There will be a recording of the Easter Vigil available on the Killiskey YouTube channel from 7pm on Saturday 3rd which will include scripture readings, prayers and solos (including one from Revd Jack Kinkead)
The service leaflet is available here: Easter Vigil 03-04-21
or below here:
Wicklow and Killiskey Parishes
Easter Liturgy
Saturday 3rd April 2021 via YouTube
The Service of Light
Candles are lit.
The Revd Ken Rue says
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
on this most holy night,
when our Lord Jesus Christ passed from death to life,
the Church invites her children throughout the world
to come together in vigil and prayer.
This is the Passover of the Lord.
We remember his death and resurrection
by hearing his word and celebrating his mysteries,
confident that we shall share his victory over death
and live with him for ever in God.
The new fire is kindled.
Let us pray.
Eternal God,
who made this most holy night
to shine with the brightness of your one true light:
set us aflame with the fire of your love,
and bring us to the radiance of your heavenly glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
May the light of Christ, rising in glory,
banish all darkness from our hearts and minds.
Robin Heather is handed the Easter candle. He enters the church building, followed by the Revd Ken Rue. They pause just inside the entrance.
Robin Heather raises the Easter Candle and intones
(At the Porch)
The light of Christ.
Thanks be to God.
(Midway up the aisle)
The light of Christ.
Thanks be to God.
(At the crossing)
The light of Christ.
Thanks be to God.
Revd Ken Rue: We listen to the Easter Proclamation
The Easter Proclamation (Exsultet) sung by Robin Heather
Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels!
O Universe, dance around God’s throne!
Jesus Christ, our King, is risen!
Sound the victorious trumpet of salvation!
Rejoice, O earth, in glory, revealing the splendour of your creation,
radiant in the brightness of your triumphant King!
Christ has conquered! Now his life and glory fill you!
Darkness vanishes for ever!
Rejoice, O Mother Church! Exult in glory!
The risen Saviour, our Lord of life, shines upon you!
Let all God’s people sing and shout for joy.
It is right and good that with hearts and minds and voices
we should praise you, Father almighty, the unseen God,
through your only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
who has saved us by his death,
paid the price of Adam’s sin,
and reconciled us once again to you.
For this is the Passover feast,
when Christ, the true Lamb of God, is slain
whose blood consecrates the homes of all the faithful.
This is the night when you first saved our ancestors,
freeing Israel from her slavery
and leading her safely through the sea.
This is the night when Jesus Christ vanquished hell,
broke the chains of death
and rose triumphant from the grave.
This is the night when all who believe in him are freed from sin,
restored to grace and holiness,
and share the victory of Christ.
This is the night that gave us back what we had lost;
beyond our deepest dreams
you made even our sin a happy fault.
Most blessed of all nights!
Evil and hatred are put to flight and sin is washed away,
lost innocence regained, and mourning turned to joy.
Night truly blessed, when hatred is cast out,
peace and justice find a home, and heaven is joined to earth
and all creation reconciled to you.
Therefore, heavenly Father, in this our Easter joy
accept our sacrifice of praise, your Church’s solemn offering.
Grant that this Easter Candle may make our darkness light.
For Christ the morning star has risen in glory;
Christ is risen from the dead and his flame of love still burns within us!
Christ sheds his peaceful light on all the world!
Christ lives and reigns for ever and ever! Amen.
The Vigil
INTRODUCTION TO VIGIL READINGS
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
let us now listen attentively to the word of God,
recalling how he saved his people throughout history,
and in the fullness of time,
sent his own Son to be our Redeemer.
The First Reading read by Daniel Healy
Crossing the Red Sea
Exodus 14: 10-31; 15: 20-21
As Pharaoh drew near, the Israelites looked back, and there were the Egyptians advancing on them. In great fear the Israelites cried out to the Lord. They said to Moses, ‘Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us, bringing us out of Egypt? Is this not the very thing we told you in Egypt, “Let us alone and let us serve the Egyptians”? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.’ But Moses said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the Lord will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to keep still.’
Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Why do you cry out to me? Tell the Israelites to go forward. But you lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the Israelites may go into the sea on dry ground. Then I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them; and so I will gain glory for myself over Pharaoh and all his army, his chariots, and his chariot drivers. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gained glory for myself over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his chariot drivers.’
The angel of God who was going before the Israelite army moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from in front of them and took its place behind them. It came between the army of Egypt and the army of Israel. And so the cloud was there with the darkness, and it lit up the night; one did not come near the other all night. Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land; and the waters were divided. The Israelites went into the sea on dry ground, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left. The Egyptians pursued, and went into the sea after them, all of Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and chariot drivers. At the morning watch the Lord in the pillar of fire and cloud looked down upon the Egyptian army, and threw the Egyptian army into panic. He clogged their chariot wheels so that they turned with difficulty. The Egyptians said, ‘Let us flee from the Israelites, for the Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.’ Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Stretch out your hand over the sea, so that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and chariot drivers.’ So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at dawn the sea returned to its normal depth. As the Egyptians fled before it, the Lord tossed the Egyptians into the sea. The waters returned and covered the chariots and the chariot drivers, the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea; not one of them remained. But the Israelites walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left. Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Israel saw the great work that the Lord did against the Egyptians. So the people feared the Lord and believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses.
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 sang to them:
‘Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider he has thrown into the sea.’
Hymn: Thanks & Praise 150 “There is a higher throne” sung by Scott Golden
There is a higher throne
than all this world has known,
where faithful ones from every tongue
will one day come.
Before the Son we’ll stand,
made faultless through the Lamb;
believing hearts find promised grace:
salvation comes.
Hear heaven’s voices sing;
their thunderous anthem rings
through emerald courts and sapphire skies.
their praises rise.
All glory, wisdom, power,
strength, thanks, and honour are
to God, our King who reigns on high
for evermore.
And there we’ll find our home,
our life before the throne;
we’ll honour Him in perfect song
where we belong.
He’ll wipe each tear-stained eye,
as thirst and hunger die;
the Lamb becomes our Shepherd King:
we’ll reign with Him.
Keith Getty (b. 1974)
and Kristin Getty (b. 1980)
Response: The Lord is my strength and my might.
He has become my salvation.
Collect: Lord God our redeemer,
who heard the cry of your people and sent your servant Moses to lead them out of slavery:
free us from the tyranny of sin and death and, by the leading of your Spirit,
bring us to our promised land; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Psalm 114 read by Stephen and Sally Smith
1 When Israel came out of Egypt, ♦
the house of Jacob from a people of a strange tongue,
2 Judah became his sanctuary, ♦
Israel his dominion.
3 The sea saw that, and fled; ♦
Jordan was driven back.
4 The mountains skipped like rams, ♦
the little hills like young sheep.
5 What ailed you, O sea, that you fled? ♦
O Jordan, that you were driven back?
6 You mountains, that you skipped like rams, ♦
you little hills like young sheep?
7 Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, ♦
at the presence of the God of Jacob,
8 Who turns the hard rock into a pool of water, ♦
the flint-stone into a springing well.
Response: I will sing to the Lord,
who has triumphed gloriously.
Collect: Blessed are you, Lord, God of our salvation. You heard the agony of your people as they cried out from slavery and you gave Moses to lead them to a land flowing with milk and honey. Hear the cry of the enslaved and the homeless today and lead us through the turbulent sea of life to our true home with you, O Lord, our maker and redeemer. Amen.
THE EASTER ACCLAMATION
Alleluia. Christ is risen.
He is risen indeed. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
A joyful fanfare is played on the organ
GLORIA IN EXCELSIS (sung by Tim Hicks)
Revd Ken Rue: The lights are turned on as we prepare to praise God in the words of the
Gloria in Excelsis
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to God’s people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father,
receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father.
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to God’s people on earth. Amen.
The Second Reading: Read by Stella Mew
Dying and Rising with Christ
Romans 6: 3-11
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.
For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For whoever has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Hymn: CH 247 “When I survey the wondrous cross” (vs 1, 2 and 4) sung by Patricia Butler
When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of Glory died;
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
save in the death of Christ, my God;
all the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his blood.
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were an offering far too small;
love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.
Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
based on Galatians 6: 14;
Philippians 3: 7-8
Response: Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?
Revd Ken Rue: Let us pray that we may reign with the risen Christ in glory.
We keep silence for a few moments.
Collect: Lord of all life and power,
who through the mighty resurrection of your Son
overcame the old order of sin and death
to make all things new in him:
grant that we, being dead to sin
and alive to you in Jesus Christ,
may reign with him in glory;
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit
be praise and honour, glory and might,
now and in all eternity. Amen.
The Gospel Reading: Read by Revd Ken Rue
The Resurrection of Jesus
Jesus Christ is risen from the dead.
Alleluia.
He has defeated the powers of death.
Alleluia.
Jesus turns our sorrow into dancing.
Alleluia.
He has the words of eternal life.
Alleluia.
Mark 16: 1-8
Hear the Gospel of our Saviour Christ according to St Mark, Chapter 16, beginning at verse 1
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ
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. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, ‘Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?’ When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But 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. But 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.’ So 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.
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Collect: Blessed are you, sanctifier of time and space, maker of dancing quarks and ancient quasars, of energy and element, your saving love endures for ever; as your holy light pierces the cold darkness of death and chaos; may the glorious radiance of resurrection dispel the shadows in our lives and conform us more closely to your risen Christ, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all honour, praise and glory. Amen.
Hymn: Thanks & Praise 89 “This is the night of new beginnings” sung by Revd Jack Kinkead
This is the night of new beginnings.
This is the night when heaven meets earth.
This is the night filled with God’s glory,
promise of our new birth!
Christ, be our light! Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your Church Gathered today.
This is the night Christ our Redeemer
rose from the grave triumphant and free,
leaving the tomb of evil and darkness,
empty for all to see.
Now will the fire kindled in darkness
burn to dispel the shadows of night.
Star of the morning, Jesus our Saviour,
you are the world’s true light!
Sing of the hope deeper than dying.
Sing of the power stronger than death.
Sing of the love endless as heaven,
dawning throughout the earth.
Into this world morning is breaking.
All of God’s people, lift up your voice.
Cry out with joy, tell out the story,
all of the earth rejoice!
Bernadette Farrell (b. 1957)
PRAYERS
On this holy night when Jesus Christ rose from the dead
and restored our life of grace
we turn to God our Father in prayer
asking for all our needs:
For all who believe in the Resurrection,
that through our sharing in the life of the Risen Lord,
this Easter may mark for us a new beginning in our life of faith.
Lord in your mercy
hear our prayer.
For peace in our world, that the peace promised by the Lord
will become a reality for all people.
Lord in your mercy
hear our prayer.
For all those baptised
that they may continue to grow in faith and love of God.
Lord in your mercy
hear our prayer.
That the people of every nation may come to share the joy of this night,
and that the Good News of the death and Resurrection of Christ
may gladden the hearts of all.
Lord in your mercy
hear our prayer.
That we may come to live forever in Christ
with those whose lifelong vigil for the Lord has ended
remembering that Christ has destroyed the power of death
and opened the gates of heaven to all.
Lord in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
God our Father,
as we celebrate the Resurrection of Christ your Son
we ask you to strengthen us in faith
that we may proclaim the pardon and peace you have given us.
We make this prayer through Jesus Christ
who is Lord for ever and ever. Amen
Closing Hymn: CH 288 “Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son” sung by Scott Golden
Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son,
endless is the victory Thou o’er death hast won;
angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away
kept the folded grave-clothes, where Thy body lay:
Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son,
endless is the victory thou o’er death hast won.
Lo, Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb;
lovingly He greets us, scatters fear and gloom;
let the Church with gladness hymns of triumph sing,
for her Lord now liveth, death hath lost its sting.
No more we doubt Thee, glorious Prince of life;
life is nought without Thee: aid us in our strife;
make us more than conquerors, through Thy deathless love:
bring us safe through Jordan to Thy home above.
The Dismissal
PEACE
The risen Christ came and stood among his disciples and said,
Peace be with you. Then were they glad when they saw the Lord.
John 20: 19, 20
BLESSING
God the Father,
by whose glory Christ was raised from the dead,
raise you up to walk with him in the newness of his risen life:
and the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
be with you and remain with you always. Amen.
DISMISSAL
With the risen life of Christ within you, go in the peace of Christ. Alleluia, alleluia.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.