Easter Vigil
March 22, 2008

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Click on Scripture Lessons below for study links and resources for each individual pericope:

Genesis 1:1 - 2:4a
Roman Catholic reading: Genesis 1:1 - 2:2 or Genesis 1:1, 26-31
Episcopal reading (BCP): Genesis 1:1 - 2:2

Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18; 8:6-18; 9:8-13

Genesis 22:1-18
Roman Catholic reading: Genesis 22:1-18 or Genesis 22:1-2, 9, 10-13, 15-18

Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21
Roman Catholic reading: Exodus 14:15 - 15:1
Episcopal reading (BCP): Exodus 14:10 - 15:1

Baruch 3:9-15, 32 - 4:4

Isaiah 55:1-11 / Isaiah 54:5-14 / Isaiah 4:2-6

Ezekiel 36:24-28 / Ezekiel 37:1-14
Roman Catholic reading: Ezekiel 36:16-28

Zephaniah 3:14-20
Episcopal reading (BCP): Zephaniah 3:12-20

Proverbs 8:1-8; 19-21; 9:4b-6

Psalm 136:1-9, 23-26
Roman Catholic readings: Psalm 104 or Psalm 33
United Methodist reading: Psalm 136:1-9, 23-26 or Psalm 33

Psalm 46

Psalm 16

Exodus 15:1b-13, 17-18
Roman Catholic reading: Exodus 15:1-6, 17-18

Psalm 30

Psalm 19

Isaiah 12:2-6

Psalm 42 and 43
Roman Catholic reading Psalm 42 and 43 or Psalm 51 or Isaiah 12:2-6

Psalm 143

Psalm 98

Psalm 114

Romans 6:3-11

Matthew 28:1-10
United Methodist reading Matthew 28:1-10  or Mark 16:1-8 or Luke 24:1-12

Reading and Studying the Text This Week

• Texts:
  • Illustrated lectionary readings at Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
  • Lectionary readings from the Episcopal Lectionary: BCP - RCL.
  • The Roman Catholic Lectionary for Mass (1998 USA Edition). At Felix Just S.J.'s The Roman Catholic Lectionary For Mass - a site featuring comprehensive tables of editions of the Roman Catholic Lectionary.
  • American Baptist Churches Revised Common Lectionary Readings.
  • ELCIC Worship Planning Calendar, lectionary citations with and without hymn suggestions, text and pdf formats.
• Commentary, Exegesis & Sermon Preparation (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page)
  • Dylan's Lectionary Blog, Easter Vigil/Principal Service of Easter, 2007. Biblical Scholar Sarah Dylan Breuer looks at readings for the coming Sunday in the lectionary of the Episcopal Church.
  • Notes on the Easter Vigil, Six Stories for the Easter Vigil, Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
  • Daily Reflection, Holy Saturday/Easter Vigil, Richard Hauser, S.J., Creighton University, 2007.
  • Wellspring of the Gospel, Easter Vigil, Catherine McElhinney and Kathryn Turner, Weekly Wellsprings.
  • "Look for Jesus among the Living," The Practice of Jesus, Bill Fletcher, Aotearoa-New Zealand.
  • SAMUEL at ucc.org: lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
• Sermons:
  • "The Insecurity of Men," Samuel Zumwalt, Easter Vigil, 2007, Goettinger Predigten: Every Sunday Sermons based on the RCL by a team of Lutheran theologians/ pastors.
  • Homily Grits, Easter Vigil, 2007, the Rev. Grant M. Gallup, Managua, Nicaragua (ECUSA).
  • Selected Sermon, Easter Vigil (RCL), by the Rev. Ben E. Helmer, in Worship that Works, ECUSA, 2007.
  • "Keeping Watch: 'I Feel the Coming Glory of the Light'," Selected Sermon, Easter Vigil, by Katerina K. Whitley, in Worship that Works, ECUSA, 2006.
  • Homily Grits, Easter Vigil, 2006. the Rev. Grant M. Gallup, Managua, Nicaragua (ECUSA).
  • "Buried with Christ -- Raised with Christ," - Easter Vigil - 27 March 2005, Hubert Beck, Göttinger Predigten im Internet: Every Sunday Sermons based on the RCL by a team of Lutheran theologians/ pastors.
  • Homily Grits, Easter Vigil, the Rev. Grant M. Gallup, Managua, Nicaragua (ECUSA), 2005.
  • Easter Vigil, the Rev. Dr. A.K.M. Adam, Flesh and Bones, 2001. (Entire book of sermons is one long pdf file. Slow connections will require long download times.)
• Group Studies & Discussion/Reflection Questions:
  • Bible Study - Easter Vigil - verse by verse Roman Catholic lectionary commentary at St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Picayune, MS.
  • Banquet of the Word, Bible Study Based on the Sunday Readings, by Rev. Thomas Welbers.
• A list of links to on-line Bibles and general Bible study resources.
• A list of links to scholarly and preaching discussion groups and their homepages.
• A list of links to other lectionary-based preaching and worship resources.

OnLine Worship and Liturgy Resources

• Resources and Images on The Text This Week's Holy Week Resources page.
• Lent and Easter links at Rev. Richard J. Fairchild's A Holy Easter.
• Complete Liturgies and General Worship Planning Resources:
  • Worship Planning Helps (Easter Vigil, 2008): Worship & Preaching Notes, Hymn Suggestions and Worship Resources from the United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • The Great Vigil of Easter, Taylor Burton-Edwards, United Methodist Church GBOD.
  • Liturgical Resources by Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
    • The Triduum: The Great Vigil of Easter (without Baptism or Reception of New Members)
    • The Triduum: The Great Vigil of Easter (with Baptism)
    • The Triduum: The Great Vigil of Easter (with Reception of New Members)
    • The Triduum: The Great Vigil of Easter (with Baptism and Reception of New Members)
  • LCA Worship Resources, Easter Vigil, includes liturgy, hymn suggestions, notes on the readings, visuals, drama, "Talking with Children," etc. Lutheran Church of Australia.
  • Worship Ways, Easter Vigil. Liturgy planning, United Church of Christ.
  • Worship Well Liturgy Online: Easter Vigil Liturgy, Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand.
  • "The Tomb Is Empty!" The Practice of Jesus, Bill Fletcher, Aotearoa-New Zealand, 2008.
  • "The Easter Vigil," Liturgy Alive, Good Friday, Claretian Publications, Inc., Philippines.
  • Easter Vigil/Easter Morning liturgy from The Church of England in An Anglican Liturgical Library.
• Prayers, Prefaces, Litanies, etc:
  • Liturgical Planning and Music Suggestions, Easter Vigil, CanticaNova Publications.
  • Lector's Notes, Easter Vigil/Holy Saturday, Gregory Warnusz, Saint Jerome Parish, Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO. Notes and commentary for those reading this week's lectionary texts to the congregation.
  • Laughing Bird Liturgical Resources by Nathan Nettleton, South Yarra Community Baptist Church, Melbourne, Australia. Prayers, blessings, Eucharistic prefaces and scripture paraphrases.
  • Prayers of the People, Easter Vigil, General intercessions for Sundays and Feasts, by Ormonde Plater, Archdeacon of the [Anglican/Episcopal] Diocese of Louisiana.
  • The Time of Cups - for the End of Easter Vigil, Theresa Coleman, reverend mommy's random thoughts.
  • Worship Resources, Easter Vigil, Carol Myers, Reformed Church in America.
  • "Liturgy: prayer reflection", reflections on the collect at the Eucharist, Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand.
• Graphics and Bulletin Materials:
  • Holy Week Clip Art (Free), United Methodist Church General Board of Global Ministries.
  • Easter Vigil at Cerezo Barredo's weekly gospel illustration. Follows Latin American Roman Catholic gospel reading, though most gospels texts/themes are found in the index. Liberation emphasis.
  • Art to Heart, Jeff Dugan. Suggestions for classic artwork to use with each week's liturgy. Jeff also offers the opportunity to purchase PowerPoint presentations of classic art for weekly liturgical use.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Liturgical Planning and Music Suggestions, Easter Vigil, CanticaNova Publications.
  • Hymn selections (United Methodist) and more from Hymnsite.com.
  • Metrical Psalms. Lectionary Psalms set to popular hymn music by Dale A. Schoening.
  • Hymn Suggestions for the Sunday Lectionary (with lyrics and sound files) from the Oremus Hymnal. (Click "Hymn Suggestions for the Sunday Lectionary.")
  • The Psalmistry: All Psalms Music: original Christian sheet music, lyrics, guitar chords, midi, mp3 files for all 150 Psalms. See Terms of Use.
  • The Billabong, by Rev Jeff Shrowder, Uniting Church in Australia: Hymn suggestions and paraphrases of lectionary Psalms.
  • Worship Resource Manual, The Moravian Church, Southern Province. Worksheets for planning music in worship: hymns, anthems, solos, organ repertoire suggestions for RCL texts.
• Drama:
  • "Listening to Mary," Good Friday/Easter Vigil dramatic monologue, Theresa Coleman, Reverend Mommy's Random Thoughts.
  • Dramatic Reading, John 1/Genesis 1, Theresa Coleman, reverend mommy's randon thoughts.
• A list of links to other lectionary-based preaching and worship resources.