You might want to have a candle, torch or other light ready to illuminate at the right moment in this service.
The Vigil
The Easter fire is lit. There is a prayer and a reading recalling God’s deliverance of God’s people from Egypt. We pause to remember our own journeys with God.
The Service of Light
Christ yesterday and today,
the beginning and the end,
Alpha and Omega,
all time belongs to him,
and all ages;
to him be glory and power,
through every age and for ever.
Amen.
By his holy and glorious wounds
may Christ our Lord guard and keep us.
Amen.
The president lights a candle, you might choose to light a candle or torch at home
May the light of Christ, rising in glory,
banish all darkness from our hearts and minds.
The light of Christ
Thanks be to God.
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
We sing the Exsultet to the tune of Tell Out My Soul
Sing, choirs of heaven! Let saints and angels sing!
Around God’s throne exult in harmony!
Now Jesus Christ is risen from the grave!
Salute your King in glorious symphony!
Sing, choirs of earth! Behold, your light has come!
The glory of the Lord shines radiantly!
Lift up your hearts, for Christ has conquered death!
The night is past; the day of life is here!
Sing, Church of God! Exult with joy outpoured!
The gospel trumpets tell of victory won!
Your Saviour lives: he’s with you ever more!
Let all God’s people shout the long Amen!
The Lord be with you
and also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give thanks and praise.
The minister continues praising God and recalling God’s goodness. At the end we all say
Amen.
Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
Glory to you, O Lord.
Matthew 28:1-10 is read
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you O, Christ.
God of glory,
by the raising of your Son
you have broken the chains of death and hell:
fill your Church with faith and hope;
for a new day has dawned
and the way to life stands open
in our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Renewal of Baptismal Vows
As we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead, we remember that we have died and been buried with him in baptism, so that we may rise with him to a new life within the family of his Church. Now that we have completed our observance of Lent, we renew the promises made at our baptism, affirming our allegiance to Christ, and our rejection of all that is evil.
Therefore I ask these questions:
Do you reject the devil and all rebellion against God?
I reject them.
Do you renounce the deceit and corruption of evil?
I renounce them.
Do you repent of the sins that separate us from God and neighbour?
I repent of them.
Do you turn to Christ as Saviour?
I turn to Christ.
Do you submit to Christ as Lord?
I submit to Christ.
Do you come to Christ
the way, the truth and the life?
I come to Christ.
Sisters and brothers, I ask you to profess the faith of the Church.
Do you believe and trust in God the Father?
I believe in God, the Father almighty
Creator of heaven and earth.
Do you believe and trust in his Son, Jesus Christ?
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 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 dead.
Do you believe and trust in 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. Amen
You are invited to sign yourself with water.
Almighty God, we thank you for our fellowship in the household of faith with all those who have been baptized in your name. Keep us faithful to our baptism, and so make us ready for that day when the whole creation shall be made perfect in your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
We continue in prayer
Dismissal
The minister introduces the dismissal
Alleluia. Christ is risen.
He is risen indeed. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He has given us new life and hope
by raising Jesus from the dead.
God has claimed us as his own.
He has brought us out of darkness.
He has made us light to the world.
Alleluia. Christ is risen.
He is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Go in the peace of Christ. Alleluia, alleluia.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.
Do join us for our Easter Day Eucharist at 10am.
Sermons at St Paul's 