The Great Easter Vigil
|
From the Open Files of: |
Heilig Resource Center, 704/633-4861 |
|
Contributed by: |
Emmanuel Lutheran, High Point, NC |
The Great Vigil of Easter
What was done: The first year this was done, members of Emmanuel, High Point and the associate pastor planned and led the Easter Vigil for Holy Saturday evening concluding with Holy Communion at the Easter Sunrise service. The second year, pastors and congregations from the High Point area were invited to join together and planned an ecumenical Vigil worship. Traditions represented were: Lutheran, Presbyterian, Episcopal, Reformed and Baptist; lay and ordained people were worship leaders, including youth and adults.
What prompted this activity? A desire on the part of the clergy to worship together and share our traditions in a single worship.
What was actually accomplished: A joint celebration of the Resurrections; opening the Christian community to worshipping with other Christians; sharing the worship resources of other denominations and ethnic backgrounds and the desire to do more jointly.
What resources were developed? Included in this file are some planning and information sheets as well as the final drafts of brochures about Lent and the Vigil Service.
What costs were involved? There were minimal costs. There was some expense for reproduction and photocopying the planning sheets, bulletins, etc.
Suggestions for other congregations: Have one person who can serve as the coordinator, but have plenty of input by all worship planners and leaders. Be prepared for last minute changes.
Other comments: We tried to have representation of a broad range of traditions. For example, the main outline for the worship order was from mainline catholic, e.g. Lutheran Minister's Desk Edition, The Book of Common Prayer (Episcopal), and the Reformed worship book. James Weldon Johnson's "Creation" was read by an African-American pastor who also sang a hymn from his tradition. Organ, flute and handbells accompanied the hymns, etc.
Press Release
Preparation and Planning
The Vigil of Easter - March, 1991
The Resurrection of Our
Lord
The Vigil of Easter - 1992 - Service
Notes
The Vigil of Easter -
1992
(Download as Rich Text Format)
The Great Vigil of Easter: Timeless Celebration of Salvation
It is ironic that the farther removed in time we are from the early church the more important it seems for Christians to understand and reclaim their ancient heritage. The Church continues to study the biblical teachings and principles as well as the practice of its traditions. Perhaps most visible among the church's "practices" is the way congregations worship. How have individual church groups come to understand corporate worship? Many, if not most, of our worship traditions have undergone change even to the point of losing some of the rituals treasured by our ancient forebears.
The holiest worship event in the ancient church was the Great Vigil of Easter. It began on Holy Saturday, late at night when it was dark and concluded with the light of Easter dawn. The principle parts of the service were Baptism of Christian converts and entrance into the Lord's Supper or Eucharist.
Today, the Church reclaims this holy liturgy and offers it to the faithful as a renewed experience of the faith our ancestors proclaimed. (On Holy Saturday, date and time) the community is invited to an ecumenical service of Vigil. It will be celebrated at name and address of church. Participants in the planning and leadership are from several local churches.
This four-part liturgy begins with the Service of Light where the new fire is blessed and the people follow the lighted Paschal Candle just as the Israelites followed the pillars of cloud and fire when they were delivered from bondage. The Exultet is sung proclaiming our own deliverance from slavery to sin.
The second part of the service consists of several readings from the Old Testament. All of them focus on God's saving mercy to the Israelites. They help to sum up the Church's understanding of God's redemptive power and our covenant relationship with the Lord. Along with the scripture readings there will be opportunities for the assembly to participate in music and prayer.
The third section of the liturgy is an affirmation of Baptism. Easter Vigil in the early church was a time for Baptism. For the already baptized it is a time to affirm the vows made at Baptism and to once again die with Christ and be raised with him to eternal life. Concluding this part of the service will be a reading of the Resurrection narrative from the Gospel.
The fourth part of the service will be celebrated at individual congregations on Easter itself.
The city name Community is welcome to join in this observance renewing the Easter vigil of the ancient church. Come and celebrate God's continuing love that remains timeless.
Rev. Joyce Taipale, Emmanuel Lutheran Church.
[ TOP ] Download as a Rich Text File for Editing
I. The Service of Light
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: In columbarium if weather permits
Brazier for new fire
Fire builder:
Leader for Exultet: Ushers: (pass out programs, lead worshippers to location of fire, have parents with children follow first after leader moves to worship center…)
II. The Service of the Word
Location: SanctuaryReadings
Lesson 1 - Gen 1:1-2:2 (The Creation)
Read by:
Music and musicians:Prayer: (worshippers stand)
Special preparations:Lesson 2 - Gen 7:1-5, 11-18; 8:6-18; 9:8-13 (The Flood)
Read by:
Music and musicians:Prayer: (worshippers stand)
Special preparations:Lesson 3 - Gen 22:1-18 (Abraham Sacrifices Isaac)
Read by:
Music and musicians:Prayer: (worshippers stand)
Special preparations:Lesson 4 - Exod 14:10-15:1a or Exod 13:17-15:1a (Exodus and Crossing the Red Sea)
Read by:
Music and musicians:Prayer: (worshippers stand)
Special preparations:Lesson 5 - Isaiah 55:1-11 (Come to the Waters)
Read by:
Music and musicians:Prayer: (worshippers stand)
Special preparations:Lesson 6 - Baruch 3:9-37 (The Command to Israel in Exile)
Read by:
Music and musicians:Prayer: (worshippers stand)
Special preparations:Lesson 7 - Ezekiel 37:1-14 (The Dry Bones)
Read by:
Music and musicians:Prayer: (worshippers stand)
Special preparations:Lesson 8 - Isaiah 4:2-6 (The Future glory of Zion)
Read by:
Music and musicians: The Song of the VineyardPrayer: (worshippers stand)
Special preparations:Lesson 9 - Exodus 12:1-14 or Exod 12:1-24 (The First Passover)
Read by:
Music and musicians:Prayer: (worshippers stand)
Special preparations:Lesson 10 - Jonah 3:1-10 (The Conversion of Nineveh)
Read by:
Music and musicians:Prayer: (worshippers stand)
Special preparations:Lesson 11 - Deut 31:19-30 (The Charge to Moses and Joshua)
Read by:
Music and musicians: The Song of MosesPrayer: (worshippers stand)
Special preparations:Lesson 12 - Daniel 3:1-29 (The Three Youths in the Fiery Furnace)
Read by:
Music and musicians: Benedicite, Omnia Opera (All You Works of the Lord) is sung as the worshippers gather around the baptismal font; worship leader brings the paschal candle.Prayer: (worshippers stand)
Special preparations:
III. Affirmation of Baptism
Begins with the thanksgiving, #9, page 122; the profession of faith, #10, page 123; and asperges or sprinkling.Music and musicians: none needed; all leave after the Affirmation, but could use hymn #192, 189, or 194.
All leave. Service resumes with Holy Communion on Easter - 6:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m.
[ TOP ] Download as a Rich Text File for Editing
Emmanuel Lutheran Church
High Point, NC
Saturday, March 30, 1991
Come, O Faithful, and take light from the Light that never fades; come and glorify Christ who is risen from the dead!
From the Orthodox Liturgy
Assemble in the columbarium for the lighting of the new fire with prayers. We will follow the lighted candle into the worship center.
The Lighting of the New Fire
The Procession
The assembly's response to the assisting minister as we move inside is:Thanks be to God!
The Exultet
These ancient stories are the models of our own faith experience. All generations of the faithful have been liberated from bondage by God as if we had all gone out of Egypt.
|
The First Lesson |
The Creation |
|
The Hymn |
|
554 |
Silence |
||
Prayer |
||
|
The Second Lesson |
The Great Flood |
|
The Song |
(Children should bring their stuffed animals forward) |
See Insert |
Silence |
||
Prayer |
||
|
The Third Lesson |
Abraham Sacrifices Isaac |
|
Silence |
||
Prayer |
||
|
The Fourth Lesson |
The First Passover |
|
The Hymn |
|
See Insert |
Silence |
||
Prayer |
||
|
The Fifth Lesson |
Crossing the Red Sea |
|
The Hymn |
|
See Insert |
Silence |
||
Prayer |
||
|
The Sixth Lesson |
Charge to Moses & Joshua |
|
The Hymn |
|
See Insert |
Silence |
||
Prayer |
||
|
Canticle: All You Works of the Lord is sung as the worshippers follow the Paschal candle to the baptismal font. (Bring hymnals to the font) The worshippers sing the refrain after bells: |
||
|
|
||
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
The Creed (Please respond as instructed)
The Prayers and Passing of the Peace
|
The Hymn |
|
191 |
INSERT
(after 4th lesson) When Israel was in Egypt's land: Let my people
go; "Thus saith the Lord," bold Moses said, Let my
people go; No more shall they in bondage toil (after 5th lesson) When Israel out of Egypt came, . . . O, 'twas a dark and dismal night, . . . 'Twas good old Moses and Aaron, too, . . . The Lord told Moses what to do, . . . O come along, Moses, you'll not get lost, . .
. As Israel stood by the waterside, . . . When they had reached the other shore . . . Pharaoh said he would go across, . . . (after 6th lesson) Jordan shall stand up like a wall, . . . Your foes, shall not before you stand, . . . 'Twas just about in harvest-time, . . . Oh, let us all from bondage flee, . . . We need not always weep and moan, . . . Rise and Shine The Lord said to Noah, "There's gonna
be a flood-y, flood-y" Lord said to Noah, "There's
gonna be a flood-y, flood-y. Get those children out
of the mud-y, mud-y." Children of the Lord. Chorus: The Lord said to Noah, "You'd better
build an ark-y, ark-y." The Lord said to Noah,
"You'd better build an ark-y, ark-y, build it out
of hickory bark-y, bark-y." Children of the Lord.
(Chorus) The animals, they came aboard two by
two-sy, two-sy. The animals, they came aboard two
by two-sy, two-sy. Elephants and kangaroo-sy,
roo-sy, Children of the Lord. (Chorus) It rained and rained for forty
day-zy, day-zy. It rained and rained for forty
day-zy, day-zy. Almost drove those animals crazy,
crazy, Children of the Lord. (Chorus) The sun came out and dried off the
land-y, land-y. The sun came out and dried off the
land-y, land-y. Everything was fine and dandy,
dandy. Children of the Lord. (Chorus)
Oppressed so hard they could not stand, Let my
people go.
Chorus:Go down, Moses,
'Way down in Egypt land,
Tell ole Pharaoh,
Let my people go.
"If not, I'll smite your first-born dead," Let my
people go.
(Chorus)
Let them come out with Egypt's spoil
(Chorus)
and left the proud oppressive land,
(Chorus)
When Moses led the Israelites,
(Chorus)
'Twas they that led the armies through,
(Chorus)
To lead the children of Israel through,
(Chorus)
Stretch out your rod and come across,
(Chorus)
At the command of God it did divide,
(Chorus)
They sang the song of triumph o'er,
(Chorus)
But Pharaoh and his host were lost,
(Chorus)
With a lighted candle in your breast,
(Chorus)
And you'll possess fair Canaan's land,
(Chorus)
When Joshua led his host divine,
(Chorus)
And let us all in Christ be free,
(Chorus)
And wear these slavery chains forlorn,
(Chorus)
So rise and shine and give
God the glory, glory. Rise and shine and give
God the glory, glory. Rise and shine and give
God the glory, glory, Children of the Lord.
[ TOP ] Download as a Rich Text File for Editing
Sunrise
The Service of Holy Communion
(We gather in the Columbarium for the reading of the lessons and lighting of the Paschal candle.)
The Lessons
Psalm 118:1-2, 15-24 (page 272)
I Corinthians 15:19-28
|
Hymn |
|
135 |
|
The Alleluia Verse |
Page 62 |
|
|
The Sequence Hymn (cantor) |
||
|
The Gospel |
|
|
|
The Sermon |
||
|
The Hymn of the Day |
Jesus Christ is Risen Today |
151 |
|
The Creed |
Page 65 |
|
|
The Prayers of the Faithful |
||
|
The Peace |
||
|
The Offering |
||
|
The Offertory Verse |
Page 66 |
|
|
The Offertory Prayer |
Page 67 |
|
|
The Great Thanksgiving |
Page 68 |
|
|
The Sanctus |
Page 69 |
|
|
The Lord's Prayer |
Page 71 |
|
|
The Distribution |
||
|
The Post-Communion Canticle |
|
520 |
|
The Benediction |
||
|
The Dismissal |
Cantors:
Readers:
Musicians:
[ TOP ] Download as a Rich Text File for Editing
April 18, 1992
By Emmanuel Lutheran
High Point, NC
I. THE SERVICE OF LIGHT
Ushers will direct congregation to the columbarium
(narthex if it rains) and give bulletins and candles.
Assisting minister lights Paschal Candle: raises it and
says, "The light of Christ" - response is, "Thanks be to
God," repeated three times on the way into the worship
center. Place candle in stand on chancel.
The "sanctuary" is in dimmed light; each member of the
assembly has a small taper; they will be lighted by
acolytes.
The Exultet (Easter Proclamation) is sung by a
quartet.
Candles are extinguished after the Exultet.
II. THE SERVICE OF READINGS
The first reading - THE CREATION, by James Weldon Johnson - read by ________. Following the reading, a flute solo and quartet will introduce LBW Hymn 179, At the Name of Jesus.
Prayer: P: Let us pray.
Almighty God, you wonderfully created the dignity of human nature and yet more wonderfully restored it. Grant that we may share the divine life of the one who came to share our humanity: Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. Amen.
The second reading - ISRAEL'S DELIVERANCE, Exodus 13:17-14:31 - Read by ______. Following the reading there will be a solo, or silence if there is no soloist.
Prayer: P: Let us pray.
God our Savior, even today we see the wonders of miracles you worked long ago. You once saved a single nation from slavery, and now you offer that salvation to all through the grace of baptism. May all the peoples of the world become true daughters and sons of Abraham and Sarah and be made worthy of the heritage of Israel, through Jesus Christ, our only mediator and advocate. Amen.
The third reading - COME TO THE WATERS, Isaiah 55:1-11 - Read by ______. Followed by LWB Hymn 452, As Pants the Hart for Cooling Streams.
Prayer: P: Let us pray.
Eternal God, you created all things by the power of your Word and you renew the earth by your Spirit. Give now the water of life to all who thirst for you, and nourish with the spiritual food of bread and wine all who hunger for you, that our lives on earth may bear the abundant fruit of your heavenly reign; through Jesus Christ, the firstborn from the dead, who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns forever. Amen.
The fourth reading - THE DRY BONES, Ezekiel 37:1-14 - Read by ______. We could use James Weldon Johnson's version of this story as well. Followed by a solo sung by ______.
Prayer: P: Let us pray.
O God, by the Passover of the Son you have brought us out of sin into righteousness and out of death into life. Give us such an understanding of your mercy that, in receiving the gifts of Word and Sacrament now, we may learn to hope for all your gifts to come, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The fifth reading - THE FIRST PASSOVER, Exodus 12:1-14 - Read by Ruth, Minister. Followed by LBW Hymn 385, What Wondrous Love is This? (possible guitar accompaniment)
Prayer: P: Let us pray.
Almighty and ever-lasting God, wonderful in all your works: Let your people understand that even more marvelous than the world's creation is your gift at the end of time: the sacrifice of our Passover Lamb, your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The sixth reading - SONG OF THE THREE YOUNG MEN, Daniel 3:1-23 - Read by Ron
After the reading the cantors will lead the Benedicite, Omnia Opera (All You Works of the Lord) accompanied by hand bells (maybe flute, too). Congregation will move toward the font for the Affirmation of Baptism.
III. THE AFFIRMATION OF BAPTISM
Rev. Randy Foster will preside at the Affirmation with all pastors participating in the asperges (sprinkling).
Rev. Keith Dey will sing a solo on the first verse of LBW Hymn 192, Baptized into Your Name Most Holy.
The final reading is the Resurrection Narrative from
Luke.
We will end with the Passing of the Peace and
"Dismissal."
[ TOP ] Download as a Rich Text File for Editing
The High Point Community
Saturday, April 18, 1992
Come, O Faithful, and take light from the Light that never fades; come and glorify Christ who is risen from the dead!
From the Orthodox Liturgy
Assemble at the columbarium for the lighting of the new fire with prayers. We will follow the lighted Paschal Candle into the worship center. We repeat three times in procession:
Congregation: Thanks be to God!
The Exultet (quartet)
These ancient stories are the models of our own faith experience. All generations of the faithful have been liberated from bondage by God as if we had all gone out of Egypt.
|
First Lesson |
"Creation" by James Weldon Johnson |
Genesis 1:1-2:2 |
|
The Hymn |
(verses 1, 2 quartet) |
179 |
|
Prayer |
||
|
Second Lesson |
|
Exodus 13:17-14:31 |
|
Solo |
||
|
Prayer |
||
|
Third Lesson |
|
Isaiah 55:1-11 |
|
The Hymn |
|
452 |
|
Prayer |
||
|
Fourth Lesson |
|
Ezekiel 37:1-14 |
|
Solo |
(Congregation may hum) |
|
|
Prayer |
||
|
Fifth Lesson |
|
Exodus 12:1-14 |
|
The Hymn |
|
385 |
|
Prayer |
||
|
Sixth Lesson |
|
Daniel 3:1-29 |
Canticle: All You Works of the Lord is sung as the worshippers come forward and gather around the baptismal font.
Cantor sings: All you works of the Lord, bless the Lord---
Worshippers sing the refrain after bells:
Cantors sing verses:
You angels of the Lord, bless the Lord; you heavens, bless the Lord all you powers of the Lord, bless the Lord
Refrain
You sun and moon, bless the Lord; you stars of heaven, bless the Lord; you showers and dew, bless the Lord
Refrain
You winds of God, bless the Lord, you fire and heat, bless the Lord; you winter and summer, bless the Lord
Refrain
You dews and frost, bless the Lord; you frost and cold, bless the Lord; you ice and snow, bless the Lord
Refrain
You nights and days, bless the Lord; you light and darkness, bless the Lord; you lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord
Refrain
Let the earth bless the Lord; you mountains and hills, bless the Lord; all you green things that grow on the earth, bless the Lord
Refrain
You wells and springs, bless the Lord; you rivers and seas, bless the Lord; you whales and all who move in the waters, bless the Lord
Refrain
All you birds of the air, bless the Lord; all you beasts and cattle, bless the Lord; all you children of mortals, bless the Lord
Refrain
You people of God, bless the Lord; you priests of the Lord, bless the Lord; you servants of the Lord, bless the Lord
Refrain
You spirits and souls of the righteous, bless the Lord; you pure and humble of heart, bless the Lord; let us bless the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit
Refrain
Celebrant: Through the Paschal mystery, dear friends, we are buried with Christ by Baptism into his death, and raised with him to newness of life. I call upon you, therefore, now that our Lenten observance is ended, to renew the solemn promises and vows of Holy Baptism, by which we once renounced Satan and all his works, and promised to serve God faithfully in his holy catholic Church.
Celebrant: Do you reaffirm your renunciation of evil and renew your commitment to Jesus Christ?
People: I do.
C: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
P: I believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
C: Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
P: I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
C: Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
P: I will, with God's help.
C: Will you persevere in resisting evil, and whenever you fall into sin, repent and turn to the Lord?
P: I will, with God's help.
C: Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
P: I will, with God's help.
C: Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
P: I will, with God's help.
C: Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
P: I will, with God's help.
C: May almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and bestowed upon us the forgiveness of sins, keep us in eternal life by his grace, in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
P: I saw water proceeding out of the temple; from the right side it flowed. Alleluia. And to all those to whom that water came shall be saved, and shall say, Alleluia, Alleluia.
From Ezekiel 47
|
The Hymn |
(Solo on verse 1) |
192 |
|
THE READING OF THE RESURRECTION NARRATIVE |
Luke 24:1-11 |
|
C: Go in peace, serve the Lord.
P: Thanks be to God!
********************************************************************************************
The Great Vigil of Easter has its roots in the ancient church. The Vigil was a watch for the first signs of the dawn of Easter. The catchumens, who had studied for three years before entrance into the church, read scripture and waited for the first light at which time they were baptized. Following the sacrament, they joined the baptized community in the Easter service and Holy Communion.
The Community Easter Vigil includes three parts of the liturgy: The Service of Light, The Service of Readings and the Affirmation of Baptism.
In the Service of Light the new fire is blessed and the people follow the Paschal Candle as the children of Israel followed the pillars of fire and cloud as they were delivered from bondage in Egypt. The Exultet is sung proclaiming our own deliverance from the bondage of sin.
The Service of Readings includes six Old Testament readings. All of them focus on God's saving mercy to Israel. They sum up the Church's understanding of God's redemptive power and our covenant relationship with the Lord. Songs and prayers follow each reading.
The last section of our worship is an Affirmation of the baptismal vows we took in the past. In this rite we renew our pledge of fidelity to the Lord as we die with him and are raised to new life.
The Resurrection story from Luke will conclude the service as we again declare the "He is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!"
*******************************************************************************************
[ EASTER ] • [ HOME ]
© Copyright 2002 by the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin Resource Center. Please see our usage policy.
NW Synod of Wisconsin Resource Center