Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
Easter Vigil
Saturday, March 30, 2024
Pastor Rev. Christopher Oehlke Pastor’s Phone: 1-262-909-7827
Pastor Rev. Josh Mayer Organist Karen Davis
Pastor Rev. Aaron Jensen Church Telephone 763-682-4573
Vigil of Easter
Historical and Liturgical Perspective
A vigil is a service of Scripture readings, communion, prayers, and light in which believers vigilantly and eagerly wait and watch for the celebration of the Savior’s deliverance. Coming together for a vigil helps believers wait patiently for God to reveal his will in his own good time.
The most well-known and historic of the church’s vigils is the Easter Vigil. In fact, in its general structure, it is one of the most ancient services of the Christian Church. Early records indicate that it may have been celebrated in Jerusalem already by the second century, and soon spread to the rest of
the church.
From its beginnings, the Easter Vigil was closely connected with Holy Baptism. In the pagan world, a conversion to Christianity meant a clean break from one’s former lifestyle. It also meant facing difficult times, perhaps even death. As a result, the instruction of adults was intensive and thorough. This instruction intensified during the season of Lent, as the students pondered not only the Savior’s battle with evil, but also their own battle with Satan and his forces. The instruction culminated in baptism at the Easter Vigil in light of Paul’s words to the Romans: “…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 like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.” (Romans 6:3-5 NIV84)
Typically, the Easter Vigil (also called the Paschal Vigil) consists of four parts: the Service of Light, the Service of Lessons, the Service of Holy Baptism, and the Service of Holy Communion. Typically, the service begins after darkness has fallen on Holy Saturday. Often the congregation assembles outside the nave of the church and follows the paschal candle in procession into the church. Ideally the Vigil lasts through the night, with the baptisms taking place at dawn. For practical reasons, however, an all-night Vigil is seldom held today.
As we conclude our Lenten journey amidst songs of acclamation, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)
VIGIL OF EASTER:
CELEBRATION OF OUR LORD’S RESURRECTION
AND OF OUR BAPTISM
SERVICE OF LIGHT
The congregation gathers outside of the church.
M: In the name of the Father and of the Son † and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
M: Beloved in the Lord, on this most holy night, in which our Lord Jesus Christ passed over from death to life, we are gathered here in vigil and prayer. 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 (Alpha and Omega) upon it, saying:
M: Christ Jesus, the same yesterday, today, and forever, the beginning and the end, 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 candle from the newly kindled fire, 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: 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 night 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.
All proceed to the upper narthex and light their candles from the paschal candle and then proceed into the sanctuary. Remain standing. The candle bearer pauses and sings:
Halfway to the altar, the candle bearer pauses and sings a second time:
When the candle bearer arrives before the altar, he faces the congregation,
lifts the candle high, and sings a third time:
EXSULTET
The candle bearer places the paschal candle in its stand in the center of the chancel. Standing in its light, the minister sings:
M: Rejoice now, all you heav’nly 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.
Easter Proclamation
M: It is truly good and right that we should at all times and in all places, with all our hearts and minds and voices, praise you, O Lord, Holy Father, almighty and 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 night 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 night when all who believe in Christ are delivered from bondage to sin and are restored to life and immortality. This is the night 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 night when all wickedness is put to flight and sin is washed away. How holy is this night when innocence is restored to the fallen and joy is given to those downcast. How blessed is this night when man is reconciled to God in Christ. Holy Father, accept now the evening 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.
SERVICE OF LESSONS
The congregation extinguishes its candles. Ushers will gather the candles.
M: On this most holy night, 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.
GOD’S PERFECT CREATION
(All join in reading the words in bold print “C”)
Genesis 1:1-2:3
M: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. (The earth was undeveloped and empty. Darkness covered the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good. He separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.”
C: There was evening and there was morning—the first day.
M: God said, “Let there be an expanse between the waters, and let it separate the water from the water.” God made the expanse, and he separated the water that was below the expanse from the water that was above the expanse, and it was so. God called the expanse “sky.”
C: There was evening and there was morning—the second day.
M: God said, “Let the waters under the sky be gathered together to one place, and let the dry land appear,” and it was so. The waters under the sky gathered to their own places, and the dry land appeared. God called the dry ground “land,” and the gathering places of the waters he called “seas.” God saw that it was good. God said, “Let the earth produce plants—vegetation that produces seed, and trees that bear fruit with its seed in it—each according to its own kind on the earth,” and it was so. The earth brought forth plants, vegetation that produces seed according to its own kind, and trees that bear fruit with its seed in it, each according to its own kind, and God saw that it was good.
C: There was evening and there was morning—the third day.
M: God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to divide the day from the night, and let them serve as markers to indicate seasons, days, and years. Let them serve as lights in the expanse of the sky to give light to the earth,” and it was so. God made the two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He also made the stars. God set these lights in place
in the expanse of the sky to provide light for the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. God saw that it was good.
C: There was evening and there was morning—the fourth day.
M: God said, “Let the waters swarm with living creatures, and let birds and other winged creatures fly above the earth in the open expanse of the sky.” God created the large sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their own kind, and every winged bird according to its own kind. God saw that it was good. God blessed them when he said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the waters of the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.”
C: There was evening and there was morning—the fifth day.
M: God said, “Let the earth produce living creatures according to their own kind, livestock, creeping things, and wild animals according to their own kind,” and it was so. God made the wild animals according to their own kind, and the livestock according to their own kind, and everything that creeps on the ground according to its own kind. God saw that it was good. God said, “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that crawls on the earth.” God created the man in his own image. In the image of God he created him. Male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” God said, “Look, I have given you every plant that produces seed on the face of the whole earth, and every tree that bears fruit that produces seed. It will be your food. To every animal of the earth, and to every bird of the sky, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good.
C: There was evening and there was morning—the sixth day.
M: The heavens and the earth were finished, along with everything in them. On the seventh day God had finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had been doing.
C: God blessed the seventh day and set it apart as holy, because on it he rested from all his work of creation that he had done.
M: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
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.
RESPONSE “God We Sing Your Glorious Praises”
THE FLOOD
The Lord saves Noah and his family through water.
Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18; 8:6-18; 9:8-13
M: The Lord said to Noah, “Come into the ark, you and your entire household, for I have seen that you are righteous before me in this generation. From every clean animal take with you seven pairs, a male and his female. From the animals that are not clean, take two, a male and his female. Also from the clean birds of the sky take seven and seven, male and female, and of all the unclean birds, one pair, a male and a female to keep their offspring alive on the face of the whole earth. In seven days I will cause it to rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights. Every living thing that I have made, I will wipe off the face of the earth.” Noah did everything that the Lord commanded him.
In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that very day, all the fountains of the great deep burst open, and the floodgates of the sky were opened. The rain came down on the earth for forty days and forty nights.
On that same day Noah, Noah’s sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth, Noah’s wife, and the three wives of his sons along with them entered the ark. They went in with every animal according to its kind, all the livestock according to their kinds, every creeping thing that creeps on the earth according to its kind, and everything that flies according to its kind, flying birds of every sort. Pairs of all the animals that have the breath of life in them went to Noah in the ark. A male and female of each animal that breathes went in, just as God had commanded Noah. Then the Lord shut Noah in.
The flood kept coming on the earth for forty days. The waters became deeper and lifted up the ark until it floated high above the earth. The water kept increasing and overwhelmed the earth, and the ark was carried along on the surface of the water.
Then at the end of forty days Noah opened the window he had made in the ark. He sent out a raven, and it kept flying back and forth, until the waters were dried up from the earth. Then he sent out a dove to see if the waters had receded from the surface of the ground, but the dove found no place to rest its foot, and it returned
to him in the ark, because there was water on the surface of the
whole earth. Noah reached out his hand, took the dove, and brought it back to him in the ark. He waited another seven days. Then he sent the dove out of the ark again. The dove came back to him at evening, and there in its mouth was an olive leaf it had just plucked. So Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth. He waited another seven days and sent the dove out again. This time it did not return to him anymore.
And so in the six hundred first year, in the first month, on the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from the earth. Noah removed the covering of the ark and looked out. He saw that the surface of the ground was dry. In the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, the earth was dry.
God spoke to Noah. He said, “Go out of the ark—you, your wife, your sons, and your sons’ wives with you. Bring out with you every living thing of every sort that is with you, all flesh, including birds, livestock, and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, so that they may swarm over the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth.” Noah went out with his sons, his wife, and his sons’ wives along with him.
God said to Noah and to his sons, who were with him, “Listen, I will now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you and with everything with you that has the breath of life: with the birds, with the livestock, and with every wild animal that is on the earth with you, with everything that went out of the ark, even with every wild animal on the earth. I will establish my covenant with you: Never again will all living creatures be cut off by the waters of a flood. Neither will there ever again be a flood to destroy the earth.”
God also said, “This is the sign of the covenant between me and you and every living creature with you that I am giving for all generations to come. I have set my rainbow in the cloud, and it will be the sign of a covenant between me and the earth.
M: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
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.
RESPONSE My Hope is Built on Nothing Less
ISRAEL’S DELIVERANCE AT THE RED SEA
Israel is delivered through the Red Sea.
Exodus 14:10–15:1
M: As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians marching after them. The Israelites were terrified and cried out to the Lord. They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you took us to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Wasn’t this what we said to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone. Let us serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”
Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm, and see the salvation from the Lord, which he will perform for you today. For the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you. You must wait quietly.”
The Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to set out. As for you, lift up your staff, stretch out your hand over the sea, and divide the sea so that the Israelites can go through the middle of the sea on dry ground. I myself will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go into the sea after them, and I will gain glory through Pharaoh and his entire army, through his chariots and his charioteers. The Egyptians will know that I am the Lord, when I have gained glory through Pharaoh, his chariots, and his charioteers.”
Then the Angel of God, who was going in front of the Israelite forces, moved and went behind them. The pillar of cloud moved from in front of them and stood behind them. It went between the Egyptian forces and the Israelite forces. The cloud was dark on one side, but it lit up the night on the other. Neither group approached the other all night long.
Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all night long the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned the sea into dry land. The waters were divided. The Israelites went into the middle of the sea on dry ground. The waters were like a wall for them on their right and on their left. The Egyptians pursued them, and all of Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his charioteers went after them into the middle of the sea. During the last watch of the night, the Lord looked down on the Egyptian forces from the pillar of fire and cloud. Then he confused the Egyptian forces. He jammed their chariot wheels, and they had difficulty driving them. The Egyptians said, “We must flee from Israel, for the Lord is fighting for them against Egypt!”
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, and the waters will come back over the Egyptians, over their chariots and their charioteers.” So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea returned to its normal place. While the Egyptians were fleeing from it, the Lord threw the Egyptians into the middle of the sea. The waters came back and covered the chariots and the charioteers, the entire army of Pharaoh that went into the sea after the Israelites. Not even one of them survived.
But the Israelites went through the middle of the sea on dry land, and the waters were like a wall for them on their right and on their
left. On that day the Lord saved Israel from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Israel saw the mighty hand which the Lord put into action against the Egyptians, and the people feared the Lord and believed in the Lord and in Moses, his servant.
M: Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord. “I will sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. The horse and its rider he has thrown into the sea..
M: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
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 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.
RESPONSE Rest, O Christ from All Your Labors
ALL YOU WORKS OF THE LORD
Benedicite, Omnia Opera
The canticle is sung and the ministers gather at the font.
M: 1. All you works of the Lord, / bless the Lord—
Praise him and magnify him forever.
You angels of the Lord, / bless the Lord;
you heavens, / bless the Lord;
all you powers of the Lord, / bless the Lord—
M: 2. You sun and moon, / bless the Lord;
you stars of heaven, / bless the Lord;
you showers and dew, / bless the Lord—
M: 3. You winds of God, / bless the Lord;
you fire and heat, / bless the Lord;
you winter and summer, / bless the Lord—
M: 4. You dews and frost, / bless the Lord;
you frost and cold, / bless the Lord;
you ice and snow, / bless the Lord—
M: 5. You nights and days, / bless the Lord;
you light and darkness, / bless the Lord;
you lightning and clouds, / bless the Lord—
C: Praise him and mag – ni – fy him for – ev – er.
M: 6. 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—
M: 7. You wells and springs, / bless the Lord;
you rivers and seas, / bless the Lord;
you whales and all who move in the seas, / bless the Lord—
M: 8. All you birds of the air, / bless the Lord;
all you beasts and cattle, / bless the Lord;
all you children of mortals, / bless the Lord—
C: Praise him and mag – ni – fy him for – ev – er.
M: 9. You people of God, / bless the Lord;
you priests of the Lord, / bless the Lord;
you servants of the Lord, / bless the Lord—
M: 10. You spirits and souls of the righteous, / bless the Lord;
you pure and humble of heart, / bless the Lord;
let us bless the Father and the Son and the Holy / Spirit—
C: Praise him and mag – ni – fy him for – ev – er.
SERVICE OF HOLY BAPTISM
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: “Don’t you 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 done away with, 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.”
C: Amen.
RESPONSE (#299) “All Who Believe and Are Baptized”
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 you 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: Do you intend to continue in this faith, to be diligent in the use of Word and sacrament, and in faith and action remain true to God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—as long as you live?
C: Yes, and I ask God to help me.
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.
M: Peace be with you.
C: Amen.
THE SACRAMENT
The altar candles and other candles in the church are now lit
from the paschal candle. The lights of the church are fully lit,
the bells will be rung, and the minister proclaims:
M: ALLELUIA! CHRIST IS RISEN!
C: HE IS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA!
Minister introduces the Alleluia refrain
GOSPEL John 20:1-18
20 Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.” 3 Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. 4 So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. 5 And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. 9 For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. 10 Then
the disciples went away again to their own homes. 11 But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” 14 Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ ” 18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.
M: The Gospel of the Lord.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
M: O God, who made this most holy night 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.
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.
THE SACRAMENT
M: It is truly good and right that we should at all times and in all places give you thanks, O Lord, holy Father, almighty and everlasting God,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord, and we praise you especially for the glorious resurrection of your Son, the true Passover Lamb, who by his sacrifice took away the sins of the world and by his resurrection restored everlasting life. Therefore, with all the saints on earth and hosts of heaven, we praise your holy name and join their glorious song:
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
C: (Sung) Holy, holy, holy Lord God of heavenly hosts:
heav’n and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he, blessed is he, blessed is he
who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
M: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
Then he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant,
which is poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
M: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C: (Sung) Amen
O CHRIST, LAMB OF GOD
C: (Sung) O Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
O Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
O Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
grant us your peace. Amen.
DISTRIBUTION
DISTRIBUTION HYMN (#372) “I Lay My Sins on Jesus” (#142) “Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain” (#141) “At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing”
STAND
THANKSGIVING
SONG OF SIMEON
C: (Sung) Lord, now you let your servant depart in peace according to your word. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared before the face of all people, a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel.
M: O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
C: (Sung) And his mercy endures forever.
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: (Sung) Amen.
M: The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look on you with favor and (+) give you peace.
C: (Sung) Amen. Amen. Amen.
HYMN (#148) “The Strife is Over, the Battle Done”
We gather tomorrow morning at 9:30 a.m. for the Festival of the Resurrection of our Lord.
