Easter Vigil
Vigil of Easter
We invite you to light a candle at Sundown. In the Ancient World the new day began when at Sunset. In this very ancient service we go back into the Old Testament and see ways which God has acted as a Savior through time…
Words for Worship:
Words for Worship:
As we gather as a church family, we remember how Jesus passed from death to life and we share stories as we wait for Easter day. We share our favorite stories of heroes in the Bible and heroes in our own lives. We keep vigil and invite God to be with us as we wait.
Let us pray.
O God, you give us light, fire and hope for the future. Be with us as we wait for Easter. Be with us as we wait for healing and hope for our world.
The Light of Christ!
Thanks be to God!
Christ, the light of the world, bring us healing. Let your light drive away darkness and fear. Help us see you in each other, in the sunset and sunrise, and in all of our struggles. Be with us. Amen.
Stories of Salvation from the Bible: watch these videos or read the stories in your own Bible…
Noah's Ark Genesis 8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzYjy6lhRag&feature=emb_title
Freedom from Slavery in Egypt Exodus 14:15-31
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzcYLCYItuc
Daniel in the Lions Den Daniel 6:17-29
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZV3eQ2PBqHE&feature=emb_rel_pause
Song of Faith: He's Got the Whole World in His Hands (sing along with Jill and Dave)
https://youtu.be/yPFbE_Ine9I
Our time of waiting is over! It is time to prepare our hearts for Easter. We invite you to read the surprising story about the empty tomb. ..
Story of Mary Magdalena at the Tomb
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb.
Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, 'Woman, why are you weeping?' She said to them, 'They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.' When she had said this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, 'Woman, why are you weeping? For whom are you looking?' Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, 'Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.' Jesus said to her, 'Mary!' She turned and said to him in Hebrew, 'Rabbouni!' (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, 'Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, "I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God." 'Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, 'I have seen the Lord'; and she told them that he had said these things to her.
Let us pray.
Life-giving God, in the mystery of Christ's resurrection you send light to conquer darkness, water to give new life, and the bread of life to nourish your people. Help us be witnesses to your Son's resurrection so that we can share your message with the world
Amen.
Share this blessing and a sign of peace:
May God help you live in harmony with one another.
May God bring you healing, joy and peace.
The God of all grace + bless you now and forever.
Amen.
You are invited to Celebrate and Prepare:
Have A Bible Party…In the Second Century, Bishop Hippolytus celebrated Communion by adding foods of the Promised Land to the Wine and Bread. Milk and Honey: Two cups of milk warmed slowly, stirring, with ¼ cup of honey. Allowed to cool. Then add whatever you might have in stock, traditionally…Olives, Grapes, Cheese, Bread, Wine, Grape Juice,
Have a casual and light hearted buffet with some of these foods, or add whatever you wish...and decorate your house for Easter, dye eggs, or something fun!
We now prepare for Easter Day!