AN ORDER FOR THE EASTER VIGIL

 First Service of Easter

              The Great Vigil of Easter is the brightest jewel of Christian liturgy traced to early Christian times. It proclaims the universal significance of God's saving acts in history through four related services held on the same occasion, and consists of:

Service of Light

              The service begins in the darkness of night. In kindling new fire and lighting the paschal candle, we are reminded that Christ came as a light shining in darkness (John 1:5). Through the use of fire, candles, words, movement, and music, the worshiping community becomes the pilgrim people of God following the "pillar of fire" given to us in Jesus Christ, the light of the world. The paschal candle is used throughout the service as a symbol for Jesus Christ. This candle is carried, leading every procession during the vigil. Christ, the light of the world, thus provides the unifying thread to the service.

Service of Readings

              The second part of the vigil consists of a series of readings from the Old and New Testaments. These lessons provide a panoramic view of what God has done for humanity. Beginning with creation, we are reminded of our delivery from bondage in the exodus, of God's calling us to faithfulness through the cry of the prophets, of God dwelling among us in Jesus Christ, and of Christ's rising in victory from the tomb. The readings thus retell our "holy history" as God's children, summarising the faith into which we are baptised.

Service of Baptism

              In the earliest years of the Christian church, baptisms commonly took place at the vigil. So this vigil includes baptism and/or the renewal of the baptismal covenant. As with the natural symbol of light, water plays a critical role in the vigil. The image of water giving life­nurturing crops, sustaining life, and cleansing our bodies—cannot be missed in this part of the vigil. Nor is the ability of water to inflict death in drowning overlooked. Water brings both life and death. So also there is death and life in Baptism, for in Baptism we die to sin and are raised to life. Baptism unites believers to Christ's death and resurrection.

Service of the Eucharist

              The vigil climaxes in a joyous celebration of the feast of the people of God. The risen Lord invites all to participate in the new life he brings by sharing the feast which he has prepared. We thus look forward to the great Messianic feast of the kingdom of God when the redeemed from every time and place "will come from east and west, and from north and south, and sit at table in the kingdom of God" (Luke 13:29). The vigil thus celebrates what God has done, is doing, and will do.

For more details of this service see, “Book of Common Worship” Presbyterian Church USA, Westminister/John Knox Press, 1993 or “Handbook of the Christian Year”, Hickman, Saliers, Stookey, White, Abingdon Press.

 

 

An Outline of the Great Vigil of Easter

 

·     The vigil begins in darkness, after nightfall.

·     If possible, the lighting of the new fire takes place outside the church building;

       otherwise at the entrance to the church.

·     All gather in silence at the place where the new fire will be lighted.

·     A small candle is given to each worshipper.

  

        The Service of Light

 

Greeting and Introduction

 

Opening Prayer

 

Lighting of the Paschal Candle

 

Procession Into the Church

·       The procession into the darkened church begins, led by the bearer of the paschal candle.

·       The procession pauses three times at various places - the third being when the paschal candle 

       is about to be placed in the Church for all to see.

·       A leader and the people sings or says responsively:

 

          Leader:                                                                 All:

 

 

 


            The   light     of       Christ.       Thanks   be    to     God.

              All light their candles from the paschal candle.

 

Easter Proclamation (the Exsultet)

            ‘Uniting in worship’ People’s Book,  page 156, No.21

                Or  all may sing the version:

 

Sing choirs of heaven! Let saints and angels sing!

Around God's throne exult in harmony!

Now ,Jesus Christ is risen from the grave!

Salute your king; in glorious symphony!

 

Sing choirs of earth! Behold, your light has come!

The glory of the Lord shines radiantly!

Lift up your hearts, for Christ has conquered death!

The night is past; the day of life is here!

 

Sing church of God! Exult with joy outpoured!

The gospel trumpets tell of victory won!

Your Saviour lives: he's with you evermore!

Let all God's people shout the long Amen!

(Tune: Woodlands)

After the proclamation the lights of the Church are turned on and the people's candles extinguished

 

        The Service of the Word

 

· The number of readings may vary according to the length of the service.

· There should always be three readings from the Old Testament, including Exodus 14.

· Each reading is followed by a brief silence then a Psalm is read or sung, followed by a prayer.

. A verse of an Easter hymn/song may be used after each prayer or perhaps the refrain of TIS 390 may 

  be used repeatedly

 

Old Testament Readings

 

First Reading:  Story of Creation

    Genesis 1:1-2:4a

Silence.

    Psalm 136:1-9, 23-26

    Let us pray.

 

Second Reading:  The Flood

    Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18; 8:6-18; 9:8-13

Silence.

    Psalm 46

    Let us pray.

 

Third Reading:  Abraham's Sacrifice of Isaac

    Genesis 22:1-18

Silence.

    Psalm 16

    Let us pray.

 

Fourth Reading:  Israel's Deliverance at the Red Sea

    Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21

Silence.

    Exodus 15:1b-6, 11-13, 17-18

    Let us pray.

 

Fifth Reading:  Salvation Offered Freely to All

    Isaiah 55:1-11

Silence.

    Isaiah 12:2-6

    Let us pray.

 

Sixth Reading:  The Wisdom of God

    Proverbs 8:1-8, 19-21; 9:4b-6

Silence.

    Psalm 19

   Let us pray.

 

Seventh Reading:  A New Heart and a New Spirit

    Ezekiel 36:24-28

Silence.

    Psalms 42 and 43

    Let us pray.

 

Eighth Reading:  The Valley of the Dry Bones

    Ezekiel 37:1-14

Silence.

    Psalm 143

    Let us pray.

 

Ninth Reading:  The Gathering of God's People

    Zephaniah 3:14-20

Silence.

    Psalm 98

 

    Let us pray.

 

Hymn of Praise  (Such as "Glory to God in the Highest" eg SA 99b or 100b)

 

Prayer of the Day

 

Epistle Reading     Romans 6:3-11

 

Psalm                      Psalm 114          

 

Sung Alleluia  -  TIS 701, 702 or 720

           

Gospel Reading   Matthew 28:1-10        Mark 16:1-8            Luke 24:1-12

                                      (Year A)                  (Year B)                   (Year C)

 

                   A brief sermon may follow

 

[Sermon]

Easter Hymn, song

 

            The Service of Baptism and /or Reaffirmation of Baptism

 

                   · The Paschal candle is moved in procession to the font.

                   · The order in "Uniting in Worship" for Baptism page 17 Leader’s Book ‘Uniting in

                     Worship’ should be used here, if there are baptisms;  if there are no baptisms then the

                     service "A Congregational Reaffirmation of Baptism” page 50 Leader’s Book, ‘Uniting in

                     Worship’ is used,  up to and  including the section on "Recollection of Baptism".

 

       The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

 

                   The Order contained in "Uniting in Worship" is used here. One of the `Great Prayers of

                  Thanksgiving'  is used, preferably the one on page 93  Leader’s Book, ‘Uniting in

                   Worship’, the Breaking of the Bread, the Lamb of God, the Communion of the People, and

                   the Prayer after Communion.

 

            The Sending forth of the People of God

 

Hymn, Song

Words of Mission

 

Blessing

 

Dismissal

Return to Notes on RCL