April 4, 2026 - Easter Vigil at 7 pm - lutheran church of the redeemer atlanta ga USA
VIGIL OF EASTER
Saturday, April 4, 2026
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.
GATHERING
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.
The new fire is lighted.
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 paschal candle is placed in its stand.
Remain standing as you are able.
EASTER PROCLAMATION
The assembly responds in singing when invited.
Barbara Richards, cantor
PRAYER OF THE DAY
The assembly is seated. Hand-held candles may be extinguished.
VIGIL READINGS
FIRST READING: Genesis 1:1 2:4a read by Ed Kuehn
FIRST RESPONSE:
Silence for reflection FIRST PRAYER
SECOND READING: Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21 read by Deborah Heller
SECOND RESPONSE
Sing the refrain as indicated.
The Lord is my strength and my might, and has become my salvation; this is my God – this God I will praise; my father’s God – this God I will exalt. The Lord is a warrior; The Lord is his name. The Lord hurled Pharoah’s chariots and his army into the sea; his picked officers were sunk in the Red Sea. The floods covered them; they went down into the depths like a stone. R
Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power – your right hand, O Lord shattered the enemy. In the greatness of your majesty you overthrew your adversaries; you sent out your fury, it consumed them like stubble. At the last of your nostrils the waters piled up, the floods stood in a heap, the deeps congealed into the heart of the sea. The enemy said, “ I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil, my desire shall have its fill of them. I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.” R
You blew with your wind, the sea covered them; they sank like lead in the mighty waters. “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in splendor, doing wonders? You stretched out your right hand, the earth swallowed them. In your steadfast love you led the people whom you redeemed; you guided them by your strength to your holy abode. You brought them in and planted them on the mountain of your own possession, the place, O Lord, that you made you abode, the sanctuary, O Lord, that your hands have established. The Lord will reign forever and ever.” Then the prophet Miriam, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dancing. And Miriam sant to them: “Sing to the Lord, who has triumphed gloriously, throwing horse and rider into the sea.” R
Silence for reflection SECOND PRAYER
THIRD READING: Isaiah 55:1-11 read by Todd Larsen
THIRD RESPONSE Surely God Is My Salvation Sing the refrain as indicated.
Surely God is my salvation, I will trust and shall not fear. God the Lord is strong and mighty, my salvation true. R
Thus with joy you shall draw water from salvation’s wells and springs. Sing your thanks to God Almighty for these wondrous deeds. R
Tell the nations of God’s glory, make this known in all the earth. Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, call upon God’s name. R
Silence for reflection THIRD PRAYER
FOURTH READING: Daniel 3:1-29 read by Karin Mayo
FOURTH RESPONSE
Sing the refrain as indicated.
All you works of the Lord, bless the Lord. R
You angels of the Lord, you heavens all you powers of the Lord, bless the Lord. R
You sun and moon, you stars of heaven, you rain and dew bless the Lord. R
You winds of God, you fire and heat, you winter and summer, bless the Lord. R
You dews and falling snow, you frost and cold, you ice and snow, bless the Lord. R
You nights and days, you light and darkness, you lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord. R
Let the earth bless the Lord; you mountains and hills, all you green things that grow on the earth, bless the Lord. R
You wells and springs, you seas and rivers, you whales and all that swim in the waters, bless the Lord. R
All you birds of the air, all you wild animals and cattle, all you children of mortals, bless the Lord. R
You people of God, you priests of the Lord, you servants of the Lord, bless the Lord. R
You spirits and souls of the righteous, you holy and humble in heart, let us bless the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. bless the Lord; R
Silence for reflection FOURTH PRAYER
NEW TESTAMENT READING: Romans 6:3-11 read by Colin Walker
Following the reading: Word of God, word of life. | Thanks be to God.
Please stand as you able
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
GOSPEL: John 20:1-18
The holy gospel according to John. | Glory to you, O Lord. Following the reading: The gospel of the Lord. | Praise to you, O Christ. Alleluia. Christ is risen. | Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia.
AFFIRMATION OF BAPTISM
HYMN 214 Springs of Water
Please sing the refrain as indicated.
Please remain standing and join in the liturgy, found on page 234 of the hymnal.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Please kneel or be seated
Each petition concludes: Hear us, O God. | Your mercy is great.
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
Christ the Lord is Risen Today arr. Harold DeCou
The Vigil Choir
Gay Lyn Ferry, director
Please stand as you are able.
GREAT THANKSGIVING
It is indeed right…we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
You are indeed holy . . . For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Remembering, therefore, his salutary command . . .
To you, O God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory in your holy church, now and forever.
LORD’S PRAYER
Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us.
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
Come to the banquet, for all is now ready.
Please be seated.
COMMUNION SONGS
HYMN 370 Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain
Please stand as you are able. PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
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. Send us forth as witnesses to your Son’s resurrection, that we may show your glory to all the world, through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord. Amen.
SENDING
BLESSING
HYMN 370
DISMISSAL
Christ Jesus Lay in Death's Strong Bands
Go in peace. Share the good news. | Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
Christ lag in Todesbanden, BWV 625 J. S. Bach
(Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands) (1685-1750)
