Easter Vigil Home Celebration

Since we are not able to gather together for the Easter Vigil this year, this order is provided for those wishing to celebrate at home. Depending on the number of Scriptures used, this service is greatly variable in length. Those celebrating with very young children may choose abbreviate the service or to use only certain parts, such as the Lighting of the Easter Fire and the Easter Acclamation.

Standing near the candle, a person appointed may say the Exsultet (see Appendix), may sing another song of light (i.e. “This Little Light of Mine,” “Christ is Light,” etc.) or may continue directly to the Lessons.

Lighting of the Easter Fire

The household gathers in darkness in a place where a fire can be lit— either a candle, an indoor stove, or an outdoor fire pit. In the darkness, afire is kindled. Then, the leader says,

Dear friends in Christ: On this most holy night, in which our Lord Jesus passed over from death to live, 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.

Eternal God, who made this most holy night to shine with the brightness of your one true light: sanctify this new fire, we pray, and so set us aflame with the fire of your love, that with pure hearts and kindled affections we may attain to the radiance of your heavenly glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

If it has not already been lit, a large candle is lit now. Turning to the others holding the candle, the leader says:

Leader: The light of Christ

People: Thanks be to God.

Other candles may be lit, such as individual candles for those gathered, and the main candle is placed on a stand. If possible, the services continues in firelight.

Standing near the candle, a person appointed may say the Exsultet, may sing another song of light (i.e. “This Little Light of Mine,” “Christ is Light,” etc.) or may continue directly to the Lessons.

The Lessons

The leader may introduce the Scripture readings:

Let us hear the record of God’s saving deeds in history, remembering how he saved his people in ages past and in the fullness of time sent his Son to be our Redeemer; and lets pray that God may bring to completion in each of us the saving work he has begun.

At least three of the following Lessons are read, of which one is always the Lesson from Exodus. Each lesson is followed by with a suitable psalm or canticle (click here for the Appendix of Canticles, or click the canticle in red to view it’s lyrics), silence, and a prayer.

1. The Creation

GENESIS 1:1—2:3
PSALM 104:1-13 (14-24)^V or A SONG OF CREATION (Supplemental Canticle 10)

Let us pray. Silence

O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

2. The Fall

GENESIS 3
PSALM 32

Let us pray. Silence

O God, you sent your blessed Son, the seed of the woman, that he might crush the serpent’s head and make all creation new: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

3. The Flood

GENESIS 7:1-5, 11-18; 8:6-20; 9:8-13
PSALM 36 or PSALM 46

Let us pray. Silence

Grant, Lord, that we who are baptized into the death of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ may continually put to death our evil desires and be buried with him; and that through the grave and gate of death we may pass to our joyful resurrection; through the merits of him who died and was buried and rose again for us, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

4. Abraham’s Sacrifice of Isaac

GENESIS 22:1-18
PSALM 16

Let us pray. Silence

Almighty God, whose servant Abraham faithfully obeyed your call, and rejoiced to see the day of your Son: Multiply the number of your children by the grace of the Lamb who was slain; that your Church may also rejoice to see your promise to our father Abraham fulfilled; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

5. Israel’s Deliverance at the Red Sea

EXODUS 14:10—15:1
THE SONG OF MOSES (Supplemental Canticle 5)

Let us pray. Silence

O God, whose wonderful deeds of old shine forth even to our own day, by the power of your mighty arm you once delivered your chosen people from slavery under Pharaoh, to be a sign for us of the salvation offered to all nations by the water of Baptism: Grant that all the peoples of the earth may be numbered among the offspring of Abraham, and rejoice in the inheritance of Israel; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

6. God’s Presence in a Renewed Israel

ISAIAH 4:2-6
PSALM 122

Let us pray. Silence

O God, you led your ancient people by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night: Grant that we, who serve you now on earth, may come to the joy of that heavenly Jerusalem, where all tears are wiped away and where your saints for ever sing your praise; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

7. Salvation offered Freely to All

ISAIAH 55:1-11
SURELY, IT IS GOD WHO SAVES ME (Supplemental Canticle 8) or PSALM 42:1-7

Let us pray. Silence

O God, you have created all things by the power of your Word, and you renew the earth by your Spirit: Give the water of life to all who thirst for you, that they may bring forth abundant fruit in your glorious kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

8. A New Heart and a New Spirit

EZEKIEL 36:24-28
PSALM 42:1-7 or
SURELY, IT IS GOD WHO SAVES ME (Supplemental Canticle 8)

Let us pray. Silence

Heavenly Father, by the power of your Holy Spirit you promise your faithful people new life in the water of Baptism: Guide and strengthen us by the same Spirit, that we who are born again may serve you in faith and love, and grow into the full stature of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

9. The Valley of Dry Bones

EZEKIEL 37:1-14
PSALM 30 or PSALM 126

Let us pray. Silence

Lord God of our salvation, you speak the word to your scattered people, and raise us up from the valley of death: Breathe your Spirit upon your Church, that we may live and stand before you confident in your risen Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

10. The Three Young Men in the Furnace

DANIEL 3:1-28
A SONG OF CREATION (Supplemental Canticle 10) or
A SONG OF PRAISE (Benedictus es, Domine)

Let us pray. Silence

O God, you know that we are set in the midst of many grave dangers, and because of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright: Grant that your strength and protection may support us in all dangers and carry us through every temptation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

11. Jonah and the Fish

JONAH 1:1—2:10
PSALM 130

Let us pray. Silence

Almighty God, by the resurrection 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. Amen.

12. The Gathering of God’s People

ZEPHANIAH 3:12-20
PSALM 98

Let us pray. Silence

Almighty God, you called your Church to bear witness that you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself: Give us boldness to proclaim the good news of your love, that all who hear it may be drawn to you; through him who was lifted high upon the Cross, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Renewal of Baptismal Vows

The Leader introduces the renewal:

Through the Paschal mystery, dear friends, we are buried with Christ by Baptism into his death, and raised with him to new-ness of life. I call upon you, therefore, now that our Lenten observance is ended, to renew the solemn promises and vows of Holy Baptism, by which we once renounced the devil and all his works, and promised to serve God faithfully in his one holy catholic and apostolic Church.

Do you, here in the presence of God and the Church, renew the solemn promises and vows made at your Baptism and commit yourself to keep them?

People I do.

Leader Do you renounce the devil and all the spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God?

People I renounce them.

Leader Do you renounce the empty promises and deadly deceits of this world that corrupt and destroy the creatures of God?

People I renounce them.

Leader Do you renounce the sinful desires of the flesh that draw you from the love of God?

People I renounce them.

Leader Do you turn to Jesus Christ and confess him as your Lord and Savior?

People I do.

Leader Do you joyfully receive the Christian Faith, as revealed in the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments?

People I do.

Leader Will you obediently keep God’s holy will and commandments, and walk in them all the days of your life?

People I will, the Lord being my helper.

The Leader continues:

Let us now reaffirm our faith in the words of the ancient baptismal confession, the Apostles’ Creed.

Leader Do you believe and trust in God the Father?

People I do.

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

Leader Do you believe and trust in Jesus Christ?

People I do.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.

He was conceived by 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.

Leader Do you believe and trust in the Holy Spirit?

People I do.

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. Amen.

The Leader concludes the Renewal of Vows as follows:

Let us pray.

Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together in unity

of spirit by their doctrine, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

The Easter Acclamation

The following exchange is repeated three times:

Leader: Alleluia! Christ is risen!

People: The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!

At this point, all lights are turned on, bells may be rung, horns blown, or any other sort of joyful noise. The Pascha Nostrum is sung or said afterwards:

Alleluia. Christ our Passover has been
sacrificed for us;

therefore let us keep the feast,

Not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice
and evil,

but with the unleavened bread of
sincerity and truth. Alleluia.

Christ being raised from the dead will never
die again;

death no longer has dominion over him.

The death that he died, he died to sin, once
for all;

but the life he lives, he lives to God.

So also consider yourselves dead to sin,

and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Alleluia.

Christ has been raised from the dead,

the first fruits of those who have fallen
asleep.

For since by a man came death,

by a man has come also the resurrection
of the dead.

For as in Adam all die,

so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
Alleluia.

The Leader offers the Collect:

Leader: The Lord be with you.

People: And with your spirit.

Leader: Let us pray.

O God, you 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. Amen.

The Lesson and Gospel

Romans 6:3-11
Matthew 28:1-10

In place of a sermon, those who are awake may offer their reflections the Scriptures.

The Prayers

Jesus, light of the world, bring the light and peace of your gospel to the nations…