Our Savior Lutheran Church
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

Holy Week Worship: Easter Vigil

One service that is often overlooked in our circles is the Easter Vigil service. Perhaps most of you have never seen this service. The Easter Vigil takes place on Saturday evening. The traditional time has been to celebrate the Lord’s Supper at midnight. Last year I served as an assisting minister for the Easter Vigil at the congregation I was serving at and we began the service at 7:30 (they wanted people to actually attend!).

The Easter Vigil traces its origins back to the early church. In the early church catechumens who had finished their instruction (usually taking three years!) would be baptized into the Christian church. The service has four parts: 1) the Service of Light, 2) the Service of Lessons, 3) the Service of Holy Baptism, and 4) the Service of Holy Communion.

The Service of Light begins outside the Sanctuary. The Christ Candle is lit and candles in the hands of the worshippers are lit from it. This is similar to the Candlelight Christmas service. The service continues to the Service of Lessons. The Old Testament lessons focus on God’s great acts of salvation, such as the Flood, and the salvation at the Red Sea. Then the service of Baptism reminds all the worshippers of the meaning of their own baptism. Finally, a joyous celebration of the Lord’s Supper closes the service. The tone of the service goes from somberness coming from Good Friday to a joyous shout of “ALLELUIA CHRIST IS RISEN” leading worshippers into the joy of the Resurrection of Our Lord, which continues into the Sunday Easter Service.

This service is quite different from what many Lutherans are used to seeing. I first experienced it only last year as an assisting minister for the first time. Our Savior has no plans this year to hold this service, but perhaps some time in the future we will add a Saturday Vigil service. This closes the traditional triduum (three days) of services for Holy Week.

Saginaw Lutheran Valley Chorale Concert Dates and Announcements

(I just received this information about the Sagina Lutheran Valley Chorale)

For Sunday, March 24 and/or Easter Sunday, March 31

        The Saginaw Valley Lutheran Chorale invites you and your family to attend one of its spring concerts, coming soon to mid-Michigan. The Chorale will present Priceless Treasures: God's Sacraments & Word, a program of sacred hymns and songs. The Chorale will perform first on Saturday, April 20, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary of St. John Lutheran Church, 706 W. Jane St. in Bay City, MI. A second concert will occur on Sunday afternoon, April 21, at 4:00 p.m., at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1020 Court St. in Saginaw, MI.

        Please do mark these dates and times on your calendar and invite your friends to enjoy with you these concerts of worship and praise to our gracious God.

For Sundays, April 7 & April 14

        Priceless Treasures: God's Sacraments & Word is the theme uniting a program of sacred music to be presented by the Saginaw Valley Lutheran Chorale. The Chorale's performances offer a pleasing variety of selections, both in worship style and in concert settings. Congregational singing will be included.

        The first concert will be hosted by St. John Ev. Lutheran Church, 706 W. Jane St. in Bay City, MI on Saturday evening, April 20, beginning at 6:30 p.m. All guests are invited to a reception with light refreshments that will follow this concert. A second performance will take place at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 21, at St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church, 1020 Court St. in Saginaw, MI. At each concert, free-will offering will be gathered to support the Chorale's annual grants awarded to musically gifted MLS graduates who continue their ministry training at Martin Luther College. You and your family are most welcome to attend!

For Sunday, April 21

        This afternoon brings one last chance for you to enjoy Priceless Treasures: God's Sacraments & Word, the faith-uplifting concert of sacred songs and hymns presented by the Saginaw Valley Lutheran Chorale. The Chorale's final concert of this season will begin at 4:00 p.m. this afternoon, April 21. St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church, 1020 Court Street in Saginaw, MI, will host this event.

        You and your family are sure to enjoy the varied program that includes selections by Bach and Gerhardt as well as settings of familiar songs from our Lutheran hymnal. A free-will offering supporting the Chorale's annual Cantate Deo grants to MLS graduates will be gathered. Please come and join us!