Skip to content

Holy Saturday Easter Vigil

The Vigil

We gather in silence after sunset around the new fire.

 

In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light.

 

Let us pray

 

Lighten our darkness,

Lord, we pray.

And in your great mercy

Defend us from all perils and dangers of this night,

For the love of your only Son,

Our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Amen

 

There is an informal welcome and some instruction about how the service will unfold and then we sing the first verse and chorus of the hymn that we will use throughout the vigil

 

 

This is the night of new beginnings.

This is the night when heaven meets earth.

This is the night filled with God’s glory,

Promise of our new birth!

 

Christ, be our light!

Shine in our hearts. Shine through the darkness.

Christ, be our light!

Shine in your church gathered today.

 

 

The priest says

 

This is the night in which our Lord Jesus Christ 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 through word and sacrament we share in his victory over death.

 

As we await the risen Christ, let us hear the record of God's saving deeds in history, recalling how he saved his people in ages past and in the fullness of time sent his Son, to be our Redeemer; and let us pray that through this Easter celebration God may bring to perfection in each of us the saving work he has begun.

 

There follows a series of readings from the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) After each reading a short silence is kept, followed by a prayer and then we sing.

 

First Reading Genesis 3: The Fall

 

Let us pray that our merciful God will show compassion on all who fall victim to the power of sin.

 

Silence is kept

 

Blessed are you, Lord, God of our salvation.

The sin which we dare not confront breaks your heart

and nothing can be concealed from your sight,

yet you showed mercy to our ancestors.

Show mercy today to all who fall prey to sin’s lure,

and shatter the power of evil,

O Lord, our maker and redeemer.

Amen

 

This is the night Christ our Redeemer

rose from the grave triumphant and free,

leaving the tomb of evil and darkness

empty for all to see.

 

Christ, be our light!

Shine in our hearts. Shine through the darkness.

Christ, be our light!

Shine in your church gathered today.

 

 

Second Reading Exodus 14.10-15.1: Crossing the Red Sea

 

Let us pray that God will give freedom to his enslaved people

 

Silence is kept

 

Blessed are you, Lord, God of our salvation.

You heard the agony of your people

as they cried out from their slavery,

and you gave them Moses

to lead them to a land flowing with milk and honey.

Hear the cry of the enslaved and the homeless today

and lead us through the turbulent sea of life

to our true home with you,

O Lord, our maker and redeemer.

Amen

 

Now will the fire kindled in darkness

burn to dispel the shadows of night.

Star of the morning, Jesus our Saviour,

you are the world’s true light!

 

Christ, be our light!

Shine in our hearts. Shine through the darkness.

Christ, be our light!

Shine in your church gathered today.

 

 

Third Reading Ezekiel 37.1-14: The valley of dry bones

 

Let us pray that God will breathe new life into his weary creation

 

Silence is kept

 

Blessed are you, Lord, God of our salvation.

you bring life from the darkest valley of death.

When hope is lost

and our dry bones are scatted in shame,

speak your word to your broken people,

that we may stand confidently before you,

and breathe your Spirit into us that we might live,

O Lord, our maker and redeemer.

Amen

 

Sing of the hope deeper than dying.

Sing of the power stronger than death.

Sing of the love endless as heaven,

Dawning throughout the earth.

 

Christ, be our light!

Shine in our hearts. Shine through the darkness.

Christ, be our light!

Shine in your church gathered today.

 

 

Fourth Reading Zephaniah 3.14-end: Jerusalem praised God

 

Let us pray that God will fill sad hearts with songs of joy.

 

Silence is kept

 

Blessed are you, Lord, God of our salvation.

You are the King who dwells in the midst of the people

as one who brings victory from the jaws of defeat.

Heal the sick and gather the outcast

and turn our shame into praise,

that we may sing aloud and exalt your name,

O Lord, our maker and redeemer.

Amen

 

Into this world morning is breaking.

All of God’s people, lift up your voice.

Cry out with joy, tell out the story,

All of the earth, rejoice!

 

Christ, be our light!

Shine in our hearts. Shine through the darkness.

Christ, be our light!

Shine in your church gathered today.

 

The Service of Light

 

The priest blesses the new fire.

 

Eternal God,

who made this most holy night

to shine with the darkness of your one true light:

set us aflame with the fire of your love,

and bring us to the radiance of your heavenly glory;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

 

The new Easter (Paschal) Candle is brought forwards

 

Christ yesterday and today,

the beginning and the end,

Alpha and Omega,

all time belongs to him,

and all ages;

to him be glory and power,

through every age and for ever.  Amen.

 

The Easter Candle is lit

 

May the light of Christ, rising in glory, 

banish all darkness from our hearts and minds. 

 

The minister bearing the Easter Candle raises it and the cantor sings:

       

The light of Christ.

Thanks be to God.

 

Incense is added to the thurible which leads the procession towards the church. We walk in silence following the Easter Candle. Along the way we pause and the acclamation is sung again.

 

The procession pauses at the west door of the church each person lights their own candle from the Easter flame and moves into the building taking a seat in the pews near the front of the church. Once everyone's candles are lit the Easter Candle is carried to the front and placed on its stand and the acclamation is sung again:

 

The light of Christ.

Thanks be to God.

 

The Exultet

We join in with this responsive version of the ancient Easter songs of praise.

 

Choirs of angels, stars and planets:

All God’s people sing and dance

 

All creation, Church of God

All God’s people sing and dance

 

We praise you Lord of life and death:

We glorify your name:

All God’s people sing and dance

 

This is the night you set us free,

bringing us home in love;

holy night, when you led your people

through the fearsome sea:

All God’s people sing and dance

 

This is the night you brought you Son

Through the doors of death;

O holy night, when death takes flight

and hope is born again:

All God’s people sing and dance

 

This is the night our tears of sadness

turn to shouts of joy;

holy night, when the choirs of earth

sing the songs of heaven:

All God’s people sing and dance

 

This is the night when Christ our Light

makes the darkness bright:

All God’s people sing and dance

 

Christ is the life that knows no end.

Christ is the love that burns within.

Christ is the peace that floods the world.

Christ is the Lord who reigns on high.

All God’s people sing and dance

Amen

 

The Easter Acclamation

  

Alleluia. Christ is risen.

He is risen indeed. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

 

The church lights are switched on, we make a joyful noise and an organ fanfare plays. We blow out our candles and sing the Gloria

 

Gloria in Excelsis

  

       Glory to God! Our hearts to you we raise!

       Joy and peace on earth, in highest heaven praise!

 

Songs of adoration, Lord to you we bring,

praising your great goodness, Father, heav’nly King.

 

       Glory to God! Our hearts to you we raise!

       Joy and peace on earth, in highest heaven praise!

 

Son of the Father, bearing this world’s sin,

Lamb of God, have mercy, grant us peace within.

You, O Christ are holy, you alone are Lord,

with the Holy Spirit ever more adored.

 

       Glory to God! Our hearts to you we raise!

       Joy and peace on earth, in highest heaven praise!

 

The Collect

 

Let us pray that we may reign with the risen Christ in glory.

 

Silence is kept.  

 

God of glory, by the raising of your Son

you have broken the chains of death and hell:

fill your Church with faith and hope;

for a new day has dawned

and the way to life stands open

in our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Amen.

 

New Testament Reading : Roman 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.

  

Here ends the reading

Thanks be to God.

 

 

Gospel Reading

We stand and sing together as we prepare to hear the Easter gospel

 

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia

 

Now he is living the Christ. Out of the tomb he is risen;

he has conquered death, opened heaven to all believers

 

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia

 

 

Alleluia, alleluia.

I am the first and the last, says the Lord, and the living one;

I was dead, and behold I am alive for evermore.

Alleluia

 

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew

Glory to you, O Lord.

 

The Gospel Book is censed

 

Matthew 28:1-10

 

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, for 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 and sisters to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

 

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

 

As we sing the Alleluia refrain again the ministers lead us to the font  

 

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia

 

Now he is living the Christ. Out of the tomb he is risen;

he has conquered death, opened heaven to all believers

 

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia

 

The Liturgy of Initiation

 

 Prayer over the Water

 

Praise God who made heaven and earth,

who keeps his promise for ever.

 

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give thanks and praise.

 

Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ was baptized in the river Jordan,

we thank you for the gift of water to cleanse and revive us.

Saving God,

give us life.

 

We thank you that through the waters of the Red Sea

you led your people out of slavery to freedom in the Promised Land.

Saving God,

give us life.

 

We thank you that through the deep waters of death

you brought your Son, and raised him to life in triumph.

Saving God,

give us life.

 

Bless this water, that your servants who are washed in it

may be made one with Christ in his death and resurrection,

to be cleansed and delivered from all sin.

Saving God,

give us life.

 

Send your Holy Spirit upon them,

bring them to new birth in the household of faith

and raise them with Christ to full and eternal life;

for all might, majesty, authority and power are yours, 

now and for ever.  Amen.

 

Profession of Faith

 

Brothers and sisters, I ask you to profess the faith of the Church.

 

Do you believe and trust in God the Father, source of all being and life,

the one for whom we exist?

We believe and trust in him.

 

Do you believe and trust in God the Son, who took our human nature,

died for us and rose again?

We believe and trust in him.

 

Do you believe and trust in God the Holy Spirit, who gives life to the people of God and makes Christ known in the world?

We believe and trust in him.

 

This is the faith of the Church.

This is our faith. 

We believe and trust in one God,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

 

A renewal of our baptism

 

The waters of baptism are sprinkled over the people as we all renew our baptism faith.

 

Almighty God, we thank you for our fellowship in the household of faith

with all who have been baptized in your name.

Keep us faithful to our baptism,

and so make us ready for that day

when the whole creation shall be made perfect in your Son,

our Saviour Jesus Christ.  Amen.

 

May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith,

that you may be rooted and grounded in love

and bring forth the fruit of the Spirit.  Amen.

 

Profession of Faith

 

Brothers and sisters, I ask you to profess the faith of the Church.

 

Do you believe and trust in God the Father, source of all being and life,

the one for whom we exist?

We believe and trust in him.

 

Do you believe and trust in God the Son, who took our human nature,

died for us and rose again?

We believe and trust in him.

 

Do you believe and trust in God the Holy Spirit, who gives life to the people of God and makes Christ known in the world?

We believe and trust in him.

 

This is the faith of the Church.

This is our faith. 

We believe and trust in one God,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

 

A renewal of our baptism

 

The waters of baptism are sprinkled over the people as we all renew our baptism faith.

 

Almighty God, we thank you for our fellowship in the household of faith

with all who have been baptized in your name.

Keep us faithful to our baptism,

and so make us ready for that day

when the whole creation shall be made perfect in your Son,

our Saviour Jesus Christ.  Amen.

 

May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith,

that you may be rooted and grounded in love

and bring forth the fruit of the Spirit.  Amen.

 

The Peace

 

The risen Christ came and stood among his disciples and said, 

Peace be with you. Then were they glad when they saw the Lord. Alleluia!

 

Alleluia. The peace of the risen Christ be always with you.

And also with you. Alleluia.

 

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

 

Offertory Hymn

 

As we sing we move towards the front of the church and the altar-table is prepared.

 

Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord

Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to his name.

 

Jesus is Lord of all the earth.

He is the King of creation.

 

Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord

Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to his name.

 

Spread the good news o’er all the earth.

Jesus has died and is risen.

 

Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord

Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to his name.

 

We have been crucified with Christ.

Now we shall live for ever.

 

Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord

Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to his name.

 

God has proclaimed the just reward:

“Life for us all, alleluia!’

 

Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord

Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to his name.

 

Come, let us praise the living God,

joyfully sing to our Saviour.

 

Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord

Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to his name.

 

 

Taking of the Bread and Wine

 

Be present, be present,

Lord Jesus Christ,

our risen high priest;

make yourself known in the breaking of bread.

Amen

 

The president takes the bread and wine and then censes the gifts and altar-table. The ministers and the people are censed. The priest washes their hands symbolising our desire to come together at the Lord’s table with pure hearts and minds.

 

 

The Eucharistic Prayer

 

The prayer is intoned using a chant that has its origins in the early centuries of the life of the church. The choir will lead the sung responses, please join in if you wish.

 

The priest continues the prayer praising God for His mighty acts and then we sing


 The priest recalls the Last Supper and then this acclamation is sung

 

The prayer continues leading into the final words of praise

 

…… through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

all honour and glory are yours, O loving Father,

For ever and ever. Amen.

 

The Lord’s Prayer

 

Rejoicing in God’s new creation, as our Saviour taught us so we pray

 

Please pray in whichever language is your mother tongue

 

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

Lead us not into temptation

but deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power,

and the glory are yours

now and for ever.

Amen.

 

Breaking of the Bread

 

Jesus says I am the bread of life whoever eats this bread will live for ever

Lord our hearts hunger for you; give us this bread always

 

We sing together the prayer known as the Agnus Dei

 

Giving of Communion

 

Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.

Therefore let us keep the feat. Alleluia.

 

We share communion. Once you have received please go and take a seat up in the chancel in front of the now decorated cross. As we gather we sing the Taize chant

 

The Dismissal

 

Alleluia! Christ is risen.

He is risen indeed. Alleluia!

 

God the Father,

by whose love Christ was raised from the dead

open to you who believe the gates of everlasting life. 

Amen.

 

God the Son,

who in bursting from the grave has won a glorious victory,

give you joy as you share the Easter faith. 

Amen.

 

God the Holy Spirit,

who filled the disciples with the life of the risen Lord,

empower you and fill you with Christ's peace.

Amen.

 

And the blessing of God almighty,

the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

be among you and remain with you always. 

Amen.

 

 

 

 

During the hymn that follows a celebratory non-alcoholic drink is given out. Please hold on to it for the dismissal.

 

 

Alleluia! Alleluia!
Hearts to heaven and voices raise;
sing to God a hymn of gladness,
sing to God a hymn of praise:
he who on the cross a victim
for the world's salvation bled.
Jesus Christ, the King of Glory,
now is risen from the dead.

 

Christ is risen, Christ the first-fruits
Of the holy harvest field,
Which will all its full abundance,
At His second coming, yield;
Then the golden ears of harvest
Will their heads before him wave,
Ripened by his glorious sunshine,
From the furrows of the grave.

 

Christ is risen, we are risen;

Shed upon us heavenly grace,

Rain, and dew, and gleams of glory

From the brightness of thy face;

That we, with our hearts in heaven,

Here on earth may fruitful be,

And by angel-hands be gathered,

And be ever, Lord, with thee.

 

Alleluia! Alleluia!
Glory be to God on high;
alleluia to the Saviour,
who has gained the victory;
alleluia to the Spirit,
fount of love and sanctity;
Alleluia! Alleluia!
To the Triune Majesty.

 

 

The Dismissal

 

With the risen life of Christ within you,

go in the peace of Christ. Alleluia, alleluia.

Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

 

Organ Voluntary

Prelude in G (BWV 541i) - J.S. Bach

 

Please enjoy your drink and Easter celebration as we enjoy the music