OPENING PRAYER: Hymn #69 Carol Christopher Drake, (b. 1933), alt.

1. What is the crying at Jordan?

Who hears, O God, the prophecy?

Dark is the season, dark our hearts

and shut to mystery.

2. Who then shall stir in this darkness,

prepare for joy in the winter night?

Mortal in darkness we lie down

blind-hearted, seeing no light.

3. Lord, give us grace to awake us,

to see the branch that begins to bloom;

in great humility is hid all heaven

in a little room.

4. Now comes the day of salvation,

in joy and terror the Word is born!

God gives himself into our lives;

O let salvation dawn!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ib44LWGJJCM (The Miserable Offenders)

CLOSING PRAYER:

Holy One, who comes to us

in a season of captivity;

May we not brush off your messages

of comfort for broken hearts,

prisoners, and ALL who mourn.

May we receive and send

messages of joy instead of doom.

May our spirits, souls, and bodies

be kept in your comfort

and used to make new

the rubble left behind

from these difficult days.

Then, may our hearts overflow with joy

As we recognize you in our midst. Amen.