Lighting a New Fire 
The Great Vigil of Easter
April 4, 2015

Texts:  Genesis 1:1-2:4a; 7:1-5, 11-18, 9:8-13; Exodus 14:10-15-15:1; Psalms 46; 136:1-9, 23-26; 
Romans 6:3-11; Mark 16:1-8.

Preparation:  (Re)-read from Book of Worship of the United Church of Christ, the Introduction (Pages 225 and 226) to the Order of the Great Vigil of Easter for a context for planning the service.  

This order of service can be held after sunset on Holy Saturday or about an hour before sunrise on Easter morning.  It is planned for approximately an hour; however, for those planning a longer vigil, however, music, readings and testimony can be added.  

An intergenerational worship leadership team should be enlisted.  A Paschal or Easter Candle and candles with sturdy holders representing the different ministries of the church should be gathered and place on the altar or central table.   For example,  if the church has a ministry with those living with HIV/AIDS, a white candle with the red ribbon symbol affixed; if your church has a ministry of  feeding the homeless prepare a candle  to represent that; if you have a special international ministry prepare a candle with logo for your international ministry.  Enlist participants to be prepared to light the candle on the table and talk about the particular ministry of the church. Another effective way is to have the speaker bring the candle forward, light it, and talk about the ministry.

For the Baptism/Renewal of Baptism, set up several stations for bowls, pitchers of water and towels. 
Enlist persons to host each station, to pour the water, to offer a towel and to offer a blessing.

For the Communion, if the congregation is small, ask them to gather around the Communion table.  If the congregation is large, several stations for Communion can be set, perhaps with the baptismal bowls.

Just before the Easter Vigil begins and after the congregants have assembled, dim the sanctuary lights. Add sanctuary lights to the candle light as the service progresses.  Process in with the lighted Paschal (Easter) candle.  Process out with all the lights and candles burning.

Call to Worship

One: 	We are summoned by our God 
	to gather in sanctuary to remember and worship.  
	We are summoned to recall the darkness 
	when God's Child, Jesus, passed from his life into death.  
	We recall the dawn of a new day 
	when Jesus also passed from death into NEW LIFE, 
	a new life that God gives.  
	Jesus lights our way through the darkness into the new light. 
	A new fire burns within us as we commemorate the vigil of Easter.  

Prayer of Invocation

One:  	O God, on this night you gather us from all over the world 
	to kindle a new fire and light a new light.  
	The light of Jesus, your beloved Child, shines in the darkness 
	to bring warmth and energy to the earth 
	and to illumine a new relationship with you and one another.  
	Bless us with memory and a collective will 
	to extend your light and warmth beyond ourselves 
	and to embrace your light within us
	and where we find it in your people all over the world. Amen.

The Service of Light

One:  Jesus, the Christ of God, is our light.  
	God's light like a new fire is to be shared.
All:   Thanks be to God for light and warmth.
	(Light another candle from the light of the Paschal Candle.)

One:	We will read Scriptures to provide a panoramic view of the Light of God. 
	We will tell stories of how our church shares light and warmth 
	in our community that extends itself around the world.

One:  We remember God's true light that ignites the fire that kindles within us.
Two:  We remember the light and life of creation. 
Three:  Hear the words of the Creation Story:

	Scripture	Story		Genesis 1:1-2:4a
	All:  (after the reading) Thanks be to God.
		(Light a candle.)

One:  We remember the founding of our church 
	and the teachings of the light of God that kindles within us.
Two:  We remember the ministry of God's mission in our midst.
Three:  Here is the story of God's ministry through our church:   

	Ministry Story
	All:  (after the story) Thanks be to God.
		(Light a candle representing this ministry.)

	Response			Psalm 136:1-9, 23-26
	(Offer a prayer of thanks for creation and the ministry of God.)

One:  We remember God's true light that instructed, protected and guided God's people.
Two:  We remember the covenants God made with God's people.
Three:  Hear the story of the building of Noah's Ark:
 
	Scripture Story			Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18; 9:8-13
	All:  (after the reading) Thanks be to God.
		(Light a candle.)

One:  We remember another ministry of our church 
	that contributes to the light in our community.
Two:	We remember the ministry of God's mission in our midst.
Three:  Here is the story of our ministry __________.

	Ministry Story
	All:  (after the story) Thanks be to God.
		(Light a candle representing this ministry.)

	Response			Psalm 46.
	(Offer a prayer of thanks for God's providential care.)

One:  We remember God's true light in mysterious and miraculous ways.
Two:  God led the way out of the wilderness 
	so the people might be free of fear and captivity.
Three:  Here is the story about God, Moses, the Israelite people and their narrow escape:  

	Scripture			Exodus 14:10-15 -15:1
	All:  (after the reading) Thanks be to God.
		(Light a candle.)

One:  We remember this ministry that had a difficult time getting off the ground.  
Two:  God led us to the place where we could trust God's direction and one another.
Three:  Here is the story of our ministry ____________:

	Ministry Story
	All: (after the story) Thanks be to God.
	(Light a candle representing this ministry.)

	Response			Psalm 136
	(Offer a prayer of thanks for God's steadfast love and direction.)

One:  The fire and light filled with God's love has been with God's people always.
Two:  It is good to remember the ancient times and well as the fire and light we share today.  
Three:  Here is the story that reminds us how we are connected 
	and why we are engaged in the ministry 
	of sharing the Light of God through Jesus, the Christ of God: 

	Scripture			Romans 6:3-11
		All:  (after the reading) Thanks be to God.
		(Light a candle.)

Gospel			Mark 16:1-8

Homily/Reflection

Affirmation of Faith

We believe in God, 
maker and sustainer of earth, sea and sky, 
and midwife of every life 
that emerges from the womb of the earth.
We believe in Jesus Christ. 
Born of the womb of Mary, 
he was the first of our kind to live fully the destiny for which we were all created.
Healing the broken and serving the poor, 
liberating the burdened and reconciling heaven and earth, 
his every action unmasked the evil that waits to enslave us all.
Hell, wounded at its heart 
and filled with bitterness and rage, 
struck back in fury unrestrained.
Jesus was condemned by the religious 
and crucified by the state. 
He died forsaken, a man of sorrows. 
No pain in our hearts or in our planet is unfamiliar to him 
for he was cast into the jaws of death.
Redeeming even death, 
God raised Jesus from the grave 
and with wounded hands he embraces us.
He ascended into heaven to be everywhere present 
and there is now nothing beyond the reach of his healing touch.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, 
who raises us from the waters of death, 
breathes new life into us 
and declares us to be God's beloved.
And we believe Christ came that all may have life. 
Violence and hatred have done their worst 
but Christ's reign of peace will conquer. 
All who trust in Christ, 
though they die, shall be lifted to life in all its fullness. 
The grip of suffering will be forever broken, and death shall have no dominion.      
By Nathan Nettleton, 1999  
From Laughing Bird Liturgical Resources http://laughingbird.net/Seasonal.html

The Service of Baptism
Invite persons to gather around the baptismal station/s and leaders will proceed.

	One:	 As the light begins to dawn on this celebration of Jesus' resurrection, 
		let us remember the meaning of baptism and our baptism.
	Two:	As the light begins to dawn on us and warm our hearts, 
		may we as a faith community remember that our baptism 
		calls us to live in newness of life 
		and to extend the ministry of God by sharing Light and a New Fire. 
	Three: (as water is poured) Let us pray:  

		God, we give you thanks for life-nurturing water.  
		Water sustains all life whether washing or cleansing.  
		Water quinces thirst, the thirst of the earth and its inhabitants.  
		Water, precious water, is a gift and a right to be shared by all.

	One:  Jesus, by his own baptism into a community, 
		found temptations awaited, but thanks be to God's light and fire, 
		Jesus persevered to illuminate a path for us.  

	Two:  May we remember our baptisms 
		as we pass by the stations of water and candle 
		to come to the altar for Holy Communion.

(As a hymn is sung or played, invite congregants to pass by station/s of water, dipping their hands in and applying drops of water to their foreheads or simply feeling the water.  Be mindful of those unable to make their way to the station/s.  Offer a towel for quick drying and a simple blessing to each person.  As each person completes his or her baptism renewal invite them to form a circle or semi-circle around the Communion table where bread and cup are ready.)

The Service of Communion

	One:  Alleluia!  Christ is risen.
	All:  Christ is risen indeed!  Alleluia.

	One:  All are welcome at the table where this joyful feast is celebrated.  
		We welcome the spirit of those who celebrate Jesus' resurrection 
		all around the world, even as we celebrate together here.
	All:  We welcome all kindred in Christ. Alleluia.

	One:  Let there be peace among us as we share the bread and the cup.  
	All:  Amen.

	One:  This bread is a gift from heaven brought to us to light our path 
		and to warm us on life's journey.  
This bread represents both brokenness and the promise of wholeness to come.
This bread, Jesus said, is his broken body 
and he invites us to remember him in his life, ministry, and passion.  
In so doing we remember one another 
and Jesus' reconciling love and light meant for sharing.
	All:  Thanks be to God.

	One:  This is the cup which also fortifies us with God's light and warmth.  
		The cup represents the blessings for life's journey that God gives.  
		This cup, Jesus said, is the new covenant in my blood. 
		Drink it and remember him in his life, mission, and life-giving ministry.  
		In so doing we remember our own life and mission.  
		Let us share our lives in the reconciling love and peace God gives.
	All:  	Amen.

(Serve the elements by passing them to one another as welcomed equals around the table.)

Blessing/Benediction  
		Glory to God for the Easter Light and Love of Jesus.  
		May that Light and Love from God bring you wholeness and joy.  
		Go forth walking from the darkness into the illumined path set before you, 
		knowing that God is with you. Amen and Amen.  

Lighting a New Fire:  Great Vigil of Easter was written by the Rev. Rosemary McCombs Maxey, a citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and is retired clergy and a member of Fellowship Congregational United Church of Christ, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Copyright 2015 Local Church Ministries, Faith Formation Ministry Team, United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH  44115-1100.  Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education.  All publishing rights reserved.