Title: Prof
Last saved by: WELS
Company: Martin Luther College

FIRST SERVICE OF EASTER DAY
Reflecting The Vigil of Easter
For parishes which do not have a Saturday night Easter Vigil, this service provides reflections of the rich Gospel symbolism found in the Easter Vigil. 
Part I:  SERVICE OF LIGHT 
The Paschal Candle, a Sign of the Presence of the Risen Christ among Us
If processing,  gather at the entrance to the nave in order: paschal candle bearer, (“Alleluia” banner), (choir), (congregation), assistants, minister(s).
M:	In the name of the Father and of the Son (†) and of the Holy Spirit.
C:	Amen.
M:	On this most holy day our Lord Jesus Christ passed over from death to life. This is the Passover of the Lord in which, by hearing his Word and celebrating his Sacraments, we share in his victory over death.
M:	Let us pray.
	O God, you are like a refiner’s fire, and your Spirit kindles the hearts of your faithful people with the fire of your love. Bless, we ask you, this new flame and those who keep this joyful Easter festival. Burning with desire for life with you, may we be found rightly prepared to share in the Feast of Light which has no end; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C:	Amen.
The candle bearer, holding the paschal candle, steps forward. The minister traces the cross and the Greek letters  and  (Alpha and Omega) upon it, saying:
M:	Christ Jesus, the same yesterday, today, and forever, the beginning and the ending), the Alpha and the Omega.
The minister traces the year upon the candle, saying:
M:	His are time and eternity; his are the glory and dominion, now and forever.
The minister puts the five wax nails representing the wounds of Christ into the candle, saying:
M:	By his wounds we are healed now and forever. Amen.
Then, lighting the paschal candle, the minister says:
M:	May the light of Christ, who is risen in glory from the dead, scatter all the darkness of our hearts and minds.
M:	Let us pray.
	Almighty and most merciful Father, once we were darkness, but now we are light in Jesus Christ, our Lord. Bless abundantly all who joyfully celebrate this day in faith in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Fill them with your heavenly blessing in him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
C:	Amen.
As the procession begins, the candlebearer holds the paschal candle aloft, pauses, and sings or says: 
CB:	The light of Christ.
C: 	Thanks be to God.
Halfway to the altar, the candlebearer pauses and sings or says, the second time:
CB:	The light of Christ.
C: 	Thanks be to God.
When the candlebearer arrives before the altar, he faces the congregation, lifts the candle high, and sings or says, the third time:
CB:	The light of Christ.
C:	Thanks be to God.
Exsultet
The candlebearer places the paschal candle in its stand in the center of the chancel. Standing in its light the minister or an assistant sings or says:
A:	Rejoice now, all you heavenly choirs of angels; rejoice now, all creation; sound forth, trumpet of salvation, and proclaim the triumph of our King.
	Rejoice, too, all the earth, in the radiance of the light now poured upon you and made brilliant by the brightness of the everlasting King; know that the ancient darkness has been forever banished.
	Rejoice, O Church of Christ, clothed in the brightness of this light; let all this house of God ring out with rejoicing, with the praises of all God's faithful people.
The minister or assistant sings or says: 
M/A:		The Lord be with you.
C: 		And also with you.
M/A: 	Lift up your hearts.
C:		We lift them up to the Lord.
M/A: 	Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C: 	 	It is right to give him thanks and praise.
The Exsultet continues as the minister or assistant sings or says:
[include the following brackets to alert people who sing f
M/A:	It is truly good and right that we should at all times and in all places, with all our heart and mind and voice, praise you, O Lord, Holy Father, almighty everlasting God, and your one and only Son, Jesus Christ.
	For he is the true Paschal Lamb who offered himself for the sin of the world, who has cleansed us by the shedding of his precious blood.
	This is the day when you brought our fathers, the children of Israel, out of bondage in Egypt and led them through the Red Sea on dry ground.
	This is the day when all who believe in Christ are delivered from bondage to sin and are restored to life and immortality.
	This is the day when Christ, the Life, arose from the dead. The seal of the grave is broken and the morning of the new creation breaks forth out of night.
	Oh, how wonderful and beyond all telling is your mercy toward us, O God, that to redeem a slave you gave your Son.
	How holy is this day when all wickedness is put to flight and sin is washed away.
	How holy is this day when innocence is restored to the fallen and joy is given to those downcast.
	How blessed is this day when man is reconciled to God in Christ.
	Holy Father, accept now the morning sacrifices of our thanksgiving and praise.
	Let Christ, the true Light and Morning Star, shine in our hearts, he who gives light to all creation, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C:	Amen.
Be seated
Part II:  SERVICE OF LESSONS
Old Testament texts that foreshadow our deliverance and rescue by Jesus
M:	On this most holy day our Savior, Christ, the Lord, broke the power of death and by his resurrection brought life and salvation to all creation. Let us praise the Lord, for he truly keeps his word. The sun of righteousness has dawned on those sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death.
An assisting minister, lectors chosen from the congregation, or the minister reads the Vigil lessons consisting of at least four of the following selections of Holy Scripture. Genesis 1:1-2:3 and Exodus 14:10-15:1 should always be read. Each reading may be followed by silence for reflection on God's Word. The minister says the appointed prayer. The congregation may sit throughout or kneel for each prayer.
CREATION
Genesis 1:1-2:3
M:	Let us pray.
	Almighty God, you most wonderfully created human nature and yet more wonderfully redeemed it. By your mercy renew us in the image of him who came to share our humanity, your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C:	Amen.
the FLOOD
Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18; 8:6-18; 9:8-13
M:	Let us pray.
	O Lord, whose wrath burned against the evil of humanity, you kill and bring again to life according to your own purpose; you brought the flood on a wicked and perverse generation and yet saved faithful Noah and his family. Gather your elect into your Church and so complete your work of mercy that the ends of the earth may know your salvation; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C:	Amen.
TESTING OF ABRAHAM
Genesis 22:1-18
M:	Let us pray.
	O God, you promised to faithful Abraham that he would be the father of many nations, and through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism you increase your chosen people throughout the world. Give to your Church a living trust in all your promises; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C:	Amen.
ISRAEL’S DELIVERANCE AT THE RED SEA
Exodus 14:10-15:1
M:	Let us pray.
	O God, you once delivered your people Israel from slavery under Pharaoh and led them safely through the Red Sea. By this you gave us a picture of our Baptism. Lead us always to rejoice in  your baptismal promise that we may live in its grace and declare to all people your desire to make them children of Abraham; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C:	Amen.
SALVATION OFFERED FREELY TO ALL
Isaiah 55:1-11
M:	Let us pray.
	Almighty God, you created and sustain all things by the power of your Word. You send forth your Spirit to renew your creation. Give your saving water of life to all who thirst that they may bear much fruit in your glorious kingdom; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C:	Amen.
A NEW HEART AND A NEW SPIRIT
Ezekiel 36:24-28
M:	Let us pray.
	Almighty and everlasting God, in the miracle of Easter you raised your Son for our justification and through him have given us a new heart and spirit. Empower your holy people to show in their lives what they confess with their lips; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C:	Amen.
FAITH STRAINED BUT VICTORIOUS
Job 19:20-27
M:	Let us pray.
	Almighty God, by the Passover of your Son you brought us out of sin into righteousness and out of death to life. Give your servants patience and endurance that, looking in faith to your Son, we may see beyond the trials of this life to the joys of the life to come; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C:	Amen.
tHE GATHERING OF GOD’S PEOPLE
Zephaniah 3:12-20
M:	Let us pray.
	O Lord, let all the world see that what has been cast down is raised up, what has grown old is made new, and the work you have begun in your faithful people is being brought to its joyful fulfillment in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C:	Amen.
Stand
ALL YOU WORKS OF THE LORD or another song is sung or said. If spoken, it may be said responsively by half verses. The paschal candle is carried to the font during this song. The minister(s) gather there.
ALL YOU WORKS OF THE LORD 
	Benedicite, Omnia Opera 
All you works of the Lord, bléss the Lord—
	praise him and magnify hím forever.
You angels of the Lord, bléss the Lord;
	you heavens, bléss the Lord;
all you powers of the Lord, bléss the Lord—
	praise him and magnify hím forever.
You sun and moon, bléss the Lord;
	you stars of heaven, bléss the Lord;
you showers and dew, bléss the Lord—
	praise him and magnify hím forever.
You winds of God, bléss the Lord;
	you fire and heat, bléss the Lord;
you winter and summer, bléss the Lord—
	praise him and magnify hím forever.
You dews and frost, bléss the Lord;
	you frost and cold, bléss the Lord;
you ice and snow, bléss the Lord—
	praise him and magnify hím forever.
You nights and days, bléss the Lord;
	you light and darkness, bléss the Lord;
you lightning and clouds, bléss the Lord—
	praise him and magnify hím forever.
Let the earth bléss the Lord:
	you mountains and hills, bléss the Lord;
all you green things that grow on the earth, bléss the Lord—
	praise him and magnify hím forever.
You wells and springs, bléss the Lord;
	you rivers and seas, bléss the Lord;
you whales and all who move in the seas, bléss the Lord—
	praise him and magnify hím forever.
All you birds of the air, bléss the Lord;
	all you beasts and cattle, bléss the Lord;
all you children of mortals, bléss the Lord—
	praise him and magnify hím forever.
You people of God, bléss the Lord;
	you priests of the Lord, bléss the Lord;
you servants of the Lord, bléss the Lord—
	praise him and magnify hím forever.
You spirits and souls of the righteous, bléss the Lord;
	you pure and humble of heart, bléss the Lord;
let us bless the Father and the Son and the Hóly Spirit—
	praise him and magnify hím forever.
Be seated
Part III:  SERVICE OF HOLY BAPTISM 
Our Baptismal Connection to Christ
The minister addresses the congregation with these or other words:
M:	On this holiest of days the whole Church of our Lord Jesus Christ recalls his death and burial, rejoicing in the gospel of his glorious resurrection from the dead. Holy Baptism is the precious means of grace by which our Father in heaven connects us with Christ in his life, death, and resurrection. The apostle Paul says: “Do you not know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through Baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless, that we should no longer be slaves to sin--because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”
If there are candidates for Holy Baptism, they now gather at the font with their sponsors and families. The Sacrament is administered using Holy Baptism or Holy Baptism II. 
Whether or not there is a Baptism, the congregation now joins in the following renunciation and profession of faith as a remembrance of their Baptisms.
Stand
M:	In Holy Baptism God takes away our sins and gives new life in Christ, our Lord. We solemnly renounce the devil and all his works and all his ways; we confess the gift of faith in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I ask you: Do you reject the devil along with all his lies and empty promises?
C:	Yes, and I ask God to help me.
M:	Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty?
C:	Yes, I believe in God, the Father Almighty, 
		maker of heaven and earth. 
M:	Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son?
C:	Yes, I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, 
		who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, 
		born of the virgin Mary, 
		suffered under Pontius Pilate, 
		was crucified, died and was buried.
	He descended into hell. 
	The third day he rose again from the dead. 
	He ascended into heaven 
		and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. 
	From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
M:	Do believe in the Holy Spirit?
C:	Yes, I believe in the Holy Spirit, 
		the holy Christian Church, 
		the communion of saints, 
		the forgiveness of sins, 
		the resurrection of the body, 
		and the life everlasting. Amen.
M:	Will you continue steadfast in this baptismal faith and, as a member of the Church, be diligent in the use of the means of grace and prayer?
C:	Yes, and I ask God to help me. 
The minister says:
M:	Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given you the new birth of water and of the Spirit and has forgiven you all your sins, strengthen you with his grace to life everlasting.
C:	Amen.
Part IV: SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION
Proclamation of the Risen Savior and Our Blessed Reconciliation to God
The altar candles and other candles in the church are now lit from the paschal candle which is returned to its place before the altar. The lights of the church are fully lit, the bells may be rung, and the minister says:
M:	ALLELUIA! CHRIST IS RISEN!
C:	HE IS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA!
HYMN 144 “Christ Is Arisen”
OR   [if a choir, cantor, or soloist is participating]
Verse of the Day
	Alleluia!	This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.  Alleluia!
gospel 
Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12, or John 20:1-18 is read.
OFFERING
The SACRAMENT is celebrated using Christian Worship (pp. 21-25 or 33-37).

One of the following prayers may be used in place of the post-distribution prayers in Christian Worship (p. 24 or 36).
M:	O God, who made this most holy day to shine with the glory of the resurrection of our Lord, preserve in all your people the Spirit of adoption which you have given that they may serve you in faith and joy; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C:	Amen.
OR
M:	Almighty God, you give us the joy of celebrating our Lord’s resurrection. Give us also the joys of life in your service, and bring us at last to the full joy of life eternal; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C:	Amen.

Optional Post-Communion Prayer
M:	We thank you, Lord, that you have nourished us with your Easter sacraments.  Fill us with your Spirit, the Spirit of your love, that those whom you have satisfied with one heavenly bread may be united in one holy will; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C:	Amen.