THE GREAT VIGIL OF EASTER - April 8, 2023
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8:00pm
THE GREAT VIGIL OF EASTER
April 8, 2023
According to ancient tradition, Jesus followers would gather in the hours of darkness
ending at dawn on Easter to hear scripture and offer prayer. This night-long service of
prayerful watching anticipated the baptisms that would come at first light and the
Easter Eucharist. The service begins in darkness, sometime between sunset on Holy
Saturday and sunrise on Easter, and consists of four parts: The Service of Light (kindling
of new fire, lighting the Paschal candle, the Exsultet); The Service of Lessons (readings
from the Hebrew Scriptures interspersed with psalms, canticles, and prayers); Christian
Initiation (Holy Baptism) or the Renewal of Baptismal Vows; and the Eucharist. This year
we are including a sixth baptismal vow, on care for creation.
THE LIGHTING OF THE PASCHAL CANDLE
In the darkness fire is kindled, and the Presider addresses the people.
Presider 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.
People Amen.
1
The Paschal candle is lighted, and the Presider leads the procession, pausing three
times and singing
THE EXSULTET
The Presider chants the Exsultet.
Rejoice now, heavenly hosts and choirs of angels,
and let your trumpets shout Salvation
for the victory of our mighty King....
...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.
2
Presider 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...
... 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...
THE WORD OF GOD
Presider 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 FLOOD, Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18; 8:6-18; 9:8-13, seated
Lector Hear what the Spirit is saying to God's people.
People Thanks be to God.
3HYMN Be not afraid WL&P #811
verses
1. You shall cross the barren If you walk amid the burning flames
desert, you shall not be harmed.
but you shall not die of thirst. If you stand before the power of
You shall wander far in safety hell
though you do not know the and death is at your side,
way. know that I am with you through it
You shall speak your words in all.
foreign lands 3. Blessed are your poor,
and all will understand. for the kingdom shall be theirs.
You shall see the face of God and Blest are you that weep and mourn,
live. for one day you shall laugh.
2. If you pass through raging And if wicked men insult and hate
waters in the sea, you all because of me,
you shall not drown,
blessed, blessed are you!
4ISRAEL'S DELIVERANCE AT THE RED SEA, Exodus 14:10-15:1, seated
Lector Hear what the Spirit is saying to God's people.
People Thanks be to God.
HYMN When Israel was in Egypt's land Hymnal #648
1A NEW HEART AND A NEW SPIRIT, Ezekiel 36:24-28, seated
Lector Hear what the Spirit is saying to God's people.
People Thanks be to God.
HYMN The First Song of Isaiah Hymnal #679
READING, seated Easter Sermon by St. John of Chrysostom
2PROCLAMATION OF THE EASTER ALLELUIA
Presider Alleluia. Christ is risen.
People The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.
THE PEACE standing
Presider The peace of Christ be always with you.
People And also with you.
The People offer a greeting of peace to one another.
HYMN OF PRAISE We Know that Christ Is Raised ELW #449
3COLLECT OF THE DAY
Presider The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Presider Let us pray.
The Presider prays a prayer based on the themes of the day.
THE WORD OF GOD
THE EPISTLE, seated 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.
GOSPEL ALLELUIA
4THE HOLY GOSPEL standing Matthew 28:1-10
Presider The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
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."
Presider The Gospel of the Lord.
People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
THE RENEWAL OF BAPTISMAL VOWS
Presider Do you reaffirm your renunciation of evil and renew your commitment
to Jesus Christ?
People I do.
Presider Do you believe in God the Father?
People I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
Presider Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
5People 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.
Presider Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
People 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.
Presider Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the
breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
People I will, with God’s help.
Presider Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin,
repent and return to the Lord?
People I will, with God’s help.
Presider Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in
Christ?
People I will, with God’s help.
Presider Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as
yourself?
People I will, with God’s help.
Presider Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect
the dignity of every human being?
People I will, with God’s help.
Presider Will you cherish the wondrous works of God, and protect the beauty
and integrity of all creation?
6People I will, with God’s help.
The Presider offers a concluding collect.
ASPERGES
The People are sprinkled with water.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
The Intercessor offers the petitions, and the People respond
Hear our prayer.
7OFFERTORY HYMN At the Lamb’s high feast we sing Hymnal #174
8DOXOLOGY HYMN #380 V. 3
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
praise God, all creatures here below;
praise God above, ye heavenly host;
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
THE HOLY COMMUNION
In the Holy Communion we experience the Real Presence of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ. All adults and children who desire to receive Him are
encouraged to come forward to receive.
THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
Presider It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and
everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth.
9The prayer continues until
Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels
and Archangels and with all the company of heaven,
who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of
your Name:
The prayer continues until
Presider Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:
All Christ has died.
Christ has risen.
Christ will come again.
10The prayer continues until
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Presider As Christ teaches us we pray,
All
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,
for ever and ever. Amen.
THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD
The Presider breaks the consecrated Bread. Silence may be observed.
Presider Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
People Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
11THE INVITATION AND COMMUNION
The Presider says
The gifts of God for the people of God.
Holy things for holy people.
All are welcome to receive Holy Communion. Hold your hands out in front of
you to receive the bread and help guide the cup to your lips. Gluten-free wafers
are also available by request.
THE CONCLUDING RITE
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION standing
Presider Let us pray.
All
Eternal God heavenly Father,
you have graciously accepted us as living members
of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ,
and you have fed us with spiritual food
in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood.
Send us now into the world in peace,
and grant us strength and courage
to love and serve you
with gladness and singleness of heart;
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE BLESSING
The Presider blesses the People.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, BIRTHDAYS, ANNIVERSARIES, AND SPECIAL PRAYERS
12CLOSING HYMN standing The Strife is O’er, ELW #366
13DISMISSAL
The Presider dismisses the People, who respond
Thanks be to God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
Liturgical Ministers
Presider and Preacher The Rev. Hillary Kimsey
Worship Assistant Lauren Yoho
Musician David Lepse
Prayers Barbara Wilson
Lector(s) Kristen, Brian, Jakob, Rebecca
Altar guild Bernadette Walcott, Jo Burkholder,
Rebecca Daves
14
Flowers for the Easter Cross
Bring cut flowers from your garden or the corner market on Easter Sunday so
children and helpers can flower the cross as a sign of the resurrection!
Kid's Church is coming!
Starting on Sunday April 16th, we are expanding what we offer for our children
during worship. We always welcome kids to stay in the worship service with
their parents and enjoy the play area. We also want to provide the option for
kids to spend the first half of worship--from the beginning of the service to the
passing of the peace--together at Kid's Church. With the help of our fabulous
childcare provider Eleanor and one or two adult volunteers and cameos from
the clergy, we will plan an activity just for kids each Sunday!
To get this off the ground, we need your help! We are looking for at least four
or five adult volunteers for a regular rotation, requiring no more than one
Sunday per month each. Lesson and activity materials will be provided, as will
the links to our online training, Safeguarding God's Children. To get more
information on volunteering, or about what to expect for your kiddos, please
sign up using this form: https://forms.gle/FcVSQcJ8gVjRpjoR6.
All volunteers must complete the online Safeguarding God's Children training.
For more information on the training and other questions, please reach out to
Mother Hillary: hillary@stlukesseattle.org.
15Find and “like” us on Facebook at St. Luke’s Seattle so that you’re always up-
to-date on what’s happening in the parish. Feel free to share our events and
posts with your friends!
You can contribute to St. Luke’s and to Edible Hope, our meals ministry, by
setting up auto pay with our office, donating online from the St. Luke’s
website, or via PayPal with a credit or debit card on your smartphone using
this QR code:
5710 22 AVE NW
ND
SEATTLE, WA 98107
206.784-3119 • WWW.STLUKESSEATTLE.ORG
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