All are welcome to join us for our vigil which starts in the Church garden.
Easter Vigil 9th April 2023
6:15am
Order of Service
Address
Dear friends in Christ, let us begin our solemn Vigil. On this most holy day when our Saviour Jesus Christ passed from death to life, we gather, with all the Church throughout the world, to watch and pray. This is the Passover of Jesus Christ.
Through light and word, through water, bread and wine, let us celebrate the new life that Christ shares with us.
The Blessing of the Fire and Preparation of the Candle
Almighty God, who gloriously raised your only-begotten Son from the dead: sanctify this fire, that it may be a sign of life and hope; may we, who celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, be set aflame with love, and renewed in faith, so that we may shine as a light in the world, and glorify you in our lives; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Procession
The Easter Proclamation
Address
Dear Friends in Christ, let us begin our solemn Vigil. This is the day in which our Lord Jesus Christ passed from death to life. Throughout the world the Church gathers in prayer, reflecting on holy Scripture as we await the dawn of Easter.
Let us listen attentively to the word of God, recalling how again and again God saved the chosen people and, in the fullness of time, sent the only-begotten Son to be our Redeemer.
Readings and Prayers
The Easter Acclamation
Alleluia. Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Gloria in excelsis
Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, (with God the Son, Jesus Christ, and God the Holy Spirit,) we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
The Collect
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 given to us in baptism; that, being renewed both in body and mind, we 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, world without end. Amen.
The Epistle Romans 6:3-11
John 20:1-18 The Resurrection of Jesus
LITURGY OF BAPTISM with Rites of Affirmation and Renewal
The Baptismal Prayer
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 our thanks and praise.
Praise and thanksgiving be to you, Author of all being; for on this night/day your only-begotten Son passed through the waters of death, and rose to new life, the firstborn of your new creation. He that died upon the cross, was buried, and descended to the dead; he broke the chains of death, and opened for us the gates of salvation. As you delivered Noah from the waters of the flood, and led the children of Israel through the Red Sea, so you deliver your people from the waters of chaos. As your Son, when he hung upon the cross, gave forth water from his side along with blood, so you grant us a well-spring of life. Look therefore with love upon the face of your Church, and unseal for us, and all the world, the fountain of new birth.
The base of the Paschal candle is lowered into the water
Send down upon the waters of this font and upon your people your holy and life-giving Spirit. Lead those who are baptised with Christ through the waters of death, to be one with him in his resurrection; and sustain your people by your Spirit to bring hope and strength to the world.
The Paschal candle is removed from the water
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory be to you, Lord of all ages, world without end. Amen.
Renewal of Baptismal Promises
Turning to Christ
Profession of Faith
Commitment to Christian Life
Prayer
May Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given us new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and has bestowed on us forgiveness of all our sins, guard us by his grace, and grant us, when our earthly course is ended, resurrection to eternal life, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
The Taking of the Bread and Wine
Offering
The Great Thanksgiving
The Sharing of the Bread and the Wine
Thanksgiving and Sending Out
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