VIGIL OF EASTER
Saturday, March 30, 2024
The Order of Worship at 7:00 PM
This is the night! This is our Passover with Christ from darkness to light, from captivity to freedom, from death to life. Tonight is the heart of our celebration of the Three Days and the pinnacle of the church's year. The resurrection of Christ is proclaimed in word and sign, and we gather around a pillar of fire, hear ancient stories of our faith, welcome new sisters and brothers at the font, and share the food and drink of the promised land.
Raised with Christ, we go forth into the world, aflame with the good news of the resurrection.
Standing GREETING
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.
Sisters and brothers in Christ, on this most holy night when our Savior Jesus Christ passed from death to life, we gather with the church throughout the world in vigil and prayer. This is the passover of Jesus Christ. Through light and the word, through water and oil, bread and wine, we proclaim Christ's death and resurrection, share Christ's triumph over sin and death, and await Christ's coming again in glory.
Let us pray.
Eternal God, in Jesus Christ you have given the light of life to all the world. Bless this new fire, and increase in us a desire to shine forth with the brightness of Christ's rising, until we feast at the banquet of eternal light; through the Sun of righteousness, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Christ, yesterday and today, the beginning and the ending. To Christ belongs all time and all the ages; to Christ belongs glory and dominion now and forever. Amen.
The light of Christ, rising in glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.
PROCESSION
The procession continues, stopping at midpoint.
The procession continues.
The paschal candle is placed in its stand.
EASTER PROCLAMATION
The assembly responds in singing when invited.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
The assembly is seated. Hand-held candles may be extinguished.
WORD
READING: Genesis 1:1 2:4a
read by Ed Kuehn, Deborah Heller, and Mike Medford
RESPONSE Let All Things Now Living Hymn 881
Silence for reflection PRAYER
READING: Exodus 14:10–31; 15:20–21
read by Jay Lutz
RESPONSE
Each time, the choir sings the refrain once, repeated by the assembly.
Silence for reflection
PRAYER
READING: Isaiah 55:1–11
RESPONSE
The congregation will sing the refrain following each verse sung by the choir.
read by Ed Kuehn
Silence for reflection
PRAYER
READING: Daniel 3:1–29
Standing
read by David Miller
RESPONSE
Seated
Silence for reflection PRAYER
NEW TESTAMENT READING: Romans 6:3–11
Following the reading: Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.
read by Jay Lutz
GOSPEL: John 20:1-18
The gospel concludes: The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Alleluia. Christ is risen. Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia.
HYMN We Know that Christ Is Raised Hymn 449
AFFIRMATION OF BAPTISM page 234
Kneeling or seated PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
The response to each petition is “receive our prayer.”
Standing PEACE
MEAL
The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you. You may greet one another with a sign of Christ's peace.
Seated
ANTHEM Wake, My Soul, with Joy and Gladness John Horman Vigil Choir
Standing DIALOGUE
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy… and join their unending hymn:
…as we proclaim the mystery of faith: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
O God of resurrection and new life: Pour out your Holy Spirit on us and on these gifts of bread and wine. Bless this feast. Grace our table with your presence. Come, Holy Spirit.
Reveal yourself to us in the breaking of the bread. Raise us up as the body of Christ for the world. Breathe new life into us. Send us forth, burning with justice, peace, and love. Come, Holy Spirit.
With your holy ones of all times and places, with the earth and all its creatures, with sun and moon and stars, we praise you, O God, blessed and holy Trinity, now and forever. 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.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Now let us feast this Easter day on Christ, the bread of heaven. Hallelujah!
All who seek to meet the Risen Christ in the bread and wine are welcome to the feast.
HYMN 363
Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain Standing PRAYER
SENDING
BLESSING
HYMN 361
DISMISSAL
The Day of Resurrection
Alleluia! Christ is risen. Christ is risen indeed Alleluia!
You are the body of Christ raised up for the world. Go in peace. Share the good news.
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain Robert Buckley Farlee
WORSHIP LEADERS
The Rev. Mark H. Larson
The Rev. Jonathan Trapp
Pamela Amy-Cupp, Cantor
Sarah Hawbecker, Organist Chase Petersen, Vigil Choir Director
From sundaysandseasons.com. Copyright © 2024 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #21979.