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Easter Vigil 8pm
Easter Vigil 8pm
T H O M A S ’ C AT H E D R A L
MUMBAI
Established 1718
The
Vigil of
Easter
Holy Saturday
30th March 2024
8 p.m.
Welcome to St Thomas’ Cathedral for this service
This is the night when Christ broke the bonds of death and rose victorious from
the grave. Tonight, we hear the ancient stories of God’s redeeming work. We
move from darkness to light and from solemn chant to joyful song as we celebrate
the glorious Resurrection. On this, the holiest night of the Christian year,
we rejoice as God in Christ invites us into new life.
This order of service is printed on sustainably-produced paper. Worship material has been
drawn from the Book of Common Prayer; and https://www.churchofengland.org. Some mate-
rial in this service is copyright: Common Worship © 2000 The Archbishops’ Council and
Common Worship.
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Order of Service
The congregation is asked to join in all text printed in bold.
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The new fire is kindled.
The Presbyter leads in the following prayer
Eternal God,
who made this most holy night
to shine with the brightness of your one true light:
set us aflame with the fire of your love,
and bring us to the radiance of your heavenly glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All Amen.
All sing
He is Lord, he is Lord!
he is risen from the dead and he is Lord;
every knee shall bow, every tongue confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord.
The procession moves through the Cathedral by the light of the Paschal Candle.
In the course of the procession the people’s candles are lighted
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The Easter Song of Praise
Cantor Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels!
Exult all creation around God’s throne!
Jesus Christ, our King, is risen!
Sound the trumpet of salvation!
All Let us sing and rejoice with the choirs of heaven,
Jesus Christ our King is risen!
Rejoice, O earth, in shining splendour,
radiant in the brightness of your King!
Christ has conquered! Glory fills you!
Darkness vanishes for ever!
Rejoice, O Mother Church! Exult in glory!
The risen Saviour, shines upon you!
Let this place resound with joy,
echoing the mighty song of all God’s people!
Let us sing and rejoice with the choirs of heaven,
Jesus Christ our King is risen!
Words: Exultet, from the Roman Missal Music: Simon Reynolds
The Vigil
The Presbyter says
As we await the risen Christ, let us hear the record of God’s saving
deeds in history, recalling how He saved His people in ages past and in
the fullness of time sent His Son to be our Redeemer; and let us pray that
through this Easter celebration God may bring to perfection in each of us
the saving work He has begun.
Reading
The Creation
Genesis 1: 1 – 2. 4a
At the conclusion of reading, the reader says
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
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Presbyter Almighty God,
you have created the heavens and the earth
and made us in your own image:
teach us to discern your hand in all your works
and your likeness in all your children;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord.
All Amen.
Psalm 104: 1 - 7
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Bless the Lord, O my soul. ♦
O Lord my God, how excellent is your greatness!
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You are clothed with majesty and honour, ♦
wrapped in light as in a garment.
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You spread out the heavens like a curtain ♦
and lay the beams of your dwelling place in the waters above.
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You make the clouds your chariot ♦
and ride on the wings of the wind.
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You make the winds your messengers ♦
and flames of fire your servants.
Response Send forth your Spirit and renew the face of the earth.
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You laid the foundations of the earth, ♦
that it never should move at any time.
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You covered it with the deep like a garment ;
the waters stood high above the hills.
Reading
Crossing the Red Sea
Exodus 14: 10 – end, 15.1a
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Presbyter Lord God our redeemer,
who heard the cry of your people
and sent your servant Moses to lead them out of slavery:
free us from the tyranny of sin and death
and, by the leading of your Spirit,
bring us to our promised land;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All Amen.
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All STAND and sing
Sit
Reading
God promises a new heart
Jeremiah 31. 31 - 34
At the conclusion of reading, the reader says
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The Gospel
St. Mark 16: 1 - 8
Gospeller Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark.
All Glory to you, O Lord.
When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of
James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And
very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went
to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, ‘Who will roll away the
stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?’ When they looked up, they
saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back.
continued
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As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe,
sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, ‘Do
not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified.
He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him.
But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee;
there you will see him, just as he told you.’ So they went out and fled from
the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing
to anyone, for they were afraid.
Gospeller This is the Gospel of the Lord.
All Praise to you, O Christ.
Sit
As we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead,
we remember that through the paschal mystery we have died and been
buried with him in baptism.
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The Presbyter says
May God, who has given you the desire to follow Christ,
give you also strength to continue in the Way.
Amen.
All stand
Profession of Faith
Brothers and sisters, I ask you to profess the faith of the Church.
Do you believe and trust in God the Father?
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
Do you believe and trust in his Son Jesus Christ?
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 to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
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Do you believe and trust in the Holy Spirit?
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Almighty God,
we thank you for our fellowship in the household of faith
with all who have been baptized into your name.
Keep us faithful to our baptism,
and so make us ready for that day
when the whole creation shall be made perfect in your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.
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The Liturgy of the Eucharist
All stand
The Peace
The risen Christ came and stood among his disciples and said,
‘Peace be with you.’ Then were they glad when they saw the Lord.
Alleluia.
The peace of the risen Christ be always with you.
All And also with you. Alleluia.
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Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Sit
As we join our prayers with the Church Universal, so we say the prayer
that Jesus taught us.
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The Breaking of the Bread
We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.
Though we are many, we are one body,
because we all share in one bread.
Almighty God,
we thank you for feeding us
with the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ.
Through him we offer you our souls and bodies
to be a living sacrifice.
Send us out in the power of your Spirit
to live and work
to your praise and glory. Amen.
The Dismissal
The Blessing
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
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All stand and sing
Hymn
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He lives, Christ Jesus lives today
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life's narrow way
He lives, salvation to impart
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart .
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The Paschal Candle
The Paschal candle is a large, white candle lit during the Easter service. The candle
is often decorated with symbols of Christ's resurrection, such as a cross or an
image of the resurrected Christ. The Paschal candle also represents Jesus'
resurrection and triumph over death, and is a symbol of hope and new life.
The Paschal Candle has a long history and carries significant meaning and symbolism
in Easter services. The candle is lit during the Easter Vigil, symbolizing the light of
Christ's resurrection overcoming the darkness of the tomb. The Paschal Candle is
also lit during baptisms, signifying new life in Christ.
From the Easter Vigil until Pentecost Sunday, the Paschal Candle is prominently
displayed and is lit for all liturgies. Once the season of Easter is over, the Paschal
Candle returns to the baptismal font. The Paschal Candle is kept near the baptismal
font because it is used during the Liturgy of Baptism.
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ST. THOMAS’ CATHEDRAL
3 Veer Nariman Road, Fort, Mumbai – 400 001
Presbyter-In-Charge: The Revd. Avinash T. Rangayya
Telephone: (Vestry) 2283 9783, (R) 2207 1275, 98207 50090
Contact the Presbyter for pastoral visits and administering Communion to the house-bound.
FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION ONLY. PLEASE SHARE THIS SERVICE BOOKLET WITH A FIREND.
Website http://stthomascathedralmumbai.com
Subscribe to the Cathedral’s YouTube channel
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