Author: Church Admin

The light of Christ
has come into the world!
Easter Vigil
April 16, 2022
7:30 p.m.
Good Shepherd Episcopal Church
Centennial, Colorado

THE GREAT VIGIL OF EASTER
April 16, 2022
Holy Eucharist
THE SERVICE OF LIGHT
The Lighting of the Paschal Candle BCP 285
Immediately prior to the beginning of the service the church will be
darkened. The “new fire” will be kindled outside the church entrance.
The paschal candle will be lit and carried into the church by the
Deacon, who will stop three times. At each stop the following will be
sung:
Celebrant sings: The light of Christ.
People respond: Thanks be to God.
At the third stop, the people light their candles from the Paschal candle.
The Exsultet (Please Stand) BCP 286
Celebrant sings: Rejoice now heavenly hosts and choirs of angels…
… Who lives and reigns with him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
People: Amen
Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give him thanks and praise.
Celebrant continues singing:
It is truly right and good, always and everywhere…
… And who live and reigns for ever and ever.
People: Amen

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Extinguish your candles at the end of the Exsultet.
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD BCP 288-291
The Story of Creation
Genesis 1:1—2:4a
El Shaddai (See Insert) Michael Card & John Thompson
Prayer
Israel’s Deliverance at the Red Sea
Exodus 14:10-31
15:20-21
Green Songbook #12 Be Not Afraid Bob Dufford, SJ
Prayer
Salvation Offered to Freely to All
Isaiah 55:1-11
Green Songbook #55 Here I Am, Lord Dan Schutte
Prayer
A New Heart and a New Spirit
Ezekiel 36:24-28
Green Songbook #21 Change My Heart Oh God Eddie Espinosa
Prayer
Renewal of Baptismal Vows BCP 292
THE HOLY EUCHARIST
Celebrant: Alleluia, alleluia. Christ is risen.
People: The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia, alleluia.
After the Celebrant says the Easter acclamation, bells are rung. Bells may also be rung during the singing of the Sanctus and at anytime during the singing or saying of “Alleluia.”
Blue Hymnal #207 Jesus Christ is risen today Easter Hymn
The Collect BCP 295
A Reading from Romans 6:3-11
Sequence Hymn
Blue Hymnal #178 Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks Alleluia #1
The Holy Gospel according to Matthew 28:1-10
The Sermon The Rev. Gary R. Brower
Prayers of the People
The Lector leads the Prayers, and will conclude each petition by saying:
“To you we offer praise eternal.”
The People respond: Alleluia! Alleluia!
The Peace
THE HOLY COMMUNION
The Offertory
Offertory Music Resurrection Hymn Townend/Getty
Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him all creatures here below.
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts,
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
The Great Thanksgiving - Prayer D BCP 372
Holy,Holy, Holy Blue Hymnal #S-129
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Lord's Prayer
The Breaking of the Bread
Lamb of God
The Communion Hymns:
In Remembrance Courtney/Red
Blue Hymnal #335 I am the bread of life Suzanne Toolan
The Prayer of Thanksgiving
The Easter Blessing
May Almighty God, who has redeemed us and made us his children through the resurrection of his Son our Lord, bestow upon you the riches of his blessing. Amen.
May God, who through the water of baptism has raised us from sin into newness of life, make you holy and worthy to be united with Christ forever. Amen.
May God, who has brought us out of bondage to sin into true and lasting freedom in the Redeemer, bring you to your eternal inheritance. Amen.
And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you forever. Amen.
Recessional
Green Songbook #48 He Is Exalted Twila Paris
The Dismissal
Postlude Toccata D. H. Hegarty
TODAY'S MINISTERS
Celebrant/Preacher: The Rev. Gary R. Brower
Deacon: The Rev. Nadine Pope
Organist/Pianist: Connie Branton
Contemporary Music Coordinator: Marge Pegula
Musicians: Marge Pegula, John Mumford, Bruce Oxenbury,
Ellen and Mike Blackburn, Bob Vaughan
Readers: Susan Bailey, Elaine Oxenbury,
Jeff Spahr, Rachel Blackburn,
Chalice Ministers: Nadine Pope, Rachel Blackburn
Acolyte: Rachel Blackburn
Usher: Mark Kelly
Greeter: Joe Gavlick
The flowers for our Easter services
are given
to the Glory of God by:
Kathy Alfeld, in memory of my parents
Nan Behringer, in thanksgiving for the Altar Guild angels and my Good Shepherd family
Mike and Ellen Blackburn, in memory of Roderick D. Brown
Sandy Boyd, in thanksgiving for the community and leadership of
Good Shepherd
Kees and Linda Corssmit, in thanksgiving for David McLaughry’s kidney
given to Kees 16 years ago
Ron and Karin Elsen, in thanksgiving for family and friends
Kathy Hunter, in thanksgiving for this supportive and generous Parish
Jane Jackson, in thanksgiving for my children—Jamie and Dave Ziegler,
Kari and Mark, and Chip and Donna Jackson
David C. Mathews, in memory of Jean and Schuyler Mathews
Doug and Becky Moore, in memory of Dave and Ann Beall and
Bud and Martha Moore
Marge Pegula, in thanksgiving for my Good Shepherd family.
Marcia Poirier, in memory of Kenneth Poirier
Irma Princic, in memory of Wally Princic and all our families,
and in gratitude for all Altar Guild members
Jack and Marjie Rogers, in memory of Tyler LeFant, Kristin Genova,
our parents and sister
Marilyn Taylor, in thanksgiving for my children and grandsons,
and for my Good Shepherd family
Jim and Beverly Wolfe, in thanksgiving for our Good Shepherd family
Many thanks to everyone who helped make
our Holy Week and Easter so meaningful!
Please join us for a special celebration reception
in the Parish Hall following tonight’s service.
The Celebration of Easter on the Eve of that day is among the most ancient in Christian worship. We have a document coming from the early 3rd century that describes this service. The service was held in a home since there were no churches due to Roman persecution. It was the culmination of lent. In the church at this time lent was a time of education and communal formation for catechumens as well as a time for penitence.
The service on Easter Even was the culmination of the three great days of Holy Week, known as the triduum. The three days were Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and finally Easter Even. At this time the catechumens were brought into the church for the first part of the liturgy, the service of the Word. During their preparation they were always dismissed prior to the offertory and had no
experience of the full Eucharistic celebration.
The time for training and education about the sacraments came after Easter. The catechumens were led into a dark room, a new fire was kindled and the ancient hymn, the Exsultet, was chanted. There were readings from Sacred Scripture and the candidates were brought to a large pool in the middle of the room. They were wearing white robes and had been prepared by an extensive period of prayer and fasting since the morning of Good Friday. Each candidate had a sponsor who brought them to the Bishop who in the early Church presided at most Eucharists. The Bishop would take the candidate, who knew nothing of what was about to happen, and lead her into the pool. (Most candidates were in their upper teens or older.) The Bishop then pushed the candidate under the water three times reciting, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Following that the candidate was anointed with a precious scented oil called Chrism. This followed the Jewish custom of anointing priests and kings. The candidate shared in the priesthood and kingship of Christ.
The Candidate then participated in the celebration of the Eucharist and received communion for the first time. After the dismissal at the end of the service the people received a drink of milk and honey as a reminder of the Passover of the ancient Jews, who were led through the wilderness into the land of promise, the land of milk and honey. The drama of lightness and darkness, the incense that is fragrant and rises as a prayer, the water that speaks to us of our Baptismal Covenant, the chanting, the procession of the paschal candle, and our participation in the Eucharist are meant to be reminders of our links to the past, our joy in the present and our confident hope in the future.
EASTER VIGIL
APRIL 16, 2022
GOOD SHEPHERD EPISCOPAL CHURCH
8545 E. Dry Creek Road
Centennial, Colorado 80112
(303) 740-2688
www.gshep.org
STAFF
Rector: The Rev. Gary R. Brower
Deacon: The Rev. Nadine Pope
Parish Administrator: Kathy Hunter
Organist/Pianist/Choir Director: Connie Branton
Children’s Ministries: Sue LeFant
Youth Ministries: Cole AllSmith
Interim Business Manager: Chris Hall
Senior Warden: Jim Wolfe
Junior Warden: Christina Blackburn
Treasurer: Elaine Gilley

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Easter Sunday Services
Sunday, April 17, 2022
at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.
Easter Egg Hunt at 10:15 a.m.