St. Andrew's Lutheran Church and Campus Center
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Holy Saturday
Background
The Festival of the Resurrection of our Lord begins with the celebration of the “Great Vigil of Easter” on Holy Saturday. The word “vigil” in Middle English (converted from Latin) means, “a night spent in watching.” Vigils developed historically when on the eve of a feast the ancient Church would watch through the night in preparation for the dawning day. Due to the prominence of Easter as the “Day of Days” in the life of the Church, the Easter Vigil is by far the “mother of all vigils.”The Great Vigil of Easter consists of four parts: the Service of Light, the Service of Readings, the Service of Baptism and Confirmation, and the Service of Holy Communion. These are unified under the theme of the resurrection of our Lord and the restoration of creation in his new kingdom, especially as related to Holy Baptism. The church is made ready for Easter with white or gold paraments, flowers, and the like, yet the tone of this solemn vigil is reflective by nature, reserving the full song and celebration of the Church to erupt at the main service on Easter Day. As we transition from Good Friday with the knowledge of Christ’s entombment, the vigil begins outside of the sanctuary in silence and darkness by the fireplace. All are given candles, later to be lighted from the paschal candle.
Scripture
- Genesis 1:1-2:2 (The Creation) (ESV)
- Genesis 7:1–5, 11–18; 8:6–18; 9:8–13 (The Flood) (ESV)
- Exodus 14:10-15:1 (Israel's Deliverance at the Red Sea) (ESV)
- Ezekiel 37:1-14 (Valley of Dry Bones)(ESV)
- Jonah 3:1-10 (Jonah Preaches to Ninevah)(ESV)
- Daniel 3:1-30 (The Fiery Furnace)(ESV)
- St. John 20:1-18 (Easter Gospel)(ESV)
Psalmody
- Select Verses of Psalm 33 (ESV)
- Select Verses of Psalm 29 (ESV)
- Select Verses of Psalm 51 (ESV)
- Jonah 2:2-9 (ESV)
The Baptismal Hymn
- LSB 594 "God's Own Child, I Gladly Say It" (midi)
The Canticles
- LSB 925 "Song of Moses and Israel"
- LSB 931 "All You Works of the Lord"
