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THE HOLY TRIDUUM 2009 THE HOLY THREE DAYS OF CHRIST’S PASSOVER MAUNDY THURSDAY (PAGE 1) GOOD FRIDAY (PAGE 7) HOLY SATURDAY (PAGE 17) HOLY (MAUNDY) THURSDAY THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2008 Holy Thursday, occurring on the eve of our Lord’s crucifixion, begins the celebration of the holy three days of Christ’s Passover, commonly known as the Triduum. The service on this day culminates the Lenten period of preparation for Christ’s Passion and Resurrection and leads into His sacrifice on our behalf. As such, the service, like that for Good Friday, exhibits a mood of restrained joy. The Service for Holy Thursday consists of four parts: the Service of Corporate Confession and Absolution, the Service of the Word, the Service of the Sacrament, and the Stripping of the Altar. The Service of Corporate Confession and Absolution signals the end of the Lenten preparation with the absolution and peace of Christ that stand at the center of the Three Days. The Service of the Word focuses upon Christ’s sacrificial service demonstrated in His washing of His disciples’ feet, a servanthood enacted on the cross and whose benefits are bestowed in His means of grace. The service culminates with the Lord’s ministry to His people through the Sacrament of the Altar. The depth of Christ’s servanthood is demonstrated as the altar is reverently stripped in preparation for the Church’s observance of Jesus’ death on Good Friday. On Holy Thursday, the Church and her catechumens begin the journey through the three days of Christ’s Passover from death to life and from captivity to freedom. The congregation and pastors enter in silence RITE OF PREPARATION LITANY [STAND] ............................................................................. LSB PAGE 288 COLLECT Almighty and everlasting God, You despise nothing You have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent. Create in us new and contrite hearts that, lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, we may receive from You full pardon and forgiveness; 2 through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen. [SIT] HYMN .................................................................................................LSB #616 “BAPTISMAL WATERS COVER ME” SERVICE OF CORPORATE CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION LSB PAGE 290 SERVICE OF THE WORD DIVINE SERVICE SETTING III ENTRANCE HYMN [STAND] ....................................................................LSB #630 “NOW, MY TONGUE, THE MYSTERY TELLING” INTROIT .......................................................PS. 116:1-4; ANTIPHON: PS. 116:5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; our God is merciful. I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live. The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish. Then I called on the name of the LORD: “O LORD, I pray, deliver my soul!” Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; our God is merciful. KYRIE AND GLORIA IN EXCELSIS................................................ LSB PAGE 186 SALUTATION AND COLLECT OF THE DAY ................................... LSB PAGE 189 3 O Lord, in this wondrous Sacrament You have left us a remembrance of Your passion. Grant that we may so receive the sacred mystery of Your body and blood that the fruits of Your redemption may continually be manifest in us; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. [SIT] OLD TESTAMENT READING ............................................ EXODUS 24:3-11 ESV 3 Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord and all the rules. And all the people answered with one voice and said, "All the words that the Lord has spoken we will do." 4And Moses wrote down all the words of the Lord. He rose early in the morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel. 5And he sent young men of the people of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen to the Lord. 6And Moses took half of the blood and put it in basins, and half of the blood he threw against the altar. 7Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. And they said, "All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient." 8And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, "Behold the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words." 9 Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up, 10 and they saw the God of Israel. There was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness. 11And he did not lay his hand on the chief men of the people of Israel; they beheld God, and ate and drank. This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. GRADUAL ....................................... HEBREWS 9:12A, C, 15A; PS. 111:9A ESV [Christ entered once for all into the holy places, by means of his own blood. thus securing an eternal redemption. Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance. He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. EPISTLE READING ............................................ 1 CORINTHIANS 11:23-32 ESV 23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as 4 often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. 28Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 31But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world. This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. HOLY GOSPEL [STAND] ............................................. JOHN 13:1-17, 31B-35 ESV The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the 13th chapter. Glory be to Thee, O Lord. 1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, 3Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” 11For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.” 12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. 5 31b Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. 33Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ 34A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise be to Thee, O Christ. NICENE CREED .......................................................................... LSB PAGE 191 HYMN OF THE DAY [SIT] ......................................................................LSB #617 “O LORD, WE PRAISE THEE” SERMON .................................................................................. EXODUS 24:3-11 “SACRED HEAD, NOW WOUNDED: A MEAL FOR THE WOUNDED” OFFERTORY [STAND] ..................................................................... LSB PAGE 192 OFFERING AND ATTENDANCE REGISTRATION [SIT] Please include your email address if it has changed or you have not yet given it to us. PRAYER OF THE CHURCH [STAND] The prayer will conclude with the congregational response: Amen. SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT The Service of the Sacrament begins with the PREFACE on LSB page 194. Following the dismissal, the service concludes with the POST-COMMUNION COLLECT on LSB page 201. Due to the unified nature of the Triduum, the BENEDICTION is omitted on this day. DISTRIBUTION HYMNS .......................................................................LSB #450 “O SACRED HEAD, NOW WOUNDED” ....................................................................LSB #625 6 “LORD JESUS CHRIST, LIFE-GIVING BREAD” ................................................................... LSB #627 “JESUS CHRIST, OUR BLESSED SAVIOR” POST-COMMUNION COLLECT [STAND] .......................................... LSB PAGE 201 STRIPPING OF THE ALTAR Immediately following the POST-COMMUNION COLLECT in the last service of the day, the communion vessels are reverently removed from the altar, the altar is stripped, and the chancel is cleared in preparation for the solemn services of Good Friday. While this is being done, Psalm 22 will be read aloud by the Liturgist. After the Stripping of the Altar, all leave the church in silence. 7 GOOD FRIDAY Tenebrae Vespers FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2009 Good Friday is part of the sacred Triduum, the three-day observance of Christ’s Passion. The name may originally have been “God’s Friday,” but it is certainly also “good” because of the good gifts Christ won for us on this day. Good Friday is not observed as a funeral for Christ. It is a day for repentance over sin and restrained joy and praise for the redemption Christ accomplished for us on the cross. In keeping with this character, music is kept to a minimum, though not silenced. Elaborate words of praise are omitted. The altar remains bare, having been stripped on Holy Thursday. The service of Tenebrae (meaning “darkness”) consists of the extinguishing of the church lights. Historically it occurred early in the morning at the Offices of Matins and Lauds on all three days of the Triduum. In recent times, the service has been observed only on the evening of Good Friday. The congregation and pastors enter in silence OPENING VERSICLES [STAND] O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. Make haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O Lord. PRAISE TO YOU, O CHRIST, LAMB OF OUR SALVATION. COLLECT OF THE DAY Psalm 51:15 Psalm 70:1 Almighty God, graciously behold this Your family for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed and delivered into the hands of sinful men to suffer death upon the 8 cross; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. [SIT] After each reading: O Lord, have mercy on us. Thanks be to God. OLD TESTAMENT READING ....................................... ISAIAH 52:13-53:12 ESV 13 Behold, my servant shall act wisely; he shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted. 14As many were astonished at you—his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the children of mankind—15so shall he sprinkle many nations; kings shall shut their mouths because of him; for that which has not been told them they see, and that which they have not heard they understand. 53:1 Who has believed what they heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. 3He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. 6All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. 8By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? 9And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. 11Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. 12Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors. GRADUAL ................................................HEB. 9:12A, C, 15A; PS. 111:9A ESV 9 [Christ] entered once for all into the holy places, by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance. He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. EPISTLE READING ............................................ HEBREWS 4:14-16; 5:7-9 ESV 4:14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 5:7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him. THE PASSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.................. JOHN 18:1-19:42 ESV HYMN ............................................................................................ LSB #440:1 “JESUS, I WILL PONDER NOW” READING............................................................................. JOHN 18:1-11 ESV 18:1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron Valley, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. 2Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. 3So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, "Whom do you seek?" 5They answered him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said to them, "I am he." Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6When Jesus said to them, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground. 7So he asked them again, "Whom do you seek?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." 8Jesus answered, "I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go." 9 This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: "Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one." 10Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.) 11So Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?" 10 HYMN [A candle is extinguished.] ...................................................... LSB #450:1 “O SACRED HEAD, NOW WOUNDED” READING...........................................................................JOHN 18:12-27 ESV 12 So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. 13First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people. 15 Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the court of the high priest, 16but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. 17The servant girl at the door said to Peter, "You also are not one of this man's disciples, are you?" He said, "I am not." 18Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself. 19 The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 20Jesus answered him, "I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. 21Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said." 22When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, "Is that how you answer the high priest?" 23Jesus answered him, "If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?" 24Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. 25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, "You also are not one of his disciples, are you?" He denied it and said, "I am not." 26One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, "Did I not see you in the garden with him?" 27Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed. HYMN [A candle is extinguished.] ...................................................... LSB #450:2 “O SACRED HEAD, NOW WOUNDED” READING...........................................................................JOHN 18:28-40 ESV 28 Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor's headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor's headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. 29So Pilate went outside to them and said, 11 "What accusation do you bring against this man?" 30They answered him, "If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you." 31Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law." The Jews said to him, "It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death." 32This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die. 33 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" 34Jesus answered, "Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?" 35Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?" 36Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world." 37 Then Pilate said to him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world— to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice." 38Pilate said to him, "What is truth?" After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, "I find no guilt in him. 39But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?" 40They cried out again, "Not this man, but Barabbas!" Now Barabbas was a robber. HYMN [A candle is extinguished.] ...................................................... LSB #450:3 “O SACRED HEAD, NOW WOUNDED” READING.......................................................................... JOHN 19:1-16A ESV 19 Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. 2And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. 3They came up to him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" and struck him with their hands. 4Pilate went out again and said to them, "See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him." 5So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, "Behold the man!" 6When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, "Crucify him, crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him." 7The Jews answered him, "We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God." 8When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid. 9He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, "Where are you from?" But Jesus gave him no answer. 10So Pilate said to him, "You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?" 11Jesus answered him, "You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin." 12 12 From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, "If you release this man, you are not Caesar's friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar." 13So when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Stone Pavement, and in Aramaic Gabbatha. 14Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover. It was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, "Behold your King!" 15They cried out, "Away with him, away with him, crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests answered, "We have no king but Caesar." 16So he delivered him over to them to be crucified. HYMN [A candle is extinguished.] ...................................................... LSB #450:4 “O SACRED HEAD, NOW WOUNDED” READING.........................................................................JOHN 19:16B-24 ESV 16 So they took Jesus, 17and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called the place of a skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. 18There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. 19Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews." 20Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek. 21So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, "Do not write, 'The King of the Jews,' but rather, 'This man said, I am King of the Jews.'" 22Pilate answered, "What I have written I have written." 23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, 24so they said to one another, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be." This was to fulfill the Scripture which says, "They divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots." So the soldiers did these things. HYMN [A candle is extinguished.] ...................................................... LSB #450:5 “O SACRED HEAD, NOW WOUNDED” READING...........................................................................JOHN 19:25-30 ESV 25 But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son!" 27Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. 28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), "I thirst." 29 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop 13 branch and held it to his mouth. 30When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, "It is finished," and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. HYMN [A candle is extinguished.] ...................................................... LSB #450:6 “O SACRED HEAD, NOW WOUNDED” READING...........................................................................JOHN 19:31-42 ESV 31 Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. 32So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. 33But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. 35He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe. 36For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken." 37And again another Scripture says, "They will look on him whom they have pierced." 38 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. 39Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. 40So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 41Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there. HYMN ............................................................................................ LSB #450:7 “O SACRED HEAD, NOW WOUNDED” SERMON ............................................................................. ISAIAH 53:1-6 ESV “SACRED HEAD, NOW WOUNDED: THE WOUNDS THAT HEAL” OFFERING AND ATTENDANCE REGISTRATION Please include your email address if it has changed or you have not yet given it to us. 14 RESPONSORY & BIDDING PRAYER [STAND] Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Mark 10:7 Let us pray for the whole Christian Church, that our Lord God would defend her against all the assaults and temptations of the adversary and keep her perpetually on the true foundation, Jesus Christ: Almighty and everlasting God, since You have revealed Your glory to all nations in Jesus Christ and in the Word of His truth, keep, we ask You, in safety the works of Your mercy so that Your Church, spread throughout all the nations, may be defended against the adversary and may serve You in true faith and persevere in the confession of Your name; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Let us pray for all the ministers of the Word, for all vocations in the church, and for all the people of God: Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified, receive the supplications and prayers which we offer before You for all Your servants in Your holy Church that every member of the same may truly serve You according to Your calling; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Let us pray for our catechumens, that our Lord God would open their hearts and the door of His mercy that, having received the remission of all their sins by the washing of regeneration, they may be mindful of their Baptism and evermore be found in Christ Jesus, our Lord: Almighty God and Father, because You always grant growth to Your Church, increase the faith and understanding of our catechumens that, rejoicing in their new birth by the water of Holy Baptism, they may forever continue in the family of those whom You adopt as Your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Let us pray for all in authority that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty: O merciful Father in heaven, because You hold in Your hand all the might of man and because You have ordained, for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do well, all the powers that exist in all the nations of the world, we humbly pray You graciously to regard Your servants, especially our President; the Congress of the United States; our Governor; and all those who make, administer, and judge our laws; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 15 Let us pray our Lord God Almighty that He would deliver the world from all error, take away disease, ward off famine, set free those in bondage, grant health to the sick, and a safe journey to all who travel: Almighty and everlasting God, the consolation of the sorrowful and the strength of the weak, may the prayers of those who in any tribulation or distress cry to You graciously come before You, so that in all their necessities they may rejoice in Your manifold help and comfort; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Let us pray for all who are outside the Church, that our Lord God would be pleased to deliver them from their error, call them to faith in the true and living God and His only Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, and gather them into His family, the Church: Almighty and everlasting God, because You seek not the death but the life of all, hear our prayers for all who have no right knowledge of You, free them from their error, and for the glory of Your name bring them into the fellowship of Your holy Church; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Let us pray for peace, that we may come to the knowledge of God’s holy Word and walk before Him as is fitting for Christians: Almighty and everlasting God, King of Glory, and Lord of heaven and earth, by whose Spirit all things are governed, by whose providence all things are ordered, the God of peace and the author of all concord, grant us, we implore You, Your heavenly peace and concord that we may serve You in true fear, to the praise and glory of Your name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Let us pray for our enemies, that God would remember them in mercy and graciously grant them such things as are both needful for them and profitable for their salvation: O almighty, everlasting God, through Your only Son, our blessed Lord, You have commanded us to love our enemies, to do good to those who hate us, and to pray for those who persecute us. We therefore earnestly implore You that by Your gracious visitation all our enemies may be led to true repentance and may have the same love and be of one accord and one mind and heart with us and with Your whole Christian Church; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Let us pray for the fruits of the earth, that God would send down His blessing upon them and graciously dispose our hearts to enjoy them according to His own good will: O Lord, Father Almighty, by Your Word You created and You continue to bless and uphold all things. We pray You so to reveal to us Your Word, our Lord Jesus Christ that, through His dwelling in our hearts, we may by Your grace be made ready to receive Your blessing on 16 all the fruits of the earth and whatsoever pertains to our bodily need; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Finally, let us pray for all those things for which our Lord would have us ask, saying: Our Father, who art in heaven: hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen. The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray. Almighty God, graciously behold this Your family for who our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed and delivered into the hands of sinful men to suffer death upon the cross; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. HYMN .................................................................................................LSB #454 “SING, MY TONGUE, THE GLORIOUS BATTLE” CONCLUDING COLLECT Almighty and everlasting God, You willed that Your Son should bear for us the pains of the cross and so remove from us the power of the adversary. Help us so remember and give thanks for our Lord’s passion that we may receive forgiveness of sin and redemption from everlasting death; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. HYMN ............................................................................................. LSB #455 “THE ROYAL BANNERS FORWARD GO” The final candle is extinguished. The pastors and congregation leave in silence with minimal light. 17 VIGIL OF EASTER SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 2009 The Vigil of Easter, which is celebrated at the end of Holy Saturday as the conclusion to the sacred Triduum, ushers in the celebration of the Resurrection of Our Lord on Easter Sunday. The Vigil of Easter connects the days of Holy Week, especially Holy Thursday and Good Friday, with the culminating celebration of the resurrection of Christ from the dead. In some places throughout the early centuries of the Church’s life, the people of God would hold vigil, which means “keep watch,” through the night in expectation of Christ’s return. A vigil in expectation of Christ’s return at Easter became a common feature of the celebration of His crucifixion and resurrection. The vigil consisted of prayer, psalms and hymns, and readings, especially from the Old Testament, culminating in the celebration of the resurrection at dawn with the Lord’s Supper. As the Church gathered in vigil, she waited in hopeful expectation for the appearance of the resurrected Christ in those most recently born in Him, the newly baptized. During the vigil, those who had prepared throughout Lent to be joined to Christ were baptized. At the dawn of the new day at Easter sunrise, the newly baptized joined the entire Church in the chorus of alleluias at Christ’s resurrection from the dead. While making a vigil through the night may not be common today, Christians nonetheless gather on Holy Saturday to wait in expectation for the news of Christ’s resurrection and for His second coming. As a service of watching that ushers in the resurrection, the Vigil of Easter is comprised of six parts: the Service of Light, the Service of Readings, the Service of Holy Baptism, the Service of Prayer, the Service of the Word, and the Service of the Sacrament. Because the Vigil of Easter marks the final day in the sacred Triduum, the service ends with the Benediction, which has not been heard since the beginning of the Triduum, and the Easter Acclamation: Christ is Risen! 18 SERVICE OF LIGHT The congregation gathers outside the main entrance to the church building or in the dimly-lit narthex. Candles are given to all, later to be lighted from the paschal candle. In the darkness a fire may be kindled. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Beloved in the Lord, on this most holy night, in which our Lord Jesus passed over from death to life, we are gathered here in vigil and prayer. This is the Passover of the Lord in which, by hearing His Word and celebrating His Sacraments, we share in His victory over death. Let us pray: O God, You are like a refiner’s fire, and Your Spirit enkindles the hearts of Your faithful people with the fire of Your love. Bless, we implore You, this new flame and all who keep this joyful Easter festival that, burning with desire for life with You, we will be found rightly prepared to share in the Feast of the Light which has no end; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. The pastor traces the cross on the candle while saying: Christ Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever, the beginning and the ending, and then traces the Greek letters Alpha and Omega on the candle while saying: the Alpha and Omega. Then, lighting the candle, he says: May the light of Christ, who is risen in glory from the dead, scatter all the darkness of our hearts and minds. Let us pray: Almighty and most merciful God, pour out on us Your abundant blessing that all who in true faith share this night in joyful celebration of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead will be filled with Your heavenly benediction. Once we were in darkness, but now we are in the Light, even Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. All light their candles from the paschal candle and other candles at this time (please dip only unlit candles into the flame 19 of the paschal candle or other candles to light them) and then follow the candle bearer in procession into the darkened church in the following order: paschal candle carried by a pastor (candle bearer), congregation, choir, pastor. At the entrance of the nave, the bearer of the paschal candle (B) stops and proclaims: The light of Christ. Thanks be to God. At the middle of the nave, the bearer of the paschal candle stops and proclaims for the second time: The light of Christ. Thanks be to God. At the candle stand, the candle bearer turns to face the congregation. After all have arrived at their places and while they are still standing, the candle bearer lifts the candle high and proclaims the third time: The light of Christ. Thanks be to God. After the candle bearer places the paschal candle in its stand, he turns to face the people and declares the EASTER PROCLAMATION. Rejoice now, all you heavenly choirs of angels; rejoice now, all creation; sound forth, trumpet of salvation, and proclaim the triumph of our King. Rejoice too, all the earth, in the radiance of the light now poured upon you and made brilliant by the brightness of the everlasting King; know that the ancient darkness has been forever banished. Rejoice, O Church of Christ, clothed in the brightness of this light; let all this house of God ring out with rejoicing, with the praises of all God’s faithful people. The Lord be with you. And with your spirit. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God. It is good and right so to do. It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places, with all our heart and mind and voice, praise You, O Lord, Holy Father, almighty everlasting God, and Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. For He is the very Paschal Lamb who offered Himself for the sin of the world, who has cleansed us by the shedding of His precious blood. This is the night when You brought our fathers, the children of Israel, out of bondage in 20 Egypt and led them through the Red Sea on dry ground. This is the night when all who believe in Christ are delivered from bondage to sin and are restored to life and immortality. This is the night when Christ, the Life, arose from the dead. The seal of the grave is broken and the morning of the new creation breaks forth out of night. Oh, how wonderful and beyond all telling is Your mercy toward us, O God, that to redeem a slave You gave Your Son. How holy is this night when all wickedness is put to flight and sin is washed away. How holy is this night when innocence is restored to the fallen and joy is given to those downcast. How blessed is this night when man is reconciled to God in Christ; Holy Father, accept now the evening sacrifices of our thanksgiving and praise. Let Christ, the true light and morning star, shine in our hearts. He who gave light to all creation, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. All extinguish their candles at this time. HYMN [SIT] ...........................................................................................LSB #914 “LIGHT OF LIGHT, O SOLE-BEGOTTEN” SERVICE OF READINGS In this most holy night our Savior, Christ the Lord, broke the power of death and by His resurrection brought life and salvation to all creation. We praise the Lord, for He truly keeps His Word. The sun of righteousness has dawned upon us who have sat in darkness and in the shadow of death. After each reading: This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. THE CREATION................................................................ Genesis 1:1-2:3 ESV Let us pray: Almighty God, through Your Word and Spirit You most wonderfully created all things, and through the Word made flesh You brought new life to fallen humanity. Grant that in Your mercy we may be conformed to the image of Him who shares fully in our humanity, even Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. THE FLOOD ................................... Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18; 8:6-18; 9:8-13 ESV Let us pray: O Lord, You kill and You raise to life; You brought the Flood upon a wicked and perverse generation, and yet You saved faithful Noah and his family in the ark. Keep us in safety in the ark of Christ’s body, the Church, that Your mercy will come to its fullness 21 and Your salvation be preached to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. THE TESTING OF ABRAHAM ........................................... Genesis 22:1-18 ESV Let us pray: O God since You promised faithful Abraham that he would be the father of a great multitude, You provided a substitute for his son Isaac. In the fullness of time, You sent Your Son, the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world, to lay down His life that we might live as faithful children of Abraham. Grant to all people a living trust in Your mercy; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. ISRAEL’S DELIVERANCE AT THE RED SEA ................ Exodus 14:10-15:1 ESV Let us pray: O God, You once delivered Your people Israel from bondage under Pharaoh and led them by a pillar of cloud and fire through the sea to safety. Grant that we may so follow Christ that through the waters of Baptism we may daily die and rise with Him and walk in safety through the wilderness of this life until we see Your salvation; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. CANTICLE .......................................................................................... LSB #487 “COME, YOU FAITHFUL, RAISE THE STRAIN” SALVATION OFFERED FREELY TO ALL ............................. Isaiah 55:1-11 ESV Let us pray: Almighty God, by Your Word You created and sustain all things, and by Your Spirit You renew Your creation. Grant now the water of life to all who thirst for You that they will bring forth abundant fruit in Your glorious kingdom; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. A NEW HEART AND A NEW SPIRIT ................................ Ezekiel 36:24-28 ESV Let us pray: Almighty and everlasting God, by the death and resurrection of Your Son You cleansed our hearts and put a new Spirit within us. Grant that all who are brought to newness of life in the fellowship of the body of Christ will show forth in their lives what they confess with their lips; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. GOD’S FAITHFULNESS TO ISRAEL ...................... Deuteronomy 31:19-30 ESV Let us pray: O God, the exaltation of the humble and the strength of the righteous, You taught Your people through Your holy servant Moses to sing Your sacred songs and 22 delivered to them the Law that still directs us. Display in all nations the fullness of Your power that, as You blot out all sins through Your forgiveness, terror will turn to joy and fear of punishment will be transformed into the hope of salvation; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. THE VALLEY OF DRY BONES ........................................... Ezekiel 37:1-14 ESV Let us pray: O God, Your Son came as the Son of Man to breathe His Word and Spirit upon the dry, dead bones of Adam’s children. Grant that we will hear Your holy Word, receive Your Spirit, and rise each day from the death of sin to live in newness of life before You; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. JOB CONFESSES THE REDEEMER ........................................ Job 19:20-27 ESV Let us pray: Almighty God, our great Redeemer, in the sacrifice of Your Son You put to death our wretched flesh, and in His rising restored our life. Grant that we will always cling to Christ by faith in this life that at the last we will rejoice to stand in our own flesh and see You face to face; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. JONAH PREACHES TO NINEVEH .......................................... Jonah 3:1-10 ESV Let us pray: O God, as the prophet Jonah spent three days in the belly of the great fish, so Your Son Jesus spent three days in the heart of the earth. Grant us repentance to embrace our death in Him through Holy Baptism and to proclaim His victory over sin and death to all the world; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. THE GATHERING OF GOD’S PEOPLE ........................ Zephaniah 3:12-20 ESV Let us pray: Look in mercy, O Lord, upon Your faithful people, and by Word and Spirit bring to completion that good work which You have begun in us. Gather in Your people that all the world will see and know that what has been cast down is raised up and what has grown old is made new, until the work You have begun in us is brought to its joyful fulfillment in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. THE FIERY FURNACE ......................................................... Daniel 3:1-30 ESV Let us pray: O God, Your Son protected faithful Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace of the king. Grant us protection in our time of testing that we would boldly confess Your name, reject all false worship, and live and die in confidence, knowing that we are safe in Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. 23 While the canticle is being sung, the candle bearer carries the paschal candle to the font, followed by the pastor. CANTICLE .......................................................................................... LSB #803 “JOYFUL, JOYFUL WE ADORE THEE” SERVICE OF HOLY BAPTISM The service of Holy Baptism is always used at the Vigil as a remembrance of Baptism. On this holiest of nights the whole Church of our Lord Jesus Christ recalls His death and burial, rejoicing with great joy in the Gospel of His glorious and mighty resurrection from the dead. The apostle Paul wrote: Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him. We know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death He died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives He lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 6:3-11) We pray: Almighty and eternal God, according to Your strict judgment You condemned the unbelieving world through the flood. Yet according to Your great mercy You preserved believing Noah and his family, eight souls in all. You drowned hard-hearted Pharaoh and all his host in the Red Sea, yet led Your people Israel through the water on dry ground, foreshadowing this washing of Your Holy Baptism. Through the Baptism in the Jordan of Your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, You sanctified and instituted all waters to be a blessed flood and a lavish washing away of sin. We pray that You would behold us according to Your boundless mercy and bless us with true faith by the Holy Spirit, that through this saving flood all sin in us, which have been inherited from Adam and which we ourselves have committed since, would be drowned and die. Grant that we be kept safe and secure in the holy Ark of the Christian Church, being separated from the multitude of 24 unbelievers and serving Your name at all times with a fervent spirit and a joyful hope, so that, with all believers in Your promise, we would be declared worthy of eternal life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Do you renounce the devil? Yes, I renounce him. Do you renounce all his works? Yes, I renounce them. Do you renounce all his ways? Yes, I renounce them. Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth? Yes, I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son? Yes, I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead. Do you believe in the Holy Spirit? Yes, I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given you the new birth of water and the Spirit and has forgiven you all your sins, strengthen you with His grace to life everlasting. Amen. Peace be with you. Amen. SERVICE OF PRAYER LITANY OF THE RESURRECTION [STAND] O Lord, Have mercy. O Christ, Have mercy. O Lord, Have mercy. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Hear us. 25 Paschal Lamb, who was offered for us and has taken away the sin of the world, Have mercy on us. Who was crucified for our transgressions and raised for our justification, Have mercy on us. Who foretold Your Passion saying, “The Son of Man must be crucified and on the third day rise again.” Have mercy on us. Who destroyed Death by dying, and by rising to life again brought life and immortality to light. Have mercy on us. Whose resurrection was first announced by an angel to the women, Have mercy on us. Who appeared to Mary Magdalene and was worshiped by her: Have mercy on us. Who revealed Yourself to the two disciples on the Emmaus road and made Yourself known to them in the Scriptures and in the breaking of the bread, Have mercy on us. Who appeared to the disciples, bestowing on them Your peace and Your Spirit, Have mercy on us. Who showed Your wounded hands and side to the apostle Thomas that he too might believe, Have mercy on us. Who appeared to seven disciples on the Sea of Tiberias, bringing a miraculous catch of fish, Have mercy on us. Who appeared to Peter and to the Twelve, to over 500 disciples, to James and to all the apostles, and to Paul on the Damascus road, Have mercy on us. Who commissioned Your Church to make disciples of all nations by baptizing and teaching them, Have mercy on us. By Your glorious resurrection from the dead, Good Lord, deliver us. By Your victory over sin and death, Good Lord, deliver us. By the majesty of Your risen body, Good Lord, deliver us. We poor sinners implore You, To hear us, Lord Jesus. 26 That we may daily die and rise with You in our Baptism and walk in the freedom of your forgiveness, Grant us, good Lord. That we may set our minds on things above and not on earthly things, serving others as we have been served by You, Grant us, good Lord. That we may dwell with You forever in the new creation as citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem, together with all the saints, Grant us, good Lord. Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, Have mercy on us. Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, Have mercy on us. Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, Grant us Your peace. O Lord, Have mercy. O Christ, Have mercy. O Lord, Have mercy. Amen. SERVICE OF THE WORD EASTER ACCLAMATION Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! The altar candles are lighted from the paschal candle. Lights in the church are turned on, bells are rung, the chancel is decorated, and the altar is prepared for the Sacrament while the congregation sings the Hymn of Praise. HYMN OF PRAISE ...............................................................................LSB #940 “HOLY GOD, WE PRAISE THY NAME” 27 SALUTATION AND COLLECT OF THE DAY The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray: O God, You made this most holy night to shine with the glory of the Lord’s resurrection. Preserve in us the spirit of adoption which You have given so that, made alive in body and soul, we will serve You purely; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. HOLY GOSPEL READING ......................................................Mark 16:1-8 ESV The Holy Gospel according to St. Mark, the 16th chapter. Glory be to You, O Lord. 1 When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. 5And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 8And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to You, O Christ. [Sit] SERMON .............................................................................. JOB 19:25-26 ESV “THE VERY FLESH THAT DIES IS THE SAME FLESH THAT WILL RISE” OFFERING AND ATTENDANCE REGISTRATION Please include your email address if it has changed or you have not yet given it to us. HOLY COMMUNION LITURGY ............................................ LSB pages 194-199 DISTRIBUTION HYMNS ......................................................................LSB #462 “ALL THE EARTH WITH JOY IS SOUNDING” .......................................................................LSB #633 28 “AT THE LAMB’S HIGH FEAST SING” .......................................................................LSB #483 “WITH HIGH DELIGHT LET US UNITE” After the DISTRIBUTION, the service concludes with the following prayer and blessing. Let us pray: O God, for our redemption You gave Your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross and by His glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of our enemy. Grant that all our sin may be drowned through daily repentance and that day by day we may arise to live before you in righteousness and purity forever; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. We bless the Lord. Thanks be to God. The almighty and merciful Lord, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, bless and preserve you. Amen. CLOSING HYMN ................................................................................ LSB #525 “CROWN HIM WITH MANY CROWNS” Alleluia! Alleluia! 29 Alleluia!