything in its path. \nYour revealed will is right on the mark\, LORD;\nit gives our souls their second wind.\nWhat you says goes\,\nand any fool can wise up by taking note. \nYour instructions are spot on\, LORD;\nanyone who follows them will be glad they did.\nWhat you direct us to do is easy to see\,\nand once seen\, everything become clear. \nRespect for you keeps us true\, LORD\,\nnothing can corrupt it\, now or ever.\nWhat you decide is always accurate;\na fair ruling\, beyond dispute. \nYour Word is worth far more\nthan even diamond encrusted gold!\nIt is sweeter by far\nthan any mouth watering delicacy\,\neven chocolate dipped strawberries with cream! \nBut that’s not all!\nYour Word\, O LORD\, keeps me out of danger\,\nand following it pays off richly. \nCan anyone put their finger on all their own faults?\nLORD\, eradicate the bugs I haven’t even identified yet. \nRemind me not to entertain sour contemptuous thoughts\,\nand don’t let them start pulling my strings.\nWithout them\, I can stay on course\,\nand keep my record clean. \nThat’s what I want\, O LORD.\nI want all the things I say\,\nand all the things I mull over in my heart\,\nto be things I’d be proud to offer to you\,\nfor you are the bedrock of my life;\nthe one who puts me back where I belong. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  1 Corinthians 12: 12-31a			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	The Church is a single body - the body of Christ. In some ways it is just like your own body; it is made up of many different parts\, each with their own jobs to do\, but it is still one body. When we were baptised\, we became part of Christ’s body. The Holy Spirit integrated us all into this one body and so now we are first and foremost identified with the body\, rather than with our individual characteristics. Whatever your nationality\, and whatever your occupation or background\, you all tap into the one Spirit for your life\, just as all the cells in the body are nourished in the same way through their relationship to the whole. \nWhen you think about this you can see how it means that all of you are important. In a body\, every member matters. A foot doesn’t say\, “I can’t grip like a hand\, so this body doesn’t really need me.” The body still doesn’t want to be without its foot. An ear doesn’t say\, “I can’t see like an eye\, so I don’t really matter to this body.” The ear is still valued for its own contribution. A body made up only of eyes or of ears wouldn’t be able to do anything. God has carefully designed the body so that every member has its place. Each one has its own job which God has given it for the sake of the whole body and without it the body would be disabled. \nThis guarantees that each of you have a valued place\, but it should also remind you not to get too full of yourselves. No one member can go it alone and if one group tried to limit membership of the body to their own kind\, the body would fall apart in no time. It takes all different kinds to make a healthy and whole body. The eye is not going to say to the hand\, “Drop off\, we can do without you!” Nor is the head going to say to the feet\, “I can get around perfectly well without you!” The more you think about it\, the more you realise that the opposite is true. The parts of the body that we hardly ever notice often turn out to be the ones we can least do without. How often do you think about your liver? Not often\, unless it’s packing up. You can lose both legs and survive\, but not your liver. \nJust because different parts of the body have a different public profile doesn’t mean they matter more or less. When you get dressed you are careful to cover some parts of your body\, while other parts are left uncovered for anyone to see. Just because you are more modest about some parts of your body doesn’t mean that you wouldn’t care if you lost them\, does it?! Some parts of the body need to be treated with more care than others; that’s just the way it is. When it’s your own body you hardly have to think about it. You just naturally give a bit more attention to the body parts that need it but it doesn’t mean that don’t care about the rest. \nThe way God has arranged the human body\, then\, is a good model for how the Church is to function. Those members who might never do anything that catches anyone’s attention should be valued and honoured\, for they are as much a part of the body as anyone else and you’d probably only notice how important their contribution was if they quit. In your body the parts don’t turn on each other. So too in Christ’s body all the members are to work cooperatively and to look after each other’s interests. If you break your leg\, your whole body suffers. So too\, if one member is hurting the whole body needs healing. If one member is honoured\, the whole body basks in the glory. \nTogether then\, you are the body of Christ\, and individually you are members of it. God has given you each your own job and the whole body depends on you to do it. It might look like some parts matter more than others - you know how it is\, apostles get the most attention\, and then coming down a rung at a time you find the preachers\, the teachers\, the wonder workers\, the healers\, the helpers\, the administrators\, and those who can pray in strange languages - but the popularity ladder actually tells you no more about the reality of the body than looking at someone’s make-up and clothing can tell you about the functioning of their internal organs. What sort of body would we be if everyone was an apostle? Or a preacher? Or a teacher? If everyone had exactly the same gifts and abilities\, the body couldn’t function at all. So\, by all means seek to develop your gifts and acquire new ones\, but don’t make the mistake of thinking you’re a nobody if you don’t have the big ticket ones. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Luke 4: 14-21			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Jesus began his public ministry in Galilee. He was filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and the news about him spread from town to town like wildfire. Wherever he went\, he began by teaching in the local synagogue. Soon everyone was talking about him\, and in glowing terms. \nBefore long he came to Nazareth\, the town where he had grown up. He turned up at the synagogue on the Sabbath\, as was his wont. He was invited to read from the scriptures\, and when he stood up\, the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. He flicked through the pages until he found the relevant section\, and then began to read: \n“The Spirit of the Lord is working through me\,\nhaving picked me out\nto deliver good news to the poor.\nI have been sent to preach a message;\na message that means freedom for the locked-away\,\na message that will open the eyes of those who can’t see.\nI have been sent to set free the used and abused\,\nand to announce that now is God’s chosen time!” \nWith that he closed the book\, handed it back to the attendant\, and took his seat. You could have heard a pin drop. Every eye was on him. Then he began to speak again: “All that the prophet meant in this scripture has just been fulfilled\, right here\, as you heard it read.” \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 baptised us into one body\,\nand anointed us to proclaim your reign in all the earth. \nThe earth and sky\, which you created\,\nproclaim your genius from one day to the next.\nThe Law you gave through Moses\nstands forever to revive the soul and guide the simple. \nYou sent your Word among us\nin the human body of your child\, Jesus Christ.\nAnointed with your Holy Spirit\,\nhe came with good news for the poor\,\nand a message of release for the captives\,\nsight for the blinded\,\nand freedom for the oppressed.\nHe was killed by the proud and powerful\,\nbut you raised him to new life\nand made us all members of his body\nso that with all our gifts working as one\,\nwe might fulfil your mission in all the world. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We give you thanks \, O God\,\nfor you have baptised us into one body in Christ\,\nso that with all our gifts working as one\,\nwe might announce your good news of freedom and healing\nand proclaim your reign in all the earth. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nfor you have baptised us into one body\,\nand anointed us to proclaim your reign in all the earth. \nThe earth and sky\, which you created\,\nproclaim your genius from one day to the next.\nThe Law you gave through Moses\nstands forever to revive the soul and guide the simple. \nYou sent your Word among us\nin the human body of your child\, Jesus Christ.\nAnointed with your Holy Spirit\,\nhe came with good news for the poor\,\nand a message of release for the captives\,\nsight for the blinded\,\nand freedom for the oppressed.\nHe was killed by the proud and powerful\,\nbut you raised him to new life\nand made us all members of his body\nso that with all our gifts working as one\,\nwe might fulfil your mission in all 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	Though faults hide within us\, God is merciful.\nThrough Jesus Christ\, our saviour\, the grip of pride is broken\nand we are forgiven and freed from the guilt of sin.\nGod’s good grace will save you and keep you. \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 live as one body in Christ.\nBe at peace\, and care for one another;\nSuffer with one another and rejoice with one another.\nGive your attention to the Word of God\nand proclaim the good news of freedom to all. \nAnd may God delight your heart and sharpen your vision;\nMay Christ Jesus keep you\, thought and word\, in his grace;\nAnd may the Holy Spirit be the fountain that sustains you all\nand binds you together as one. \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\nThe Voice that Speaks through the BookA sermon on Luke 4:14-21 & 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nBodies\, Churches and CountriesA sermon on Luke 4:14-21 & 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\n(Up)setting the AgendaA sermon on Luke 4:14-21 & 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nFrom little things big things growA sermon on Luke 4:14-21 & 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 by Roslyn Wright\n\n\n\nThe Apostle Paul’s Pandemic EconomicsA sermon on 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/c13/2031-01-26/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/13.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20310126T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20310126T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T095534
CREATED:20201028T000748Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250514T000531Z
UID:10002764-1927152000-1927238399@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:3rd Sunday between Epiphany and Lent - Year C
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Nehemiah 8: 1-3\,5-6\,8-10			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(The people of Jerusalem had returned home from exile and rebuilt the walls of the city.) On the first day of the seventh month they all gathered in the park near the Water Gate. Ezra\, the Bible teacher\, was there. At the people’s request\, Ezra brought out a copy of the book of the law of Moses. The people wanted him to read out the teachings that the LORD had given to Israel. They set up a stage for Ezra to stand on and all the people gathered around – men\, women and all the children who were old enough to make sense of it. Early in the morning Ezra took his place on the stage\, opened the book of the law and began reading it to the crowd. When he opened the book\, everybody stood up in honour of what they were about to hear. Ezra read non-stop until lunch time\, and all the people paid close attention to everything they heard from the law. When Ezra had finished reading\, he stood up and led the people in a prayer\, giving thanks to the LORD\, the great God. The people raised their hands in prayer and responded saying\, “Yes\, LORD! Amen!” Then they all dropped to their knees and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground. \nSo in this way the people were brought up to speed with all that was contained in the book of God’s law. A number of other Bible teachers were on hand to move among the crowd and explain things to people so that everyone could understand what was being read. As the teachings began to sink in\, many people began sobbing as they realised how far Israel had strayed from the law of the LORD. Seeing their distress\, Nehemiah the governor\, Ezra the priest\, and the other Bible teachers addressed the crowd\, saying: \n“This is a special day\, dedicated to the LORD your God. This is not a day for mourning and crying but for celebration. Go home and party! Indulge yourselves with good food and fine wine\, and share some with those who don’t have enough. This is how we should celebrate a day dedicated to the LORD. So cheer up! Celebrate the LORD who makes us strong!” \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 19			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Your glory is written in the sky\, God;\nyour artistry is carved on the face of the earth.\nFrom one day to another\, the message passes on\,\nand each night puts the next one in the know. \nNot a word is spoken\,\nnot a sound do they make;\nyet their silence reverberates around the earth\nand their unspoken message echoes from pole to pole. \nYou made the sun at home flying across the sky.\nIt takes to its task with the eagerness of a bridegroom;\nas exultant as an athlete breasting the tape.\nAs your messenger\, God\, it does its rounds\,\nfrom one end of the sky to the other\,\nwarming everything in its path. \nYour revealed will is right on the mark\, LORD;\nit gives our souls their second wind.\nWhat you says goes\,\nand any fool can wise up by taking note. \nYour instructions are spot on\, LORD;\nanyone who follows them will be glad they did.\nWhat you direct us to do is easy to see\,\nand once seen\, everything become clear. \nRespect for you keeps us true\, LORD\,\nnothing can corrupt it\, now or ever.\nWhat you decide is always accurate;\na fair ruling\, beyond dispute. \nYour Word is worth far more\nthan even diamond encrusted gold!\nIt is sweeter by far\nthan any mouth watering delicacy\,\neven chocolate dipped strawberries with cream! \nBut that’s not all!\nYour Word\, O LORD\, keeps me out of danger\,\nand following it pays off richly. \nCan anyone put their finger on all their own faults?\nLORD\, eradicate the bugs I haven’t even identified yet. \nRemind me not to entertain sour contemptuous thoughts\,\nand don’t let them start pulling my strings.\nWithout them\, I can stay on course\,\nand keep my record clean. \nThat’s what I want\, O LORD.\nI want all the things I say\,\nand all the things I mull over in my heart\,\nto be things I’d be proud to offer to you\,\nfor you are the bedrock of my life;\nthe one who puts me back where I belong. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  1 Corinthians 12: 12-31a			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	The Church is a single body - the body of Christ. In some ways it is just like your own body; it is made up of many different parts\, each with their own jobs to do\, but it is still one body. When we were baptised\, we became part of Christ’s body. The Holy Spirit integrated us all into this one body and so now we are first and foremost identified with the body\, rather than with our individual characteristics. Whatever your nationality\, and whatever your occupation or background\, you all tap into the one Spirit for your life\, just as all the cells in the body are nourished in the same way through their relationship to the whole. \nWhen you think about this you can see how it means that all of you are important. In a body\, every member matters. A foot doesn’t say\, “I can’t grip like a hand\, so this body doesn’t really need me.” The body still doesn’t want to be without its foot. An ear doesn’t say\, “I can’t see like an eye\, so I don’t really matter to this body.” The ear is still valued for its own contribution. A body made up only of eyes or of ears wouldn’t be able to do anything. God has carefully designed the body so that every member has its place. Each one has its own job which God has given it for the sake of the whole body and without it the body would be disabled. \nThis guarantees that each of you have a valued place\, but it should also remind you not to get too full of yourselves. No one member can go it alone and if one group tried to limit membership of the body to their own kind\, the body would fall apart in no time. It takes all different kinds to make a healthy and whole body. The eye is not going to say to the hand\, “Drop off\, we can do without you!” Nor is the head going to say to the feet\, “I can get around perfectly well without you!” The more you think about it\, the more you realise that the opposite is true. The parts of the body that we hardly ever notice often turn out to be the ones we can least do without. How often do you think about your liver? Not often\, unless it’s packing up. You can lose both legs and survive\, but not your liver. \nJust because different parts of the body have a different public profile doesn’t mean they matter more or less. When you get dressed you are careful to cover some parts of your body\, while other parts are left uncovered for anyone to see. Just because you are more modest about some parts of your body doesn’t mean that you wouldn’t care if you lost them\, does it?! Some parts of the body need to be treated with more care than others; that’s just the way it is. When it’s your own body you hardly have to think about it. You just naturally give a bit more attention to the body parts that need it but it doesn’t mean that don’t care about the rest. \nThe way God has arranged the human body\, then\, is a good model for how the Church is to function. Those members who might never do anything that catches anyone’s attention should be valued and honoured\, for they are as much a part of the body as anyone else and you’d probably only notice how important their contribution was if they quit. In your body the parts don’t turn on each other. So too in Christ’s body all the members are to work cooperatively and to look after each other’s interests. If you break your leg\, your whole body suffers. So too\, if one member is hurting the whole body needs healing. If one member is honoured\, the whole body basks in the glory. \nTogether then\, you are the body of Christ\, and individually you are members of it. God has given you each your own job and the whole body depends on you to do it. It might look like some parts matter more than others - you know how it is\, apostles get the most attention\, and then coming down a rung at a time you find the preachers\, the teachers\, the wonder workers\, the healers\, the helpers\, the administrators\, and those who can pray in strange languages - but the popularity ladder actually tells you no more about the reality of the body than looking at someone’s make-up and clothing can tell you about the functioning of their internal organs. What sort of body would we be if everyone was an apostle? Or a preacher? Or a teacher? If everyone had exactly the same gifts and abilities\, the body couldn’t function at all. So\, by all means seek to develop your gifts and acquire new ones\, but don’t make the mistake of thinking you’re a nobody if you don’t have the big ticket ones. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Luke 4: 14-21			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Jesus began his public ministry in Galilee. He was filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and the news about him spread from town to town like wildfire. Wherever he went\, he began by teaching in the local synagogue. Soon everyone was talking about him\, and in glowing terms. \nBefore long he came to Nazareth\, the town where he had grown up. He turned up at the synagogue on the Sabbath\, as was his wont. He was invited to read from the scriptures\, and when he stood up\, the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. He flicked through the pages until he found the relevant section\, and then began to read: \n“The Spirit of the Lord is working through me\,\nhaving picked me out\nto deliver good news to the poor.\nI have been sent to preach a message;\na message that means freedom for the locked-away\,\na message that will open the eyes of those who can’t see.\nI have been sent to set free the used and abused\,\nand to announce that now is God’s chosen time!” \nWith that he closed the book\, handed it back to the attendant\, and took his seat. You could have heard a pin drop. Every eye was on him. Then he began to speak again: “All that the prophet meant in this scripture has just been fulfilled\, right here\, as you heard it read.” \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 baptised us into one body\,\nand anointed us to proclaim your reign in all the earth. \nThe earth and sky\, which you created\,\nproclaim your genius from one day to the next.\nThe Law you gave through Moses\nstands forever to revive the soul and guide the simple. \nYou sent your Word among us\nin the human body of your child\, Jesus Christ.\nAnointed with your Holy Spirit\,\nhe came with good news for the poor\,\nand a message of release for the captives\,\nsight for the blinded\,\nand freedom for the oppressed.\nHe was killed by the proud and powerful\,\nbut you raised him to new life\nand made us all members of his body\nso that with all our gifts working as one\,\nwe might fulfil your mission in all the world. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We give you thanks \, O God\,\nfor you have baptised us into one body in Christ\,\nso that with all our gifts working as one\,\nwe might announce your good news of freedom and healing\nand proclaim your reign in all the earth. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nfor you have baptised us into one body\,\nand anointed us to proclaim your reign in all the earth. \nThe earth and sky\, which you created\,\nproclaim your genius from one day to the next.\nThe Law you gave through Moses\nstands forever to revive the soul and guide the simple. \nYou sent your Word among us\nin the human body of your child\, Jesus Christ.\nAnointed with your Holy Spirit\,\nhe came with good news for the poor\,\nand a message of release for the captives\,\nsight for the blinded\,\nand freedom for the oppressed.\nHe was killed by the proud and powerful\,\nbut you raised him to new life\nand made us all members of his body\nso that with all our gifts working as one\,\nwe might fulfil your mission in all 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	Though faults hide within us\, God is merciful.\nThrough Jesus Christ\, our saviour\, the grip of pride is broken\nand we are forgiven and freed from the guilt of sin.\nGod’s good grace will save you and keep you. \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 live as one body in Christ.\nBe at peace\, and care for one another;\nSuffer with one another and rejoice with one another.\nGive your attention to the Word of God\nand proclaim the good news of freedom to all. \nAnd may God delight your heart and sharpen your vision;\nMay Christ Jesus keep you\, thought and word\, in his grace;\nAnd may the Holy Spirit be the fountain that sustains you all\nand binds you together as one. \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\nThe Voice that Speaks through the BookA sermon on Luke 4:14-21 & 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nBodies\, Churches and CountriesA sermon on Luke 4:14-21 & 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\n(Up)setting the AgendaA sermon on Luke 4:14-21 & 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nFrom little things big things growA sermon on Luke 4:14-21 & 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 by Roslyn Wright\n\n\n\nThe Apostle Paul’s Pandemic EconomicsA sermon on 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/c13/2031-01-26/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/13.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20310202T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20310202T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T095534
CREATED:20200801T111224Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260301T050159Z
UID:10003003-1927756800-1927843199@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:The Feast of the Presentation of our Lord
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				  Malachi 3: 1-4			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	The LORD who rules over everything has this to say: \n“Look\, I am sending my own messenger to get things ready for my arrival. Then\, all of a sudden\, the Lord you have been looking for will turn up in the temple. You have been longing to see the messenger who will come to put my promises on the table. Well\, he’s coming alright. But will anyone be able to cope with him when he does? Will anyone be able to stand firm in his presence? \nYou see\, he’ll be like a bush fire that clears all the debris from the forest floor\, or like paint stripper that takes a surface back to bare metal. He will tear through the whole family of priests and burn away the rubbish once and for all\, until they shine like pure polished gold. Then they’ll do what they are supposed to do and bring the right kind of offerings to the LORD. That way the offerings of the people of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to God again\, just like they were in the past.” \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 84 (alternative canticle)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	The place where you live is just exquisite\,\nO LORD\, ruler of all!\nWith everything inside me\, I long to be there;\nI go all weak at the very thought of it.\nI want to be there\, body and soul\,\nsinging my heart out for you\, O God of life.  \nEven the birds find a home in your house;\nthere are nests in every nook and cranny\nwhere pigeons and sparrows raise their young.\nBird song and incense rise together\nto honour you\, Sovereign God\, ruler of all.\nHow privileged are those who live in your house;\njoyous songs of praise are forever on their lips.  \nThose who have tapped into your strength\nhave got it made.\nThe highway to heaven begins within them;\na direct route to your holy presence. \nThey are like people who can find water in the desert;\nthey drink from life giving springs\nthat no drought can ever dry up.\nThey go from strength to strength\,\nand will see you face to face on your holy mountain.  \nO LORD\, ruler of everything\, hear my cry.\nTune in to my prayer\, O God of our ancestors. \nYour presence is our protection\, O God;\nsmile upon us\, your chosen ones.  \nA day spent in your presence\nbeats a thousand nights in a five star resort.\nI’d rather scrub floors in your house\, O God\,\nthan rub shoulders with the rich and famous\nbeneath the flashing lights of greed and corruption.  \nO LORD our God\, you are the sun that shines on us\nand the shield that keeps us safe.\nYou shower us with generosity and honour\,\nand deny nothing to people of integrity.  \nO LORD\, ruler of all\,\neveryone who trusts in you has got it made! \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 24: 7-10 (alternative canticle)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We hear the call:\n“Wake up! On your feet!\nOpen the gates and form a guard of honour!\nRoll out the red carpet\nbefore the glorious sovereign.” \nWho is this majestic ruler?\nIt is you\, LORD\, supreme and dynamic\,\nthe conqueror of conflict.  \nWe hear it again:\n“Wake up! On your feet!\nOpen the gates and form a guard of honour!\nRoll out the red carpet\nbefore the glorious sovereign.” \nWho is this majestic ruler?\nIt is you\, the LORD who rules over everything.\nThis majestic ruler is you\, our God. \n©2000 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Hebrews 2: 14-18			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	For Jesus to share so fully in the life experience of the children\, he had to be of the same flesh and blood as them. It was only in the same flesh and blood that he could go through the same death; and it was in going through death that he destroyed the devil who wields death as his ultimate weapon. That is how he broke open an escape route for those whose fear of death robbed them of their freedom to live. Now it is quite clear that he wasn’t doing this for the benefit of the angels. Rather it was for us human beings\, who follow in the footsteps of Abraham\, and so he had to become one of us in every respect. Only by being totally identified with us could he have the necessary compassion and loyalty to be the high priest who offers the costly gift to God to cancel out all we have done wrong. Because he himself has survived the worst that life can dish out without giving up\, he is now ideally placed to help out those whose limits are being being put to the test. \n©2001 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 have allowed us to see the salvation\nyou have prepared for all peoples. \nYou are the Lord of heaven’s might\nwho conquered the chaos\nand brought forth the newborn earth.\nYou taught your people through your law and prophets\nto present themselves and their offspring to you\nto be purified and made holy for your service. \nIn your child\, Jesus\, you shared our flesh and blood\nand became like us in every way.\nAs a newborn\, he was presented in the temple\nand designated as holy to you.\nHe was recognised by faithful prophets\nas the one who would\,\nthrough his own suffering and death\,\ndestroy the power of death\,\nand rise to be a merciful and faithful high priest\nwho atones for the sins of the people\nand frees us from the fear of death. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2003 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We give thanks for your child\, Jesus\,\nwho was presented to you in your temple\nand designated as the holy one\nwho would serve as a merciful and faithful high priest\nand\, through his own suffering and death\,\ndestroy the power of death forever. \n©2003 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nfor have allowed us to see the salvation\nyou have prepared for all peoples. \nYou are the Lord of heaven’s might\nwho conquered the chaos\nand brought forth the newborn earth.\nYou taught your people through your law and prophets\nto present themselves and their offspring to you\nto be purified and made holy for your service. \nIn your child\, Jesus\, you shared our flesh and blood\nand became like us in every way.\nAs a newborn\, he was presented in the temple\nand designated as holy to you.\nHe was recognised by faithful prophets\nas the one who would\,\nthrough his own suffering and death\,\ndestroy the power of death\,\nand rise to be a merciful and faithful high priest\nwho atones for the sins of the people\nand frees us from the fear of death. \nTherefore\, with our hearts lifted high\,\nwe offer you thanks and praise at all times\nthrough Jesus Christ our Lord\,\nwho lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit\,\none God\, for ever and ever.\nAmen. \n©2003 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Declaration of Grace / Absolution			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Jesus became like us in every way\,\nso that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest\nmaking a sacrifice of atonement\nfor the sins of the people. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2003 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Commission & Benediction			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Go now\, for the Lord is dismissing you in peace.\nPresent yourselves to God\nto be purified and made holy to the Lord.\nRejoice in the presence of God\nwho never fails to bless those who walk with integrity. \nAnd may God be pleased with all you offer;\nMay Christ Jesus help you whenever you are tested;\nAnd may the Holy Spirit purify you with refining fire\nand give you honour and grace. \nWe go in peace to love and serve the Lord\,\n   In the name of Christ. Amen. \n©2003 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\nThe Gift of BelongingA sermon on Luke 2: 22-40 by Alison Sampson
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/abc43/2031-02-02/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/43.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20310202T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20310202T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T095534
CREATED:20201028T004127Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250302T035122Z
UID:10002186-1927756800-1927843199@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:4th Sunday between Epiphany and Lent - Year C
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Jeremiah 1: 4-10			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	The LORD spoke to me saying: \n“Jeremiah\, I am the God who created you;\nI knew you before your parents thought of you.\nBefore you were born I chose you for myself\,\nI picked you out to speak to the nations on my behalf.” \nI replied\, “LORD God\, you’re making a big mistake! I am a lousy public speaker and I’m too young for anybody to take me seriously.” \nBut the LORD said to me\, \n“Don’t put yourself down because of your age.\nJust go to whoever I send you to\,\nand say whatever I tell you to say. \nDon’t let yourself feel intimidated by anyone\,\nbecause I’ll be there to back you up.\nYou’ll be okay; take my word for it.” \nThen the LORD reached out and touched my mouth\, saying to me\, \n“With my own hand I am putting my words into your mouth.\nHere and now I am appointing you to the job.\nI give you the authority to speak to the nations for me;\nto speak words that will wreak havoc\,\nwords that will crush and demolish and devastate\,\nand words that will heal and rebuild and give life.” \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 71: 1-6			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	I run to you for protection\, LORD\,\nplease don’t ever let me down. \nYou always do the right thing\,\nso please be there for me when I need you.\nHear me when I call for help\nand step in quickly to bail me out. \nKeep me safe when I need somewhere to hide.\nYou are like a mountain hideaway to me;\nlike a bunker than nothing can blast open. \nIf I fall into hostile hands\,\nbe my God and rescue me;\nDon’t let the callous and cruel\nget their claws into me. \nYou are my only hope\,\nthe only one I can depend on\, LORD;\nI’ve trusted you since I was a kid. \nI’ve leaned on you for support\nsince the day I was born.\nYou were the midwife who delivered me from my mother’s womb\,\nthe safe hands who pulled me gasping into life.\nI’ll never stop thanking you for that! \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  1 Corinthians 13: 1-13			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Our spiritual gifts are not the most important thing.  \nI could have the gift of the gab;\nI could speak like a news reader\nor pray in the language of angels;\nbut if I don’t love\nit would be a waste of breath;\nas meaningless as a blast of static. \nI could have the gift of prophesy\,\nthe ability to speak God’s word into any situation;\nI could have the gift of knowledge and insight;\nthe ability to get my head around God’s mysteries\nand make them clear to everyone else;\nI could have the gift of earth-shattering faith\,\nfaith that reduces mountains to molehills;\nI could have all this and more\,\nbut if I was devoid of love\,\nI’d still be a waste of space. \nI could give away everything I owned\nand burn myself out in the fight for justice;\nI could throw my body in front of an oncoming tank\nto prove my passion for peace;\nbut if I do it all without love\,\nI’ll have achieved precisely nothing. \nLove is willing to hang in there for the long haul;\nLove is always ready to do something for someone else;\nLove does not begrudge others their success;\nnor flaunt its own.\nLove is not arrogant or rude\,\nit doesn’t force its own agendas\nand trample others down in the process.\nLove does not spit the dummy over every little thing\nor hold grudges and dream of revenge.\nLove takes no pleasure in dishonesty\, however daring;\nbut it is the first to celebrate truth and integrity.\nLove holds firm under pressure\,\nkeeps believing the best of others\,\nmaintains its hope when all seems lost\,\nand toughs it out\, no matter what. \nLove is forever! \nThe gift of prophecy will reach its use-by date\,\nspeaking in strange tongues will have had its day;\nall our knowledge will be useless and forgotten.\nWhat we know now is a mere drop in the ocean\,\nand even prophets can tell us only a little of God.\nBut the time is coming when everything will be made whole\,\nand these things that are less than whole\nwill all be over and done with. \nWhen we were children\, it was okay to speak like children\,\nto think and behave in immature ways;\nbut sooner or later we’ve got to grow up\,\nwe’ve got to grow beyond those childish limits. \nAll our present attempts to make out God’s truth\nare like trying to see under water with the naked eye.\nBut the time is coming when it will snap into focus\,\nwhen we’ll stand face to face with the fullness of truth.\nNow we know only a fraction – then we’ll know it all;\nGod will be known to us as well as we’re known to God. \nThere are only three things we have now that will last forever —\nfaith\, hope\, and love —\nand the one that matters most is love. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Luke 4:21-30			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	After reading a passage from the prophet Isaiah in the synagogue of his hometown\, Nazareth\, Jesus addressed the people\, saying\, “All that the prophet meant in this scripture has just been fulfilled\, right here\, as you heard it read.” \nEverybody was most surprised and impressed by how well Jesus spoke and by the generous spirit of all that he had to say. They began to talk favourably of him among themselves\, saying\, “Who’d have thought that he was Joseph and Mary’s boy!” \nJesus wasn’t finished though. He spoke up again\, saying\, “No doubt you’ll soon be using the old saying of me: ‘Let the doctor heal himself first.’ And you’ll start demanding that I do here in my own hometown the things that you’ve heard I have done elsewhere. I’ll tell you this\, without a word of a lie: the things prophets have to say never make them popular in their hometowns. That’s the way it has always been. Remember the story of Elijah during the crippling drought that lasted three and a half years. There would have been many widows in Israel at the time\, but was Elijah sent to help any of them? No. He was sent instead to a widow at Zarephath\, across the border in Sidon. It was the same with his successor. There was no shortage of lepers among the Israelites\, but the only leper who was cleansed by Elisha was Naaman\, and he was Syrian.” \nWhen the crowd in the synagogue heard this\, they went berserk! There was nearly a riot. Jesus was run out of town and he was pretty lucky not to get himself killed. A mob set on him and was going to throw him off the edge of a cliff just outside the town\, but he managed to give them the slip and take to the road unharmed. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nPrayers\n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Eucharistic Preface			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Let us lift up our hearts.\nWe lift them to the Lord.\nLet us give thanks to the Lord our God.\nIt is right to give our thanks and praise. \nIt is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise\, O God\,\nfor you are a safe haven and a tower of strength\nand your love will never end. \nFrom the womb of creation you brought forth the earth\nand before any of us were born\,\nyou chose us and loved us into life.\nYou put words in the mouths of your prophets\nthat we might glimpse your truth\, if only in part. \nFulfilling the words of the prophets\,\nyour child Jesus came\,\nand in him we have seen you face to face.\nWhen his passion would not be tamed\,\nhis own people were filled with rage\nand handed him over to be killed\,\nbut you raised him back to life.\nNow and forever\, his love bears all things\,\nbelieves all things\, hopes all things\, endures all things\,\nand in his love the wholeness of all things is coming. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We give you our thanks\, O God\, for your Son Jesus\nin whom we have seen you face to face\nNow and forever\, his love bears all things\,\nbelieves all things\, hopes all things\, endures all things\,\nand in his love the wholeness of all things is coming. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nfor you are a safe haven and a tower of strength\nand your love will never end. \nFrom the womb of creation you brought forth the earth\nand before any of us were born\,\nyou chose us and loved us into life.\nYou put words in the mouths of your prophets\nthat we might glimpse your truth\, if only in part. \nFulfilling the words of the prophets\,\nyour child Jesus came\,\nand in him we have seen you face to face.\nWhen his passion would not be tamed\,\nhis own people were filled with rage\nand handed him over to be killed\,\nbut you raised him back to life.\nNow and forever\, his love bears all things\,\nbelieves all things\, hopes all things\, endures all things\,\nand in his love the wholeness of all things is coming. \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	God’s love is patient and kind\, and will not fail you.\nThe Lord is with you to deliver you.\nThrough the mercy of Jesus Christ\nthe Lord has heard you\nand is reaching out to save you. \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 to all to whom God sends you\,\nand speak whatever words God gives you.\nRejoice in the truth and do not be afraid.\nLet all that you do and all that you say\nbe filled with love\, for love never ends. \nAnd may God be with you always to deliver you;\nMay Christ Jesus put his gracious words in your mouth;\nAnd may the Holy Spirit bring you to completeness in faith\, hope and love. \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\nTaking a Risk on LoveA sermon on 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 & Luke 4: 21-30 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nLove is AllA sermon on 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nThe Marks of the ProphetA sermon on Jeremiah 1: 4-10; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 & Luke 4: 21-30 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nLove\, Because Nothing Else MattersA sermon on 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 & Luke 4: 21-30 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhen Familiarity Breeds ContemptA sermon on Luke 4: 21-30 & 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 by Paul Matheson
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/c14/2031-02-02/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/14.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20310202T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20310202T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T095534
CREATED:20201028T004127Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250514T000531Z
UID:10002762-1927756800-1927843199@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:4th Sunday between Epiphany and Lent - Year C
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Jeremiah 1: 4-10			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	The LORD spoke to me saying: \n“Jeremiah\, I am the God who created you;\nI knew you before your parents thought of you.\nBefore you were born I chose you for myself\,\nI picked you out to speak to the nations on my behalf.” \nI replied\, “LORD God\, you’re making a big mistake! I am a lousy public speaker and I’m too young for anybody to take me seriously.” \nBut the LORD said to me\, \n“Don’t put yourself down because of your age.\nJust go to whoever I send you to\,\nand say whatever I tell you to say. \nDon’t let yourself feel intimidated by anyone\,\nbecause I’ll be there to back you up.\nYou’ll be okay; take my word for it.” \nThen the LORD reached out and touched my mouth\, saying to me\, \n“With my own hand I am putting my words into your mouth.\nHere and now I am appointing you to the job.\nI give you the authority to speak to the nations for me;\nto speak words that will wreak havoc\,\nwords that will crush and demolish and devastate\,\nand words that will heal and rebuild and give life.” \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 71: 1-6			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	I run to you for protection\, LORD\,\nplease don’t ever let me down. \nYou always do the right thing\,\nso please be there for me when I need you.\nHear me when I call for help\nand step in quickly to bail me out. \nKeep me safe when I need somewhere to hide.\nYou are like a mountain hideaway to me;\nlike a bunker than nothing can blast open. \nIf I fall into hostile hands\,\nbe my God and rescue me;\nDon’t let the callous and cruel\nget their claws into me. \nYou are my only hope\,\nthe only one I can depend on\, LORD;\nI’ve trusted you since I was a kid. \nI’ve leaned on you for support\nsince the day I was born.\nYou were the midwife who delivered me from my mother’s womb\,\nthe safe hands who pulled me gasping into life.\nI’ll never stop thanking you for that! \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  1 Corinthians 13: 1-13			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Our spiritual gifts are not the most important thing.  \nI could have the gift of the gab;\nI could speak like a news reader\nor pray in the language of angels;\nbut if I don’t love\nit would be a waste of breath;\nas meaningless as a blast of static. \nI could have the gift of prophesy\,\nthe ability to speak God’s word into any situation;\nI could have the gift of knowledge and insight;\nthe ability to get my head around God’s mysteries\nand make them clear to everyone else;\nI could have the gift of earth-shattering faith\,\nfaith that reduces mountains to molehills;\nI could have all this and more\,\nbut if I was devoid of love\,\nI’d still be a waste of space. \nI could give away everything I owned\nand burn myself out in the fight for justice;\nI could throw my body in front of an oncoming tank\nto prove my passion for peace;\nbut if I do it all without love\,\nI’ll have achieved precisely nothing. \nLove is willing to hang in there for the long haul;\nLove is always ready to do something for someone else;\nLove does not begrudge others their success;\nnor flaunt its own.\nLove is not arrogant or rude\,\nit doesn’t force its own agendas\nand trample others down in the process.\nLove does not spit the dummy over every little thing\nor hold grudges and dream of revenge.\nLove takes no pleasure in dishonesty\, however daring;\nbut it is the first to celebrate truth and integrity.\nLove holds firm under pressure\,\nkeeps believing the best of others\,\nmaintains its hope when all seems lost\,\nand toughs it out\, no matter what. \nLove is forever! \nThe gift of prophecy will reach its use-by date\,\nspeaking in strange tongues will have had its day;\nall our knowledge will be useless and forgotten.\nWhat we know now is a mere drop in the ocean\,\nand even prophets can tell us only a little of God.\nBut the time is coming when everything will be made whole\,\nand these things that are less than whole\nwill all be over and done with. \nWhen we were children\, it was okay to speak like children\,\nto think and behave in immature ways;\nbut sooner or later we’ve got to grow up\,\nwe’ve got to grow beyond those childish limits. \nAll our present attempts to make out God’s truth\nare like trying to see under water with the naked eye.\nBut the time is coming when it will snap into focus\,\nwhen we’ll stand face to face with the fullness of truth.\nNow we know only a fraction – then we’ll know it all;\nGod will be known to us as well as we’re known to God. \nThere are only three things we have now that will last forever —\nfaith\, hope\, and love —\nand the one that matters most is love. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Luke 4:21-30			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	After reading a passage from the prophet Isaiah in the synagogue of his hometown\, Nazareth\, Jesus addressed the people\, saying\, “All that the prophet meant in this scripture has just been fulfilled\, right here\, as you heard it read.” \nEverybody was most surprised and impressed by how well Jesus spoke and by the generous spirit of all that he had to say. They began to talk favourably of him among themselves\, saying\, “Who’d have thought that he was Joseph and Mary’s boy!” \nJesus wasn’t finished though. He spoke up again\, saying\, “No doubt you’ll soon be using the old saying of me: ‘Let the doctor heal himself first.’ And you’ll start demanding that I do here in my own hometown the things that you’ve heard I have done elsewhere. I’ll tell you this\, without a word of a lie: the things prophets have to say never make them popular in their hometowns. That’s the way it has always been. Remember the story of Elijah during the crippling drought that lasted three and a half years. There would have been many widows in Israel at the time\, but was Elijah sent to help any of them? No. He was sent instead to a widow at Zarephath\, across the border in Sidon. It was the same with his successor. There was no shortage of lepers among the Israelites\, but the only leper who was cleansed by Elisha was Naaman\, and he was Syrian.” \nWhen the crowd in the synagogue heard this\, they went berserk! There was nearly a riot. Jesus was run out of town and he was pretty lucky not to get himself killed. A mob set on him and was going to throw him off the edge of a cliff just outside the town\, but he managed to give them the slip and take to the road unharmed. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nPrayers\n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Eucharistic Preface			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Let us lift up our hearts.\nWe lift them to the Lord.\nLet us give thanks to the Lord our God.\nIt is right to give our thanks and praise. \nIt is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise\, O God\,\nfor you are a safe haven and a tower of strength\nand your love will never end. \nFrom the womb of creation you brought forth the earth\nand before any of us were born\,\nyou chose us and loved us into life.\nYou put words in the mouths of your prophets\nthat we might glimpse your truth\, if only in part. \nFulfilling the words of the prophets\,\nyour child Jesus came\,\nand in him we have seen you face to face.\nWhen his passion would not be tamed\,\nhis own people were filled with rage\nand handed him over to be killed\,\nbut you raised him back to life.\nNow and forever\, his love bears all things\,\nbelieves all things\, hopes all things\, endures all things\,\nand in his love the wholeness of all things is coming. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We give you our thanks\, O God\, for your Son Jesus\nin whom we have seen you face to face\nNow and forever\, his love bears all things\,\nbelieves all things\, hopes all things\, endures all things\,\nand in his love the wholeness of all things is coming. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nfor you are a safe haven and a tower of strength\nand your love will never end. \nFrom the womb of creation you brought forth the earth\nand before any of us were born\,\nyou chose us and loved us into life.\nYou put words in the mouths of your prophets\nthat we might glimpse your truth\, if only in part. \nFulfilling the words of the prophets\,\nyour child Jesus came\,\nand in him we have seen you face to face.\nWhen his passion would not be tamed\,\nhis own people were filled with rage\nand handed him over to be killed\,\nbut you raised him back to life.\nNow and forever\, his love bears all things\,\nbelieves all things\, hopes all things\, endures all things\,\nand in his love the wholeness of all things is coming. \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	God’s love is patient and kind\, and will not fail you.\nThe Lord is with you to deliver you.\nThrough the mercy of Jesus Christ\nthe Lord has heard you\nand is reaching out to save you. \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 to all to whom God sends you\,\nand speak whatever words God gives you.\nRejoice in the truth and do not be afraid.\nLet all that you do and all that you say\nbe filled with love\, for love never ends. \nAnd may God be with you always to deliver you;\nMay Christ Jesus put his gracious words in your mouth;\nAnd may the Holy Spirit bring you to completeness in faith\, hope and love. \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\nTaking a Risk on LoveA sermon on 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 & Luke 4: 21-30 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nLove is AllA sermon on 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nThe Marks of the ProphetA sermon on Jeremiah 1: 4-10; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 & Luke 4: 21-30 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nLove\, Because Nothing Else MattersA sermon on 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 & Luke 4: 21-30 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhen Familiarity Breeds ContemptA sermon on Luke 4: 21-30 & 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 by Paul Matheson
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/c14/2031-02-02/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/14.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20310209T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20310209T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T095534
CREATED:20201029T040708Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250310T111125Z
UID:10002187-1928361600-1928447999@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:5th Sunday between Epiphany and Lent - Year C
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Isaiah 6: 1-8\, (9-13)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	I had a vision of the Lord during the year that King Uzziah died. The Lord was high above\, sitting on an imposing throne. The Lord’s presence dwarfed everything else so totally that just the cuffs of his robe filled the temple. Awesome fiery creatures\, known as Seraphim\, were there\, serving the Lord. Each Seraph had three pairs of wings. They used one pair to shield their faces\, one to shield their bodies\, and the third for flying. They cried out to one another saying: \n“Holy! Holy! Holy!\nHoly is the LORD who rules over everything.\nThe whole earth is full of God’s glory.” \nThe sound of their voices shook the place to its foundations\, and clouds of smoke billowed through the temple. And I said: \n“This is the end of me.\nI’ll never get out of here alive.\nIf I so much as open my mouth\nthe ugliness inside is exposed for all to see\,\nand the same could be said of everyone I know;\nyet I’ve stumbled into the presence of the Ruler of Heaven.\nHere I am\, naked before the all-consuming\nholiness of the LORD!” \nThen one of the seraphim flew right up to me carrying a pair of tongs in which it held a red hot coal – straight from the fire on the altar. The seraph touched my mouth with the glowing coal and said: \n“Look! This holy fire has touched your lips.\nYour sinfulness is forgiven.\nYour slate is wiped clean.” \nAfter this I heard the voice of the Lord saying \n“Is there someone I can send?\nIs there anyone who will go on our behalf?” \nAnd I said\, “Here am I. Send me if you will!” \nSo the Lord told me to announce this message to the people: \n“You can listen all you like\, but it will never make sense to you.\n    You can look and look\, but it will still be as clear as mud.” \nThe Lord gave me further instructions\, saying: \n“Make these people stubborn and thick-headed!\n        Make them plug their ears and cover their eyes\,\n    so that they can’t see or hear or understand\,\n        so they won’t wake up to themselves\n            and turn to me and be healed.” \n“How long will it be like this\, Lord?” I asked\, and the Lord replied: \n“Until everything has been destroyed.\nUntil the cities are uninhabitable\,\n        the houses deserted\,\n            and the land laid waste;\n    Until I have sent everyone off as refugees\,\n        and there is nothing left but scorched earth.\n    Even if ten percent survive\,\n        the land will be burned again. \nBut just as there are seeds that only germinate\n        after the bushfire has destroyed everything else\,\n    so too will the few who are dedicated to me\n        bear the seed of new life.” \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 138			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Thank you\, LORD\, thank you!\nThank you\, from the bottom of my heart!\nI will stand and sing your praises\nin the face of every would-be god! \nWherever I am\, I turn towards your holy Temple\nand fall to my knees in gratitude\,\nthanking you for your rock-solid love and loyalty;\nWith everything you say and everything you do\nyour reputation continues to go through the roof.\nThe minute I called\, you were there for me\,\nyou put steel in my spine\,\ngave me the guts to go on. \nWhen the things you have been saying sink in\, LORD\,\nall the earth’s powerful rulers will give credit to you.\nThey’ll join the party\, singing and dancing in your honour\,\ncelebrating the wonderful things you do. \nAs great as you are\,\nyou never think of ordinary people as beneath you\,\nbut you don’t waste your time\non those who are pretentious and stuck-up. \nAlthough I must often walk into dangerous situations\,\nyou protect me from hatred and hostility;\nyour invisible hand is always there\, keeping me safe. \nYou\, LORD\, have made plans for me\nand you will see them through to completion.\nYour love is as timeless and dependable as the rock;\nyou have made us what we are\nand you never give up on us. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  1 Corinthians 15: 1-11			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	My friends\, let me spell out the guts of the message I’ve been preaching one more time. This is the message which you welcomed so eagerly and gladly put your names to. It is the message through which your lives are being saved\, assuming of course\, that your faith has got sticking power and wasn’t just a flash in the pan. What a waste that would have been! \nIn my preaching I passed on to you the really crucial stuff\, exactly as it had been told to me. Let me recite it again: \nThe Messiah died to deal with our sins\,\nbacking up what the scriptures say.\nAfter three days in the grave\, he was raised to life\,\nbacking up what the scriptures say.\nHe appeared alive to Peter\,\nand then to his closest followers.\nHe also appeared to a gathering\nof more than five hundred of his followers.\nOf those who saw him\, only a few have since died;\nmost are still alive to tell the story.\nHe spent some time with James\nand the others he had picked out\nto be the leaders of his church. \nAt the end of the line – like the perpetual late-comer I am – I too was privileged to have him appear to me. If anyone deserved to be left out\, it was me and I have certainly never deserved my place among the leaders of his church because I spent my early years trying to wipe God’s church out of existence. But God is extremely generous and has made me what I am. I’ve driven myself hard to make sure that God’s investment in me was not wasted. I reckon I’ve been the hardest worker on the team\, although I can’t really take the credit when it is actually God who is so generously working through me. It makes no difference which of us God was using at the time. Whether you heard it from me or from them\, what matters is that you heard the message we were preaching and that you put your trust in what we had to say. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Luke 5: 1-11			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	One day Jesus was on the beach at Lake Galilee. There was a crowd hanging on his every word\, eager to hear God’s message\, and he was getting a bit cramped for space as they pressed in around him. He spotted a couple of fishing boats pulled up on the beach\, so he went and spoke with the crew who were scrubbing down their fishing tackle at the end of their shift. The skipper of one of the boats\, a man named Simon\, agreed to put his boat out a few metres off the beach and let Jesus continue teaching the people from the bow of the boat. When he had finished speaking to the crowd\, Jesus said to Simon\, “How about some fishing? Head off shore and we’ll put the nets down for a catch.” \nSimon answered\, “Look here\, Boss. We’ve been busting a gut out there all night and what have we caught? Nothing! Absolutely nothing! But hey\, if you say put the nets down\, you’re the boss. I’ll put the nets down.” \nWell\, you wouldn’t read about it! They had the most unbelievable catch – more fish than their nets could handle. They called for help from their mates in the other boat\, but the size of the catch weighed down both boats so low that they were beginning to take on water over the sides. Simon Peter just looked at Jesus and sank to his knees. “Don’t come near me\, Lord\,” he said. “Leave me alone. I’m a godless sort of a mongrel\, and I can’t handle the company of the likes of you.” \nHe and all his mates were completely unnerved by what had happened\, because they knew that this was no natural catch of fish. James and John\, Simon’s partners who ran the other boat for their father Zebedee\, were feeling exactly the same way. But Jesus said to Simon\, “Don’t worry\, there’s no need to panic. If you think that was really something\, just wait. From now on you’ll be bringing in people\, not fish.” \nThey pulled their boats back up onto the beach and left them where they lay. They turned their backs on everything and followed Jesus. \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 love and fidelity last forever\nand you entrust to us the news of your grace and salvation. \nFrom the deep waters of chaos\nyou brought forth the earth\, bursting with life\,\nand through your prophets and apostles\nyou have made known the glory of your name\nand your promise. \nIn your child\, Jesus Christ\,\nyou have touched us with your mercy\,\nand in the fire of your holiness\nyou have consumed our impurity.\nAlthough Jesus was killed\nby those whose eyes and ears are closed\,\nyou did not abandon him to the grave\,\nbut raised him to life on the third day.\nAppearing to more than five hundred of his followers\,\nhe called us to follow him\nand to cast wide the net of your love\,\ngathering in all those in need of your grace. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We give you thanks for the news of salvation in which we stand\nfor in your Son\, Jesus Christ\, you have touched us with your mercy\,\nconsuming our impurity in the fire of your holiness\,\nand sending us to cast wide the net of your love. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nfor your love and fidelity last forever\nand you entrust to us the news of your grace and salvation. \nFrom the deep waters of chaos\nyou brought forth the earth\, bursting with life\,\nand through your prophets and apostles\nyou have made known the glory of your name\nand your promise. \nIn your child\, Jesus Christ\,\nyou have touched us with your mercy\,\nand in the fire of your holiness\nyou have consumed our impurity.\nAlthough Jesus was killed\nby those whose eyes and ears are closed\,\nyou did not abandon him to the grave\,\nbut raised him to life on the third day.\nAppearing to more than five hundred of his followers\,\nhe called us to follow him\nand to cast wide the net of your love\,\ngathering in all those in need of your grace. \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	The Lord has created you and will not abandon you.\nChrist\, who died for our sins and was raised again\,\nhas reached out his hand in mercy to save us\,\nconsuming our impurity\nin the searing heat of his own holiness. \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 forsaking everything else\, follow Christ.\nBy the grace of God\, be all you have been called to be\,\nand cast wide the net of God’s love.\nRemind one another of the good news\,\nand hold firmly to faith that is saving you. \nAnd may God give you a vision of glory;\nMay Christ Jesus touch you with the fire of mercy;\nAnd may the Holy Spirit hear your prayers and renew your strength. \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\nAre we any use to God?A sermon on Isaiah 6: 1-13 & Luke 5: 1-11 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhat happens if I let God get close to me?A sermon on Isaiah 6: 1-13 & Luke 5: 1-11 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nHoly! Holy! Holy!A sermon on Isaiah 6: 1-13 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nGrace and FearA sermon on Isaiah 6: 1-13 & Luke 5: 1-11 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nLove Raised from the DeadA sermon on 1 Corinthians 15: 1-11 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nA Future Alive with HopeA sermon on Luke 5: 1-11 by Alison Sampson\n\n\n\nAre We Of Any Use?A sermon on Isaiah 6: 1-13; 1 Corinthians 15: 1-11 & Luke 5: 1-11 by Keith Clements\n\n\n\nFalling Down and Rising UpA sermon on Isaiah 6: 1-13; 1 Corinthians 15: 1-11 & Luke 5: 1-11 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/c15/2031-02-09/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/15.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20310209T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20310209T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T095534
CREATED:20201029T040708Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250514T000531Z
UID:10002760-1928361600-1928447999@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:5th Sunday between Epiphany and Lent - Year C
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Isaiah 6: 1-8\, (9-13)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	I had a vision of the Lord during the year that King Uzziah died. The Lord was high above\, sitting on an imposing throne. The Lord’s presence dwarfed everything else so totally that just the cuffs of his robe filled the temple. Awesome fiery creatures\, known as Seraphim\, were there\, serving the Lord. Each Seraph had three pairs of wings. They used one pair to shield their faces\, one to shield their bodies\, and the third for flying. They cried out to one another saying: \n“Holy! Holy! Holy!\nHoly is the LORD who rules over everything.\nThe whole earth is full of God’s glory.” \nThe sound of their voices shook the place to its foundations\, and clouds of smoke billowed through the temple. And I said: \n“This is the end of me.\nI’ll never get out of here alive.\nIf I so much as open my mouth\nthe ugliness inside is exposed for all to see\,\nand the same could be said of everyone I know;\nyet I’ve stumbled into the presence of the Ruler of Heaven.\nHere I am\, naked before the all-consuming\nholiness of the LORD!” \nThen one of the seraphim flew right up to me carrying a pair of tongs in which it held a red hot coal – straight from the fire on the altar. The seraph touched my mouth with the glowing coal and said: \n“Look! This holy fire has touched your lips.\nYour sinfulness is forgiven.\nYour slate is wiped clean.” \nAfter this I heard the voice of the Lord saying \n“Is there someone I can send?\nIs there anyone who will go on our behalf?” \nAnd I said\, “Here am I. Send me if you will!” \nSo the Lord told me to announce this message to the people: \n“You can listen all you like\, but it will never make sense to you.\n    You can look and look\, but it will still be as clear as mud.” \nThe Lord gave me further instructions\, saying: \n“Make these people stubborn and thick-headed!\n        Make them plug their ears and cover their eyes\,\n    so that they can’t see or hear or understand\,\n        so they won’t wake up to themselves\n            and turn to me and be healed.” \n“How long will it be like this\, Lord?” I asked\, and the Lord replied: \n“Until everything has been destroyed.\nUntil the cities are uninhabitable\,\n        the houses deserted\,\n            and the land laid waste;\n    Until I have sent everyone off as refugees\,\n        and there is nothing left but scorched earth.\n    Even if ten percent survive\,\n        the land will be burned again. \nBut just as there are seeds that only germinate\n        after the bushfire has destroyed everything else\,\n    so too will the few who are dedicated to me\n        bear the seed of new life.” \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 138			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Thank you\, LORD\, thank you!\nThank you\, from the bottom of my heart!\nI will stand and sing your praises\nin the face of every would-be god! \nWherever I am\, I turn towards your holy Temple\nand fall to my knees in gratitude\,\nthanking you for your rock-solid love and loyalty;\nWith everything you say and everything you do\nyour reputation continues to go through the roof.\nThe minute I called\, you were there for me\,\nyou put steel in my spine\,\ngave me the guts to go on. \nWhen the things you have been saying sink in\, LORD\,\nall the earth’s powerful rulers will give credit to you.\nThey’ll join the party\, singing and dancing in your honour\,\ncelebrating the wonderful things you do. \nAs great as you are\,\nyou never think of ordinary people as beneath you\,\nbut you don’t waste your time\non those who are pretentious and stuck-up. \nAlthough I must often walk into dangerous situations\,\nyou protect me from hatred and hostility;\nyour invisible hand is always there\, keeping me safe. \nYou\, LORD\, have made plans for me\nand you will see them through to completion.\nYour love is as timeless and dependable as the rock;\nyou have made us what we are\nand you never give up on us. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  1 Corinthians 15: 1-11			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	My friends\, let me spell out the guts of the message I’ve been preaching one more time. This is the message which you welcomed so eagerly and gladly put your names to. It is the message through which your lives are being saved\, assuming of course\, that your faith has got sticking power and wasn’t just a flash in the pan. What a waste that would have been! \nIn my preaching I passed on to you the really crucial stuff\, exactly as it had been told to me. Let me recite it again: \nThe Messiah died to deal with our sins\,\nbacking up what the scriptures say.\nAfter three days in the grave\, he was raised to life\,\nbacking up what the scriptures say.\nHe appeared alive to Peter\,\nand then to his closest followers.\nHe also appeared to a gathering\nof more than five hundred of his followers.\nOf those who saw him\, only a few have since died;\nmost are still alive to tell the story.\nHe spent some time with James\nand the others he had picked out\nto be the leaders of his church. \nAt the end of the line – like the perpetual late-comer I am – I too was privileged to have him appear to me. If anyone deserved to be left out\, it was me and I have certainly never deserved my place among the leaders of his church because I spent my early years trying to wipe God’s church out of existence. But God is extremely generous and has made me what I am. I’ve driven myself hard to make sure that God’s investment in me was not wasted. I reckon I’ve been the hardest worker on the team\, although I can’t really take the credit when it is actually God who is so generously working through me. It makes no difference which of us God was using at the time. Whether you heard it from me or from them\, what matters is that you heard the message we were preaching and that you put your trust in what we had to say. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Luke 5: 1-11			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	One day Jesus was on the beach at Lake Galilee. There was a crowd hanging on his every word\, eager to hear God’s message\, and he was getting a bit cramped for space as they pressed in around him. He spotted a couple of fishing boats pulled up on the beach\, so he went and spoke with the crew who were scrubbing down their fishing tackle at the end of their shift. The skipper of one of the boats\, a man named Simon\, agreed to put his boat out a few metres off the beach and let Jesus continue teaching the people from the bow of the boat. When he had finished speaking to the crowd\, Jesus said to Simon\, “How about some fishing? Head off shore and we’ll put the nets down for a catch.” \nSimon answered\, “Look here\, Boss. We’ve been busting a gut out there all night and what have we caught? Nothing! Absolutely nothing! But hey\, if you say put the nets down\, you’re the boss. I’ll put the nets down.” \nWell\, you wouldn’t read about it! They had the most unbelievable catch – more fish than their nets could handle. They called for help from their mates in the other boat\, but the size of the catch weighed down both boats so low that they were beginning to take on water over the sides. Simon Peter just looked at Jesus and sank to his knees. “Don’t come near me\, Lord\,” he said. “Leave me alone. I’m a godless sort of a mongrel\, and I can’t handle the company of the likes of you.” \nHe and all his mates were completely unnerved by what had happened\, because they knew that this was no natural catch of fish. James and John\, Simon’s partners who ran the other boat for their father Zebedee\, were feeling exactly the same way. But Jesus said to Simon\, “Don’t worry\, there’s no need to panic. If you think that was really something\, just wait. From now on you’ll be bringing in people\, not fish.” \nThey pulled their boats back up onto the beach and left them where they lay. They turned their backs on everything and followed Jesus. \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 love and fidelity last forever\nand you entrust to us the news of your grace and salvation. \nFrom the deep waters of chaos\nyou brought forth the earth\, bursting with life\,\nand through your prophets and apostles\nyou have made known the glory of your name\nand your promise. \nIn your child\, Jesus Christ\,\nyou have touched us with your mercy\,\nand in the fire of your holiness\nyou have consumed our impurity.\nAlthough Jesus was killed\nby those whose eyes and ears are closed\,\nyou did not abandon him to the grave\,\nbut raised him to life on the third day.\nAppearing to more than five hundred of his followers\,\nhe called us to follow him\nand to cast wide the net of your love\,\ngathering in all those in need of your grace. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We give you thanks for the news of salvation in which we stand\nfor in your Son\, Jesus Christ\, you have touched us with your mercy\,\nconsuming our impurity in the fire of your holiness\,\nand sending us to cast wide the net of your love. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nfor your love and fidelity last forever\nand you entrust to us the news of your grace and salvation. \nFrom the deep waters of chaos\nyou brought forth the earth\, bursting with life\,\nand through your prophets and apostles\nyou have made known the glory of your name\nand your promise. \nIn your child\, Jesus Christ\,\nyou have touched us with your mercy\,\nand in the fire of your holiness\nyou have consumed our impurity.\nAlthough Jesus was killed\nby those whose eyes and ears are closed\,\nyou did not abandon him to the grave\,\nbut raised him to life on the third day.\nAppearing to more than five hundred of his followers\,\nhe called us to follow him\nand to cast wide the net of your love\,\ngathering in all those in need of your grace. \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	The Lord has created you and will not abandon you.\nChrist\, who died for our sins and was raised again\,\nhas reached out his hand in mercy to save us\,\nconsuming our impurity\nin the searing heat of his own holiness. \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 forsaking everything else\, follow Christ.\nBy the grace of God\, be all you have been called to be\,\nand cast wide the net of God’s love.\nRemind one another of the good news\,\nand hold firmly to faith that is saving you. \nAnd may God give you a vision of glory;\nMay Christ Jesus touch you with the fire of mercy;\nAnd may the Holy Spirit hear your prayers and renew your strength. \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\nAre we any use to God?A sermon on Isaiah 6: 1-13 & Luke 5: 1-11 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhat happens if I let God get close to me?A sermon on Isaiah 6: 1-13 & Luke 5: 1-11 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nHoly! Holy! Holy!A sermon on Isaiah 6: 1-13 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nGrace and FearA sermon on Isaiah 6: 1-13 & Luke 5: 1-11 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nLove Raised from the DeadA sermon on 1 Corinthians 15: 1-11 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nA Future Alive with HopeA sermon on Luke 5: 1-11 by Alison Sampson\n\n\n\nAre We Of Any Use?A sermon on Isaiah 6: 1-13; 1 Corinthians 15: 1-11 & Luke 5: 1-11 by Keith Clements\n\n\n\nFalling Down and Rising UpA sermon on Isaiah 6: 1-13; 1 Corinthians 15: 1-11 & Luke 5: 1-11 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/c15/2031-02-09/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20310216T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20310216T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T095534
CREATED:20201029T044536Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250514T000530Z
UID:10002758-1928966400-1929052799@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:6th Sunday between Epiphany and Lent - Year C
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Jeremiah 17: 5-10			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	This is what the LORD says: \n“The writing is on the wall for those\nwho turn their backs on me\,\nthinking they can live off their own bat\nwith only human muscle to back them up. \nThey will be in more trouble\nthan a fruit tree growing on a salt pan.\nStunted and lonely\, they will cry out for relief\nbut even the rains will bring no life. \nWhat a contrast to those who trust in me.\nI\, the LORD\, will rain down blessings on them. \nThey will flourish like trees growing on a river bank\nwith not a worry in the world.\nWhen the dry season comes and the river dries up\ntheir roots draw cool water from deep below.\nEven years of drought pose no danger.\nThey continue to flower and fruit regardless. \nWho can understand the human heart?\nIt’s as shifty as a sand dune;\nas devious as a hungry dingo. \nI\, the LORD\, can see right through you.\nI know what makes you tick.\nI treat everyone as they deserve\,\nassessing the fruit of their actions.” \n©2001 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			\n				  1 Corinthians 15: 12-20			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	The message that we preached was that the Messiah is alive — risen from the dead — and you became Christians when you heard that message. So how come some of you are now saying that the dead won’t be raised to life? If the dead are not raised to life\, then the Messiah has not been raised. And if the Messiah has not been raised\, then he is still dead in his grave. And if that were the case\, then our preaching is a waste of breathe and your faith is not worth a zack. Actually\, it would be worse than that. We’d be guilty of misleading people about God — of telling outright lies — because we have been pushing the story that God raised the Messiah from the dead\, and if it’s not true that the dead are raised then that story is a total fabrication. \nLet’s face it: if God does not raise the dead\, then the Messiah has not been raised. There is no question that he was dead\, so if the Messiah has not been raised then he’s not alive now. And if he’s not alive now then your faith is an exercise in futility and every black mark that’s ever gone against your name still stands. What’s more\, all those who died trusting in the Messiah\, were just clutching at straws and they’ve had the gong. If we’ve put all our eggs in the Messiah’s basket and it has made no difference to how much life we’ve got — we will still just die and that will be the end of it — then we must be the sorriest bunch of losers who ever drew breath. \nBut the fact of the matter is that the Messiah has been raised from the dead and is more alive than ever. And he’s just the first. Now that he’s set the precedent you can rest assured that there are plenty more to come! \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Luke 6: 17-26			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Jesus and his twelve closest followers came down from the mountain and ran into a huge crowd of people on the flat grasslands below. Many of them were already followers of Jesus and many more were just people who had heard of him and had travelled there to hear him speak or to see if he could heal them of various chronic illnesses. They had come from all over Judea\, from Jerusalem\, and even from the coastal towns of Tyre and Sidon. There were people there who were plagued by toxic spirits\, and Jesus cleaned up the problems for them. Everyone was crowding in\, trying to touch him\, because there was a powerful healing energy surging from him and everybody wanted a piece of it. Jesus obliged and healed them all. \nWhile they were there he taught his followers\, saying: \n“You who own next to nothing have got it made\,\nbecause you are already at home in the culture of God. \n“You who don’t have enough to eat now have got it made\,\nbecause you will be filled with good things. \n“You who are grief stricken now have got it made\,\nbecause you will be all smiles and laughter. \n“And if people hate you and shut you out\, treat you like dirt and drag your name through the mud because of your association with me\, then you really have got it made! You’re in great company because in every generation they’ve done the same thing to all God’s faithful messengers. So sing! Dance! Celebrate! Heaven is coming and you will be rewarded beyond your wildest dreams! \n“But the writing is on the wall for you who have got it all now.\nThat’s it for you. You’ve got nothing more to look forward to. \n“And the writing is on the wall for you who consume to excess.\nYou’ve had your share. You’re going to go hungry. \n“The writing is on the wall for you who think it’s all a big joke now.\nThe smile is going to be wiped right off your face. \n“And if everybody is fawning over you and saying how wonderful you are\, then the writing is well and truly on the wall. They come from a long line of people who fawned over every religious charlatan that ever tickled their ears.” \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 all hunger is filled\,\nall grief is turned to laughter\nand the Kingdom is handed to those who had nothing. \nYou created the world and all that live in it.\nYou called us to trust you\,\nand to put down our roots\nalongside the life-giving stream of your Word. \nYour child\, Jesus Christ\, came among us\nand demonstrated your solidarity with all\nwho live in poverty\, hunger\, grief and hostility.\nThough crowds sought him for wisdom and healing\,\nthose who were rich\, satisfied\, and powerful\npreferred false prophets to true\,\nso they hated him\, defamed him\, and had him killed.\nBut our hope did not die with him\,\nfor you raised him from the dead\,\nas the first fruits of those who have died\,\nopening the way of resurrection life to us all. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We give you thanks for raising Christ from the dead\,\nand opening the way of resurrection life to us all\,\nIn you\, O God\, all hunger is filled\,\nall grief is turned to laughter\nand the Kingdom is handed to those who had nothing. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nfor in you all hunger is filled\,\nall grief is turned to laughter\nand the Kingdom is handed to those who had nothing. \nYou created of the world and all that live in it.\nYou called us to trust you\,\nand to put down our roots\nalongside the life-giving stream of your Word. \nYour child\, Jesus Christ\, came among us\nand demonstrated your solidarity with all\nwho live in poverty\, hunger\, grief and hostility.\nThough crowds sought him for wisdom and healing\,\nthose who were rich\, satisfied\, and powerful\npreferred false prophets to true\,\nso they hated him\, defamed him\, and had him killed.\nBut our hope did not die with him\,\nfor you raised him from the dead\,\nas the first fruits of those who have died\,\nopening the way of resurrection life to us all. \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	It is true that Christ has been raised from death\,\nand because he has been raised\nwe are no longer lost in our sins.\nBlessed are you who weep now\,\nfor Christ will raise you to life and laughter. \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\, with your trust in the Lord.\nDo not be influenced by the ways of sinners and cynics\,\nbut delight in the Lord’s teaching\nand study it night and day.\nRejoice in your union with Christ\neven when people reject you for it. \nAnd may God raise you to new life with Christ.\nMay Christ Jesus heal you of all that troubles you.\nAnd may the Holy Spirit nourish you from the deep\nand keep you fruitful in all you do. \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\nGetting the sermon off the MountA sermon on Luke 6:17-26 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nA Tough Blessing to TakeA discussion starter on Luke 6:17-26 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nBlessings We Didn’t WantA sermon on Luke 6:17-26 & Jeremiah 17:5-10 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nJesus and other zombiesA sermon on 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 & Luke 6:17-26 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nA Clash of CulturesA sermon on Luke 6:17-26\, Jeremiah 17:5-10 & Psalm 1 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/cp01/2031-02-16/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20310216T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20310216T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T095534
CREATED:20201029T044536Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250319T121445Z
UID:10002188-1928966400-1929052799@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:6th Sunday between Epiphany and Lent - Year C
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Jeremiah 17: 5-10			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	This is what the LORD says: \n“The writing is on the wall for those\nwho turn their backs on me\,\nthinking they can live off their own bat\nwith only human muscle to back them up. \nThey will be in more trouble\nthan a fruit tree growing on a salt pan.\nStunted and lonely\, they will cry out for relief\nbut even the rains will bring no life. \nWhat a contrast to those who trust in me.\nI\, the LORD\, will rain down blessings on them. \nThey will flourish like trees growing on a river bank\nwith not a worry in the world.\nWhen the dry season comes and the river dries up\ntheir roots draw cool water from deep below.\nEven years of drought pose no danger.\nThey continue to flower and fruit regardless. \nWho can understand the human heart?\nIt’s as shifty as a sand dune;\nas devious as a hungry dingo. \nI\, the LORD\, can see right through you.\nI know what makes you tick.\nI treat everyone as they deserve\,\nassessing the fruit of their actions.” \n©2001 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			\n				  1 Corinthians 15: 12-20			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	The message that we preached was that the Messiah is alive — risen from the dead — and you became Christians when you heard that message. So how come some of you are now saying that the dead won’t be raised to life? If the dead are not raised to life\, then the Messiah has not been raised. And if the Messiah has not been raised\, then he is still dead in his grave. And if that were the case\, then our preaching is a waste of breathe and your faith is not worth a zack. Actually\, it would be worse than that. We’d be guilty of misleading people about God — of telling outright lies — because we have been pushing the story that God raised the Messiah from the dead\, and if it’s not true that the dead are raised then that story is a total fabrication. \nLet’s face it: if God does not raise the dead\, then the Messiah has not been raised. There is no question that he was dead\, so if the Messiah has not been raised then he’s not alive now. And if he’s not alive now then your faith is an exercise in futility and every black mark that’s ever gone against your name still stands. What’s more\, all those who died trusting in the Messiah\, were just clutching at straws and they’ve had the gong. If we’ve put all our eggs in the Messiah’s basket and it has made no difference to how much life we’ve got — we will still just die and that will be the end of it — then we must be the sorriest bunch of losers who ever drew breath. \nBut the fact of the matter is that the Messiah has been raised from the dead and is more alive than ever. And he’s just the first. Now that he’s set the precedent you can rest assured that there are plenty more to come! \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Luke 6: 17-26			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Jesus and his twelve closest followers came down from the mountain and ran into a huge crowd of people on the flat grasslands below. Many of them were already followers of Jesus and many more were just people who had heard of him and had travelled there to hear him speak or to see if he could heal them of various chronic illnesses. They had come from all over Judea\, from Jerusalem\, and even from the coastal towns of Tyre and Sidon. There were people there who were plagued by toxic spirits\, and Jesus cleaned up the problems for them. Everyone was crowding in\, trying to touch him\, because there was a powerful healing energy surging from him and everybody wanted a piece of it. Jesus obliged and healed them all. \nWhile they were there he taught his followers\, saying: \n“You who own next to nothing have got it made\,\nbecause you are already at home in the culture of God. \n“You who don’t have enough to eat now have got it made\,\nbecause you will be filled with good things. \n“You who are grief stricken now have got it made\,\nbecause you will be all smiles and laughter. \n“And if people hate you and shut you out\, treat you like dirt and drag your name through the mud because of your association with me\, then you really have got it made! You’re in great company because in every generation they’ve done the same thing to all God’s faithful messengers. So sing! Dance! Celebrate! Heaven is coming and you will be rewarded beyond your wildest dreams! \n“But the writing is on the wall for you who have got it all now.\nThat’s it for you. You’ve got nothing more to look forward to. \n“And the writing is on the wall for you who consume to excess.\nYou’ve had your share. You’re going to go hungry. \n“The writing is on the wall for you who think it’s all a big joke now.\nThe smile is going to be wiped right off your face. \n“And if everybody is fawning over you and saying how wonderful you are\, then the writing is well and truly on the wall. They come from a long line of people who fawned over every religious charlatan that ever tickled their ears.” \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 all hunger is filled\,\nall grief is turned to laughter\nand the Kingdom is handed to those who had nothing. \nYou created the world and all that live in it.\nYou called us to trust you\,\nand to put down our roots\nalongside the life-giving stream of your Word. \nYour child\, Jesus Christ\, came among us\nand demonstrated your solidarity with all\nwho live in poverty\, hunger\, grief and hostility.\nThough crowds sought him for wisdom and healing\,\nthose who were rich\, satisfied\, and powerful\npreferred false prophets to true\,\nso they hated him\, defamed him\, and had him killed.\nBut our hope did not die with him\,\nfor you raised him from the dead\,\nas the first fruits of those who have died\,\nopening the way of resurrection life to us all. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We give you thanks for raising Christ from the dead\,\nand opening the way of resurrection life to us all\,\nIn you\, O God\, all hunger is filled\,\nall grief is turned to laughter\nand the Kingdom is handed to those who had nothing. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nfor in you all hunger is filled\,\nall grief is turned to laughter\nand the Kingdom is handed to those who had nothing. \nYou created of the world and all that live in it.\nYou called us to trust you\,\nand to put down our roots\nalongside the life-giving stream of your Word. \nYour child\, Jesus Christ\, came among us\nand demonstrated your solidarity with all\nwho live in poverty\, hunger\, grief and hostility.\nThough crowds sought him for wisdom and healing\,\nthose who were rich\, satisfied\, and powerful\npreferred false prophets to true\,\nso they hated him\, defamed him\, and had him killed.\nBut our hope did not die with him\,\nfor you raised him from the dead\,\nas the first fruits of those who have died\,\nopening the way of resurrection life to us all. \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	It is true that Christ has been raised from death\,\nand because he has been raised\nwe are no longer lost in our sins.\nBlessed are you who weep now\,\nfor Christ will raise you to life and laughter. \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\, with your trust in the Lord.\nDo not be influenced by the ways of sinners and cynics\,\nbut delight in the Lord’s teaching\nand study it night and day.\nRejoice in your union with Christ\neven when people reject you for it. \nAnd may God raise you to new life with Christ.\nMay Christ Jesus heal you of all that troubles you.\nAnd may the Holy Spirit nourish you from the deep\nand keep you fruitful in all you do. \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\nGetting the sermon off the MountA sermon on Luke 6:17-26 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nA Tough Blessing to TakeA discussion starter on Luke 6:17-26 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nBlessings We Didn’t WantA sermon on Luke 6:17-26 & Jeremiah 17:5-10 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nJesus and other zombiesA sermon on 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 & Luke 6:17-26 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nA Clash of CulturesA sermon on Luke 6:17-26\, Jeremiah 17:5-10 & Psalm 1 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/cp01/2031-02-16/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/P01.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20310223T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20310223T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T095534
CREATED:20201103T005245Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250514T000530Z
UID:10002756-1929571200-1929657599@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:7th Sunday between Epiphany and Lent - Year C
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Genesis 45: 3-11\, 15			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Joseph said to his brothers\, “I am Joseph\, your brother. Is my father still alive?” \nHis brothers\, though\, were in such a state of shock and panic that they couldn’t even answer him. Joseph called them to gather close around him and\, when they did\, he said: \n“I am your brother\, Joseph: the one you sold to the Egyptian slave traders. But don’t panic! Despite what you did\, it has worked out for the best. Your actions played into God’s hands\, because God was bringing me here so that I could save many lives. The land has been in the grip of drought and famine for two years already\, and it’s only going to get worse. It will be another five years before crops can be sown and harvested again. You and your families would have all perished if God hadn’t brought me here ahead of you\, but now you will be among the survivors. So\, don’t kick yourselves: it was not you\, but God\, who brought me here. Because of what God has done\, even Pharaoh looks up to me now. I run all his business for him\, both in the palace and in the whole land of Egypt.” \nJoseph then told his brothers that he wanted them to get home as quickly as possible and deliver a message to his father. This is what it said: \n“Dear Dad\, I am your son\, Joseph\, and I am alive! God has put me in charge of the whole land of Egypt. Move down here at once. I will set aside land for you in the region of Goshen so that you can live near me. There will be plenty of room for you\, and for your children\, your grandchildren\, all your livestock\, and all your possessions. The drought will last for another five years\, but I will provide for you and all your family and livestock so that you will be protected from starvation.” \nWith tears flowing freely\, Joseph hugged and kissed all his brothers\, and they finally loosened up and were able to talk with him. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 37: 1-11\, 39-40			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Because of you\, LORD\, we don’t stress over corruption;\nwe don’t get jealous when crime seems to pay.\nThose who live off ill-gotten gains will have their day;\nthey’ll wither like cut flowers in a hot north wind. \nWe put our trust in you\, LORD\, and do what’s right.\nYou give us our own land\, and keep us safe and content.\nOur greatest delight comes from knowing you\, LORD\,\nand you delight in giving us what our hearts desire. \nWe have set our minds on following your ways\, LORD;\nour trust is in you\, and we know you’ll back us up.\nIt will be as clear as day that we made the right choice;\nyou’ll make it perfectly obvious that our cause was justified. \nWe wait in your presence\, LORD\,\nin stillness\, quietness\, patience.\nWe don’t waver when others profit from corruption;\nwe don’t regret our choice when others get away with murder. \nTrusting in you\, LORD\, we can let go of vengeful anger.\nWe can relax and not get sucked into taking the law\ninto our own hands.\nWe can trust you to kick out the crooks\, LORD\,\nand to hand the land over to those who staked their lives on you.\nIt’s only a matter of time before you wipe out corruption\,\nand those who lived by it will be nowhere to be seen.\nBut you have promised the land to the salt-of-the-earth types —\nthose who are not always demanding their “rights”\nand elbowing past others —\nyou will see that their lives are rich and full of joy. \nYou\, LORD\, are the one who guarantees the safety\nof those who do what is right;\nWe can always run to you\nwhen all hell breaks loose.\nYou\, LORD\, are always there for us;\nyou save us from those who would harm us;\nyou offer us refuge when we turn to you. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  1 Corinthians 15: 35-38\, 42-50			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Some people want to ask biological questions about how the dead are raised to life: questions like\, “What kind of bodies will they have?” They’re stupid questions really because it’s not about biology. The nearest biological comparison would be the way seeds grow. A seed doesn’t come to life until it is buried in the ground\, and then when it does it is no longer anything like the original seed. You could never guess what a banksia tree\, or any other plant\, would look like just from looking at a single seed. God creates all the different kinds of plants\, and the design of each one is already set within the seed\, but you’d never know it by looking at it. In the same way the physical attributes of a human corpse don’t tell us anything about the body that will be raised from the dead. \nWhen a person dies\, we bury the body like a seed\, and God raises something quite new and different from that seed. The bodies we have now\, before we are buried\, wear out and die. The bodies we will have when God raises us\, will last forever. The body we bury is something many people can’t even bear to look at\, but the body raised will be a thing of glorious beauty. The body buried is limp and lifeless\, but the body raised will be strong and vibrant. The questions about biology end with the body that is buried\, because while it is a physical body\, the body that will be raised is a spiritual body. Physical bodies and spiritual bodies are equally real\, but they are not the same thing. \nAccording to the scriptures\, the first human being\, Adam\, was given life in his body. The ultimate Adam\, Jesus Christ\, is a spirit who gives life to the body. No one starts off spiritual and then gets a physical body: the physical comes first and then the spiritual. Human beings were first made from the earth as physical creatures\, but the new model\, which we have seen in Jesus Christ\, is from heaven. Those who are born on earth have the same kind of bodies as the first human being. Those who are born into heaven have the same kind of bodies as the ultimate human being. Just as we have been indistinguishable from the one born of earth\, so too we will be the spitting image of the one born of heaven. \nSo to cut to the chase\, brothers and sisters; when we inherit the realm of God we won’t be taking our present flesh and blood in with us. Perishable bodies cannot receive life without limit — God will raise us with new bodies for that life. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Luke 6: 27-38			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	While teaching his followers\, Jesus said: \n“If you are ready to hear the truth then I have this to say: Love! Love even your enemies. Treat even those who hate you with love. If anyone mouths off at you or treats you like dirt\, wish them all the best and pray for them. If someone gives you a smack around the ear to humiliate you\, stand tall and stick your chin out\, and invite them to have another crack. Absorb the hostility – don’t escalate it. If someone nicks your coat\, just say\, ‘Hey\, if you’re needing that\, you’ll be needing these\,’ and hand over your hat and scarf as well. Give to everyone who asks something of you\, and don’t go hassling people to give back what they’ve got from you. Live generously\, and don’t go keeping score and looking to balance the ledger. \n“If you want to know how to treat someone\, just ask yourself what you’d be hoping for if you were in their shoes. Treat others the way you’d like to be treated\, not just the way you are treated. It’s not as though you’d deserve a medal for loving someone who loves you. Anyone can do that! You won’t find your name in the honours lists for a good turn done to those who are always going out of their way to help you. Any crook can do that! And if you only ever give when it looks like there’ll be something in it for you\, what’s the big deal? Every business shark knows how to make an investment\, but it’s not exactly evidence of a generous spirit. \n“Be different! Love your enemies and do good to them. Lend freely\, and don’t go looking for returns. God will see that it’s worth it for you. You will be God’s very own children. God is generous to those who don’t deserve it\, even if they’re totally ungrateful. God forgives whatever anyone owes. Do likewise: treat people the way God treats people. \n“Don’t go checking on how people measure up\, and God won’t go checking on how you measure up. Don’t be demanding and picky with others\, and God won’t be demanding and picky with you. If you act with tolerance\, you’ll be treated with tolerance. If you act generously\, you’ll be treated generously. Very generously! Life will be absolutely chock full and bursting at the seams with good things for you. If you’ve lived open-handedly\, you’ll find that what goes around comes around.” \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 show love and kindness even to the ungrateful\,\nand you raise us all to new life in glory and strength. \nYou created all that is\,\nshaping the earth with your own hands\nand raising creatures from the dust to fill it.\nWhenever famine or wickedness threatened your people\,\nyou have sent a saviour to preserve their lives. \nYou sent your child\, Jesus\,\nto reveal your nature to us all.\nHe embodied your desire to go on loving\neven in the face of hostility and hatred.\nWhen he was killed by the enemies of life\,\nyou raised him in power\nwith a glorified body which will never die.\nNow he is a life-giving spirit\,\nsaving all who seek refuge in you\,\nand preparing all your faithful children\nfor rebirth into the life of your Kingdom. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We thank you for the love we have seen in Jesus\,\na love that continues even in the face of hostility and hatred.\nRaising Christ from the dead\, you made him a life-giving spirit\,\nthat he might prepare us all for rebirth into the life of your Kingdom. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nfor you show love and kindness even to the ungrateful\,\nand you raise us all to new life in glory and strength. \nYou created all that is\,\nshaping the earth with your own hands\nand raising creatures from the dust to fill it.\nWhenever famine or wickedness threatened your people\,\nyou have sent a saviour to preserve their lives. \nYou sent your child\, Jesus Christ\,\nto reveal your nature to us all.\nHe embodied your desire to go on loving\neven in the face of hostility and hatred.\nWhen he was killed by the enemies of life\,\nyou raised him in power\nwith a glorified body which will never die.\nNow he is a life-giving spirit\,\nsaving all who seek refuge in you\,\nand preparing all your faithful children\nfor rebirth into the life 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©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Declaration of Grace / Absolution			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	The God who is kind even to the ungrateful and wicked\nwill be merciful to all who call for help.\nGod will not judge you or condemn you\,\nbut will pour out forgiveness\nin generous measure. \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 give your life to the Lord.\nTrust in God and do good.\nLove and bless everyone\, even your enemies.\nDo not judge others\, but be merciful and generous to all.\nTreat others and you would have them treat you. \nAnd may God be quick to act on your behalf;\nMay Christ Jesus raise you to new and everlasting life;\nAnd may the Holy Spirit go before you\nto prepare a place for you and provide for you. \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\nHow do we love those who have hurt us badly?A sermon on Luke 6:27-38 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhen Love Gets Off The LeashA sermon on Luke 6:27-38 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nBecoming Children of the Most HighA sermon on Luke 6:27-38 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/cp02/2031-02-23/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/P02.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20310223T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20310223T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T095534
CREATED:20201103T005245Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250319T121646Z
UID:10002189-1929571200-1929657599@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:7th Sunday between Epiphany and Lent - Year C
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Genesis 45: 3-11\, 15			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Joseph said to his brothers\, “I am Joseph\, your brother. Is my father still alive?” \nHis brothers\, though\, were in such a state of shock and panic that they couldn’t even answer him. Joseph called them to gather close around him and\, when they did\, he said: \n“I am your brother\, Joseph: the one you sold to the Egyptian slave traders. But don’t panic! Despite what you did\, it has worked out for the best. Your actions played into God’s hands\, because God was bringing me here so that I could save many lives. The land has been in the grip of drought and famine for two years already\, and it’s only going to get worse. It will be another five years before crops can be sown and harvested again. You and your families would have all perished if God hadn’t brought me here ahead of you\, but now you will be among the survivors. So\, don’t kick yourselves: it was not you\, but God\, who brought me here. Because of what God has done\, even Pharaoh looks up to me now. I run all his business for him\, both in the palace and in the whole land of Egypt.” \nJoseph then told his brothers that he wanted them to get home as quickly as possible and deliver a message to his father. This is what it said: \n“Dear Dad\, I am your son\, Joseph\, and I am alive! God has put me in charge of the whole land of Egypt. Move down here at once. I will set aside land for you in the region of Goshen so that you can live near me. There will be plenty of room for you\, and for your children\, your grandchildren\, all your livestock\, and all your possessions. The drought will last for another five years\, but I will provide for you and all your family and livestock so that you will be protected from starvation.” \nWith tears flowing freely\, Joseph hugged and kissed all his brothers\, and they finally loosened up and were able to talk with him. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 37: 1-11\, 39-40			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Because of you\, LORD\, we don’t stress over corruption;\nwe don’t get jealous when crime seems to pay.\nThose who live off ill-gotten gains will have their day;\nthey’ll wither like cut flowers in a hot north wind. \nWe put our trust in you\, LORD\, and do what’s right.\nYou give us our own land\, and keep us safe and content.\nOur greatest delight comes from knowing you\, LORD\,\nand you delight in giving us what our hearts desire. \nWe have set our minds on following your ways\, LORD;\nour trust is in you\, and we know you’ll back us up.\nIt will be as clear as day that we made the right choice;\nyou’ll make it perfectly obvious that our cause was justified. \nWe wait in your presence\, LORD\,\nin stillness\, quietness\, patience.\nWe don’t waver when others profit from corruption;\nwe don’t regret our choice when others get away with murder. \nTrusting in you\, LORD\, we can let go of vengeful anger.\nWe can relax and not get sucked into taking the law\ninto our own hands.\nWe can trust you to kick out the crooks\, LORD\,\nand to hand the land over to those who staked their lives on you.\nIt’s only a matter of time before you wipe out corruption\,\nand those who lived by it will be nowhere to be seen.\nBut you have promised the land to the salt-of-the-earth types —\nthose who are not always demanding their “rights”\nand elbowing past others —\nyou will see that their lives are rich and full of joy. \nYou\, LORD\, are the one who guarantees the safety\nof those who do what is right;\nWe can always run to you\nwhen all hell breaks loose.\nYou\, LORD\, are always there for us;\nyou save us from those who would harm us;\nyou offer us refuge when we turn to you. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  1 Corinthians 15: 35-38\, 42-50			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Some people want to ask biological questions about how the dead are raised to life: questions like\, “What kind of bodies will they have?” They’re stupid questions really because it’s not about biology. The nearest biological comparison would be the way seeds grow. A seed doesn’t come to life until it is buried in the ground\, and then when it does it is no longer anything like the original seed. You could never guess what a banksia tree\, or any other plant\, would look like just from looking at a single seed. God creates all the different kinds of plants\, and the design of each one is already set within the seed\, but you’d never know it by looking at it. In the same way the physical attributes of a human corpse don’t tell us anything about the body that will be raised from the dead. \nWhen a person dies\, we bury the body like a seed\, and God raises something quite new and different from that seed. The bodies we have now\, before we are buried\, wear out and die. The bodies we will have when God raises us\, will last forever. The body we bury is something many people can’t even bear to look at\, but the body raised will be a thing of glorious beauty. The body buried is limp and lifeless\, but the body raised will be strong and vibrant. The questions about biology end with the body that is buried\, because while it is a physical body\, the body that will be raised is a spiritual body. Physical bodies and spiritual bodies are equally real\, but they are not the same thing. \nAccording to the scriptures\, the first human being\, Adam\, was given life in his body. The ultimate Adam\, Jesus Christ\, is a spirit who gives life to the body. No one starts off spiritual and then gets a physical body: the physical comes first and then the spiritual. Human beings were first made from the earth as physical creatures\, but the new model\, which we have seen in Jesus Christ\, is from heaven. Those who are born on earth have the same kind of bodies as the first human being. Those who are born into heaven have the same kind of bodies as the ultimate human being. Just as we have been indistinguishable from the one born of earth\, so too we will be the spitting image of the one born of heaven. \nSo to cut to the chase\, brothers and sisters; when we inherit the realm of God we won’t be taking our present flesh and blood in with us. Perishable bodies cannot receive life without limit — God will raise us with new bodies for that life. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Luke 6: 27-38			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	While teaching his followers\, Jesus said: \n“If you are ready to hear the truth then I have this to say: Love! Love even your enemies. Treat even those who hate you with love. If anyone mouths off at you or treats you like dirt\, wish them all the best and pray for them. If someone gives you a smack around the ear to humiliate you\, stand tall and stick your chin out\, and invite them to have another crack. Absorb the hostility – don’t escalate it. If someone nicks your coat\, just say\, ‘Hey\, if you’re needing that\, you’ll be needing these\,’ and hand over your hat and scarf as well. Give to everyone who asks something of you\, and don’t go hassling people to give back what they’ve got from you. Live generously\, and don’t go keeping score and looking to balance the ledger. \n“If you want to know how to treat someone\, just ask yourself what you’d be hoping for if you were in their shoes. Treat others the way you’d like to be treated\, not just the way you are treated. It’s not as though you’d deserve a medal for loving someone who loves you. Anyone can do that! You won’t find your name in the honours lists for a good turn done to those who are always going out of their way to help you. Any crook can do that! And if you only ever give when it looks like there’ll be something in it for you\, what’s the big deal? Every business shark knows how to make an investment\, but it’s not exactly evidence of a generous spirit. \n“Be different! Love your enemies and do good to them. Lend freely\, and don’t go looking for returns. God will see that it’s worth it for you. You will be God’s very own children. God is generous to those who don’t deserve it\, even if they’re totally ungrateful. God forgives whatever anyone owes. Do likewise: treat people the way God treats people. \n“Don’t go checking on how people measure up\, and God won’t go checking on how you measure up. Don’t be demanding and picky with others\, and God won’t be demanding and picky with you. If you act with tolerance\, you’ll be treated with tolerance. If you act generously\, you’ll be treated generously. Very generously! Life will be absolutely chock full and bursting at the seams with good things for you. If you’ve lived open-handedly\, you’ll find that what goes around comes around.” \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 show love and kindness even to the ungrateful\,\nand you raise us all to new life in glory and strength. \nYou created all that is\,\nshaping the earth with your own hands\nand raising creatures from the dust to fill it.\nWhenever famine or wickedness threatened your people\,\nyou have sent a saviour to preserve their lives. \nYou sent your child\, Jesus\,\nto reveal your nature to us all.\nHe embodied your desire to go on loving\neven in the face of hostility and hatred.\nWhen he was killed by the enemies of life\,\nyou raised him in power\nwith a glorified body which will never die.\nNow he is a life-giving spirit\,\nsaving all who seek refuge in you\,\nand preparing all your faithful children\nfor rebirth into the life of your Kingdom. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We thank you for the love we have seen in Jesus\,\na love that continues even in the face of hostility and hatred.\nRaising Christ from the dead\, you made him a life-giving spirit\,\nthat he might prepare us all for rebirth into the life of your Kingdom. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nfor you show love and kindness even to the ungrateful\,\nand you raise us all to new life in glory and strength. \nYou created all that is\,\nshaping the earth with your own hands\nand raising creatures from the dust to fill it.\nWhenever famine or wickedness threatened your people\,\nyou have sent a saviour to preserve their lives. \nYou sent your child\, Jesus Christ\,\nto reveal your nature to us all.\nHe embodied your desire to go on loving\neven in the face of hostility and hatred.\nWhen he was killed by the enemies of life\,\nyou raised him in power\nwith a glorified body which will never die.\nNow he is a life-giving spirit\,\nsaving all who seek refuge in you\,\nand preparing all your faithful children\nfor rebirth into the life 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©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Declaration of Grace / Absolution			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	The God who is kind even to the ungrateful and wicked\nwill be merciful to all who call for help.\nGod will not judge you or condemn you\,\nbut will pour out forgiveness\nin generous measure. \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 give your life to the Lord.\nTrust in God and do good.\nLove and bless everyone\, even your enemies.\nDo not judge others\, but be merciful and generous to all.\nTreat others and you would have them treat you. \nAnd may God be quick to act on your behalf;\nMay Christ Jesus raise you to new and everlasting life;\nAnd may the Holy Spirit go before you\nto prepare a place for you and provide for you. \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\nHow do we love those who have hurt us badly?A sermon on Luke 6:27-38 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhen Love Gets Off The LeashA sermon on Luke 6:27-38 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nBecoming Children of the Most HighA sermon on Luke 6:27-38 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/cp02/2031-02-23/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20310223T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20310223T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T095534
CREATED:20250301T123358Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250323T045851Z
UID:10002191-1929571200-1929657599@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:Transfiguration Sunday (Last Sunday before Lent) - Year C
DESCRIPTION:Churches that do not observe the last Sunday before Lent as Transfiguration Sunday may prefer to use the resources for the 8th Sunday between Epiphany and Lent. \n\n\n\nBelow you will find the Bible readings set for Transfiguration Sunday 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				  Exodus 34: 29-35			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Moses came down from Mount Sinai carrying the two slabs of stone on which he had written the terms of the Alliance with God. Although he didn’t know it\, his face was lit up like a lantern because God had been speaking to him directly. When Aaron and all the Israelite people saw how his face was aglow\, they were too scared to even go near him. However\, Moses called together Aaron and the leaders of the people and spoke with them. After that\, he called together an assembly of all the Israelite people\, and spelled out for them the laws that came from what the LORD had told him on Mount Sinai. Once Moses had finished addressing the people\, he hid his face with a scarf. Whenever he entered the sacred place to speak with the LORD\, he would take off the scarf. When he came out again and told the Israelites whatever God had told him to tell them\, they could see that his face was aglow. Moses would then put the scarf back over his face and wear it until the next time he went in to speak with the LORD. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 99			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	You\, LORD\, rule over everything!\nEnthroned in glory\, surrounded by awesome creatures\,\nyour presence sends shivers down our spines\nand makes even the earth tremble and quake! \nLORD\, your greatness is celebrated in Zion\,\nand in every nation you are number one.\nAt the mere mention of your name\,\npeople everywhere burst into praise\,\nfor your greatness and holiness are awesome! \nRuling in strength; loving justice with a passion;\nyou have seen to it that everyone gets a fair go.\nYou have laid down the law\nso that your people will do what is right. \nWe fall at your feet and sing your praises\, O LORD our God\,\nfor your greatness and holiness are awesome! \nMoses and Aaron served you as priests\,\nSamuel was another who reached out to you.\nThey cried out to you on the world’s behalf\,\nand from the awesome cloud you answered them. \nThey stuck to what you had told them\, LORD\,\nand did whatever you asked of them.\nWhen they did wrong you set them straight\,\nin no uncertain terms;\nbut you forgave them\, LORD\,\nand never failed to answer them. \nWe sing your praises\, O LORD our God.\nWe climb your holy mountain to worship you\,\nfor your greatness and holiness are awesome! \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  2 Corinthians 3:12 - 4:2			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	The hope we have in the new life-giving ways of the Spirit fills us with confidence to live our faith openly — more openly even than Moses. His face was aglow with the glory of God after he received the written law\, but he put a scarf over his face so that the people wouldn’t see how quickly it faded. The people back then were as thick-headed as the people of our own day — they could hear the words of God’s law read out\, but it never seemed to penetrate their hearts and minds. It’s as though the scarf has stayed in place ever since to prevent anyone from catching sight of the glory revealed by the words. Only Christ can uncover what is hidden. It’s the same for anyone who reads the scriptures without opening themselves to the Lord for insight: it is as though the wool has been pulled over their eyes and nothing gets through but the bare words. It all changes when we turn to the Lord\, though\, because the Lord is a real eye-opener. The Lord and the Spirit are one and the same\, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is\, there is the freedom to see clearly. The wool is pulled away from our eyes and we come face to face with the glory of God. This experience is truly transfiguring! We are set ablaze by the Spirit — lit up like the Lord — so that more and more we become like mirrors reflecting the glory of God. \nWe have nothing to hide then\, and no reason to lose our nerve\, for God has been incredibly generous in trusting us with a share of this work. We have sworn off any methods that we’d be ashamed to have brought to light. We don’t hide behind masks; we don’t do anything shifty or manipulative; and we don’t twist God’s word to promote our own agendas. Instead\, we simply lay all our cards on the table and let our integrity speak for itself. By stating it plainly and living it openly in the sight of God\, we give everyone the opportunity to make up their own minds about the truth. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Luke 9: 28-36 (37-43)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Jesus had spoken to his followers for the first time about his impending death in Jerusalem and the fact that following him meant putting their lives on the line. About a week later\, he took Peter\, John and James and went up to the top of a mountain to pray. As he was praying\, a visible change came over his face and his clothing became so white it was dazzling. Suddenly two more men could be seen in deep conversation with Jesus. They were Moses and Elijah\, and the glory of heaven could be seen in them. They spoke with Jesus about how he was about to escape to freedom through the waters of death in Jerusalem. \nPeter and his mates nearly missed all this because\, although they had come to pray too\, they were falling asleep. However\, they roused themselves in time to see Jesus in all his glory standing with the two men. As the two were finishing up with Jesus\, Peter – shooting his mouth off without thinking – said\, “Boss\, this is fantastic! What a moment! How about we knock up three huts\, so that you\, Moses and Elijah can all stay here longer.” \nEven before he finished getting the words out\, an awesome cloud engulfed them all and they were quaking in their boots. Deep within the cloud\, a voice boomed forth: “This is my Son\, my Chosen One. Listen to him!” \nWhen the voice finished\, everything suddenly looked normal again\, and Peter\, James and John saw no one there but Jesus. They were dumbfounded by what they had seen and in the coming days they didn’t breathe a word about it to anyone. \nThe next day\, as they came back down the mountain\, they ran into a large crowd who had gathered to meet them. The minute they arrived\, one of the men in the crowd shouted out to Jesus\, saying\, “Teacher\, please\, I beg you. Take a look at my son\, my one and only child. He gets these sudden fits all the time. Some horrible spirit seizes him and throws him screaming to the ground. It makes him foam at the mouth and thrash around until he’s black and blue. I pleaded with your followers to deal with it\, but nothing they could do made any difference.” \nJesus shook his head and said\, “Sometimes they are as godless and twisted as the rest of their generation. I don’t know why I put up with any of them. Bring your son here.” \nEven as they brought him over\, another demonic fit seized the boy\, crashing him to the ground\, convulsing wildly. This time\, though\, Jesus took charge and bawled out the toxic spirit. He healed the boy and returned him to the care of his father. Everyone was completely bowled over by this sign of God’s power and generosity. \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 remove the veil from our minds\nand transfigure us in the wondrous light of your glory. \nAt creation your word lit up the sun and stars\nand dispelled the chaos to form the earth.\nYou revealed your glory to your servant\, Moses\,\nand\, from the cloud\, made a covenant with your people. \nIn the timeless presence of Moses and Elijah\nyou transfigured your Son\, Jesus\,\nallowing his terrified followers to witness his glory\nand hear your voice from the awesome cloud.\nHe was killed by those whose minds were hardened\,\nbut\, by your mercy\, his exodus through the waters of death\nled to resurrection life and freedom.\nNow\, you have called us to listen to him\nand through your Holy Spirit\,\nyou are transforming us into his image\nand clothing us with honour and majesty. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We give you thanks for your transfiguring love\nwhich shone from your servant Moses\,\nwas seen by terrified disciples in your Son\, Jesus Christ\,\nand is now removing the veil from our minds\nand clothing us with his honour and glory. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nfor you remove the veil from our minds\nand transfigure us in the wondrous light of your glory. \nAt creation your word lit up the sun and stars\nand dispelled the chaos to form the earth.\nYou revealed your glory to your servant\, Moses\,\nand\, from the cloud\, made a covenant with your people. \nIn the timeless presence of Moses and Elijah\nyou transfigured your Son\, Jesus\,\nallowing his terrified followers to witness his glory\nand hear your voice from the awesome cloud.\nHe was killed by those whose minds were hardened\,\nbut\, by your mercy\, his exodus through the waters of death\nled to resurrection life and freedom.\nNow\, you have called us to listen to him\nand through your Holy Spirit\,\nyou are transforming us into his image\nand clothing us with honour and majesty. \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	We have renounced the shameful things that were kept hidden.\nIt is God’s freedom to punish\, but God’s delight to forgive sin.\nSo do not lose heart\, the Spirit of the Lord is here\,\nand where the Spirit is\, there is freedom and mercy. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Commission & Benediction			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Go now and live your faith boldly\nas an open statement of God’s truth.\nKeep nothing hidden\,\nand refuse anything deceitful or manipulative.\nBy God’s mercy\, engage in the ministry\nto which you have been called\,\nand let the light of God’s word shine brightly in you. \nAnd may God strengthen you and keep you safe;\nMay Christ Jesus unveil your minds;\nAnd may the Holy Spirit transform you from glory to glory. \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\nThe Pilgrimage of Prayer – Luke’s Transfiguration StoryA sermon on Luke 9.28-36 & 2 Corinthians 3.12–4.2 by Garry Deverell\n\n\n\nGlorious PotentialA sermon on Luke 9.28-36 & 2 Corinthians 3.12–4.2 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWeighty MattersA sermon on Luke 9.28-36 & 2 Corinthians 3.12–4.2 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nGlimpses of RealityA sermon on Luke 9.28-36 & 2 Corinthians 3.12–4.2 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhat do we do with Shiny Shiny Jesus?A sermon on Luke 9.28-36 by Katecia Taylor
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/c16/2031-02-23/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20310226T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20310226T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T095534
CREATED:20250301T130714Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260322T012007Z
UID:10003009-1929830400-1929916799@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:Ash Wednesday
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				  Joel 2: 1-2\, 12-17			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Ring the alarm bells on the holy mountain.\nSound the sirens for the whole city to hear!\nPut the fear of God into everybody\,\nfor the day when the LORD will step in is near –\na dark and menacing day\,\na day of fierce heat and dark choking clouds! \nLike a raging bushfire sweeping down the mountain\,\na terrifying army comes.\nWave upon wave\,\nit leaves nothing but scorched earth in its path.\nIt is more terrifying than anything ever seen before\,\nor anything ever likely to be seen again. \nBut even now\, at the eleventh hour\,\nthe LORD calls to us saying: \n“It is not too late!\nGet back on track with me.\nShow me you mean it with your whole hearts.\nGo off your food and get on your knees.\nWeep and mourn from the depths of your hearts\,\nand don’t try to con me\nwith crocodile tears and cheap black arm bands. \n“Come back to me\, the LORD your God\,\nfor I am compassionate and generous\,\nas eager to forgive as any mother.\nMy love and loyalty always hold back my anger.\nGiven half a reason I’ll withhold sentence\nand give everybody a second chance. \n“What have you got to lose by trying?\nPerhaps you can convince me to change my mind.\nPerhaps I’ll even send good times instead of disaster\nand you’ll be eating and drinking in my honour. \n“Ring the alarm bells on my holy mountain.\nDeclare a day of national repentance.\nRally the people\, every one of them.\nGet them together to pray and fast.\nMake sure everyone has prepared themselves properly\,\nand make sure no one is missing.\nBring the aged and infirm\,\nthe toddlers and the newborn.\nCall back the newlyweds from honeymoons\nand cancel all leave. \n“In the heart of the place of worship\nlet those who lead you in prayer do so with tears.\nLet them cry out to me\, the LORD your God\,\nand beg me to have mercy on you.\nLet them plead with me not to make you a laughingstock\,\na classic example of a failed nation. \n“For why should the rest of the world scoff\nand conclude that your downfall is my failure?” \n©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Isaiah 58: 1-12 (alternative 1st reading)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	God has told me to shout until you people hear;\nto hammer home the message until it gets through.\nYou are God’s people\, but God feels betrayed by you.\nListen to what God has to say about your sins: \n“Day after day\, you look good:\nyou turn up to worship and pay attention to my teachings.\nYou act like a people who want to do what is right;\nlike a people who want to obey to the letter.\nYou ask me for directions before you do anything\,\nand you seem enthusiastic about getting closer to me. \n“Do you want to know why your religious behaviour turns me off?\nDo you want to know why I ignore your fasting and bowing?\nI’ll tell you why. You put on a great performance of it all\,\nbut then you go straight back to feathering your own nest\nand ripping off your workers in the process. \n“When you fast\, it just makes you irritable and violent;\nand when you behave like that\, I’ll just hang up on you. \n“Do you really think this is what I like to see:\na day of pious misery?\nblack clothes\, long faces and crocodile tears?\ngiving up chocolate and ice-cream?\nDo you think that’s worship?\nDo you think that pleases me?\nGive me a break! \n“Do you want to know what I’d really like to see?\nDismantle the structures of injustice;\ntake your feet off the throats of the poor;\nstop jailing the victims of unfair laws;\nand quit plundering nature’s resources. \n“Do you want to know what else I’d like to see?\nOpen your tables to the hungry;\nopen your hearts and your homes to the refugees;\nopen your wardrobes to those without clothes;\nand don’t go hiding every time you see someone in need. \n“Do that\, and I’ll put your name up in lights!\nDo that and our relationship will be healed in an instant!\nI’ll put you under my personal protection;\nanyone who attacks you will have to deal with me\, the LORD!\nI’ll be on hand to respond whenever you need me;\njust say the word\, and I’ll be there for you. \n“If you abandon all forms of exploitation\,\nand avoid bad-mouthing others to gain an edge;\nif you share what you have with those in need\,\nand respond to the real needs of suffering communities;\nthen you’ll find that the world will light up for you\nand life will be one beautiful day after another. \n“I\, the LORD\, will always be there to guide you;\neven in the grip of drought\,\nI’ll keep you healthy and well fed.\nYou’ll be like an irrigated vineyard with its own deep bore\,\ngreen and lush and full of life! \n“Your ruined houses will be renovated and new;\nyou’ll be able to restore the homes\nthat have been in your families for generations.\nYou’ll get a reputation for making dreams possible\,\nfor enabling everyone to find a good place to live. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net\n \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 51: 1-17			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	O God\, your love never gives up.\nHave mercy on me now!  \nI’m relying on your record of generous mercy:\nplease wipe my slate clean! \nScrub away the filth I’ve been living in;\nScour away the stain of my sin. \nI know only too well what I’ve done;\nmy sins stare me in the face. \nIt is you I’ve double-crossed\, you I’ve betrayed;\nI’ve done things which I knew you despised. \nYou have all the facts and you know what I deserve;\nwhat ever you decide is fair enough.\nI’ve been on the wrong side of you forever.\nI turned my back on you before I was born. \nYou want honesty that comes from deep within\,\nso teach me your wisdom\,\nlet it take root in my heart. \nGet the bleach out and give me the treatment!\nSoak me and wash me\nuntil I’m as white as snow.  \nOpen my ears to laughter and music.\nThough you ground me into the dirt\,\nlet me now rise to the sounds of joy. \nTurn a blind eye to my record;\ndisregard my prior convictions. \nRenovate me from the inside\, O God;\nrebuild my heart and rewire my brain;\ninstall in me a new fault-free operating system. \nDon’t cut me off from you now\,\nor withdraw your Holy Spirit from me. \nRekindle in me the joy of being safe in your care\,\nand fill me with an insatiable desire to follow you. \nThen I’ll show others how to get back on track;\nthey’ll quit their corrupt ways and come back to you. \nGet me out of this mess before I get blood on my hands\, God.\nOnly you can get me out alive\,\nand I’ll tell everyone that you did. \nLord\, as soon as you’ve got me out\nand it’s safe to open my mouth\,\nI’ll be singing your praises with all my might. \nI know I can’t fool you with hollow religion\, God.\nI could perform all the rituals perfectly\, by the book\,\nbut it wouldn’t mean a cracker to you. \nWhat you want to see is a genuine heart-felt apology\nand a commitment to a total life-change.\nYou will never turn away anyone who comes to you heartbroken\nand promising to turn over a new leaf. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  2 Corinthians 5:20b - 6:10			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	On Christ’s behalf we beg you to accept the generous peace deal that God is offering. The way of reconciliation is on the table before you: you’d be mad to turn your backs on it! Even though Christ had never been sucked into sin like us\, God lumped him in with us\, so as to make it possible to lump us in with him. United with him\, we can become examples of all that God considers to be right and true.\nWe are working together\, shoulder to shoulder with God\, and we urge you not to take God’s extravagant generosity for granted.\nIn the scriptures God says\, \n“At exactly the right moment\,\nI heard your call.\nThe day you needed help\,\nI was there to bail you out.” \nWell\, this is it — the exact right moment. This is the day to throw off the shackles and walk free! It won’t be our fault if you don’t take this chance — we’re doing everything in our power not to get in anyone’s way. There’s no point in nit-picking over the details of our work. We have endeavoured to be faithful servants of God and we’re confident that we’ve got the runs on the board. It’s not as though we’ve had it easy either. We have hung in there through hard times\, tough times and horrendous disasters. We’ve been bashed\, lynched and locked up. We’ve worked ourselves into the ground when things needed to be done\, sometimes even going without sleep and food. And through all this we have maintained our integrity — our intentions have been pure and our heads have been clear. We have managed to hold on to our patience\, generosity\, and holiness of spirit. Our love has been genuine\, our speech truthful\, and God has continued to work powerfully through us. We have armed ourselves with nothing but an iron commitment to doing what’s right\, and we’ve grasped the work of justice with both hands. Sometimes we’ve been honoured and sometimes slandered. We have been true to our word and yet denounced as charlatans. We’ve been treated as nobodies even though everyone knows who we are. We’ve been written of as dead\, but here we are\, brimming with life. We’ve been flogged to within an inch of our lives but never quite killed. We’ve almost drowned in tears and yet we are still bubbling with joy. They say we are poor\, and yet many are enriched by us. They say we have nothing to offer\, and yet everything is ours to share. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Matthew 6: 1-6\, 16-21			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	While Jesus was teaching his followers on the mountain\, he said: \n“It is good to put the disciplines of godly living into practice\, but be on your guard against the temptation to start doing it for show. The God who conceived you knows what’s going on\, and if the good things you do are done only to impress people\, you’ll get no credit for them in heaven. \n“Don’t go blowing your own trumpet every time you do something charitable. If you give money for the relief of poverty\, don’t go asking for public acknowledgement. The world is full of sponsorship schemes and naming rights deals\, but it is all hypocrisy. It’s got more to do with image management than with concern for the poor. Of course it works as a business strategy\, but I can assure you that there will be no rewards beyond that. God brought you to birth and understands everything you do\, even what you do in secret. So if you want credit from God for giving money to charity\, give it anonymously. Go out of your way to keep it quiet – don’t let your right hand know what your left hand is doing. It is that sort of unpretentious generosity that God will reward. \n“The same principle holds true when it comes to the inward disciplines such as prayer and fasting. When you pray\, don’t turn it into a exhibition. In the media and even in worship services you’ll see people leading so-called ‘prayers’ that look and sound more like campaign speeches\, carefully crafted for public consumption. It’s nothing more than hot air; sheer hypocrisy! No doubt they’ll succeed in impressing lots of people\, but I can assure you: that’s the only reward they’ll ever get. Take my advice: do your praying behind closed doors so that you won’t be tempted to start grandstanding. Find a place where you can take off your masks and just open yourselves to God in quietness. By getting yourself out of the spotlight\, you’ll have a chance of becoming aware of God’s presence – a reward in itself! \n“When you are fasting\, don’t go drawing attention to the fact. Some hypocrites make a big display of sitting at the table with long faces while everyone else eats. They might gain a reputation for being very religious and self-controlled\, but they won’t get anything else out of it. It’s a waste of time training yourself to control one appetite while simultaneously indulging your appetite for adulation. Instead\, when you are fasting\, maintain your usual outward appearance and demeanour as best you can\, so that no one will twig. God always has a loving eye on you and will see to it that your secret fasting reaps rich benefits. \n“Don’t go piling up investments here on earth\, where they can be wiped out in an instant by fire or flood\, or a market crash. There is only one investment strategy that can never fail or be eroded. Invest everything you are and everything you have in the ways of heaven. It is a simple fact that whatever you invest yourself in will monopolise your concerns and therefore shape the person you will become.” \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n	\n\n\n\nPrayers\n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Great Prayer 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. \nAll glory and honour are yours\neverywhere and always\, O God\,\nfor in your kindness and mercy\,\nyour patience and faithfulness\,\nyou are always ready to forgive and not punish. \nWe give you thanks and praise for your Son\,\nour saviour and brother\, Jesus Christ\,\nby whose example and strength\nwe resist all evil\,\nand turn our backs on its lures\nof comfort and honour\, of power and success\,\nseeking instead to store up treasure in heaven\,\nknowing that though we may seem to have nothing\,\nin purity\, knowledge\, patience and kindness\,\nwe really possess everything. \nTherefore with ..... \n©1999 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We thank you for the example our saviour and brother\, Jesus Christ\,\nby whose strength we resist all evil\,\nseeking instead to store up treasure in heaven\,\nknowing that though we may seem to have nothing\,\nin purity\, knowledge\, patience and kindness\,\nwe really possess everything. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted)\n\nWe give you thanks and praise\, O God\,\nfor in your kindness and mercy\,\nyour patience and faithfulness\,\nyou are always ready to forgive and not punish. \nWe thank you for your Son\,\nour saviour and brother\, Jesus Christ\,\nby whose example and strength\nwe resist all evil\,\nand turn our backs on its lures\nof comfort and honour\, of power and success\,\nseeking instead to store up treasure in heaven\,\nknowing that though we may seem to have nothing\,\nin purity\, knowledge\, patience and kindness\,\nwe really possess everything. \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	The Lord your God is kind and full of mercy\,\nalways ready to forgive and not punish.\nChrist\, by uniting with us and sharing in our sin\,\nhas enabled us to share in the righteousness of God. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2003 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\nDoing the right thing: a modest entry to the kingdomA sermon on Matthew 6:1-6 by Paul Sheppy\n\n\n\nRiches in Heaven and Light in the BodyA sermon on Matthew 6: 19-23 by Peter Mugabi
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/abc17/2031-02-26/
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DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20310302T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20310302T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T095534
CREATED:20201104T033638Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250406T050120Z
UID:10002194-1930176000-1930262399@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:1st Sunday in Lent - Year C
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Deuteronomy 26: 1-11			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	The LORD your God is giving you the land\, and soon you will take ownership of it\, settle down there\, and plant your crops. When you begin harvesting each crop\, you are to take a basketful of the first pickings and take it to the place chosen by the LORD as the place of worship. You are to present yourself to whoever is the priest at the time\, saying\, “I am here to give thanks to the LORD our God\, for I have put down roots in the land that the LORD promised to our ancestors.” \nThen the priest will accept the basket of produce from you and place it in front of the sacred altar of the LORD. As he does\, you are to pray to the LORD in the words of the prayer which tells the story of your people: \n“I am descended from a refugee\,\nan Aramean who settled in Egypt.\nHis family was small when we arrived\,\nbut we expanded quickly in numbers and power.\nWe were forced into slavery to keep us in check;\nthe labour was hard and the treatment was harsh.\nWe cried out to you\, LORD\, God of our ancestors\,\nand you heard our prayers;\nyou saw how we were oppressed\,\nand felt the weight of our suffering.\nYou rescued us from the land of slavery\, LORD.\nYou broke us free and got us out\nwith miraculous signs and a terrifying display of strength.\nYou brought us here to this wonderful land\,\na land of peaches and cream.\nSo now\, LORD\, I am here to say thank you;\nI give you the first of my crops\,\nthe pick of all you have given me.” \nAfter your basket has been placed in front of the altar\, and you have prayed this prayer\, you are to bow down and worship the LORD your God. Then\, with your whole community\, throw a big party to celebrate and enjoy the good harvest which the LORD God has given you. Don’t forget to send an open invitation to share in the celebration to the attendants from the place of worship and to any refugees who have settled in the neighbourhood. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 91: 1-2\, 9-16			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Your greatness and strength are our shelter\, LORD;\nwe can live secure in your shade.\nWe call you our refuge\, our place of safety;\nyou are the God in whom we trust. \nWe have nothing to fear because we have found safety in you;\nwe have settled down within your care.\nThanks to you\, LORD of the universe\, no evil can touch us;\ndisaster can not get a foot in the door. \nYou have instructed your angels to look after us;\nmade it their job to protect us wherever we go.\nYou’ve told them to catch us when we fall;\nto keep us from coming to grief on hidden snags. \nWith your help we can face any danger;\nwe can stare down crocodiles and Tiger snakes. \nThose who know you and love you can depend on you\,\nyou are always there to pull them out of trouble. \nThe moment they call\, you answer;\nyou’re on their side when all hell breaks loose;\nyou save their lives and throw a party in their honour. \nYou give them long and fulfilling lives\, LORD;\nthey will see the realisation of all you have promised. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Romans 10: 8b-13			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	“The Word that saves is with you;\nit is on the tip of your tongue;\nit is beating in your heart.” \nThis is the message we’ve been preaching and it’s all about trust. If you put that trust into words\, declaring that Jesus is the one you answer to; and embrace that trust in your heart\, believing that Jesus lives because God raised him from the dead\, then you will be put back on the right track with God. That’s what salvation is! When anyone allows that trust in God to rewrite the basic beliefs they live by\, their heart is put right with God; and when those rewritten beliefs are expressed openly in what they say and do\, then you know they are safely in God’s care. The scriptures back this up\, saying\, “No one who trusts God will ever be let down.” Your ethnic or religious background makes no difference in this: there is only one God\, and that one God has the last word on everyone. God is equally generous to all those who call out in trust for help. As the saying goes\, “Anyone who wants help from God only has to ask.” \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Luke 4: 1-13			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	When Jesus left the Jordan River\, the Holy Spirit was pulsing through him and active in everything he did. At the prompting of the Spirit\, Jesus went bush by himself in a remote area. He spent forty days out there without eating at all\, and by the end of that time he was weak from hunger. During the forty days\, the devil tried every trick in the book to throw him off-track. Playing on his hunger\, the devil said\, “If you are really the Son of God\, prove it! Say the word and turn this rock into a loaf of bread.” \nJesus answered him\, “As the scriptures say\, ‘It takes a lot more than bread to make life worth living.’” \nAfter that\, the devil took Jesus up to a lookout with a panoramic view of every nation and state in the whole world. The devil said to him\, “I can make the world your oyster. I can give you the power to accomplish everything you want\, everywhere on earth. I’ve been given power over the whole lot\, and I can delegate it to whoever I like. All you have to do is worship me – just acknowledge me as number one – and it’s all yours.” \nBut Jesus was not taken in. He said\, “The scriptures leave no doubt about who we are to call number one: ‘Worship the Lord your God and no other. Give your whole-hearted service to the Lord your God and no other.’” \nWith that the devil decided to try quoting scripture too. Taking Jesus to Jerusalem and standing him on top of the Temple’s highest tower\, the devil said\, “If you are really the Son of God\, prove it to everyone. Throw yourself off the top of this tower so that God can fulfil the scriptures that say: \n‘God will instruct the angels to protect you from danger.’\n‘They will catch you as you fall\nand you won’t so much as stub your toe\non the rocks below.’” \nBut Jesus couldn’t be budged. He replied\, “The scriptures also say\, ‘Don’t go trying to test out the Lord your God.’” \nAfter trying everything to get through Jesus’s defences\, the devil backed off and laid low\, waiting for a weak moment to have another go. \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 put your saving word on our lips and in our hearts\nand strengthen us to endure in times of trial. \nYou created the world in all its glory\nand called forth crops from the ground.\nWhen your people were oppressed and enslaved\,\nyou reached out your hand to save them\,\nand gave them a land flowing with milk and honey. \nYou sent your son\, Jesus Christ\,\nas the first fruits of a harvest of righteousness.\nHe stood firm against the devil’s temptations\,\ntrusting instead in your saving word\,\nand offering his worship and service to you alone.\nWhen the forces of evil cast him into the grave\,\nyou raised him from the dead\nand made him Lord of all.\nNow you save all who trust him\,\nand confess him as Lord in word and deed. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We thank you\, O God\, for your son\, Jesus Christ\,\nwho strengthens us to stand firm against the devil’s temptations\,\ntrusting instead in your ever-present saving word\,\nand offering our worship and service to you alone. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nfor you put your saving word on our lips and in our hearts\nand strengthen us to endure in times of trial. \nYou created the world in all its glory\nand called forth crops from the ground.\nWhen your people were oppressed and enslaved\,\nyou reached out your hand to save them\,\nand gave them a land flowing with milk and honey. \nYou sent your son\, Jesus Christ\,\nas the first fruits of a harvest of righteousness.\nHe stood firm against the devil’s temptations\,\ntrusting instead in your saving word\,\nand offering his worship and service to you alone.\nWhen the forces of evil cast him into the grave\,\nyou raised him from the dead\nand made him Lord of all.\nNow you save all who trust him\,\nand confess him as Lord in word and deed. \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	No one who believes in Christ will be put to shame.\nTrust in the power of God that raised Christ from the dead\,\nand you will be set right with God;\nconfess Jesus Christ as Lord\,\nand you will be saved. \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\, confessing Christ as Lord\, in word and deed.\nWorship and serve the Lord your God and no other.\nStand firm in the time of trial;\ntell the story of God’s goodness\,\nand trust in the Lord whose saving word is always with you. \nAnd may God instruct angels to guard you wherever you go;\nMay Christ Jesus be your refuge and stronghold;\nAnd may the Holy Spirit lead you\nand put God’s Word on your lips and in your hearts. \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\nWhat Does Discipleship Cost?A sermon on Luke 4: 1-13 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nDoes the Devil make us do it?A sermon on Luke 4: 1-13 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nThe Word is NearA sermon on Romans 10:8-13; Luke 4: 1-13 & Deuteronomy 26: 1-11 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nIf Only . .A sermon on Luke 4: 1-13 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nThe Systematised Salvation TemptationA sermon on Romans 10:8b-13 & Luke 4:1-13 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nConfronting post-modern devilsA sermon on Luke 4: 1-13 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nThe Baptismal DecisionA sermon on Luke 4:1-13 & Psalm 91:1-2\,9-16 by Sylvia Sandeman
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/c18/2031-03-02/
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DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20310309T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20310309T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T095534
CREATED:20201104T043833Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250514T000530Z
UID:10002753-1930780800-1930867199@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:2nd Sunday in Lent - Year C
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Genesis 15: 1-12\, 17-18			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	The LORD spoke to Abram in a vision\, saying\, “Abram\, don’t you worry about a thing. I am your armour-plated protection and you will be greatly rewarded for your loyalty to me.” \nBut Abram said\, “Thank you\, Lord GOD\, but the only thing I really want is the one thing you’ve never given me: children. I have longed for children of my own but you have not given me any. When I die\, there will be no one to carry on my family name\, and since the only person born in my house is Eliezer\, my Turkish servant; he will inherit everything I own. \nBut the LORD spoke to Abram again\, saying\, “Eliezer will not be your heir. You will be able to pass on your property to a child of your own.” \nThe LORD took Abram outside and said\, “Look at the night sky\, Abram. See if you can count how many stars there are. You can’t\, can you? Well\, your descendants will be as uncountable as the stars in the night sky.” \nAbram took the LORD’s word on trust\, and for that the LORD regarded him as a good man. \nThe LORD spoke to Abram further\, saying\, “It was me who brought you safely here when you emigrated from the Chaldean land of Ur. It was me who gave you this land.” \nBut Abram said\, “Lord GOD\, how can I know for sure that this land is mine to keep?” \nThe LORD replied\, “Okay\, I’ll go through the ritual of a binding promise. On pain of death\, you will have my word. You go and set up what is customary for the ceremony.” \nSo the next morning\, Abram slaughtered three animals: a heifer\, a ram\, and a female goat — each three years old. He cut them in half and laid the halves opposite each other in two lines. He also killed a turtledove and a pigeon and laid one in each line. For the rest of the day\, while he waited for the ceremony to commence\, he was kept busy protecting the carcasses from the birds of prey. \nWhen the sun went down\, Abram was surrounded by a dense and awesome darkness\, and he fell into a deep sleep. When the last glow was gone from the sky and everything was pitch black\, the presence of the LORD appeared as a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch\, and passed between the pieces of animal carcass. That completed the ritual\, and in that way\, the LORD made a binding promise to Abram\, saying\, “You have my word that I will give this land to your descendants\, all the way from the Egyptian border to the great Euphrates river.” \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 27			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Your light leads me to safety\, LORD;\nI’ve got nothing to fear.\nYou shelter me like a fortress\, LORD;\nI’m afraid of no one! \nVicious thugs can close in like sharks\,\nready to eat me alive;\nbut savage violence is no match for you;\nthey’ll fall flat on their faces. \nThey could give my name to a death squad\nand I’d still be at peace;\ntheir armies could lay siege to my house\,\nbut I’d still feel safe with you. \nOnly one thing I ask of you\, LORD\,\nthe one thing that really matters:\nlet me live out the whole of my life\nright here in your presence;\nlet me lose myself in your beauty\,\nand abandon myself to prayer. \nLet me hide here in safety with you\,\nwhen trouble gets too much;\nYou are as secure as a bomb shelter\,\na protected place to rest and recover. \nYou have lifted me beyond the reach\nof those who wanted to tear me down\,\nso I am here to express my thanks\,\nto offer you whatever I can give;\nto sing your praises till I raise the roof\,\nto put on a concert in your honour. \nDon’t ever stop being generous\, LORD;\nhear me and answer me when I call for help! \nMy heart tells me to search for you.\nPlease don’t stay hidden from me.\nMy desire is to know you\, face to face. \nDon’t slam the door on me in anger;\nHelp me again and I’ll go on serving you.\nDon’t give up on me now\,\ndon’t turn your back on me;\nYou alone can save me\, God! \nEven if my own parents kicked me out\,\nyou’d still be there for me\, LORD. \nGive me clear directions\, LORD;\nkeep me on the right track\nso I don’t stumble into the path of my enemies. \nDon’t let them get their claws into me.\nWith every breath they fill the air\nwith false allegations and violent threats. \nI know I can rely on you\, LORD\,\nI’ll see your goodness win out\nand live to tell about it. \nI wait patiently for you\, LORD;\nI’ll hang in there and keep my chin up;\nI’ll sit tight\, and trust in you! \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Philippians 3:17 - 4:1			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	My friends\, follow my lead. Keep your eyes on those who are on the same track as us and are living out what we’ve taught you. There are plenty of people who push a different line. I know you’ve often heard me going on about this\, but you can tell by the way they live that they are dead-set against Christ — against the idea that the way of the cross might be God’s way. It brings tears to my eyes every time I bring this up\, but it has to be said. These people are living on borrowed time — racing headlong towards their own destruction. They boast about the depths of degradation they have wallowed in. If their stomach rumbles they drop everything to do its bidding\, as though it were a god. They never give a thought to anything beyond the mundane concerns their own little world. Our allegiance is to a quite different world — heaven itself — a world that will come to rescue and rule this world in the person of Jesus Christ. We are eagerly looking forward to his arrival\, because he has the power to bring absolutely everything back under control. We can hardly wait for him to use that power on us because when he does\, our human desires\, which have so often let us down\, will be brought up to the standard of his own. So hang in there\, friends. I love you greatly. You always make me so happy and proud\, and I can’t wait to see you again. Whatever you do\, dig your heels in and don’t let anyone pull you off God’s track. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Luke 13: 31-35			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Some members of the Pharisee party came to Jesus and said\, “Clear off. Don’t show your face around here again or you’ll be killed. Herod wants your blood.” \nJesus replied\, “You can go and give that vicious dog this message from me: ‘Whether you like it or not\, I’m going to keep on booting out the demonic forces and healing the sick – today\, tomorrow and the third day\, until I’m finished.’ \n“I’ve got nothing to fear from Herod around here. Since when did prophets ever get killed any place other than Jerusalem? And that’s where I’m headed over the next three days. \n“Jerusalem\, Jerusalem\,\nyou shoot the messenger every time.\nYour streets are awash with blood\,\nthe blood of the prophets sent to warn you!\nSo often I have been filled with longing for you;\nyearning to gather your children into safety.\nLike a mother swan gathering her brood under her wing\,\nI have offered to protect you\,\nbut you refused my care!\nSo now the nest will be deserted.\nThere will be nothing left for you.\nYou won’t be seeing me again until the day when you shout\,\n‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’” \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Luke 9:28-36 (alternative gospel if the last Sunday before Lent was not observed as Transfiguration)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Jesus had spoken to his followers for the first time about his impending death in Jerusalem and the fact that following him meant putting their lives on the line. About a week later\, he took Peter\, John and James and went up to the top of a mountain to pray. As he was praying\, a visible change came over his face and his clothing became so white it was dazzling. Suddenly two more men could be seen in deep conversation with Jesus. They were Moses and Elijah\, and the glory of heaven could be seen in them. They spoke with Jesus about how he was about to escape to freedom through the waters of death in Jerusalem. \nPeter and his mates nearly missed all this because\, although they had come to pray too\, they were falling asleep. However\, they roused themselves in time to see Jesus in all his glory standing with the two men. As the two were finishing up with Jesus\, Peter – shooting his mouth off without thinking – said\, “Boss\, this is fantastic! What a moment! How about we knock up three huts\, so that you\, Moses and Elijah can all stay here longer.” \nEven before he finished getting the words out\, an awesome cloud engulfed them all and they were quaking in their boots. Deep within the cloud\, a voice boomed forth: “This is my Son\, my Chosen One. Listen to him!” \nWhen the voice finished\, everything suddenly looked normal again\, and Peter\, James and John saw no one there but Jesus. They were dumbfounded by what they had seen and in the coming days they didn’t breathe a word about it to anyone. \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 gather us safely under your wings\nand we have nothing to fear. \nYou created the earth and sky\nas a home where we can worship you and enjoy your beauty.\nYou made a lasting covenant with Abraham\nand with all who trust your promises. \nYour child\, Jesus Christ\, wept over the sins of your people\nand their failure to put their trust in you\,\nand even when his enemies were breathing violence.\nhe continued to cast out demons and heal the sick.\nLike many faithful prophets before him\,\nhe was killed in Jerusalem\,\nbut you raised him to resurrection life.\nNow he makes us citizens of heaven\,\nand we eagerly await his coming as Saviour and Lord\,\nfor then he will conform our bodies to his own glory\nand fulfil all things under his rule. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We thank you for your Son\, Jesus Christ\,\nwho weeps over the sins of your peoples\nand will come as Saviour and Lord\,\nto gathers us in safety under your mothering wings\nand make us citizens of heaven. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nfor you gather us safely under your wings\nand we have nothing to fear. \nYou created the earth and sky\nas a home where we can worship you and enjoy your beauty.\nYou made a lasting covenant with Abraham\nand with all who trust your promises. \nYour child\, Jesus Christ\, wept over the sins of your people\nand their failure to put their trust in you\,\nand even when his enemies were breathing violence.\nhe continued to cast out demons and heal the sick.\nLike many faithful prophets before him\,\nhe was killed in Jerusalem\,\nbut you raised him to resurrection life.\nNow he makes us citizens of heaven\,\nand we eagerly await his coming as Saviour and Lord\,\nfor then he will conform our bodies to his own glory\nand fulfil all things under his rule.\n\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	Even if all others reject you\,\nGod will not shut you out in anger or abandon you.\nTrust in the Lord\, and it will be credited as righteousness.\nGod will save you - body\, mind and spirit\,\nand enfold you in the wings of mercy. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Commission & Benediction			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Go now\, trusting in God’s promises.\nSeek the presence of the Lord\nand abandon yourself to prayer.\nFollow those who are faithful to God\,\nstand firm against evil and seek healing for all. \nAnd may God be your saving light and fortress;\nMay Christ Jesus gather you into the safe wings of mercy;\nAnd may the Holy Spirit make you citizens of heaven. \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\n‘O Jerusalem\, Jerusalem’A sermon on Luke 13:31-35 by Colin Hunter\n\n\n\nAn Oath of AllegianceA sermon on Luke 13:31-35 & Philippians 3:17 – 4:1 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nOf Foxes and Fowls and Tae KwondoA sermon on Luke 13:31-35 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nFoxes\, Chooks and the Path of TearsA sermon on Luke 13:31-35 & Philippians 3:17 – 4:1 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhen Terror StalksA sermon on Luke 13:31-35 & Philippians 3:17 – 4:1 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhat do we do with Shiny Shiny Jesus?A sermon on Luke 9.28-36 by Katecia Taylor
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/c19/2031-03-09/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/19.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20310309T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20310309T235959
DTSTAMP:20260404T095534
CREATED:20201104T043833Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250413T002007Z
UID:10002195-1930780800-1930867199@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:2nd Sunday in Lent - Year C
DESCRIPTION:Below you will find the Bible readings set for this occasion in the Revised Common Lectionary\, with our Australian idiomatic paraphrases of them\, plus prayers and sermons based on them. \n\n\n\nBible Readings (paraphrased)\n\n\n\nLections from The Revised Common Lectionary. Copyright 1992 by the Consultation on Common Texts(CCT) P.O. Box 340003\, Room 381\, Nashville\, TN 37203-0003\, USA. Used with Permission. \n\n\n	\n\n		\n			\n				  Genesis 15: 1-12\, 17-18			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	The LORD spoke to Abram in a vision\, saying\, “Abram\, don’t you worry about a thing. I am your armour-plated protection and you will be greatly rewarded for your loyalty to me.” \nBut Abram said\, “Thank you\, Lord GOD\, but the only thing I really want is the one thing you’ve never given me: children. I have longed for children of my own but you have not given me any. When I die\, there will be no one to carry on my family name\, and since the only person born in my house is Eliezer\, my Turkish servant; he will inherit everything I own. \nBut the LORD spoke to Abram again\, saying\, “Eliezer will not be your heir. You will be able to pass on your property to a child of your own.” \nThe LORD took Abram outside and said\, “Look at the night sky\, Abram. See if you can count how many stars there are. You can’t\, can you? Well\, your descendants will be as uncountable as the stars in the night sky.” \nAbram took the LORD’s word on trust\, and for that the LORD regarded him as a good man. \nThe LORD spoke to Abram further\, saying\, “It was me who brought you safely here when you emigrated from the Chaldean land of Ur. It was me who gave you this land.” \nBut Abram said\, “Lord GOD\, how can I know for sure that this land is mine to keep?” \nThe LORD replied\, “Okay\, I’ll go through the ritual of a binding promise. On pain of death\, you will have my word. You go and set up what is customary for the ceremony.” \nSo the next morning\, Abram slaughtered three animals: a heifer\, a ram\, and a female goat — each three years old. He cut them in half and laid the halves opposite each other in two lines. He also killed a turtledove and a pigeon and laid one in each line. For the rest of the day\, while he waited for the ceremony to commence\, he was kept busy protecting the carcasses from the birds of prey. \nWhen the sun went down\, Abram was surrounded by a dense and awesome darkness\, and he fell into a deep sleep. When the last glow was gone from the sky and everything was pitch black\, the presence of the LORD appeared as a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch\, and passed between the pieces of animal carcass. That completed the ritual\, and in that way\, the LORD made a binding promise to Abram\, saying\, “You have my word that I will give this land to your descendants\, all the way from the Egyptian border to the great Euphrates river.” \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 27			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Your light leads me to safety\, LORD;\nI’ve got nothing to fear.\nYou shelter me like a fortress\, LORD;\nI’m afraid of no one! \nVicious thugs can close in like sharks\,\nready to eat me alive;\nbut savage violence is no match for you;\nthey’ll fall flat on their faces. \nThey could give my name to a death squad\nand I’d still be at peace;\ntheir armies could lay siege to my house\,\nbut I’d still feel safe with you. \nOnly one thing I ask of you\, LORD\,\nthe one thing that really matters:\nlet me live out the whole of my life\nright here in your presence;\nlet me lose myself in your beauty\,\nand abandon myself to prayer. \nLet me hide here in safety with you\,\nwhen trouble gets too much;\nYou are as secure as a bomb shelter\,\na protected place to rest and recover. \nYou have lifted me beyond the reach\nof those who wanted to tear me down\,\nso I am here to express my thanks\,\nto offer you whatever I can give;\nto sing your praises till I raise the roof\,\nto put on a concert in your honour. \nDon’t ever stop being generous\, LORD;\nhear me and answer me when I call for help! \nMy heart tells me to search for you.\nPlease don’t stay hidden from me.\nMy desire is to know you\, face to face. \nDon’t slam the door on me in anger;\nHelp me again and I’ll go on serving you.\nDon’t give up on me now\,\ndon’t turn your back on me;\nYou alone can save me\, God! \nEven if my own parents kicked me out\,\nyou’d still be there for me\, LORD. \nGive me clear directions\, LORD;\nkeep me on the right track\nso I don’t stumble into the path of my enemies. \nDon’t let them get their claws into me.\nWith every breath they fill the air\nwith false allegations and violent threats. \nI know I can rely on you\, LORD\,\nI’ll see your goodness win out\nand live to tell about it. \nI wait patiently for you\, LORD;\nI’ll hang in there and keep my chin up;\nI’ll sit tight\, and trust in you! \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Philippians 3:17 - 4:1			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	My friends\, follow my lead. Keep your eyes on those who are on the same track as us and are living out what we’ve taught you. There are plenty of people who push a different line. I know you’ve often heard me going on about this\, but you can tell by the way they live that they are dead-set against Christ — against the idea that the way of the cross might be God’s way. It brings tears to my eyes every time I bring this up\, but it has to be said. These people are living on borrowed time — racing headlong towards their own destruction. They boast about the depths of degradation they have wallowed in. If their stomach rumbles they drop everything to do its bidding\, as though it were a god. They never give a thought to anything beyond the mundane concerns their own little world. Our allegiance is to a quite different world — heaven itself — a world that will come to rescue and rule this world in the person of Jesus Christ. We are eagerly looking forward to his arrival\, because he has the power to bring absolutely everything back under control. We can hardly wait for him to use that power on us because when he does\, our human desires\, which have so often let us down\, will be brought up to the standard of his own. So hang in there\, friends. I love you greatly. You always make me so happy and proud\, and I can’t wait to see you again. Whatever you do\, dig your heels in and don’t let anyone pull you off God’s track. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Luke 13: 31-35			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Some members of the Pharisee party came to Jesus and said\, “Clear off. Don’t show your face around here again or you’ll be killed. Herod wants your blood.” \nJesus replied\, “You can go and give that vicious dog this message from me: ‘Whether you like it or not\, I’m going to keep on booting out the demonic forces and healing the sick – today\, tomorrow and the third day\, until I’m finished.’ \n“I’ve got nothing to fear from Herod around here. Since when did prophets ever get killed any place other than Jerusalem? And that’s where I’m headed over the next three days. \n“Jerusalem\, Jerusalem\,\nyou shoot the messenger every time.\nYour streets are awash with blood\,\nthe blood of the prophets sent to warn you!\nSo often I have been filled with longing for you;\nyearning to gather your children into safety.\nLike a mother swan gathering her brood under her wing\,\nI have offered to protect you\,\nbut you refused my care!\nSo now the nest will be deserted.\nThere will be nothing left for you.\nYou won’t be seeing me again until the day when you shout\,\n‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’” \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Luke 9:28-36 (alternative gospel if the last Sunday before Lent was not observed as Transfiguration)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Jesus had spoken to his followers for the first time about his impending death in Jerusalem and the fact that following him meant putting their lives on the line. About a week later\, he took Peter\, John and James and went up to the top of a mountain to pray. As he was praying\, a visible change came over his face and his clothing became so white it was dazzling. Suddenly two more men could be seen in deep conversation with Jesus. They were Moses and Elijah\, and the glory of heaven could be seen in them. They spoke with Jesus about how he was about to escape to freedom through the waters of death in Jerusalem. \nPeter and his mates nearly missed all this because\, although they had come to pray too\, they were falling asleep. However\, they roused themselves in time to see Jesus in all his glory standing with the two men. As the two were finishing up with Jesus\, Peter – shooting his mouth off without thinking – said\, “Boss\, this is fantastic! What a moment! How about we knock up three huts\, so that you\, Moses and Elijah can all stay here longer.” \nEven before he finished getting the words out\, an awesome cloud engulfed them all and they were quaking in their boots. Deep within the cloud\, a voice boomed forth: “This is my Son\, my Chosen One. Listen to him!” \nWhen the voice finished\, everything suddenly looked normal again\, and Peter\, James and John saw no one there but Jesus. They were dumbfounded by what they had seen and in the coming days they didn’t breathe a word about it to anyone. \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 gather us safely under your wings\nand we have nothing to fear. \nYou created the earth and sky\nas a home where we can worship you and enjoy your beauty.\nYou made a lasting covenant with Abraham\nand with all who trust your promises. \nYour child\, Jesus Christ\, wept over the sins of your people\nand their failure to put their trust in you\,\nand even when his enemies were breathing violence.\nhe continued to cast out demons and heal the sick.\nLike many faithful prophets before him\,\nhe was killed in Jerusalem\,\nbut you raised him to resurrection life.\nNow he makes us citizens of heaven\,\nand we eagerly await his coming as Saviour and Lord\,\nfor then he will conform our bodies to his own glory\nand fulfil all things under his rule. \nTherefore with ..... \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Short Preface (for insertion into Eucharistic prayers with fixed prefaces)			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	We thank you for your Son\, Jesus Christ\,\nwho weeps over the sins of your peoples\nand will come as Saviour and Lord\,\nto gathers us in safety under your mothering wings\nand make us citizens of heaven. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  General Prayer of Thanksgiving			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)\n\nWe give you all thanks and praise\, O God\,\nfor you gather us safely under your wings\nand we have nothing to fear. \nYou created the earth and sky\nas a home where we can worship you and enjoy your beauty.\nYou made a lasting covenant with Abraham\nand with all who trust your promises. \nYour child\, Jesus Christ\, wept over the sins of your people\nand their failure to put their trust in you\,\nand even when his enemies were breathing violence.\nhe continued to cast out demons and heal the sick.\nLike many faithful prophets before him\,\nhe was killed in Jerusalem\,\nbut you raised him to resurrection life.\nNow he makes us citizens of heaven\,\nand we eagerly await his coming as Saviour and Lord\,\nfor then he will conform our bodies to his own glory\nand fulfil all things under his rule.\n\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	Even if all others reject you\,\nGod will not shut you out in anger or abandon you.\nTrust in the Lord\, and it will be credited as righteousness.\nGod will save you - body\, mind and spirit\,\nand enfold you in the wings of mercy. \nSisters and Brothers\,\n  your sins are forgiven;\n    be at peace. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Commission & Benediction			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Go now\, trusting in God’s promises.\nSeek the presence of the Lord\nand abandon yourself to prayer.\nFollow those who are faithful to God\,\nstand firm against evil and seek healing for all. \nAnd may God be your saving light and fortress;\nMay Christ Jesus gather you into the safe wings of mercy;\nAnd may the Holy Spirit make you citizens of heaven. \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\n‘O Jerusalem\, Jerusalem’A sermon on Luke 13:31-35 by Colin Hunter\n\n\n\nAn Oath of AllegianceA sermon on Luke 13:31-35 & Philippians 3:17 – 4:1 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nOf Foxes and Fowls and Tae KwondoA sermon on Luke 13:31-35 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nFoxes\, Chooks and the Path of TearsA sermon on Luke 13:31-35 & Philippians 3:17 – 4:1 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhen Terror StalksA sermon on Luke 13:31-35 & Philippians 3:17 – 4:1 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhat do we do with Shiny Shiny Jesus?A sermon on Luke 9.28-36 by Katecia Taylor
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/c19/2031-03-09/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/19.png
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR