BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//LaughingBird - ECPv6.15.18//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:LaughingBird X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://laughingbird.net X-WR-CALDESC:Events for LaughingBird REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Australia/Melbourne BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20270403T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20271002T160000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20280401T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20280930T160000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20290331T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20291006T160000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20300406T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20301005T160000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20310405T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20311004T160000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20320403T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20321002T160000 END:DAYLIGHT END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20280813T000000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20280813T235959 DTSTAMP:20260407T143706 CREATED:20210505T060302Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250907T045140Z UID:10001762-1849737600-1849823999@laughingbird.net SUMMARY:Proper 14 - 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 1: 1\, 10-20 \n \n\n \n \n \n During the reigns of Uzziah\, Jotham\, Ahaz\, and Hezekiah as kings of Judah\, the LORD spoke through Isaiah\, the son of Amoz. This is a message Isaiah was given about Judah and Jerusalem. \nListen to what I say\, for I am the LORD.\nYou rulers are no better than the rulers of Sodom!\nYou people are no better than the people of Gomorrah!\nSo take note of what I have to say. \nWhat do I care for all your sacrifices?\nI have had a gutful of them.\nIf I see one more burnt offering\n– be it a ram or a grain-fed calf –\nI think I’m going to puke.\nI can’t stand all this blood you keep offering\nfrom slaughtered bulls\, lambs and goats. \nWhat on earth makes you think\nthat this is the way to please me?\nGet out of my temple and stay out.\nYour gifts are wasted.\nYour incense is nothing but a smokescreen.\nI can’t stand all your sacred days and special gatherings;\nyour pomp and ceremony doesn’t hide your evil ways. \nYou can fill your calendar with special events\nto celebrate this\, that and the other thing\,\nbut I despise them deep in my guts.\nThey have drained my patience;\nI can’t put up with even one more. \nYou can raise your hands to me in prayer\,\nbut I’ll look away;\nYou can pray till you’re blue in the face\nbut I’ll block my ears.\nAll I see on your hands is blood;\nall I hear in your prayers is excuses. \nClean up your act;\nscrub yourselves clean\, inside and out;\ndon’t let me see any more corruption from you.\nQuit your evil\,\nlearn to do the right thing;\nmake justice your goal\,\nprevent the use and abuse of people;\nstand up for the vulnerable\,\ntake sides with the forgotten. \nCome on\, let’s sort this out.\nI am the LORD. Listen to me.\nYour sins are as red as scarlet\,\nbut they will be white as snow;\nthey are crimson like blood\,\nbut they will be like fresh-cut wool. \nIf you are willing to cooperate with my ways\nyou’ll feast like kings;\nbut if you dig your heels in and defy me\nyou’ll be slaughtered like cattle.\nI am the LORD. You have been warned. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Psalm 50: 1-8\, 22-23 \n \n\n \n \n \n You\, LORD\, are the mighty God.\nWherever the sun shines\, from horizon to horizon\,\nyou call the earth to attention. \nFrom the spectacular beauty of your holy mountain\,\nyou approach us in a blaze of glory. \nYou come with the full fanfare;\nflashes of fire in front of you;\nthunder storming all around you. \nYou call the earth and sky to sit as a jury\,\nand set out the charges against your people. \nYou call the accused:\nthose who swore their faithfulness to you\,\nand signed themselves to a binding alliance. \nThe whole universe honours you as the judge\,\nand affirms the honesty of your court. \nWe belong to you and you call us to listen.\nYou set out the case against us\, your chosen people.\nYou are God; our God.  \nIt is not our sacrifices you condemn;\nthe gifts we are constantly offering. \nBut you set us straight in no uncertain terms;\nwe have ignored you\,\noffering gifts instead of ourselves.\nYou warn us that when you pass sentence\,\nthere is nowhere to make further appeal. \nYou are honoured when we express our gratitude\,\nnot when we fob you off with gifts.\nIt is those who get back on the right track\nwho you lead into the land of freedom. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Hebrews 11: 1-3\, 8-16 \n \n\n \n \n \n Faith is the capacity to put all your eggs in the one basket\, when even the existence of the basket must be taken on trust and hope. It was the ability to take decisive action based on faith alone that made our forebears such memorable heroes. Even our belief that the universe came into existence on God’s say-so is based solely on faith. The existence of material things might be provable\, but the belief that their origins lie in something that is not accessible to scientific observation can only be grounded in faith. \nIt was the exercise of faith that enabled Abraham to cooperate when God called him to uproot himself and emigrate. He was to be given a new and permanent home\, but when he set out\, he had no idea where he was headed. It was faith that kept him going\, even when\, on arrival in the land that had been promised to him\, he had to camp like a refugee and see his son Isaac and grandson Jacob doing the same. What he inherited and passed on to them was a promise that was yet to be made good. He was sustained by a vision of the city that would be founded\, designed and built by God. \nIt was the exercise of faith that enabled Sarah and Abraham to go ahead and have a child\, even though they had grown old without ever before being able to have one. They believed that God could be trusted to keep promises. As a result\, this one shrivelled old couple became the parents of a line of descendants that is now as uncountable as the stars in the sky and the grains of sand on the beach. \nAll those we remember as the early heroes of faith went to their graves without having seen the promises fulfilled\, but still trusting in God. They were glad to have just caught a glimpse of what was coming\, and that vision was enough to sustain them. They freely admitted that they were on the earth as outsiders and guests. This attitude made it clear that they were still expecting to eventually find their true home. If they had regarded themselves as truly belonging to the places they had come from\, there was nothing to stop them from going back. It is clear that the reason they didn’t was that their hearts were set on a better country — a piece of heaven itself. It is no wonder that God is proud to be known as their God. And their faith will be vindicated\, for God has made ready a city for them. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Luke 12: 32-40 \n \n\n \n \n \n Jesus said to his followers\, “You lot may seem small and helpless\, but don’t be afraid. God conceived you in love and is only too happy to give you the kingdom. Simplify your lives. Off-load your possessions and share generously with people in need. Commit yourselves to a new investment strategy\, putting all your eggs in God’s basket. Such investments are not subject to the vagaries of the market. If the treasures that your heart is set on are all in God\, they are totally fire-proof. Nothing can ever devalue them. The fact is that wherever you make your greatest investment\, your passion and energy will inevitably follow. \n“Keep your boots on! Keep the lights on! Be ready for action at any moment. Be like diligent workers who are not sure when their boss will be back from his honeymoon\, but are determined to be hard at work whenever he shows up. They will be glad they didn’t slack off but kept themselves industrious\, because you can bet that when he comes he will throw a party for them – all on the house – and give them a generous end-of-year bonus. It won’t make any difference whether he arrives early or late in the shift. If he finds them on the job\, they will have every reason to be thankful. \n“Think about it. No one would ever let their houses get burgled if the house-breakers worked set hours and made appointments. You have got to be on the ready all the time\, because you have no way of knowing when the New Human is going to show up.” \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 Genesis 15: 1-6 \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. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Psalm 33: 12-22 \n \n\n \n \n \n What more could a country want than to have you as their God?\nTo be your cherished people\, LORD\, is the best thing in life. \nYou keep your eye on the whole earth;\nyou see each and every one of us. \nThough you are seated in power\, LORD\,\nyou concern yourself with all who live on earth.\nYou shaped us\, inside and out\,\nand you watch everything we do with interest. \nNo army can guarantee our safety;\nthe toughest fighter is not invincible. \nPinning our hopes on military might is futile;\nbrute force cannot make life worth living. \nIt is you\, LORD\, who watches over all who respect you;\nyou\, whose love and loyalty give us confidence.\nYou are our only hope when death closes in;\nour only security when times are tough. \nWe put our trust in you\, LORD;\nyou alone can help and protect us. \nBecause of you\, our hearts are bursting with joy;\nyour name stands out and fills us with confidence. \nSurround us with your love\, LORD.\nWe’ve pinned all our hopes on you\nand on your rock-solid love. \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 it is your good pleasure to open the Kingdom to us. \nThe worlds were created by your word\nand the heavens testify that you are just.\nThrough your law and prophets\nyou called your people from their hypocrisy\,\nrefusing to accept our offerings or hear our prayers\nuntil we showed a willingness to obey you. \nThrough Jesus Christ\, your child and our saviour\,\nyou called us to travel lightly\nas strangers and foreigners on the earth\,\nputting our hopes in you alone\nand always ready to welcome your future.\nWhen he was killed by those\nwhose hands were full of blood\,\nyou raised him to new life\nso that he might prepare a new world\nfor those who put their faith in your promises\,\ngiving away their riches on earth\nand treasuring heaven in their hearts. \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 are preparing a heavenly city\nfor those who put their faith in your promises\,\ngiving away their riches on earth\nand treasuring heaven in their hearts. \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 it is your good pleasure to open the Kingdom to us. \nThe worlds were created by your word\nand the heavens testify that you are just.\nThrough your law and prophets\nyou called your people from their hypocrisy\,\nrefusing to accept our offerings or hear our prayers\nuntil we showed a willingness to obey you. \nThrough Jesus Christ\, your child and our saviour\,\nyou called us to travel lightly\nas strangers and foreigners on the earth\,\nputting our hopes in you alone\nand always ready to welcome your future.\nWhen he was killed by those\nwhose hands were full of blood\,\nyou raised him to new life\nso that he might prepare a new world\nfor those who put their faith in your promises\,\ngiving away their riches on earth\nand treasuring heaven in their hearts. \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 is not ashamed to be called your God.\nThough your sins are like scarlet they shall be like snow;\nthough they are like crimson\, they shall be like wool. \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 like those prepared for the Lord to return.\nCease to do evil\, learn to do good;\nseek justice\, rescue the oppressed.\nGive freely to those in need\nand let your treasure be in the things of heaven \nAnd may God not be ashamed to be called your God;\nMay Christ Jesus find you attentive and well prepared;\nAnd may the Holy Spirit give you the assurance\nof all that has been promised to 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\nWhat Keeps Us Going?A sermon on Hebrews 11:1-3\, 8-16 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nOverriding the Operating SystemA sermon on Luke 12:32-40 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nNo More Bull!A sermon on Isaiah 1: 1\, 10-20 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhat is Faith?A sermon on Hebrews 11:1-3\, 8-16 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nFaithful FaithA sermon on Hebrews 11: 1-3\, 8-16 & Luke 12: 32-40 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nFaith as Medicine for Sick WorldA sermon on Isaiah 1:10-20; Hebrews 11:1-3\, 8-16 & Luke 12:32-40 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nImaginationA sermon on Hebrews 11: 1-3\, 8-16 & Isaiah 1: 1\, 10-20 by Jody Kilpatrick\n\n\n\nGod the Waiter\, God the ThiefA sermon on Luke 12:32-40 by Karen Quah URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/cp14/2028-08-13/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/P14.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20310810T000000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20310810T235959 DTSTAMP:20260407T143706 CREATED:20210505T060302Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250907T045140Z UID:10002973-1944086400-1944172799@laughingbird.net SUMMARY:Proper 14 - 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 1: 1\, 10-20 \n \n\n \n \n \n During the reigns of Uzziah\, Jotham\, Ahaz\, and Hezekiah as kings of Judah\, the LORD spoke through Isaiah\, the son of Amoz. This is a message Isaiah was given about Judah and Jerusalem. \nListen to what I say\, for I am the LORD.\nYou rulers are no better than the rulers of Sodom!\nYou people are no better than the people of Gomorrah!\nSo take note of what I have to say. \nWhat do I care for all your sacrifices?\nI have had a gutful of them.\nIf I see one more burnt offering\n– be it a ram or a grain-fed calf –\nI think I’m going to puke.\nI can’t stand all this blood you keep offering\nfrom slaughtered bulls\, lambs and goats. \nWhat on earth makes you think\nthat this is the way to please me?\nGet out of my temple and stay out.\nYour gifts are wasted.\nYour incense is nothing but a smokescreen.\nI can’t stand all your sacred days and special gatherings;\nyour pomp and ceremony doesn’t hide your evil ways. \nYou can fill your calendar with special events\nto celebrate this\, that and the other thing\,\nbut I despise them deep in my guts.\nThey have drained my patience;\nI can’t put up with even one more. \nYou can raise your hands to me in prayer\,\nbut I’ll look away;\nYou can pray till you’re blue in the face\nbut I’ll block my ears.\nAll I see on your hands is blood;\nall I hear in your prayers is excuses. \nClean up your act;\nscrub yourselves clean\, inside and out;\ndon’t let me see any more corruption from you.\nQuit your evil\,\nlearn to do the right thing;\nmake justice your goal\,\nprevent the use and abuse of people;\nstand up for the vulnerable\,\ntake sides with the forgotten. \nCome on\, let’s sort this out.\nI am the LORD. Listen to me.\nYour sins are as red as scarlet\,\nbut they will be white as snow;\nthey are crimson like blood\,\nbut they will be like fresh-cut wool. \nIf you are willing to cooperate with my ways\nyou’ll feast like kings;\nbut if you dig your heels in and defy me\nyou’ll be slaughtered like cattle.\nI am the LORD. You have been warned. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Psalm 50: 1-8\, 22-23 \n \n\n \n \n \n You\, LORD\, are the mighty God.\nWherever the sun shines\, from horizon to horizon\,\nyou call the earth to attention. \nFrom the spectacular beauty of your holy mountain\,\nyou approach us in a blaze of glory. \nYou come with the full fanfare;\nflashes of fire in front of you;\nthunder storming all around you. \nYou call the earth and sky to sit as a jury\,\nand set out the charges against your people. \nYou call the accused:\nthose who swore their faithfulness to you\,\nand signed themselves to a binding alliance. \nThe whole universe honours you as the judge\,\nand affirms the honesty of your court. \nWe belong to you and you call us to listen.\nYou set out the case against us\, your chosen people.\nYou are God; our God.  \nIt is not our sacrifices you condemn;\nthe gifts we are constantly offering. \nBut you set us straight in no uncertain terms;\nwe have ignored you\,\noffering gifts instead of ourselves.\nYou warn us that when you pass sentence\,\nthere is nowhere to make further appeal. \nYou are honoured when we express our gratitude\,\nnot when we fob you off with gifts.\nIt is those who get back on the right track\nwho you lead into the land of freedom. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Hebrews 11: 1-3\, 8-16 \n \n\n \n \n \n Faith is the capacity to put all your eggs in the one basket\, when even the existence of the basket must be taken on trust and hope. It was the ability to take decisive action based on faith alone that made our forebears such memorable heroes. Even our belief that the universe came into existence on God’s say-so is based solely on faith. The existence of material things might be provable\, but the belief that their origins lie in something that is not accessible to scientific observation can only be grounded in faith. \nIt was the exercise of faith that enabled Abraham to cooperate when God called him to uproot himself and emigrate. He was to be given a new and permanent home\, but when he set out\, he had no idea where he was headed. It was faith that kept him going\, even when\, on arrival in the land that had been promised to him\, he had to camp like a refugee and see his son Isaac and grandson Jacob doing the same. What he inherited and passed on to them was a promise that was yet to be made good. He was sustained by a vision of the city that would be founded\, designed and built by God. \nIt was the exercise of faith that enabled Sarah and Abraham to go ahead and have a child\, even though they had grown old without ever before being able to have one. They believed that God could be trusted to keep promises. As a result\, this one shrivelled old couple became the parents of a line of descendants that is now as uncountable as the stars in the sky and the grains of sand on the beach. \nAll those we remember as the early heroes of faith went to their graves without having seen the promises fulfilled\, but still trusting in God. They were glad to have just caught a glimpse of what was coming\, and that vision was enough to sustain them. They freely admitted that they were on the earth as outsiders and guests. This attitude made it clear that they were still expecting to eventually find their true home. If they had regarded themselves as truly belonging to the places they had come from\, there was nothing to stop them from going back. It is clear that the reason they didn’t was that their hearts were set on a better country — a piece of heaven itself. It is no wonder that God is proud to be known as their God. And their faith will be vindicated\, for God has made ready a city for them. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Luke 12: 32-40 \n \n\n \n \n \n Jesus said to his followers\, “You lot may seem small and helpless\, but don’t be afraid. God conceived you in love and is only too happy to give you the kingdom. Simplify your lives. Off-load your possessions and share generously with people in need. Commit yourselves to a new investment strategy\, putting all your eggs in God’s basket. Such investments are not subject to the vagaries of the market. If the treasures that your heart is set on are all in God\, they are totally fire-proof. Nothing can ever devalue them. The fact is that wherever you make your greatest investment\, your passion and energy will inevitably follow. \n“Keep your boots on! Keep the lights on! Be ready for action at any moment. Be like diligent workers who are not sure when their boss will be back from his honeymoon\, but are determined to be hard at work whenever he shows up. They will be glad they didn’t slack off but kept themselves industrious\, because you can bet that when he comes he will throw a party for them – all on the house – and give them a generous end-of-year bonus. It won’t make any difference whether he arrives early or late in the shift. If he finds them on the job\, they will have every reason to be thankful. \n“Think about it. No one would ever let their houses get burgled if the house-breakers worked set hours and made appointments. You have got to be on the ready all the time\, because you have no way of knowing when the New Human is going to show up.” \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 Genesis 15: 1-6 \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. \n©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n Psalm 33: 12-22 \n \n\n \n \n \n What more could a country want than to have you as their God?\nTo be your cherished people\, LORD\, is the best thing in life. \nYou keep your eye on the whole earth;\nyou see each and every one of us. \nThough you are seated in power\, LORD\,\nyou concern yourself with all who live on earth.\nYou shaped us\, inside and out\,\nand you watch everything we do with interest. \nNo army can guarantee our safety;\nthe toughest fighter is not invincible. \nPinning our hopes on military might is futile;\nbrute force cannot make life worth living. \nIt is you\, LORD\, who watches over all who respect you;\nyou\, whose love and loyalty give us confidence.\nYou are our only hope when death closes in;\nour only security when times are tough. \nWe put our trust in you\, LORD;\nyou alone can help and protect us. \nBecause of you\, our hearts are bursting with joy;\nyour name stands out and fills us with confidence. \nSurround us with your love\, LORD.\nWe’ve pinned all our hopes on you\nand on your rock-solid love. \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 it is your good pleasure to open the Kingdom to us. \nThe worlds were created by your word\nand the heavens testify that you are just.\nThrough your law and prophets\nyou called your people from their hypocrisy\,\nrefusing to accept our offerings or hear our prayers\nuntil we showed a willingness to obey you. \nThrough Jesus Christ\, your child and our saviour\,\nyou called us to travel lightly\nas strangers and foreigners on the earth\,\nputting our hopes in you alone\nand always ready to welcome your future.\nWhen he was killed by those\nwhose hands were full of blood\,\nyou raised him to new life\nso that he might prepare a new world\nfor those who put their faith in your promises\,\ngiving away their riches on earth\nand treasuring heaven in their hearts. \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 are preparing a heavenly city\nfor those who put their faith in your promises\,\ngiving away their riches on earth\nand treasuring heaven in their hearts. \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 it is your good pleasure to open the Kingdom to us. \nThe worlds were created by your word\nand the heavens testify that you are just.\nThrough your law and prophets\nyou called your people from their hypocrisy\,\nrefusing to accept our offerings or hear our prayers\nuntil we showed a willingness to obey you. \nThrough Jesus Christ\, your child and our saviour\,\nyou called us to travel lightly\nas strangers and foreigners on the earth\,\nputting our hopes in you alone\nand always ready to welcome your future.\nWhen he was killed by those\nwhose hands were full of blood\,\nyou raised him to new life\nso that he might prepare a new world\nfor those who put their faith in your promises\,\ngiving away their riches on earth\nand treasuring heaven in their hearts. \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 is not ashamed to be called your God.\nThough your sins are like scarlet they shall be like snow;\nthough they are like crimson\, they shall be like wool. \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 like those prepared for the Lord to return.\nCease to do evil\, learn to do good;\nseek justice\, rescue the oppressed.\nGive freely to those in need\nand let your treasure be in the things of heaven \nAnd may God not be ashamed to be called your God;\nMay Christ Jesus find you attentive and well prepared;\nAnd may the Holy Spirit give you the assurance\nof all that has been promised to 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\nWhat Keeps Us Going?A sermon on Hebrews 11:1-3\, 8-16 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nOverriding the Operating SystemA sermon on Luke 12:32-40 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nNo More Bull!A sermon on Isaiah 1: 1\, 10-20 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nWhat is Faith?A sermon on Hebrews 11:1-3\, 8-16 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nFaithful FaithA sermon on Hebrews 11: 1-3\, 8-16 & Luke 12: 32-40 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nFaith as Medicine for Sick WorldA sermon on Isaiah 1:10-20; Hebrews 11:1-3\, 8-16 & Luke 12:32-40 by Nathan Nettleton\n\n\n\nImaginationA sermon on Hebrews 11: 1-3\, 8-16 & Isaiah 1: 1\, 10-20 by Jody Kilpatrick\n\n\n\nGod the Waiter\, God the ThiefA sermon on Luke 12:32-40 by Karen Quah URL:https://laughingbird.net/occasion/cp14/2031-08-10/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://laughingbird.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/P14.png END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR