After Jesus was crucified, when it was evening, Joseph of Arimathea, a rich man and a disciple of Jesus, went and requested from Pilate the body of our Lord. Pilate ordered it to be given to him, and Joseph wrapped the body in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb, which was cut into the rock. He rolled a huge stone to the entrance of the tomb, and left. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary the mother of James and Joseph were present, sitting opposite the tomb.
On Saturday, the chief priests and Pharisees came to Pilate seeking a guard for the tomb, suspecting that disciples of that “impostor” Jesus would come, steal the body away, and then claim Jesus to have risen! Pilate ordered them to make it secure with their own guard of soldiers, which they did, making the tomb secure and sealing the stone and setting a guard.
These are the facts surrounding the burial of Jesus on the second day following his crucifixion – armed guards posted at his grave, the stone sealed with the official emblem, and his dead body garnering the attention of those who sought to keep him down. But they would not be successful in their attempts.
Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation
O God, who didst enlighten this most holy night with the glory of the Lord’s resurrection, preserve in all Thy people the spirit of adoption which Thou hast given, so that, renewed in body and soul, they may perform unto Thee a pure service; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God world without end. Amen.
~ Lindemann, p. 125-126
Call to Worship
Blessed are you, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed is your Kingdom, both now and forever, Amen.
Te Deum Laudamus
You are God: we praise you; you are the Lord; we acclaim you; you are the eternal Father: All creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.
The glorious company of apostles praise you. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you; Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father. When you became man to set us free you did not shun the Virgin’s womb. You overcame the sting of death and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. We believe that you will come and be our judge. Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.
Praise and Thanksgiving (songs and prayers)
Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father, And to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning, Is now, and ever shall be, World without end. Amen, amen.
* Our chronological Bible reading schedule fills 52 weeks; the current Church Year has 53 weeks. Therefore, we will focus on the Holy Week reading of the Gospels this week and return to the chronological Bible readings next week.
Psalm: Psalm 31.1-4, 15-16 OT: Lam. 3.1-9, 19-24 Gospel: Matt. 27-57-66 NT: 1 Pet. 4:1-8 (Click here for all readings) Gen. 1.1-2.4a; Ps. 136.1-9, 23-26 Gen. 7.1-5, 11-18; 8.6-18; 9.8-13; Ps. 46 Gen. 22.1-18; Ps. 16 Exod. 14.10-31; 15.20-21; 15.1b-13, 17-18 Isa. 55.1-11; 12.2-6 Prov. 8.1-8, 19-21; 9.4b-6; Ps. 19
Easter Vigil Readings
*In the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, the term catholic refers to the Church’s universality, through all ages and times, of all languages and peoples. It refers to no particular tradition or denominational expression (e.g., as in Roman Catholic).
Prayers of Confession
Let us now confess our sins to God and receive mercy and grace to help in our time of need.
Assurance of Pardon
Having faithfully confessed and renounced your sin, Christ also has been faithful to forgive your sins and to purify you from all unrighteousness. It is certain, that there is One who has spoken to the Father in your defense, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One who is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and for the sins of the whole world. His grace and peace are with you now. Amen.
Petitions and Supplications, Ending with The Lord's Prayer
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
--Matthew 6.9-13 (KJV)
Doxology (and/or closing song)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
~Gallican Sacramentary (Bright, p. 48)
Affirmation from the Psalms
O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! [5] Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah [6] Surely a man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather! [7] And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.
~ Psalm 39.4-7
Pray without Ceasing - Flash Prayer for the Day
Help me to remember, O God, that nothing can keep our Lord from rising again, either then at his burial or now, in the situations of life we face
Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus
But If It Dies
John 12.20-36