Part III of our three day liturgy: In the darkness that was Christ’s death, a new light is kindled, the story of our salvation retold, our baptism renewed, and the resurrection of Christ proclaimed for the first time. Join us for this moving liturgy, which culminates the first Eucharist of Easter.

How long is the Easter Vigil?
The Easter Vigil lasts approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes. (If you are one of the folks who experienced the epic Easter Vigil of 2022, fear not - we will never again plan a vigil that is 2 and a half hours long.)

Is it like a Sunday service?
At the end it is! But in the beginning, it is something entirely different - and entirely wonderful, magical, beautiful. We begin in utter darkness, huddled in the narthex (the lobby) as a great cauldron is ignited, the fire is blessed, and the Paschal candle is lit from this new fire. That light is brought into the church in a great procession, the pew candles lit one by one as the holy flame passes by. Then in the semi-darkness, the cantor begins the once-a-year singing of the Exsultet, the great hymn to the fire. Then comes four lessons proclaimed in near darkness - the creation story in Genesis, the telling of Israel’s passing through the Red Sea on dry land, Isaiah’s glorious invitation to salvation for all people, and Zephaniah’s great in-gathering of God’s beloved. Between the lessons we hear music responses and brief prayers. And from that glorious journey through salvation history we move right into the promises of Baptism as we renew our vows and bring our Lenten fast to a close. Then the organ, silent since mid-way through the Maundy Thursday service, begins to rumble, and builds up and up and up to a mighty fanfare and, somehow, in a flash, it is Easter. And the lights come up and the candles are lit and the splendor of a fully adorned for Easter sanctuary is revealed. Alleluia! Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen indeed, Alleluia! Then together we celebrate the very first Eucharist of Easter. Renewed, transformed, made new with the dawn of Easter, we come to the table together.

Service Music:

Libby Larsen God so loved the world
Carson Cooman A cosmic prayer
Zachary Wadsworth O saving victim
James MacMillan Bring us, O Lord God
Arvo Pärt The deer’s cry
John Tavener All Ye that in Christ have been baptized
Horatio Parker Light’s glittering morn bedecks the sky
Randall Thompson Alleluia