O Adonäi

Holy One, open our lips:

and we shall proclaim your praise.

Glory to God, Source of all being, Eternal Word and Holy Spirit;*

as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.  Amen.

PSALMODY

OPENING

O come, O come, Adonäi

in burning bush on Sinäi,

the flame that holds us still in awe,

to etch in flesh the living law.

Rejoice! Rejoice! The marks of pain

shall show the law of love most plain.

From Psalm 27, Dominus Illuminatio

The Lord is my light and |my salvation; *

whom then |shall I fear?


The Lord is the strength |of my life; *

of whom then shall I |be afraid?


One thing have I asked of the Lord; one |thing I seek; *


that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days |of my life.


For in the day of trouble, O God,

you shall keep me safe |in your shelter; *


you shall hide me in the secrecy of your dwelling

and set me high up-|on a rock. 


Hearken to my voice, O Lord, |when I call; *

have mercy on me and |answer me.


You speak in my heart and say , |“Seek my face.” *

Your face, Lord, |will I seek.


You have been my helper; cast me |not away; * 


do not forsake me, O God of |my salvation.

Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;*


as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever. Amen.

Closing

Reading – Zechariah 8.9-17

Thus says the Lord of hosts: Let your hands be strong—you that have recently been hearing these words from the mouths of the prophets who were present when the foundation was laid for the rebuilding of the temple, the house of the Lord of hosts. For before those days there were no wages for people or for animals, nor was there any safety from the foe for those who went out or came in, and I set them all against one another. But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as in the former days, says the Lord of hosts. For there shall be a sowing of peace; the vine shall yield its fruit, the ground shall give its produce, and the skies shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things. Just as you have been a cursing among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you and you shall be a blessing. Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong.

For thus says the Lord of hosts: Just as I purposed to bring disaster upon you, when your ancestors provoked me to wrath, and I did not relent, says the Lord of hosts, so again I have purposed in these days to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah; do not be afraid. These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another, render in your gates judgements that are true and make for peace, do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath; for all these are things that I hate, says the Lord.

SILENCE

Responsory

There is a longing, deep within us,

to be with you, O God.


We are expectant

of your coming to walk the earth.

BENEDICTUS

Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel,*

for he has come to his people and set them free.


He has raised up for us a mighty saviour,*

born of the house of his servant David.


Through his holy prophets he promised of old* 


that he would save us from our enemies,

from the hands of all that hate us.


He promised to show mercy to our forebears,*

and to remember his holy covenant.


This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:* 


to set us free from the hands of our enemies,

free to worship him without fear,*


holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.


You my child shall be called the prophet of the Most High,*


for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,


to give his people knowledge of salvation*

by the forgiveness of all their sins.


In the tender compassion of our God*

the dawn from on high shall break upon us,


to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,*
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.


Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;*


as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever. Amen.

PRAYERS

Lord, have mercy upon us.


Christ, have mercy upon us.


Lord, have mercy upon us.

On this day, lift into the blessing of God’s compassionate gaze:

all who work for truth and justice,

all who work the land;

all who rely on the word of others. Amen.

Our Father in heaven,  hallowed be your name, 


your kingdom come, your will be done,

on earth as in heaven. 


Give us today our daily bread. 


Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. 


Do not bring us to the time of trial, but deliver us from evil. 


For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, 


now and for ever. Amen.

Collect

Gracious God,


as we listen once more to your messengers the prophets

turning us around and preparing us to receive our liberation:

give us the humility, insight, and grace to listen to their warnings,

and to heed the still small voice that whispers in our hearts,

that we may look once more upon your face

and greet your every coming with joy.  Amen.

Blessing

As we go from this place,

help us to remember that we are cradled in your loving hand,

developing alongside our brother, Jesus

and gifted with life by your Holy breath. Amen.