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SUMMARY:Proper 8 - 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				  2 Kings 2: 1-2\, 6-14			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Shortly before the LORD sent a whirlwind to take Elijah into heaven\, Elijah and Elisha headed off on a journey from Gilgal. Elijah had tried to talk Elisha out of coming\, saying\, “The LORD wants me to go to Bethel\, but there is no need for you to come. You can stay here.” \nBut Elisha said\, “I’m sticking with you\, come hell or high water!” \nSo they travelled together down to Bethel. Elijah said\, “Elisha\, you stay put. The LORD wants me to go across the Jordan River\, but there is no need for you to come.” \nBut Elisha said\, “I’m sticking with you\, come hell or high water!” \nSo the two of them continued on together. A group of fifty prophets followed them\, keeping their distance but not letting them out of their sight. When they arrived at the Jordan River\, Elijah took off his coat\, rolled it up\, and slapped the water with it. The water immediately parted to form a dry path through the middle of the river and the two of them crossed over. When they reached the other side\, Elijah said\, “Elisha\, our time together is almost up. What would you most like me to do for you before I am taken away?” \nElisha replied\, “Please make me your successor by leaving to me the largest share of the spirit that empowers you.” \nElijah responded\, “That’s a tough ask! But if you actually see me being taken away from you\, then you’ll get your wish. If you don’t\, you’ll miss out.” \nThe two of them continued to walk along\, deep in conversation\, when suddenly a chariot of fire drawn by two blazing horses charged between them and Elijah was sucked up in a whirlwind and taken into heaven. Elisha saw the whole thing and kept crying out\, “Father! Father! You are gone with the defenders of Israel\, God’s mounted warriors!” \nWhen Elijah disappeared from sight\, Elisha was torn apart with grief. When he had pulled himself back together\, he picked up the prophet’s coat which Elijah had dropped\, and headed back to the river bank. He rolled up Elijah’s coat and\, slapping the water with it as Elijah had\, called out\, “Are you with me now LORD\, God of Elijah?” \nSure enough\, when he struck the water\, a dry path opened up through the Jordan River again\, and Elisha crossed over to the Jericho side again. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 77: 1-2\, 11-20			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Please God\, hear me!\nI’m crying out as loud as I can. \nI search for you in desperation\, Lord.\nDay and night I never stop reaching out for you;\nI refuse to be comforted by anyone else. \nI think back on what you’ve done in the past\, LORD;\nI remember the amazing things you did. \nI will keep these things in my mind\,\nand meditate on all your works. \nYou are in a class of your own\, God;\nNo other god even comes close. \nYou are the God who does awesome things;\nyou have come out in the open\nand shown everyone what you’re made of. \nYou rolled your sleeves up and pulled your people out of trouble\,\ncoming to our rescue like you did for our forebears\,\nJacob and Joseph. \nWhen the waters stood between us and freedom\,\nthey took one look at you\, God\, and panicked;\nthe depths shuddered with fear. \nEverything went berserk;\nthe clouds burst their seams\,\nthunder shook the skies\nand lightning bolts flashed in all directions. \nYour whirlwind came with a crash of thunder;\nyour lightning lit up the sky;\nthe earth shuddered and shook. \nYou cut a path through the raging waters;\nblazed a trail through the roaring waves;\nnot a footprint was left to show where you’d been. \nLike sheep through a gate you led your people\,\nwith Moses and Aaron showing the way. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Galatians 5: 1\, 13-25			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Christ has set us free – really free. So stand your ground on that freedom\, and don’t let anyone or anything else start dictating the limits of your life. The life of freedom into which Christ has liberated us is a wonderful thing\, but don’t make the mistake of using it as an excuse to give in to every selfish impulse. That would only lure you into an even worse slavery. Instead use your freedom to serve one another in uninhibited love. If you live by just one law – “love others as fully as you love yourself” – you won’t need to slavishly study the rest in order to comply with its requirements. The rest is just commentary. If\, on the other hand\, you use your freedom to pursue selfish ends\, you’ll become increasingly nasty and competitive with one another and end up just destroying each other. And a fat lot of good your freedom will do you then! \nHow then should you live? Dance to the Spirit’s tune\, and don’t go feeding every selfish impulse that surfaces within you\, or they’ll grow into monsters and take over your life. You see\, the problem is that a wedge has been driven between our bodily appetites and the Spirit’s desires. They now strive for quite different things and have become opponents in a struggle for your allegiance. The conflict means that you can no longer simply assume that your body will reliably tell you what’s best for you. But that doesn’t mean that you have to live your lives in slavish compliance with the law\, because there is another alternative – following the leadings of the Spirit. \nIt is quite obvious what sort of things characterise those whose lives are dictated by their bodily impulses: \n\n\n\nloveless\, trivialised sex;\npolluted minds and hearts;\ndesperate pleasure seeking;\nthe worship of possessions and power;\npersonality cults;\nvindictiveness;\nmuck-raking;\nresenting the success of others;\nseething bitterness;\nvicious bickering;\nvenomous feuding;\nparanoid sectarianism;\ntoxic rivalry;\nchronic substance abuse;\ndesperate and deluded partying;\n\n\n\nI could go on\, but you get the picture! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: those who squander their freedom on such things can kiss the realm of God goodbye. \nWhat a contrast is the life danced to the Spirit’s tune! Like a lush tropical orchard its fruits are constantly ripening: \n\n\n\nactive\, unconditional love;\ndelight at the wonder of life;\na deep inner peace that shapes all our relating;\nthe ability to persevere when results are slow;\nopen-handed compassion;\nunfeigned generosity;\nunshakable loyalty;\nunassuming consideration of others;\nthe strength to direct our energies wisely.\n\n\n\nThere is no law against such things\, and no law that could ever produce them. Everyone who belongs to Christ Jesus has handed over their selfish impulses and corrupted bodily appetites to be executed on the cross. Since we now live a new life – drawn from the Spirit – let’s see to it that we live it to the full\, by allowing the Spirit to set the agenda in every area of our lives. Let’s not go getting all up ourselves\, resentfully obsessing over the success of others and trying to get the better of one another. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Luke 9: 51-62			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	When Jesus’s time on earth was running out\, he gritted his teeth and set out for Jerusalem. He sent some messengers on ahead to book accommodation in the towns where he would be stopping on the way. In one Samaritan town\, the locals were so hostile towards Jerusalem that when they heard that Jesus was heading there\, no one was willing to offer him a room or even a meal. Two of his followers\, James and John\, were so incensed by this that they said\, “Lord\, do you want us to call down a thunderbolt from heaven to wipe them off the map?” \nBut Jesus put the two of them back in their place in no uncertain terms and then continued on down the track to another town. \nAs they travelled\, someone approached Jesus and said\, “I will follow you\, wherever you go.” \nBut Jesus replied\, “Do you know what you’d be letting yourself in for? Dogs have their kennels and chooks have sheds\, but the New Human can’t even find a room for the night.” \nTo someone else\, Jesus made the call: “Follow me.” \nBut the man said\, “Give me time. I can’t come until my father has been buried.” \nBut Jesus dismissed his excuses\, saying\, “Get your priorities straight. You can leave the lifeless to sort out the affairs of the dead. Your business is life. Hit the road and get the message out about the culture of God.” \nSomeone else came saying\, “I’m definitely with you\, Lord\, but I just need to say my goodbyes and sort things out at home before I can join you on the road.” \nJesus replied\, “You can’t have your cake and eat it too! Either you’re with us or you’re not. You’ll be of no use to God’s bandwagon if you’re going to keep jumping off to check on things at home.” \n©2001 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				  1 Kings 19: 15-16\, 19-21			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	On Mount Sinai\, the LORD spoke to Elijah\, saying\, “Off you go. Head back down to the desert near Damascus. When you get there\, you are to crown Hazael as the new king of Syria. Then you are to crown Jehu\, the son of Nimshi\, as the new king of Israel. Finally\, you are to appoint Elisha\, the son of Shaphat\, to be your successor as my prophet.” \nSo Elijah set out as he had been told\, and found Elisha\, the son of Shaphat. Elisha was working a paddock with a plow pulled by a pair of bullocks. He was the twelfth in a line of men\, each plowing with a pair of bullocks. Elijah picked him out and as he walked past he threw his own prophet’s coat over him. Elisha dropped what he was doing and ran after Elijah\, saying\, “Let me just go and kiss my parents goodbye\, and then I’ll come with you.” \nElijah replied\, “Off you go. Have I done anything to stop you?” \nElisha went home and severed all his ties. Burning his plow and slaughtering his bullocks\, he gave a farewell barbecue for the people he had lived and worked with. Then\, putting his old life behind him\, he hit the road with Elijah and became his apprentice. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 16			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Protect me\, God\,\nyou are my place of refuge. \nI’m acknowledging you as the one in charge\, LORD;\nyou are the best thing that’s ever happened to me. \nI delight in the company of those\nwho dedicate themselves to you;\nthey are the salt of the earth. \nThose who worship other things\nwill have nothing but grief.\nI will not buy into their futile devotions;\nI will not utter the names they revere. \nYou are all I want\, LORD\, and all I need;\nyou hold my future in your hands. \nYou mark out the best of everything for me;\nyou’ve set me up with a bright future. \nI heap accolades on you\, LORD\,\nfor you always give me wise advice;\neven in the dead of night\nyou fill my heart with your teachings. \nI’ll always stick close behind you\, LORD;\nwith you near by\,\nI’ll never be pushed off track. \nYou fill me with delight\, LORD;\njoy erupts from deep in my bones;\nmy body relaxes\, safe in your care. \nYou’ll never let the grave drag me down;\nyour faithful servants are never left for dead. \nYou set my feet on a life-giving track\, LORD.\nTo be in your presence is absolute bliss.\nAll I could dream of comes from your hand. \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 alone are holy\,\nand there are no other gods that compare with you. \nWith thanksgiving we recall your awesome deeds\,\nyour wonders of old\,\nwhen you brought forth the earth from the churning chaos;\nwhen you parted the waters and led your people to freedom;\nwhen your chariot of fire carried your prophet to glory. \nAnd especially we recall\nhow you sent your child\, Jesus Christ\,\nwho proclaimed your reign among us.\nWhen he was crucified by those who refused to accept him\,\nyou raised him to life\,\nand through him\,\ngave us a double portion of your Spirit.\nHe has rescued us from slavery\,\ncalled us to follow in his ways\,\nand set us free to bear the fruit of your Holy Spirit\,\nin love\, joy\, peace\, patience\, kindness\,\ngenerosity\, faithfulness\, gentleness and self-control. \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 awesome deeds of old\,\nand for all you are doing now through your son\, Jesus Christ:\nrescuing us from slavery;\nguiding us in his ways by your Holy Spirit;\nand bearing within us fruits of love\, joy and peace. \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 alone are holy\,\nand there are no other gods that compare with you. \nWith thanksgiving we recall your awesome deeds\,\nyour wonders of old\,\nwhen you brought forth the earth from the churning chaos;\nwhen you parted the waters and led your people to freedom;\nwhen your chariot of fire carried your prophet to glory. \nAnd especially we recall\nhow you sent your child\, Jesus Christ\,\nwho proclaimed your reign among us.\nWhen he was crucified by those who refused to accept him\,\nyou raised him to life\,\nand through him\,\ngave us a double portion of your Spirit.\nHe has rescued us from slavery\,\ncalled us to follow in his ways\,\nand set us free to bear the fruit of your Holy Spirit\,\nin love\, joy\, peace\, patience\, kindness\,\ngenerosity\, faithfulness\, gentleness and self-control. \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	Christ Jesus has set you free.\nStand then as free people\,\nand do not allow yourselves to become slaves again.\nYou are set free to live by the Spirit. \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 proclaim the reign of God.\nDo not let bodily desires enslave you\,\nbut live by the Spirit.\nUse your freedom to grow in love for one another. \nAnd may God reach out to you and save you;\nMay Christ Jesus give you a double portion of his Spirit;\nAnd may the Holy Spirit bear fruit within you\nand guide you in all your ways. \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\nLosing your grip or loosing your gripA sermon on Luke 9: 51-62 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhat does Christ think of your body?A sermon on Galatians 5: 1\, 13-25 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nMaking the Most of FreedomA sermon on Galatians 5: 1\, 13-25 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nPlowing Ahead in an Age of ViolenceA sermon on Luke 9:51-62 & Galatians 5:1\, 13-25 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nCalling Down FireA sermon on Luke 9:51-62 & Galatians 5:1\, 13-25 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/cp08/2028-07-02/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/P08.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20310629T000000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20310629T235959
DTSTAMP:20260406T025319
CREATED:20201113T003715Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250818T031352Z
UID:10002967-1940457600-1940543999@laughingbird.net
SUMMARY:Proper 8 - 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				  2 Kings 2: 1-2\, 6-14			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Shortly before the LORD sent a whirlwind to take Elijah into heaven\, Elijah and Elisha headed off on a journey from Gilgal. Elijah had tried to talk Elisha out of coming\, saying\, “The LORD wants me to go to Bethel\, but there is no need for you to come. You can stay here.” \nBut Elisha said\, “I’m sticking with you\, come hell or high water!” \nSo they travelled together down to Bethel. Elijah said\, “Elisha\, you stay put. The LORD wants me to go across the Jordan River\, but there is no need for you to come.” \nBut Elisha said\, “I’m sticking with you\, come hell or high water!” \nSo the two of them continued on together. A group of fifty prophets followed them\, keeping their distance but not letting them out of their sight. When they arrived at the Jordan River\, Elijah took off his coat\, rolled it up\, and slapped the water with it. The water immediately parted to form a dry path through the middle of the river and the two of them crossed over. When they reached the other side\, Elijah said\, “Elisha\, our time together is almost up. What would you most like me to do for you before I am taken away?” \nElisha replied\, “Please make me your successor by leaving to me the largest share of the spirit that empowers you.” \nElijah responded\, “That’s a tough ask! But if you actually see me being taken away from you\, then you’ll get your wish. If you don’t\, you’ll miss out.” \nThe two of them continued to walk along\, deep in conversation\, when suddenly a chariot of fire drawn by two blazing horses charged between them and Elijah was sucked up in a whirlwind and taken into heaven. Elisha saw the whole thing and kept crying out\, “Father! Father! You are gone with the defenders of Israel\, God’s mounted warriors!” \nWhen Elijah disappeared from sight\, Elisha was torn apart with grief. When he had pulled himself back together\, he picked up the prophet’s coat which Elijah had dropped\, and headed back to the river bank. He rolled up Elijah’s coat and\, slapping the water with it as Elijah had\, called out\, “Are you with me now LORD\, God of Elijah?” \nSure enough\, when he struck the water\, a dry path opened up through the Jordan River again\, and Elisha crossed over to the Jericho side again. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 77: 1-2\, 11-20			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Please God\, hear me!\nI’m crying out as loud as I can. \nI search for you in desperation\, Lord.\nDay and night I never stop reaching out for you;\nI refuse to be comforted by anyone else. \nI think back on what you’ve done in the past\, LORD;\nI remember the amazing things you did. \nI will keep these things in my mind\,\nand meditate on all your works. \nYou are in a class of your own\, God;\nNo other god even comes close. \nYou are the God who does awesome things;\nyou have come out in the open\nand shown everyone what you’re made of. \nYou rolled your sleeves up and pulled your people out of trouble\,\ncoming to our rescue like you did for our forebears\,\nJacob and Joseph. \nWhen the waters stood between us and freedom\,\nthey took one look at you\, God\, and panicked;\nthe depths shuddered with fear. \nEverything went berserk;\nthe clouds burst their seams\,\nthunder shook the skies\nand lightning bolts flashed in all directions. \nYour whirlwind came with a crash of thunder;\nyour lightning lit up the sky;\nthe earth shuddered and shook. \nYou cut a path through the raging waters;\nblazed a trail through the roaring waves;\nnot a footprint was left to show where you’d been. \nLike sheep through a gate you led your people\,\nwith Moses and Aaron showing the way. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Galatians 5: 1\, 13-25			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Christ has set us free – really free. So stand your ground on that freedom\, and don’t let anyone or anything else start dictating the limits of your life. The life of freedom into which Christ has liberated us is a wonderful thing\, but don’t make the mistake of using it as an excuse to give in to every selfish impulse. That would only lure you into an even worse slavery. Instead use your freedom to serve one another in uninhibited love. If you live by just one law – “love others as fully as you love yourself” – you won’t need to slavishly study the rest in order to comply with its requirements. The rest is just commentary. If\, on the other hand\, you use your freedom to pursue selfish ends\, you’ll become increasingly nasty and competitive with one another and end up just destroying each other. And a fat lot of good your freedom will do you then! \nHow then should you live? Dance to the Spirit’s tune\, and don’t go feeding every selfish impulse that surfaces within you\, or they’ll grow into monsters and take over your life. You see\, the problem is that a wedge has been driven between our bodily appetites and the Spirit’s desires. They now strive for quite different things and have become opponents in a struggle for your allegiance. The conflict means that you can no longer simply assume that your body will reliably tell you what’s best for you. But that doesn’t mean that you have to live your lives in slavish compliance with the law\, because there is another alternative – following the leadings of the Spirit. \nIt is quite obvious what sort of things characterise those whose lives are dictated by their bodily impulses: \n\n\n\nloveless\, trivialised sex;\npolluted minds and hearts;\ndesperate pleasure seeking;\nthe worship of possessions and power;\npersonality cults;\nvindictiveness;\nmuck-raking;\nresenting the success of others;\nseething bitterness;\nvicious bickering;\nvenomous feuding;\nparanoid sectarianism;\ntoxic rivalry;\nchronic substance abuse;\ndesperate and deluded partying;\n\n\n\nI could go on\, but you get the picture! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: those who squander their freedom on such things can kiss the realm of God goodbye. \nWhat a contrast is the life danced to the Spirit’s tune! Like a lush tropical orchard its fruits are constantly ripening: \n\n\n\nactive\, unconditional love;\ndelight at the wonder of life;\na deep inner peace that shapes all our relating;\nthe ability to persevere when results are slow;\nopen-handed compassion;\nunfeigned generosity;\nunshakable loyalty;\nunassuming consideration of others;\nthe strength to direct our energies wisely.\n\n\n\nThere is no law against such things\, and no law that could ever produce them. Everyone who belongs to Christ Jesus has handed over their selfish impulses and corrupted bodily appetites to be executed on the cross. Since we now live a new life – drawn from the Spirit – let’s see to it that we live it to the full\, by allowing the Spirit to set the agenda in every area of our lives. Let’s not go getting all up ourselves\, resentfully obsessing over the success of others and trying to get the better of one another. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Luke 9: 51-62			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	When Jesus’s time on earth was running out\, he gritted his teeth and set out for Jerusalem. He sent some messengers on ahead to book accommodation in the towns where he would be stopping on the way. In one Samaritan town\, the locals were so hostile towards Jerusalem that when they heard that Jesus was heading there\, no one was willing to offer him a room or even a meal. Two of his followers\, James and John\, were so incensed by this that they said\, “Lord\, do you want us to call down a thunderbolt from heaven to wipe them off the map?” \nBut Jesus put the two of them back in their place in no uncertain terms and then continued on down the track to another town. \nAs they travelled\, someone approached Jesus and said\, “I will follow you\, wherever you go.” \nBut Jesus replied\, “Do you know what you’d be letting yourself in for? Dogs have their kennels and chooks have sheds\, but the New Human can’t even find a room for the night.” \nTo someone else\, Jesus made the call: “Follow me.” \nBut the man said\, “Give me time. I can’t come until my father has been buried.” \nBut Jesus dismissed his excuses\, saying\, “Get your priorities straight. You can leave the lifeless to sort out the affairs of the dead. Your business is life. Hit the road and get the message out about the culture of God.” \nSomeone else came saying\, “I’m definitely with you\, Lord\, but I just need to say my goodbyes and sort things out at home before I can join you on the road.” \nJesus replied\, “You can’t have your cake and eat it too! Either you’re with us or you’re not. You’ll be of no use to God’s bandwagon if you’re going to keep jumping off to check on things at home.” \n©2001 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				  1 Kings 19: 15-16\, 19-21			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	On Mount Sinai\, the LORD spoke to Elijah\, saying\, “Off you go. Head back down to the desert near Damascus. When you get there\, you are to crown Hazael as the new king of Syria. Then you are to crown Jehu\, the son of Nimshi\, as the new king of Israel. Finally\, you are to appoint Elisha\, the son of Shaphat\, to be your successor as my prophet.” \nSo Elijah set out as he had been told\, and found Elisha\, the son of Shaphat. Elisha was working a paddock with a plow pulled by a pair of bullocks. He was the twelfth in a line of men\, each plowing with a pair of bullocks. Elijah picked him out and as he walked past he threw his own prophet’s coat over him. Elisha dropped what he was doing and ran after Elijah\, saying\, “Let me just go and kiss my parents goodbye\, and then I’ll come with you.” \nElijah replied\, “Off you go. Have I done anything to stop you?” \nElisha went home and severed all his ties. Burning his plow and slaughtering his bullocks\, he gave a farewell barbecue for the people he had lived and worked with. Then\, putting his old life behind him\, he hit the road with Elijah and became his apprentice. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n			\n	\n		\n\n		\n			\n				  Psalm 16			\n		\n\n		\n		 \n \n	Protect me\, God\,\nyou are my place of refuge. \nI’m acknowledging you as the one in charge\, LORD;\nyou are the best thing that’s ever happened to me. \nI delight in the company of those\nwho dedicate themselves to you;\nthey are the salt of the earth. \nThose who worship other things\nwill have nothing but grief.\nI will not buy into their futile devotions;\nI will not utter the names they revere. \nYou are all I want\, LORD\, and all I need;\nyou hold my future in your hands. \nYou mark out the best of everything for me;\nyou’ve set me up with a bright future. \nI heap accolades on you\, LORD\,\nfor you always give me wise advice;\neven in the dead of night\nyou fill my heart with your teachings. \nI’ll always stick close behind you\, LORD;\nwith you near by\,\nI’ll never be pushed off track. \nYou fill me with delight\, LORD;\njoy erupts from deep in my bones;\nmy body relaxes\, safe in your care. \nYou’ll never let the grave drag me down;\nyour faithful servants are never left for dead. \nYou set my feet on a life-giving track\, LORD.\nTo be in your presence is absolute bliss.\nAll I could dream of comes from your hand. \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 alone are holy\,\nand there are no other gods that compare with you. \nWith thanksgiving we recall your awesome deeds\,\nyour wonders of old\,\nwhen you brought forth the earth from the churning chaos;\nwhen you parted the waters and led your people to freedom;\nwhen your chariot of fire carried your prophet to glory. \nAnd especially we recall\nhow you sent your child\, Jesus Christ\,\nwho proclaimed your reign among us.\nWhen he was crucified by those who refused to accept him\,\nyou raised him to life\,\nand through him\,\ngave us a double portion of your Spirit.\nHe has rescued us from slavery\,\ncalled us to follow in his ways\,\nand set us free to bear the fruit of your Holy Spirit\,\nin love\, joy\, peace\, patience\, kindness\,\ngenerosity\, faithfulness\, gentleness and self-control. \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 awesome deeds of old\,\nand for all you are doing now through your son\, Jesus Christ:\nrescuing us from slavery;\nguiding us in his ways by your Holy Spirit;\nand bearing within us fruits of love\, joy and peace. \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 alone are holy\,\nand there are no other gods that compare with you. \nWith thanksgiving we recall your awesome deeds\,\nyour wonders of old\,\nwhen you brought forth the earth from the churning chaos;\nwhen you parted the waters and led your people to freedom;\nwhen your chariot of fire carried your prophet to glory. \nAnd especially we recall\nhow you sent your child\, Jesus Christ\,\nwho proclaimed your reign among us.\nWhen he was crucified by those who refused to accept him\,\nyou raised him to life\,\nand through him\,\ngave us a double portion of your Spirit.\nHe has rescued us from slavery\,\ncalled us to follow in his ways\,\nand set us free to bear the fruit of your Holy Spirit\,\nin love\, joy\, peace\, patience\, kindness\,\ngenerosity\, faithfulness\, gentleness and self-control. \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	Christ Jesus has set you free.\nStand then as free people\,\nand do not allow yourselves to become slaves again.\nYou are set free to live by the Spirit. \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 proclaim the reign of God.\nDo not let bodily desires enslave you\,\nbut live by the Spirit.\nUse your freedom to grow in love for one another. \nAnd may God reach out to you and save you;\nMay Christ Jesus give you a double portion of his Spirit;\nAnd may the Holy Spirit bear fruit within you\nand guide you in all your ways. \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\nLosing your grip or loosing your gripA sermon on Luke 9: 51-62 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhat does Christ think of your body?A sermon on Galatians 5: 1\, 13-25 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nMaking the Most of FreedomA sermon on Galatians 5: 1\, 13-25 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nPlowing Ahead in an Age of ViolenceA sermon on Luke 9:51-62 & Galatians 5:1\, 13-25 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nCalling Down FireA sermon on Luke 9:51-62 & Galatians 5:1\, 13-25 by Nathan Nettleton
URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/cp08/2031-06-29/
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