Holy Week Years A, B, & C
Great Vigil of Easter
Great Vigil of Easter
The Great Vigil of Easter is one of the oldest known rites of the Christian church, dating back to the second century. It brings worshippers, literally and symbolically, from darkness into light.
The service is comprised of four parts:
the kindling of the new fire and lighting of the Paschal Candle;
the reading of lessons recounting the many ways in which God has saved and restored his people;
receiving new Christians into the body of the Church through the sacrament of Baptism, or renewal of Baptismal vows; and
reuniting the people of God with the Body of the risen Christ by celebrating the first Eucharist of Easter.
After weeks of penitence, preparation, and reflection, more joyful elements return to the liturgy. The Exsultet, a chant almost as old as the Easter Vigil itself, invites us to rejoice in Christ’s triumph over death and redemption of the world; and the word alleluia (“Praise the Lord”)—which has not been spoken during the past 40 days of Lent—is proclaimed enthusiastically, and will remain in acclamations, fractions, hymns, and dismissals throughout Eastertide.
Sources: An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, Common Worship: Times and Seasons, Trinity Church Wall Street liturgical staff
Lighting of the Paschal Candle
In the darkness, fire is kindled.
Celebrant: Dear friends in Christ: On this most holy night, in which our Lord Jesus passed over from death to life, the Church invites her members, dispersed throughout the world, to gather in vigil and prayer. For this is the Passover of the Lord, in which, by hearing his Word and celebrating his Sacraments, we share in his victory over death.
Let us pray.
O God, through your Son you have bestowed upon your people the brightness of your light: Sanctify this new fire, and grant that in this Paschal feast we may so burn with heavenly desires, that with pure minds we may attain to the festival of everlasting light; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Paschal Candle is then lighted from the newly kindled fire, and the Deacon bearing the candle leads the procession to the chancel, pausing three times, with the Celebrant singing, and the congregation responding each time.
The Celebrant introduces the Scripture readings, saying
Let us hear the record of God’s saving deeds in history, how he saved his people in ages past; and let us pray that our God will bring each of us to the fullness of redemption.
The Story of Creation (One)
Genesis 1:1-2:4a (image) [Caroline Street's "Creation Celebration", https://caroline-street.pixels.com/art/creation ]
Story by Kristen Pohl Spangler
Sing: "Man gave names to all the animals"
Precentor: Christ is the image of the unseen God;
Response: through him all things were made.
Precentor: Let us pray that we may see God’s image restored. Silence
Precentor: Blessed are you, Lord, God of our salvation. Your love cannot be contained and overflows in the wonder of creation. You formed the universe out of nothing and molded us from the clay of the earth. All you have made sings of your marvelous deeds, O Lord, our maker and redeemer. Amen.
The Flood (Two)
Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18, 8:6-18, 9:8-13 (image)
Story by Brian Protheroe
Sing: "Morning has broken"
Precentor: In baptism we died to sin.
Response: In Christ we are raised to life.
Precentor: Let us pray that God will wash away all that corrupts his work and restore in us the beauty for which we were made. Silence
Precentor: Blessed are you, Lord, God of our salvation. In your perfect justice you hate the world’s sin. Noah and his family risked ridicule for your sake yet their obedience brought them blessing. Flood our world with the tide of your love and rid us of all that disfigures your glorious creation, O Lord, our maker and redeemer. Amen.
Israel's deliverance at the Red Sea (Three)
Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21 (image)
Story by Edwina A Winter
Sing: "Miriam's Song"
Precentor: The Lord is my strength and my might.
Response: He has become my salvation.
Precentor: Let us pray that God will give freedom to his enslaved people.
Silence
Precentor: Blessed are you, Lord, God of our salvation. You heard the agony of your people as they cried out from their slavery, and you gave them Moses to lead them to a land flowing with milk and honey. Hear the cry of the enslaved and the homeless today and lead us through the turbulent sea of life to our true home with you, O Lord, our maker and redeemer. Amen.
A new heart and a new spirit (Four)
Story by Sandra J Teel
Sing: "Christ be our Light"
Precentor: Christ gives the living water.
Response: Christ is the fountain of eternal life.
Precentor: Let us pray that God will give to the thirsting a new outpouring of his refreshing spirit.
Silence
Precentor: Blessed are you, Lord, God of our salvation. When we are overwhelmed by the wasting world, gather us again and renew us. Create in us a new heart and a renewed spirit, that we may be a people prepared to live in your land and walk in your ways, O Lord, our maker and redeemer. Amen.
The valley of dry bones (Five)
Story by Joe McFalls
Sing: "Holy spirit, rain down"
Precentor: Christ is the resurrection and the life.
Response: Those who believe in Christ will never die.
Precentor: Let us pray that God will breathe new life into his weary creation.
Silence
Precentor: Baruch attah Yahhhhh elohenu ruach ha'olam
Blessed are you our God, Breathing Spirit of the World, You bring life from the darkest valley of death. When hope is lost and our dry bones are scattered in shame, speak your word to your broken people, that we may stand confidently before you, and breathe your Spirit into us that we might live, O Lord, our maker and redeemer. Amen.
The gathering of God's people (Six)
Story by Donna Newton
Sing: "Isaiah 43" (Do not fear)
Precentor: Where, O death, is your victory?
Response: Where, O death, is your sting?
Precentor: Let us pray that God will fill sad hearts with songs of joy.
Silence
Precentor: Blessed are you, Lord, God of our salvation. You are the King who dwells in the midst of the people as one who brings victory from the jaws of defeat. Heal the sick and gather the outcast and turn our shame into praise, that we may sing aloud and exalt your name, O Lord, our maker and redeemer. Amen.
The commandments of Life (Seven)
Story by Martha E Herchak and Stephen P Herchak
Sing: "Open your ears, O faithful people"
Precentor: Christ is the wisdom of God.
Response: Christ has the words of eternal life
Precentor: Let us pray that God will reveal his ways of wisdom to the proud and powerful.
Silence
Precentor: Blessed are you, Lord, God of our salvation. You share your wisdom with the forsaken and open to us the way of life. Give us wisdom, strength and understanding, that we may shine with the light of your glory and glow with gladness for you, O Lord, our maker and redeemer. Amen.
The following selections complete the liturgical scripture for this most holy day.
Romans 6:3-11 (died with Christ, live with Christ)
Psalm 114 (tremble at the presence of the Lord)
Sing: "Gloria of the Bells" (meas. 4:20) by Peloquin
Year A: Matthew 28:1-10 (Jesus appears to women)
Year B: Mark 16:1-8 (Mary Magdalene, Mary mother of James, and Salome greet angel outside the tomb)
Year C: Luke 24:1-12 (Mary Magdalene tells disciples but they cannot believe)