The Prayers of the Church, Saturday, April 19, 2025: The Vigil of Easter
Service of Readings: There are twelve all together. If you decide to do seven or four, choose from the following; however, those in boldface must be read; and the final canticle, “All you works of the Lord” is always read after the final lesson. Where appointed, a responsorial psalm/canticle is also noted in parentheses. Where one is not noted, I have indicated a hymn that may be sung instead.
- Genesis 1:1-2:2 or Genesis 1:1-3:24
Hymn: Praise the Lord! O Heavens adore him: LBW #540, ELW #823
OR In Adam We Have All Been One: LBW # 372, LSB #569
- Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18; 8:6-18; 9:8-13
Hymn: Thy Holy Wings: WOV #741, ELW #613
OR Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me: LBW #334, ELW #755, LSB #715
- Exodus 14:10-15:1a or Exodus 13:17-15:1a
The Song of Moses and Miriam: LBW Canticle 19
- Isaiah 55:1-11 or Psalm 33:1-11
Thy Word, O Lord, Like Gentle Dew: LBW #232
OR Word of God, Come Down on Earth: WOV #716, ELW #510, LSB #545
- Ezekiel 37
Psalm 30
- Isaiah 4:2-6
The Song of the Vineyard, from Isaiah 5
- Daniel 3:1-29
All You Works of the Lord, Bless the Lord: LBW Canticle 18
OR All Creatures of Our God and King: LBW #527
All Creatures, Worship God Most High: ELW #835
Readings for the Service of Holy Communion:
Romans 6:1-11 (we are baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection)
Luke 24:1-12 (the women come to the empty tomb)
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Hymn of the Day: We Know That Christ is Raised and Dies No More: LBW #189,
ELW #449, LSB #603
Communion Hymn #1: Now the Green Blade Rises: LBW #148, ELW #379
Communion Hymn #2: Alleluia, Alleluia, Give Thanks to the Living Lord: WOV #671
OR Alleluia! Jesus is Risen!: WOV #674, ELW #377, LSB #474
Closing Hymn: This Joyful Eastertide: WOV #676, ELW #391, LSB #482
Let us, with joyful confidence, pray to our risen Savior for the Church, the world, and one another.
A brief silence
Lord Jesus, thank you. We hear the story of salvation, and are humbled by your patience with your wayward people. We enter the mystery of your death and resurrection in our Baptism. We feast on the sweetness of your victorious life at your Table. “Thanks” is too small a word! But your Spirit searches our hearts, and in that small word, utters what we cannot express for all you have done, and all that you are.
Alleluia, risen Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.
Fill the Church with light of your life. Make it resplendent with the beauty of your holiness. Make it lovely with your mercy. Give it a voice to sing, “Christ is risen, Alleluia!”
Alleluia, risen Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.
Shatter the hateful words and malicious acts of all who hate you. Raise up your persecuted servants, and grant them courage and joy. By their faithful witness, bring their tormentors to repentance, so together they sing: “Christ is risen! Alleluia!”
Alleluia, risen Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.
Feed the people of this congregation with the milk and honey of sincerity and truth. Fill us with your mercy, forgiveness, and goodness. Use us to draw many who are afar off into your welcoming embrace, so together we sing: “Christ is risen! Alleluia!”
Alleluia, risen Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.
Clothe the newly baptized in the festal robes of faith and innocence. Lead them in the pathways of faith toward you and fervent love toward others. And teach them to constantly sing: “Christ is risen! Alleluia!”
Alleluia, risen 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, might come to saving knowledge of you, their Shepherd, Healer, and Lord, so that with one voice they sing: “Christ is risen! Alleluia!”
Alleluia, risen 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, so all may sing: “Christ is risen! Alleluia!”
Alleluia, risen Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.
Raise up all who sit in the shadows of suffering. 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 your perfect peace, so together all may sing: “Christ is risen! Alleluia!”
Alleluia, risen Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.
O risen Lord Jesus, those who died trusting you already experience that Easter morning that knows no end. Wipe away our tears, banish our doubts, and fill us with dauntless 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 and favor, let us stand with you and with all whom you have redeemed, in your promised Kingdom that has no end, there to sing for all eternity: “Christ is risen! Alleluia!”
Alleluia, risen Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.
Grant to us all that is in accordance with your will, dear 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.
