Easter Vigils

[Richard Johnson]

We've had baptisms most years, but actually the couple of times we haven't, people have said, "I like that even better." (We do a renewal of baptismal vows; usually crowd is small enough that we can surround the font while doing it.)

[Pilgrim]

We've had and not had baptisms at the Vigil. Folks who've tried it invariably return, finding it speaking to them. I like it, don't have to worry about preaching...just let the great Biblical narrative carry the freight. We've generally grown in participation for several years...up close to 70 last year.

Pr. Tim Christ

[BrotherBoris]

I did a bit more web searching this afternoon and found out that a number of Lutheran churches in the Carolinas DO, in fact, celebrate the Easter Vigil. I found ELCA parishes in Arden, Hickory, Concord, and Charlotte, North Carolina that were celebrating it. I also discovered that three LCMS parishes are getting together in my hometown of Greenville, SC to celebrate it at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd.

Apparently it is catching on down here.   

Boris

[Charles_Austin]

One year, instead of reading the Genesis Creation, I did "The Creation" from James Weldon Johnson's collections of poem-sermons, "God's Trombones."

[J. Thomas Shelley]

One year, instead of reading the Genesis Creation, I did "The Creation" from James Weldon Johnson's collections of poem-sermons, "God's Trombones."

If I had unlimited time, I would show the video of James Weldon Johnson's poem in lieu of the Genesis reading and the Veggie Tales "Shad, Rack, and Bennie" in lieu of Daniel.

Ducking to avoid  pelting by chocolate eggs.....

[Charles_Austin]

The Veggie Tales Shad, Rack and Bennie!  Great idea!

[Kevin Palmer]

A couple of years we have done the readings from Walt Wangerin's "The Book of God."  It does a nice job of putting the Biblical narratives in a fresh light.

[Rev. Spaceman]

On the plains of NW MN, Easter Vigils are not common.  But last year, I decided to introduce the practice.  It served a practical function.  We had a couple of seventh graders who hadn't been baptized.  They were a little reluctant to be baptized on Sunday morning.  I suggested an Easter Vigil as an alternative.  It worked.  We had a decent attendance, mostly due to the baptisms.  I'm trying it again this year, without baptisms, hoping that we'll get at least some folks to attend.

I use the four "required" readings and will do a reaffirmation of baptismal vows as well.

[Michael Slusser]

RC vigils don't mess with the readings as a rule, though once in Washington DC, in the Genesis reading, God was a woman speaking Spanish--"and God said..."

Peace,
Michael

[Weedon]

Just speaking for myself, I could never imagine substituting something for one of the appointed readings; although I dearly love Brian Helge's intro to the Vigil in the LTP volume for Triduum - "it's old Entish night in the church."

[J. Thomas Shelley]

RC vigils don't mess with the readings as a rule, though once in Washington DC, in the Genesis reading, God was a woman speaking Spanish--"and God said..."

Peace,
Michael

Most of our best Lectors are women.  I always select one of them to be the Narrator for the Passion readings since there are so many male voices reading the other parts.

[FatherWilliam57]

My home congregation has been doing the Great Vigil of Easter for over 40 years, so I grew up with it.  I did it for 12 years in my first parish, and will be conducting my 8th in this place on Holy Saturday.  We do the whole shooting match (although we now only use 7 readings instead of 12).  As for the reading for Daniel 3, I always reserve that one for myself!  Crack up every year reading that puppy!  For me, it just wouldn't be the Vigil without it.  I especially like listening to my acolytes "go bump in the night" as they decorate the entire sanctuary for Easter during the singing of the Litany of the Saints.  (They also strip the altar on Maundy Thursday while I read Psalm 22.)  We practice for three hours on Saturday afternoon for the Vigil, going from bare altar to Easter splendor several times.  The new acolytes usually say, "Hey, this is easy."  Then one of the older acolytes will inform them that they will actually be doing this in the dark.  I love the look on their faces when so informed!  We average 30-60 here, depending on if their is a baptism or REmembrance of Baptism.

By the way, have any of you incorporated the Roman blessing of the baptismal water during your Vigil, chanted like the Exultet?  (Again, I grew up with it in my home parish.) 

[Weedon]

Our vigil has the "great flood prayer" of Luther as the blessing of the water, if you will.  I actually chant this, and break it up after each sentence with "blessed are you, Lord our God" that the people repeat (copied from *This is the Night*).  It works very well.  And yes, I dip the paschal candle into the water three times during this wonderful prayer.

[Dave Benke]

The great flood prayer is included in full in the baptismal rite in This Far By Faith, Pr. W.  Great touch with dipping the paschal candle!

Dave Benke

[Heidi Kvanli]

I've introduced the Easter Vigil at 3 of the 4 congregations I have served--in SE MN, in Lincoln, NE, and now in Sioux Falls, SD. I've adapted and shortened it, but still have the four main components: The Service of Light, The Service of Readings, The Service of Baptism (and renewal of Baptism), and The Service of Holy Communion. We typically have 75-100 in attendance. We also follow the Easter Vigil with a Prayer Vigil that lasts through the night until the Sunrise Service begins at 6:30. People or families sign up for a 1/2 hour time slot to come to the church and pray in the sanctuary.