Holy Week Reminders & Notes on the Easter Sunrise Vigil

Holy Week Services

• Maundy Thursday Service with Holy Communion: April 2 at 7pm
• Good Friday Tenebrae Service: - April 3 at 7pm

Easter Sunday - April 5

• Easter Sunrise Vigil: 7:00am
• Easter Egg Hunt: 8:10am
• Easter Breakfast: 8:30am
• Resurrection of our Lord with Holy Communion: 10:00am

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   Notes about Easter Sunrise Vigil:
  

  • We begin this ancient liturgy outside (or in the basement) in darkness, gathered around a candle representing light - the first work of the Creator, the visible token of Christ, the Light of the world, who arose at Easter, shining as the dawning sun, conquering forever the dark night of sin.

  • Then, as Israel was led by a pillar of fire from slavery to freedom, so we, the church, will be led by a pillar of fire - the candle representing the light of Christ - into the sanctuary to hear how Christ rescued us from slavery to sin.
  • Once inside, we will hear the Easter Proclamation - a lengthy, but beautiful and ancient chant of praise, inviting first heaven, then earth, then the church and this congregation to join in the praise of God. This chant is one of our oldest surviving liturgies, dating back at least to the 7th century, and beautifully recalls the moment of our salvation - when Christ rose triumphant. And by repeating the phrase "This is the night:" mystically erases time, such that the events of that holy night are present once again. The chant itself invokes that deepest of mysteries, where, in the light of paradise, even the sin of Adam is regarded as truly necessary and a "happy fault" since it won for us so wonderful a Savior.
  • Then we will hear (and see) several readings which recount God's saving deeds throughout history, concluding with an account of the blessed Resurrection.
  • Up until this point, the church is still dark and bare. But during the hymn, the lights will come up, all of the paraments and candles and flowers will be brought in, and the altar dressed and ready for the celebration of our risen Lord's Supper, at 10am.

  
  
  

  

  
  
  If you wish, you may bring flowers to help flower our cross during the 10am service.