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Collects, Readings, and Canticles for the Great Vigil of Easter

Introduction

Old Testament Readings and Collects

THE CREATION

  • Genesis 1:1–2:3 (or 1:1–2:4a)
  • Psalm 136:1–9, 23–26
  • Or, Psalm 104:1–13 (or 104:1–24)

O God, you wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE FALL

  • Genesis 3
  • Psalm 32

O God, you sent your blessed Son, the seed of the woman, that he might crush the serpent’s head and make all creation new: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE FLOOD

  • Genesis 7:1–5, 11–18; 8:6–18 (or 8:6–20); 9:8–13
  • Psalm 46
  • Or, Psalm 36

Grant, Lord, that we who are baptized into the death of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ may continually put to death our evil desires and be buried with him; and that through the grave and gate of death we may pass to our joyful resurrection; through the merits of him who died and was buried and rose again for us, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

ABRAHAM’S SACRIFICE OF ISAAC

  • Genesis 22:1–18
  • Psalm 16

Almighty God, your servant Abraham faithfully obeyed your call, and rejoiced to see the day of your Son: Multiply the number of your children by the grace of the Lamb who was slain; that your Church may also rejoice to see your promise to our father Abraham fulfilled; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

ISRAEL’S DELIVERANCE AT THE RED SEA

  • Exodus 14:10–31; 15:20–21 (or 14:10–15:1)
  • Song of Moses: Exodus 15:1b–13, 17–18

O God, your wonderful deeds of old shine forth even to our own day, by the power of your mighty arm you once delivered your chosen people from slavery under Pharaoh, to be a sign for us of the salvation offered to all nations by the water of Baptism: Grant that all the peoples of the earth may be numbered among the offspring of Abraham, and rejoice in the inheritance of Israel; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

GOD’S PRESENCE IN A RENEWED ISRAEL

  • Isaiah 4:2–6
  • Psalm 122

O God, you led your ancient people by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night: Grant that we, who serve you now on earth, may come to the joy of that heavenly Jerusalem, where all tears are wiped away and where your saints for ever sing your praise; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

SALVATION OFFERED FREELY TO ALL

  • Isaiah 55:1–11
  • Psalm 42:1–7
  • Or, Isaiah 12:2–6

O God, you have created all things by the power of your Word, and you renew the earth by your Spirit: Give the water of life to all who thirst for you, that they may bring forth abundant fruit in your glorious kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE CALL OF WISDOM

  • Proverbs 8:1–8, 19–21; 9:4b–6
  • Psalm 19

A NEW HEART AND A NEW SPIRIT

  • Ezekiel 36:24–28
  • Psalm 42 (or 42:1–7)
  • Or, Psalm 43

Heavenly Father, by the power of your Holy Spirit you promise your faithful people new life in the water of Baptism: Guide and strengthen us by the same Spirit, that we who are born again may serve you in faith and love, and grow into the full stature of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE VALLEY OF DRY BONES

  • Ezekiel 37:1–14
  • Psalm 143

Lord God of our salvation, you speak the word to your scattered people, and raise us up from the valley of death: Breathe your Spirit upon your Church, that we may live and stand before you confident in your risen Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

THE THREE YOUNG MEN IN THE FURNACE

  • Daniel 3:1–28
  • A Song of Creation
  • Or, A Song of Praise (Benedictus es, Domine)

O God, you know that we are set in the midst of many grave dangers, and because of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright: Grant that your strength and protection may support us in all dangers and carry us through every temptation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

JONAH AND THE FISH

  • Jonah 1:1–2:10
  • Psalm 130

Almighty God, by the resurrection of your Son you have brought us out of sin into righteousness and out of death into life: Grant to those who are sealed by your Holy Spirit the will and the power to proclaim you to all the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE GATHERING OF GOD’S PEOPLE

  • Zephaniah 3:14–20 (or 3:12–20)
  • Psalm 98

Almighty God, you called your Church to bear witness that you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself: Give us boldness to proclaim the good news of your love, that all who hear it may be drawn to you; through him who was lifted high upon the Cross, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Or, if the Solemn Collects were not said on Good Friday,

O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look favorably on your whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry out in tranquility the plan of salvation; let the whole world see and know that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle and Gospel

O God, you made this most holy night to shine with the glory of the Lord’s resurrection: Stir up in your Church that Spirit of adoption which is given to us in Baptism, that we, being renewed both in body and mind, may worship you in sincerity and truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

  • Romans 6:3–11
  • Psalm 114
  • Matthew 28:1–10
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