Easter Vigil - Grace Lutheran Church & Preschool

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Saturday April 10, 2020 8:00PM

All gather in silence.

Gathering

The service begins in darkness, after nightfall. The lighting of a new fire takes place outside the church building if possible. All gather in silence. A small unlighted candle may be given to each worshiper.

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.

The presiding minister may introduce and welcome the assembly to the vigil. If it has not been burning, the new fire is lighted. A prayer over the fire may be prayed, to which the assembly responds Amen.

The minister traces the inscription on the paschal candle.

Christ, yesterday +

The beginning A

And the ending. Ω

To Christ belongs all time 2

And all the ages; 0

To Christ belongs glory and dominion 2

Amen. 0

The presiding minister lights the paschal candle from the new fire and sings or says:

The light of Christ, rising in glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.

Procession

The procession begins bearing the paschal candle. The following responsive chant happens once at the entrance to the church, once at the midpoint, and finally at the baptismal font.

The light of Christ. Thanks be to God.

Easter Proclamation

ELW page 268

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

This is the night that our Lord Jesus Christ overcame death and the grave. This is the night!

And so with all the choirs of angels, with the church on the Earth and hosts of heaven. We praise your name one God now and forever. Amen.

Prayer of the Day

O God, you are the creator of the world, the liberator of your people, and the wisdom of the Earth. By the resurrection of your Son free us from our fears, restore us in your image, and ignite us with your light, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Word

First Reading: Genesis 2:1-4

Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation. These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created.

Response: Psalm 136:1-2

O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. O give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever.

Second Reading: Exodus 14:21-22

Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land; and the waters were divided. The Israelites went into the sea on dry ground, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left.

Response: Exodus 15:1-2

“I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider he has thrown into the sea. The LORD is my strength and my might, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

Third Reading: Isaiah 55:1-2

Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.

Response: Isaiah 12:2-3

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the LORD GOD is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

Fourth Reading: Ezekiel 36:26-27

A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my spirit within you, and make you follow my statutes and be careful to observe my ordinances.

Response: Psalm 42:1-2

As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God?

Gospel Acclamation

Jubilate Deo, jubilate Deo, alleluia, alleluia

Gospel

The holy gospel according to St. Matthew 28:1-10. Glory to you, O Lord.

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, O Christ.

Alleluia. Christ is risen. Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia.

Sermon, “Go and Tell” by Pastor Wesley

Silence for reflection follows.

Hymn of the Day

Now the Green Blade Rises ELW 379

Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son,* who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Prayers of Intercession

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. 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.

Announcements

Sending Song

Canticle of the Turning ELW 723

Dismissal

The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you.