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The Festival of the Resurrection of Our Lord
with Blessing of the Paschal Candle

by The Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

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The following service is intended for use when an Easter Vigil has NOT been celebrated before the main Liturgy on Easter Sunday.

 

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        Welcome to worship on this special day.

        Our liturgy begins with the liturgy of light and the blessing of the Paschal Candle, which symbolizes Christ’s breaking of the darkness of sin and death to bring us all the Easter victory. The Paschal Candle will shine as our symbol of the resurrection throughout the Easter season, at all baptisms and at all funerals. After the blessing, the day is proclaimed with the ancient Easter shout, joyous songs and, festive musical offerings and the word of God that proclaims the victory of Christ for us all. New members will be baptized and received into our Easter family, and then all the baptized are invited to meet the risen Lord in the bread and the wine of Holy Communion.    

        Thank you for joining us on this special day. We hope the blessings of the Risen Lord are yours this day and always.

 

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P = Presiding Minister     A = Assisting Minister  C = Congregation

 

 

GATHERING

 

Prelude

 

Liturgy of Light:   All stand and face the rear of the church.

P. The Lord be with you.

C. And also with you.

 

P. Let us pray. O God, you are like a refiner's fire, and your Spirit kindles the hearts of your faithful people. Bless this flame and those who keep this Easter celebration so that, burning with desire for life with you, they may be found fit to take part in that festival of Light which has no ending, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

C. Amen

The inscription on the Paschal Candle is traced by the Presiding Minister, while saying:

 

P. Jesus Christ, yesterday and today, the beginning and the ending, Alpha and Omega; all time belongs to him, and all ages; to him be glory and dominion forever and ever.

C. Amen

The Presiding Minister places the five nails, representing the five wounds of Christ, into the Paschal Candle, while saying:

P. By his holy and glorious wounds, may Christ our Lord guard and keep us.

C. Amen

The Paschal Candle is lighted.

P. May the light of Christ who rises this day in glory scatter the darkness of our hearts and minds.

     Let us pray. Almighty God, pour out your abundant blessing on this lighted candle, so that all who share in your holy mysteries may be filled with your grace and spiritual blessings. Once we were in darkness, but since we have become the Lord's people, we are in the light. Help us to live as people who belong to the light, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

C. Amen

As the Paschal is raised, the Presiding Minister proclaims the resurrection, shouting three times:

P. (boldly) Christ is Risen!

C. (boldly) He is risen indeed!

All stand to sing the entrance hymn.

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Entrance Hymn  "Jesus Christ Is Risen Today"

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Easter Dialog:

A. (boldly) Alleluia! Christ is risen!

C. (boldly) He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

 

A. Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain! Alleluia!

C. He gives us new life and hope through his resurrection! Alleluia!

 

A. Rejoice then, even in your distress.

C. We shall be counted worthy when Christ appears.

 

A. God has claimed us as his own.

C. God has called us from our darkness into the light of his day.

 

A. (boldly) Alleluia! Christ is risen!

C. (boldly) He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

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Easter Hymn of Praise: "This is the Feast"

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Apostolic Greeting

Prayer of the Day

Sit.

 

WORD

Greetings and Announcements

Children’s Sermon

 

First Lesson

Stand

Verse: Alleluia

Gospel Lesson

Sermon

Hymn of the Day  “The Day of Resurrection”

Nicene Creed

Prayers of the Church

Peace

Sit

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MEAL

Offering

Special Music

Offertory Prayer   Stand

Great Thanksgiving (sing)

Preface for Easter

Holy, Holy, Holy

 

Eucharistic Prayer for Easter (ELW VII or LBW II)

Our Father

 

At the Breaking of Bread:

P. When we eat this bread we share the body of Christ. When we drink this cup we share the blood of Christ.

C. Reveal yourself to us, O Lord, in the breaking of bread, as once you revealed yourself to your disciples.

Sit

 

Communion

During Communion:

     Hymn  "I Know that My Redeemer Lives"

 

After Communion:

A. Let us pray. Lord Jesus, in a wonderful sacrament you strengthen us with the saving power of your suffering, death, and resurrection. May this Sacrament of your body and blood so work in us that the way we live that the fruits of your redemption will show forth in the way we live, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  (ELW 387)

C. Amen

 

SENDING

 

Solemn Blessings of Easter:

P. May almighty God bless you on this solemn feast of Easter, and may he protect you against all sin.

C. Amen

 

P. Through the resurrection of his Son, God granted us healing. May he fulfill his promises, and bless you with eternal life.

C. Amen

 

P. You have mourned for Christ's sufferings; now you celebrate the joy of his resurrection. May you come with joy to the feast which lasts forever.

C. Amen

 

P. (sung) May almighty God, Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever.

C. (sung on one tone) Amen

 

A. Go in peace. Serve the Risen Lord!

C. Thanks be to God!

 

Closing Hymn  "Christ Is Risen! Alleluia!" stanzas 1-2

Postlude