VERSION: 9 April 2002
PENTECOST EVE (VIGIL)
There are three great vigil masses of the Christian year: Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost. Although Lutherans have celebrated the Christmas vigil (Christmas Eve), and the Easter vigil is regaining popularity, the old tradition of holding a vigil on the night before Pentecost in anticipation of the day itself has yet to become popular in our church. The Lutheran Book of Worship , however, includes propers for this service.
The Vigil follows Jesus' injunction to the disciples: 'Behold, I am sending you the promise of my Father. But wait in Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.' Like the disciples waiting in the upper room, this evening service is a period of waiting and praying for the coming of the Spirit.
Baptisms and confirmations are also appropriate to this time, as they are at Easter.
NOTES ON THE RITE
This following order follows roughly the same structure as the Easter Vigil given in Church Rites, from the Liturgy of the Word onwards, but it is introduced with a Service of Light. Those who wish to chant the Service of Light will find a setting in LBW Ministers Desk Edition, pages 58-60.
The paschal candle is lit, and the stand is placed near the lectern. Additional candles (both those held by the congregation and other candles around the church) may be lit from the paschal candle during the Service of Light. The lit paschal candle itself is carried in procession during the singing of the 'Glory to God in the highest', and then placed back in the stand for the rest of the liturgy.
OUTLINE OF THE RITE
SERVICE OF LIGHT
Responses
Thanksgiving for light
Glory to God in the highest
LITURGY OF THE WORD
Introduction
First reading
Second reading
Third reading
Fourth reading
Hymn
CONFESSION OF BAPTISMAL FAITH
Baptismal reading
Address
Baptism/confirmation
Renunciation and confession
Sprinkling
LITURGY OF THE SACRAMENT
Greeting
Prayer of Pentecost Vigil (collect)
Alleluia verse
Gospel
Sermon
Offering
Offertory
Prayer
Communion liturgy
Seasonal preface
Prayer after communion
CONCLUSION
Seasonal blessing
Recessional hymn
Suggestions for Hymns and songs, Visual, and Children follow.
PENTECOST VIGIL
SERVICE OF LIGHT
RESPONSES
Jesus Christ is the light of the world,
a light no darkness can overcome.
Stay with us, because it is almost evening
and the day is now nearly over.
May the light of Christ, rising in glory,
dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.
Other candles may be lit from the paschal candle.
THANKSGIVING FOR LIGHT
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
We praise you, O Lord our God, king of the universe.
You went in front of the people of Israel
in a pillar of cloud by day,
to lead them along the way,
and in a pillar of fire by night,
to give them light.
Lighten our darkness with the light of Christ,
and let your word be a lamp to our feet
and a light to our path.
We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ,
who is our light and our life,
and who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST
'Glory to God in the highest' may be sung according to whatever setting is used for the service. During the singing of this hymn, the congregation, with lit candles, may follow the paschal candle in procession around the church.
LITURGY OF THE WORD
INTRODUCTION
Friends in Christ: Hear the word of God which recalls how God's Spirit worked among his people from ancient times.
FIRST READING
Genesis 11:1-9 The tower of Babel
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
A meditative response follows. This may be a psalm, a verse of a hymn, or silent meditation. Psalm 117 is appropriate.
Let us pray.
(Silent prayer)
O God, you confused the language of the people
because of their sin and pride,
but restored understanding on the day of Pentecost.
Enable us by your Spirit
to hear and understand the voice of God
as he speaks to us in his word.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
SECOND READING
Exodus 19:1-9 God descends on Mount Sinai
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
A meditative response follows. This may be a psalm, a verse of a hymn, or silent meditation. Suggested psalm is Psalm 33:12-22.
Let us pray.
(Silent prayer)
Lord God, you revealed yourself
to your people at Mount Sinai
and made them a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.
Come again to us in your Holy Spirit,
and enable us
to fulfil the commands of your law.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
THIRD READING
Ezekiel 37:1-14 The vision of dry bones
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
A meditative response follows. This may be a psalm, a verse of a hymn, or silent meditation. Suggested psalm is Psalm 130.
Let us pray.
(Silent prayer)
Lord God of power,
you restore those who have fallen,
and preserve those you have restored.
Increase the numbers of those
who shall receive new life
by the power of your name,
and preserve your baptised people
in the power of your Spirit.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
FOURTH READING
Joel 2:28-32 The Lord will pour out the Spirit on all people
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
A meditative response follows. This may be a psalm, a verse of a hymn, or silent meditation. Suggested psalm is Psalm 104:24-24, 35b.
Let us pray.
(Silent prayer)
Lord, our Father,
on the day of Pentecost
you fulfilled your promise
to pour out your Spirit on all humankind.
May all people come to faith in you
and receive the gifts which the Spirit gives.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
HYMN
A hymn of invocation to the Holy Spirit or a baptismal hymn may be sung.
CONFESSION OF BAPTISMAL FAITH
BAPTISMAL READING
Romans 8:14-17,22-27 All who are led by the Spirit are children of God
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Let us pray.
(Silent prayer)
Almighty and gracious God,
as you have united us
with the death of our Lord Jesus Christ
through the waters of holy baptism,
guide us as we live our lives
in the power of his Holy Spirit.
Strengthen us in faith,
so that we may triumph over the powers of darkness
and reign with you in eternal light.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
ADDRESS
An address may be given.
BAPTISM/CONFIRMATION
If there are candidates for baptism, the minister leads those involved to the font. The following parts of the service for baptism are used: nos 1,7-10,12-15,18-20. If there are candidates for confirmation, the confirmation order is used here. In either case, the congregation joins together in the renunciation of the devil and the confession of faith in the Triune God.
RENUNCIATION AND CONFESSION
The congregation lights hand-held candles from the paschal candle and responds as the minister asks the following questions.
Brothers and sisters in Christ:
Do you renounce the devil
and all his works
and all his ways?
Yes, I do.
Do you believe in God the Father?
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth.
Do you believe in God the Son?
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, dead, and buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven,
and sits at the right hand of God, the Father almighty,
from thence he will come to judge the living and the dead.
Do you believe in God 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.
Do you intend to remain firm in this faith and reflect it in love to God and your neighbour?
Yes, I do.
(May) God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given you new birth by water and the Spirit and has forgiven you all your sins, strengthen you with his Spirit, so that you receive eternal life.
Amen.
SPRINKLING
While the congregation sings a baptismal song or Pentecost hymn, the minister may sprinkle the congregation with water using an evergreen sprig and a small bowl of water.
LITURGY OF THE SACRAMENT
GREETING
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
PRAYER OF PENTECOST VIGIL (COLLECT)
Let us pray.
(Silent prayer)
Almighty God,
let your glorious splendour
shine on us,
and let your Holy Spirit
enlighten those who have been born again
with the brightness of your light.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
OR
Let us pray (for unity in the Spirit).
(Silent prayer)
Almighty and ever-living God,
you fulfilled the promise of Easter
by sending your Holy Spirit
to unite the races and nations on earth
and thus to proclaim your glory.
Send the flame of your Spirit
to rest in our hearts
and heal our divisions of word and language,
so that with one voice and one song
we may praise your name
in joy and thanksgiving.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
ALLELUIA VERSE
Alleluia.
The Spirit of the Lord fills the world. Alleluia.
Alleluia.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful people,
and kindle in them the fire of your love.
Alleluia.
OR
Alleluia.
Jesus said: 'Let the one who believes in me drink.'
As the scripture has said, Out of the believer's heart
shall flow rivers of living water.
Alleluia.
GOSPEL
John 7:37-39 Jesus prophesies the coming of the Spirit
This is the gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON
A brief sermon may be preached, if this has not been done earlier as part of the liturgy of baptism or confirmation.
OFFERING
The offering may be gathered.
OFFERTORY
The following offertory may be used as the gifts are brought to the altar.
All creatures look to you
to give them their food at the proper time.
When you hide your face, they are dismayed;
when you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust.
When you send forth your spirit, they are created,
and you renew the face of the earth. (Ps 104:27-30)
PRAYER
Intercessions may be offered for the church, the world and those in need.
COMMUNION LITURGY
The communion liturgy follows, from the preface to the end of the service.
SEASONAL PREFACE
The seasonal preface given here is a modernised text recommended for use by the Department of Liturgics with all forms of the liturgy. For the texts in specific orders, see the document 'Easter season' in the 'General and seasonal' folder.
It is indeed right and good,
Lord God, holy Father,
that we should at all times and in all places
give thanks to you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
When he had ascended above the heavens
and was enthroned at your right hand,
he poured out the promised Holy Spirit
on his chosen people.
At this the whole earth greatly rejoices,
praising your name with many tongues.
And so with angels and archangels,
and with all the company of heaven,
we adore and praise your glorious name:
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
We thank you, heavenly Father,
that you have given us one Spirit to drink
through the body and blood of your Son.
Let your Holy Spirit unite us all
in the holy fellowship of faith and love and praise;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
CONCLUSION
SEASONAL BLESSING
This seasonal blessing may used before the usual blessing in the order of service.
The God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
RECESSIONAL HYMN
A recessional Pentecost hymn may be sung.
HYMNS AND SONGS
See the listings of hymns and songs in the documents for Pentecost ('Pentecost Day A' in the 'Year A, Lent to Trinity' folder; 'Pentecost Day B' in the 'Year B, Lent to Trinity' folder; 'Pentecost Day C' in the 'Year C, Lent to Trinity' folder).
PSALMS
Psalm 117
This psalm may be sung to either of the settings in Together in Song (TIS 72 (LH 430 modernised) and 73).
OR
This psalm may be sung to one of the following metrical versions by David Sch¸tz. If reproducing either of these versions, please put 'Words (c) David Sch¸tz' at the beginning or the end of the psalm.
Version I: to the tune 'For unto us a child is born' (LHS 740, ATN 33)
Let ev’ry nation praise the Lord!
And extol him, all you peoples!
For his steadfast love is great to all his people,
and his faithfulness lasts forever and ever and ever.
His steadfast love is great to everyone,
so, you nations, praise the Lord!
OR
Version II: to the tune Greensleeves (LHS 746)
O praise the Lord, all nations,
extol him, all you peoples!
For great his steadfast love to us,
his faithfulness lasts forever.
Praise, praise to God the Father,
praise to Jesus Christ his Son,
praise, praise the Holy Spirit,
ever three and ever one.
Psalm 33:12-22
This psalm may be sung to the setting by Hal Hopson in Together in Song (TIS 21).
OR
This psalm may be sung to the following metrical version by David Sch¸tz, to the tune 'Lobe den Herren' (LH 442, TIS 111). If reproducing this version, please put 'Words (c) David Sch¸tz' at the beginning or the end of the psalm.
The Lord destroys all the plans and the scheming of nations;
but what he plans in his heart stands unchallenged forever!
Happy are they who worship only the Lord.
He blesses his chosen people.
The Lord looks down from above and he sees all his creatures.
From his high throne he observes all the deeds of his people.
No land is saved by its great armies or strength,
but the Lord guards all who fear him.
The Lord delivers from famine and death all who trust him.
We put our hope in the Lord who protects us and helps us.
Our hearts are glad, we put our trust in his name.
Lord, let your love be upon us.
Psalm 130
See the Music Packages 2 and 6 for musical settings of this psalm.
OR
This psalm could be sung to the Gelineau setting in Together in Song (TIS 81).
OR
This psalm could be sung to the paraphrase from the Iona Community in Psalms of patience, protest and praise page 48.
OR
Luther's paraphrase 'Out of the depths I cry to thee' (LHS 310). A modernised version is available.
Psalm 104:24-24, 35b
See the Music Packages 2, 5 and 8 for musical settings for this psalm.
OR
This psalm could be sung to the setting by AG Murray in Together in Song (TIS 65).
OR
This psalm could be sung in the metrical version by David Sch¸tz, to the tune: 'What wondrous love is this' (LHS 794, ATA 145). If reproducing this version, please put 'Words (c) David Sch¸tz' at the beginning or the end of the psalm.
How many are your works, O Lord God, and how wise!
Your creatures fill all parts of the earth.
Where ships sail to and fro, on seas so great and wide,
there countless creatures live, and the whales have their sport,
and you have made them all, great and small.
See how they look to you for their food in due time.
You open up your hand, they are filled.
But when you hide your face, they suffer in dismay.
You take away their breath, and they die and decay;
they all return again to the dust.
You send your spirit out to create life again,
and you renew the face of the earth;
rejoice, Lord, in your works, your glory evermore!
You look upon the earth, and it trembles and quakes;
the mountains pour out smoke at your touch.
So I'll sing to the Lord, for as long as I live;
I'll sing my praise to God all my life.
And may my words and thoughts be pleasing to the Lord,
for in the Lord alone will my soul find its joy:
O bless the Lord, my soul! Praise the Lord!
VISUAL
COLOUR
Red, as for Pentecost.
DECORATION
There are various possibilities for decoration:
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Use red and white flowers in the sanctuary. Could use poinsettias (like flames) or strelitzia (bird of paradise). Could include white dove and/or red candles (see last point below) in the arrangement.
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Create a flame design using red/orange flowers.
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Arrange twelve torches (candles on high stands) at the end of the pews along the aisle (as sometimes done for carols by candlelight at Christmas), but use either red candles or red chimney glasses.
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Decorate the church with red, yellow, and orange streamers. Arrange the streamers so that they highlight the places where the Spirit works through the means of grace: the altar, the baptismal font, the pulpit/lectern.
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Decorate the church with the flags of different nationalities, especially those represented by congregational members.
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Candles in the church are usually white. This is said to be because they symbolise Christ. However, on this occasion the candles on the altar and in the sanctuary could be red, to symbolise the fire of the Spirit.
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CHILDREN
For guidelines and general ideas on involving children, see the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Involving children', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.
Ask the children to assist with lighting candles, carrying the processional cross, bringing the bread and wine to the altar. Invite them stand close to the font for the baptisms so that they can see the water being poured. The long readings can become boring for young children - but perhaps they could enliven them with a dramatic presentation of one or more of the readings. If visuals are used with the readings, this can be an effective way of keeping their attention on the words being read.
For further ideas for involving children, see the documents for Pentecost ('Pentecost Day A' in the 'Year A, Lent to Trinity' folder; 'Pentecost Day B' in the 'Year B, Lent to Trinity' folder; 'Pentecost Day C' in the 'Year C, Lent to Trinity' folder).
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