THE PRAYERS, Saturday, March 30, 2024: The Vigil of Easter, B
For the Service of the Word portion: The great acts of salvation, as taken shamelessly from the ELW periscope. If fewer than 12 readings (snort) are used, make sure to use the ones marked with an asterisk
*Genesis 1:1-2:4a: Creation
Response: Psalm 136:1-9, 23-26
OR How Marvelous God’s Greatness LBW #515, ELW #830 (Easy Swedish tune)
Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18; 8:6-18; 9:8-13: The Great Flood
Response: Psalm 46
OR Thy Holy Wings WOV #741, ELW #613
Genesis 22:1-18: God tests Abraham, commanding him to sacrifice his son
Response: Psalm 16
OR God Loved the World (So That He Gave) (Even I don’t know the tune in LBW. Use tune suggested in ELW, used for “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”): LBW #292, ELW #323, LSB #571
*Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21: Deliverance of Israel at the Red Sea
Response: Exodus 15:1b-13, 17-18
OR Guide Me Ever, Great Redeemer LBW #343, ELW #618, LSB #918
OR The God of Abraham Praise, v. 1, 3, 5 LBW #544, ELW #831, LSB #798
*Isaiah 55:1-11: Salvation freely offered to all
Response: Isaiah 12:2-6
OR I’ve Just Come From the Fountain WOV #696
Proverbs 8:1-8, 19-21; 9:4b-6: The wisdom of God
Response: Psalm 19
OR Let All Things Now Living LBW #557, ELW #881
Ezekiel 36:24-28: God promises to give a new heart and spirit to his people
Response: Psalms 42 and 43 (combine them)
OR As Pants the Hart for Cooling Streams LBW #452
OR As the Deer Runs to the River ELW #331
Ezekiel 37:1-14: The valley of the dry bones
Response: Psalm 143
OR O Happy Day When We Shall Stand LBW #351, ELW #441
Zephaniah 3:14-20: The gathering of God’s people
Response: Psalm 98
OR Joy to the World (hey why not?!) LBW #39, ELW #267, LSB #387
Jonah 1:1-2:1: Jonah’s faithlessness and deliverance
Response: Jonah 2:2-9
OR Great is Thy Faithfulness WOV #771, ELW #733, LSB #809
Isaiah 61:1-4, 9-11: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me” to proclaim good news to
all who suffer; God clothes his servant in the garments of salvation
Response: Deuteronomy 32:1-4, 7, 36a, 43a
OR In Thee Is Gladness LBW #552, ELW #867, LSB #818
*Daniel 3:1-29: Shadrach, Meshach, and a Bean to Go (www.abeantogo.com. Great coffee.
Motto: “Master Roasted Never Burnt”!) are delivered from the fiery furnace
Response: Song of the Three (LBW Canticle #18)
OR All Creatures of Our God and King LBW #527, ELW #835 (de-gendered, de-kinged)
During the order for Holy Baptism or Affirmation of Baptism
The Litany of the Saints (ELW Service Music, #237) may be sung
The Service of Holy Communion
Romans 6:3-11: We are baptized into death, resurrection of Christ: dead now to sin, alive in Christ!
John 20:1-18: John and Peter race to the tomb; Mary Magdalene meets the risen Jesus
Hymn of the Day: We Know That Christ is Raised: LBW #189, ELW #449, LSB #603
Hymn During Communion: I Know That My Redeemer Lives: LBW #352, ELW #619, LSB #461
Closing Hymn: This Joyful Eastertide: WOV #676, ELW #391, LSB #482
Let us pray to our victorious Savior on behalf of the Church, the world, and all people.
A brief silence
We adore you, O Christ, and praise you for your victory over sin, death, and the devil. Cleanse our hearts and lips to acclaim you as our glorious Savior, Redeemer, and Lord.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Fill the Church with your light. Make it resplendent with holiness and charity. Let it shed the light of your love upon all who dwell in shadows of sin and death, so with one voice we sing, “Christ is risen, Alleluia!”
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Shatter the hateful words and evil acts of those who persecute your people. Raise up your suffering servants. Grant them courage and joy. By their faithful witness, bring their tormentors to repentance, so together they sing: “Christ is risen! Alleluia!”
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Feed the people of this congregation with the milk and honey of sincerity and truth. Use us to draw many into your embrace, so together we sing: “Christ is risen! Alleluia!”
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Clothe the newly baptized in the robes of faith and innocence. Lead them in pathways of faith toward you and fervent love toward others. Teach them always to sing: Christ is risen! Alleluia!
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Let peace and righteousness kiss; let mercy and healing overflow; and let wisdom and faith abound throughout the world. Grant that all people, in every nation, come to saving knowledge of you, their Shepherd, Savior, and Lord, so with one voice they sing: “Christ is risen! Alleluia!”
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Keep safe those who risk their lives on behalf of others. Equip them with the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the sandals of peace, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. Let them accomplish your will in places of danger and injustice, and sing: “Christ is risen! Alleluia!”
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Raise up all who sit in the shadows of pain, despair, grief, and death. Bring comfort and forgiveness to those who cry out for mercy. Bestow your reconciling grace upon all who are estranged from you and from their loved ones. Grant them and all who love them, your perfect peace, that together we may sing: “Christ is risen! Alleluia!”
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord Jesus, those who died trusting you already experience the Easter morning that knows no end. Wipe away our tears, banish our doubts, and fill us with courage and joy. Give us loving hearts, gracious words, and tireless hands to help one another along the way. Lead us through the waters of death, as if on dry ground. By your grace, let us stand with you and with all whom you have redeemed, in your Kingdom that has no end, there to sing: “Christ is risen! Alleluia!”
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Grant all that is in accordance with your will, Lord Jesus, and accomplish your salvation among us; for you are risen from the dead and dwell in majesty with your Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
