Great Easter Vigil at 7pm

Join us Saturday evening, March 30, at 7pm for the Great Vigil of Easter

The Great Vigil of Easter, is a liturgy held in traditional Christian churches as the first official celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus.  It is a wonderful service evoking light, mystery and hope. The service begins in darkness  with the lighting of the Paschal Candle which is then processed into the darkened church. The service continues with the soloist singing the hauntingly beautiful Exsultet. There are then specially appointed bible readings for the service reminding us of God’s saving purpose in the world. This is followed by the Renewal of Baptismal Vows and the Eucharist.

Through this liturgy, the Book of Common Prayer recovers an ancient practice of keeping the Easter feast. Believers would gather in the hours of darkness ending at dawn on Easter to hear scripture and offer prayer. This night-long service of prayerful watching anticipated the baptisms that would come at first light and the Easter Eucharist. Easter was the primary baptismal occasion for the early church to the practical exclusion of all others. This practice linked the meanings of Christ’s dying and rising to the understanding of baptism.