Easter Vigil Service

This is the Easter Vigil Service we used at Epiphany on April 3, 2010. I will explain the selection of the particular readings in later posts.

CELEBRATION OF OUR LORD’S RESURRECTION AND OF OUR BAPTISM

SERVICE OF LIGHT

The congregation may gather in a convenient place outside the nave of the church. All are given candles to be lit later from the paschal candle. In the semidarkness a fire is kindled.

M: In the name of the Father and of the Son † and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.

M: On this most holy night, in which our Lord Jesus Christ passed over from death to life, we are gathered here in vigil and prayer. This is the Passover of the Lord in which, by hearing his Word and celebrating his sacraments, we share in his victory over death.

M: O God, you are like a refiner’s fire, and your Spirit kindles the hearts of your faithful people with the fire of your love. Bless, we ask you, this new flame and those who keep this joyful Easter festival. Burning with desire for life with you, may we be found rightly prepared to share in the Feast of Light which has no end, through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.

The candle bearer, holding the paschal candle, steps forward. The minister traces the cross and the Greek letters A and W (Alpha and Omega) upon it, saying:

M: Christ Jesus, the same yesterday, today, and forever, the beginning and the end, the Alpha and the Omega.

The minister traces the year upon the candle, saying:

M: His are time and eternity; his are the glory and dominion now and forever.

The minister puts the five wax nails representing the wounds of Christ into the candle, saying:

M: By his wounds we are healed now and forever. Amen.

Then, lighting the candle from the newly kindled fire, the minister says:

M: May the light of Christ, who is risen in glory from the dead, scatter all the darkness of our hearts and minds.

M: Almighty and most merciful Father, once we were darkness, but now we are light in Jesus Christ our Lord. Bless abundantly all who joyfully celebrate this night in faith in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Fill them with your heavenly blessing in him, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
C: Amen.

All light their candles from the paschal candle. Then, the paschal candle held aloft by the candle bearer, all follow in procession into the dark church.

As the procession begins, or at the doors of the nave, the candle bearer pauses and says:

B: The light of Christ.
C: Thanks be to God.

Halfway to the altar, the candle bearer pauses and says a second time:

B: The light of Christ.
C: Thanks be to God.

When the candle bearer arrives before the altar, he faces the congregation, lifts the candle high, and says a third time:

B: The light of Christ.
C: Thanks be to God.

EXSULTET

The candle bearer places the paschal candle in its stand in the center of the chancel. Standing in its light, the minister says:

M: Rejoice now, all you heav’nly choirs of angels; rejoice now, all creation; sound forth, trumpet of salvation, and proclaim the triumph of our King. Rejoice too, all the earth, in the radiance of the light now poured upon you and made brilliant by the brightness of the everlasting King; know that the ancient darkness has been forever banished. Rejoice, O Church of Christ, clothed in the brightness of this light; let all this house of God ring out with rejoicing, with the praises of all God’s faithful people.

M: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
M: Lift up your hearts.
C: We lift them up to the Lord.
M: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C: It is right to give him thanks and praise.

M: It is truly good and right that we should at all times and in all places, with all our hearts and minds and voices, praise you, O Lord, Holy Father, almighty and everlasting God, and your one and only Son, Jesus Christ. For he is the true Paschal Lamb, who offered himself for the sin of the world, who has cleansed us by the shedding of his precious blood. This is the night when you brought our fathers, the children of Israel, out of bondage in Egypt and led them through the Red Sea on dry ground. This is the night when all who believe in Christ are delivered from bondage to sin and are restored to life and immortality. This is the night when Christ, the Life, arose from the dead. The seal of the grave is broken and the morning of the new creation breaks forth out of night. Oh, how wonderful and beyond all telling is your mercy toward us, O God, that to redeem a slave you gave your Son. How holy is this night when all wickedness is put to flight and sin is washed away. How holy is this night when innocence is restored to the fallen and joy is given to those downcast. How blessed is this night when man is reconciled to God in Christ. Holy Father, accept now the evening sacrifices of our thanksgiving and praise. Let Christ, the true Light and Morning Star, shine in our hearts, he who gives light to all creation, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.

SERVICE OF LESSONS
The congregation extinguishes its candles. A few lights in the nave may be turned on. Each lesson is followed by silence for reflection on God’s Word, then a song will be sung, followed by prayer.

M: On this most holy night, our Savior Christ the Lord broke the power of death and by his resurrection brought life and salvation to all creation. Let us praise the Lord, for he truly keeps his word. The sun of righteousness has dawned on those sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death.

CREATION: GENESIS 1:1-2:3

#754 — “The Tree of Life”

M: Let us pray. Almighty God, you most wonderfully created human nature and yet more wonderfully redeemed it. By your mercy renew us in the image of him who came to share our humanity, your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.

THE FLOOD: GENESIS 7:1-5, 11-18, 8:6-18; 9:8-13

“See the Judge in Glory Seated”

M: Let us pray. O Lord, whose wrath burned against the evil of humanity, you kill and bring again to life according to your own purpose; you brought the flood on a wicked and perverse generation and yet saved faithful Noah and his family. Gather your elect into your Church, and so complete your work of mercy, that the ends of the earth may know your salvation, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.

TESTING OF ABRAHAM: GENESIS 22:1-18

#714 — “The Lamb”

M: Let us pray. O God, you promised to faithful Abraham that he would be the father of many nations, and through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, you increase your chosen people throughout the world. Give to your Church a living trust in all your promises, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.

ISRAEL’S DELIVERANCE AT THE RED SEA: EXODUS 14:10-15:1

“When Israel was in Egypt’s Land”

M: Let us pray. O God, you once delivered your people Israel from slavery under Pharaoh and led them safely through the Red Sea. By this you gave us a picture of Baptism. Lead us always to rejoice in your baptismal promise, that we may live in its grace and declare to all people your desire to make them children of Abraham, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.

SERVICE OF HOLY BAPTISM

M: On this holiest of days, the whole Church of our Lord Jesus Christ recalls his death and burial, rejoicing in the gospel of his glorious resurrection from the dead. Holy Baptism is the precious means of grace by which our Father in heaven connects us with Christ in his life, death, and resurrection. The apostle Paul says: “Don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

#739 — “Baptismal Waters Cover Me”

M: In Holy Baptism, God takes away our sins and gives new life in Christ our Lord. We solemnly renounce the devil and all his works and all his ways; we confess the gift of faith in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I ask you: Do you reject the devil along with all his lies and empty promises?
C: Yes, and I ask God to help me.

M: Do you believe in God, the Father almighty?
C: Yes, I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

M: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son?
C: Yes, I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

M: Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?
C: Yes, I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

M: Do you intend to continue in this faith, to be diligent in the use of Word and sacrament, and in faith and action remain true to God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—as long as you live?
C: Yes, and I ask God to help me.

M: Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given you the new birth of water and of the Spirit and has forgiven you all your sins, strengthen you with his grace to life everlasting.
C: Amen.

SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION

REINTRODUCTION OF THE ALLELUIAS
M: For a time during the quieter days of Lent we have said farewell to alleluia. The alleluias return as we prepare for the Easter dawn as we gather to shout our praise to the risen Lord.

#141 — “At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing”

The altar candles and other candles in the church are now lit from the paschal candle. The lights of the church are fully lit and the minister proclaims:

M: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
C: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

THE RESURRECTION GOSPEL

M: For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. This is the day the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
C: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

PRAYER OF THE DAY
M: O God, who made this most holy night to shine with the glory of the resurrection of our Lord, preserve in all your people the Spirit of adoption which you have given, that they may serve you in faith and joy, through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.

LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

OFFERING

THE SACRAMENT

The Words of Institution

During Distribution: Quiet reflection on the Sacrament.

#406 — “This is the Threefold Truth”