Resurrection of Our Lord
Easter Vigil
Saturday, April 8, 2023
7:00 p.m.
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
183 West Main Street
Westborough, Massachusetts 01581
508-366-7095
WELCOME ALL!
Whether this is your first time with us or your one thousand and first, we are glad that the Spirit has drawn you here today! Visitors are invited to sign the Guest Book near the front doors of the church and take home a welcome brochure to learn more about us.
GATHERING
The congregation gathers outside on the prayer patio. A new fire has been prepared. Each person is given a candle. The presiding minister lights the paschal candle from the new fire which has been struck. As the candle is lighted, the minister may say:
May the light of Christ, rising in glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.
Procession
Light from the paschal candle is passed until the people’s candles are all lighted. The procession begins, led by the paschal candle, and the pastor sings:
The procession continues, stopping in the entrance vestibule. The pastor lifts the paschal candle and sings on a higher tone:
The procession continues into the fellowship hall. The pastor takes the paschal candle to its stand, lifts it high and sings on a still higher tone:
EASTER PROCLOMATION
After this, all may place their candles in the sand boxes and be seated.
VIGIL READINGS
1st Reading The Creation Story (Genesis 1:1—2:2) Pastor Cassie
SUNG RESPONSE Nothing Can Trouble
Nothing can trouble, nothing can frighten.
Those who seek God shall never go wanting
Nothing can trouble, nothing can frighten.
God alone fills us.
SPOKEN RESPONSE
God-with-us, in the beginning, your spirit was in the sky and sea, birds and crawling creatures.
As we wait for resurrection, we seek to remember that we are made in your image.
Those who seek God shall never go wanting; we know that you wait with us.
2nd READING The Crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21) Pat Fontes
SUNG RESPONSE Nothing Can Trouble
Nothing can trouble, nothing can frighten.
Those who seek God shall never go wanting
Nothing can trouble, nothing can frighten.
God alone fills us.
SPOKEN RESPONSE
God-with-us, you brought your people out of bondage and protected them with your strength on their way to freedom. As we wait for resurrection, we seek your liberating pathways.
Those who seek God shall never go wanting; we know that you wait with us.
3rd READING The Fiery Furnace (Daniel 3:1–29) Pastor Jeff
SUNG RESPONSE Nothing Can Trouble
Nothing can trouble, nothing can frighten.
Those who seek God shall never go wanting
Nothing can trouble, nothing can frighten.
God alone fills us.
SPOKEN RESPONSE
God-with-us, even fire cannot destroy your brightness and trust within us or draw us away from your love. As we wait for resurrection, we seek a courageous faith that defies brokenness.
Those who seek God shall never go wanting; we know that you wait with us.
4th Reading Daniel in the Lions’ Den (Daniel 6:6-28) The Heisen Family
SUNG RESPONSE Nothing Can Trouble
Nothing can trouble, nothing can frighten.
Those who seek God shall never go wanting
Nothing can trouble, nothing can frighten.
God alone fills us.
SPOKEN RESPONSE
God-with-us, your wisdom leads your people to speak the truth, even when the world resists. As we wait for resurrection, we seek your presence in the midst of danger or conflict.
Those who seek God shall never go wanting; we know that you wait with us.
We process to the narthex for the reading of the Gospel.
Gospel Mark 16: 1-8a
The Holy Gospel according to St. Mark, the 16th chapter. Glory to you, O Lord
When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” 4When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. 5As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 6But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. 7But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” 8So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed Alleluia!
We enter the sanctuary as the lights go on, yet retain the feeling of the women who fled from the tomb in terror and amazement.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray. O God, you are the creator of the world, the liberator of your people, and the wisdom of the earth. By the resurrection of your Son free us from our fears, restore us in your image, and ignite us with your light, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
HOMILY Pastor Cassie
Hymn of the Day
Now the Green Blade Rises ELW 379
AFFIRMATION OF BAPTISM
Dear friends, we give thanks for the gift of water and Word as we come before God to affirm our baptism into Christ.
Profession of Faith
I ask you to profess your faith in Christ Jesus, reject sin, and confess the faith of the church.
Do you renounce the devil and all the forces that defy God?
I renounce them.
Do you renounce the powers of this world that rebel against God?
I renounce them.
Do you renounce the ways of sin that draw you from God?
I renounce them.
Do you believe in God the Father?
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s 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 to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
You have made profession of your faith. Do you intend to continue in the covenant God made with you in holy baptism:
to live among God’s faithful people,
to hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s supper,
to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed,
to serve all people, following the example of Jesus,
and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth?
I do, and I ask God to help and guide me.
People of God, do you promise to support and pray for one another in your life in Christ?
We do, and we ask God to help and guide us.
Let us pray.
We give you thanks, O God, that through water and the Holy Spirit you give us new birth, cleanse us from sin, and raise us to eternal life. Stir up in your people the gift of your Holy Spirit: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord, the spirit of joy in your presence both now and forever.
Amen.
HYMN Baptized and Set Free ELW 453
Sing verses 1 and 2 as we remember our baptism through the rite of asperges
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
On this holiest of nights, we offer prayers for ourselves, our neighbors, and our world.
A brief silence.
Creative God, you made us in your image.
Help us to care for the earth and all its creatures.
We embrace the promise of your resurrection.
God of our ancestors, we remember the bold witness of faithful leaders.
Encourage all to share your good news today.
We embrace the promise of your resurrection.
Reconciling God, you restore right relationships.
Bridge rifts between people, families, communities, nations, and cultures.
We embrace the promise of your resurrection.
God of healing, you are with us in desolate places.
Bring peace to those who are sick in body or mind, lonely or grieving.
We embrace the promise of your resurrection.
Baptizing God, we thank you for the body of Christ you build of us.
Grant all your children a place with you, at the beginning and end of our lives.
We embrace the promise of your resurrection.
We offer you these petitions and those we carry in our hearts, trusting in your abundant mercy.
Amen.
Peace
The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you.
Offering Invitation
Anthem
Erschienen ist der herrliche Tag, BVW629
J.S. Bach
Yeon Soh, organist
Presentation of Gifts
The Peace of the Lord ELW 646
Sing verses 1 and 2
As the bread and wine are brought forward, we invite you to come forward as well.
We will gather around the altar to celebrate holy communion.
OFFERING PRAYER
Let us pray. Generous God, in this meal you offer your very self. We give thanks for these gifts of the earth. In the breaking of this bread reveal to us the Risen One. In the pouring of this wine pour us out in service to the world; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
DIALOGUE
Where is our God? God is here in this place.
Where are your hearts? We have given them to God.
What shall we do in the presence of our God? We shall give our thanks and praise.
THANKSGIVING
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that with full devotion of heart and mind and voice we should praise the invisible God, and the only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord; who, by his precious blood, redeemed us from bondage to the ancient sin. For this indeed is the Paschal feast in which the true Lamb is slain.
In the night in which he was betrayed,
our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks;
broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,
and gave it for all to drink, saying:
This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
In obedience to his command, we profess the mystery of our faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Pour your Spirit upon these gifts of life, and make us into resurrection people, O God, a people unafraid and rejoicing. Bring your reign to earth, and teach us to pray:
LORD’S PRAYER
Let us pray as Jesus taught us, each in the words or language of our choice.
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.
or
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and forever. Amen.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
The God you seek will meet you in the garden. And that same God has a seat saved at this table, specifically for you. Come with your questions. Come with your hunger. Come, whether this is your first time or your hundredth. Jesus Christ is risen today, and he welcomes all.
COMMUNION
At this table, Christ is both host and meal, and offers himself to all who hunger and thirst for his presence.
We believe that he is truly present in this sacrament.
Come to the front, where bread is placed in your hand (you can request a gluten-free wafer), and where you receive wine by taking a cup from the tray (the cups in the center contain white grape juice).
If you do not wish to commune, you are welcome to come forward and receive a blessing.
If you need to receive communion in your seat, simply notify an usher.
No one is too young to receive this sacrament, though some families wish to give their children some instruction before they take their first communion. If a young child accompanies you, please indicate to the pastor whether they should receive bread or a blessing.
AGNUS DEI
TABLE BLESSING
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in God’s grace. Amen
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Let us pray. Holy Spirit, we look for you in many places:
in strangers and sunrises, in the mirror and on mountaintops.
We look for you on the city streets, in hospital rooms, in jail cells, in poetry, and hymn melodies.
Sometimes the seeking is hard, but then other times,
we come to this Table where all are fed and all are welcomed.
Here there is room for everyone and no one is turned away.
In those moments, we see your resurrected love always seeking us. Amen.
BLESSING
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord’s face shine on you with grace and mercy.
The Lord look upon you with favor and + give you peace. Amen.
SENDING HYMN Come, Share the Spirit ACS 1045
DISMISSAL
Alleluia! Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Go in peace. Be not afraid! Thanks be to God!
POSTLUDE
Christ lag in Todes Banden, BWV 625
J.S. Bach
Yeon Soh
PARTICIPANTS
Pastors The Reverend Jeffrey Goodrich & The Reverend Cassie Hartnett
Worship Assistant Karen English
Communion Presenters Pat Fontes & Judy Harbold
Storytellers Pat Fontes & the Heisen family
Ushers Jim Scanlon
Director of Music Kirby Stalley
Organist Yeon Soh
Altar Care Alter Guild
Thank you to the wonderful women of Altar Care for their service during Holy Week with
preparations, stripping of the Altar, and for decorating the Nave for our Easter Celebration!
Thank you to all who donated Easter Tulips
Aruna Sobhan Arigela
in memory of Sobhan Babu Arigela
and to the Glory of God.
Marilyn & Lou Banderet
in memory of loved ones.
Diana and Bert Barton
to the Glory of God.
Eleanor Bigwood
in honor of my loving family.
Ellen Cloutier
to the Glory of God
in thanks for his many blessings.
Stan & Carie Corbett
in memory of Carie’s brother Jay.
Ken, Erin, Ani & Brooks Corkran
in memory of Richard Lowery,
Bill and Marion Corkran.
Devaprasad & McIrney Family
in memory of loved ones.
Judy Fallon
in memory of my parents
and to the Glory of God.
Donald & Patricia Fontes
to the Glory of God.
Pamila Francis
in memory of Meera Francis & Gnanam Selvaraj.
Linda & Bob Frederico
in memory of Dot &
Robert Frederico, Sr. and
Barbara & Roland Bousquet
and Kim Forsyth.
Debra George
in memory of my father
Arthur George III
The Gillins
in celebration of God’s gift
of our lives.
Garrick & Julie Hamilton Grant
in honor of Nolan, Liam, Douglas, Mary, Molly, & David.
Bill and Bobbie Hendrick
in celebration of
God’s abundant blessing.
George Herz
in memory of
Colleen & Mark Herz.
Margaret Holst
in memory of Frederick
& Phyllis Holst
and to the Glory of God.
Stephanie Leclair
in memory of my mother
Jean Wilderoter and
in celebration of my children
and grandchildren.
PJ and Donna Mann
to the Glory of God.
Nancy Matson
in loving memory of
Arthur Matson.
Justin Mayotte
to the Glory of God.
Christiane Merrow and Sons
in memory of Ross Merrow,
husband and father.
The McCordick Family
in memory of William Kivi and Dorothy & Bill McCordick
Sue & Carl Miett
in memory of our parents
and to the Glory of God.
Bev Moehling
in memory of Irv Moehling
and in celebration of
God’s many blessings.
Jenn Morazes
in celebration of Richard’s
improved health.
Pat Olson
in memory of Roger M. Olson.
The Olsons
to the Glory of God and
in memory of family.
The Pavlak Family
to the Glory of God and
in memory of Holly’s Parents.
Sharon & Mark Proia
in memory of loved ones.
The Seitz Family
to the Glory of God.
Kris Sheehan
in memory of Vin & Louise Gill.
Shirley & Sarina Soderlund
in memory of Martin I. Soderlund.
Lisa Sottolano
in memory of Stephen Sottolano
The Sutherland Family
in memory ofTripp Sutherland & Linda Bisteny.
Joe Taxiera
in honor and memory of
Phylli and family.
Kair Tucker
in memory of
Dr. James & Mrs. Jeannine Tucker
and to the Glory of God.
From Sundays and Seasons.com. © 2022 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #27028. New Revised Standard Version Bible, ©1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. CCLI#1313879. OneLicense # A-716488 Call to worship, confession and forgiveness, prayer of the day, the great thanksgiving, invitation to communion, and the blessing are all adapted from prayers by Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org. https://goodshepherdcares.sharepoint.com/sites/gslcstaff971/shared documents/worship planning/2022/palm sunday thru easter/easter traditional 041722.docx