The Service of Light
The service below hs been adapted for use at home.
The Service of Light begins with the lights dimmed or turned off.
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.
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.
Eternal God,
who made this most holy night to shine with the brightness 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.
A new candle is lit, and this prayer said.
May the light of Christ, rising in glory, banish all darkness from our hearts and minds.
The Exsultet
Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels!
Exult, all creation around God’s throne!
Jesus Christ, our King, is risen!
Sound the trumpet of salvation!
Rejoice, O earth, in shining splendour,
radiant in the brightness of your King!
Christ has conquered! Glory fills you!
Darkness vanishes for ever!
Rejoice, O Mother Church! Exult in glory!
The risen Saviour shines upon you!
Let this place resound with joy,
echoing the mighty song of all God’s people!
It is right and good that with hearts and minds and voices,
we should praise you, Father almighty, the unseen God,
through your only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
who has saved us by his death,
paid the price of Adam’s sin,
and reconciled us once again to you.
For this is the Passover feast,
when Christ, the true Lamb of God, is slain,
whose blood consecrates the homes of all the faithful.
This is the night when you first saved our ancestors,
freeing Israel from her slavery and leading her safely through the sea.
This is the night when Jesus Christ vanquished
broke the chains of death,
and rose triumphant from the grave.
This is the night when all who believe in him are freed from sin,
restored to grace and holiness,
and share the victory of Christ.
This is the night that gave us back what we had lost;
beyond our deepest dreams you made even our sin a happy fault.
Most blessed of all nights!
Evil and hatred are put to flight and sin is washed away,
lost innocence regained, and mourning turned to joy.
Night truly blessed, when hatred is cast out,
peace and justice find a home, and heaven is joined to earth,
and all creation reconciled to you.
Therefore, heavenly Father, in this our Easter joy,
accept our sacrifice of praise, your Church’s solemn offering.
Grant that this Easter Candle may make our darkness light.
For Christ the morning star has risen in glory;
Christ is risen from the dead and his flame of love still burns within us!
Christ sheds his peaceful light on all the world!
Christ lives and reigns for ever and ever!
Amen.
The Vigil
A minimum of three Old Testament readings should be used.
Genesis 1:1 – 2:2 should be used.
Exodus 14:15 – 15:1 must be used.
The readings marked * are those being read in church this year.
*1st reading and psalm: Genesis 1:1-2:2
Psalm 104:1-7
2nd reading and psalm: Genesis 3
Psalm 51:1-7
*3rd reading and psalm: Genesis 22:1-18
Psalm 16:6-end.
4th reading and psalm: Exodus 12.1-24
Psalm 77.11-end
*5th reading and canticle: Exodus 14:15-15:21
*6th reading and canticle: Isaiah 55:1-11
Isaiah 12:2-6
7th reading and psalm: Jeremiah 31:31-34
Psalm 51:8-18
8th reading and psalm: Jonah 1.1-2.10
Psalm 130
The Easter Acclamation
Alleluia. Christ is risen.
He is risen indeed. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Lights may now be turned on and candles extinguished.
Gloria in Excelsis
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
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
Lord of all life and power,
who through the mighty resurrection of your Son,
overcame the old order of sin and death to make all things new in him:
grant that we, being dead to sin and alive to you in Jesus Christ,
may reign with him in glory;
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit
be praise and honour, glory and might,
now and in all eternity.
Amen.
The New Testament Reading
Romans 6:3 – 11
The Psalm
Psalm 114
The Gospel
Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the first and the last, says the Lord, and the living one;
I was dead, and behold I am alive for evermore.
Alleluia.
Mark 16.1-8
The Renewal of Baptismal Vows
Candles may be re-lit for the renewal of out Baptismal promises.
The promises may be renewed with these words.
I reject Satan and all rebellion against God.
I renounce the deceit and corruption of evil.
I repent of my sins, which have separated me from God and my neighbour.
I turn to Christ my Saviour.
I submit to Christ my Lord.
I come to Christ, the way, the truth and the life.
The Profession of Faith
I believe in God,
the Father Almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and 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;
on 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.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Holy Catholic Church,
the communion of Saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.
Amen.
God, the all-powerful Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
You have given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit,
and forgiven us our sins.
Keep us faithful to our Baptismal promises,
and to our Lord Jesus Christ,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Concluding Prayers
On this night, when God passed-over the land of Egypt,
to bring the children of Israel from slavery to freedom as his chosen people;
We wait for the morning.
On this Night when Christ descended into Hell
to bring freedom to those who slept in death;
We wait for the morning.
On this night when Christ lay in death
in the stillness and silence of the tomb;
We wait for the morning.
On this night when Christ passed from death to life
to bring us from slavery to sin to freedom of children of God;
We wait for the morning.
O God, on this night when your Son was raised from death to life,
visit us, so that by your strength,
we may rise with the new day to rejoice in the resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
As watchmen waiting for the morning,
so do our souls long for you, O Christ.
Come with the dawning of the day,
and make yourself known to us in the breaking of the bread;
for you are our Lord and God for ever and ever.
Amen.
Parish Church of St Mark Chadderton 