EASTER LITURGIES

Deacons Proclaiming Resurrection

HOLY SATURDAY

• Holy Saturday is the third day of the Triduum
• The BCP provides a Holy Saturday Liturgy of the Word (p. 283) which can be used at any time during the day
• Quiet service
• Devotional for those preparing for Easter liturgies
• Inclusion of Anthem from our Burial Liturgy
• No Holy Eucharist

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• The Easter Vigil is meant to be the first service of Easter Day
• Celebrated between sunset Holy Saturday and sunrise Easter Morning

EASTER VIGIL

• One of the oldest celebrations of the early church; not incorporated into Episcopal tradition until 1979 BCP
• Four Components:
• The Service of Light
• The Service of Lessons
• Christian Initiation or Renewal of Baptism
• The Holy Eucharist and Easter Communion
• This is meant to be an engaged and participatory service by both lay persons and all participating clergy. To the extent possible, everyone may be offered/encouraged to play a role.
• See p. 284 regarding Diaconal roles in the liturgy

LITURGICAL INTENTION

• Hope
• Light
• Recollection
• Resurrection
• Proclamation
• Salvation
• Initiation
• New Birth
• Celebration

PROCLAMATION OF LIGHT

• Processing and Proclaiming the Light of Christ
• Exsultet (or Exultet): Easter Proclamation; hymn of praise
• Language/chant dates to at least 7^th Century
• Paschale praeconium in Roman Missal
• Appears in 1979 BCP with many options
• “Love song to the Paschal candle” (Alexander)
• Why the Deacon?
• Light of Christ
• Proclamation
• Bringing the Light of the World into the Church
• Symbolic and Meaningful Role

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• Now, we chant…

“THE LIGHT OF CHRIST”

• Procession of Light (Pascal Candle lit from the First Fire of Easter)
• Three Stations (outside, entrance, middle)
• Call/Response
• “The Light of Christ”
• “Thanks be to God”

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EXSULTET 1 (SHORT VERSION)

• Chanted portion as indicated in the prayer book (rest of liturgy may be spoken)
• Altar book version
• 1979 Prayer Book Version adapted by Weil, arr. Putnam
• SKP’s personal copy, from Christopher Putnam

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with gratitude and in loving memory of Christopher Putnam and Louis Weil

EXSULTET 2 (LONG VERSION)

• This version based on the Roman Missal adapted for Episcopal liturgy assumes a fully chanted service, with the Deacon performing the primary liturgical role (version by Ormonde Plater, with adjustments for Prayer Book wording)
• Gregorian Notation
• SKP’s chanted version is from this text, but using only the BCP printed text

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• Plater Exsultet from AED website

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SERVICE OF LESSONS/�LITURGY OF THE WORD

• In the next portion of the service, lessons are read which recollect salvation history
• Nine lessons are available
• at least two must be read
• the Exodus reading is always included
• the listed psalm, canticle or any other hymn/canticle may be used
• the collect listed (or other appropriate collects) closes each lesson
• A homily may follow any of the lessons

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HOLY BAPTISM/�RENEWAL OF BAPTISMAL VOWS

• Easter Vigil is the most appropriate time for Baptism
• In the absence of a bishop or priest, deacons may be authorized to preside at Holy Baptism (deacons are also listed as being among those who assist with water baptism, p. 307)
• The gathered always renew our vows of baptism, whether or not there are baptismal candidates

HOLY EUCHARIST OF EASTER

• The Altar Candles are lit from the Pascal Candle at this point in the service
• Easter is Proclaimed (often with plentiful noise!)
• Opening Canticle/Song of Praise
• Collects, Readings
• Gospel Procession
• Homily may be here, if not placed earlier
• Renewal of Vows may take place at this point if preferred (per rubrics)
• Holy Eucharist with Preface of Easter

Easter Sunday

•If every Sunday Holy Eucharist is a “mini Easter” then Easter Sunday sets the tone for our worship all year long.

•Even if you don’t usually do so, consider processing with the Gospel on Easter

•You are bearing THE GOOD NEWS so let that joy show through

•You can show the Gospel Book, allow people to touch it, celebrate it

•Likewise, your presence throughout worship is as the bearer of the Good News AND the sending forth of the people to be the bearers of the Good News to world.

•Allow yourself to feel the joy of your role, even if you are tired.

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