saturday april 19, 2025 - worship at 7 pm - Easter Vigil lutheran church of the redeemer atlanta ga

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VIGIL OF EASTER

Saturday, April 19, 2025

7:00 PM

This is the night! This is our Passover with Christ from darkness to light, from captivity to freedom, from death to life. Tonight is the heart of our celebration of the Three Days and the pinnacle of the church's year. The resurrection of Christ is proclaimed in word and sign, and we gather around a pillar of fire, hear ancient stories of our faith, welcome new sisters and brothers at the font, and share the food and drink of the promised land. Raised with Christ, we go forth into the world, aflame with the good news of the resurrection.

Please stand as you are able.

GREETING

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.

Sisters and brothers in Christ, on this most holy night when our Savior Jesus Christ passed from death to life, we gather with the church throughout the world in vigil and prayer. This is the passover of Jesus Christ. Through light and the word, through water and oil, bread and wine, we proclaim Christ’s death and resurrection, share Christ’s triumph over sin and death, and await Christ’s coming again in glory. Let us pray.

Eternal God, in Jesus Christ you have given the light of life to all the world. Bless this new fire, and increase in us a desire to shine forth with the brightness of Christ’s rising, until we feast at the banquet of eternal light; through the Sun of righteousness, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Christ, yesterday and today, the beginning and the ending. To Christ belongs all time and all the ages; to Christ belongs glory and dominion now and forever. Amen.

The light of Christ, rising in glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.

PROCESSION

The procession continues, stopping at midpoint.

The procession continues. The assisting minister takes the paschal candle to its stand.

EASTER PROCLAMATION

The assembly responds in singing when invited.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

The assembly is seated. Hand-held candles may be extinguished.

VIGIL READINGS, RESPONSES, AND PRAYERS

READING: Genesis 1:1—2:4a

RESPONSE

read by the Peterson family

Silence for reflection PRAYER

READING: Exodus 14:10–31; 15:20–21

RESPONSE

The assembly sings the parts marked “all.”

read by David Miller

Silence for reflection PRAYER

READING: Isaiah 55:1–11

RESPONSE

The assembly will sing the refrain where indicated.

read by Mary Peterson

Surely God is my salvation, I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the LORD GOD is my strength and my might; and God has become my salvation. REFRAIN

With joy you shall draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day: Give thanks to the LORD, call on God’s name; make known the deeds of the LORD among the nations; proclaim that his name is exalted. REFRAIN

Sing praises to the LORD, who has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth. Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel. REFRAIN

Silence for reflection PRAYER

READING: Ezekiel 37:1-14 read by Darrel Peterson

RESPONSE

The assembly will sing the refrain where indicated.

Lord, hear my prayer, and in your faithfulness heed my supplications; answer me in your righteousness. Enter not into judgment with your servant, for in your sight shall no one living be justified. For my enemy has sought my life and has crushed me to the ground, making me live in dark places like those who are long dead. My spirit faints within me; my heart within me is desolate. REFRAIN

I remember the time past; I ponder all your deeds; I consider the works of your hands. I spread out my hands to you; my soul gasps to you like a thirsty land. O Lord, make haste to answer me; my spirit fails me; do not hide your face from me, or I shall be like those who go down to the pit. Let me hear of your lovingkindness in the morning, for I put my trust in you; show me the road that I must walk, for I lift up my soul to you. REFRAIN

Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord, for I flee to you for refuge. Teach me to do what pleases you, for you are my God; let your good spirit lead me on level ground. Revive me, O Lord, for your name’s sake; for your righteousness’ sake, bring me out of trouble. In your steadfast love, destroy my enemies and bring all my foes to naught, for truly I am your servant. REFRAIN

Silence for reflection PRAYER

READING: Daniel 3:1–29

RESPONSE

The assembly will sing the refrain where indicated.

read by members of the choir

All you works of the Lord, bless the Lord. REFRAIN

You angels of the Lord, bless the Lord; you heavens, bless the Lord; all you powers of the Lord, bless the Lord. REFRAIN

You sun and moon, bless the Lord; you stars of heaven, bless the Lord; you rain and dew bless the Lord. REFRAIN

You winds of God, bless the Lord; you fire and heat, bless the Lord; you winter and summer, bless the Lord. REFRAIN

You dews and falling snow, bless the Lord; you frost and cold, bless the Lord; you ice and snow, bless the Lord. REFRAIN

You nights and days, bless the Lord; you light and darkness, bless the Lord; you lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord. REFRAIN

Let the earth bless the Lord; you mountains and hills, bless the Lord; all you green things that grow on the earth, bless the Lord. REFRAIN

You wells and springs, bless the Lord; you seas and rivers, bless the Lord; you whales and all that swim in the waters, bless the Lord. REFRAIN

All you birds of the air, bless the Lord; all you wild animals and cattle, bless the Lord; all you children of mortals, bless the Lord. REFRAIN

You people of God, bless the Lord; you priests of the Lord, bless the Lord; you servants of the Lord, bless the Lord. REFRAIN

You spirits and souls of the righteous, bless the Lord; you holy and humble in heart, bless the Lord; let us bless the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. REFRAIN

Silence for reflection PRAYER

NEW TESTAMENT READING: Romans 6:3–11

Following the reading: The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

read by Deborah Heller

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Please stand as you are able.

GOSPEL: John 20:1-18

The holy gospel according to John. Glory to you, O Lord.

The gospel concludes: The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

Alleluia. Christ is risen. Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia.

HYMN 449

Please remain standing and join in the liturgy, found on page 234 of the hymnal.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

Please kneel or be seated.

read by the Spady family

Each petition concludes: Merciful Father, | receive our prayer.

THE MEAL

Please stand as you are able.

PEACE

The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you. The people may greet one another with a sign of Christ's peace.

The assembly is seated.

ANTHEM

Please stand as you are able. DIALOGUE

Easter Carol Alfred Fedak

The J.O.Y. Choir

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy… and join their unending hymn:

The presiding minister continues. …as we proclaim the mystery of faith: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

O God of resurrection and new life: Pour out your Holy Spirit on us and on these gifts of bread and wine. Bless this feast. Grace our table with your presence. Come, Holy Spirit.

Reveal yourself to us in the breaking of the bread. Raise us up as the body of Christ for the world. Breathe new life into us. Send us forth, burning with justice, peace, and love. Come, Holy Spirit.

With your holy ones of all times and places, with the earth and all its creatures, with sun and moon and stars, we praise you, O God, blessed and holy Trinity, now and forever. Amen.

LORD'S PRAYER

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. Amen.

INVITATION TO COMMUNION

Now let us feast this Easter day on Christ, the bread of heaven. Hallelujah! The assembly may be seated.

HYMN 363
Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain

Please stand as you are able.

PRAYER

BLESSING

HYMN 370
Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands

DISMISSAL

Alleluia! Christ is risen. Christ is risen indeed Alleluia! You are the body of Christ raised up for the world. Go in peace. Share the good news. Thanks be to God.

Christ lag in Todesbanden, BWV 625 J. S. Bach (1685-1750)

From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2025 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #21979.

POSTLUDE

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