The Paschal Triduum: The Great Vigil Of Easter Together With The First Eucharist Of Easter At Sunrise. The Introduction To Today s Liturgy...

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1 104 Union Street South Concord, North Carolina Office Phone: Office Fax: Web Site: Growing in Christ Through Worship, Learning, Fellowship, and Service April 5, :30 a.m. in the Nave The Paschal Triduum: The Great Vigil Of Easter Together With The First Eucharist Of Easter At Sunrise The Introduction To Today s Liturgy... The Easter Vigil is the ancient and powerful celebration of the new creation that springs from Jesus' open tomb. The striking of the Easter fire; the lighting of the paschal candle; the singing of the ancient Easter proclamation, which calls the faithful to join the universe in new creation; the baptismal washing that buries us with Christ and raises us to life--all these powerful actions draw us into the wonder of resurrection. The church gathers to hear the whole story, from creation through exodus and the prophets, ending the liturgy with the first taste of the resurrection celebration. THE GREAT VIGIL OF EASTER AT SUNRISE Page 1 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

2 Welcome! We welcome everyone on this Lord s Day to the liturgy of Holy Eucharist. To all who are spiritually weary and seek rest; to all who mourn and long for comfort; to all who struggle and desire victory; to all who sin and need a Savior; to all who are strangers and want fellowship; to all who hunger and thirst after righteousness; and to all who will come, this parish opens wide her doors and offers welcome in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ! Newcomers and visitors, we hope that you will feel at home in this place and in this liturgy. Ushers are available in the narthex during the liturgy should you have any questions or concerns. If you are a visitor or guest, please be sure and sign the guestbook located in the Narthex and introduce yourself to the Pastor or to an usher so that we can extend to you a warm welcome. Although there are customary postures (such as standing and kneeling) in Lutheran worship, you are invited to be seated at any point, according to your needs and comfort. About the Liturgy During Eastertide his period of the year, from Easter Day through the T Day of Pentecost, is the oldest part of the Church Year. It is directly derived from the fifty-day period in the Jewish calendar, which began with Passover and concluded with Pentecost (the Greek term for fiftieth day ). The Lord s death and resurrection took place at Passover, and its completion the empowering of the apostles by the Holy Spirit took place on Pentecost. These are the church s original feast days, which in very early times were both moved to the Sundays following the Jewish festivals, because of the early church s intense reverence for the first day of the week as the Lord s Day, the Day of Resurrection. The early Christians considered every Sunday to be a celebration of the rising of Christ and of the coming of the Holy Spirit a repetition of Easter and Pentecost. At an early date, the Great Fifty Days came to have a number of liturgical characteristics that set them apart from the remainder of the Church Year. Many of those were lost in later generations of the church, but others are still very much a part of our liturgy, including some that have been revived by many of the liturgical churches in recent years. Some of the more notable of those Eastertide liturgical notes are Saint James offers two weekly worship services. The 10:00 a.m. Sunday Choral Eucharist is held in the Nave and described here. The word Alleluia, derived from the the 12:05 Wednesday Mid-week Eucharist is held in the Hebrew word hallelujah, means literally, praise to Chapel. The Eucharist is celebrated weekly during both Yahweh. In Jewish worship, it is particularly worship services. characteristic of Passover. In the Seder meal, the entire group of psalms called the Hallel Psalms are sung This Service Leaflet contains all of today s hymns and (Psalms ). As a result, the Hallel Psalms liturgy. themselves have been of particular importance in the Christian Passover that is, Easter. Psalm 114 is always Children are most welcome in worship at Saint James sung at the Easter Vigil and Psalm 118 on Easter Day. Church. Special age-appropriate bulletins are available from One notices in the liturgies during Eastertide that the the ushers. For those who desire it, nursery care is provided word alleluia is used not only in its usual places, but also on the first floor of the Education Building. in many hymns and other parts of the liturgy. This book Invitation to Communion: All baptized Christians who with its description of the life of early Christian seek God and desire a deeper, stronger life in Christ are community, characterized by an intense awareness of the invited to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion. The risen Lord s presence and the apostolic preaching of the Pastor will bring the sacrament to persons in the pews who Resurrection, has had an important place in the church s are unable to come forward. Please advise an usher if you liturgy. In recent years, the liturgical revisions among wish the pastor to do so. Anglicans, Roman Catholics, and Lutherans have placed it again in the Easter liturgy. The Acts of the Apostles The First Aid Kit and the Automatic External furnishes one of the readings every Sunday during the Defibrillator (AED) are located outside the church office Great Fifty Days. In the Eucharist and the other door, immediately behind the sanctuary. sacraments, it is all the baptized, not just the clergy, who celebrate. Again our share in Christ s priesthood is If you are interested in membership to this parish or revealed. It is not simply bread and wine that are offered desire a call from the Pastor, please indicate this to an usher to God to be filled with Christ. The bread and wine are or to the Pastor. the signs and bearers of us who offer them. They can Restrooms are available on the first and second floors of become the Body and Blood of Christ only because we the Education Building. who offer them are his Body and Blood. THE GREAT VIGIL OF EASTER AT SUNRISE Page 2 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

3 The Preparation for Worship All worshipers are invited to remain reverently silent before the service, and to join fervently in prayer, enthusiastically in praise, and heartily in song during the service. THE LIGHTING OF THE PASCHAL CANDLE The congregation gathers outside in the Garden Parking Lot. In the darkness, a new fire is kindled. Each person is given a candle. The and the Assisting Ministers, vested for the Eucharist, come and stand among the people. The Assisting Minister carries the Paschal Candle. THE INVITATION Dear friends in Christ: as this Easter morning dawns, we remember the 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. THE COLLECT OF PREPARATION 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. The lights the Paschal Candle from the newly-kindled fire. The Assisting Minister who holds the Paschal Candle leads the procession to the chancel, pausing three times and singing, At the church door, the Assisting Minister lifts the candle high and sings a second time, As the people pass the Paschal Candle, all light their candles, and the procession continues into the church. When the Assisting Minister arrives before the altar, he turns to face the congregation. When all have reached their places, he lifts the Paschal Candle high and sings a third time, The people remain standing as the Paschal Candle is placed in its stand. THE GREAT VIGIL OF EASTER AT SUNRISE Page 3 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

4 The remain standing The sing the Exsultet during which time the Acolyte lights the pew torches THE EXSULTET (EASTER PROCLAMATION) The sing the Exsultet using the Psalm tone printed below Rejoice, all heavenly choirs of angels.* Exult, O earth, for the victory of so great a King. We shall with full devotion praise the invi- sible God,* Who paid for us the debt of Adam and redeemed us from our sin. For this indeed is the Paschal Feast,* In which the blood of the Lamb has made the faithful holy. This is the night* In which you delivered your chil- dren from Egypt. This is the night* In which Christ rescued us from sin and renewed us in grace. Oh how wonderful is your lovingkindness.* How inestimable is your love, O Lord. O necessary sin of Adam,* Wiped away by the death of Christ. O happy fault,* That is worthy to have such a great Redeemer. Therefore, in this night of grace* We lay before you the solemn offering of the candle. As its light is fed by the melting wax,* Vanquish our darkness by the light of your bright morning star. We pray, O Lord, rule, govern, and pre- serve your Church.* Give us peace in our paschal rejoicing through Christ our Lord. All extinguish their candles and are seated. The ushers will collect the candles as you exit. THE GREAT VIGIL OF EASTER AT SUNRISE Page 4 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

5 The Liturgy of the Word God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song The introduces the scripture readings in these words: 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 sit THE FIRST READING, GENESIS 1:1 2:4A John Kelley, Lector The story of Creation. Lector A reading from Genesis, the first and second chapters. I n the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, 2the 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. 3 Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. 6And God said, "Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters." 7 So God made the dome and separated the waters that were under the dome from the waters that were above the dome. And it was so. 8 God called the dome Sky. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day. 9And God said, "Let the waters under the sky be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear." And it was so. 10 God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good. 11 Then God said, "Let the earth put forth vegetation: plants yielding seed, and fruit trees of every kind on earth that bear fruit with the seed in it." And it was so. 12 The earth brought forth vegetation: plants yielding seed of every kind, and trees of every kind bearing fruit with the seed in it. And God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening and there was morning, the third day. 14And God said, "Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth." And it was so. 16 God made the two great lights the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night and the stars. 17 God set them in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth, 18 to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day. 20And God said, "Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the dome of the sky." 21 So God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, of every kind, with which the waters swarm, and every winged bird of every kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth." 23And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day. 24And God said, "Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind: cattle and creeping things and wild animals of the earth of every kind." And it was so. 25 God made the wild animals of the earth of every kind, and the cattle of every kind, and everything that creeps upon the ground of every kind. And God saw that it was good. THE GREAT VIGIL OF EASTER AT SUNRISE Page 5 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

6 26Then God said, "Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth." 27 So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. 28God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth." 29 God said, "See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. 30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food." And it was so. 31 God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. 2:1Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. 2 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. 3 So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation. 4 These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created. Lector The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. THE COLLECT Let us pray. O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share in the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. THE SECOND READING, EZEKIEL 37:1-14 The Valley of the dry bones. Edith Propst, Lector Lector A reading from Ezekiel, the thirty-seventh chapter. T he hand of the LORD came upon me, and he brought me out by the spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me all around them; there were very many lying in the valley, and they were very dry. 3He said to me, "Mortal, can these bones live?" I answered, "O Lord God, you know." 4Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. 5 Thus says the Lord God to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. 6 I will lay sinews on you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am the LORD." 7So I prophesied as I had been commanded; and as I prophesied, suddenly there was a noise, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. 8 I looked, and there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them; but there was no breath in them. 9 Then he said to me, "Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, mortal, and say to the breath: Thus says the Lord GOD: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live." 10 I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast multitude. THE GREAT VIGIL OF EASTER AT SUNRISE Page 6 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

7 11Then he said to me, "Mortal, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, 'Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.' 12 Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 13 And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people. 14 I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken and will act," says the LORD. Lector The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. THE COLLECT Let us pray. Almighty God, by the Passover of your Son you have brought us out of sin into righteousness and out of death into life: Grant to those who are sealed by your Holy Spirit the will and the power to proclaim you to all the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord. THE THIRD READING, DANIEL 3:1-29 The fiery furnace. Mark Murphy, Lector Lector A reading from Daniel, the third chapter. K ing Nebuchadnezzar made a golden statue whose height was sixty cubits and whose width was six cubits; he set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2 Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent for the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces, to assemble and come to the dedication of the statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 3So the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces, assembled for the dedication of the statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. When they were standing before the statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, 4 the herald proclaimed aloud, "You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, 5 that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, drum, and entire musical ensemble, you are to fall down and worship the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6 Whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire." 7 Therefore, as soon as all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, drum, and entire musical ensemble, all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshipped the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 8 Accordingly, at this time certain Chaldeans came forward and denounced the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, "O king, live forever! 10 You, O king, have made a decree, that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, drum, and entire musical ensemble, shall fall down and worship the golden statue, 11 and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire. 12 There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These pay no heed to you, O king. They do not serve your gods and they do not worship the golden statue that you have set up." 13Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought in; so they brought those men before the king. 14 Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my THE GREAT VIGIL OF EASTER AT SUNRISE Page 7 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

8 gods and you do not worship the golden statue that I have set up? 15 Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, drum, and entire musical ensemble to fall down and worship the statue that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire, and who is the god that will deliver you out of my hands?" 16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to present a defense to you in this matter. 17 If our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire and out of your hand, O king, let him deliver us. 18But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods and we will not worship the golden statue that you have set up." 19Then Nebuchadnezzar was so filled with rage against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face was distorted. He ordered the furnace heated up seven times more than was customary, 20 and ordered some of the strongest guards in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and to throw them into the furnace of blazing fire. 21 So the men were bound, still wearing their tunics, their trousers, their hats, and their other garments, and they were thrown into the furnace of blazing fire. 22 Because the king's command was urgent and the furnace was so overheated, the raging flames killed the men who lifted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 23 But the three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down, bound, into the furnace of blazing fire. 24Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up quickly. He said to his counselors, "Was it not three men that we threw bound into the fire?" They answered the king, "True, O king." 25 He replied, "But I see four men unbound, walking in the middle of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the fourth has the appearance of a god." 26Nebuchadnezzar then approached the door of the furnace of blazing fire and said, "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!" So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire. 27 And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king's counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men; the hair of their heads was not singed, their tunics were not harmed, and not even the smell of fire came from them. 28Nebuchadnezzar said, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants who trusted in him. They disobeyed the king's command and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that utters blasphemy against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins; for there is no other god who is able to deliver in this way." Lector The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. THE COLLECT Let us pray. O God, you have created all things by the power of your Word, and you renew the earth by your Spirit: Give now the water of life to those who thirst for you, that they may bring forth abundant fruit in your glorious kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. THE GREAT VIGIL OF EASTER AT SUNRISE Page 8 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

9 The stand THE HOLY GOSPEL Saint John 20:1-18 John's gospel describes the confusion and excitement of the first Easter morn: the stone is moved and the tomb is empty; disciples race back and forth, while angels speak to a weeping woman. Finally, Jesus himself appears as the Lord in unity with God. Gospeller Gospeller The remain standing The Holy Gospel, according to Saint John, the twentieth chapter. Glory to you, O Lord. E arly on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." 3 Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. 4 The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, 7 and the cloth that had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples returned to their homes. 11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; 12 and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. 13 They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him." 14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away." 16 Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabbouni!" (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, "Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.' " 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"; and she told them that he had said these things to her. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. Alleluia! Alleluia! THE COLLECT OF THE DAY Let us pray. O God, who made this most holy night to shine with the glory of the Lord's resurrection: Stir up in your Church that Spirit of adoption which is given to us in Baptism, that we, being renewed both in body and mind, may worship you in sincerity and truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. At the completion of the fourth collect of the Liturgy of the Word, the candles inside the chancel are lighted from the Paschal Candle. When the Eucharistic Candles on the altar are lighted, all the lights in the church are turned on simultaneously and a trumpet fanfare is played, after which follows the hymn proclaiming the Resurrection. THE GREAT VIGIL OF EASTER AT SUNRISE Page 9 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

10 The stand THE HYMN PROCLAIMING THE RESURRECTION The sit THE HOMILY The Reverend Tony Bradshaw, Senior Pastor The stand THE APOSTLES CREED God has made us his people through our Baptism into Christ. Living together in trust and hope, we confess our faith. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. 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 into hell. 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. 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. THE GREAT VIGIL OF EASTER AT SUNRISE Page 10 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

11 The kneel or sit as able THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE On this holy morning of joyful celebration at our Lord's resurrection, let us kneel and pray for the church, the world, and all who are in need. The sing the following refrain two times. Intercessor Intercessor Intercessor Intercessor Intercessor Intercessor The stand Breathe your life-giving Spirit into the church, that dead to sin and alive in Christ, we may proclaim your saving acts. God of life, hear our prayer. Unite humankind with all creation, that created in your image we may reflect your promised covenant to all living things. God of life, hear our prayer. Shine your light upon the nations, that leaders may desire wisdom and peoples may be liberated from every oppression. God of life, hear our prayer. Walk with the newly baptized, that the joy of this morning and the fellowship of this assembly may accompany them on their journey with the crucified and risen one. God of life, hear our prayer. Anoint the suffering with your oil of gladness, that all who weep from illness, isolation, poverty, or violence receive a sign of your overflowing mercy. God of life, hear our prayer. Embolden all witnesses of the resurrection, that with the women at the tomb and all the saints, our whole beings may give you praise. God of life, hear our prayer. Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. THE PEACE The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you. The peace that passes all understanding is Christ s gift to us. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we share a gesture of God s peace with one another. THE GREAT VIGIL OF EASTER AT SUNRISE Page 11 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

12 The Liturgy of the Eucharist God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ The sit THE PREPARATION OF THE ALTAR AND COLLECTION OF ALMS An offering is gathered for the mission of the church, including the care of those in need. During this time, the table is set. After the offering is gathered, the gifts are brought forward. The pew envelopes marked Special Offering are intended for use in designating offerings beyond regular contributions. Please be sure to write on the envelope to what fund or organization this offering is intended. THE ANTHEM The Parish Choir The morning breaks, the shadows flee; lo, Zion s standard is unfurled! The dawning of a brighter day, majestic rises on the world. The clouds of error disappear before the rays of truth divine; the glory bursting from afar, wide o er the nations soon will shine. Jehovah speaks! Let earth give ear, and gentile nations turn and live. His mighty arm is making bare His covenant people to receive. Angels from heaven and truth from earth have met and both have record borne; this Zion s light is bursting forth to bring her ransomed children home. Words: Parley P. Pratt ( ) Music: George Careless ( ); arranged by Mack Wilberg Sung by all, standing AT THE PRESENTATION, THE OFFERTORY HYMN VREUCHTEN THE GREAT VIGIL OF EASTER AT SUNRISE Page 12 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

13 The stand The sit THE OFFERTORY PRAYER Let us pray. God of glory, receive these gifts and the offerings of our lives. As Jesus was lifted up from the earth, draw us to your heart in the midst of this world, that all creation may be brought from bondage to freedom, from darkness to light, and from death to life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. THE SURSUM CORDA The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give God thanks and praise. THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me. THE LORD S PRAYER And now as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to pray, 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. THE INVITATION TO COMMUNION The gifts of God for the people of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving. Thanks be to God. THE MINISTRATION OF HOLY COMMUNION All baptized Christians are welcome to Holy Communion at Saint James Church. If you desire to receive the Sacrament at the High Altar, please proceed through the Choir to approach the High Altar and kneel at the communion rail for the reception of the Blessed Sacrament. If you desire to receive the Sacrament at the Communion Station located below the pulpit in the Nave, please proceed toward the Chancel steps for the reception of the Blessed Sacrament from the Communion Assistant on the Nave level. The Sacrament is administered by the method of Intinction. Take the wafer from the Assistant then dip it in the wine. The Pastor will bring the sacrament to persons in the pews who are unable to come forward. Please advise an usher if you wish the pastor to do so. THE GREAT VIGIL OF EASTER AT SUNRISE Page 13 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

14 The sit THE COMMUNION MOTET The Parish Choir 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 trumpet tell of victory won! Your Savior lives: he s with you evermore! Let all God s people shout the long Words: from Lent, Holy Week, Easter: Services and Prayers Music: Richard Shepherd (b.1949) The stand After all have communed then follows, THE EUCHARISTIC BLESSING The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. THE POSTCOMMUNION COLLECT Let us pray. Let your continual favor guard and defend your Church, O Lord: that those whom you have renewed through the celebration of these Paschal mysteries may attain to the glory of your Son s resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord. THE BLESSING The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is pleasing in his sight; and the blessing of God Almighty, Father, +Son, and Holy Spirit be among you and remain with you always. THE GREAT VIGIL OF EASTER AT SUNRISE Page 14 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

15 The stand THE HYMN AT THE PROCESSION THE DISMISSAL Go in peace. Proclaim the resurrection. Alleluia, alleluia! Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia! THE CLOSING VOLUNTARY Finale Jubilante Healey Willan ( ) THE GREAT VIGIL OF EASTER AT SUNRISE Page 15 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

16 THE GREAT VIGIL OF EASTER AT SUNRISE Page 16 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA