The Great Vigil of Easter
April 11, 2020 + 7 pm
Lighting of the Paschal Candle • the Paschal Candle is lighted
• the deacon processes with the Pascal Candle and sings three times:
The light of Christ Thanks be to God
• the congregation’s candles are lighted from the Pascal Candle
The Exsultet
Rejoice now, heavenly hosts and choirs of angels, and let your trumpets shout Salvation for the victory of our mighty King. Rejoice and sing now, all the round earth, bright with a glorious splendor, for darkness has been vanquished by our eternal King. Rejoice and be glad now, Mother Church, and let your holy courts, in radiant light, resound with the praises of your people. All you who stand near this marvelous and holy flame, pray with me to God the Almighty for the grace to sing the worthy praise of this great light; through Jesus Christ his Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give him thanks and praise. It is truly right and good, always and everywhere, with our whole heart and mind and voice, to praise you, the invisible, almighty, and eternal God, and your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord; for he is the true Paschal Lamb, who at the feast of the Passover paid for us the debt of Adam’s sin, and by his blood delivered your faithful people. 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 land 2
This is the night, when all who believe in Christ are delivered from the gloom of sin, and are restored to grace and holiness of life.
This is the night, when Christ broke the bonds of death and hell, and rose victorious from the grave. How wonderful and beyond our knowing, O God, is your mercy and loving kindness to us, that to redeem a slave, you gave a Son. How holy is this night, when wickedness is put to flight, and sin is washed away. It restores innocence to the fallen, and joy to those who mourn. It casts out pride and hatred, and brings peace and concord. How blessed is this night, when earth and heaven are joined and man is reconciled to God. Holy Father, accept our evening sacrifice, the offering of this candle in your honor. May it shine continually to drive away all darkness. May Christ, the Morning Star who knows no setting, find it ever burning—he who gives his light to all creation, and who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Amen. 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 Word of God First Lesson • The Creation
Genesis 1:1-2:4a
And God stepped out on space, And he looked around and said: I’m lonely— I’ll make me a world.
And far as the eye of God could see Darkness covered everything, Blacker than a hundred midnights Down in a cypress swamp.
Then God smiled, And the light broke, And the darkness rolled up on one side, And the light stood shining on the other, And God said: That’s good! 3
Then God reached out and took the light in his hands, And God rolled the light around in his hands Until he made the sun; And he set that sun a-blazing in the heavens. And the light that was left from making the sun God gathered it up in a shining ball And flung it against the darkness, Spangling the night with the moon and stars. Then down between The darkness and the light He hurled the world; And God said: That’s good! Then God himself stepped down— And the sun was on his right hand, And the moon was on his left; The stars were clustered about his head, And the earth was under his feet. And God walked, and where he trod His footsteps hollowed the valleys out And bulged the mountains up.
Then he stopped and looked and saw That the earth was hot and barren. So God stepped over to the edge of the world And he spat out the seven seas— He batted his eyes, and the lightnings flashed— He clapped his hands, and the thunders rolled— And the waters above the earth came down, The cooling waters came down.
Then the green grass sprouted, And the little red flowers blossomed, The pine tree pointed his finger to the sky, And the oak spread out his arms, The lakes cuddled down in the hollows of the ground, And the rivers ran down to the sea; And God smiled again, And the rainbow appeared, And curled itself around his shoulder. Then God raised his arm and he waved his hand Over the sea and over the land, And he said: Bring forth! Bring forth! And quicker than God could drop his hand, Fishes and fowls And beasts and birds 4
Swam the rivers and the seas, Roamed the forests and the woods, And split the air with their wings. And God said: That’s good! Then God walked around, And God looked around On all that he had made. He looked at his sun, And he looked at his moon, And he looked at his little stars; He looked on his world With all its living things, And God said: I’m lonely still.
Then God sat down— On the side of a hill where he could think; By a deep, wide river he sat down; With his head in his hands, God thought and thought, Till he thought: I’ll make me a man!
Up from the bed of the river God scooped the clay; And by the bank of the river He kneeled him down; And there the great God Almighty Who lit the sun and fixed it in the sky, Who flung the stars to the most far corner of the night, Who rounded the earth in the middle of his hand; This great God, Like a mammy bending over her baby, Kneeled down in the dust Toiling over a lump of clay Till he shaped it in is his own image; Then into it he blew the breath of life, And man became a living soul. Amen. Amen.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people. Thanks be to God. From God’s Trombones by James Weldon Johnson. Copyright © 1927 The Viking Press, Inc., renewed 1955 by Grace Nail Johnson. Used by permission of Viking Penguin, a division of Penguin Books USA Inc.
5
Psalm 36: 5-10 • spoken Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, * and your faithfulness to the clouds.
Your righteousness is like the strong mountains, your justice like the great deep; * you save both man and beast, O LORD. How priceless is your love, O God! * your people take refuge under the shadow of your wings. They feast upon the abundance of your house; * you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the well of life, * and in your light we see light.
Continue your loving kindness to those who know you, * and your favor to those who are true of heart.
Collect Let us pray. • silence O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Second Lesson • Israel’s deliverance at the Red Sea
Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21
Why is this night different from all other nights?
This is the Passover of the Lord, when God led us our of slavery in Egypt, through the Red Sea, onto dry ground. We remember . . .
how we were slaves for four hundred years in Egypt, where we were treated harshly. We cried out to the Lord and he heard us, and sent our Father Moses to deliver us! God said to Moses “Tell old Pharaoh . . . Let my people go!”
I was afraid. I didn’t know how to speak to Pharaoh and how to prove God had sent me. So God sent plagues upon the Egyptians to make his point! There were frogs, and lice, and flies. There were boils, and hail, and locusts, and there was a darkness so heavy it could be felt!
6
Then came the worst and saddest plague of all, the death of every firstborn in all of Egypt land. God said ”Have the people eat their last meal in Egypt. Tell them to take one lamb for every family and roast it, and eat it in haste”. We ate it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs, with our sandals on our feet and our walking sticks in our hands. We remeber . . .
how we took the blood of the lamb and smeared it on our doorposts, so the angel of death would pass over our homes. And then we rose up and left the land of our oppression! We left so quickly . . . our dough was still rising, our kneading bowls were wrapped on our shoulders, our sleeping children were nestled in our arms! We remember . . .
how happy we were . . . until we came to the shores of the sea! And then, of course, we forgot how God had brought us this far, and we began to weep, and wail, and whine! We said . . . Were there no graves in Egypt, Moses, that you brough us out here to die? We should never have left! Better to live as slaves than to die in freedom!
Imagine being so afraid that you’d rather be slaves to, well, anything, no matter how bad it is! But God said: “Moses! Tell the people, “Do not be afraid! Stand firm! For you will never see these Egyptians again. The Lord will fight for you and you have only to stand firm!” “Lift up your staff, Moses, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the Israelites will go through on dry ground!” The Lord drove back the sea with a strong east wind that blew all night, and truned the sea to dry land! We remember . . .
how the pillar of cloud went before us and behind us, and when Pharaoh’s army came after us, at the morning watch, the Lord looked down and threw them into panic! God said: ”Moses, stretch our your hand again so the waters of the sea may return to their place.” So I did, and Pharaoh’s army was drowned in the sea. Then we feared the Lord, and believed in his servant Moses!
And when we came safely to the shore, we remember how our mothers danced and sang, all through the night . . . because God had brought us our of slavery and led us through the sea, to bring us home to the land of promise.
It is the Passover of the Lord . . . and we remember!
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people. Thanks be to God.
7
Canticle 8
The Song of Moses
Cantemus Domino
I will sing to the Lord, for he is lofty and uplifted; * the horse and its rider has he hurled into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my refuge; * the Lord has become my Savior.
This is my God and I will praise him, * the God of my people and I will exalt him. The Lord is a mighty warrior; * Yahweh is his Name.
The chariots of Pharaoh and his army has he hurled into the sea; * the finest of those who bear armor have been drowned in the Red Sea. The fathomless deep has overwhelmed them; * they sank into the depths like a stone.
Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in might; * your right hand, O Lord, has overthrown the enemy.
Who can be compared with you, O Lord, among the gods? * who is like you, glorious in holiness, awesome in renown, and worker of wonders? You stretched forth your right hand; * the earth swallowed them up.
With your constant love you led the people you redeemed; * with your might you brought them in safety to your holy dwelling. You will bring them in and plant them * on the mount of your possession,
The resting place you have made for yourself, O Lord, * the sanctuary, O Lord, that your hand has established. The Lord shall reign * for ever and for ever.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: * as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Collect
8
Let us pray. • silence O God, whose wonderful deeds of old shine forth even to our own day, you once delivered by the power of your mighty arm your chosen people from slavery under Pharaoh, to be a sign for us of the salvation of all nations by the water of Baptism: Grant that all the peoples of the earth may be numbered among the offspring of Abraham, and rejoice in the inheritance of
Renewal of Baptismal Vows Solo
Veni, Creator Spiritus
Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire, and lighten with celestial fire. Thou the anointing Spirit art, who dost thy seven fold gifts impart. Thy blessed unction from above is comfort, life, and fire of love. Enable with perpetual light the dullness of our blinded sight.
Anoint and cheer our soiled face with the abundance of thy grace. Keep far our foes, give peace at home: where thou art guide, no ill can come. Teach us to know the Father, Son, and thee, of both, to be but One, that through the ages all along, this may be our endless song:
praise to thy eternal merit, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The Baptismal Covenant 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. Do you believe in God the Father?
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
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.
Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
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.
9
Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
I will, with God’s help.
Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
I will, with God’s help.
Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
I will, with God’s help.
Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
I will, with God’s help.
Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
I will, with God’s help
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
Blessing Holy Water Almighty God, who through the water of baptism has raised us from sin into new life, and by the power of your life-giving Spirit ever cleanses and sanctifies your people: Bless, we pray you, this water for the service of your holy Church; and grant that it may be a sign of the cleansing and refreshment of your grace through Jesus Christ our Lord. I saw water proceeding out of the temple, from the right side it flowed; and all those to whom that water came shall be saved. Alleluia
Amen.
10
TaizĂŠ Chant Come and fill our hearts
11
The First Eucharist of Easter Opening Acclamation Alleluia, Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia. Song of Praise • S 278
12
Gloria in excelsis
The Word of God Collect for the Feast of the Resurrection celebrant people Collect for the Second Sunday in Lent celebrant
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
O God, who made this most holy night to shine with the glory of the Lord’s resurrection: Stir up in your Church that Spirit of adoption which is given to us in Baptism, that we, being renewed both in body and mind, may worship you in sincerity and truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Lesson
Romans 6:3-11
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin
might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For whoever has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God 13
Hymn 199
14
Come ye faithful raise the strain • verses 1, 2, 4
Gospel
Matthew 28:1-10
The Holy Gospel of our Lord, Jesus Christ, acording to Matthew After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he
said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Sermon
The Very Reverend Matthew Bradey
The Peace • all greet one another in the name of the Lord The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
Dean’s Welcome
15
Holy Communion Offertory Solo
Ride on, King Jesus
Ride on, King Jesus No man can-a hinder me. For He is King of kings, He is Lord of lords, Jesus Christ, de first an’ las’, No man works like Him. King Jesus rides a milk-white horse, No man works like HIm. Duh river of Jerdin He did cross. No man works like Him, For He is King of kings, Lord of lords, Oh, Jesus Christ, de first an’ las’, Oh! King Jesus rides in de middle o’ de air, Oh! He calls duh saints from ev’rywhere. Ah! Ride on, King Jesus! No man can-a hinder me. He is duh Lord, Ha! Yes, He is duh King, He is duh Lord, Ha! Jesus Christ, duh first an’ las’ No man works like Him! Ride on, Jesus!
16
arr. by Hall Johnson
The Great Thanksgiving Eucharistic Prayer D • BCP 372 celebrant
celebrant
people
people
celebrant
people
It is truly right to glorify you, Father, and to give you thanks; for you alone are God, living and true, dwelling in light inaccessible from before time and for ever. Fountain of life and source of all goodness, you made all things and fill them with your blessing; you created them to rejoice in the splendor of your radiance. Countless throngs of angels stand before you to serve you night and day; and, beholding the glory of your presence, they offer you unceasing praise. Joining with them, and giving voice to every creature under heaven, we acclaim you, and glorify your Name, as we sing,
Sanctus
S 128
17
We acclaim you, holy Lord, glorious in power. Your mighty works reveal your wisdom and love. You formed us in your own image, giving the whole world into our care, so that, in obedience to you, our Creator, we might rule and serve all your creatures. When our disobedience took us far from you, you did not abandon us to the power of death. In your mercy you came to our help, so that in seeking you we might find you. Again and again you called us into covenant with you, and through the prophets you taught us to hope for salvation. Father, you loved the world so much that in the fullness of time you sent your only Son to be our Savior. Incarnate by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, he lived as one of us, yet without sin. To the poor he proclaimed the good news of salvation; to prisoners, freedom; to the sorrowful, joy. To fulfill your purpose he gave himself up to death; and, rising from the grave, destroyed death, and made the whole creation new. And, that we might live no longer for ourselves, but for him who died and rose for us, he sent the Holy Spirit, his own first gift for those who believe, to complete his work in the world, and to bring to fulfillment the sanctification of all. When the hour had come for him to be glorified by you, his heavenly Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end; at supper with them he took bread, and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.” Father, we now celebrate this memorial of our redemption. Recalling Christ’s death and his descent among the dead, proclaiming his resurrection and ascension to your right hand, awaiting his coming in glory; and offering to you, from the gifts you have given us, this bread and this cup, we praise you and we bless you. We praise you, we bless you, we give thanks to you, and we pray to you, Lord our God. Lord, we pray that in your goodness and mercy your Holy Spirit may descend upon us, and upon these gifts, sanctifying them and showing them to be holy gifts for your holy people, the bread of life and the cup of salvation, the Body and Blood of your Son Jesus Christ. Grant that all who share this bread and cup may become one body and one spirit, a living sacrifice in Christ, to the praise of your Name. Remember, Lord, your one holy catholic and apostolic Church, redeemed by the blood of your Christ. Reveal its unity, guard its faith, and preserve it in peace. 18
Remember Michael our Presiding Bishop, Terry our own Bishop, and all who minister in your Church. Remember all your people, and those who seek your truth. Remember all who are working as peacemakers, that your victory over the powers of evil may be shown forth in your world. Remember all who are celebrating Easter in their homes that, as you appeared to Mary in the Garden and the disciples in the Upper Room, you make your presence known among us. Remember all who have died in the peace of Christ, and those whose faith is known to you alone; bring them into the place of eternal joy and light. And grant that we may find our inheritance with [the Blessed Virgin Mary, with patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs, (with ___________) and] all the saints who have found favor with you in ages past. We praise you in union with them and give you glory through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, all honor and glory are yours, Almighty God and Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever.
The Great Amen
The Lord’s Prayer • BCP 364
• contemporary version
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. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen
19
The Breaking of the Bread Fraction Anthem • WLP 866
Invitation to Communion An Act of Spiritual Communion Jesus, my Savior, I ask you to come into my heart and fill me with your love. Although I cannot physically join with others to celebrate the Eucharist today, I desire to offer my thanksgivings and prayers in union with all who worship you, wherever they may be. And although I cannot receive you now sacramentally in the bread and wine of Holy Communion, still I desire to receive your body and blood spiritually and feed on your love, that I may be united with you and with all your people in one communion and fellowship, your mystical body the church, now and ever more. Amen. If you would like to receive the Sacrament, please call the office at 502.587.1354 and leave your information. We will be in touch with you to arrange a Eucharistic visit.
20
Communion Hymn 186 • verses 1-2
21
Prayer after Communion • Enriching Our Worship
Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image and nourishing us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood. Now send us forth a people, forgiven, healed, renewed; that we may proclaim your love to the world and continue in the risen life of Christ our Savior. Amen.
Episcopal Blessing Our help is in the Name of the Lord. The maker of heaven and earth. Blessed be the Name of the Lord. From this time forth for evermore. . . . the blessing, mercy, and grace of God Almighty, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be upon you, and remain with you for ever. 22
Amen.
Concluding Hymn 174
At the Lamb’s high feast we sing • verses 1-3
23
Dismissal
Let us go forth in the name of the Risen Christ. Alleluia, alleluia!
Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia! Postlude
d
Allegro maestoso vivace from Sonata No. 2
Felix Mendelssohn
The Rt. Rev. Terry White, celebrant The Very Rev. Matthew Bradley, preacher The Rev. Dr. Eva Markham, deacon Tom Thill, acolyte Frazier Marsh, lector Daniel Gilliam & Karen Crow, vocalists Jack Ashworth, organist
Christ Church Cathedral Episcopal Diocese of Kentucky The Rt. Rev. Terry Allen White, Bishop The Very Rev. Matthew Bradley, Dean The Rev. William L. Bippus, Priest Associate The Rev. R. Edgar Wallace, Priest Associate The Rev. Dr. Eva Markham, Deacon Frazier Marsh, Interim Office Manager Thomas Thill, Sacristan 421 South Second Street, Louisville, KY 40202 502-587-1354 www.christchurchlouky.org • info@christchurchlouky.org