The Service of Light

We gather outside the church after sunset around the new fire.

The priest says

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, on this most holy night, when our Lord Jesus Christ passed from death to life, the Church invites her children throughout the world to come together in vigil and prayer. This is the Passover of the Lord. We remember his death and resurrection by hearing his word and celebrating his mysteries, confident that we shall share his victory over death and live with him for ever in God.

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.

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 priest lights the Easter Candle, saying

May the light of Christ, rising in glory, banish all darkness from our hearts and minds.

The minister bearing the Candle enters the building, followed by other ministers, pausing just inside the entrance. The minister bearing the Candle raises it and the cantor sings:

The light of Christ.

Thanks be to God.

 The procession of the Easter Candle moves further into the building and the response is repeated each time the procession pauses. After the third acclamation each person lights their own candle from the Easter flame and moves to a pew at the front of the church. Once  everyone's candles are lit the Easter Candle is placed on its stand and a final acclamation is sung. 

The Exultet

We stand and join together in singing the Exultet – the Easter Song of Praise (tune Woodlands).

While we sing the Easter Candle is censed.

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 has past, the day of life is here!

Sing, Church of God! Exult with joy out poured!

The gospel trumpets tell of victory won!

Your Saviour lives; he's with you evermore!

Let all God's people sound the long Amen!

(AM188)

Based on 'The Easter Song of Praise'

Music: R. Shephard (b.1949) 

The priest continues with the prayer of praise.

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 thanks and praise.

 It is right and good ...

After each acclamation:

Lord God

Glory to you for ever

… Christ lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen. 

The Vigil

All sit as lights are taken from the Easter Candle to illuminate the Bible from which the Vigil readings will be read.

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 follow four readings from the Old Testament. After each reading we sing a 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.

 (AM189)

B. Farrell (b.1957)

Music: B. Farrell (b.1957)

Genesis 1:1-2:4a The Creation

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.

Christ is the image of the unseen God;

through him all things were made.

Almighty God,

you have created the heavens and the earth

and made us in your own image:

teach us to discern your hand in all your works

and your likeness in all your children;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord.

All   Amen.

Genesis 3  The Fall

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.

 As in Adam all die,

so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Heavenly Father,

whose blessed Son was revealed

to destroy the works of the devil

and to make us the children of God and heirs of eternal life:

grant that we, having this hope,

may purify ourselves even as he is pure;

that when he shall appear in power and great glory

we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom;

where he is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

All   Amen

Exodus 14.10-end; 15.1a  Crossing the Red Sea

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.

The Lord is my strength and my might.

He has become my salvation.

Lord God our redeemer,

who heard the cry of your people

and sent your servant Moses to lead them out of slavery:

free us from the tyranny of sin and death

and, by the leading of your Spirit,

bring us to our promised land;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All   Amen.

Ezekiel 37.1-14  The Valley of Dry Bones

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.

Christ is the resurrection and the life.

Those who believe in Christ will never die.

Lord God of our salvation,

you speak the word to your scattered people,

and bring up our life from the valley of death:

breathe your Spirit upon your Church,

that we may live and stand before you

confident in your risen Son,

Jesus Christ, our Lord.

All   Amen.

The Easter Acclamation

We all stand as the president says:

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. Party Poppers are popped! 

 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

Romans 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.

This is the word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Gospel Reading

We stand and sing together as we move to the high altar to hear the Easter gospel and bless the Easter Garden.

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

Jesus Christ is risen from the dead.

Alleluia.

He has defeated the powers of death.

Alleluia.

Jesus turns our sorrow into dancing.

Alleluia.

He has the words of eternal life.

Alleluia.

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark  Glory to you, O Lord.

The gospel book is censed

Mark 16:1-8

When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, ‘Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?’ When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back.  As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.’ So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

The Easter garden is censed and blessed  

As we sing we move to the font where we gather to renew our baptism vows.

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.

 (AM197)

D. Fishel (b.1950)

Music: melody by D. Fishel (b.1950)    

The Renewal of Baptismal Vows

As we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead, we remember that through the paschal mystery we have died and been buried with him in baptism.  

In baptism God calls us out of darkness into his marvellous light. To follow Christ means dying to sin and rising to new life with him. Therefore I ask:

Do you turn to Christ?

I turn to Christ.

Do you repent of your sins?

I repent of my sins.

Do you renounce evil?

I renounce evil.

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. 

The waters of baptism are sprinkled over the people.

The priest says:

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!

The peace of the risen Christ be always with you.

And also with you. Alleluia.

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

The Dismissal

Alleluia! Christ is risen.

He is risen indeed. Alleluia!

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.

 (AM194)

C. Wordsworth (1807-1885)

Music: A.S. Sullivan (1842-1900) 

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.

We are raised to new life with Christ.

Go in his peace. Alleluia, alleluia.

Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.

Organ Voluntary

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